Seven Life Lessons from a Butt-Kicking Boot Camp
A friend once joked that if I ever went missing, my folks should just wait for me at my workout spot as they would be sure to eventually find me there. Which is ironic, really, if you know the backstory: once upon a time, I genuinely hated working out. If I could force myself onto a treadmill, I would usually just walk at 3.5 mph for 5 minutes and called it a day. Because — whew! What a workout, right?
Needless to say, when I started working out (and I’m talking 10K runs on those lovely little treadmills) regularly last year, my family and friends were quite surprised.
My turning point? Well, I quickly came to realize that the lessons learned and the habits practiced in my fitness regime were carried over in all other aspects of my life. It’s not just because motion equals emotion. It’s because “how you do anything is how you do everything”, as the saying goes. If I was dedicated, driven, and optimistic about improving and maintaining my health and fitness, this would translate into a more powerful dedication and positive attitude in the professional and personal spheres of my life. If you think about it, committing to (or not committing to) a workout schedule is fueled by the same strength (or lack) of will as is committing to a work deadline or to a new relationship.
I kicked off my new workout habit with a lively fitness program in San Francisco called Barry’s Bootcamp. The program was upbeat, high-spirited, friendly, and challenging — the exact alchemy of fun energy and stimulation that I needed to get excited and stay motivated. Even when I tried other places, succumbing to the wanderlust in my blood, I always ended up back at Barry’s to get a solid butt-kicking from one of their wonderful trainers.
What made that place so special to me? First and foremost, I saw the results in numbers (and I’m a data person, after all) and noted the changes in my physical appearance. But furthermore, and perhaps even more importantly, I learned some major lessons once I let myself be exposed to their fitness philosophy. Though this is an education derived from the fitness world, you’ll find that this knowledge is applicable to all facets of life.
1. CATCH THE ENTHUSIASM — Surround yourself with people who motivate you.
During my first class at Barry’s, there were moments when I just wanted to get off the treadmill and go take a nap. However, when I looked at the people around me and saw them pushing themselves during their workouts — sweating and smiling and plowing away like their life depended on it — I couldn’t help but feel motivated. I might not have been able to sprint as fast as them, but their energy propelled me forward and inspired me to do my best. Enthusiasm — like all emotion — is super contagious.
2. ENLIST AN ALLY — Have a mentor who understands you and your goals.
The trainers at Barry’s are exceptional. They want to motivate you, and will do anything to get you to stay on track. They assign you a mantra at the beginning of the class, scream at you, and make jokes in class to make you momentarily forget that you are being “tortured”. They know what to say and do to provide you with the fuel you need until the end of the class to ensure that you do not give up.
3. SEEK THE MAGIC: Step out of your comfort zone.
Whether it is adding a bit of incline or an extra burst of speed on the treadmill for a few seconds, or whether you’re trying an intimidating set of slightly heavier weights, I promise that you will be pleasantly surprised at what your body is capable of. Taking that first step out of your comfort zone can seem difficult and intimidating, but you can do it. In the world of fitness, you can always build yourself up to the next level; as long as you have a good foundation and support beams, there’s nothing to stop you from growing. After all, even if you find that the step is too big for you at this time, you’ll gain an understanding of your limits and will be able to then push yourself to overcome them.
4. CLAIM YOUR VICTORIES: Celebrate small milestones on the way to reaching your ultimate goal.
Setting a big goal can be a good motivation… but, if you’re like me, you can lose your motivation quickly because the goal isn’t achieved immediately. We have to train ourselves to think beyond instant gratification, but we also have to celebrate the journey while keeping the big picture in mind. Break up your big goal into a series of smaller goals, and it won’t seem as intimidating or improbable. Setting and reaching a smaller goal will make you feel more accomplished and will help you stay motivated for the long haul.
When I first joined Barry’s, my goal was to be able to finally hit that 10+ mph on the treadmill for 60 seconds. To help me get there, I set up a goal that felt more attainable to me. Whenever I reached that goal, I then set up a new goal; each small goal served as another stepping-stone that kept taking me one step closer to where I wanted to be.
5. GIVE 100%: Do everything to the best of your ability.
There were many times, especially in the beginning, when I didn’t push myself to my limit. I didn’t grab that heavier weight or add that extra burst of speed, even when I knew that I could handle it. I still felt good after my workout, but I didn’t feel 100% satisfied. I didn’t feel that I’d accomplished my potential. It was almost as if I’d cheated myself of something (and, to think about it, I had). I kept thinking to myself, “I should have… I could have.” Now I always try to do everything to the best of my ability. No regrets and no wasted time.
6. KEEP GROWING: Don’t get too comfortable, as life will always have new surprises.
I’m a regular in Chris Reid’s butt- and leg-training day class. Chris, like every trainer at Barry’s, has his own style of teaching. On the second day, I returned to the class expecting the workout to be done in the same style, but I was wrong. He completely changed the style of his workout, and I had to be totally focused in order to follow the class. Chris knows the importance of growth and challenges, and he instills this mentality in his students. Compare yourself to the fruit growing on the tree; when you stop growing, it only means that you’ve reached the end of your time, and you’re about to rot and fall down — if you never stop growing, however, you always stay green and fresh… and alive!
7. BALANCE: Listen to your body and rest when you need to.
When I don’t listen to my body, I don’t perform optimally and I feel a bit off after my workout. You can’t sprint through an entire marathon (well I can’t, anyway). Pushing yourself beyond your limits is excellent, but you have to pace yourself too. It’s about improving yourself, not killing yourself. So it’s not just about the “what” (breaking boundaries and reaching potential), it’s about “how” you go about doing it. When I take care of myself — when I eat healthfully, stay hydrated, and let my body rest for a day — I am refreshed and capable of keeping up with every move as the trainers instruct.
Life-changing? Yeah, I’d say so. Little wonder I’ve learned to appreciate all that this gym has to offer and the lessons that it has taught me. Barry’s Bootcamp is a little world that mirrors challenges and themes in everyday life; the knowledge gained from my fitness experience has contributed to my energy, attitude, and fulfillment in all the other aspects of my life. That’s why I’m not giving it up.
In fact, it’s actually time to lace up my sneakers for another class. You coming?
