I overheard two women in the locker room at the gym a few days ago.  One asked the other "How was your workout?", to which she replied "It was good, but I could've done more.  Don't feel like it though".  I laughed a little to myself because these are two women who have asked me before how I manage to look like I do and train as hard as I train.

This made me realize what it all comes down to for me.  I will never EVER leave the gym being able to say "I could have done more".  That's not in my vocabulary.  I make myself uncomforable in the gym in order to make myself comfortable being me.  When a workout becomes comfortable, that means it's time to step it up.  If I don't improve my performance every workout, I feel it is a waste of my time and effort.  I am always looking for the next challenge for myself as a Fitness athlete.

I remember when I had knee surgery 2 months before the Jr. Olympics in 1999.  My coach, Grand Master Ron Jenkins, told me "No excuses, get your butt back in here training".  I was back at the dojo the day after surgery.  If the doctor was ok with it, then there really were no excuses.  Why cut yourself and your dreams short if you don't have to?  Nobody is forcing you to be at the gym but you.  At the end of the day when you look in that mirror, do you want to be able to give yourself an excuse, or do you want to be able to feel good about how you used your time and effort? 

Step a little outside that comfort zone today, and I guarantee you will feel comfortable with your decision when the day is over.