When Effort is Enough

I’m nearing the end of Physical Therapy for my MCL (knee) injury! I still have about 3-9 months of healing, but I’m at the point where I can do much of the rehab on my own.

My Physical Therapist said something I want to share:

He said he was surprised that during my fall my MCL didn’t tear in half. He credited that to the fact that I’m a currently practicing martial artist and I’m working hard to keep myself in shape.

“I’m in terrible shape compared to before my stomach/GI illness.” I described how for the past 18 months, despite my best efforts, I watched my health fade. Before my long illness I had been working out for hours per day, but during my illness I had to stop after 20 minutes. I gained fat, lost muscle, and lost my aerobic conditioning.

He said, “But you’re trying, and that’s enough to keep your soft tissues supple. That allowed your MCL to stretch and not tear, except maybe some insignificant micro-tearing.”

This was a rare time when getting an “E” for Effort actually counted for something. The efforts that I judged as inadequate, literally saved my knee.

So, I want to encourage you to do whatever you can with whatever you have.

If all you can do is walk to the kitchen or to the bathroom, try making one more trip.
While you’re sitting on the sofa, circle your ankles and your wrists.

That was me two months ago—practically house-bound, barely able to walk, doing workouts from a chair.

Last week I traveled out of state, and I was able to train with my sensei for five hours. We paced it slowly, with breaks to rest. But I did it.

The effort you dismiss today as “not enough” might already be benefitting your future self.

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