The Positive Power Of Challenge.

I would like to share a brief story about the wonderful act of SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT.

As some of you know I enjoy the gym. The last two years I've done an 8 week fitness challenge & it's exactly that... a challenge. There are days where you think NOOOOOO!!!! I can't do another Goddam burpee! This was my thoughts after
I completed 212 burpees (yes I counted them!) & that didn't include the burpees we did in the 30minute GRIT class beforehand. Anyway, I'm side tracking...

The point that I wanted to make is that in the last challenge, there were 20 of us - 19 women & 1 guy... wasn't he lucky ;-), & what an amazing group!
We were at all different levels of fitness, all different shapes & sizes, all different reasons for doing the challenge. And I think I'm safe in saying we were all doing it for positive personal reasons as opposed to thinking it was something we felt we should be doing.

Every single one of us were there for each other. The trainers were 100% behind us always there with encouragement, support & being our cheer squad. The participants were all there for each other 100% & in those moments when things did get hard, or there was injury, or those OMG moments... guess what?
Someone was always there saying how can I help, you can do it, we're almost there, great job. We were all there for each other every step of the way.

And how refreshing.

In a world, especially where women are concerned, there is so much bitching, tearing others down to feel (albeit briefly) good/important/significant, comparison,
turning a blind eye perhaps to an obvious sign of someone needing a helping hand, I must say it was a FABULOUS group to be part of. There was no unhealthy
competition, instead great enthusiastic encouragement. And we all felt a connection to being part of something even bigger. Everyone left with a little more appreciation for challenge, a little more confidence in one's own ability, & a few more goals kicked (the results were more often than not bigger & better than expected) & most of all a great bond of camaraderie that has continued long after the end of the challenge.

We laughed, we exaggerated, we groaned, but most of all we support & encouraged each other throughout the challenge and towards our own personal quest for better health, fitness & well-being.

And this is a great lesson for all of us. Support & lift each other up. Lend a helping hand. Be kind. Be supportive & encouraging. Be the person you want around in times of challenge. Remember what you put out is what you get tenfold.