Challenge Yourself

Challeneg Yourself From Paige Waehner About.com When it comes to exercise, I tend to stick with the same old activities day after day. In some areas of life I can be very creative, but in other areas I cling to my routine like it's the last piece of chocolate on earth. The bottom line is that I don't spend much time out of my physical comfort zone.

Until now. This week, my husband and I are backpacking out in the wild world of nature and, as far as I'm concerned, there's no greater mental or physical challenge than that. Okay, so there are tons of greater challenges than that (e.g., climbing Mt. Everest, doing Ironman, visiting with my mother-in-law), but I'm talking about things I'm actually willing to do.

The point is, even if you love your routine, nothing is quite so refreshing and confidence-building than taking on a new challenge. Each time we step out of the comfort zone, we're taking a risk and risk-taking is the only way to know what we're really capable of.

This week, I'm issuing some challenges in order to nudge you out into the unknown and see what you're made of. Pick one from the list below or, if those don't work for you, come up with your own challenge. Either way, do something to step out of your comfort zone this week, no matter how small that step is.

• Exercise. If you don't exercise at all, your challenge is to exercise at least once this week. Doesn't matter what you do or how long you do it, as long as it involves moving your entire body in some continuous, rhythmic fashion.
• Try something new. If you tend to do the same activities all the time, like I do, I challenge you to try one new activity this week...and I do mean new, as in something you've never, ever tried before. It could be 5 minutes of bellydancing or 8 minutes on that scary machine in the corner at the gym that everyone's afraid of.
• Push yourself. If you usually don't work very hard during your workouts, your challenge is to push yourself. Somewhere in your workout, insert a high intensity interval of some kind - sprinting, power walking up a hill, jump roping, manic dancing, whatever. How hard can you go and for how long?
• Rest. If you're a hardcore exerciser who never takes a day off, your challenge is to...do nothing. Not as easy as it looks, is it?
• Try the 30-Day Fitness Challenge. If you're looking to shake things up even more, this e-course offers both physical and mental challenges for the next 30 days.

Obviously these challenges may not fit every situation (and you shouldn't do them if you have any medical problems...but you knew that) so find your own challenge this week and see how far you can move away from your comfort zone.

I know EXACTLY what my challenge will be & it will be taking place this coming weekend. I'M GONNA RIDE MY HORSE!!!!  That may not sound like much to some so allow me to ellaborate. 1.  I have not ridden the beast AT ALL since early last YEAR.  Just didn't have the strength nor stamina to do it. 2.  We don't ride like most people would think.  Our trainer, Dennis, is very creative.  No such thing as a leisurely ride in the countryside admiring all the flora & fauna.  This is a WORKING cavalry unit & we must have our game tight!  We drill, & drill, & drill.  Walk in formation, trot in formation, canter in formation.  That means lots & lots of standing in the stirrups, gripping the sides of the horse, kicking him up to make him move.  We have up & down terrain, over steep grades, down into streams.  Then when we've made the circle around his 1200 acres, we come back to the main part of the farm & we play "tag" on horseback.  Can't tag the horse...gotta tag the rider!  It look much easier than it really is to do.  When done correctly, every major muscle group is involved.  Riding with this group & for this man is NOT for the feint of heart. So I'm up for the challenge.  Just hope my pony can keep up...LOL!!!!  Thanks for the inspiration you give us all, Jill!

Ann,  I envy you - that sounds like a great time!  Even with all the work.  I've not been on a horse "seriously" since English riding lessons and dressage (spelling?) in high school.  I'm hoping to get the nerve to try again - once I know I'm light enough not to hurt the animal!  At this point, I suspect that it would be more work for the poor horse than it would be for me!   Enjoy your time in the saddle!!!  Jump a stream for me! Hugs, Chele