Listening To Your Body

As most people know, I hate taking days off from working out. For example, I often remember my coaches getting "upset" with me because after a 3 hour practice I would head to the gym for a lift or for a run. I was also the person who played through any injury including a stress fractured foot that I played on for 4 years! I know, terrible, but I refused to take a break.

Well, over the past 5 months, I’ve learned that I can’t “neglect” my body any more by simply not listening to it. For those of you who do not know, 5 months ago I learned that I had an enlarged heart (later diagnosed as Athlete's Heart). After countless tests and one procedure, I finally understood the most important lesson in fitness…listening to your body.  Aches and pains are your body’s ways of telling you to take a step back and treat them. Sometimes we need medical treatment, but other times we just need to give our body a little rest and relaxation (a word that has never existed in my vocabulary).

Don’t get me wrong, there are some aches and pains that you can work through. For example, soreness from working out is a good pain because transformations are happening, but constant fatigue is not healthy. I encourage you to get in touch with your body and listen to it. My favorite way to do this is through yoga.

Most amazing view for our yoga on the lake sessions

There are different types of yoga, so give each one a whirl and find your favorite. This summer I’ve found a love for Power Yoga. I won’t lie, Power Yoga can be tough, but it provides an amazing burn and helps tone up every part of your body. I also love to go to “Yoga on the Lake,” a Vinyasa yoga class right on Lake Michigan. The class allows me to really get in tune with my body and mind while enjoying God’s beautiful creation.

Here is my challenge to you this week, get out of your comfort zone and try a yoga class. Even, if you know you aren't flexible, use this challenge to get limber! If you don’t have the resources to go to a gym, you can easily find a class on YouTube. I also love myyogaonline.com. For $10 a month you get access to unlimited yoga videos that you can stream in the comfort of your own home. Get out there, and listen to your body and continue to “fuel strong.”