For a long time now I have been wanting to get back in the pool and swim. I am overweight from my now not so recent pregnancy and Crohn's complications. I know that swimming will help me add muscle, burn fat and improve my cardio, however the idea of putting my current out of shape body into a swimsuit and going to a crowed pool does not appeal to me. Here is the cycle, I want to swim because I am out of shape and I know it will help get back into shape, but I don’t want to swim because I am out of shape. CRAZY!

Recently I met with a new client who told me she would like to change up her normal routine for something new. I asked her if she had taken advantage of the classes our facility had to offer. She said no, because she doesn’t want to be that overweight person huffing, and puffing in the back of the class that can’t keep up. She was afraid she would make a fool of herself. In in my typical fashion, I jumped into coaching mode, explaining to her that everyone is there to get in better shape, no one will judge her, and the rest of the class should be huffing and puffing too. She was caught in an unhealthy cycle, she wants to attend classes to get in better shape and change up her routine, but she won’t go to the classes because she isn’t in shape.

It all of a sudden hit me… I was doing the same thing as my client. I am guilty of getting caught in a loop where I need to do something to get in shape but I won’t do it because I am not in shape. My Senior year of high school I did my senior project on the benefits of swimming. I know it is a perfect exercise for me to do to reach my goals and yet I have been holding myself back because of my low self-esteem and fear of judgement from others. I was worried how I appeared to other people and not focusing on all the positives of just diving in and doing the workout.

As a trainer and a coach I feel a lot of pressure to be a certain way, I need to be an example for my clients, and here I failed. How could I tell my client to stop worrying about everyone else and to focus on herself when I was holding myself back from improvement thanks to the same fear of judgement from others. This encounter has inspired me to jump in, and finally step up and set the example. I want to truly lead my clients; I want to lead them not just with my words but with my actions.

This whole experience has inspired me to write this blog and come out of my self-doubting shell. I plan to pull out the bathing suit from the back of my closet and dive in. I will focus on all the benefits, the fat burning, the resistance training, the cardio benefits and most importantly how good it feels to be in the water again. I won’t focus on how I look or the people around me, and possibly lapping me. I know how good I will feel when the workout is done and let that drive me to success.

I’ve never been a big new year’s resolution fan, but this event has inspired me to really take my own advice, this year I will start leading by example, I won’t let fear or self-doubt hold me back. I will be able to better empathize with my clients. By taking this step I will better myself, and the better I am the better trainer, coach and mother I will be!

If you are scared to step out because of self-doubt, low self-esteem, or whatever else, call me! I’ll take the first step with you. I’ll join you for a class, a session or whatever it is you need. Sometimes it just takes a little push from someone else to help you get out of your own head and get moving.

WOLLERTON WELLNESS