You know that feeling when you realize you’re doing a task with ease that used to be extremely hard for you? I had that experience this week while working out. I used to hate planks. I always felt weak and shaky, and there was no way I could even attempt plank jacks or other variations the badass coaches were doing in the videos. I assumed it would just be a move I would never be very good at, and accepted it.
Cut to this week during a yoga session. I was just chillin’ in down dog and then slowly moved into plank. I was focusing on my breath and core, and before I knew it, I was in a strong, solid plank for longer than I’ve ever done before. And I wasn’t hating it!
It took a long time to get to this point. Years, in fact. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my body through this newfound heart-health journey. I know that if I go all-in on a hardcore workout or diet program right off the bat, I will quit. I know that I hate cardio and get more out of slow and steady workouts. I know that the numbers on the scale and my pant size don’t actually reflect my health. These are not things I knew about myself years ago. I even tortured myself for 2 whole years trying to tell myself I was a runner and absolutely hated every single run and felt like I was dying with every step. Was it worth it? Well, it’s cool I can say I once ran 8 whole miles (ha!). Was I healthy physically and mentally? No. Not in the slightest.
This is growth, my friends, and I am damn proud of it! Now give me a yoga mat and resistance band and I’ll happily be on my way.
Edit: I had an “ah-ha” moment after publishing and feel like I should have seen this much sooner. I grew up as a ballerina and almost majored in it in college. How did I not realize my entire adult life that I prefer slow, steady, methodical movements over high intensity cardio when it literally consumed my life from ages 3-18?!? DUH, Beth. Now I’m going to go dwell on my obliviousness and how I ignored my true self for so long that it took me 18 years to get it back. Moral of the story – find what makes you happy, and do that. Namaste, y’all. Namaste.
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