The First Time I came In Last
I have decided that I am going to focus more of my time on creating better exercise habits and become more intentional in that aspect of my life. Honestly, I would rather relax on the couch and sip on a hot cup of Starbucks than go to the gym.
My husband wakes up every single day at 4:30 and goes to the gym or does some sort of workout before he starts his day. I would hear him get up every morning and I would lie there saying to myself, "how can anyone even begin to exercise at this time of day" and roll over to go back to sleep.
He once asked me if I would join him at a new facility nearby our house where he had started taking spin classes. After much asking, I decided to get off the couch as I like to sit on a Saturday morning and try this out.
My first experience with this "spin class" was not easy. I recall getting on the stationary bike and listening to the coach at the front, Michelle, give us cues on increasing our speed or our power.
After 10 minutes of this I was out of breath, dripping with sweat, and could not get enough water.
As you continue on in this 45-minute class the coach puts up a "scoreboard" for everyone pedaling to show what rank you are in the class. They announce a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place at the end of each class so as you can imagine it can get competitive.
As Michelle put the scoreboard up on the large TV's, I can remember seeing my name, Kelly Merbler, in the last place position out of the 23 cyclers. My competitive instincts instantly kicked in and went into overdrive as I began to pedal faster. And then it hit me. Why am I worried about what the girl next to me is doing?
The more I thought about this I started to just focus on myself and what was the true reason for me being there...
TO BETTER MYSELF.
When the final scoreboard lit up at the end of the 45-minute workout I saw my name there again in last place. This was the first time I had come in last place that I can think of. Years ago this would have been a real challenge for me and I would have felt like a total LOSER. I think that life has a way of maturing us through the experiences we go through.
I now see it as, I may have come in last, but at least I was IN the game. So many of us don't even get in the game of our goals to do something to get closer to them. We sit around and find excuses for ourselves as to why we can't go do them. Or if we start to work on them and fail or come in last then we give up.
Not this girl. Not on my watch.
I am no longer interested in competing with anyone but me. I am proud of myself for getting in the game and last or first, I made the effort to get out of my comfort zone and better myself.
What goal did you set for yourself in 2022? Are you even IN the game or do you still need to get off the couch?
To your growth,
Kelly
