Category: working out

get active, healthy living, movement, working out

overrated comfort zones

dailystepsblog

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This is where I teach class from. It’s a jazzercise thing for us to be up on a stage. It allows our customers to see us better when we #movetothegroove.šŸ’ƒšŸ».

There was a lot I had to do and learn to become a certified instructor, but this stage was the biggest obstacle for me to conquer. I’m not naturally a put-me-out-front kinda girl. But… I was at a point in life where I was ready for something new. Ready to set a goal to work towards. Ready to get out of my comfort zone, which is scary but fun once you get your mind on board. I was ready for a challenge.

That was almost five years ago. Since I made that decision, it has been life changing. Fitness became not only FUN but my job- a priority. I grew as a person. A lot. I gained a confidence that has helped me since in other areas of life and I have learned new things about myself. Good, good things can come from getting out of our comfort zones!

I still get nervous before every single class. Every one! But a fellow instructor onceĀ told me that those nerves just mean that I care. I still want to do a good job. I want to encourage and motivate others. I want our customers to have fun! Do you have a comfort zone you’d like to breach? I will be the first to tell you it is worth it. You are worth it. The lives you could encourage are worth it. You never know what can come from getting out of your box… Or hopping up on that stage.šŸ˜Š

daily moments, devotions, working out

the monotony of exercise

dailystepsblog

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Have you ever started a new workout- loving every second, going everyday- only to find yourself burned out months… maybe even weeks later? I certainly have. I still do! It takes intentional effort on my part to find variety. I will try a different format to teach in jazzercise. Last year I took some tennis lessons which I had never done before. I went back to yoga, and here lately I’m getting outside more to just walk. The change breaks up the monotony, it brings about excitement in me to try something new and exercise in a new way, and it gives me the desire to make it part of my routine.
Strengthening our spiritual life is very much the same. Monotony can set in quickly when we find ourselves following the same routine week after week. I am speaking from experience! A daily morning habit of reading and following a study all of a sudden has felt a little blah and monotonous over the last few weeks. In looking for a pen this morning, I found this bible study journal that I forgot I bought. It was tucked away in a drawer. The scripture I had on my mind this morning was 2 Peter 3:5-10. And the notes I had jotted down from a previous sermon talked about spiritual exercises we can do to participate in our faith- to grow. I could have just sat and read this scripture and notes and I would have gotten the message on how to supplement our faith. But using my journal prompts helped me to think and engage in a new way. I was interactive with scripture in a way I hadn’t been doing. I was studying in a new way. One new change felt like I broke the monotony of the last few weeks and I got to learn and process in a different way. My life in this simple moment was illustrating exactly what my notes said.
Spiritual exercise matters just as much as physical exercise. And sometimes adding variety to how we spiritually “workout” brings about a new desire to keep going and keep growing. But, just like planning a healthy menu for the week, or planning to teach a specific jazz class, it takes being intentional.
I’m so happy I came across this journal this morning. I feel like it is a new tool to help me continue to grow in a new way.ā¤ļø

get active, working out

1985 called

dailystepsblog

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I love, love the colorful workout pants… ON EVERYONE ELSE. They’re adorable and they catch my eye every time I see them on people. But when I put them on, it just feels like “1985 called and they want their pants back”. I just can’t do it. I like my plain, black, THICK workout pants.

I’m not giving up though.Ā  I will try again to get out of my box on this.Ā If you read my previous post about the mismatched socks, you may remember that I have found freedom inĀ surrendering before.Ā  There’s a carefree attitude than can easily sweep across us when we embrace theĀ going-for-it.Ā  Joy can be in the littlest of things like non-black spandex.

Getting out of our comfort zone can be good forĀ the soul, so I’m going to keep trying.Ā  Like I wrote about yesterday, I had fun coloring my world in a day. I just can’t color my bottom half quite yet.Ā Ā Perhaps this could be aĀ good exercise in perseverance and goal setting.Ā  Colored spandex,Ā I’ve got my eyes on you.Ā  Legs, get ready.Ā  šŸ™‚