10 Pounds Heavier
Growth begins when you challenge yourself enough to remember what you’re capable of.
For the last few years, my morning routine has been fairly consistent. I get up in the morning and get my head ready for the day before my feet even hit the floor.
Once I’m out of bed, I put on my running clothes and go for a 4.25-mile run. I do this 5 days a week, giving my body 2 days of rest. My run usually takes about 38 minutes.
At this point, I have a pretty consistent pace. My body mechanics are locked in, so I do not deal with repetitive motion issues. My heart rate stays around 145 bpm, and I do not have to think much about the run itself anymore.
Last week, I picked up a weighted vest.
The idea behind the vest is that it adds extra weight to your body, which can help with bone density and posture. As we age, we naturally put less stress on our bones, which can cause them to become less dense and more brittle. It also adds a strength-building component to my runs.
So, I loaded 10 pounds into the vest and went on my first run.
Honestly, I was surprised by how challenging it was.
Before the vest, my runs were usually a time for me to focus on building my mindset and getting ready to crush the day. But with the extra 10 pounds, the only thing I could focus on was the sound of my breathing and taking the next step forward.
That got me thinking.
I realized that when I truly challenge my body, it becomes impossible to focus on everything else.
The same thing happened when I started cold plunging. There is nothing faster to make you forget about life’s challenges than dropping yourself into a 45-degree pool.
(Quick disclaimer: cold plunging is not for everyone, so please check with your physician before trying it, regardless of what you see on the internet.)
Grief can work the same way.
When you first experience a major loss, it becomes the only thing you think about 24/7.
I went back to work pretty soon after my sister passed away because I needed something else to focus on. I knew that if I did not find a way to shift my attention somewhere else, I would go crazy.
Now, to be honest, part of going back to work so quickly was avoidance, and part of it was survival.
Grief fatigue is real. It is the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion that comes from grief consuming 100% of your day. I needed to give myself a break from carrying it every second.
What I have learned is that every time I start getting complacent or slip into autopilot, I need to challenge myself again.
That challenge breaks the repetitive patterns and helps build physical, mental, and emotional strength.
Start small.
Your challenge may simply be getting out of bed.
Your challenge may be getting 7–8 hours of sleep.
Your challenge may be slowing down.
Or speeding up.
Pick one small thing you can do to challenge yourself.
Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
What’s one small step or challenge you can give yourself this week?
If you want to share yours, send me a note.
Go with power,
Jason
After loss, many people feel tension, exhaustion, or disconnection from their bodies. Grief is not just something we think about…it is something we carry physically, too.
This gentle webinar explores how grief lives in the body and offers simple, body-based practices to help you reconnect with yourself. Together, we’ll focus on calming the nervous system, noticing physical and emotional signals, and creating small moments of grounding and support.
Try this Simple Practice:
Breaking Autopilot
Notice Your Autopilot
Pay attention to the areas of your life that feel repetitive, numb, or disconnected. Usually, that’s where growth has stalled.Pick One Small Challenge
Do not overhaul your life. Pick one small thing that stretches you physically, mentally, or emotionally.Stay With It Consistently Enough to Feel the Shift
The goal is not perfection. The goal is proving to yourself that you can still move forward, even when it feels hard.
Challenge creates growth.
Growth creates strength.