No, not that "Happy Hour".... I'm talking about EXERCISE! I have really grown to love going to the gym! I was an "at home" workout girl until very recently and I have to say...I'm converted! You know why? I actually leave there happier than when I arrived!
I had to get over the SORENESS hump though! After my first workout, I literally had trouble walking for about four days! Seriously. My legs felt broken. That's the difference with this gym...I haven't pushed myself this hard before and I thought I had! After that, I wondered if this was for me....I was also a little afraid of exercising in this kind of environment since it was new to me. I didn't make me feel comfortable.
I admit, I considered giving up...but I went again...and again...and again...and again...and again. And now I'm hooked! I've gotten used to how the classes work and the way the instructors teach and it's really fun! It's hard, but it's fun! I've worked my way up from the beginner class to the FIT class and it's harder, but I can do it. Everyone struggles. It feels really good to sweat, get stronger and feel healthier! I'm going about 3 times a week and I'm still sore after, but not like those first couple classes! People are really friendly too....I was a little lost the first time I went to the FIT class and another woman totally jumped in and helped me get through all the circuits, explaining so much as we went! I thought that was really cool of her. She said something that really resonated with me. She said, "I know there are always people faster than me in this class and people that are slower than me in this class, just do your best, it's your workout."
I've never felt that comfortable in a gym environment, maybe because I didn't play sports and I'm pretty shy...so this type of group circuit class was intimidating for me to try. Especially with the classes being men and women. But I know that overcoming that and trying something new is how we grow. Each class is getting easier for me in more ways than one. I feel stronger, but I also feel more confident, knowing that I'm trying and accomplishing something new that was a little scary for me. That's where the happiness comes in. Doing something like this, getting out of our comfort zones....which for me was my "living room" gym...is so good for us! I think another fear that some women have about working out hard is that they'll get big. This just isn't true. Unless you really try to get big muscles, you just won't. It's a misconception.
Is there anything you can think of that you've been wanting to try, but are scared? What would YOU do if you weren't afraid? I'm realizing that many people there probably felt just like I did! Once you overcome a fear, it no longer has any power over you.
Overcoming a fear makes you feel so free and happy. I now look forward to my "happy hour" 3 times a week!
"F-E-A-R has two meanings: 'Forget Everything And Run' or 'Face Everything And Rise'. The choice is yours." ~Zig Ziglar
