Here’s another installment from my coaching client, Sara in Italy. Take it away Sara:
One of the things I’m really loving about Shawna’s diet and exercise program is that it actually works. That may seem like a strange thing to say. I mean, why would I be writing about the program at all if it didn’t work, or if I didn’t expect it to work? Well, you never know where you will end up when you start any new activity, do you? You take a leap of faith and throw yourself into it . . . and see what happens.
Well, for me, this particular leap of faith was larger than most. You see I have never considered myself athletic or sporty . . . at all. Not even a little bit. I was the kind of kid who closed her eyes and ducked when the ball was coming her way. The kid who was thrilled to break a finger because it meant she missed the six weeks of volleyball in P.E. at school. The last one chosen for any team.
My idea of physical achievement was that it was great for other people, but that I just wasn’t cut out for it and had better just leave well enough alone. In recent years I had started jogging and working out in the gym, but never with any sense of confidence or expectation of great results. And with that outlook, that’s exactly what I got . . . no great results!
Instead, since I have been following Shawna’s program I have seen amazing changes in my physical appearance and energy levels. I am really excited about the physical appearance, of course, who wouldn’t be? And the extra energy is great . . . let me tell you, as an overly busy working mom, I need all the extra energy I can get.
But there’s another change taking place inside my head that I never would have even expected. I have stopped thinking about myself as someone who “can’t” and started thinking about myself as someone who “can.”
I used to just assume that I was a person who couldn’t do certain things physically. I was weak, I was flabby, I was out-of-shape. I didn’t even think of it as sending myself negative images. For me, it was just the truth.
Well, friends, I am here to say that I was wrong! I am getting stronger and stronger every day. I can do pushups now. I can jump rope 900 times now. I can do abdominal exercises till the cows come home. Is this really me?
My mental picture of myself is changing and it’s a wonderful thing. I have always believed that each one of us can do great things, if we put our minds to it. Yet I had never imagined I could apply that philosophy to my own fitness level. Now I have and it’s a very empowering feeling, let me tell you.
If I can do it, so can you!
Thanks Sara! If you’re interested in my coaching program, you can check it out here to see if you qualify.