I haven’t written much about the fact that . . . . I have worked out (like, at a gym and EVERYthing) at least three days a week for eight weeks now.
It’s the ninth week, and I’ve already done two days.
I’m proud of myself, but I’m petrified that the minute I write a post stating that “this is my workout routine” I’ll break my leg.
Or my arm.
Or the gym will close for remodeling.
Or something will happen that will cause me to lose this momentum.
There are a ba-jillion comparisons between keeping my house under control and working out. I haven’t shared them, even though they run through my head like a treadmill without an off button.
See? See how easy the comparisons are??
But yesterday, as I walked into the gym at a different time than I usually do, I decided I would take the risk.
Some of the nervousness of the first day returned. I was getting there at 9 instead of 7:40. There were different (and more) cars in the parking lot. I worried that the three elliptical machines I know how to use would all be taken.
I fretted that the room with the weight machines I like (the ones where you don’t have to know what you’re doing) wouldn’t be mostly-empty like it usually is when I’m there.
But I went in anyway. And everything was fine. I hooked my keys on the board where I’ve been hooking them for two months now. I knew where to sign in. I didn’t have to explain that “Yes, I actually am a paying member, I just haven’t been here in two years.”
(Like I did back in August.)
I was off my routine, but everything was still familiar. With a few non-world-rocking adjustments, I did my 25 minutes of cardio and used the leg-focused weight machines.
Gyms used to scare me. Petrify me. Intimidate me.
I felt awkward/stupid/ridiculous in them.
It only got better after I started going. Over and over. It helped that for the first week or so I had a few friends who were willing to go with me. We could stare at the instructions together and try to figure out how to work the machines.
Even though our schedules rarely match up anymore, I kept going. Little by little, I’m expanding what I’m willing to do.
A gym was totally out of my comfort zone, but over time, it has become a comfort zone.
People talk so much about getting out of your comfort zone. Sometimes, it seems like being comfortable isn’t a good thing. That being edgy or miserable or feeling out of place is what you should learn to like. But I’ve realized that it’s not about being uncomfortable forever.
It’s about being uncomfortable for a short time as you create a new comfort zone. The goal isn’t to be awkward. The goal is to be comfortable in a place where you used to feel awkward.
Now for the cleaning comparison.
Doing the dishes used to feel awkward. It was ALWAYS a big deal. Doing them daily? That was out of my comfort zone. I had to FORCE myself to go through the motions.
I didn’t like a kitchen counter covered in dishes, but it was comfortable for me. That was what I was used to.
But as I pushed through the awkwardness of stopping my busy day to clean up just a few dishes, it started to feel normal to me. An empty sink became my new comfort zone. I had a routine. I knew what to do.
Make sense?
--Nony
Hooray for working out. I am proud of you–and I love this point. I just started a part-time job–and talk about being out of my comfort zone! But thankfully it won’t last forever.
That’s a great way to look at it, and it’s a perspective I’ve never thought of before. I felt the same way when I was going to the pool several days a week, though I stopped when I found out how bad the bromine in the pool I used was for the thyroid. I really miss the pool now, but maybe I’ll find a gym one day and find myself comfortable there, too. I’m glad you’re already there…and great job. I don’t blame you for keeping it pretty quiet either. Sometimes it almost feels like we jinx ourselves by mentioning something too soon, doesn’t it?
My favorite part of this whole post was how you compared it to the clean sink. I’d have never in a million years come up with that…and it’s completely true. I need to remember that, to tough some things out until they’re comfortable…NORMAL…to me. 🙂
Love this post! What a great way to think about….changing our comfort zone. Gonna try it!!
Great post!
This has been running around in my mind since I read it a few days ago. Brilliant! It’s going to change the way I think and the way I talk to my kids about stretching themselves too. Thanks so much for sharing this post!
Thank you, Tiffany!
A bit late with this comment, but… I think I’ll exercise tomorrow. Possibly after washing my dishes.
These are great words on the purpose of getting out of your comfort zone. I honestly have no idea why that image is not floating around all over pinterest. Actually, I may go put the link over there!
Totally making sense…. Something out of place now on the still-not-entirely- cleared-counter, but that space was cleared…. will make me tend to it right away. It’s a slow process – but I’ve gotten more into the “do it now” frame of mind… then it doesn’t sit on me for hours like a dead weight…. I like this new no-dead-weight feeling 🙂 Slow process, but is still PROGRESS!
It does make sense. I’m gonna learn it by heart 😉 ’cause I have HUGE problems with getting out of my comfort zone (=my home) and I think there’s no need to force yourself to do anything without a reason. But there is a reason 🙂 Thanks, Nony!