I want you to know, I know how it feels….
I know how it feels to be concerned when starting at a new gym or working with a trainer for the first time.
I know how it feels to be anxious about exercise!
Let me tell you a quick story. A little over 6 months ago, I decided to make a start at Brazilian Jui Jitzu. After thinking about it for some time, I thought it was time make my move. Prior to that first session, I was actually quite confident.
Telling myself stuff like;
“I’m a fit guy. “
“I’d like to consider myself relatively strong compared to the average punter”
Together, I honestly thought “yeah, I’m going to be pretty good at this”
How wrong I was!
First session in…… I was absolutely hammered! I was uncoordinated. I was less fit. There were guys there that were stronger than me. I’d be lying if I didn’t say there I was thinking, “I don’t know if I can, or even want to stick with this”
When the session was done, like most things, I gave it some thought and got back to my “Why”(read more about finding your why in our goal setting blog) for wanting to start in the first place. Personally, I love a challenge and hate admitting failure. I had a good think about my goals and realised that I really DID want to stick it out. My judgement was clouded by feelings of anxiousness and doubt in myself after going through a tough session.
On top of this, although the training is built around self-defence and trying to submit your team-mate, the coaches and students down at Gracie Jiu Jitsu Smeaton Grange were actually a super supportive bunch of people. Their positive attitudes just made me want to get back, and I knew that being surrounded by people like that, it was only going to get better for me. If you’re interested in BJJ or Wrestling, they have the best coaches, culture students around.
Through this whole experience (of which I still have a long way to go), I’ve realised that THESE FEELINGS are exactly what our clients go through when starting with a new trainer, gym or kicking off exercise for the first time. This anxiety and uncertainty is WHY a lot of people don’t take that first step, and WHY they don’t take control of their personal health and fitness goals.
If that’s you, and you’re reading this going “yeah, that me”, I’m here to tell you that these feelings are all completely NORMAL. Getting out of your comfort zone, and advancing towards life’s real rewards like improved health and fitness isn’t easy.
If it was easy, we’d all be walking around with 6-pack abs! Newsflash! These things ARE NOT common.
You want to make a change? Take a stand, get comfortable with being a little uncomfortable (even embrace it). As the saying goes, ‘if it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you’ right?
Want more information on how the team at Performance Personal Training can help you achieve your goals, contact us & we will be in touch.