“Pick your pain” is something I say to myself every day. On this side of eternity, we all suffer from some form of pain, exercise induced or non-exercise induced. For me, the sore muscles after a hard workout are a small price to pay for the health benefits gained from exercising. If you are inactive you may not experience this, but could very possibly suffer from the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle; obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure–just to name a few. This pain is far more dangerous so we should choose the pain that provides the better alternative.
Is there really a pain free route in life? Joining a new gym is hard, eating correctly takes discipline, showing up takes fortitude and achieving goals takes commitment… but oh the reward is so great and desire realized is sweet to the soul.
The road to fulfillment in wellness is the road less traveled because it is the hardest route to take. Only those who understand the consequences of the alternative dare to step foot on this path. It can be hard, hot, aggravating, and expensive. Ironically, those on this journey are happier than their couch ridden, fast food eating counterparts, who chose the seemingly “easier” route. They have come to realize that there is joy in the midst of their pain. They have learned that community brings them back each day, changes in their body make them want to eat better, goals change as their strength builds. That the wellness journey becomes an adventure.
The more we try to avoid “doing hard things” the harder our lives become. Those who choose to take the “easy” path will never know the joys of accomplishment or the reward of hard work. When we wake up tomorrow morning we will have a decision to make. My advice to you is pick your pain!