I tried different challenges, running longer and harder, and doing more reps with my weights. Nothing was happening, I was fluctuating in the last 10 lbs on a weekly biases. Even a Biggest loser challenge at work didn’t help me. I started to think I was a failure, never going to find my way out. I changed my diet; adding, subtracting, changing etc. Nothing! I would lose a pound after gaining two and think yes I finally did it. Nope wrong again!
So where was I going wrong? I considered paying for a
personal trainer, actually I still am, but my spirits aren’t completely dashed.
I decided to find something challenging for myself first and that was training
for an AquaBike Vineman, which is a 112 miles on bike and 2.4 miles swimming race. I set up a
general idea of a training schedule to at least get my mind in the game, even
though my body and courage wasn’t there yet.
Since I work nights I felt more energy running at night
before bed and treasured my mornings where I could sleep in. But to get into
this training I knew I needed to change that. My knee was killing me, as I had
injured it yet again, giving me more motivation to hit the pool again.
I have always been an avid swimmer, trying to get it in on
the weekends where I could. I felt relaxed and comfortable in my skin when in
the pool. The first week if I made it to the gym twice in the morning I was
happy. Told myself the following week will be three days, etc.; until I was
there five to seven days a week.
The courage to change my routine was the hardest step. I was
comfortable in the privacy of my own room working out. No one could judge me
and I could go at my own pace. The first day walking back into a gym was the
most nerve wracking experience I had to deal with. I didn’t know where anything
was, how the machines worked or what my true goal was.
I slunk back to two bikes in the back row and found comfort in
the fact that they were the exact same ones I used in college. Relief, but how
much could I do? I didn’t have a distance in mind and decided twenty minutes
was my maximum time I wanted to spend in the gym. After a very un-challenging
workout I slunk out as if I wasn’t there and made my way home. But more than
anything I found the piece of courage I needed to walk into the gym.
I’m six weeks in to this courage defining program. I swim a
minimum of one mile five days a week and spend two days a week challenging
myself on the bike reaching for further distances climbing up and down hills,
followed by a full body weight lifting workout. I have finally reached my seven
days a week at the gym and I honestly haven’t felt more pride and joy in myself
than I have in a very long time.
The benefit of it all is I feel challenged, healthier, my
knee isn’t in pain (most days), and I’m starting to slowly love my body as I
watch it change over time.
I’m eleven days into my new workout regiment and I’m proud
to say I’ve lost eleven pounds. In the end I’m not a failure, I was just lost,
I’m a fighter (as I’ve been told). I’m truly a winner because I never gave up,
despite how tempting it was. The plateau has proved to me that stepping out of
my comfort zone is the ideal solution to almost anything. If you hate where you’re
at change it!
Whether it’s your weight, job, hair, car, anything; take the
steps and change it. It’s not going to happen overnight like most, myself
included, wish would happen. So take the baby steps to find your next
challenge.
Tell me have you ever been in a plateau? What did you feel
and how did you change it?
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