As many of you know I am training for a bodybuilding competition this summer, my first time competing and doing anything of its nature. As part of my preparation one of my coaches told me I need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Not like I need to learn to enjoy having to hold my pee for extended periods of time but with uncomfortable situations. For example, wanting to eat a whole box of cookies but knowing that it will not further my goals, having to have a confrontation with someone at work or home, saying no to someone who needs a favor. Discomfort in all areas of life not just related to my contest and eating. For me one of the biggest and to many most surprising discomfort of all is a group fitness setting.
Until last week I had done maybe 5 or less group fitness classes of any type ever, in my entire life. To many of you this may be strange. Lots of women and men find that classes are comfortable because they are being told what to do, lots of people are doing it and no one is really paying attention to each individual person. I am the total opposite, I love the weight room. Standing out there among the dumbbells and machines, ipod blaring, zoning out, doing my own this is where I am comfortable. I have never been comfortable in a group fitness setting. I do no like someone else dictating my workout, being stuck next to all of those other people and I am the most uncoordinated person in the world, by far the worst in every class that I have ever attended. The thought of group fitness makes me nervous.
Last week I literally woke up and decided that I would give yoga a try. I know this is not the same type of group fitness as attending Zumba or sculpt or any of those but for me it was uncomfortable and out of the ordinary. I signed up for a free week at Core Power and a month of Bikram simultaneously because I didn't know which I would like. I did lots of research online as to what type of class I should start with, asked my co-workers a million questions and attended my first yoga class.
The first class I tried, I was nervous. What if I can't do the poses? What if I fall down? What if I am the worst person in the entire class?! I sucked it up, went in, did it and an hour later I was still alive! I was not the worst, not the best and it was really exciting to try something new. The following morning I attended my very first Bikram class and experienced the same anxiety, same thoughts, same fear. Six classes later, I love my Bikram yoga and I am so happy that I gave it a shot.
Not only did trying these two new things force me to go beyond my comfort zone and try something new it has opened up an entire new side of health and fitness for me. I still experience self doubt at the beginning of each class but now it is even more exciting each class I attend as I see myself progress and my skills develop. No one has pointed and laughed, I have not fallen over nor am I the best or worst in any class that I attend. I am now just a little bit more comfortable in a group fitness setting.
Whether your comfort zone is the weight room or fitness classes or home workout videos I challenge you to let it go; this week try something new. If you always attend classes try a day out in the weight room, ask a trainer for a free one on one session. They are almost always willing to let you try 30-60min on the house. Bring a magazine from home and do a workout you see in its pages. If you always use the treadmill, try the StairMaster or the upright bike. If you only use free weights, try a class, go to spin or Zumba. Tell your comfort zone to hit the road and do something different for yourself this week, try something new, challenge yourself to experience new things. It will feel so good for you physically and emotionally, you will be glad you did.
*My coach also has her own blog and website, check it out: peakofmind.wordpress.com
kori@thedietdoc.com
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