So, for January I did this thing. I chose to participate in a challenge at my gym. Did I think I would win, nope. There are some die hard, fit people at my gym. And I’m just a use to be college athlete that sometimes likes to do a triathlon. I didn’t enter it thinking I would win. So, why then? 1. I’m competitive and if you add the word challenge to anything then you’ve got me. 2. I needed to change up my routines, try something new to challenge myself. So I did it.
So, what happened? I did what comes natural, I gave it my best shot. I showed up for classes, I posted my check ins on social media, I did some challenges. Then, I realized I was doing well in this thing. Then, I was in the top 16, then the top 8. Then, I had that “hold my beer and watch this moment.” I sunk my teeth in. But not because I thought I would win, because I realized who was watching me. My kids were watching me. Other busy moms were watching me. I had a lot of excuses to not show up. My kids had sports schedules I had to work around. I was sore and tired. There were things in my way, but I went anyway. People were watching to see what I would do- would I drop out when it got tough? Would mom get too busy to stay with it?
There were lots of squats. Lots of crunches. Too many mountain climbers. Buckets of sweat. A handful of back to back classes. Smelly yoga mats. So much laundry. But, there was encouragement, camaraderie, laughter and fun as well.
Did I win??? Nope! I told you. I didn’t enter it to win. I entered it because I wanted a challenge and needed something new. I stayed in it and finished in the top 5 because I wanted to prove a point. You don’t have to be the fittest one at the gym to give 110%. You don’t have to have the most time to put in all the effort. You can be the busy mom with 2 kids, a job, a husband and many other commitments and still show up.
What did I take away from it? Strength. Both mentally and physically. You don’t take that many boot camp, yoga and spin classes in a month and not gain some physical strength. But also, mental strength. Strength to persevere when my legs are tired and I don’t want to get out of bed. Strength to see that just because I can’t do the most pushups or squats in a minute, I am still just as deserving to be there. Strength to push past my comfort zone and keep going.
What should you take away from it? Challenge yourself. Sign up for the 6 weeks of boot camp. Join that run group. Sign up for that swim class. Do what scares you just a little. Do what makes you uncomfortable and stop letting the excuses get in your way. Make the time. It’s important.