Kathleen takes on week 3 and several fears. Has fear every held you back from accomplishing or even attempting to accomplish your goals?
I’m just going to put this out there: I seriously kicked my own ass this week. I pushed myself harder than I ever have before. I tried new things, I stopped saying “at some point.” A pretty big part of it has to do with the fact that my secret is officially “out”; my blog is now live and I’ve opened up a hidden chapter that I allowed so few to read prior to this.
It was pretty scary, I’d actually go with petrifying, to put myself out there. But what came out of it? A response more overwhelming and supportive than I ever could have imagined. To be called “motivational” and “an inspiration” by not only my family and friends, but by complete strangers? It left me almost speechless. It brought me to tears. And it really put into perspective just how far I’ve come. This week, I feel like all of the kind words that people have said have been bottled up and put into my protein shake. And as a result, these things that I have been so afraid to try, suddenly, they’re not so scary anymore.
I’ve never once done a “real push up.” I remember being so relieved that in my consultation it was acceptable to do one on my knees. But these days, it’s just not acceptable to me anymore. For months I’ve been trying both mentally and physically to get there. Finally, one morning this week, I decided that I was ready to give it another try. While it wasn’t a perfect, “all-the-way-to-the-ground-and-back-up-again” pushup, I was so proud of my progress. It’s coming, I can feel it.
For some reason, it became a funny joke (funny to who, I’m beginning to wonder?) for me to do burpees for the entire length of a certain catchy pop song that is all over the radio. Want to know how many times that song has played this week?
Every. Single. Bootcamp.
Want to know how many times I’ve done 3 minutes of burpees?
Every. Single. Bootcamp.
The lesson I’ve learned from this? After consistently doing 3 minutes of burpees, the 1 minute I’m used to doesn’t seem so terrible anymore.
For months I’ve desperately wanted to join the AHB running group. And for months, I’ve come up with a reason as to why I can’t stay after bootcamp on Saturday mornings to join them. I know my running skills aren’t the same, and I was so scared of not being able to keep up. Want to know what I did this Saturday? I ran with the running group! I stopped making excuses and I realized that I was never going to get better unless I put in the extra effort. And, in case you’re wondering, I kept up.
In my great fear of trying new foods, seafood ranks #1, 2 AND 3. I know it’s good for me, I know people drool over it, but fish and I have just never really clicked. (The same goes for crustaceans, or anything from the ocean for that matter). But with this new found confidence I decided that I was willing to give it a try. I won’t say it was the BEST meal I’ve ever had, but I ate it. For the rest of this journey I have a goal to try a new food every week. I’m sure there will be things I’ll never want to eat again, but I also be there’s a lot out there that I’ve been missing. You’ll never know if you don’t try, right?
Do one thing every day that scares you? I’m all set with being scared. Scared of change, of pushing herself in uncomfortable situations, of trying to be the person she knew she could be? That girl, I’m happy to report, is long gone. But the one who’s ready to give it all she’s got? I’m pretty sure she’s here to stay 🙂
# of sarcastic eye rolls towards Alicia: She’d say more than 1o, I say less. We’ll let you decide.
# of days I logged my meals: 3
# of times I ate chicken: 3 – great progress
# of “real” pushups: Do two halves equal a whole? Let’s go with yes!
Leave a comment: Have you ever had to overcome a fear to accomplish a goal?
Be Healthy. Be Balanced.