“Just listen to your body…”

Have you ever heard this advice?

I’ve actually prescribed this advice quite a bit.

Like many things in life, some nuance and context can help provide clarity.

With that said, of course it’s important to listen to your body. Your body is constantly giving you helpful information – whether it’s related to sleep, digestion, recovery, stress, etc.

However, when it comes to exercise, it’s important to understand that your body will likely be uncomfortable.

This isn’t bad…This is perfectly normal. Think about what you are doing when you’re exercising…

You’re literally creating micro-tears in your muscle tissue. You’re forcing your heart to work harder. Your body is adapting to stress. Even your bones are adapting.

The bottom line is that a certain level of discomfort is necessary to elicit change. It’s part of the way we evolve, get stronger, and improve overall health.

So, listen to your body, but also expect your body to whine and cry a little bit when you go for that jog or pick up a pair of dumbbells. You may not love the momentary discomfort, but it’s worth it.

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