Melting ice (!), carrying third graders, hauling tiles, and more
7+ really good reasons to keep lifting
A few weeks ago, my family and I took a short trip to visit my brother in Saint Louis. We had the best time, but our return was a little delayed and everyone was exhausted and cranky by the time our Lyft pulled up to our apartment building. On the way inside, we had to walk like penguins: The sidewalk was slick with ice, and when we entered the building, I saw that we were out of salt. (We’re a self-managed building and have a weekly rotation for snow and ice duty, but whoever was on duty hadn’t had a chance to replenish our salt supply.) As much as I wanted to focus on throwing the kids into bed as quickly as possible, I kept picturing a delivery worker slipping on that ice and breaking an arm or something; I just couldn’t leave it there. So as soon as the suitcases were in, I wished my husband good luck, went back outside, and walked to the hardware store, which is about three blocks away.
When I got there, I discovered that salt was a hot commodity that weekend: They were nearly sold out, except for a handful of gigantic 50-pound buckets. I bought one without thinking much of it, and then I went to pick it up: Yikes. It was heavy as hell. I can deadlift more than 50 pounds, but lifting a huge, bulky bucket and carrying it home is another story.
But then I remembered that, as part of the January strength challenge, I’d been doing a lot of single-arm farmer’s carries (AKA suitcase carries). I’d done some that very morning at the hotel, with a 45-pound kettlebell. “I’ve literally trained for this,” I thought. So I mustered up my courage, engaged my core, and lifted the bucket.
The walk home wasn’t pretty, but I made it, and got that ice melted. (Related: F*ck ICE.) It felt really great, and just reminded me of all the incredible things my body is able to do because I exercise, from the big — hauling giant buckets — to the small, like how I can sneeze now without worrying I’ll throw my back out. (Not kidding that this used to be a major concern before I started lifting.)
Inspired, I asked you all to brag about the cool feats — big and small — you’ve been able to achieve because of your movement practice. Not just because bragging is fun, but because we aren’t always taught to look for non-aesthetic exercise motivation, despite the fact that these goals tend to be much easier to achieve and sustain. And while I love other non-aesthetic benefits like better sleep and better mood, FEATS OF STRENGTH ARE JUST FUN! It’s so great to feel like a badass. (And I maintain that you should feel that way even if the physical feat seems kind of small or doesn’t involve hauling a 50-pound bucket. They’re all cool and worth celebrating!)
So here are a few of the things you shared:
Moving construction materials
“We renovated our bathroom recently. The tile delivery was a huge headache, and long story short I ended up having to pick up 10 50-pound boxes of tiles from the ground and move them somewhere safe. Thanks to strength training and practicing deadlifts, I was able to do this without hurting my back. Definitely not a feat I could have managed a year ago!” —JSN
Mixing thick ingredients
“Since I’ve been lifting since high school, mostly I take my strength for granted, but there are little moments that give me pause in a good way. Today I was mixing a recipe by hand and the ingredients were really fighting me. I worked for a while with a spatula and then switched arms, and eventually switched to mixing with my hands. The whole thing made me glad for an extra bit of arm and hand endurance!” —Carly PhD
Carrying kids
“Carrying my third grader up the stairs at bedtime!” —Virginia Sole-Smith (From Anna: My third grader — who is the size of an average fifth or sixth grader — also still loves to be carried, and I find this highly motivating. I want to be able to keep saying yes forever, so I have to keep getting stronger! Progressive overload, baby!)
“Lifting my 4yo on my shoulders and taking him off easily (with my oldest I didn’t even attempt).” —Anastasiia
“Just getting a 3 and 5 year old to and from the sledding hill in our park solo! I really don’t think I could have physically done it a few weeks ago before I started doing more HTM workouts!” —Amie
Scoring secondhand furniture
“A couple of years ago while on a walk, I spotted a solid wood bookshelf in an alleyway. I carried it on my arms like a forklift two blocks home.” —Meredith Sell
Lifting reluctant pups
“I used to have such bad hip pain. I clearly remember waking up one morning a couple months after lifting a few times a week and realizing it was gone. The best feeling! Also, just being able to pick up my 50lb dog and put him in the car when he really does not want to get int he car is a huge bonus.” —Lauren
Hauling mulch
“I used to need my husband to pick up mulch for me, and now I do it myself! Thanks to you and How to Move!” —Virginia Winters
Overhead pressing a suitcase
“Mine is always lifting my carryon into the bin with no hesitation!” —Sarah
Please share more in the comments if you have any. Brag about your badassery!
xo
Anna
I carry a forty-lb bag of wood pellets into my house each day. I shovel my own walks and steps. Today I did CPR recertification on my knees.
Meredith's "I carried it on my arms like a forklift two blocks home" made me lol
And Anna! I'm in St. Louis! Do tell more about your visit!!!