With last week’s heat wave, I took my running inside to the treadmill. One thing that makes the treadmill more enjoyable bearable for me is watching trashtastic TV while I plod along–TV shows that I won’t even ask my husband to watch with me.
By the end of the week I had watched all of the new shows on my DVR, so I scrolled through the On Demand shows, and started watching Extreme Weigh Loss. The episode I picked was about a couple (Justin and Rachel) who had both gained weight since getting married, and who were going to lose weight together.
The episode started with a look at the couple “before.” One scene showed Rachel out in her back yard with her kids. She was encouraging them to run around while she sat and watched. She explained that she got out of breath when she played with them, and felt bad because she couldn’t be as involved with them as she wanted to be.
That scene really stuck with me. I wanted to tell Rachel that it is okay to be out of breath. Getting out of breath is how you get in better shape. I usually get out of breath when I workout. I always get out of breath when I run. If I stopped when I started breathing hard I wouldn’t get around the first corner.
I wanted to tell Rachel to go ahead and kick the ball with her children and then take a break–and then join them again once she catches her breath. I wanted to tell Rachel that being out of breath lasts only a few minutes, that if she keeps being active–even in short bursts–she will get in better shape. I wanted to tell Rachel that if she starts now she will be able to play with her kids for years to come.
I am so used to exercising, breathing hard, and sweating, I forget that people don’t realize how good it can feel to get your heart rate up.
That smile is genuine!
While I was still thinking about Rachel –and all the other Rachels who hesitate to be active and get out of breath and get sweaty–I saw this on Facebook.
Yes, it’s okay to be uncomfortable! Plus, being uncomfortable at the gym is better than being miserable the rest of the time!
Do you have any advice for someone who is uncomfortable working out?
Are you enjoying any trashtastic TV shows I should check out?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Uncomfortable is where the change happens. Who says you can't learn from TV?
I love uncomfortable is where change happens. So true!!
Great points! That's why the hardest workouts are the BEST, and we feel so empowered after!
Great post, everyone starting their fitness journey definitely needs to learn this lesson. Working out is hard at times, but the feeling afterwards is just sooo awesome.
Yes, it's always great when you're done!
That's one of my go-to mantras "Be uncomfortable" .. Good point though for Rachel, I guess I would have never thought about it that deeply!
LOL. I guess since i have my own weight loss story and am encouraging someone at work to lose weight and get healthy, I take these shows to heart!
Really good points. Being out of breathe is okay – teaching your body to recover and do it again is the best remedy.
Yes, and recovery gets easier every time. The heart is a powerful muscle!
I agree – being uncomfortable can be a great thing!! I'm still trying to teach my boys that – they don't totally get the idea of pushing past the comfort zone!
My son often tells me to suck it up when I debate a run in bad weather — since most fields are turf his lacrosse games are never canceled!
Great point. I hear similar things from people all the time. Good answers. And I'm afraid I don't get into reality tv too much. Even to keep myself amused on the treadmill 🙂
I am a big fan of Extreme Weight Loss and Devious Maids. The treadmill is my time to catch up on all that trashy TV. You make some amazing points on pushing yourself even if you are uncomfortable. I always think the same thing when I watch The Biggest Loser.
Yes! I just wrote a post this week about my rules for success. My last rule was to be ready for it to be hard. It is the only way you improve is to push through the struggles! I get out of breathe running around playing tennis and doing other fun things but it doesn't stop me from having a good time!
~Ang
I think once you get used to it, working hard can be part of the fun. Especially when you return a serve that your opponent thought was their point!
It is tough to push out of your comfort zone but it helps to know that each time makes you stronger and tougher and soon that comfort zone is much different than it used to be 🙂
Yes, that line keeps moving and I guess I keep chasing it. 😉
I think some folks seriously fear that kind of discomfort because they think they might have a heart attack, or hurt themselves, and thus begins a vicious cycle. So I second your advice to take it in baby steps and before you know it, you'll be enjoying yourself! 🙂
Yes! I do not advocate people going all out on day one, and I hate it when "reality" shows have their weight loss contestants do events they are not in shape for. And, of course, people with medical issues need to start slowly — but they need to start!;-)
Pingback: Sharing Blog Posts On Pinterest - Running With Perseverance
Pingback: Top Tips For Fitness Blogging From FitSocial - Running With Perseverance
It’s amazing to go to see this site and reading
the views of all colleagues on the topic of this
post, while I am also zealous of getting experience.
Also visit my page internet