I've been doing a lot of Shaun T related workouts now as new Beachbody coach, and that is one of Shaun T's one liners that cracks me up.
So, I'm back on here and writing because I have writer's block, and I'm hoping that just getting into the habit of writing more regularly will help me break that. I think that writing about habits makes a lot of sense, since I've been changing up a ton of my regular habits in the past 3-4 months.
I became a Beachbody coach in late January of this year, and its been amazing the positive impact it has had on my life so far. I did it only for the accountability and getting into shape to teach my Cize Live classes, but its become SO. MUCH. MORE. It has been great. Frankly its been great for a ton of reasons, but lets start with the habit changes first.
So, prior to doing a challenge group in August, I was working out about 1-2 times per week. Usually this would consist of me walking my dog Teddy, maybe doing a short 1-3 mile jog, or doing T25 (a 25 minute workout) once or twice a month. Needless to say, when I went to my Cize Live certification (I loved the workout so much I had to keep doing it, and there wasn't anyone teaching it) I was SOOOO tired and out a breath. The idea of cueing and yelling for 60 minutes while I was that out of shape, not good. So, I signed up as a coach to get the discount, and the accountability for Shaun T's Insanity Max 30 program, an 8 week program.
I started it with the intention that no matter what, I was going to at least stand in front of the TV and watch the 30 minute workouts, and do as much as I could, as close as possible to how it was laid out.
The first week, I had to skip Friday due to being EXTREMELY SORE, BUT I did all 5 workouts. I did them all between 5:30pm and 9:00pm. Oh, I should note that at this point I HATED working out in the morning, and did not think it was possible for me to enjoy it.
Second week I did the same. Mon-Fri, no workouts skipped. Amazed with myself. Pumped. I found myself naturally drinking less beer in the evenings (I was known to have a beer or two while I watched Dance Moms on DVR), and just overall eating better, without following any specific plan.
Third week, I had plans with someone on Thurs evening, so I got up and did my workout Thursday morning. It was HARD to do, but I did it. I got up, drank a bunch of coffee, had a Clif bar, and watched inspirational videos on YouTube about goals and dreams. No joke, I needed the inspiration badly. I made it through the workout, and felt pretty good. Tired as my body was not at all used to it, but tolerable. Then Friday morning I did the same, because it was really nice to not have to workout after your day is over.
The following week, I posted in my challenge group, that I was doing AM workouts Weds-Fri. My AM exercisers in the group were looking for me, and they would know if I didn't show up. That was HUGE. I also laid out my clothes, put the timer on the coffee maker so it was ready when I got up, and again took a full 30 minutes to mentally prepare to workout. Got up at 5:30am, workout began at 6:00am.
After that week, I was excited and gaining some momentum. I told my challenge group I was going to go for it. All 5 days getting up at 5:30am and working out. At this point it was week 5, and I was feeling stronger and more confident, but still pretty out of shape. But I made the commitment, got through each 30 minutes, and felt really proud. The belief, "I could never like working out in the morning" had started to shift. I was starting to actually like it. Even more, I loved the fact that I felt like I actually had time to make something decent in the evening. I have not yet consistently done so, but one habit at a time, folks.
So, I'm still somewhat amazed that in the past 3.5 months, I have worked out 5 days per week in the morning (for 25-30 minutes), and taught my class on the 6th day for 60 minutes. Who am I? is a frequent question I ask myself.
Oh yeah, and now, I get up at 5:30am still but only drink Energize (no coffee or food) before, and I am usually ready to start by 5:45am. No inspirational videos needed, I just check some email and get going with it.
I want to capture how things changed, and here's what I think:
1) I made the change gradually, not all at once. I did the workouts at night first, then gradually shifted to the morning as I felt ready.
2) I very much set up lots of factors that would help me be successful. I set my alarm, I set out my clothes, and had coffee ready.
3) I told all my friends what I was doing and knew they would keep me accountable and know if I showed up or not.
4) I kept an open mind, allowing me to try it. I know logically that beliefs and habits can be changed, but I had fully accepted I would never been an AM exerciser. But MAN, its soooo much more convenient and know I believe after just 3 months, that I will workout in the morning for the rest of my life.
We ALL have beliefs that limit us, but habit change is absolutely possible, it just takes time, persistence, realistic goals, and the appropriate environmental and social support. After my experience, I have to open myself up to the fact that truly no change if off limits.
