Training for My First Powerlifting Meet: 6 Weeks Out

This week’s training week started on a higher note than last week. That mental shift and reset was all I needed to get back into gear with regards to training, nutrition and my overall well-being. In fitness, we tend to focus more on the physical aspect of things and push the mental side on the back burner, when in fact, it is the most important aspect that we need to take care of.

The mind is such a powerful tool. Our conscious thoughts have an effect on how our bodies react to them. For instance, if you tell your mind that you are not able to do lift that weight or complete that training session, our bodies respond by exhibiting physical fatigue so that we are not able to do so.

I’ve experienced a lot of setbacks since I started this training programme such as injuring my wrist, having several moments of self-doubt, being sick etc. Of course, each of us want to prep cycles to go according to our plans, but life doesn’t work that way and it sometimes can get in the way.

I flew to the US this week for a friend’s wedding and I knew that I would face many challenges in terms of my nutrition and fitting my training sessions in. A few years ago, I would have been stressed out about not eating the way I do at home when I travel or following my training session to a T. This week, I’m being more mindful of my time and my reactions to situations. I know that I wouldn’t be as strict on my diet because I am outside of my element and that’s okay. The most important thing is to do what you can as best as you can. When you get back home, you’ll fall back into your routine because it is habitual.

I leave you all with this parting message and I hope it will give some of you, if not all, a sense of peace:

Sometimes, things happen to us that are outside of our control. It is easy to get frustrated and angry but you’ve got to see the positives in the situation. Over these last few months, I’ve learnt not to let things that I can’t control get the  best of me, affect me and my emotions for the day or that period of time. There is always a positive that can come out of a negative thing.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Until next time,

Folakemi Olamide 💙