Answering A Query
A question from one of my gym clients—“I just wanted to know how mental health or state of the mind plays role in fitness. A fitness routine or lifting weights requires concentration on every move. If thoughts or the mind is disturbed it doesn’t help you. How do you think that lifting weights helps?
Allow me to quote an incident that occurred with one of gym clients. And how it is related to this query?
A gym client of mine incurred a huge loss at his work place. He had to pay a huge sum of money as penalty. It angered him, for he hopelessly had to pay it. For a few days he was feeling depressed and dismayed. His wife knew that he badly missed something. The first thing his wife told him was to frequent the gym. He had missed his visits because of the untoward incident. Taking his wife’s suggestion he followed suit. Right after he hit the gym he realized that that was the route to his solace.
Psychologists say that it takes 21 days to develop a habit. After the said period the habit becomes engrained in you. You start craving for it. Let me not be as specific as psychologists. I can, however, assure you that the habit of frequenting the gym for few months will nudge you to come for a longtime—in many cases for a lifetime. You start craving for physical pain. You realize that pain and pleasure are two sides of the same coin. Through physical pain you learn to find happiness. George Sheehan says, “Sweat cleanses from the inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach.”
Now, the question that you need great concentration to lift weights doesn’t arise. Irrespective of your mental state—agitated, anger, or frustrated you want to come to the gym. You obviously know that the physical strain will provide you the much needed solace—a get away from the daily anger and frustration. You invariably want to give your best for you know that the return you derive is rewarding.
Many of my gym clients say that working out in the gym provide them the much required comfort they need. It is that zone that they want to dwell at. It is addictive. You cannot deny that.
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2 thoughts on “Answering A Query”
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Excellent write-up Sir! Just food for my thought. I could connect very well with what you have written and I completely agree! Cheers!
Thanks for the kind words, Suhas.