It’s Saturday and that means it is time to reflect on the week and celebrate things both big and small. Join our community and celebrate this week by linking up or just stopping by the host Ruth Ayres’ blog to read others’ celebrations.
Join us in the Slice of Life story challenge. Every day for the month of March, bloggers all over the globe are writing their slices and sharing them on the Two Writing Teachers blog.
Last June, I started going to barre classes at Barre Co. Bay View. At the time, I was out of shape. I had let myself have too much time off from exercise and I was at the heaviest weight I had ever been. I struggled through the class and went back for all 5 classes included in my Groupon. Then, I went back for more. All through the summer, I made it a habit to get to the gym for barre class. I continued to suffer through the class, modifying as I went along. Barre classes are full body workout classes that challenge your core. The thigh sets are killer and the teachers say that shaking is good because that shows you are changing your body. Seriously, shaking…
This Fall, I enrolled in the monthly unlimited package. Then, I realized that I could also get some reimbursement from the Healthy Contributions program that my employer is enrolled in. So for many months now I have been making sure to get to the gym at least 12 times in a month. The classes are challenging for everyone in them. Some days are better than others.
Yesterday, I was in class next to the owner of the gym. She had a baby in December and has not been at the gym as often as she was before. I haven’t really worked out with her since the last time she taught a class in November. Yesterday, I also had a chest cold and was having a hard time breathing. I had to stop at one point to get my inhaler and use it. I was beating myself up in my head and feeling like a loser.
And then, the owner of the gym turned to me and said, “Andrea, you are doing so amazing. You inspire me.” I was really surprised. I had been having this inner dialogue of failure and here she was telling me how great I was. Then, I thought about it some more. From her perspective, someone who had not seen me in a few months, I was so much more in shape and able to do so much more than I had before. It was so nice to take a moment and think about what I am able to accomplish now that I was not able to do as well a few months ago. It’s like when you are losing weight and you don’t necessarily see it as well as someone else who has not seen you in a while and suddenly sees you 15 pounds lighter. Somehow, that outside validation suddenly brings into focus the good results that you couldn’t see before.
The words of encouragement gave me a renewed motivation to continue to do my best. They helped me to recognize my accomplishments and stop the inner critic. This didn’t cost the other person anything, but meant a whole lot to me. It is a nice reminder to me that I have many people in my life that might benefit from some encouragement and kind words from me. Time to get out and pay it forward!
What do you have to celebrate this week? I would love to hear from you in the comments!
Great perspective and a great reminder to say to others the positive things you have in your head. It could mean the world to them and like you said it costs you nothing. Congratulations for continuing the struggle for growth.
That’s a huge compliment about something that is very difficult. Some might feel like writing is their difficult full body work out (if you will). You are conquering both!
“I was beating myself up in my head and feeling like a loser.” I can relate to this, letting my inner critic rob joy from life. Sometimes it takes kind words to shake our perspective. This reminds me to be a speaker of kind words, too.
You’re so right! We need to remember to give compliments and encouragement to others!
You are right about perspective, and the idea to remember how wonderful it is to hear words that bolster, and to pay it forward. Also, congratulations on making this work for you, Andrea. I am impressed, and hope you now are proud of your progress. I’ve started going back to Curves. I used to go & then there were too many things that made me have to stop. I’m so glad to be back, have met some new people in my community & feel better & better. Regular exercise does work!
It is always wonderful to hear a comment that validates what you are doing is the right course for you. Exercise is an important part of our practice although there are times that I would rather not go to the gym. I can come up with great excuses but the bottom line is that my yoga practice builds mind, body, soul peace and my gym routine is good for my strength and cardio routine.
It is always wonderful to hear a comment that validates what you are doing is the right course for you. Exercise is an important part of our practice although there are times that I would rather not go to the gym. I can come up with great excuses but the bottom line is that my yoga practice builds mind, body, soul peace and my gym routine is good for my strength and cardio routine.
I haven’t been working out for several months and am not happy about it. I met up with a friend I used to run with though and we are running together later this week. You’re post makes me even more sure that I want to get back into the groove. Barre classes sound seriously challenging!