@Ace Kelbert Sy Glad to meet you, Ace! Thank you! Jacob reminded me of the nature of this group when I wrote my intro. So what you're seeing is my protagonist energy!

Day 1 weight: 143.8 lbs

6-2-26 143.0

🙋🏻‍♀️!!

Hi @Mia Santos! Reg here :) I’ve experienced this too, and honestly it has affected not just my training session, but my confidence and self-image too. It can feel like you’re unintentionally stopping yourself, even when you know and believe in your heart of hearts that you're actually capable of more. I don’t think it’s always purely mental either. I believe it really is the nervous system trying to protect you whether from fatigue, stress, bad sleep, unfamiliarity, or just perceived danger. Last week, I could barely get 2 reps at a higher weight for my DB bench. My arms wouldn't go up talaga! It was as if my brain wasn't connected to my arms! But just last Monday, I was able to do 2 sets at that same weight I previously couldn't lift and at 8 reps max! Same weight, same body, but different level of trust in myself. Another example: yesterday on the way to the gym, I felt a small pinch in my hip and immediately got paranoid. Even landing on my right leg felt a little painful, so I was already thinking of playing it safe and just walking on the stairmaster. But I told myself I’d at least assess it properly first. I started with hip thrusts, warmed up with lighter weight, checked how my body felt, and proved to myself I could move without pain. I eventually got to 100 kg for 8 reps on my 4th set with no hip pain at all. One of the things I learned from Tom is to look at the data. So I did. My data was: I’ve done these lifts before, I know proper form, I know how to fail safely, and I know how to tell the difference between fear and real danger. So for me, getting past the mental block wasn’t about forcing myself blindly into the lift (I really hate the false hype/grindset/mind over matter ikywim) It was more about building trust rep by rep, set by set. Sometimes that meant backing off a little, warming up better, or proving to myself first that my body was okay before pushing. Also if it helps! I give myself a small pep talk before I fire all my neurons to the lift, but more in a grounding way than a hype way. Something like: “You know this lift. You know your form. Heavier weight than last time but you know how to protect yourself. Let’s see what’s actually there.”