Expectations and achievement

Over the years I've obtained many insights from my personal training sessions. Such sessions that have me rushing to my laptop have usually ended with my laughter and "that would make a great blog."

Here's what generated today's laughter and insight.

Earlier in the week I ended my PT session with 3 sets of plank of increasing duration - 30s, 45s and 60s. On the last set I was screeching and near to tears as my body shook with strain at holding such a strong position for so long.

... Fast forward to this morning ...

"Please don't get me to do 60s again" I pleaded. Which resulted in the following.

• I held plank for 30s - being told of my progress in 10s increments.
• I held plank for 45s - being told of my progress in 10s increments
• I held plank for 60s - being told of mu progress in 10s increments

My personal trainer then showed me his stop watch ....

Apparently my timings were actually 30s, 50s, 71s, with increments in approx 12s (when telling me they were 10s).

Had he told me before I started I was going to do it for that long I'd have failed to do it! I know myself well enough to know that, certainly as far as fitness is concerned, if I don't think I can do something then I won't. Today's white lie proved to me I have to be careful about my expectations of my ability to do things - both fitness and I'm sure at work too.  

Alison Smith

Inspiring change - inside and out in mind, body, heart, soul and purchasing!

Other insights shared more broadly here around well being broadly have covered:

• Don't stretch yourself too much
• Not this but this - a great reminder for any new skill
• Build on success - which certainly resonates for me for my fitness
• Comfort zones - and how much we can really achieve if we get out of them
• Dream believe achieve - based on watching others learn how to street dance with Ashley Banjo!
• Aim for what you want  - unlike the England football team at the time!
• Stop, look, listen - remembering to take time out
• Don't spend time with miserable mackerels 
• How do you start your day - aligned with your goals, or out of synch with them
• Changing priorities - what do chips, alcohol, chocolate & pomegranates have in common?
• Get outside
• Are you settling for suboptimal performance  - using excuses about age, time of life, injury etc
• Sleep  - allowing more room for more information 
• Can you have too much fun?
• We love the challenge but is it good for us - adrenaline fuelled activity
• The conspiracies that support our well being (a bit of a rant)
• The tortoise and the hare - a short story
• My prescription for positivity - a popular blog post