When it comes to reaching your goals, there’s nothing more important than knowing your limits. Without a true understanding of your 1 rep max, how can you progressively challenge your body to get stronger? With knowing your mile time on day one, how can you measure success over the course of your Couch to 5k program?
In fitness and in life, if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. Breezing through a run on the treadmill or lifting the same weight every week will do nothing for your body over time.
When you’re just getting started, you may be tempted to take things slow and easy (not a bad thing). But you must be wary of taking things too slowly. Could you push yourself on the treadmill with a little higher elevation? Can you add 10 pounds to your deadlift? Can you go 5 more minutes on the rower?
Without regular challenge, your body will stagnate. You’ll stay the same. And that’s not why you committed to this lifestyle!
Don’t be afraid to push your limits, safely. Your progress should be slow and steady—pushing yourself too far, too fast always runs the risk of injury. At the same time, don’t take it easy on yourself. Push new boundaries with every workout and you’ll continue to see new results along the road of your journey.