Your Fitness Box

Have you ever attempted to step out of your "fitness box?" Are you comfortable and content with what you're doing, fitness wise? Does the thought of trying something different give you hives? Are you that person that stands outside the group exercise room in your gym, peering in and sweating just thinking about trying it, only to walk briskly away thinking "no freaking way am I trying that! I don’t want to look foolish!" How about if you drive by a field and see a group out there doing different workouts than you usually do? Do you long to try it but are too afraid to fail?

Well, now is the time to stop watching and wondering, and try it! I recently stepped out of my fitness box.

Of course I have one too, we all do. We all have a few things we want to try but feel “silly” or don’t want to “look silly” doing them. But let me tell you, you're not giving yourself enough credit! 

We tend to stick with the things we are comfortable with. You will always find a ton of reasons to not try something new. For me, I think the main reason why I don't step out of my box is because I am comfortable with the activities I am currently doing, and I know what to expect from them. I know how hard I have to push to get me where I need to be.

When we try something we have never done before, not knowing what to expect or what the outcome will be, we get scared. “Will I be able to do this at all? Can I last through the whole class? Or, will I just fail?"

The best part of stepping out of your box is that you are setting yourself up for new and exciting things. You are challenging your mind and your body to do something different. In turn, you're  keeping your fitness routine exciting and challenging. It also allows you to meet new people who share similar interests as you - and for all you know they are out of their element as well!

I recently had this experience of stepping out of my own box. I certified for a program that was completely different than the type of group exercise I am currently teaching. This program had choreography. When I saw the type of program I had to teach I wanted to run out of the room. But I didn’t, I stayed, and it was quite a challenge for me. 

The direction changes, the arm movements...I was beginning to make myself dizzy. But, after two days of intense training, I started to see a little glimmer of light at the end of that training tunnel and I thought, "I could do this! Why not? It will take time, but I must be patient and allow myself some room to grow and learn."

So now I am putting it out there for you! I am asking you to step out of your fitness box. Think of an activity, class or camp you shy away from. Maybe it's yoga or hiking, maybe you've contemplated running a half or even a full marathon, or perhaps a mud run. Keep your mind and heart open and go for it! I can guarantee, you will surprise yourself!

You are stronger than you think.