Over the years I’ve unfortunately become more sedentary than I used to be (thanks to a 9-5 office job), but throughout my childhood, I was incredibly active and fit.
Competitive gymnastics was a huge part of my life, and while it provided me with many memories and entertaining experiences, it also taught me several life lessons.
In fact, my ever-changing relationship with fitness in general has taught me a lot about myself and life.
Life Lessons I’ve Learned from Fitness
1. You can’t always win
This is the most obvious, but it’s important for everybody to realize that you can’t always win in life. You can study your butt off throughout college, but there will always be that somebody who studies just a bit harder. You may rock your dream job interview, but despite your best efforts and preparation, you just may not be the right fit.
Even if you do the best damn balance beam routine of your life, it doesn’t mean it’s good enough to win—or even medal. With sport and with life, you just have to do your best and take the highs with the lows.
2. If you look close enough, you will find what you’re looking for
This one may seem a little odd, but bear with me. When I was deep into my Bikram yoga practice, I was going through a rough time. I had terrible body image (even though I was quite fit), and I was unhappy (and legitimately depressed) about a lot of things in my life.
When I would set up my mat at the front of the hot room, directly in front of that giant mirror, I would stare at myself and pick apart every imperfection. It wasn’t until later that I realized how much I was harming myself with this attitude. I realized that my body was a gift and not something to fight and I began a journey toward self-acceptance. I began to appreciate my strength and the strength of every other body in that room.
It was no coincidence that this realization came right before my pregnancy with Bazooka, and now, 7 pounds heavier, I love my body for everything it’s given me.
3. If you’re doing it for others…you’re doing it for the wrong reasons
After my last 5K, I realized I don’t truly love running. While I have enjoyed a few races that I’ve run with friends, it’s just not my exercise of choice.
When I take a BodyPump class or feel my muscles shake at the barre, I am uplifted and happy when I leave. But when I struggle through a race that I didn’t prepare for and entered only so I could say “I ran a 5K,” I leave feeling drained, exhausted (not in a good way), and disappointed with myself.
If your heart is in something, you will feel fulfilment and joy. If you’re doing it for praise or just to fit in, you will almost always feel inadequate. This goes for everything in life—jobs, relationships, hobbies, etc.
If you're not doing it for yourself, you're doing it for the wrong reasons #sweatpink #fitfluential #TOL Share on X4. Variety is the spice of life
I get bored easily with my workouts, so I like to change them up pretty often. I think the same can be said of my diet or my hobbies or even the people I spend time with. While I do hold tightly to my routines, I function best with a little variety and spontaneity in my life.
In other words, variety is good for physical and mental health.
5. Sometimes you need to slow down…and that’s OK
When I first started BodyPump, I was all about adding weight as quickly as I could. Now that I’m not attending class as frequently as I used to, I don’t worry so much about how much I’m lifting.
Fitness doesn’t have to leave you in a puddle of sweat to be effective, and life doesn’t have to always be full of activity to be enjoyed. I’m learning to relish in the simple moments—the slow weekends or family naps with Bazooka—and be more mindful.
There’s a time for sprinting or busting your butt at work or in school…and there’s also a time for walking leisurely in the sun or taking time to simply live in the moment. It’s all about balance and listening to your body/loved ones/mind.
A few life lessons learned from #fitness... #fitfluential #sweatpink Share on X[thanks for letting me think out loud]
So tell me…
- What life lessons has your fitness journey taught you?
- Did you grown up participating in sports or was fitness something you discovered later in life?
Yess! Love these. Personally, I can’t get into Yoga and I’ve struggled with that because it’s “so good for you” but if it doesn’t make me happy, I’m not going to do it. I love running, but not always racing, so I cut back on that. Finding what you love to do is worth it. Also, slow weekends and naps with the fam are honestly amazing. I actually did gymnastics for a few years but other than that, I wasn’t a sports girl. I do hope that my kids will play as I feel I missed out on things. I didn’t start enjoying fitness or even doing it until college.
I’m the same way with yoga. For some reason I loved Bikram yoga, but I just can’t get into the other stuff (even though I know my body AND mind would benefit). It really is about finding what YOU love.
I definitely discovered fitness later in life. Although I’ve always loved to walk & swim, that was it. Now I strength train, do yoga, do pilates, run.
What I’ve learned is that fitness is about being fit for your life, not necessarily about a number on the scale. Better fitting clothes are just a side benefit. 🙂
Sometimes you’ll love yourself, and sometimes you’ll still struggle with your body image . . . we’re all human, we all have good & bad days. Just realize that both are necessary in life!
“not necessarily about a number on the scale” <--YES. SO TRUE. And you're absolutely right about good and bad days...we're human.
Ok, so I so agree with all of these, because doing it because I love the way God made my body and not doing it to ‘one up’ others is so much easier on the mind and body. I won’t always win, but it’s always fun to move my body for fun and rest too. 🙂 I actually have started to enjoy running more this year than any other year in 8 years of running because of such a huge mindset shift.
That’s amazing that your relationship with running has changed – it really is all about being in a good place mentally rather than forcing yourself to do it.
I was WAY into fitness in high school – track, cross country, softball, etc. I was in shape but I wasn’t happy. Or confident. Then, I had kids and didn’t really put myself back out there unless it was time for a PT test while I was in the Navy. And even then, I only did what was necessary so I would pass. Then, I rediscovered fitness. In my late 30s. And it was what I needed. And what my girls needed because I learned a lot about myself and they learned that a person can do anything she puts her mind to and that positive body image is NOT comparing yourself to those images in the magazines. And I completely agree with #5 – slowing down. That may be a benefit of rediscovering fitness at an older age. Your body lets you know pretty loud and clear that you need to slow down and age does often come with wisdom. 😉
I love how you mentioned part of your reason for staying active/fit was for your daughters. That’s a big one for me to (well, for my son) and I can only imagine how tough it is with girls because of society’s obsession with the perfect body.
I was never involved in sports, but I did take dance classes growing up. I never considered myself an athletic kid by any means!
I wish I had done dance (I love watching it now, but for some reason I hated it as a child)!
I have learned a lot of lessons about and from fitness over the years. I grew up as a competitive Synchronized Figure Skater on Team USA, so I cannot shake the competitive angle. But now that I’m a mom I’ve relaxed my approach a bit. It’s interesting to see the shift in myself!
That’s so cool that you were a competitive figure skater! Something I always dreamed about doing (funny that ice skating isn’t a very big sport in the south, haha). I hear you on the competitive thing…I’ve had to mellow out in my “old” age, too. 🙂
I have definitely learned that if I do NOT work out one day – I am not a very pleasant person (lol) – thus….. I ALWAYS WORK OUT! EVERY DAY!
Haha, you gotta do what works for you! I’m sure your family and friends would agree 🙂
fellow gymnast too! loved that sport (but man it got hard lol) love what you said about not doing anything to please others. it is so important to do things for YOURSELF and do things that make you feel good!!
Yay for fellow gymnasts. I miss it so much but you’re right – it got SO hard!
Love this!! I used to be a ballet dancer and it was such a huge part of my life. I miss being as active as I used to be able to be thanks to that office work life haha. Although I had to quit my dance career after knee injuries, the lessons I learned and the passion I have for healthy living still remains and is one of the reasons I blog today!
Office life is so hard – but I try to move as much as I can by taking the stairs, parking far away, etc. Oh man, injuries stink, but I’m glad you have your blog as an outlet!