Do Something Different For A Change
A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting at my gate at Delta Airlines, waiting for my final connecting flight to California and feeling extremely fatigued, but content. I had just attended my second Arnold Classic. Three years ago, the Arnold’s Sports Festival was an event that happened out of my scope of knowledge and interest. I had never been interested in sports. Nor was I remotely athletic. I did not understand why you would be compelled to play if you were sick or injured. And I did not understand the feeling of anticipation of the approaching season. I did not understand one’s devotion and level of discipline to participate in a sport at such elite levels. Now, I understand. The Arnold has become a trek that I take to celebrate that discovery.
How did I get from believing that I had to accept ‘The Thirties Spread’ to getting up at 4:00 a.m. to eat my first meal? How did fitness become a passion when it was once a chore? Why did I exchange a greased-stained bag for a cooler with wheels? How did trudging the aisles of an overcrowded fitness expo become a highlight? How did I come to recognize, love, and appreciate and sport that I have previously marginalized and considered ‘extreme’? How did I end up sharing this experience in my inaugural World Physique?
While I may not be able to identify a single moment, I can certainly recall the culmination of feelings and event that led to making a physical, mental, and emotional change for better health. I made a list of all of the reasons that impeded me going to the gym or eating as well as I could. I expected to find items that were really beyond my control and could not be changed. This would allow me so say, “See? There was no way I could have/can…”. Instead, it was clear that every single item had a solution. Each solution required a shift in behavior or thinking on my part. It was a humbling exercise-I was my own insurmountable obstacle.
So, often we underestimate our power to change a situation. We may demand that others change, keep doing what we are doing and wonder why nothing ever changes, or be passive and wait for change to come to us. I asked myself several questions:
Afterwards, it was up to me to consistently and honestly evaluate my effort and execute my plans. I began to try this in other areas of my life that I felt I could improve my performance: friendships, my career, my family, my finances, my parenting, etc. Something interesting began to happen. When I took it upon myself to be more solution-orientated I began to receive support and opportunities from unexpected sources. For example, after convincing myself that I would be a ‘morning person’, I quickly made better use of my gym membership. I ended up meeting my trainer who noticed how hard I was working. I began to compete. I began to write. I became a more outgoing person which in turn made me a better teacher. Making a small change touched other areas in my life that I had not intended it to.
If there is an aspect of your life that you want to improve: make your list, recognize your own influence, and watch changes unfold.
Photo by: Weiferd Watts. Posted: March 15, 2010.
Kassandre Harper-Cotton is our writer for our self-improvement column. In addition, she is a mother, wife, middle-school Language Arts teacher and a figure competitior. While training for her first figure competition and chronicling her process, motivation, and training she discovered her passion for fitness-focused writing. Kassandre writing interests also include: family fitness, competing for beginners, training for beginners, time management, and motivation. You can learn more about her by visiting these sites: Muscle and Strength, / Bodyspace, / and on Facebook.
