Sometimes Success Surprises You

I've been working out with my friends consistently twice a week for over four years.  There have been a lot of successes that I have worked hard to achieve.  I started out using two pound weights.  Now I'm up to 30 pound dumbbells.  When we started, I couldn't do a single sit-up.  Now I can whip out over 75 in one workout with no problem.  I'm really proud of the progress I've made.

However, there are a couple of moves that I have been unable to conquer and, honestly, I'd given up hope of ever being able to do them.  What are these blasted moves that have evaded my conquest all these years???  The crab walk* and a Russian Twist** done with my feet off the ground!

Having said that, you won't believe what happened this past week!

Dana (our Coach) had the crab walk as part of our warm-up.  As usual, I saved it until last and then hid in the farthest corner behind a row of tables (We work out in the Adult Day Center were we work) where no one would see me struggle to lift my butt off the ground and then give up after a few seconds.  I could not believe it when instead of struggling to lift my butt it popped right up and I was able to begin making my way across the floor.  Since I'm behind the table, Dana is totally missing this moment.  So I start calling for her like a proud three year-old calling for his mom, "Dana!  Dana!  I'm doing it!  I'm doing it!  Come see!"

When we dive into the first part of our workout, I inwardly roll my eyes and sigh - Russian Twists!  We were to do 20 seconds on/10 seconds off alternating between Russian Twists and a Wall Sit.***  Dana always challenges me to try to do the Russian Twist with my feet in the air.  I do, but after a few seconds my feet either crash to the ground or I roll onto my back.  Dana yells "GO!" so I tighten my abs, find my focal spot on the wall across from me, lean back and lift my feet off the ground.  Twist.  Twist.  Twist.  I'm solid.  Those feet aren't going anywhere.  Time is called.  Did that just happen?  Yes it did!  And it happened three more times.  WHAT?!?!  I'm jumping up and down.  Dana and I high five.

SUCCESS!  Two in one night!

The lessons I was reminded of from this eventful workout -
1) Never give up!  When I consistently work hard, success is going to find me - even when I'm not expecting it! 
2) Don't blow off small successes.  The joy and positive feelings from small victories motivates me to push towards my bigger goals. Celebrate!  (In this case, the celebration was lots of high five and me bouncing around giggling throughout the workout.)
3) A support system is vital.  Without Dana and Justin challenging and motivating me week after week, I would not be doing what I'm doing.

Team Muscle celebrating my Surprise Success!

I encourage you to do the same.

Never give up!

Celebrate your victories!

Surround yourself with encouraging people!

* Here is a link to demonstrate a crab walk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-3r4cl4ahA
**  Here is a link to demonstrate a Russian Twist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvNPZCtt8NQ
*** Here is a link to demonstrated a wall sit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cdph8hv0O0

The Beach Chair Transformation

This is my favorite beach chair.  I've had it for nearly 20 years.  Every time I go to the beach I sit in it for hours reading my book, watching the waves and digging my toes in the sand.

There was always one thing that I didn't like about my favorite chair - I could hardly get out of it!  It was the most ungraceful action that I'm sure was ugly to watch.  Often my husband or children would have to give me a hand to help pull me up out it.  I would hear myself making a horrible grunting noise without even realizing I was doing it as I struggled to get myself out of the chair.

Shortly after returning home from our beach vacation last summer, I was working out with my group of friends from work.  Our trainer Dana had us doing Chair Dips - one of my least favorite exercises.

Chair Dips
www.lifefitnessbydane.com

However, I quickly realized that the motion of the Chair Dip was the same motion required to get myself out of my beach chair!  So instead of complaining, I started repeating to myself "get out of the beach chair" with every dip.  By that time my husband and I had begun to plan our trip to the beach for our Anniversary.  I knew that I had about 11 months to work on being able to get out of my chair with a little more of a sexy flare rather than like a woman who is ten months pregnant.

Week after week, every time chair dips appeared on our workout I would repeat over and over - Get out of the beach chair.  Get out of the beach chair.  The move never got any easier.  My arms would burn and I never developed a love of Chair Dips.

Last week my husband and I spent the week in Nags Head, NC to celebrate our 20th Anniversary. Our first  morning at the beach, I awoke at the crack of dawn, grabbing my chair and my book and heading down to the beach.  Several chapters later I decided to go back to our condo to see if my husband was awake.  Without giving it a second thought, I sprung out of my chair.  You read that right - I SPRUNG out of my chair.  I couldn't believe it!  

Later that morning I returned to the beach with my husband.  I couldn't wait to show him!  I sat down in my chair and immediately sprung back up with ease and grace (and maybe a little sexy flare!) throwing my arms in the air and exclaiming "ta-da!"  He could see the difference.  I was so excited!  In fact, every time that I got out of the chair for the remainder of the week instead of letting out a moan, I would look at my husband and say "ta-da!"  It never got old.

There are many times in life when we work hard at something and don't always see a result.  The scale doesn't move.  Our pants don't fit any differently.  It feels as if no one at work is noticing the time and effort you are putting in.  Then all of a sudden - TA-DA!  Something happens and you realize that your work has paid off.  It's a lesson in never giving up!

TA-DA!

I have to give a SHOUT OUT to my friend Dana for making me do all of those Chair Dips and to Team Muscle who continue to encourage and motivate me every single week!

Team Muscle led by Dana (green shirt)