ch,ch,ch,ch..changes!!!

 

 

change/CHānj/

Verb:

Make or become different  By definition, change is a little scary.Make or become different.A verb - an action word, a "do-ing" word. It requires effort, and is often accompanied by a leap of faith.   Last weekend I attended the CanFit Pro conference in downtown Toronto.In our industry things change- constantly. Science and the quest for information about the human body drive many changes - most for the better - because the more we know, the better we can apply that knowledge to help others move, safely and effectively, not only in our classes, but in their everyday lives. Over the weekend, change became my mantra, led by the words "If nothing changes, then nothing changes"spoken originally by Maureen Hagen, a true Canadian fitness superheroine. I have thought over that profound little statement repeatedly since hearing it, rolling it around in my head, testing it out and seeing how it applies. In my life, change is the norm. I am happiest when learning, testing, seeking out. I love the process of change. But that's because I have learned that you have nothing to lose by trying something new.   Speaking specifically about fitness, change is mandatory. Whether you have never exercised before and are teetering on the brink of trying your first class, a seasoned participant who regularly attends their favourite yoga, zumba or strength training class, or an elite athlete training for the Olympics - to continue to reap benefits from your work, you must sometimes make changes. - Avoid or overcome plateaus by challenging the body in a different way - Meet new people - different types of people attend different types of classes, and maybe will have a new outlook that you may find inspiring! -Appreciate another type of workout- "don't judge a book by it's cover". Try the class you've always avoided because of preconceived notions - give a class a try before you dismiss it! -Prevent or Manage Injuries- repetetive exercise over time can lead to overuse, fatigue and possible injuries. Variety will help this. We need variety in all aspects of our lives, and changing up your workouts will keep you fresh and motivated! Now. please see and feel free to giggle at the picture below of me trying "Jukari" a Reebok/Cirque de Soleil Trapeze workout (nope, not kidding!). NEVER say I don't practise what I preach!!   

Fear Not!

"There is nothing to fear but fear itself"
"To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom." Bertrand Russell
"The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but, it is fear." Gandhi
Google "fear" and you'll find a load of quotes similar to those above. There are pages of advice, inspiration and wisdom about fear, rivalled only in volume by similar sentiments about "love". Which isn't actually that disimilar, really.
What do you fear? Accidents? Spiders? Lots of people fear snakes, full moons, scary movies. We are a species that thrives on the adrenalin of fear, originally ingrained in us from our neandrethal roots by things that actually were really terrifying...wild animals, lack of food, square wheels, the first pyromaniac...but today we don't really have a tonne of direct reasons to fear in our daily lives. I am not discounting the stress that world issues, war, the environment and watching the news can cause us, these things and more make me worry too. But in our day to day lives we have little reason to feel fear like our forefathers did. We live in a time of luxury and relative safety here in our wonderful country. But that does not stop the emotion from crowding our lives, and often.
Fear sucks. It tricks you into missing out on opportunities that will enrich your life. It holds you back and gives us an excuse not to live life to it's fullest.
I have tonnes of fear: roller coasters make me shudder, heights make me tremble, watching my kids grow up is kind of terrifying in itself. These fears and others I can conquer. I refuse to let these types of fears get in my way of enjoying each day. I have had a more difficult time vanquishing my fear of my mortal enemy: failure.
Yep - I have always feared failure more than any venomous creature, bungee jump or impending danger. And lately is has started to creep in to my running routine. I realize now that I have been running with feaar as my constant training partner, hearing it's voice telling me not to attempt more because I am bound to fail. That if I run faster/longer/stronger.. I will hurt, I will suffer and I will fail. I have been running safe for about two months, not sure what started this off, but I am now determined to to finish it.
So last night I tackled my monster head on. I ran like I used to, lungs pumping, sweat pouring and intense. Every time my fear spoke up, telling me to stop, I used it's negative voice to push on harder. I didn't play it safe, I hurt, my heart pounded and I felt great. Back came the adrenaline, back came the excitement, and most importantly, away went the fear. I CAN do this, on my own terms, at my own pace, pacing easy when I want to, and pushing to the limit when want to as well. I finished yesterdays run with a smile on my face, and a spring in my step that had been lacking, made heavy by fear.
There are times to push ahead, there are times to accept failure. There is never time to remain frozen by fear.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. Mark Twain

Find your CORE!

Reaching my Olympic potential!

I have a confession to make. I have always wanted to be an Olympian. Every four years for the whole of my life, there is a reminder that I have not yet fully reached my potential. A fierce burning in my heart that I was destined for greatness. As a child, I planned and plotted to get "there", practising my long jump, rowing in the bathtub, using the curb as a balance beam for my gymnastics routine. But, strange when you consider my lofty ambitions, there was one major stumbling block. I completely sucked at all sports (you know the kids picked last for teams? Yep! That was me). Couple that with short, stocky legs and a complete lack of confidence and you had a recipe for little Annie's Olympic non-success.
I look back and wonder what drew me to the Olympics, what made me continue my drive to join the Olympic movement despite my obvious shortcoming and realize that it wasn't the sport necessarily, but the athletes themselves that had me glued to the television and practising my fencing skills with my poor teddy bears. It was the EFFORT of Olympic competition. The drive, the passion and desire to be the absolute best at something you love so much that you put aside almost everything in order to pursue it. That is what got my heart rate soaring, my pulse racing and made me feel so alive. It was something that I innately understood and admired.
I know effort. It courses through my veins. Nothing comes physically easily or naturally to me, so if I want to attain any goal I have to bust a gut to get there. It's how I live my life too. If there's a problem, test, event etc... my way of dealing is to work non-stop until it's solved or finished.  Not much is easy for me, but the effort is truly satisfying.
So, as an adult, I still yearn for Olympic greatness. What I lack in physical prowess, I make up for in heart, right? There has got to be one sport I can excel in at a world level, right? Right???

Table Tennis: I was sure this was my in, however upon further research I realize that this is a highly competitive Olympic sport. With my complete lack of hand/eye co-ordination, this makes it unlikely that I could compete.
Fencing: has some possibility...if I didn't suffer from the aforementioned complete lack of hand/eye co-ordination. When the coaches come up with a training system that makes it possible to hit the right spot while aiming somewhere completely random, I'll be your girl. Plus, every time I struck my opponent I woul have to fight the urge to pull up my mask and offer an apology, "well sorry, old chap, well done, carry on". And yes, I absolutely imagine myself saying that with an English accent.
Equestrian:  finally something I can actually do! I rode horses my entire life and for a while this actually was my Olympic dream. I can ride, I can jump, I can fly, I can.....not afford a horse of that caliber, nor the immense cost of boarding, veterinarian, blacksmith, travel ......well, you get it. Although if I sold a child or two....
Volleyball: the only sport I showed even a glimpse of natural talent at in school. I do enjoy playing volleyball. Major sticking point? I am a TERRIBLE, I mean absolutely abominable team player. I just do not play well with others. I am hard enough on myself, can you imagine me turning my ire on a poor unfortunate teammate? If we lost, heads would roll. Chances are we would lose. I turn away from team sports in a effort to spare innocent lives.
Soccer: see volleyball
Javelin: Sean's suggestion. Not sure why he thinks I would excel at javelin, but whatever. I'm practising with wooden skewere right now. Poor kids look like they've been visiting a deranged acupuncurist.
I will continue my quest to find a sport that I can qualify for the next Olympics. The quest begins anew after these Olympics extinguish the flame and pass it on to the next host. Please share your suggestions as to which sports I can try, or sports you'd like to try yourself!
And in the meantime, continue treating each moment in life like it's your Olympic dream - live it, love it and give it everything you possibly have!

(running off into the distance, ponytail bouncing, Chariots of Fire music playing, sun is setting)
Find Your CORE!