I CAN'T KEEP UP!

 

I am struggling to even breathe in through my nose, never mind breathe out again through my mouth, dammit I really cant breathe, now I'm overthinking my breathing and convinced I suddenly have asthma. This is so hard, everyone else makes it look so easy. Am I doing this wrong?

 OMG that Emma girl is looking at me, she must be laughing at the sweaty bumcheek marks I've left on the floor, ugh! I don't want to smile back at her, just incase.

 Damn burpees, I need to tuck this T-shirt into my bottoms, I don't want the group noticing my belly bouncing about next! Dear God my face is TOO warm, I think I'm gonna explode. Did she say sprints?! I can barely jiggle along never mind sprint! Look at the floor, look at the floor, don't make eye contact. I shouldn't have let myself get so unfit, I feel mortified. I can't keep up, I can't keep up,

I CAN'T KEEP UP!

 

Ring a bell? The thoughts that run through our heads when we first try out a new training regime.

For most of us, yes me included, the first day with a new personal trainer/coach or the first day at a bootcamp or gym class can be quite... unnerving.

 

You don't know what to expect, you've heard so many good things as well as so many scary things you really don't know what to listen to. You're cursing yourself for signing up because, well, now you're here and you think you "can't keep up".

Let me tell you something right now girl... YES, YOU CAN KEEP UP. You can keep up with yourself. You can keep up with your own personal limits and your own personal goals. You're not here to impress anyone, you're here for you and your growth towards a healthier life.

 

You promise yourself you won't come back, it's too hard, I'm too sore, I'm too slow.

You're wondering if this is the place for you, everyone else seems so at home, well, that's what you think. The next time you think that I want you to stop a minute and wonder what those other people in the room are really thinking. I can guarantee you they didn't notice your sweaty bum marks on the floor or your frizzy pineapple hair mess on top of your head. They are thinking along the same lines as you. They are ALSO a little on edge, they find it tough, they are sweating too!

Always remember, anytime you are out of your comfort zone, in all walks of life, not just a fitness scenario, you're gonna feel on edge!

It is natural to feel like you stick out like a sore thumb, you truly believe everyone is looking at you, they know you're new etc. I am here to tell you that's not true! Your mind can sometimes be your own worst enemy.

Most people in the room feel the exact same way you're feeling. Use this moment as an opportunity to talk to the girl standing beside you in the room, I'll put money on it she's currently feeling or has previously felt the same way you feel now.

 

Don't be embarrassed, you don't need to "keep up"!

You don't need to keep up with anybody at all, ever, not in my gym.

You signed up to this program to better yourself, to get healthier, fitter, leaner and happier. You didn't sign up to see if you were better at burpees than the person next to you.

 You signed up for YOU. Please remember that the next time you say "I can't keep up".

As a trainer I do not give a damn if you are the slowest sprinter in the pack, I don't judge, that's not my job. What I care about is watching you progress as the months go on, watching YOU get faster and fitter, healthier and more confident!

You may not notice a change like this, but I will.

Any trainer that makes you feel like you need to push harder to be better than another person in that room, well that's a sucky trainer in my own opinion and yes, I can have an opinion ;)

 

 I believe you should always push yourself and push your own limits and if you want to feel inspired by a fellow fit friend then that's ok but don't set out with the intention of "beating" them. YOU are your only competition and you should only feel the urge to beat your previous unhealthy self. You are here to better yourself, to be better both mentally and physically than you were yesterday. Don't give up on yourself because you think you aren't capable, you are very capable.

 

Next time you feel like quitting any fitness regime, for any reason, follow my steps.

 

Say out loud:

 

* I CAN FINISH THIS

 

Remind yourself:

 

* I HAVE BEEN THROUGH SCARIER LIFE PERIODS THAN THIS SINGLE HOUR OF EXERCISE (admit it, we all have)

 

* NOBODY IS JUDGING MY ABILITY (apart from yourself, so stop it)

 

* A VISIT TO THE DOCTOR IS €45, LET'S AVOID FUTURE VISITS (blend up that green veggie shake) :)

 

 

When you feel like giving up and you're genuinely having a really bad day, please don't go on instagram and scroll through photos of abs and peachy bums. You are setting yourself up to feel worse. Instead, pick up your favourite inspirational book and read a page or listen to a motivating video on youtube. If you have just started your fitness journey and are feeling a little off track or having an unmotivated day then scrolling through hundreds of photos of perfect abs will make you feel like you really don't fit in! Don't give in to that pressure.

This is YOUR journey, you follow it whatever way you want, as long as you feel good and feel healthy, then what else matters?

If you're currently not getting desired results and are just sticking with the same trainer out of loyalty, ask yourself again why you signed up in the first place... Yes, remember, you signed up for YOU to get results, whatever those results may be to you.

 Put yourself first, block everything else from your vision for a change, you deserve this hour of exercise. This hour hurts, it's hard, it's sweaty, it's still a bit scary but you know what, it can also be the best hour of your day.

Wanna know how to make it your best hour?  Step inside the gym and this is what you do:

Leave your work, your boss, your screaming (but beautiful) children, your needy brother, your insecurities, your failures, your heartbreaks, your daily struggles, leave them all outside the gym door. Step inside and focus on your body for an hour.

You CAN do it,  you may not be the fittest in the room but you can definitely do it to  match your own ability.

You are worth it, you deserve this hour, don't ever forget your reason for signing up.

Do it, because you can.

 

 

Love,

Lisa Dee

:) x

 

 

Stay happy, healthy and grateful.

lisadeefitness@gmail.com