There are days in my fitness and nutrition where momentum is non-existent. I mean literally, picking up a barbell and going through the movement with no momentum is hard, mentally.
This morning I ran a few minutes late getting to the gym. Big deal, I was still there by 5:30am. But my mental momentum wasn’t there the second I stepped in front of the barbell. In fact it took a good ten minutes to warm up to the barbell.
As I got a little looser, the momentum started changing too.
The barbell seemed lighter, my badonkadonk seemed to go lower and the balance seemed to level out.
Squat snatching. It is such a technical movement.
A movement that has humbled me over and over again over the past 2.5 years. Just when I thought I had it, I realized I was training in the realm of power snatch far more often than the squat snatch. To the point I had literally begun to stop myself from squatting under the bar. Needless to say, a very poor habit to develop.
This morning I did something that I rarely ever do anymore. I put my ear buds in and listened to music while I was lifting. Just me, the barbell, and the music.
There is always music playing in the gym so it’s not like that part is new. But this morning I literally closed my mind from distraction and lifted. Over and over I lifted that barbell, slowly increasing the weight. It felt good. Really good.
Today I remembered why I love lifting a barbell. Because I am able to. For no other reason than that I am capable.
I have two friends who are injured and can’t lift. Today I lifted for them as much as for myself. Thinking each time I pulled that bar high against the front of my body that they would each do the same for me.
Carol and Caroline…for you.

Love you, M! Love some squat snatches too! I’m so glad you got in some good lifts today. I thought of you when I was swimming today.
Nice post. I don’t do that lift, but I know that feeling. I have a fairly long warm-up ritual that gets my head in the game.