Have you ever anticipated and envisioned something a particular way?  The last few days in August have been staring at me for several months. Three days blocked off, indicating “SCW Mania fitness convention/Dallas.”

I’ve been to these fitness events before and know what to expect.  Multiple intense classes each day, informational lectures, and cutting-edge tools to take home to my classes.  Mostly, though, my memory is summed up in one word: exhaustion.

When the anxiety starts creeping in

This year found me a little anxious about attending.  As I’ve written here, I just haven’t been bringing the intensity lately to my workout.  And while I am very comfortable with that, my fear was it could come back to bite me in the tukus once I got to the convention.  

Physically, the convention has the potential to be intimidating.  We have trainers training trainers here.  You know the stereotype of personal trainers and group fitness instructors?  Middrift-showing, big boobed, spray tanned beauties?  Yep, even I had that vision.  And I don’t fit into any of those categories.   

I should never have worried.

Release the stereotypes

My faith was restored in all that is good in fitness.  In 13 sessions, regardless of whether it was a strength training or movement lecture, a yoga for athletes class, or an intense class dubbed “the most efficient workout in the world,” every one had the same theme:  encourage your clients to perform their best, understanding that each person’s best differs as well as our individual day-to-day best.  They taught teamwork.  Understanding. Progression from one level to the next. 

I even stalked … I mean ran into … one of my fitness heroes, Mindy Mylrea.  And in the midst of her multiple classes, running her booth, and looking for her husband and business partner, she stopped to chat and take a picture with me.

Take that first step

On a molecular level, if your fears about your own gym experience mirror my anxieties of the convention, I encourage you to set those aside.  Make the call to a personal trainer.  Look up the group fitness schedule.  Step into the gym.  More than likely, the fitness professional you encounter will be welcoming and glad to help you in any way.  If she isn’t, find a different one.  If you have kids, you’ll remember getting that same advice when searching for a pediatrician.  Your health is just as important as your children’s.  Take ownership of it and allow yourself to be choosy about who guides you.

And those big-boobed beauties?  We had plenty of those.  But we also had women who had lost 30, 40, 50 pounds and as a result, wanted to help others to do so.  I saw every color of skin and every body shape out there.  We had some who were fit but you might not have known it immediately by looking at their physique.  I even had a double-amputee man in one of my classes who I’m sure had a phenomenal story to share had I the courage to ask. 

I’m so glad I didn’t let my anxiety keep me from attending.  I came back refreshed and full of knowledge to pass on to my students.  If you’re hesitating because of your own fears, jump in.  There’s an excited instructor out there ready to encourage you to be healthy, fit and strong.  

PS  On a side note, I got to spend 48 hours with my dear friend, Kandice.  We provided each other snacks, enjoyed a large pasta dinner, and she even brought me hot coffee during my morning Bible time. The eight hours of round-trip traveling had not one quiet moment.  We covered it all, from shop talk to faith to family. I would never have been given such a dear friend had we not met through teaching cycling.  

Likewise, I’ve seen friendships and accountability partners develop in fitness classes.   Strength and cardio training may initially get these friends in the door but it’s the 10 minutes of chatting and follow-up texts after that are just as meaningful.  Sometimes we experience benefits beyond the physical, which complete the mind-body-spirit connection that’s so important for a balanced healthy life.