Good morning!
How many times over the past few years, months, or even days have you thought to yourself:
- I want to be stronger.
- I want to be faster.
- I want to have more energy.
- I want to be in better shape.
We all have. And people that don’t think these things are the ones that aren’t working out regularly and making fitness a part of their lives. OR… the ones that are perfectly fine where they are right now.
For a while I was the latter: content with where I was physically and to be honest, I thought I was in awesome shape.
But, I was wrong.
Over the past year, I have added some very influential women into my life. Women who have made helped me realize that when I thought I was in good shape… was just okay shape. For me.
Of course, I also have a husband that likes to continuously push me beyond my comfort zones in an effort to help me realize this same thing… but for some reason, it clicks more when coming from other women. Must be the natural “sisterhood” thing.
Which is why I train women for my job, and why I love every minute of it.
Once There Was A Girl Who Thought She Was Strong…
When Amanda first started working out with me, I was apprehensive (I don’t think I ever told her that).
I am a person of habit and enjoy sticking to a set course. When something or someone comes in and changes things, I can let my panties get in a wad.
It’s stupid, no one likes wedgies… but I think there are a lot of women like this.
After the first week of workouts though, I realized having a female training partner was a blessing!
I realized how weak I had allowed myself to get over the past year and my “strong woman” pride plummeted. It was refreshing and eye opening to realize that I wasn’t in as great of shape in the weight room as I had thought. I had been in a rut.
Amanda and I are great at calling each other out when we chicken out on weight and go for less than we know the other person is capable of. Or when one person suggests adding some weight, the pressure is on for the other to “woman-up” and give it a try.
It helps that we are very similar in our strength and our progress.
The whole thing has been humbling to say the least and I have realized that my passion to be stronger has returned. No more rut.
Then, There Was A Girl Who Thought She Was Running The Best She Could
This past weekend, when I crossed the finish line of the Run Forrest Run 5K, Dan said “Congratulations” for setting a new PR but then quickly followed it up with a:
“I thought you were going to be a little faster.”
Umm, thanks.
He means well, he knows my potential and I’m thankful for his criticisms. But let’s face it, It can be hard to hear and sometimes I just don’t believe him when he says I can do better.
What’s the point of this story?
Well, yesterday, I was doing my speed work with Katie and our new friend Amy (BTW, I can’t believe we didn’t take pictures!). Katie and I have trained together for months and know each other’s abilities really well. We’re running a race together this weekend and were setting some goals and how we planned on executing the run (should she start out a bit in front, should I, should we start together…?).
I mentioned my goal, to which she laughed and basically told me my goal was crap. Like Dan, Katie said that I don’t push myself hard enough or give myself enough credit. She also reminded me that I just did 10 400m repeats all under 6 minute mile paces.
She’s right, Dan’s right… and I’ve realized that there is so much mental blockage in my brain keeping me from BELIEVING I can do something.
Going From “Okay” Shape To Being In Great Shape
What do these stories have to do with the topic of today’s post?
Getting into great shape is MENTAL. And it’s accepting the idea that you’re never ever at your best. As long as you continue to train, you can get better. But training isn’t just spending 30 minutes at the gym with a few dumbbells beside you. Or running a few miles.
It’s taking a deep breath, saying that today you’re going to do better than you did the time before and working towards that.
Top Secrets To Be In The Best Shape Of Your Life
1. Never settle for where you are today. Always push to be better. Keep your workouts progressing by lifting more weight, more reps or running faster.
2. Ask yourself: Did I really give my all? I always ask this at the end of a race or event. At first I immediately say “heck, yes I did!” but as I think on it more, I have doubt.
3. Partner up. You just read how much it has helped me! Have an accountability partner or someone to call you out when you’re lacking confidence or motivation.
4. Realize that people can change. You’re body is not stagnant, it can change, grow, get faster, stronger, more toned, etc. The sky’s the limit. Or is it?
5. Embrace criticism. When someone says you can do better, don’t take it as an insult. Take it as a compliment and realize what they are saying is probably true.
6. Don’t limit yourself. It’s easy to put numbers on things: Yes, I want to deadlift 200 lbs, but that doesn’t mean that once I get there that I’ll shrug my shoulders and give up because I hit that goal. It means it’s time to go for 210 lbs.
7. Screw the naysayers. There are negative people in this world, people who don’t believe we can hit milestones or those that just don’t get why we would want to. I say screw them… nothing else to say on that.
8. Stay consistent. If you want to run faster, but only run sporadically then don’t be upset when you don’t hit a new personal record. Or if you want to squat more, if you’re squating is inconsistent then don’t be mad when your strength doesn’t improve quickly.
9. Be honest with yourself. Are you really trying to get in great shape? Are you fueling your body with the best foods and working out in a systematic and progressive way? If you’re not then change things and put in the work.
10. Love the journey. Being in shape takes work, being in amazing shape takes a lot of work and a lot of discipline. But enjoy it! Celebrate each milestone you cross, look at your body and realize the love you are showing it.
And finally…
11. Keep an open mind. You might be in amazing shape today… but will you be in even better shape this time next year? When will you really be in the BEST SHAPE OF YOUR LIFE?
I leave you with something complete off topic, because I love my cat, Nike.
-What’s a current goal you’re working on?
Have you checked out Fit Womens Weekly Yet? If you feel that you’re in a rut with your training, or you keep saying that you’re going to up the level of intensity, or even if you’re just getting started and have NO IDEA what to do in regards to workouts then FWW can help out!
This is my online training studio and all the workouts are ones that I do with my clients so I know they work!