Fear and Intimidation

How many times have you said to yourself or someone else, no, I don't want to do that, what if it's hard, scary, I can't do it, people might judge me? Trying something new is always intimidating. It doesn't matter if it's something that seems big or small. I can tell you from personal experience, fear of something new could have been my middle name. I realized that it was fear of the unknown. For me, I was afraid that it might be hard and I wouldn't be able to do it and those that could might laugh at me. I know there are things that I didn't do, that now I wish I had. I've learned now that it's important to try something new/different because if you don't, how will you ever know that you are good at it or like it? You may not like it or be good at it, but if you never try, you'll never know.

I was in the gym today and after class was in the weight room waiting to see if a couple of my friends were going to join me, they did. It was interesting because one said,"I've never even been in this room before", and the other said, "I've always been a little intimidated in here." To me the weight room is like a grown-up playground with lots of ways to exercise and challenge your body/muscles. The more I see people do, the more I challenge myself. I had to think back on when I felt the same as these ladies, and its been a while, but I certainly felt that way the first time I walked into a gym. I was so happy to be able to show them my workout and have them try it with me. On the other hand, both of these two had done things that I never have. Running races and cycling in a bike ride challenge.  Now, I haven't run in a race yet, but it's on my Things to Try List, but I did complete a cycling challenge a week ago.

The ride was part of the Air Force Cycling Challenge. It took place in Crystal City, VA and was a set course that you rode as many laps as you could in the 3.5 hours allotted time frame. I completed four laps (37.2 miles). Before registering, which took me a week by the way, I knew in my head that I could do it, so why the hesitation? I didn't know what it would be like, what if we were all bunched up the whole time and you couldn't see anything and someone went slow and you couldn't get around, I'd fall for sure, (I've yet to fall off my bike). I had in my minds eye, the peleton of the professional cycling races that I watch frequently, which is NOT what this was like. I had made myself nervous even before knowing what it would be like, now that I do, I can't wait until next year and see if I can do better.

Creating a fitness business was a new experience that I never would be doing if I hadn't tried, now I'm personal training and teaching a bootcamp class. Time to get out there and not let new challenges pass you by. Your mission is to try something new/different once a week. It can be anything from a new food, new sport, class, exercise or experience, like walking into the weight room at the gym. Do it, the time is now, you may even find you are really good at it or like it! Don't let fear and intimidation rule you, conquer it!