My fitness journey began like that of many people: with childhood activities. Growing up I played tee ball, basketball, did Taekwondo, participated in Boy Scouts, and played on playgrounds and in sandpits. We played Nintendo and watched TV like many kids but balanced it out with bike riding, nerf wars, swimming, and plenty of trouble making activities. Lesson Learned: Doing physical activity with other people was fun. This is the same reason people enjoy playing pickle ball, joining rub clubs, and doing CrossFit. It helps us to maintain our physical fitness along with our social fitness. Both are necessary for life.
Failing is Okay
I recall a moment in Taekwondo when I was testing for a belt. I had to break a board and I failed. I was embarrassed. My instructors were watching me, my class mates were watching me, and my parents and the parents of everyone else were watching. Guess what happened next? Nothing. At some point (I don’t remember when), I eventually broke the board and passed the test. I also remember trying out for competitive baseball in 6th grade and not making the team. Guess what happened next? Nothing. I played baseball for another team and eventually in high school and had fun. Lesson learned: Failing is okay. It’s not the end of the world and often you’ll get another chance and everything will work out. In my business, I see adults terrified of failure or embarrassment. They’re afraid to start a workout program because they won’t perform great and be embarassed. That’s probably true and yet, nothing will happen. You’ll be okay, no one will be judging you, and when you show up tomorrow, you’ll do better.
Nothing Is Impossible
Growing up, I remember my Dad had some concrete filled dumbbells with the screw on collars (IYKYK). I think they were around 10-25 lbs. The 25 lb ones seemed like they were the heaviest item on earth. I couldn’t pick them up, much less lift them. My Dad could pick them up easily which was mightily impressive to me at the time. The fact that he could lift it made me want to be able to lift it. Lesson learned: What seems impossible now will be possible with the right trajectory and time. Witnessing people ahead of you on their fitness journey can make the gap between where you are and where you want to be seem huge. It can also show you where you’ll be if you’ll just keep going. The choice is yours.
Standards are Necessary
In middle school, we participated in the presidential fitness test. It was a series of different physical tests like pushups, setups, mile run time, that you were graded on. Everyone participated. Some people did pretty good. Some people didn’t. Some people could do lots of pushups. Some people couldn’t do any pushups. I remember being excited about it and wanting to perform well and that being the general consensus amongst my class mates. I can’t remember where I finished but I do remember feeling proud about my performance and eager to improve for the next time we would test. Lesson learned: When you set a standard, people will strive for it. Some will exceed it. They’ll feel proud. Some will meet it. They’ll feel satisfied. Some will miss it. They’ll feel motivated. If you don’t set a standard, no one’s feelings will be hurt but also no one will be inspired. Probably best to set some standards.
Confidence through Competence
I first started weight training in seventh grade. We had a multifunctional machine (bench, pull down, leg curl/extension) in our upstairs room that I used almost every day. At one point I was bench pressing and couldn’t press the bar all the way up. I ended up bringing it down on my chin and, after having called for help, had to dump the plates on each side. Another time, I was at a commercial gym, got stuck on bench press again and the female front desk worker had to come help me get it off. Lesson learned: Confidence is great. Competence is better. Confidence through competence with support is best.
Negative Emotions Aren’t Necessarily Bad
In middle school, people often would comment about how skinny I was. I was long and lean and going through puberty and awkwardly disproportionate. I didn’t like being called skinny, I wanted to be muscular like the heroes I watched in the movies. This set me off on my weightlifting journey. I started training daily. Mostly just made up stuff at first but eventually I started following programs in bodybuilding magazines. I put on about 60 lbs between freshman and senior year of high school as a result.Lesson learned: Everything you say has the potential for impact. Also, negative emotions can be used for positive outcomes.
Often stress, anxiety, and depression are described as the feeling of drowning; hopelessly being pulled down into the depths of despair. Imagine drowning, being offered…
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Talk to Us About Your Goals: https://www.nbsfitness.net/no-sweat-intro/ Connect with NBS Website: https://www.nbsfitness.net/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/nbsfitness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbsfitnessmemphis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbs_fitness/
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