“Push it until you feel uncomfortable. It is okay to feel uncomfortable. That’s when change happens.”
The other day I was in spin class, sweating away, pushing myself hard, and the spin instructor yelled the quote above into her microphone. As she said it, I realized that yeah… I was sweating like a beast. Yeah… my legs were aching and my quads were on fire.
Was I giving it my all though?
Was I pushing myself past my comfort zone?
No, I wasn’t. So I pushed myself, and I let my body hit that uncomfortable zone. The zone where you kinda feel like you could pass out and/or die (but you still recognize that it’s probably just your inner drama queen claiming you are on the verge of death).
After class I thought about how many areas of my life have benefitted from pushing myself into that “uncomfortable zone.”
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My fitness levels. When I was in high school and college, I “worked out.” By working out… I mean that I casually hopped on the elliptical (on a low-level, obvi) for about 25 minutes 3 times a week while reading the latest US Weekly. I don’t think I ever broke a sweat. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I kicked up my workouts into high gear. I ran my first 1/2 marathon, and then pushed myself to beat my time by 26 minutes during my second 1/2 marathon. I fell in love with that feeling of being “uncomfortable.” Changes happened as I pushed myself harder and harder, way past anything I ever thought I could accomplish.
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My relationship with my husband. When Bobby and I first met, I was just coming out of a nasty relationship. Bobby was one of the “good guys,” who for some reason, I tended to steer away from. Something about him hooked me right away though, and I knew I needed to push myself out of my comfort zone of “bad guys” and let myself fall for a good one. The best one. Was it uncomfortable to let myself fall in love with him? Yes. I was scared. Was it uncomfortable to let myself believe that I deserved his love? Yes. But was it worth it? WITHOUT A DOUBT.
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My job. I do not like speaking in public and in front of people, but I knew I was born to be a teacher. In front of my students, I come alive. To get where I am though, I had to go through presentation after presentation, interview after interview, demo lessons galore, etc. It was uncomfortable, and I was forced to push myself. That uncomfortableness brought me my dream job, though… and every second was worth it.
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Blogging. Does blogging make me uncomfortable? YES. I am vulnerable, and I’m putting myself out there to be judged. Blogging for the world to see is not a comfortable feeling… it’s definitely something that I have to push myself for. Am I happy to do it though? Yes.
So just remember, next time you’re wondering whether to push yourself out of your comfort zone… that’s when the changes happen.
When was the last time you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone?
Was there ever a time when you pushed yourself to do something uncomfortable and it ended up in something amazing?
I love this, I am so glad you have found that healthy way to push yourself in the uncomfortable zone. I agree with the blogging part.
Thanks Alex!
Such a great post. I can definitely relate! I need to start pushing myself harder when it comes to my fitness levels. I started running a few months ago, and I haven’t reached that uncomfortable zone yet. I know that’s the only way I’m going to see results. Thanks for reminding me!
Even just starting running I’m sure wasn’t the most comfortable, so you took the first step!!
Such a great post! I can definitely relate. I just started running and haven’t reached that uncomfortable zone yet. I need start pushing myself harder if I’m going to see the results that I want. Thanks for reminding me!
So true– whenever we push ourselves out of our comfort zone, it always leads to great things. I need to remember that more often!
So do I! I’m always happy after I push myself, so it’s a nice reminder!
I like how you applied this quote to other parts of your life! For the last few weeks, I have not been pushing myself in my workouts but it has been purposeful (ran my first marathon). Now my body has healed and I am excited to get back into being uncomfortable.
Congrats on your first marathon!!! I’m in awe of all marathon runners!
What a fantastic post! I think it’s good to be uncomfortable. It gives you an opportunity to grow. I was super uncomfortable right out of college, when I was starting my career. I had the tools … the knowledge … the passion … but none of the confidence. I’m glad I’m over that stage now – but I’m grateful for it, because it helped me learn where my true strengths lie!
Yes! So true, it’s all about having the confidence to push yourself!
Great post, girl! I’m bad about pushing myself out of my comfort zone when it comes to working out, but I’m getting better. I’ve found that group classes really help me in this area. I did a spin class today, and I’m proud to say it whipped my behind. However, if I’m being totally honest, I could have kicked up the intensity even higher!
Thanks Kristen! I was the same way the other day until the instructor reminded us to get “uncomfortable!” It’s a good reminder to push yourself!
Running is still something I am not comfortable with. I hope that changes at some point. Group classes make me really uncomfortable. I would like to try a spinning class and Crossfit, but they are so far out of my comfort zone!
I used to be really intimidated by group classes, so I made my husband come to the first one with me, and I’ve been hooked on Bodypump and spin classes ever since. Give it a try!!
Eeek I don’t like presentations either. That’s definitely something I’ve had to become more comfortable with in graduate school
It’s scary!!
This post has got me thinking—- I know I need to push myself on many levels on many different areas of my life. I should probably get uncomfortable and go for my masters in education but I am just so scared to take the plunge. Worried it work work out- worried I won’t have the time- it’s just so scary during this point in my life! But it is something I want!
I love your passion for teaching- and the kids you teach! LOVE IT!
LOVE how you related this to things other than fitness! Although I do find myself having to be reminded of this pretty often when it comes to fitness. My exercises in high school and early college sound a lot like your past workouts. I would run 2 miles and go slow enough to hardly even change my heart rate. Now I make sure to push it!
And I definitely had to get uncomfortable with leaving a job. I never ever ever thought I’d do that!
Much like your post, I decided to get a little uncomfortable on my blog today. It’s one thing to share all the good stuff and the food (I love the food), but it’s another to really put yourself out there. Thanks for pushing yourself.
I love this post. Quitting my desk job and finding a job that allowed me to work with children definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone, as I had to leave something familiar to go back to something I hadn’t done in a while. But it was the best decision I could’ve made!
Awesome post! I can relate with all of those. I am definitely going to think about this post during workouts, jobs, and my blog! Thanks for the inspiration!