Recently, one of the participants at the Fly High Fitness Studio remarked, "You know, I couldn't do that before." It was just a quick remark, but it really made me pause and pay attention to those important little achievements on the way to a much loftier goal. When I stopped and starting looking back, I reflected on the things I couldn't do both when I was first starting to teach group exercise and upon returning to exercise from maternity leave. Today most of those things don't cause me to even think twice.
Before I started teaching yoga, my toes might as well have been a mile away, and I distinctly remember being exhausted and red in the face for over an hour after my first step class. (Holy cow, what an understatement!) I have even joked about my arms being so tired after my first power pump class that I was unsure if I would be able to carry my baby back out to my car. These days I can reach my toes just fine, I have to move a lot more to get so tired after step, I recover more quickly, and I am able to lift more at power pump. It should also be said that I haven't dropped any of my kids after a class yet!
I still have those outstanding health and fitness goals that are going to take me a long time to reach. Honestly, some may take me years, and some may be unrealistic and I'll never really get. However, this member's comment reminded of how far I've come. It was such a slow process that I didn't even notice. We all have a tendency to focus too much on wht we can't yet achieve, and of course, it's frustrating. We want results now! Do you remembr where you were when you began your membership? Do you ever think about where you would be now if you never started at all? Next time, you get frustrated with yourself, think about it. Use your accomplishments to fuel your desire to continue on your path towards those achievable goals. It's going to take time, but keep working and you'll see, there have been and there will be results!
Jen Ness, GRMC Wellness Specialist and Group Exercise Instructor
