When Exercise Hurts You…
I have a confession to make. I am an exercise addict.
Erik Korem
May 17, 2024
I have a confession to make. I am an exercise addict.
I feel a compulsion to exercise. Maybe it's because of the sense of accomplishment I feel after I exercise, or there's a little bit of insecurity that if I don't do it, I'm going to get fat overnight.
If you don't know my story, I was an overweight kid and was bullied a lot. Like most childhood trauma, it can surface every once in a while, and I have to be mindful to keep it in check.
I love routine and pushing towards a goal. All good things, right?
The problem is when the unexpected stressors of life enter the equation, and what I had written on paper for my exercise plan no longer makes sense. Pushing hard in the weight room or on the court will only make matters worse.
The point of this newsletter is to help you become more resilient and adaptable to stress. You can do that by building more adaptive capacity, or as I like to think of it, building a bigger gas tank for stress.
To build adaptive capacity, you need to stress your body and then provide it with adequate rest. Stress can come in the form of physical and psychological stress.
Remember, stress isn't the enemy, it's the gateway to growth!
HOWEVER, when stressors compound (e.g., financial, work, relationships, etc.) and you don't get adequate rest, this is when you can get sick and burnt out.
Exercise is a stress, and it's a stress we can control. Which is great.
When life gets overwhelming, and chronic stress enters the picture, you need to dial down stressors you can control! Like exercise.
This is a great time to follow my favorite rule for stress:
Stimulate. Don't Annihilate!
Instead of hitting the weights for 90 minutes and going all out, consider warming up and hitting 1 to 2 hard sets for each exercise planned and that's it.
Or, scrap the workout altogether and go on a long walk, which is my favorite alternative. Some days, I'll skip the weight room and just go walk for an hour.
The same goes for running, cycling, or even pickleball. Dial it way down, or just skip it and choose a low-intensity alternative and refill your gas tank, instead of depleting it.
Since we are all pros at depleting our tanks, here are a few activities you can engage in to refill your tank:
Long walks outside — even better is inviting a friend and doing it in an open green space.
Mindfulness session.
30 minute nap.
Pool Tempo Session: Chest deep in water, 20s easy high knees, 40s rest, repeat 10-15x.
Gratitude journal.
Nourishing meal + walk.
Wellness is a lifelong journey, and adaptation isn't linear. The next time you are faced with unexpected stress, dial down stressors you can control, and find small ways to refill your tank.
Favorite Finds…
Below are some of my favorite articles, tweets (X’s ???), and facts that I've recently discovered and believe you’ll find interesting.
Sleep May Not Aid Brain Detox (link)
Nick Saban is Undefeated😆 (link)
Build a Pre-Performance Routine with Dr. Alex Auerbach (link)
Have you listened to my BluePrint podcast episode with Sean Lake on collagen yet? If not, listen now, it’s awesome!
Collagen is quickly becoming one of my favorite supplements.
It’s researched-backed and highly beneficial for improving joint health, and research demonstrates that after just 4-12 weeks of supplementation it helps reduce wrinkle depth and volume, particularly around the eyes! It improves skin elasticity and hydration.
Try it now and save 20% by using the Code: BLUEPRINT at checkout.
In Case You Missed This Week's Blueprint Podcast Episodes...
 | Discover the story behind this mission-driven company, dedicated to honoring the life of Navy SEAL Glen Doherty by helping others optimize their health. Sean shares how collagen fuels his active lifestyle, the rigorous quality standards that set BUBS apart, and why major sports teams trust their products. You can use the code BLUEPRINT to save 20% on BUBS Naturals products. And, connect with Sean on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook. |
 | In this episode of The Blueprint, I dive into the critical importance of character and why it matters now more than ever in today's world. Tune in to discover why character is the foundation of a life well-lived and how you can start prioritizing it today. If you're looking to strengthen your own character or become a leader that others will follow, this episode is for you. |
 | In this game-changing episode, financial expert, Ryan D. Lee, shares the two-sentence playbook for achieving financial freedom: make more than you spend and invest the difference wisely. He explains the critical difference between speculating and investing, and why positioning your money to work with economic forces like inflation can make you wealthy almost despite yourself. Connect with Ryan on Facebook or Instagram. |
Yours in Wellness,
TELL YOUR FRIENDS. HELP ADAPTATION GROW.
Don't keep it to yourself, share Adaptation now.