“No Pain, No Gain.”

“Pain is weakness leaving the body.”

“Endure the pain. Enjoy the gain.”

How many times have we heard these types of sayings? They really are rampant in our society. We must be sadists thinking that in order to succeed we have to suffer.

But I am here to say that’s just not true!

We don’t have to suffer to succeed.

In fact, I’d like to think that suffering is a sign we are on the wrong path. If you are hurting- physically, emotionally – a lot of times that can be a sign from your intuition. Things are not right.

If we are on the right path, following our heart, our intuition, we will feel good – it will feel good in our minds and bodies.

These sayings are also often found in relation to diet and exercise. I’ve been doing more research and reading lately with regards to the fact that eat less, exercise more (aka dieting) is a big stress on our body and doesn’t work!

We can enjoy exercise and get stronger. If you like to run, great! But, if you don’t like to run, choose something else that YOU enjoy!

We can enjoy our food. We don’t have to suffer and “stay strong” by restricting foods we love! Hello – who loves ice cream! 🙋🏻‍♀️

Isn’t that a relief? We don’t have to suffer to succeed!

That’s not to say we don’t have to put in the work. And that there won’t be highs and lows or easy times and difficult times. But we should be able to get to point where we aren’t suffering to succeed.

For me, as a dentist I’ve been suffering. During our few years in Colorado I felt I had to be working full-time to succeed. I was working in situations that were not positive and a good fit for me. But at times it felt like that’s just how it’s supposed to be.

Now I am working part-time in an office that thus far, is probably the best one I’ve worked in. Everyone is so positive, works hard, and enjoys their job. I’m realizing going to work doesn’t have to be a dread. For me what’s helping with that is a combination of the schedule being part-time as well as the office culture.

I also am starting to feel like if we follow this motto of not having to suffer – of designing our lives in a way that serves us better – more fulfilling, less stressful, following our own desires and not those of others – it can be easier to be happier, less stressed and thus make better choices in our food and exercise.

When I was working full-time in unhealthy situations, I came home and would definitely turn to food for comfort. And, I would not have energy to want to exercise. Sitting on the couch with my ice cream was the norm.

Yes, this definitely can be good and a-ok from time to time but every night has landed me where I currently am – heavier, less fit, and higher cholesterol!

Now, I have put in a lot of work, that can’t be seen, on the inside to cultivate a life that fits me better. Realizing that working full-time in dentistry is not for me. If that’s you, rock on, but for me I definitely know it’s a hard no and also that it’s ok it isn’t!

Our bodies have so much wisdom. If we start listening to them, like when we have a decision to make, we really can suffer less. We don’t have to suffer to succeed!

I’ll admit this is a constant work in progress for me. I still often seek the answers from everyone else. There is a time for that but I’m truly starting to realize I have the answers within. And so do you. We just have to turn inward and listen.

How does it feel in your body to say yes? Say no? How does it feel to leave your job? Accept that new opportunity?

It’s not to say both options we may feel fear. But typically one will feel like more of an expansion, maybe lighter, while another we may feel more contraction, or heaviness, in our bodies.

Again, in listening to this, our bodies, we can make life a little easier. And just remember we don’t have to suffer to succeed.