Overcoming Obstacles and Injuries on Your Health Journey: A Guide to Emotional RESET when things get tough
Today, I discuss the challenging road to recovery from injuries and the obstacles that can disrupt your health journey. It’s all about maintaining a positive mindset, building resilience, and overcoming setbacks with unwavering determination.
In life, we often encounter hurdles that can set us back, whether it’s a nagging injury or external obstacles that interfere with our fitness goals. The key to success lies in your ability to adapt and stay motivated, even when faced with difficulty.
I find myself inspired to discuss this topic today because, like many of you, I’m currently dealing with an injury. It’s a significant hip injury that occurred just two days ago. This injury has disrupted my physical activity routine, which, for me, is essential. I have a deep connection to moving my body; it’s one of my sources of energy and positivity. When I can’t engage in physical activity, I feel stagnant and unhappy.
However, setbacks happen to everyone. Whether it’s a fracture, a strained muscle, or life circumstances interfering with your fitness journey, they can all be challenging to navigate.
Let me share my recent experience. I decided to take on a 10K race to honour my late grandmother, a dedicated runner. I trained to the best of my ability but encountered injuries along the way. Then, with the arrival of winter, I transitioned from outdoor road running to a treadmill (YUCK to snow and cold!). On my first treadmill run, I experienced a slight discomfort in my hip, but I thought nothing of it.
The next day, I could barely walk due to severe pain in my hip. I was frustrated, unable to perform my daily workout routine or walk without limping, and felt hopeless. I was spiralling into negative thinking, thinking my life was over. I felt drained emotionally, physically, and mentally.
It’s in moments like these that we need to regain control of our thoughts and beliefs. Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial because what you believe affects your body’s ability to heal. So, how did I shift my perspective and regain hope?
- Seek Support: I reached out to my sister for a fresh perspective and guidance. Sometimes, when we’re in a negative thought spiral, an outside perspective can help us reframe our thinking and overcome our mental barriers. We can also reach out to a supportive friend who will tell it like it is – will kick your butt (not someone that supports you being in victim mode!!). Or, reach out to people in your health community (such as our Health Reset Warriors!)
- Embrace Adaptation: When obstacles disrupt your routine, be open to adapting. Accept that your fitness journey might need to take a different path for a while. Explore alternative forms of exercise and stay active in a way that accommodates your current situation.
- Professional Guidance: Don’t hesitate to seek professional help, whether it’s a physiotherapist for your physical recovery or a coach or hypnotherapist to help shift your beliefs. Professionals can and will guide you to a faster and more effective recovery.
- Manage Emotions: Be mindful of your emotional state and thought patterns. Avoid spiralling into negativity and hopelessness. Focus on what’s possible, accept your situation, and maintain a positive belief (with a powerful knowing) that you’ll overcome your obstacles.
By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire you to overcome your own health and fitness obstacles. Remember that setbacks are part of the human experience. Even the best athletes in the world have setbacks!! The support of a community, a fresh perspective, and maintaining a positive belief in your recovery will help you move forward stronger.
Please share your experiences with us and let’s support each other on this challenging but rewarding health journey. Together, we can conquer any obstacle and emerge even stronger. Thank you for being part of the Health Warrior community, and stay tuned for the next post!
Any questions or comments? Comment below or you can email support@dianegudmundson.com.