It's only pain.....

I was right! I am aching today. However, it is a good ache. The kind that comes from having worked physically hard at something, rather than the ache of illness or from having pulled something.

I had a good session with Eric today (thanks, Eric, if you're reading this!), using the treadmill on various programmes, at different speeds and for different amounts of time, interspersed with work on the fitness ball, which I really enjoy. I am not too bad at the exercises that have me sitting on it with one leg in the air, lifting weights, but I find the ones where I have to go face down, walk out on my hands with only my feet left on the ball a wee bit challenging. There was one particular one where I had to do that, then lift one leg up while balancing on the other leg, then pull the ball towards my hands with the balancing leg, then roll it back. I just couldn't do it. It was mostly to do with balance and confidence and the more I tried the less I had of either. We moved on. However, I hate not being able to do things that I know I am capable of, so I shall be working at that particular exercise until I can crack it!

It made me think about how we set goals and why some people seem to succeed, where others fail. It is as much to do with determination and commitment as with setting the right goals for you. The goals have to be a bit of a stretch, otherwise they aren't something you'd get a sense of pride at achieving, as well as being something you know you could achieve if you really apply yourself and work out the right steps to get you there. To start with you may not even know how you're going to get there, but you will be absolutely sure that there is a way and it is up to you, with the help of others if necessary, to work out the path to that goal. It may involve learning a new skill or even making tough decisions, but you will find a way.

So back to me and my exercise challenge. I have a deadline. We all need those, otherwise it would be too easy to keep putting things off! I am seeing Eric again on Tuesday the 20th of December, when he will be doing a fitness test on me. I fully intend to have mastered the exercise by then! Oh it would be so easy to forget about it (it's not part of my regular fitness regime) and say I just can't do it, but I know I can do it, if only I try, try and then try again! (And Eric made it look so simple when he showed me how to do it, so it is definately not impossible - just 'less than easy'*)

I'll keep you posted!

*This phrase was given to me by my coach, Graeme Skea. It's great to use in the place of 'difficult' or 'hard' and it always makes me smile.