Out with the Old
Posted in My Weight-Loss Journey by RachelI’m having a hard time trying to decide what my next training venture should be. Do I want to train for another event? Or do I want to create and follow a workout schedule that is not tethered to something so specific?
Event training means pre-designed schedules and ‘big day’ buffer flies galore. Event training gives me something oh-so tangible to strive for and another bib to pin on the fridge. Its built-in motivation (not dying in front of a million people) allows me to take an ‘auto-piloted’ approach to exercise. And it’s quantifiable. I like that.
Non-event training means doing something I haven’t done since mid-April when I began training for my first event. Non-event training means stepping out of my comfort zone and straying from an equation that has worked wonders for me thus far. That scares me. If I’m not training to cross that finish line (physical, not proverbial), what will challenge me to break out of my comfort zone? What will keep me going when all I want to do is stop mid-rep or jump off that belt mid-stride?
The truth is, I’m going to get results whether I’m training for an event or if I’m training to remain an active participant in my life as long as I give 110% during each and every workout. Instead of using the ‘finish line’ as measurement of my success, I will be forced to adopt a new mindset to keep me on track. I will need to actively remind myself that every second spent beyond my comfort zone = growth — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
Event training has given me the strength I needed at the start of my journey, but it’s time to take the training wheels off. After all, complacency kept me at 271 lbs for far too long — it’s sure as hell not going to keep me from challenging myself at 185 lbs. It’s time to break out of my comfort zone and go commando!
Does this mean I’ll never train for another event? Absolutely not. I love event training and will most likely train for a sprint triathlon or a half marathon in the coming months. Until then? I need to face my fears head on and conquer them.
Up next — devising the perfect workout schedule.
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6 Comments to “Out with the Old”
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What the…?
This is my journey to lose 121 lbs one calorie, one blog post, one tweet, and one workout at a time! No foods are off limits, moderation is a must, and calorie intake/expenditure is key.
» My 'Before & After' Photos
» My Weight-Loss Game Plan
» Calculating Your BMR
Tricia says:
Training for an upcoming event has definitely helped me stay focused lately, but the first 8 months of my journey were on my own. I had a huge calender that I marked off the days I worked out. I loved seeing the long stretches of red “x”s. Seeing it in that form really helped me stay on track. Kind of like being in kindergarten and getting gold stars.
Good luck!
erin says:
maybe not train for a new event, but rather take a challenging class with a goal to keep going until its easy. or make a list of fitness goals that offer results that are quantifiable.
i’m thinkin real seriously about taking a martial arts class, cause it offers levels of achievement, plus…learning how to be a ninja.
Rachel says:
Dude. You need to take a martial arts class. You NEED to become a ninja… because I want to be like, ‘Hey, I know a ninja. And she can kick your ass’.
Monica says:
And ninja stars are awesome. But dont throw them at people…you could hurt their pancreas.
I cant wait to see what kind of a workout schedule you make!
Dee Dee says:
Hi Rach, Go crazy and join a spinning class. You’ll sweat the pounds off and build-up endurance for future running events. Your before and after pics are so inspirational. You are beautiful! Of course I’m prejudice because I’m your Aunt.
Kimberly says:
I think you should ALL take a martial arts class! Kung fu was a definite catalyst in making me want to get healthy. Oddly enough, I was not already on that path when I started – you guys would all be a step ahead of where I began!