START – STOP – START
My neighbor expressed enthusiasm about participating in a thirty-minute boot camp, primarily because she sought accountability through the program, and she enjoyed the class and instructor. I was excited for her but almost immediately, she began recruiting me. She extolled the merits of the thirty-minute “kick butt” sessions (her words not mine.). To say I was hesitant is an understatement – not because I couldn’t do the class but because the phrase “boot camp” gives me negative vibes – my baggage. She was persistent. The week before Thanksgiving I was her guest. Thanksgiving week I signed on the dotted line.
Lately it appears that any endeavor undertaken teaches me a life skill lesson – Strengthening with V (the name of the boot camp) has not been an exception.
Before this narrative continues, here are a few helpful details to know– my neighbor started this journey in September. She is younger – much younger – than I. My best friend has a label for me – I hate labels – competitive. I have the habit of exercising regularly.
With these data points in mind, here is the short story and lesson.
Five mornings with “V,” two days on the elliptical machine at the “Y,” and one day of yoga was the lofty goal I set for the week following thanksgiving. I was successful. On Friday night, every minute that it had taken to reach that goal came to haunt my knees, hips and any other areas targeted by Coach V, the elliptical machine or Chris, the yoga teacher. Saturday was a day of reckoning. Sunday, I thought of the car and driving as a metaphor for my over zealousness. Metaphors are often helpful for me, especially when I seek to gain understanding.
Human bodies and cars have a lot in common. Body aches and pain on the journey to improve physically are not an invitation to accelerate physical activity. I remembered being on driving trips and trying to reach a specific stopping point. Exhaustion would and I would drive faster and faster. This was not a smart move. The smart move would have been to stop. Body aches say, “Remove the foot from the accelerator and press the brake…stop!” I ignored the body aches on Thursday and again on Friday of that week. One of the features of the cars in our garage allows us to remove our foot from the brakes when stopped in traffic. Had I braked, I could have stretched more and rested. I didn’t consider this at all. I pushed through, I kept my foot on the goal driven exercise plan – not smart.
I tried to do every exercise that Coach V laid out for the class at the intensity of the other participants regardless of their longevity or age (competitive). The only word that adequately describes my action is one that I try not to ever use, it is apropos for my behavior, “stupid.”
Lesson learned? On a journey from point A to B, it is okay to Start – Stop – Start again. Said another way to reboot - rejuvenate - resurrect. I hope I can retain this lesson for future endeavors.
PONDER THIS THOUGHT --- Ego often fuels bad behaviors.
Very good insight Gwen. Food for deep thought.