Stoicism is an ancient philosophical framework for living well.
Its principal focus is to live virtuously, maximize happiness and reduce negative emotions. It teaches us how to deal with adversity, how to handle prosperity and how to stay balanced through the inevitable ups and downs of everyday life.
Namely, Stoicism is about understanding control. About knowing what we can control and what we can’t. About accepting the things that happen to us, even the bad things, and not letting them deter us from our mission. We can’t control what happens to us, but we can control our reaction to any event.
You wield the power over your emotions. No one else. No matter the circumstance.
I can’t control the immeasurable snow being dropped on my doorstep this week. I can’t control the slippery sidewalks and icy streets. I can’t control that at present, running outside is more hazardous to my health than beneficial.
But I can control whether that stops me from running or not.
Yes I’ll have to run inside. Yes I’ll have to submit to the treadmill. But I’ll be damned if a little bit of frozen water stops me from doing what I love most.
Too often people allow external factors to govern their fitness decisions. It’s too snowy, I can’t run today. Donna brought donuts to the office today, I had to cheat on my diet.
Nonsense.
Adopting a stoic approach to fitness will reaffirm your control over the habit. When you’re in control, you make the decisions. Not the weather. Not the fact you didn’t get enough sleep last night. Not your workout partner bailing last minute.
Famed Roman emperor and stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius once said:
“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Here’s how to use that power to find strength.
Managing emotions to stay consistent
“To be stoic is not to be emotionless, but to remain unaffected by your emotions.” — James Pierce
The key to becoming fit is consistency. And the key to consistency is managing your emotions.
Emotional swings are a part of life. Some days we hop out of bed ready to tackle the world, some days we crawl under the covers waiting for the day to end. Some days we’re motivated and inspired to workout, other days walking to get the mail feels like a chore.
Stoics take comfort not in avoiding emotions, but in not letting them get in the way of what needs to be done. Stoics understand that emotions are powerful influencers, but not the ultimate arbiters of our lives. We have control of how we feel. We hold the power to rise above negative emotions to see the path ahead.
Consistency is an essential part of becoming as fit as you can be. We all know this to be true. You’re not going to become stronger or faster or leaner training every so often. You have to show up, put in the work, and then show up again tomorrow.
So when you’re tired, sluggish, low on energy, realize the only barrier to your workout is you. When you’re depressed, anxious, or dealing with hardship, realize the only barrier to your workout is you. Nothing else can be blamed for your lack of action.
But then again, nothing else can be credited with your success.
You are in control of how you feel. You are in control of how you react. You are in control if you let suffering dominate. It’s a hard pill to swallow. But once you understand you have sole control over your emotional state, you’ll be that much more capable of showing up day in and day out, regardless of what happens to you.
And that much more capable of achieving lasting fitness.
Setbacks are only setbacks if you view them that way
“To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.” — Seneca
Everyone experiences setbacks along their fitness journey. It could be injury, lapses in motivation, or simply the process of getting older, of not being able to do the things you once could.
Setbacks are inevitable. What matters is how your respond to whatever’s thrown your way.
A few years ago I was nearing the end of a half-marathon training block. The race was in two weeks. I was rolling, I was ready, I was certain I was going to set a new personal best. I was running faster and harder than I had in some time. It was sublime.
And then my body fell apart.
In the span of two days, I developed three overuse injuries. I could barely walk, never-mind muster the strength to complete a scheduled Monday afternoon recovery run. I decided to bail on the race a few days later.
Normally I would’ve been despondent. I’ve had overuse injuries before. I would shout and cry and curse the gods for what they did to me. How could I be so close to the top of the mountain only to lose my footing and stumble all the way down?
But this time was different. I felt relief. Not anger. Not despair. But reprieve. Calm. As if an invisible weight had been lifted.
Little did I know this would spark a complete dismantling and rebuilding of what running meant to me. Spiritually as well as physically. This wasn’t a setback, it was a wakeup call. It threw the reset switch on where I found value in running, my greatest love.
I became fueled by passion and the search for peace, not for power and prestige. I became enamored with the totality of my experience, not the time on the clock. Running became my gateway to a higher state of being.
And you know what? I haven’t been hurt since.
Sometimes setbacks are a blessing in disguise. Sometimes setbacks are the universe putting you on the right path, even if it’s not a path you would have chosen voluntarily.
Stoics take pride in using logic to dissect a situation. In thinking critically, with a clear mind and soul. The next time you experience a setback in your training, stop and think. Why did this happen? What could I have done differently? How will this benefit me in the future?
The answer(s) may lead you down a path you didn’t expect, but ultimately needed to find.
“Failure and deprivation are the best educators and purifiers.” — Albert Einstein
Daydream less. Build more
“The whole future lies in uncertainty. Live immediately.” — Seneca
Many of us have a vision in our minds for what success in fitness looks like. A rock-hard set of abs, unmatched strength and speed, a thinner, prettier face, the list goes on. Having a vision is healthy, it gives us something to strive for.
But focusing too much on the vision can be detrimental — as visions tend to rapidly evolve and change. How can you possibly reach your goal if it’s a moving target?
The stoics firmly believe in existing in the here and now, rather than worrying about the future. Right now is promised, tomorrow is not. Stoicism emphasizes doing what we can in the given moment to move us along, and that involves putting in the actual work.
Go for that run. Get that lift in. Schedule those yoga sessions. Do pushups in your apartment if you have to. Just put in the work. Now. Dreaming of perfect fitness is way less important than putting imperfect fitness into practice.
One of the great Stoic minds, Epictetus, says it best:
“Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Put your principles into practice, now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This is your life! Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do. Now.”
Final Thoughts
We all want to build a proactive way of life. A life that moves inside out, where we are in control of our thoughts, feelings and emotions. Where bad things may happen, but move along just as quickly as they came about. Because we have the strength to make it so.
How you do anything is how you do everything. The Stoics understand this. How you do fitness on a Thursday afternoon when it’s snowy and freezing out is how you’ll do fitness every day hence forth. Are you satisfied with your workout today?
If not, you have some work to do. I know I do.
Stoicism is grounded in asserting control. In living a life that’s truly yours, as lacking of external influence as possible. While few of us may ever achieve such a life, it’s certainly an ideal worth striving for each and every day.
I’ll leave you with Epictetus’ Serenity Prayer:
“God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Scott Mayer is a runner, thinker, curious observer and certified personal trainer. Visit the In Fitness And In Health website for training plans, consulting options and additional content.