Every once in a while, we come across people who doubt our ability to accomplish our goals. Sometimes these people are perfect strangers...other times, they're our own loved ones (family member, friend, significant other, etc.). For the sake of this conversation, let's talk about the people we know, because their words often have the most impact on us...possibly derailing us from doing what we've set out to do. In all fairness, however, we might have to take some responsibility for creating room for doubt. Oh, you'd like an example, huh? Well, here you go:
I can't count the number of times I've expressed to my friends that "I'm going to get my body right", but when the time comes for me to bust it out at the gym, I'm nowhere to be found. Once, I had a personal trainer, but I found so many excuses for why I couldn't attend lessons. Another time, I payed for a one month membership at the gym...but only went once. One of my friends plays Squash. I even went so far as to drive to the nearest sports store (1.15 hr away) to get a racket. It is currently collecting dust in the corner of my room. Now, every time I mention my desire to work out, I get comments like, "yeah, you said that last month!" or I'll just get the side-eye. When I told a good friend about my plans to run in a marathon for my birthday, he literally laughed in my face!
In the past (not too long ago), I let my failure to "be about it" and resulting comments from friends, prevent me from trying and trying and trying...until I was finally successful. Even more importantly, I realized that I really didn't care about what everyone else said...because I knew it was/has been true. The real person responsible for giving them room for doubt was me...and I've been standing in my own way the entire time. This time around, however, I'm going to be accountable to me (with your help, of course)...and use the doubts of others...most importantly, my own doubts...to motivate me to try harder!
So, Dear Reader, if you've walked a mile in my shoes...at least as far as the subject of this post is concerned...in the face of doubt (yours or someone else)...just brush your shoulders off...and keep it moving!
Yours in training,
Dani
P.S.: Training update- This morning, I woke up at 5:30 am...my first training session began at 6:00 am. Prior to leaving, I drank a glass of water and juice (100%...no added sugar or preservatives) and ate dry raisin bran cereal. 6:00 am. Prior to commencing training, my fitness coach (Nthabiseng) took a baseline assessment (i.e. weight, height, running time, etc.). When asked how long I can run non-stop, I told her 10 minutes. She laughed in my face saying, "Even the big mamas in this gym can run for at least 30 minutes. You're not pushing yourself". She called me out...she's right, I can run longer than 10 minutes...I've run 30 minutes before and quit because of the "95% mental" thing.
She asked me what my goal weight was. The truth is that I don't have a goal weight per se. I'm not "fat" by any means, but as I explained to one of my friends, the girth of my upper arms is a dead giveaway that regular exercise won't hurt. She concurred that my arms are "fat", but with exercise, they can get to where I want to be. My ultimate goal, which I expressed, was to be able to run a marathon. I'm not trying to be the first to finish...not even in the first 100. I just want to finish on my feet (not driven across or thrown over someone's shoulder).
My workout schedule with her will be five days a week. I will do "long runs" by myself on Sunday, with Saturday as a scheduled break. I informed her of my time table and asked if I would be able to do it. She said that, with hard work and discipline, I will be ready. I was told that the month of August and March don't count. By March, I should be ready.
For today, I completed a fast walk/run interval for 30 minutes and rode the stationary bike for 20 minutes. She wanted me to finish up with a 15 minute run, but the time had reached 7:00 am, so I had to leave in order to prepare for work. Because she is serious about helping me, I've been told to come at 5:30 am, so that we can fit more exercise in. New workout schedule: 5:30 am to 7:00 am. She told me that she will not let me quit. Good!
Because I didn't jog a uninterrupted 30 minutes, I asked my trainer if an evening trip to the gym would be too much. She didn't think so. I was told to run 30 minutes and report back (honestly) on my progress. My bag is already packed and in my car. We shall see!
Today's lessons learned:
- With respect to the length of time I can run (at this point), I've been short changing myself. I've been telling myself that I'm only capable of 10 minutes, but the reality is two or three times that. I have been standing in the way of meeting my own potential. I wonder in which other areas in my life have I been standing in the way? What about you?
- "95% mental" is my biggest hurdle, not 26 miles.
- I actually enjoy working out...or at least I enjoy feeling physically good...and the sense of accomplishment.
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