The Ugly Doubt Monster

June 12, 2010

Today I had my second session with Trainer Rob. I’ve been whining all week that my workouts have been slow going. I think I can shut my mouth now.

Rob introduced me to a medium interval training day. Not super hard, but I have to *think* about how fast I can get my heart rate up, how fast I can get it back down, how long to stay at the proper level, etc. Unfortunately, I can’t get a reprive from the recumbent bike, but oh well.

Things got interesting when Rob showed me 2 of the weight training circuits I need to start adding in. This is when the doubt monster came to rear its ugly head. The words “I can’t” came tumbling out of my mouth. Those words are such nasty, nasty things.

Rob called me out on it. Every time. Whenever I said “I can’t,” I really could. Go figure. My mind was holding me back from what my body could do. Was it hard? HELL YES.

On my shit list today?

  • Step Ups
  • Stairs of any sort. Especially going up them 3 times in a row.
  • Knee-ins from push up position

By the end of the session, my puke meter was at a solid 8 out of 10, where 1 is no problemo and 10 is upchuck city. This week should be very interesting!

How do you cope when the doubt monster comes to play? How do you stop yourself from saying “I can’t?”

Tagged as: fitness, gym, heartfit lexington, lexington athletic club, Moves, rob silver, training, weight loss, workout

  • http://www.biggirlbombshell.com Big Girl Bombshell

    Oh Yeah! The Doubt Monster….wonderful guy isn't he. Just pops in whenever he wants, won't leave when asked to and most of the time is SO inappropriate! LOL Can't wait to hear more about your week!

  • http://diaryofcurvyjones.com CurvyJones

    Man that monster visits me a lot, too. I did my workout this morning and spent the first circuit going, 'I can't do that' until I finally just told myself to shut up and DO IT! LOL.

  • debbidoesdinnerhealthy

    The doubt monster totally lives here too. I JUST dusted off the treadmill and just got off and I totally am looking for reasons not to do it again. Everytime I started running, I didn't push myself, I just said, “I can't do this” and then slowed to a walk. I really need to push the doubt monster out the door! It sounds like you're doing great! Keep it up!

  • Anonymous Fat Girl

    Emmie I hate step ups. HATE THEM. My trainer used to make me do them all of the time. What I have found is I have the same problem. I will say “I can't” when I'm doing new things or things I do not like. If it's new I give it time and just tell myself to shut up. If after a few weeks (or a month) I still hate it I just do a different exercise. I've learned to shut that stupid voice off in my head most days. Other days, it's a work in progress.

  • Skojlw

    I really think what you are doing is awesome. I keep saying I dont want to go exersize because I dont want to do it alone but reading what you have posted I think is going to change my mind. Thanks

  • Trainer Rob

    The journey to fitness and health is soul-searching. Emily was amazing today and pushed herself very hard. There is always a moment of fear doing new movements or new weights. Quite frankly, when you go to the gym and you don't have a little adrenaline rush from the routine, it is probably time for something new. At the end of my routine today, I had to perform arguably the hardest sequence of my entire week and for a moment I also thought, “I just can't” But, I did and it felt amazing afterwards. Everyone out there…push yourself hard because the gym and fitness routines are really just a reminder to eat well and be well. And remember, this is not every time you go to the gym. Regardless of your program, build in “recovery days.” You should need them! Go skinny emmie!

  • http://www.mayorofthebux.com Danielle

    I think it's easy at times to forget that the “i can't” is partially what got us into this mess to begin with. I have to remind myself during bootcamp that I'm in a safe place and that my trainer knows what my body can do better than I know sometimes.
    Just saw you had an opps at the gym, hang in there, you're doing great and encouraging me by leaps and bounds.

  • http://twitter.com/LiveStartled kathleen wright

    Considering what you're going through, you might enjoy the new post today on my Confessions of a Startled Fat Woman blog http://LiveStartled.com My first Wonder Woman profile Janet Pratt has a similar story with glorious results. I hope you find it encouraging. I am very impressed with your moving out of your comfort zone!

  • http://twitter.com/LisaEirene Lisa Eirene

    I think to myself “Why CAN'T I do it???” I can do anything I put my mind to. That helps.

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