Seven years ago, I began a journey towards better physical health.  I had no idea how much it would help my mental health as well.  

I was getting ready for a major surgery. During the pre-op physical, they noted that my cholesterol was high.  I was given the choice: diet and exercise or medication.  I chose diet and exercise.

I made a lot of changes to my diet that year (some have stuck, some haven’t). I also eventually found a sport that I enjoy.  I had never been an athletic person before in my life.  I don’t like running. I also have poor depth perception. Therefore, any sport where there are flying objects is a hard no.  So I never really thought I would ever find a sport that I could really get into.  But then I found power lifting. 

I still remember the first time my trainer had me put the barbell on my back for a squat.  The weight of the bar on my shoulders helped me feel grounded for the first time ever. The constant noise in my head was quiet.  It was love at first lift.

Lifting taught me a lot of things that were very helpful in my mental health journey.  

1. Progress isn’t linear
2. Ignoring an injury doesn’t make it go away
3. Strength comes in many shapes and sizes
4. Trust the process
5. There is a difference between good pain and bad pain. 

Over the next few posts, I will dig deeper into each of these ideas. I might also cover any others that I have forgotten about in the current moment.