Elevating Expectations

Twice a week I hit the gym for an upper-body workout. I try to get everything in the torso and arms together: chest, back, arms, abs and shoulders. It is a fast-paced workout and I finish exhausted. I try to give it my all each time and there is not much left in me by the time I am done.

However, an upper-body workout is nothing compared to Leg Day. Sprints, squats, deadlifts, sled work, lunges … they take so much more out of me than any upper-body lift. More effort. More Sweat. More shortness of breath. More discomfort. More exhaustion. More pain. More sacrifice.

In fact, it is not even close. If I were to measure calories expended on lower versus upper body sessions, I would guess the former is twice the energy cost of the latter even though the duration is about equal. The mental focus and fortitude required is of at least the same disparity if not greater.

So, how is it I feel like I push myself to the max on every upper-body workout twice a week, yet I go in for a tremendously more strenuous leg workout three days a week and manage to find another gear?

I believe it has a lot to do with the expectations I place on myself. Each workout is planned out in advance, so when I am driving in for Leg Day, I have a pretty good idea how much it will hurt. I know it is going to be miserable. I know I will want to quit at multiple stages. I am well aware of the level of pain and discomfort waiting for me. I am fully aware of the level of commitment required and I am prepared to make the sacrifice.

When I am headed to the gym for an upper-body workout, I know it is going to hurt, but it probably will not be miserable. It will require plenty of effort and energy, but far less willpower. I will push myself physically, but I will not need to dig into my heart and soul to finish the workout. In short, it is less of a sacrifice. And somehow, my resolve seems to recalibrate, so I still feel like I am giving 100%. However, I know that cannot be the case because I will go in at least three more times in the next seven days and push myself so much harder. My expectations are lower, and my effort adjusts likewise.

We must be wary of expectations. We place expectations on jobs, on relationships, on others and even on Christmas dinners. But we must be especially careful of the expectations we place on ourselves. Life has a way of settling around expectations. And when it comes to our own effort and exertion, when it is our own level of sacrifice and commitment, we rarely get more than we expect.

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