Try something new.
Go beyond your comfort zone. Why not try something new?
Sometimes, being so completely absorbed in a routine, you may fail to recognize and explore fresh ideas and new methods. These ideas and methods may stretch you beyond your comfort zone but the rewards may lead to new opportunities and levels that you never thought possible.
My 10 year old daughter is into gymnastics and is quite flexible. When I watch her do cartwheels and perform the bridge I find it difficult to visualize me in those positions. I’ve never attempted a bridge in my entire life.
But today, as she joined in to exercise with me, she decided to do the bridge. My response would usually be, “I’m not going to try that because I’m afraid I might break something.” However, even though I’m by far no way near flexible as she is, I banished my fear and doubt and asserted the position to complete the bridge. My arms weren’t strong enough to lift me off the ground. I had to get my husband’s help.
Although my endeavour was unsuccessful in the execution of the bridge, I found myself using muscles that I’ve probably never used before. We did have a good laugh, though. Now I know that I need to do some more push ups to strengthen those wrists, hands and upper body muscles. What’s my new goal? Yup, I’ll be strengthening those muscles so I can do the bridge.
Trying something new could be intimidating at first, but it could open up other areas of your life that you’ve never given a chance to emerge. If you keep an open mind and really work at it, who knows? Maybe you might have something new to add to your portfolio.
Fuelling words: I try something new today. I work at it adding vitality and excitement to my life.
Routine: Warm-ups, stretches, aerobics, toning and strength exercises, cool down.
Visualization - keeping focus on my goal; healthy, strong and my ideal body weight and shape.
Deep breathing - relaxes the muscles and sends oxygen to the muscles where exercising alone would not reach.
I LOVE your blog!! Comfort zones can be incredibly limiting! For many of us those comfort zones can even be painfu! Yet change is sooooo scary that we tend to just stay in the discomfort we know.
ReplyDeleteI always say weight loss begins and ends in the mind. Tom Venuto likes to say, "Do what you've always done, get what you've always gotten."
I used to do yoga. I would never even attempt the bridge (which they actually call something else ...I forget what). Too scary. And I was pretty sure I couldn't do it anyway, so why bother?
Finally I tried it. And failed miserably! It kinda bugged me because I could stay in that position for hours as a kid. I became obsessed with being able to do it. I guess it was sort of a mid life crisis LOL! Yet, every time I tried it, I failed.
So, I started lifting weights in order to get strong enough to do the bridge and many of the other more difficult yoga poses. I haven't left the gym in over 2 years! :)
It was trying that one simple (OK not so simple LOL!) bridge which I actually FAILED at that prompted significant change in my mind, body, and life.