Thank you for reading this week’s Operation Melt update.
Operation Melt started as a blog to share my personal transformation and weight loss story. After achieving success with that goal, Operation Melt has evolved into a platform to help inspire, motivate and equip people to achieve their own personal and professional goals so they can live their best lives.
I am trying to build a world where no goal ever dies of loneliness.
Throughout my journey, I have learned that many life lessons can be learned by getting fit. This week I am sharing another installment of Fitness Lessons are Life Lessons.
Terrorist Attack
On Wednesday, 1/6/2021, the US suffered what can only be called a terrorist attack. A large group of very angry, often armed insurgents attacked the US Capitol building in an effort to overturn an election. They were willing to do this through blood and murder. This was nothing short of an attempt coup by domestic terrorists. And five people, including a police officer, died in the process.
I, like millions of others, watched this attempted coup happen in real time on the news. It brought me a range of emotions but the biggest was pain. It hurt to see this happen and it hurt to know that a large group of Americans had been lied to and manipulated to make something like this happen.
This got me thinking about pain.
Pain
I learned a lot about pain through my journey to get fit. You cannot go from a 325-pound couch potato to a fit and strong amateur athlete without experiencing some pain along the way. My doctor even said as much when he told me that it is an invalid expectation that I will live a completely pain-free life and still exercise as much as I do.
I have also learned that there are different types of pain…
There is good, productive pain. The sore muscles after lifting weights is a good example of this. You muscles have literally torn and are regrowing bigger than before. This is the “no pain, no gain” version of pain.
There is bad pain. When over-used, some muscles and joints develop pains that are intended to send you a message that rest is needed. For example, the very tender muscles that make it hard to even walk after running a half marathon mean it is time for rest and recovery.
But, the worst type of pain by far is self-inflicted pain. I gave myself shin splints twice and a strained Achilles once during my journey because of bad decisions that I made. These pains were entirely avoidable and were very uncomfortable issues to treat.
The reason that self-inflicted pain is the worst, beyond just hurting, are that they are also embarrassing. I did it to myself and it should have never happened.
Wednesday’s terrorist attack on the Capitol was definitely self-inflicted pain.
Healing
When pain happens you only have one smart choice for how to react. You have to switch your focus on healing. If you don’t focus on healing, you risk doing permanent damage to your joints, muscles or a nation.
The first step in any healing process is to stop the activity that caused the pain. If the pain comes when running, stop immediately. Failing to stop the cause of the pain increases the risk of a prolonged healing process or permanent damage.
Rest and recovery. After stopping the source of the pain, the next step is to focus on recovery. In many cases, rest is sufficient to make healing happen. Sometimes rest isn’t enough. You may need help from a professional, like a doctor, to aide your recovery. This professional is trained and equipped to help the pain go away.
Learn from the pain. Finally, taking some time to diagnose how you got to this point is very important. What caused this pain? Was it a condition that you have been ignoring and not taking seriously for a while? Was it a one-time bad decision? What can be done in the future to prevent similar pain and injuries from happening so you don’t have to suffer or take the time to heal?
Whatever the source of the pain it is important to remember that we can heal from it if we make good choices and focus on our recovery. Without taking the time and steps needed to heal, we risk creating an increasingly bad situation worse than the original pain.
Make no mistake, now is a time for healing.
Operation Melt 2021
Thank you for continuing to be a follower and reader of Operation Melt. I have some exciting things planned in 2021 including a new series dedicated to making your dreams come true. So, stay tuned and make sure to tell me what you think.
What more can Operation Melt do to help you try to achieve your goals and to equip you for success?
I Need Your Help
Before you go I would like to ask you for a favor. I can’t build a world where no goal ever dies of loneliness on my own. Please consider helping your friends find today’s post by following me on Facebook, on LinkedIn or via Instagram and share today’s post to your feed.
While you are at it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s post, your goals or anything else on your mind. Send me a note via my Contact Me form,
Thanks again for reading today’s post and here’s to achieving your most important goals!
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