I NEVER liked working out. Bless my parents, they put me in every activity they could but nothing stuck. I was never on any sports teams growing up and I never got a gym kick that lasted more than a few weeks. This is something that has been on my mind more recently after watching Arden Rose’s video, so I felt the need to make this post.
It wasn’t until a few months ago that I found a workout that worked for me. Although this may not be the path for everyone I think there are some major take-aways of why you should find a workout that works for you, even if you’re starting late like me.
Background
I started going to CorePower in March of this year and I haven’t stopped since. I originally started going because 1. a girl from my office taught there, hi Sarah and 2. Because she had convinced five other people to go to her after work yoga class every Wednesday. Naturally, I felt left out. I was super hesitant because I hadn’t worked out in years and the class Sarah taught was Yoga Sculpt which mixes yoga with weights, a core section and a burst of cardio. Oh and the room is heated. Ew. It literally had zero appeal.
To my surprise I loved the intensity of the workout and the pace of the class. There wasn’t time for me to think about how tired or hot I was because we were just moving onto the next thing. On top of that; it was the most euphoric feeling laying down in savasana with a cool lemon/lavender cloth at the end. I can’t think of any other workout where you get to just lay there for 5+ minutes after you work out. It’s bliss.
Needless to say my obsession with Core Power only got stronger. I started doing sculpt twice a week and supplementing other days with more “traditional” yoga classes. Six months later I’m still going multiple times a week even when I’m not accompanied by my friends. This was a big change for me.
So here we are to the meat of it all. Why I am convinced that everyone, at some point in their life should find a work out; and how to do it.
1. You clear your mind
This was something that was huge for me when I started doing sculpt classes. I had never been able to “get lost” in a workout and I found it to be the most stupid saying I’d ever heard. But that’s exactly what I am able to do. I focus so much on the movements and keeping up that my mind time to wander to my to-do list.
2. You start to feel strong
I know when you work out that you tend to lose weight but I didn’t realize how much stronger I would feel. When I started working out I couldn’t do 1 push up. But slowly over time I am now able to do it! I can also hold a plank and do my classes with 5lb weights instead of 3lb. It’s empowering to know I’ve made impactful changes.
3. You find confidence
I can’t tell you how many people that have told me that they don’t want to come to Core Power because they don’t like group workout classes. They feel like if they can’t keep up everyone will notice or that if they sit down that everyone will judge them. The truth of the matter is, no one cares and everyone in that room is struggling just as much as you. But nothing works unless you do; meaning you’ll never get better unless you practice. Once I started to go to a few classes a week I built a confidence in learning the poses and flow. This confidence then somehow carried into other aspects of my life. I suddenly stopped watching others so closely and caring if others were watching me.
4. You take time for yourself
After getting Riley I really struggled with doing things for myself. I thought that because I had this new responsibility that it wasn’t fair. When you workout there is no one you are doing it for besides yourself. There is no one that will gain anything by you working out except you. Again, this is empowering! It is something that I choose to do for me.
5. You become more mindful
I can’t speak to if this happens with every type of working out but it has for me in yoga. Every class the instructor tells you to set an intention for class and if you can’t think of one they offer up one that you can follow. My favorite intentions have always been gratitude and I remember Sarah once said “instead of worrying about how messy your house is, be grateful that you have a house to make a mess of.” The intention never feels preachy or like a hippy-dippy yoga practice, but it always makes me think.
6. You become more aware
Again, not something that may happen with every workout… When I started practicing yoga I actually struggled most with Core Restore classes. These classes are Yin Yoga practices where you sit in yoga poses anywhere from 5-10 minutes. The idea is to restore your muscles and mind. Anyway, I could not settle my mind during these classes, or during savasana in normal classes. I was always fidgeting or thinking of what I was doing after class and not focusing on my awareness. It was only recently that I noticed I wasn’t doing those things anymore and that I had given myself permission to be completely still in my awareness of these quiet moments. I think with all workouts we become more aware of our bodies, but because of yoga I actually find it easier to fall asleep because I don’t have those racing thoughts anymore.’
This was a really long blog post to basically say: go find your thing. Maybe it’s cycling, running, kick-boxing, barre; whatever it is go do it! Find something that allows you the time and space in your life. Don’t go once and never go again. Rome wasn’t built in a day and there’s a great chance the first time you do anything you aren’t going to love it.
So where are you? Are you ready to start or still feeling you need more time on the sidelines? If you are thinking you need more time on the sofa no problem – check out my dining room makeover – it may just inspire your creative side.
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