10 Important Leassons I Learned From Getting Fit
By admin
Let’s rewind about 10.5 years ago…
We were at my parents’ house (because I was still in college). I walked him out to his car to say good-bye. It was Easter Sunday, 2005 and we had just spent the entire weekend together.
Our first date had been that Friday. And even though we were just getting to know each other, I didn’t want him spending a holiday alone.
As I walked him to his car, I was filled with butterflies. Would he kiss me? Should I kiss him if he didn’t make the first move?
We said good-bye and he tossed the idea of coming to visit me at college in 2 weeks for my 21st birthday. We hugged, and finally, he leaned in.
Our first kiss with the man who would become my husband.
There are things in this life you just don’t forget.
I might not remember what I ate for lunch yesterday but I remember that moment. And even our first kiss as husband and wife.
What does this have to do with fitness?
Like that first kiss, I remember my unfit self. There are times now when I look in the mirror surprised by the way my face looks. I guess I still expect to see the larger, unfit and unhealthy girl looking back.
The point is, some things stick with us and being unfit is one of them. I never want to feel like I did back then again.
Lethargic; embarrassed; and disappointed.
That got me to thinking…
What have I learned in the past decade on my journey to getting fit?
Getting fit is a lifelong process. Which is why I say the past decade. I’m still working on my fitness and hope to be long into my retired years.
11 Things I Learned From Getting Fit
You know how it takes a village to raise a child? I’ve learned that it takes a village to raise an adult too, especially with fitness.
Whether it’s with group fitness; an accountability partner; a motivating spouse; or a single workout partner, it makes a huge difference.
Studies prove it, people who are a part of a group do better than those that aren’t. They are more motivated and tend to push themselves harder.
I for one know that I work 10 times harder when I have a friend beside me than when I’m solo.
And it makes it more fun.
I’ve heard so many clients look at me as if I have ten eyeballs when I show a new exercise. Their first reaction is to say, “I can’t do that!”.
My response? You can’t do that today. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it tomorrow.
If you were perfect at everything from the start, what do you have to work towards?
Finding new challenges is fun and builds strength and confidence. There is nothing more rewarding that working towards a new exercise/weight and achieving it.
Fist pumps are a must.
Never let your mind convince you that you aren’t good enough or strong enough to do something. You are.
But it takes TIME.
Which leads to me the next lesson…
Like all great things in this life, getting fit takes patience and time.
I can’t tell you how many times I have thrown a little temper tantrum because a workout; run; exercise; or climb wasn’t what I wanted.
Dan is always the one to tell me to chill out and just keep working. Focus on other elements that can help achieve the goal.
Sometimes it’s not as easy as going from point A to point B. Sometimes there is a point C, D, and E to get through first.
While it’s frustrating, it’s part of the process. Realize it and you’ll go far. Get mad and give up, what have you accomplished?
Do you acknowledge your strengths?
Most of us don’t. We’re worried we will come off as conceded or arrogant if we do.
Well, when you do something cool, be proud! When sometimes compliments your strength or speed (or whatever), say thank you!
Feel proud of yourself and of your body because you’re able to do cool shit.
Fitness is hard. You push through uncomfortable times and come out stronger.
I can do quite a few pull-ups. Most women can’t. I’m not bragging, but I am proud because my body does hard stuff.
I have learned that when you realize this, you’ll be more open to trying even more fitness challenges.
With social media it’s easy to get wrapped up in the comparison game.
I might not run as many miles as Monica. I might not lift as heavy (yet) as Jess. I might not do as many types of workouts as Anne.
But you know what?
I’ve learned that my best is good enough for me. And your best is good enough for you.
Don’t allow the comparison game to bring you down or stop you from going forward. Go into each workout with a good attitude and do your best.
Of course, your best can change day to day, but for that day go all for it.
I’ve seen far too many women feel guilty because they moved from one type of focused fitness to another.
Maybe they used to be into running and now they’re into boot camp. Or the other way around.
You’re allowed to change your mind. Fitness is not stagnant and you’re allowed to grow and change as your body and interests change.
I started off as a runner. Next, I got into heavy weight lifting. Then, I got into total body, metabolic fitness. Then, back into running.
And now, my main focus are kettlebells and trail running.
Will my focus change again? It’s possible! And that’s okay. It brings new adventures and excitement.
Everyone wants to give advice. They want to tell you what you should and shouldn’t be doing.
Someone in Crossfit will tell you to stop running all the time. Someone into running will tell you Crossfit is the devil. Maybe not, but maybe so.
The point is that what works for one person isn’t what works for everyone. Fitness is not a one size fits all.
What is important is to find something that you enjoy and something that keeps pulling you. Consistency, that’s the key.
Of course it’s important for balance to mix things up from time to time. But the main focus of your fitness can be different from your cube-mate’s.
If 3 days of exercise is good, 6 days must be great! Think of all those calories that you’ll burn!
This was my old way of thinking. Before I made fitness my job.
Have you ever wanted to take a day off or cut a workout short but didn’t want to fail?
News flash: Your body gets tired. You’ll have days when you just don’t feel like sweating. Maybe you didn’t sleep last night. Maybe you’re sore. Or, maybe you just don’t feel like it.
It took a long time to realize that a missed workout wasn’t going to cause 5 pounds of fat to form on my hips.
Recharging with a rest day can actually make better results.
I didn’t learn this overnight. But overtime. I learned that exercise isn’t about losing weight.
That might be what pulls you in to get started, but that’s not what keeps you going.
Diet. That’s what is going to make the pounds melt away. Exercise, is going to tell your body what kind of weight to lose. It’s going to transform your body with tone and definition.
Exercise is what gives body confidence. It gives energy. It gives self awareness and more important, it makes you feel alive.
It’s addicting. It’s a lifestyle because…
The journey doesn’t end when you lose 10 pounds or run your first 5K.
That’s just the start.
The most amazing thing about getting fit is realizing that you can spend a lifetime doing it.
If you stop when you get your dream body, what will happen? You’ll lose that body fast! It takes upkeep and progression.
If you want a life of being fit, you have to always work on being fit.
This doesn’t mean always pushing for heavier weights. There is always room for new goals and fun, new challenges.
My husband and I recently started rock climbing. This is a brand new journey. It’s fun to be back at the bottom. Instead of being the one others look at for guidance, we’re the ones looking for guidance.
And finally. This is my favorite. When I first started working out, I thought it was about how many calories I could burn on the treadmill or how much weight I could squat.
That’s not the case. Instead it’s about hiking because of those squats or running trail races because of all the hours spent on the treadmill.
The gym and structured workouts have allowed me to live my fitness and do some pretty amazing things and take me to some pretty amazing places.
What good is fitness if you don’t use it?
What will be next in my journey? Who knows!