Break Out of The Comfort Zone-Exercise & More
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
What is "out of the comfort zone" to you? We have all heard the term pushing out of your comfort zone to lose weight, challenge yourself & make physical changes to your body & weight loss goals. It really is a must at points in your exercise program if you do want to lose weight & make changes to your body. Many people have to use this for that last 5 pounds that just will not seem to budge! I have used it always in my workouts but really important now with the hormone craziness!
What were some of my "out of the comfort zone" points in my life: I did 5 k's when I was younger & actually placed in my age group for some of them. I also posted about my bodybuilding years in my late 30's. The workouts & food program were hard enough but there was nothing as vulnerable as getting on stage in a tiny bikini to do a routine & pose. I was scared shi-less but I did it! And as I got older, I never thought I would be doing some of the weight training & cardio programs that I now do in the gym. I push way out of the comfort zone for many things I do. BUT, the one thing about the gym for me is that I feel empowered there. I feel like that is the one place that I "CAN DO" and I feel that is the one thing I am really good at.
For some of you, this is not the case. You feel clumsy or may feel that everyone is looking at you. Just being there is out of your comfort zone! Really, they are not looking at you & you can do it. Pushing out of the comfort zone can blast thru those "last stubborn 5 pounds" or it just helps you achieve your weight loss or body changing goals. It is also very empowering to do something you did not think you could do! Check out my friend Cher at her blog as she documents all the new things she is doing & how out of the comfort zone they were for her. BUT, she can do it and she is doing it!
Moving out of your comfort zone is HARD STUFF! But, this does not only apply to a workout program. It applies to life too. Over at MizFit yesterday, she wrote about a Woman Challenge - an eight week event which encourages women and girls to set & achieve personal/physical activity goals. Please go over there & read it if you have not already!
Me, I have the physical stuff down!!! No prob there for me. I can push myself so out of the comfort zone that it is crazy at times!!!! BUT, when it comes to the fear of failure in my personal life in terms of going after career goals, I am not following my own "get out of the comfort zone" advice. I have trouble transferring over all my empowerment from the gym to this part of my life. Things I have done to try to break out: This blog! I have been at this since January 2008 although my old site posts did not transfer over to here. I also have mentioned to some about trying to be a "reader fitness model" in some of the fitness magazines I read. You have to submit pics & they choose you. I have been trying for years & more so now because I think for my age, I am in decent shape but to no avail yet. I guess the camera "does not love me". But, I keep trying! I have a couple other things I am "trying".. sort of but holding back. Those are in a way out of my comfort zone & have not gotten the courage yet.
So, we need to not only address our physical comfort zone but our emotional and personal ones as well. I think it is important to mesh the 3 in a healthy way that we can live with for life.
How are you doing? Can you push out of the comfort zone in your personal life but not the exercise part? Is it vice versa for you? What steps are you taking to get out of that comfort zone in both parts of your life? What can you say to me & others to help them push through the comfort zone in any part of their life. Would love to hear your thoughts!
PS: Picture is one of the grandkids from a couple years ago. Too cute!
What is "out of the comfort zone" to you? We have all heard the term pushing out of your comfort zone to lose weight, challenge yourself & make physical changes to your body & weight loss goals. It really is a must at points in your exercise program if you do want to lose weight & make changes to your body. Many people have to use this for that last 5 pounds that just will not seem to budge! I have used it always in my workouts but really important now with the hormone craziness!What were some of my "out of the comfort zone" points in my life: I did 5 k's when I was younger & actually placed in my age group for some of them. I also posted about my bodybuilding years in my late 30's. The workouts & food program were hard enough but there was nothing as vulnerable as getting on stage in a tiny bikini to do a routine & pose. I was scared shi-less but I did it! And as I got older, I never thought I would be doing some of the weight training & cardio programs that I now do in the gym. I push way out of the comfort zone for many things I do. BUT, the one thing about the gym for me is that I feel empowered there. I feel like that is the one place that I "CAN DO" and I feel that is the one thing I am really good at.
For some of you, this is not the case. You feel clumsy or may feel that everyone is looking at you. Just being there is out of your comfort zone! Really, they are not looking at you & you can do it. Pushing out of the comfort zone can blast thru those "last stubborn 5 pounds" or it just helps you achieve your weight loss or body changing goals. It is also very empowering to do something you did not think you could do! Check out my friend Cher at her blog as she documents all the new things she is doing & how out of the comfort zone they were for her. BUT, she can do it and she is doing it!
Moving out of your comfort zone is HARD STUFF! But, this does not only apply to a workout program. It applies to life too. Over at MizFit yesterday, she wrote about a Woman Challenge - an eight week event which encourages women and girls to set & achieve personal/physical activity goals. Please go over there & read it if you have not already!
Me, I have the physical stuff down!!! No prob there for me. I can push myself so out of the comfort zone that it is crazy at times!!!! BUT, when it comes to the fear of failure in my personal life in terms of going after career goals, I am not following my own "get out of the comfort zone" advice. I have trouble transferring over all my empowerment from the gym to this part of my life. Things I have done to try to break out: This blog! I have been at this since January 2008 although my old site posts did not transfer over to here. I also have mentioned to some about trying to be a "reader fitness model" in some of the fitness magazines I read. You have to submit pics & they choose you. I have been trying for years & more so now because I think for my age, I am in decent shape but to no avail yet. I guess the camera "does not love me". But, I keep trying! I have a couple other things I am "trying".. sort of but holding back. Those are in a way out of my comfort zone & have not gotten the courage yet.
So, we need to not only address our physical comfort zone but our emotional and personal ones as well. I think it is important to mesh the 3 in a healthy way that we can live with for life.
How are you doing? Can you push out of the comfort zone in your personal life but not the exercise part? Is it vice versa for you? What steps are you taking to get out of that comfort zone in both parts of your life? What can you say to me & others to help them push through the comfort zone in any part of their life. Would love to hear your thoughts!
PS: Picture is one of the grandkids from a couple years ago. Too cute!
My life is extremely challenging when you consider 4 children & husband, a full time job, blogging, and of course, exercise!
All the this has the potential to weigh you down (literally and physically). My comfort zone involves just wanting to stop and take a break, but God-forbid the house would fall apart! So pushing through my comfort zone involves organization, disciplined habits, a prayerful life, and pep talks to myself when I feel like I'm going to crumble.
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I am in awe Josie!!! And exhausted too from reading about your day! Maybe the push through for you is to learn how to say no and also to have Josie time beyond exercise even it is 1 day a week or 1 hour a week when the hubby takes over. You are one amazing woman!
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This is such an enlightening post and couldn't come at a more perfect time. Moving out of your comfort zone is always going to be a challenge, but the rewards really make up for all the fears and doubts we have. When it comes to personal goals, I always am scared of stepping out side of what I'm used to and getting things I dream of accomplished.
That attitude has held me back in my career and with my personal goals. I have recently been trying to break that mold and come into my own. It hasn't been the easiest road, but starting to make little changes have really gone a long way. I started a new job that I love, signed up for a half marathon, and am buying my own place with my fiance. All things I once thought I couldn't do, or couldn't afford. Positivity and perseverance kept me going.
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Amanda, you put down exactly how I feel in terms of this sentence: stepping outside of what I'm used to and getting things I dream of accomplished. Thank you for sharing! It is exciting that you have started make all these changes & I wish you much happiness with all of them! You definitely have perseverance & being positive really is key!
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"For some of you, this is not the case. You feel clumsy or may feel that everyone is looking at you. Just being there is out of your comfort zone!"
On another note, for those of you who are bothered by this, I ask... why do you give a $hit who's looking at you?
Let them look, because 3 months down the line when you come across the same person, they won't believe their eyeballs, and their faces will flip.
Personally, do you know how I step outside my "comfort zone"? I wake up everyday and realize that I have been given 29,000 days from the time I was born. How many of those days have YOU wasted?
Anyways, good post Jody. Btw, do you have any videos of your awesome body building routines? Comon, step outside that comfort zone and let me see em
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Hey FJ! Great points you made! I like how you push out of your comfort zone!
Ah, the bodybuilding videos. Well, we were burglarized a couple years ago & along with all the other stuff they took including the few pieces of jewelry I got from my recently deceased mother.. they got all the electronic stuff & the video case with some very important videos of my deceased parents & holidays from the past, all the kids when they were younger AND I think my bodybuilding stuff. I will have to ask my hubby if we have anything left. I don't think so beyond just pictures but I will ask. I was nothing special, I can tell you that! It was all new to me!
PS: Can you tell I am still bitter about the burglary!
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Sorry to hear that darlin. It's unfortunate you lost all that memorabilia, but I'm sure they won't fade away in your memories right? That's the important thing.
But on the side note, pictures would be exciting to see for sure.
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great post as usual. I am having a hard time lately making anytime for myself let alone blogging and posting and exercise. Between teaching 9 classes this week and last, training clients, working full-time, and a husband in law school not working I am busy. But want to try and pus through shortly. Sorry I have been absent lately. Making it a point to catch up this weekend.
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Kristi, like I said to Josie, you are amazing!!!! I don't know how you two do it!!!!! Mucho respect for both of you!
Don't apologize for being absent. Like I wrote to Josie, your push out of the comfort zone is to say NO when you need Kristi time!!! I know it is hard but you need to do it for your mental & physical well being! Your hubby will owe you a lot of Kristi time when he finally is done with law school!
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that's why i got my personal trainer. he takes me outside my comfort zone weekly.. and now.. 2 times a week!!!
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I know! Did you see I mentioned you in my post!!! That is exactly why I put you in there! You go!
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Hi Jody! It's taken me a bit to check out your blog but I'm so glad I did. You really are fit!! And I love this post. I'm all about busting out of comfort zones. (Although secretly I think it's because I'm not naturally good at anything athletic and so if I am mediocre at a lot of different things then it's better than sucking at just one, lol!)
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Thx for visiting Charlotte! You are too funny! I bet you are great at lots of things starting with being a mom & wife! And a fantastic writer!
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you and I are so so so alike. and I think it doesnt matter where your struggle is (weight work social WHATEVS) the fact we all struggle makes us about to understand and encourage each other.
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Very good point! Hey, my hubby thinks we look alike too! You are in better shape than me though & I envy your biceps!!! My biceps have always been the hard gainer for me!
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