I remember a time when I was visiting a spa for a week.  Every day, a variety of exercise classes were offered.  The girls that I met and had lunch with during the week were always going to the dance classes.  I thought it sounded fun, but the fact that I didn’t think I had enough rhythm or that I would look dumb doing the moves kept me from joining in.Finally, on the last day, a famous choreographer from New York was there to teach the dance class.  People had been talking about him all week, so I had to go and see for myself.  It was… A BLAST!  I couldn’t remember the last time I had so much fun!  It certainly wasn’t anything like the exercise I was used to doing.  I was so bummed that I hadn’t joined in sooner!  I would have had a lot more fun with my new group of friends that I was having running alone while they were in class.  This was something I could do to get fit that I would love!I was shy growing up.  Even as an adult, early in my career, I can remember being scared stiff when I knew that I was going to have to introduce myself to a room of people.  Seriously!  Just staying my name out loud knowing that every pair of eyes in the room was on me was terrifying!  I’m sure it stems from the fact that I was an overweight kid with stringy hair and glasses.  We all know how mean kids can be to each other.  I guess I thought by staying quiet & not drawing attention to myself, I was somehow protecting myself.At some point, not too long ago in fact, I started to think, “Who cares what people think about me?”  I was actually giving a room of total strangers far too much power!  After I joined that dance class, I looked around and saw that nobody in there was perfect!  They were just regular people trying to get fit.  The difference in me and them was that they weren’t afraid to be themselves and have fun!The message here, friends, is to get out there and not let what you THINK other people will think about you stop you from doing that!  I can guarantee you that you are far more critical of yourself than anyone else on the treadmills or in that Zumba class you’ve always thought of trying will be.

Don’t be afraid to try something new.  You may be really good at it!  You may LOVE it!  Take back the power you are giving to other people, and say “I CAN” do this!

Is there something you’d like to try but are afraid of?  Have you own personal triumph story?  Come on… don’t let me think I’m the ONLY ONE

Please ask your questions and share your stories in the Facebook comment box under this post.  Your question or story may motivate someone else to get fit and make a healthy change in their life — don’t be shy!!