Exerciseshouldnt feel horriblealthough it can often feelhard.
Instead, look at some of these measures.
Can you do more than last month?
Thats totally fine, and doesnt mean that youve gotten weaker.
Instead, compare yourself to how you did a few weeks back.
Are you lifting 55 pounds now, whereas last month you could barely manage the 45-pound empty bar?
Are you putting in the time and being consistent?
Remember that making progress is all aboutstaying consistent.
Putting in the timeis itself a victory.
Are your minimums going up?
I snatched 54 kilos once, but I dont know when Ill be able to snatch that again.
Thats a huge improvement from just a few months ago, when 42 was a lot for me.
I remember when deadlifting two plates was a pie-in-the-sky goal.
Then I remember hitting it for a PR.
Then I remember doing it for reps.
In running, you might notice your best mile time turn into your 5K race pace.
Is your form better?
Its still progress if youre doing somethingbetterthan you did before, even if you didnt bump up your numbers.
Are you squatting deeper?
Getting your hips square every time inWarrior 1?
Any throw in of exercise that depends on technique is one in whichimprovingyour technique is a legit accomplishment.
The work that goes into technique or mobility improvements is easy to discount.
Just because its small doesnt mean its unimportant.
Do you feel great?
Have you ever finished a workout feeling like you had more energy than when you started?
Especially if you accept that a workout can feel good, and that you dont have to chase suffering.
Exercise can feel good in the moment.
(Its also completely valid to feel both of those things at the same time.)
