This past weekend I got to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams: to learn archery. Fortunately I happened to marry someone who learned archery at a young age, and he also happened to have his own compound bow, that at a youth size was just the right size for me. While I have an awesome bruise on my left forearm now, due to not using an arm guard, I also have the sheer joy of knowing that I finally got to shoot some arrows…and I’m going to keep at it! Archery requires some great arm strength, focus, and the ability to relax and pay attention to your breathing. I realized quickly that it in many ways is just like yoga, and while I’m still a beginner, I was able to bring that yogic mentality to my archery, and I even shot a great grouping of 3 into the target!
Keeping up with my trying new fitness arenas, I went to a spinning class this morning. I have been avoiding spinning classes since I learned of their existence in the late 90s. Why? Well, because pedaling while standing up did not sound fun, and I’ve always thought it would be ridiculously hard. Is my butt sore, even though I wore padded biking shorts? Yes. But guess what? It wasn’t that bad…nowhere as bad as what I had conjured up in my mind. I think I’ll go back for more in the near future…after my butt stops hurting.
Adding something new to your fitness routine can be just the prescription you need to boost your satisfaction, and keep you interested. Sure, you can go to the gym and do the treadmill every day, and I’m sure you’ll get in okay shape, but after a while, you will plateau. Not to mention that it’s really boring. Even if you love the treadmill, or you own one so you feel like you have to use it, there are ways you can use that piece of equipment that are different than your standard get on and run or walk. For example, if you generally just run a mile or few, try high intensity interval training (HIIT). It can help you boost your overall speed, and it pushes you into that heart pumping level that challenges your muscles. You can even do HIIT on the bike, elliptical machine, or arm bike. Here is a great article about HIIT:
http://www.experiencelifemag.com/issues/december-2008/fit-body/hiit-it.php
Let’s say your gym has group fitness classes, or you’ve always wanted to try a particular class that your local YMCA/YWCA or Parks and Recreation offers. It might be kickboxing, yoga, tai chi, water aerobics, Zumba, strength training, Pilates…there are so many to choose from! Whatever you are drawn to, go for it!! If you have a hard time getting yourself to go, then see if a friend will go with you. I’ll admit it, I actually advertised on craigslist a few years ago to find a workout buddy who already went to my gym. I found one and we became friends and helped to motivate each other (for a while anyway…). What you want in a workout buddy is someone who will push you. You don’t want someone who will cancel the last minute, or be easily swayed if you say you’re not sure you want to go to that Pilates class after all. If you’re motivated enough to go alone, that’s even better!
So check out some local classes. Do you want to learn to salsa dance, shake your booty to Latin grooves, or do you just miss your old soccer team from when you were a kid? There are tons of opportunities. Check the internet, your local Parks and Recreation, or look for social leagues if you like group sports like flag football or soccer. Just don’t partake in too much beer after the game…
Maybe in a few weeks, I’ll try out that hip hop dance or Latin dance class that still scares me right now…fear turns to courage once we confront it!! And if I can do Zumba, I think I can do anything! Keep on dancing, grooving, cycling, shooting, kicking, punching, crunching, relaxing, stretching, and whatever else floats your boat. Variety truly is the spice of life!
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