Allow me to set the scene. As a young footballer I suffered injury after injury and seemed to be stuck in this injury doom loop - a cycle of pain, recovery and re-injury. Yet another morning back in the gym for rehab. Coach sensed my frustration and calmly said “We are where we are”.
The gravity of that simple sentence has forever stuck with me.
As gym-goers, we often find ourselves caught up in the idea of where we “should” be. We reminisce about the past—when we were in better shape, felt stronger, or could push ourselves harder. Sometimes, we even compare ourselves to others, feeling that we should be more advanced than we are now. But the truth is, we are where we are, and that’s perfectly okay.
Acceptance is the first step in any fitness journey. Our physical, emotional, and psychological states are constantly shifting. The body isn’t a machine that remains unchanged over time. Life events, stress, diet, and recovery all affect our ability to perform, and sometimes, we forget to acknowledge where we are in the present.
Instead of looking back at how we used to be or dreaming about some future version of ourselves, it’s important to meet ourselves where we are today. Whether that’s pushing for new personal bests, accepting the need for a slower pace, or simply showing up consistently, it all counts.
In the gym, just like in life, progress isn’t linear. Some days we feel on top of the world, while others may bring setbacks. Rather than fixating on the gap between where we are and where we think we should be, focus on what you can control now.
Embrace the journey as it unfolds, one step at a time. It may certainly feel like one step forward and two steps back at times. Nonetheless, by accepting where we are today, we allow ourselves to grow without the unnecessary pressure of comparison or perfection. So, don’t worry about what you could have done or where you "should" be. Celebrate the progress you’ve made (however little), and be proud of where you are, because that’s the starting point for everything that lies ahead.
Tim Low
Stanza Fitness Coach