Sheeba Singh

Weighing at 100 lb., fitness enthusiast and trainer, I was determined to lift 170 lb. for my hack squat. It was not until today that I realized what it ultimately came down to.

In addition to the obvious physical preparation- I was able to expose myself to the internal preparation which partners with its external counterpart to result in the sort of workout you can not help but be proud of.

Initially, my plan was to squat yesterday. OK, I knew I needed to take in more carbs today than I had the last time I squatted. That was a big lesson in itself. Another obvious. I had gone in with very little carbohydrates in my body. Only to provide my body with little to no possible place to derive its energy and replenish from when lifting as much as I did then. Because I was depleted, my blood sugar dropped and I was left with a sort of weakness I was not proud of. I stuffed my face with every carbohydrate I could find from fiber bars, to the little sugar in my protein powder, electrolyte drinks, rice. To my dismay, I did not take precaution and reaped what I had sown for myself. Lesson learnt.

This time, I prepared a large breakfast for myself. Loaded with more protein, carbohydrates and fats than usual. With my metabolism and the way it is, it was the only way to do it. Through the day, I ate more carbohydrates. Some might say, too many. To me, just enough. Through the day, I did little things to keep motivated. The last time I did my hack squats, I was at 155 lb. The time before that, 130lb. This time, 170 lb. was a clear set goal. And I kept myself fixated on it. From what I would wear, to when I would perform the squats had been very clearly established. So it was set and had to be done.

Sure enough. It was done. 5 Reps of BB squats at 125 lb. (up from 120lb.) till failure followed by 3 sets of 15 reps of hack squats with 170 lb. occurred.

As I walked away from the “platform” I realized the great deal of mental preparation that had gone into this exercise. Much more than many other training days. The same had contributed in providing me with the pride I felt in knowing it was the heaviest I had ever lifted.

Training is meditation. In performance of the act, you engage your full mental and physical abilities and focus towards the one thing. You gear your body, you prepare yourself for it. And through diligence, regimen, and perseverance, you get yourself to exactly where you want to be. One step at a time. Before you know it, its been done, you bend over, hands at your hips, sweat laden, catching your breath. You stand up, red- faced, look over to the weights and smile. “FUCK YES!!” You did it. Today was one of many days like that to come. This is my power.