Stepping out of the comfort zone when embarking on a fitness journey
End of term prize giving speakers don’t normally leave much more of an impression on me than the relief I feel when they stand down from the podium. However, last year, Anna McNuff, the endurance athlete and adventurer [https://www.annamcnuff.com/about/], came to my daughter’s school and spoke with unveiled enthusiasm and charisma; I’d have listened to her for the duration of the evening. She was certainly the evening’s highlight, at least for me, given my daughter wasn’t a recipient of any awards!
She started off her talk with an image similar to this one:
To quote Anna, she told the children to:
“Think big, be brave, pursue your passions and the courage to seek out new challenges as often as possible. Only in stepping out of your comfort zone will you discover what you’re truly capable of”
Stepping out of the comfort zone is where ‘The magic happens’.
The comfort zone and fixed mindset
This got me thinking. As adults we tend to stick to the paths well trodden. It’s far less taxing to continue doing the same things, in the same way. Our fixed mind sets and behaviours stop us from exploring our potential. We’re scared to fail, but of course like we often tell children, it’s only by failing we learn.
Stepping out of your comfort zone
Last year marked our 11th consecutive summer trip to Cornwall. As the kids have got older I plan new activities to keep our adventures fresh and exciting. This is how I found myself admiring the most spectacular view from the edge of a quarry. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the view that we were there for. The quarry is the location for Via Ferrata’s [https://viaferratacornwall.co.uk], high wire climbing set up, and much to my children’s amusement, I was about to tackle the course with them.
The trouble is. I don’t do heights.
3 hours sat at the on site cafe was an option, however there are only so many lattes I can stomach. So, I reluctantly climbed into the various straps and anchors that were apparently going to stop me plunging into the quarry below, and joined my family in scrambling down to the starting point, hysterically screeching at my son as he jumped, causing the high-wire bridge to precariously rebound like an elastic band.
Later, as I clipped myself into the zip wire for a second voluntary trip across the quarry, I hadn’t entirely overcome my dislike for heights (Don’t look down!), however, I felt an overwhelming sense of achievement. I’d stepped out of my comfort zone and experienced something new and exhilarating.
How can WomanKind support your journey to ‘where the magic happens?’
When meeting potential clients, particularly those with goals which feel out-of-reach, my role is to facilitate, encourage and motivate, supporting women on their fitness journeys by nurturing long term behavioural change. In fitness, leaving our comfort zone, pushes our bodies to adapt, but it also more broadly;
Boosts confidence and aids self belief
Helps establish a positive mindset and therefore can revitalise our focus
Provides a sense of fulfilment
WomanKind was born out many tentative steps towards the ‘magic’, culminating in a big leap of faith not dissimilar to the zip wire across the quarry. If I’d stayed in my comfort zone, I wouldn’t be typing this now. Get in touch to discuss how I can use my own experience to help you step out of that comfort zone. [https://womankindfitness.co.uk]
