Dealing with Physical Pain - Curious to Hear Your Thoughts

Hey guys,

I recently realized while working out (powerlifting) that there are two factors that motivate me to push myself. One, this relentless mentality of getting better and stronger everyday by setting goals and achieving it every session and feeling that sense of achievement whether that’s hitting a new PR or successfully completing a new uncomfortable exercise is what mainly drives me to go to the gym consistently and challenge myself.

Two,(this is what I would like to hear everyone elses thoughts and opinions), whenever I experience pain, instead of choosing to feel it and embrace it, my mind drifts away to something else that gives me greater satisfaction like visualizing some form of success or even daydreaming about something completely different that makes me happy (which i am sure this is different for everyone), and its that very thing that pushes me to get that extra rep in. I know it sound weird because how can you lift something so heavy if you are not fully conscious? Its only at that exact moment I life the barbell I am conscious, but in between I feel that I am not. Does this happen to anyone else? Its not entirely effective but it gets the job done in a way, but I also feel that I am not making the best use of my time or producing the most output at times because I am not fully aware or conscious and drifting away..

Just a realization that I had after working out for 3.5 hours and I am curious to hear what yall think and how you deal with physical pain? Do you embrace it? How do you embrace it so that you and your body feels good even if you are experiencing pain, rather than relying on that feeling of accomplishment you get after a good intense and challenging workout?

Open to hear general thoughts from anyone, current or retired athletes or whoever.

6 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I know that I will die one day and rest in peace forever, so nothing in this mortal life seems too painful or difficult to overcome. Everything I do serves a higher purpose, to achieve greatness, and then to achieve the humility needed to give all thanks and glory to a higher power. Part of this is living a long and fruitful life so that I can work for this higher purpose as long as possible. I think I'm of the same mind as you, as my mind drifts towards something that gives me greater satisfaction.

Within this context, there is the satisfaction of achievement, of grit and persistence, and just the endorphins released during exercise that feel physically good. I've noticed that among deeply driven people, there is something like an internal fire or hope that can be drawn from at any moment. Maybe it is love, which in my belief is God. It has always been there, and in moments of profound pain and darkness, I can always draw from this source of supreme, endless power.

This might sound strange to someone of a different worldview, so I can sum it up like this: Love is the source of my strength in the face of hardship. Maybe that sounds cheesy, but it is my sincere belief.

 

“I’m coming day and night”

- Arnold 

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Ignoring pain is how you end up 40 and obese because in your youth you pushed lifting too hard. You're probably going to be better off if you play the long game with lifting--consistent, long-term lifting with moderation and listening to your pain. If you really mess up your shoulder, for example, that can effectively end your weight lifting regiment permanently. This is why middle age+ people are so often overweight--it's not that their metabolism slows down markedly; it's that their physical activity craters, often because of injuries. 

Array
 

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