YES YOU CAN!
Monday September 14, 2009
As I read all the many inspiring blogs, I got to thinking about what exactly spurs people on to lose weight or take on a new challenge like Amanda in this guest post or try new activities that may take you out of your comfort zone. I have taken on "the challenge" many times in my adult life and I look back wondering, "what was I thinking" but I did do it! We all have self doubt and fears & believe me, I am the queen of "fear of failure". But, I did overcome that to do the things below. My regular life does not seem to follow how I can face challenges in my workout life. Hmmmmm, something to think about!
In my late 20's, I decided I was going to take on the challenge of running 5K races. Luckily at that time, I was working for a large company that had a fitness center & the fitness director was trying to get people to do this as part of his program for health. Me, already doing aerobic classes & weights decided this might be something to try out. OMG! I was in so much pain at first just from pushing myself past the limit of my jogging comfort zone. Yes, it was hard but I really wanted to prove to myself I could do it. As it turns out, the couple years I did these races, I managed to place & even win a few. Yes, I could do it!
In my mid 30's, I was approached by a guy in the gym about doing bodybuilding contests. I was thinking, "are you crazy"!!!!!???? Get up in front of people in a bikini & pose & do routines! I had never even wore a bikini to the beach as an adult! Well, once again, loving the weights big time at this point in my life, I thought, a challenge, and I don't necessarily have to do the competition. You see, by nature, I am actually shy & most people don't even realize that about me. So, getting up in front of people scared the sh*t out of me. It is funny though because I have done cheerleading in junior high, drill team in high school & I have always been rated well at talking in front of people BUT I am always scared sh*less each & every time I do these things.... but somehow I mastered the mental & did it. Anyway, I trained for about a year++ and then competed two years in a row & won both years for my age/height group. Yes, they were very small contests but they still were challenges to me & I conquered my fear AND I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to do these things.
Now, everything does not have to be a contest or race. At this time in my life, I worked to do "men" push-ups with a clap in between & I did that. Now I am working to be able to do just one full body weight wide grip chin. Hey, if I get more than one, more power to me!
BUT, I have been able to get 1 reverse close grip pull-up already. Yes, they are the easiest to do but they are still hard for me.
Listen, you don't have to run a race or do a contest or even a pull-up. Just going from a knee to a toe push-up may be the challenge you accomplish OR going from doing a squat or lunge with 8 pounds to 12 pounds. We are all different BUT if you give yourself the chance, you CAN DO IT, whatever it is for you. Push yourself out of that comfort zone & see really how much you are capable of doing. I know you can do it!!!! Like my quote of the week: Give yourself permission to shoot for something that seems totally beyond your grasp. You may be surprised at your capabilities.... Danica Patrick
As I read all the many inspiring blogs, I got to thinking about what exactly spurs people on to lose weight or take on a new challenge like Amanda in this guest post or try new activities that may take you out of your comfort zone. I have taken on "the challenge" many times in my adult life and I look back wondering, "what was I thinking" but I did do it! We all have self doubt and fears & believe me, I am the queen of "fear of failure". But, I did overcome that to do the things below. My regular life does not seem to follow how I can face challenges in my workout life. Hmmmmm, something to think about!In my late 20's, I decided I was going to take on the challenge of running 5K races. Luckily at that time, I was working for a large company that had a fitness center & the fitness director was trying to get people to do this as part of his program for health. Me, already doing aerobic classes & weights decided this might be something to try out. OMG! I was in so much pain at first just from pushing myself past the limit of my jogging comfort zone. Yes, it was hard but I really wanted to prove to myself I could do it. As it turns out, the couple years I did these races, I managed to place & even win a few. Yes, I could do it!
In my mid 30's, I was approached by a guy in the gym about doing bodybuilding contests. I was thinking, "are you crazy"!!!!!???? Get up in front of people in a bikini & pose & do routines! I had never even wore a bikini to the beach as an adult! Well, once again, loving the weights big time at this point in my life, I thought, a challenge, and I don't necessarily have to do the competition. You see, by nature, I am actually shy & most people don't even realize that about me. So, getting up in front of people scared the sh*t out of me. It is funny though because I have done cheerleading in junior high, drill team in high school & I have always been rated well at talking in front of people BUT I am always scared sh*less each & every time I do these things.... but somehow I mastered the mental & did it. Anyway, I trained for about a year++ and then competed two years in a row & won both years for my age/height group. Yes, they were very small contests but they still were challenges to me & I conquered my fear AND I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to do these things.
Now, everything does not have to be a contest or race. At this time in my life, I worked to do "men" push-ups with a clap in between & I did that. Now I am working to be able to do just one full body weight wide grip chin. Hey, if I get more than one, more power to me!
BUT, I have been able to get 1 reverse close grip pull-up already. Yes, they are the easiest to do but they are still hard for me.Listen, you don't have to run a race or do a contest or even a pull-up. Just going from a knee to a toe push-up may be the challenge you accomplish OR going from doing a squat or lunge with 8 pounds to 12 pounds. We are all different BUT if you give yourself the chance, you CAN DO IT, whatever it is for you. Push yourself out of that comfort zone & see really how much you are capable of doing. I know you can do it!!!! Like my quote of the week: Give yourself permission to shoot for something that seems totally beyond your grasp. You may be surprised at your capabilities.... Danica Patrick
Send me your "out of the comfort zone stories!!! It may be workout related, it may be weight loss related, it may be work related. Whatever it is, share it with us. So much is mental in this game of life. See what you can do!
I laugh that my mind is a blank and that's because my whole LIFE is out of my comfort zone.
that notion of doing ONE THING WHICH SCARES ME DAILY.
This week? Im pitching my tween fiction as a series to a huge company.
takes total balls, eeer, CHUTZPAH but I figure what do I have to lose?
cant wait to see what others share.
Miz.
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Miz Carla, you are amazing!!!! I am sending every good thought your way for that book to be booked & end up #1! You are my hero for trying at everything!
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I love the excitment and encouragement that you always bring to these posts Jody. I can totally see that not getting out of my comfort zone has held me back more than once, but feeling more confident helps me push past my feelings of insecurity.
I think it's great that you pointed out that not everyone is going to be a world class athlete, but just pushing past into a new area is vital to our success!
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With 4 kids at home, I struggle with taking time for myself (for whatever reason). I feel guilty if I go out shopping alone or out with friends, as if I need to rush right back (because I don't - hubby can manage just fine). I'm already a happy person, but I think I'd be even healthier mentally if I learned to take time for me. I will try harder!
Thanks Jody!
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Hey, I never thought I'd deliver a baby!
Of course, you moms know that the hard work comes after that day
My sisters motto for me is "You can do it!" She's a tough one lol!
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Way to make me feel like crap! You're doing "man" push-ups with a clap in the middle, and I'm doing "little girl" push-ups with a nap in the middle.
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Jack, you are so funny!!! I may try that nap next time I do clap push-ups. If it makes you feel any better, I can only do 3-5 in a row.
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i think the only "out of my comfort zone" workouts have been with my trainer Eric. when i first started, i was sick to my stomach, shaking, and this was after being back at the gym, doing classes for a couple months. he showed me what a REAL workout is like. not just a stroll on the treadmill.
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Diane, I think just what you have accomplished it pushing you out of a comfort zone you lived with for years. Amazing! And yes, the little things matter. Small steps lead to big rewards!
Josie, what a great comment! So many like you. I do hope you take out more time for you.. it is well deserved!
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Dr. J.. deliver a baby.. HOLY COW!
Cher, yes, a trainer will certainly push you out of that comfort zone! But, we can learn to do it on our own too!
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I just want to say how thrilled I was to see comments about pushing your comfort zone that were not about your exercise routine! Loved that & I need to do more of that!
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I think my outside the zone moments are happening outside the gym for now. I'm exploring options for starting my own business, while I remodel my house. That's about all the drama I need for now.
Btw, thanks SO MUCH for the wonderful quotes you shared with me! Love them all!
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Cammy, that is so exciting! And as I said in my other comment, love that people are challenging themselves outside the workout zone. I need to do that!
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