Several years ago, I ran a 6 week program at the local Rec Center, and at the start and end, we record weight and bodyfat.
On this day, one client hopped on the scale, put her hands over her eyes and proclaimed, "I don't want to know the number."
OK, I thought. Never had this before, but I went with it. I silently recorded her weight in my workbook, 206 lbs.
We went about our training and nutrition lessons for the 6 week course. She showed for every class, and got through every workout.
Then the final day came, and it was weight in time...again, she stepped on the scale and covered her eyes.
"I don't want to know," she said.
"Ever?," I asked.
"Nope," she replied.
Her end weight was 206 lbs.
What was this woman going through? My guess is that she came into the program with a set mindset, that wasn't about to change. Why? I wouldn't know unless I did some deeper coaching with her.
My guess is that she walked that plank many times over the years, possibly not seeing results, and the pattern had been there for many years. She chose to stay with the pattern, rather than step in with a fresh commitment to real change.
It was simply her fear talking. It is the most common detractor from women embarking on a fitness and health program. But fear is a natural part of the process. In fact, if you aren't feeling fear, likely there won't be alot of change.
To commit is to have both feet in, and to move through the fear. Because fear is actually an ally, there to help build your other muscles - courage, self love, pride, trust, and commitment muscles.
This is what successful people know. I had to learn it (many times!) as I moved into places where I was stuck, and frustrated and I wanted to grow...in my business, my marriage, my body transformation process.
My guess is that this woman had tried and failed many times over the years, and this had created her false belief that she clung to, so tightly, that if you don't commit, then you won't feel the sting of disappointment.
This woman was deep in suffering. She was suffering each and every day, living from this place of shame and guilt and fear, low resonating states that follow you like a dark cloud, tainting everything around you.
There was nothing I could say to this woman, because she was too protective of her black hole. She was comfortable in that place, it was her emotional home, and unless she chose to step out, there was nothing I could do for her.
I always tell potential clients that if you are afraid, it is a natural thing that we all feel, and I am there to hold their hand at every step of the way.
My biggest leaps have been when I was terribly afraid, because I knew if I didn't take the leap, I would forever have to live with the 'If only I would have stepped in' regret for the rest of my days.
Without fear, you will never build that courage muscle, and acting with courage builds faith, self love and pride. And those are good feelings to carry along with you, in this life.
I have thought about this woman many times over the years. Maybe one day I will bump into her, I don't know. But her lesson has stayed with me all these years, to be sure.
If you are ready to move past your fear, and move into a body and life that you can be proud of, book a call with me. I can walk you over that bridge of fear, and help to build a vision for the future. Because we all deserve to live a rich, plentiful, peaceful and healthy life.
