This week’s #CommitToFit challenge from Subway Canada was to recruit a buddy to workout with. It is proven that working out with a buddy can increase your commitment by having someone else hold you accountable to your goals.
This has always had the opposite effect on me.
I don’t like working out or doing any work-out related activities with anyone I know. When this challenge came up, I had already had it in my mind that I was going to fail. I totally psyched myself out of the game and I struggled through this week to maintain all of the previous week’s challenges that now felt like they were crumbling down around me.
Now, I’m guessing that Subway Canada is working with me on this challenge because I am human (like everyone else who is part of #CarlsCrew <— that’s a hashtag, check us out on Twitter). And as said ‘human’, I will hit obstacles that set me back, I may stumble, and I may even do a face-plant, but the one thing I won’t do is give up on the end result.
So back to the start of the week. I don’t like to ask friends, family, or anyone to workout with me. Nothing personal, just a preference. I’ve tried in the past, but as soon as my ‘buddy’ decided they weren’t into it, I used it as a reason to stop as well. Discouraging voices, echoing in my head told me that if my friend didn’t find it useful, then it probably wasn’t.
Now I’m a grown woman. I know exercise and health is important. I just don’t want to face that situation. Ever. Again.
So I prefer to do my own thing, and exercise around strangers with no connections to me. It may not be the best option, but it works better for me as I can often pick myself up faster if I have a setback — like I did this week.
When I can’t accomplish something on the way to my goal, other parts of my foundation start to weaken. I start to doubt my other milestones, and I get knocked off of my resolve a bit. This caught me off-guard because I knew it was coming, but as I began to live through the week, I felt myself begin to give in to defeat.
Although I forced myself to continue on with my progress so far, I didn’t talk about the challenge much this week because I was embarrassed that I was doing so poorly. “Really? I can’t bring myself to find one friend to workout with?”
So I felt bad for myself for a couple of days.
Then I forgave myself, and allowed myself a failure. Then I loved myself enough to get back up and keep going.
The truth is that we experience setbacks, obstacles, and road blocks on our way to our goal. If you stumble, forgive yourself, dust yourself off, and get back on track.
Carl, our mentor during this series of challenges adds a quote of inspiration to his emails each week. Here are a few of my own favourites that I find fitting right now.
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Thomas A. Edison“You never fail until you stop trying.” Albert Einstein
#CommitToFit challenges. Opinions are my own.
Sheri publishes, and writes at This Bird’s Day where she shares all of the thoughts in her head without the voices. Sticking mainly with content for Canadians, Sheri shares family stories, product information and anything that fits into her (and her family’s) daily activities.
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I try to stay focused on the end result,and keep going.
I overcome obstacles by writing down my small and achievable goals along with the long term ones and reward myself when I can check off my weekly goal.
I try to stay positive.
I try to watch what I eat and stay away from unhealthy carbs.
I stay focused by doing my best for me. I keep my goals in a journal and do my best to reach them – If it takes longer it is okay, I accept and try harder!
I try to do the best I can, I try to walk every day, and I try to eat as healthy as possible. I don’t deprive myself though, but I try to do everything in moderation.
I get my best buddy to help me keep track of my goals in order to stay focused
I tell myself that nothing is impossible
I stay on track by sharing with my husband and my best friend what my goals are….they keep me on track and when I have a bit of a setback, their encouragement keeps me going.
I find focusing on long term goals challenging at times so I break them down into more manageable steps to keep me on track.
I stay focused by not beating myself up for failures, but picking myself up and continuing on.
I have an email that contains flight details for my dream trip and looking my best (and getting to shop when I’m there!) is great motivation!
When I hit obstacles I remember that I can ONLY try my best; no more than that.. and that they are only temporary! If I fall off course, I remember tomorrow is another day/
I try to remember where the negativity (from a specific person) is coming from and remind myself that it isnt’ going to go away and I must continue my OWN life and plans and ignore the comments.
I too do not like to work out with a buddy, I guess I’m too self conscious
I overcome my obstacles by rewarding myself to keep myself focused on my goals. For example, a reward may be a cup of my favourite tea after working out.
I try to see the positive in the situation and try to make the best of it.
I overcome obstacles and achieve my goals by visualizing success and talking about them with others to get support.