My column for Working (Out) Mama this week is all about being confident. After I asked you guys on Facebook & Twitter what your best tips for confidence were (and got an awesome response, thank you!) I took some of your wisdom on confidence and wrote about how you can translate that advice for working out. (You’re all credited, of course!) Check it out: 5 Surefire Tips to Make You the Most Confident Woman in the Gym and let me know what you think!
In my current training plan, I’m always pretty confident I’m going to finish a training run at, or pretty close to, the prescribed paces and times. Sure, there are a couple of workouts that I’m not in love with while I’m doing them, or the occasional long run where I briefly consider cutting it short when I run past the place I exit the park to head home. I’ve been forced into a relationship with the treadmill this winter (should we even call it just “Winter” anymore? That sounds too benign at this point) but it’s not serious and I’m going right back to the outdoors just as soon as I can (I hope the treadmill isn’t reading this – awkward).
So this morning, after not enough sleep, and after early morning clients, I was NOT looking forward to my planned speed work. I procrastinated. I went home first. I had another cup of coffee. I played with my son. Then I put six layers back on and trudged out to the gym. And guess what? I nailed it. I even briefly wondered if the treadmill speed display was broken, because it didn’t feel as hard as it should. Now, I don’t know if this is a sign of my improving fitness, or because I was watching The Millionaire Matchmaker (I love me some Patti Stanger), or if it was just my day, but my point is this:
And that is my takeaway advice from reading all of your wisdom imparted on how to become confident. You’ve just got to get out there and make an attempt, make the effort and see what happens, especially when it comes to working out. Maybe you’ll suck at something, but that’s a good way to cross it off your list of ways you WANT to spend exercising. How do you know that yoga’s not your cup of tea, or that you’d never enjoy lifting weights, unless you try it first?
Also, don’t write yourself off too quickly. In high school, I used to enjoy running the 800 meters. I liked being able to pace myself and not worry about sprinting until right at the end. Then, when I was 15, I was in the last stretch of a race and just as I approached a group of the cute, popular boys in my class, a huge snot rocket shot out of my nose. There wasn’t any doubt as to whether they’d noticed, because they were quite gleefully vocal about what they’d just had the fortune of witnessing. After that race, I decided running wasn’t for me. I’m so glad I went back to it (much) later in life, because it truly brings me joy and peace and a sense of accomplishment.
I want to know – have you ever done any workout where you really thought it was going to be awful and it ended up being amazing?
Got any workout disaster stories where you decided that something was definitely not your thing? 😉
P.S: You may notice I’m not doing a little promo for Fit Mama Friday this week… don’t worry, I have an awesome feature lined up! It’s just that this week I want the element of surprise. So check back in on Friday! 🙂
Not yet. But I’m working on it! 🙂
Then you’re on your way, Zoz. xo
As a teen I was fished out of a pool on one of the Disney properties by a lifeguard with a long stick. I labeled myself a non-swimmer since then. That’s why I learning (or trying to) now. Ha!
Great tips on confidence!
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Oh, Marcia! I bet teenage you was one unhappy camper!! Good for you for going back to it now.
Yes!! I love your message. Try it first! I definitely think that is so true! I’ve done workouts that I didn’t think I was going to like and then I ended up having a great workout. Keeping an open mind is important!
Thanks, Britt! You truly never know what’s going to ‘click’ for you, right?
My entire teen years consisted of me being a complete dork and humiliating myself – I was such a geek!!!
Way to go on that speed workout!!!
Can’t wait to see what you have in store for Friday!!
Kim recently posted…Is Curling Really a Sport?
I think most people’s teen years are filled with little humiliations! Friday’s post is a great one. 🙂
You’re absolutely right – you never know until you try. I’ve been reading a lot (and even wrote about) mental shifts and flipping our perspectives lately. Does everyone feel beaten down by this endless winter??!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted…Falling with Grace
I wish winter would flip its bloody perspective and decide to shower us with sunshine and warmth instead of this interminable snow and ridiculous cold. Did I just answer your question as to whether everyone’s sick of this winter? 😉
Good job on the workout, I love when I nail a good workout and surprise myself. It’s such a good feeling. My disaster workout would have to be when I tried a step class and was ridiculously uncoordinated and I ended up leaving the class and doing an awesome workout on my own lol!
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Thanks, lady. 🙂 It’s the best feeling, right? And at least you know now that step isn’t your forte!! 😉
I feel like whenever I work out in group settings, I really go above and beyond my own expectations…recently to took a pole dancing class with Nellie…and I was shocked at my upper body strength. I actually just bought a groupon for 5 more classes! Despite the giggle and the soreness…. I loved it.
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I saw you were heading to a pole class on instagram! So glad you had so much fun! Isn’t it awesome when you surprise yourself at being great at something?
I love this post!! I have had some tragic gym encounters but I won’t mention them here! 🙂 I think the one thing I never thought I could do was run a 5k. It seemed so impossible to me before I actually did it. I felt so accomplished afterwards!! The dreadmill will be gone before you know it!!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama recently posted…How Does Food Make You Feel?
That feeling of accomplishment is so wonderful, because you know how hard you worked to earn it. Speaking of tragic gym encounters, when I was a heavily pregnant trainer in a gym, I actually got stuck between a treadmill and a spin bike. Like wedged. My client had to tip the bike so I could squeeze out. It was hysterical.
It is so true that you never know what you’re capable of until you try. That is why my blog is more about the stuff I try than it’s about the stuff I mastered. I’m not opposed to trying. Although I do tend to self sabotage.
Your amazing for procrastinating and then going back to the gym. I have to workout early or it won’t get done. I like my evenings for snoozing. 🙂
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And sometimes you learn from trying and finding out it’s something you’re not good at, too. I remember you sharing your tip once to just not sit down when you get home, or you’d never get back up to go workout.
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Good article. I absolutely appreciate this site.
Continue the good work!
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