There is the box!

1/29/2013

Now lets all take that giant step out of it!
     I know, getting yourself to step out of your comfort zone is one of the hardest things to do. The reason.....it is always going to be hard to talk YOURSELF into something youve already made yoru mind up about. And its so easy to just go with the old.
     But think about it! What has the old thought process gotten you? You are with us for a reason! You have a great community of people with similar goals and purpose' around you! Use them! By stepping outside of your comfort zone, talking to new people, taking new classes, sharing your own stories with others, you are not only breaking old, bad habits, but you are opening yourself up to new, healthier ones, and taking gigantic steps towards success!
     Please share with us how you have stepped outside of your own comfort zone during this journey. How hard was it? Is it becoming easier? What have you gotten out of taking those steps? Cant wait to hear from all of you!

PS...did I mention how happy I was when i opened the blog today and saw how active the bo

28 Comments

shannon

1/29/2013 03:52:42 am

just joining a group is out of my comfort zone! talking about my weight and frustrations to anyone is also a huge challenge.yesterday was a rough day mentally but in no way do i intend on quiting!!! :)

Karen Skorochod

1/30/2013 12:26:24 am

Shannon! You did it, how do you feel? I'm so glad you introduced yourself to me too :)

Great great job! More wonderful things will happen for you when you "Step outside the box." I never used to even dream/think about stuff I am actually doing now!

1/30/2013 03:46:00 am

Thank you!! I am getting more comfortable believing that when my coach says good job that im actually doing a good job! my inner self is always wondering if my form is right or if im holding anyone back. but slowly im learning to laugh it off and keep trying to do better! I was really fit about 3 years ago so i know i am capable of so much better i think thats why this is such a struggle for me. my divorce took its toll and i just let myself go.its great knowing i have the support at DF

Connie

1/29/2013 05:45:21 am

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I hate change! I have always been very uncomfortable with stepping out of my comfort zone. However, I can say that thanks to my wonderful husband and Kerri, I have taken huge steps forward. I well-up with tears every time I think about what these 2 people have done for me. Because of that my wonderful new found friends and exercise partners at DF have given me so much courage and strength that I believe I can do so many more things than I ever thought possible. This past week has been an amazing challenge for me and my family. I have taken the bull by the horns and have been then strong one for many of them and we are working through this. I can honestly say I owe this to Kerri and the DF family. Thank you all so much for your encouraging words of strength whenever and however it is needed. I am proud to say that I am a part of the family at DF and we can deal with anything we set our minds too!!!!

Doug N.

1/29/2013 07:18:38 am

I guess I'll share my story with everyone. For me stepping out of my comfort zone came back in April/May. I just joined the gym Jan. of 2012 and in Late March Kerri was bugging me to take the 5pm invite only class. I would tell her I'll thing about it. I would then go home tell my wife how nuts I think Kerri is, there is no way I can take that class im not good enough to work out with those people. Finally after she bugged me enough in April or May I told her I would show up to class. So I went to 5pm class I walked in and was nervous as hell. I felt really out of place. I didnt know anyone, looking around at them seeing how fit they were, im like im way out of my league. Well class started and it was a tough class but because I stepped out of my comfort zone I was able to meet a lot of great people and became friends with them. When you feel those butterflies in your stomach its a good thing because you know your doing something your not comfortable with but that is how you learn new things and experience new adventures. I challenge everyone to do that every so often as it will make you feel better as person.

So Kerri thanks for pushing my a little to get out of my "large comfort zone" and try something new.

Ryan thank you too for doing the same. Experiencing that Triathlon this year with you was awesome. I probably would have kept pushing it off.

Ryan

1/29/2013 07:42:24 am

Isnt it funny how the tides turn. Other people push you to be better you, and in turn, a year later, you push these same people to become better themselves! What a wonderful cycle!

1/30/2013 12:40:10 am

Exactly Ryan. Doug is one of those people that I saw when I started crosstrain and thought, nope. I suck. No way I can do this. No way I can keep up with these people.

You don't think about "those" people's individual stories and how they got to be in such good shape. You just assume there is some cave somewhere that these fit people come out of just to go to the gym and then back to the caves. Stories like this are very motivating and show that "those" people are human and that you can do it too. Thanks Doug.

1/30/2013 01:50:05 am

Jason, I had to laugh at the "cave the fit people came out of" because that's exactly how I used to feel when I got poor results at a former gym. I had no clue how people actually did it, and now to be involved with actually doing it still amazes me.

The oddest thing ever is when new folks to DF actually think that I came out of the 'magical cave of fit people' - it is very surreal after yrs of being a nonathlete.

Doug N

1/30/2013 12:01:05 pm

Thanks Ryan. It feels nice to hear that even though I still feel im trying to catch you. Its a wonderful cycle though.

JG, Thanks, And most of those thanks go to my fellow cross training teamates that help push me. I wasnt it was all the hard work and dedication that I put into it. But everyone can do it, some easier than others but if you want it the only thing holding anyone back is normally and mostly themselves.

Ann

1/31/2013 09:09:51 pm

Doug thanks for sharing your story. My husband and I were at Kerri's picnic this summer and watched you compete. we were amazed. I never would have guessed that you were insecure about your workouts. goes to show me that you cannot judge a book by its cover. keep up the great work!

Connie S

1/29/2013 08:42:46 am

Everything about going to Dedicated was way out of my comfort zone. I started at Dedicated about 3 yrs ago (I think). I took a couple classes with another girl, she dropped of the face of the earth but I kept going. She didn't do many classes so I was still doing the classes as a "newbie". It is the best deicision I ever made to continue with the classes. Kerri brought crosstraining to the area before it was "the thing to do". Before it became so popular people would make comments to me like, do you go to that caveman gym where they make you carry sandbags & stuff. I would just laugh & say yep, thats it we hit each other over the head with a club & drag each other around by our hair!! LOL I want you to know that even though I may be going to the gym longer than some of you, doesn't mean that I am in my comfort zone all the time. One thing that still puts me way out of my comfort zone is a compliment from anybody at the gym. I am probably the toughest person on myself (as I know many of you are) so when someone says great job or congratulations, I say thank you but inside I am saying but that person over there can do it better than me and I need to do better so I can do it too.

With all that being said, I will also tell you that I have a few moments that I am able to congratulate myself too. I am not always a Debbie Downer. Because of the training & support I received from Dedicated, I can tell you that I have a faster running time, I ran a half marathon, I've done the Warrior Dash & Spartan Race and have made some of the best friends you could ever ask for. Doing all of those events were so far out of my comfort zone. I never would have thought I could do any of that and because of the training, support & cheering, I did do them.

So all I can say is don't give up on yourself, keep fighting for what you want & what you are working for because all of your new friends and the trainers are standing in your corner cheering you on for whatever you decide to be your next "out of the box" endeavor to be. And when you decide what that will be, tell somebody so that you have to follow through with it. Once you tell somebody, there is no backing out!!! :) Good luck & can't wait to hear all the new things everybody will be trying this year.

Kim S

1/29/2013 10:50:16 am

It is funny how things happen for a reason. I only found out about the DF 7 week challenge three days before it started. I have been going to DF for years off and on, but was in a serious rut. I told my husband about the challenge, but figured he would never want to do it. To my surprise he must have been looking for a change and kickstart too. The challenge has been one of the BEST things we have done for each other. We talk daily about the workouts, our menu, our eating habits (we fight about that too! ha ha), how sore we are, but most of all we discuss all the people we have met and how postive they are. We were both VERY nervous about coming to the classes, knowing the excercises and feeling so out of place. I am really proud of our progress. We have both tried many things to lose weight and eat healthier. This seems to be sticking with us. I get very emotional at the Sat. morning meetings and I think it the weekly therapy we get that just get's my emotions flowing. This is new for me. I am always so in control of my feelings. I am pumped for what the remaining weeks bring us. We want Kerri/Ryan to do another 7 WEEK CHALLENGE!-Part 2!

1/30/2013 12:08:47 pm

Kim S, its great that you both are doing it the support you give each other is awesome. Im lucky to have my great wife Nikki N. doing it as well. We too discuss workouts, eating habits, etc. all the time. The thing I love the best about it is that it is growing us together more by doing this together and doing more together because of the extra energy we have, Hikes, bike rides, walking the dogs, etc. Keep it up!!!!!

And I agree Part 2!!!!!

1/31/2013 10:53:18 am

Part 2 is an awesome idea:)

1/31/2013 08:59:10 pm

Where do I sign up for part 2?

Lisa H.

1/29/2013 10:16:25 pm

I like the DF--part 2 idea! It will keep me on track. I have never in my life gone a day without bread. I wanted to do the paleo to see if I would feel better and have the determination to give up the bad stuff. I can't believe how much energy I have. Sunday and Monday were really difficult for me. I wanted the left over hoagie more than anything. I threw it out, grabbed the bag of spinach, and pretty much inhaled it until I was full. I know I would not be able to challenge myself without this support group. Knowing "my group" is able to do this, keeps me strong. I truly do understand what you meant, Kerri, when you said you felt empowered by eating this way. We are doing something that requires discipline and therefore we feel proud, confident, and in control. Thanks, Kerri and Ryan, for being such great coaches! You both lead by example, which is the only way to do it!!!!

1/30/2013 08:18:54 am

One of my things that I am doing that is out of my comfort zone is NOT weighing & measuring my food. I still catch myself getting ready to pull out the scale to weigh my food at times. It is so hard to get out of the mindset of the weighing & measuring of my food but I am working on it.

1/30/2013 08:39:52 am

I swear if I ever had to do that again, I would just jump off a bridge. It was so frustrating eating like that (the manual scale wasn't good enough, so I had a digital one for my insanity) and dwelling on every bite, trying to make it last, feeling hungry a lot. This way of eating is just so awesome in so many ways. I am not doubting that people can get control of their diet by weighing/measuring/portioning, but I am just not one of those people!

Christina Pearson

1/30/2013 10:22:40 am

Joining any sort of exercise class is totally out of my comfort zone. You probably remember me from elementary school as the last kid standing along the sidelines when the kickball teams were picked, and my group exercise experience only worsened as I got older. I actually had panic attacks in the period before gym class in high school. I hated it and dreaded it that much! In adulthood, I've been "content" to run alone, lift alone, struggle alone up to this point.

I haven't been satisfied with the results I achieve when I work alone, and I realize that this may be related to the fact that I do need positive people around me to fuel my enthusiasm. I am often surrounded by negativity that "sucks the life" out of me. I am pretty good with recognizing cognitive distortions/thinking errors and replacing negative thoughts with more positive ones, but sometimes a little external coaching is necessary as well. I've had very little encouragement from my friends and peers; the exception was Karen, who is an inspiration to many of us. Her enthusiasm for DF and her results made me want that for myself, even though I wouldn't have thought of a group as an option before.

I've tried Crosstraining, Spinning and Yoga. I've loved every class. I truly appreciate the positive, encouraging environment at DF. I feel very relaxed but excited to see what each class holds. I'm happy with the physical results I'm seeing, and I'm enjoying the positive interaction with everyone I've met in class.

Adrianne

1/30/2013 10:03:57 pm

Christina, I think it is AWESOME that you are trying all of the classes. I also, used to exercise on my own, with weights, videos, and elliptical, and it is nice to fall back on those things when I am not able to make a class, But I was finding that I was always cheating or not pushing myself. When I do the classes, I am always trying to challenge myself. I do more than I ever thought I was capable of doing. Even just the motivation by the others to run around the block without walking was such an accomplishment for me. I know I would not have done that on my own. The energy of the other people around is infectious. Keep up the great work, it is so worth it for your physical and mental well-being.

1/31/2013 06:37:57 am

Adrianne, you are doing such a great job! You have challenged yourself by giving up gluten. Texting you also helps when I am about to "cave" and just need a few words of encouragement. As for being outside my comfort zone, blogging definitely was not within my comfort zone. So now I have reached beyond my comfort zone and I blog. Kerri, it is a good thing that you forced us to do this. Now I actually look forward to it!!

dawn m

2/1/2013 01:15:59 am

I know there was a discussion on where to get Larabars, and I know Kerri is doing a swap, and that's amazing....however, I did find several flavors at Weis. I went to the one in Slatington, but I'm sure they ate at others. and on sale 10/$10 :-)

Nikki N

2/3/2013 01:43:01 am

I must say that I still feel out of place every time I take a cross training class. I spent most of my life growing up being told I wasn't good enough or fast enough or strong enough. You start to believe that crap. And watching the stuff everyone else does always intimidates me. I feel like I'll never be there, I'll never lift those weights, etc. those are the negative thoughts I have to stop when I am working out. I am still afraid to try certain things. Thankfully MJ was there to take me out of my comfort zone yesterday or I probably would've just done floor push-ups. I also am very guilty of not believing someone when they give me a compliment. Years of negative self talk is going to be hard to break in 7 weeks, but I am not going to stop trying. I stopped completely resorting to food for comfort. I don't know how many times I will stand there with the cupcake in hand at the store and talk myself out of it

2/3/2013 01:44:46 am

So basically everyday I come to the gym is stepping out of my comfort zone. However all the people I have met and become friends with in the last year keep me coming back for more!

2/5/2013 12:00:10 am

Nikki, I am so glad that you decided to step out of your comfort zone and come to dedicated fitness otherwise I would not have met you and that would have been my loss! You are doing such a terrific job at the gym and with the paleo lifestyle esp with your crazy busy life. Keep it up! you are an inspiration.

2/6/2013 06:22:10 am

Nikki, this post surprised me; I think others see us totally differently than we see ourselves! I was there for that workout, too, and you seem confident to me. In fact, you were so kind as to give me pointers on kettlebells, which are new to me & I really appreciated your willingness to help me. Keep at it; I agree you are an inspiration!

2/4/2013 01:20:30 am

Honestly, I don't normally look around while cross-training, focusing on my own pain and suffering, but on Saturday since everyone was so crowded, I was forced to be more mindful of what was around me.

And every time I saw you, you looked amazing and "in charge" of that workout. You & MJ were going to town together.

I was not even allowed to try athletics as a kid, after having been labeled a "Klutz" by most of my family. It was so discouraging and I always wanted to try (played a little tennis in high school because that coach was kind and didn't make us run hahaha).

I hope you keep coming back and trying all kinds of things. The rings were never available for those push-ups when I needed them, so I came back yesterday and did a few after church just to give it a try while no one was around :)

You Rock and Don't Forget That :)

2/6/2013 07:37:56 am

Christina thank you for kind words! I have never forgotten where I came from my whole life. I remember being new here and being unsure. I love this gym, it's like no other around. I would never want anyone to feel like you are alone in the journey. I was in your shoes once and someone helped me. It's only right that we help others. It inspires me to keep going when I look at everyone starting new. It reminds me where I was, and it reminds me that I can get further. I look at it this way. Our workouts should never be easy. If it's easy, you are not getting a workout. It's meant to be hard. It's meant to challenge us. (It's where I struggle, that comfort zone is so nice, right?!?!) Know that you all keep inspiring me to do better. We will all get through this, and we can stand back next year when we start another challenge in January and inspire others to do the same thing. This gym is not an ordinary gym, it's like an extended family, RIGHT?!!?!?

There is the box!

Leave a Reply.

Cave-wo-man

Archives

Categories

Go to DedicatedFit.com

Go to Student Center

There is the box!

Leave a Reply.

Cave-wo-man

Archives

Categories

Go to DedicatedFit.com

Go to ﻿Student Center﻿

Go to Student Center