I’ve learned a few things about myself in the last couple of days.
- I’m not a good dancer. I can’t remember the steps ever. Something I learned a few days earlier has to be relearned a few days later.
- I don’t push myself in the gym unless I workout with other people.
Both of these things lead me to my main point: I’m pushing myself for improvement.
I’m not a good dancer at all, but I’m pushing myself to learn the steps and try to dance. I often get frustrated with myself that I just can’t remember these basics spins and moves. I feel frustrated that my memory is really that bad. I feel insecure about myself stumbling around looking awkward and missing steps. I feel awkward and insecure and always want to quit when I get to that point. But I don’t. I practice with Kepa and I go to the free dance classes when they are offered. I’m not good but I’m pushing myself to keep trying so that I’m at least okay at it.
In the gym I exercise but I don’t normally push myself to make big improvements. When I’m working out alone it never feels like I need to push myself more than what I’m doing. I get my heart rate up to the right level (side note that will become a future post: before my heart rate monitor I definitely did not get my heart rate high enough often enough). I lift the weights. I just don’t push myself to do any more than that. I let myself slide with the bare minimum. Yet when I workout with other people I push myself to go harder. I move up weights. I run/bike/elliptical longer. I do more and I push myself.
It’s always been this way. It’s either part of my competitive nature or part of my need to not feel insecure. I ran my first mile because I was running with other people and they helped push me to go the whole distance when I didn’t think I could do it. When I used to workout with my mom I would push myself to run when she would walk or do water aerobics faster than she was doing it. Whenever I worked out with Candace in the gym I would always do more than I thought I could by lifting more and doing more ab work. When I’ve been working out with Kepa this week (a new thing for us) I moved up the amount of weight I’ve been lifting.
Whenever there are people working out with me, even if they aren’t trying to push me, I end up pushing myself to do better.
This is not something I realized before. It’s also probably the main reason why I’ve been stuck around 210 lbs forever. I don’t push myself enough to get past it and no one else is going to push me. I’m the one who needs to do it for myself. Complacency probably could be my middle name as far as exercise goes, but I don’t want that anymore. I don’t want to only push myself when someone else is around. I want to push myself and get past the place I’ve been stuck for so long.
As part of the wedding diet (and boring nonkiwiemployment) I plan to workout more each day. This is a push for me since it’s not necessary. I also want my workouts to involve me pushing myself when I can and making improvements that I can see and measure. This week so far I’ve moved up the amounts of weight I lift for more exercises and I’ve been doing extra cardio at home.
I want to continue pushing myself to make improvements and to try new things. So far in 2011 I’ve done a triathlon and started salsa dancing. I can do anything if I just give myself a little push or two.
What about you? Do you push yourself in the gym? To try new things? Do others help you push yourself to do more?
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{ 19 comments }
Me too! Can’t remember the most basic choreography to save my life. And will push harder and further with company.
Karen´s last [type] ..21 Son Salute
That’s a great realization. KNOWING that you need a workout buddy to push yourself is okay. That just means you need to find a committed workout buddy that will push you!
For me, I know that I will workout better by myself, so I prefer to do that. I do “workout” with friends but that’s more in ways of like hiking or biking.
Oh, you cant remember the steps either? What a relief that I’m not the only one! I have the WORST memory ever..my brain’s full of holes. I push myself to try new things, like new exercises or whatever. Especially with my random coupons I’m always buying. But otherwise, no I don’t really push myself at exercise. I don’t have a goal, so I always figure I’m doing it for fun. Especially if I’m not in a class one day, if I’m working out and feel bored or tired or annoyed, I just leave. That’s probably why, after working out for years, I’m not very strong at all. I don’t always think that’s a bad thing though. By keeping it light and fun and not something im forcing myself to do, I keep doing it day after day. Maybe its not super gung ho and fifty million hours at a time like other people, but its consistent and enjoyable. But I definitely get what you’re saying in your post. Good luck!!
merri´s last [type] ..11 Days Less Sugar Update – IM STARVING!
I’m glad I’m not the only one! I feel bad because Kepa remembers and has to remind me EVERY TIME. It’s like my mind gets wiped clean after every practice. I’ll have to do it a thousand times before I remember it all.
I don’t think you necessarily have to push yourself to exercise to get stronger or faster or whatever unless you want to do so. You have a good attitude about it keeping it fun and making it so you want to keep doing classes. And trying new things is always good. So yeah, keep doing what you are doing!
i am a ridiculous, flailing dancer. but i have fun.
at the gym, nooo, i do a terrible job of pushing myself. i have to work on that.
I am also a terrible dancer, and because I always thought I was a terrible dancer I am completely self-conscious about dancing all the time. Even at the wedding, when it was so exciting and fun to dance, in part I was only doing it because I was “supposed” to do it. I hated knowing that people were watching and I might not be doing it right. But I totally feel this way about exercising too — I hate going to the gym just thinking that someone there can tell that I’m (a) not athletic, (b) not in shape at all, or (c) unable to work any of the machines. Breaking through the mental cycle and choosing to do things you think you are bad at is so hard!
You are so inspiring. Keep up the good work. Maybe you could start videotaping your workouts or posting your goals online before you go to the gym to have some online accountability, like with your food diary? It seems to really help you stick to your goals. For me, I just have to get myself to the gym. Then, I’ll do something. Maybe. Right? .
Mary Beth´s last [type] ..Marshmallow Cream Cheese Frosting with Gingerbread Cookies
Part of it is definitely that I’m self-conscious. I’ve noticed I tend to mess up more when I start to think people are watching me. I’m better when I forget anyone can see me. As soon as I think about having others watching I get nervous and my mind goes blank. The funny thing is I’m worried they are watching and I’ll be doing it wrong but I’ll be doing it fine until I think they are watching. It’s like a self fulfilling prophecy of dance. Haha.
Its always more enjoyable when there’s someone else around, pushing you. Or maybe they’re not pushing you. Perhaps you are pushing you because you secretly want to do better than the other person. Or maybe thats just me.
I started pushing myself a bit more at the gym and trying new things since I started going with my good friend. She is more fit than me and has been working out at the gym more than I have whereas all I have done in the past is play sports so the gym intimidates me. She has helped me conquer my fear by bringing me to some classes which I have enjoyed. Now I love spinning and I am not afraid to go to the gym anymore. :)
Caity´s last [type] ..My fitness evaluation and a self realization
Hi there inner-conscience! Where have u been? I’ve missed you :(
I feel the exact same way when I dance or gym! I’m so self conscious, always fidgeting, stumbling, peeking-over-at-the-next-guy’s-machine-stats O:) etc…
I feel that healthy competition is good! Now, i try to compete against myself when i work out at the gym. Try to improve on what I did yesterday.
I dance like a retard-on drugs-drinking alcohol. :| But what the heck ?! Aslong as i dont maime anyone or fall on them (thereby not killing the other person, which is a win-win situation, really) i try not to care :D I love dancing! that’s all that matters :)
LOL. I want to see you dance now. ;)
Im so weird (hence the mizfit :)) as with fitness I push my self more SOLO.
With everything else?
I NEED MY PEEPS.
Miz´s last [type] ..Blog Branding
I do push myself, I push hard to accomplish my workout. I don’t know exactly where it came from, but I think a lot of it came from my husband pushing himself all these years and it wore off on me.
In my mind, if your not going to push yourself to better yourself why bother doing the workout? That’s what I say to myself….I think any workout is better than sitting on our duffs though!
Sometimes I can be so hard on myself though that its detrimental mentally. I am learning to be grateful for what I can do and I am also learning to realize just how far I’ve come in the last 3 years.
Sheri´s last [type] ..Its The Best Day Ever!
“In my mind, if your not going to push yourself to better yourself why bother doing the workout? ”
Ah! I totally disagree with that bit of the comment. Any movement activity is better than none. You don’t ALWAYS have to push yourself. If you need to then go for it (I do right now) but it’s not always necessary with every workout.
But goof for your for pushing yourself when you work out. That’s great!
Well, I push myself pretty dang hard solo like Miz.. although with people, I still push but I prefer to work out solo since I am self motivated.
As for dance, when I was younger, I was on drill team & cheerleading & could remember all that stuff.. with age, I am lucky to remember my name ;-)
Jody – Fit at 53´s last [type] ..Giveaway – fitbook Go Red-Heart Health! Happy Bday!
Strangely enough, once I get into something I do push myself. It’s as if I discover that my body can move and lift and jump and I just want faster, heavier, higher. The only time I work out with other people is in water aerobics class, so most of the time fitness for me is about pushing myself and getting fit.
Hanlie´s last [type] ..And two finger bowls of glass
I totally get what your saying. I get complacent about exercise when I’m not working toward specific goals. When I have fitness goals, I can track progress and I can focus my energy on competing WITH MYSELF. It sounds like maybe you have the ability to push yourself, but you just need to turn that competitive edge inward. Then again, you also blogged about disliking all the structure and rules of tri-training. I dare say you may just have some growing to do (and challenging yourself with new things, like dancing, is good for that!).
It all depends on who I am with at the gym. If I’m with guy friends, I tend to push more on the strength portion because I don’t want to be seen as the girly can’t hack it type. If I’m with girls, I push more on the cardio– just to be better at it, I suppose.
Alone, I tend to go all out and rock past what I’d do if I was with friends.
I’m an odd ball.
Becky´s last [type] ..A little bit of this and that —
Nice article that describes what many people go through when they are at the gym. Motivation is a funny thing – but I’ve always found that the key is tying motivation to improve to a meaningful goal that aligns with your core values. Vanity isn’t, for me, a core value so it will never drive me to exercise or not eat the wrong thing (the desire to look good in a bathing suit won’t do it for me). Instead, I’m motivated by the kids that I coach and adults I work with who inspire me every day with their commitment. My commitment to others feeds off that positive energy. Some might say that my positive energy enables others and that starts the process (maybe it does) but negative people and poor attitudes sap my energy as well (I’d like to think that I never start that).
So, what do you want to achieve and how is that aligned to your core values? When you discover those answers you will find a way to push yourself. Just remember to change your routine regularly so that you don’t get bored and you keep your body guessing. New challenges are very effective for achieving fitness results.
Good Luck!
Greg