Flexibility is always necessary
First a wonderful congratulations to the incredible Tina! She welcomed a new little man today, making her family even greater than before! Well wishes to you Tina!
Flexibility
Flexible, as defined by Websters: characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements.
I used to be very against that idea. Adaptable? Not really a strong suit of mine according to history. I was more of a rigid gal. I decide, I commit and I do. Modification not included in my battery pack.
This resistance to flexibility has led to a lot of struggle in my life. If something went wrong, I would panic. If I didn't do something exactly as intended, I would give up. If I was anything less than perfect, well that simply wasn't good enough and I would combust. Can you see how that worked against me?
The all or nothing mentality.
Example A- begin diet according to defined rules. Mistake one means abort mission. Eat until you can't eat anymore then start fresh and with more dedication to perfection tomorrow.
Example B- begin new career according to goals. Mistake one means abort mission. Crawl into a hole until you learn and know everything possible. Only then are you allowed out.
Hmmmm….
What I've seen in myself and from others the past few years is that learning to be flexible and adaptable is one of the best qualities you can have. Learn it, watch it, try it and then own it. Life is very dynamic, fluid and ever changing- and so should we. Balance is dynamic, fluid and ever changing- and so should we!
Yesterday I had all hands on deck to begin P90X. The mega of strength training in my book. The program that would enable me to build muscle as I begin my soon to be released century ride training plan. This was my ticket for being an absolute bad ass on June 4 when I begin my long ride.
Schedule was laid out and hanging up next to my weights. Chest + Back was on tap for day 1.
Begin program.
Exercise 1: push ups. Exercise 2: pull ups. Exercise 3: push ups. Exercise 4-10: what seemed like thousands of push up/pull up reps. After exercise 2 a slow twinge of pain that has been in the back of my shoulder started to creep back in. By exercise 3 I was uncomfortable. By exercise 4 it hurt. By exercise 5 I knew I had to stop.
I have been nursing some type of injury in my rotator cuff since December which was the result of acting much cooler than I am with my 6 Week Push Up Challenge (I can do pushups but reality is reality and I wanted to think I was above reality).
So now what do I do? Do I continue to push through the pain, go easy with reps and just hope for the best when I know I will be doing this workout every week, sometimes multiple times for the next 12 weeks? No. Do I refuse anything less than perfection and abandon the idea of strength training because this is not the right time for me to do a chest/shoulder heavy program? No.
I adapt. I am flexible. I move with the tide. 
Out came an old favorite Chalean Extreme. Though still a strength training program, it is much less chest heavy and would allow me to modify exercises with greater ease than the straightforward repetition in P90X.
Okay Jenn…new plan! No need to abandon, forget lifting weights and act like I will never do a push up again.
Be flexible.
Mom, look how much I have evolved!
Question of the day:
Are you flexible boys and girls? How have you learned the tough lesson of moving through challenges and unexpected bumps in the road?
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I'm learning to be flexible with my routine…for example this morning was suppose to include a yoga session before work, but I needed more sleep so I skipped it. It is hard to not see it as a missed opportunity, but I'm planning on moving past it and carrying out my planned PM strength training.
I was so excited for Tina too! She's so cute in her video with Baby b!
Well done Jen! Listening to your body is just as good of a decision as going to the yoga class! It's just a different type of opportunity. I admit..similar to you, it is hard to see things that way.