How I Got My Butt Kicked

Part of my goals for 2015 is to be fit and healthy.  Coming into the year I had a lot of post pregnancy weight I was carrying around. Mostly justified.  The rest created by donuts, late night nachos and ice cream after most meals.  I did it to myself and I was getting out of it by myself. Or so I thought.

I was an elite athlete for most of my life. Yes! I probably still could be if I put my mind to it. (That's another blog about those excuses.)  But since I tore my ACL playing rugby I've found it hard to be motivated to work hard when I exercise.  I'm not fuelled by the need to look good. Thankfully I have a husband who loves me no matter what.  I was no longer driven to workout so I could perform better on the field because I started playing recreational soccer. Sadly my lack of fitness doesn't set me apart on the field. And the saboteur kept whispering in my ear, ‘why bother when I'm just going to have another baby’.  

The excuses seemed like a good fit for me.  Now they no longer serve me.  I decided that enough is enough. Even though before I had lower expectations for my body weight and physical performance I'm ready to step it up and have higher standards for myself.  Not just in business or as a mom, but in all areas of life. My health needed the bar raised.

Ideally I'd love to do cross-fit.

• I love the challenge: both personally and competing against others numbers. 
  
• I love the variety. I get bored easily. 
  
• I love the push from the trainers there. I thrive on having a coach to tell me what to do. Especially when I'm tired.
  
• I love how I get a great workout in a short amount of time.  I’m a results girl. You too?
  

Instead of doing that (because I just had a baby four weeks before) I joined 30 Minute Hit Capilano after seeing other moms post about how they liked it.  Being child friendly, the efficiency, the value and the flexible times were appealing. Haha! This sounds like an advertisement. It's not. These things also honored my priorities.

SO I went for a trial. I joined and I committed to a year. (Long-term commitment with a financial tie in is a catalyst for change.) This brings me to the title of this post – How I got my Butt Kicked.

I started going and they had a January challenge. Oh do I love challenges! It was to set a goal for yourself on how many times you’d go in January.  This was probably set for all of those New Year’s Resolution members. Turns out that it was great for me as well. I then said I’d go twelve times since that was their minimum goal. (That’s a great tip to remember.  Make a minimum for any goal or competition.)

I thought it was going to be a bit of a “Do your own thing. At your own pace” circuit style, but then I met the trainers. They gently encourage everyone until they learn your style of motivation.

I had moments where my arms were just flying about like noodles because they were tired. I was told to hit harder.

At times my body didn’t understand what it was supposed to be doing. I was in my head A LOT as I figured out the technique. They pointed out small changes that I could make each time rather than bombarding me with all of the changes so it was perfect.

Like I said, I like to be pushed, challenged and cheered on. I got that AND a butt kicking.

Sometimes I didn’t want to go because I had both kids and getting them ready and keeping them happy there seemed hard.

There were mornings where I’d rather sleep-in then workout. 

Other times I’d be pushing my dinner back to make it before closing time.  You know what got me there? 

Knowing I told the trainers that I’d see them the next day. I’m a woman of my word. (Oh and the poster where you put up a happy face sticker for every time you go helped too.)

These trainers are helping me reach my goals.  What’s the proof? I ended up going 16 times in four weeks. I exceeded my goal. I was kept accountable. Just like how I help to keep my clients committed to their goals.

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What a surprise! I ended up winning some prizes! A new bag, another set of wraps and a new water bottle. Lucky me! Not my goal, but an amazing way to celebrate this new health and getting my butt kicked!

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The beauty of the challenge at the beginning of the year is that it has created a routine for me now. 

So what happens in February? 

I continue on hitting and kicking those bags four times a week. It’s my new normal. 

Actually, you know what I just realized.  I’ve come full circle and it’s me connecting to the elite athlete again. 

I’m saying:

• no to excuses. 
  
• no to just being good enough on the field. AND…
  
• no to trying to do it on my own.

And a great BIG YES to keep these standards and expectations of myself. 

What are you saying yes and no to in February?

Mwah!
Diane

P.S. What have you found motivates you? Do you like getting your butt kicked?