Breaking Through
Can you believe it? Two posts in a row? I am inspired today! 
I just had to share my experiences from today, as I felt I made a major breakthrough on overcoming fears and being intimidated by false obstacles.
First of all, this morning, I shocked myself. Remember back when my big goal was to do 3 full sets of 10 pullups at full bodyweight? I got that goal one time, but only once. And I was using a ‘neutral grip’ where my hands were just slightly wider than my shoulders. I found that I was far weaker on the wider grips, and couldn’t complete many reps, even though I need to work wider to expand my lats. Anyway, I have been doing these really wide-grip pulldowns that Shannon calls “Billy Jacks” 3 times a week to work on widening my back. They are named for the guy who invented them, and they said his back is freaky wide. Plus of course, I have been doing all the other back exercises, but no pullups. They just aren’t in our regimin, so I haven’t attempted any in a while.
This morning, I got a wild hair and decided to try my Billy Jacks as pullups instead of pulldowns. I just wanted to see if I could. Not only could I—but I busted out 5 full sets of 10 reps each! No spotter, nobody around, just me and the bar. And this was using the widest grip possible on the apparatus! The first set was so easy I was amazed. The fourth set was tough, and I did struggle on the last 3 reps of the fifth set, but by golly, I got them!
A similar thing happened last week, as I was able to do 10 sets of 10 Dumbbell Presses for chest at a weight that, prior to Bombshell training, would have been difficult for me to even do three sets. Michael spotted me on that one, though. I tend to fail quickly, without much warning because my muscles just don’t get much of a burn, and I didn’t want to drop a heavy dumbbell on my face.
I was so proud of that accomplishment, but not nearly as proud and happy as I was this morning! Pullups are a big deal to me, especially because so few women can do them. I encourage each of you gals to get thyself to the pullup bar and just do what you can. Work up to it! Start with one, then two, and so on. Believe me, I started out barely able to get more than two!
This just goes to show how wonderful this training is! Since we move so fast, we don’t use very heavy weight, so I had no idea that I would gain this much strength. I am continually impressed by how effective Shannon and Rob are with their training routines and diet.
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The other thing I wanted to tell you was that when you have a big obstacle in your way, face your fears and just bust through it! I had received my pre-contest workouts late last week, and when I read the first one–today’s workout–I was so intimidated. I had to start off with a giant set of four tough exercises, back to back with no rest, and three times through the sets. And then (cue scary music here) I was supposed to do a ONE-HUNDRED-REP set of Leg Presses (yes, 100!), followed by a set of 50 Smith machine wide squats, then 30 step ups on each leg, and then 50 plyometric jump squats. I was seriously dreading this workout, and I usually look forward to legs. I just was so doubtful of being able to get through 100 straight reps, and really had a fear of it. I had heard of pro athletes using 100-rep sets, and it makes grown men cry. Even Terrell Owens does them, thinks they are brutal, and he is an animal.
Well, I didn’t load much weight on the leg press, because I knew it is much more important to get the reps in, with good form, than how much weight we use. Shannon always says it’s not how much weight, it’s how you are working the muscle. I found a thumping motivational song on the iPod and unracked the weight. The first few felt great. I got through fifty without too much struggle, then started counting down by tens. I kept telling myself, just get through the next ten, and then I would stop for two deep breaths and start the next ten. And by the time I got to eighty, my legs were burning but I knew I had it in me to finish strong. So I pushed through the final 20 without stopping. Boy, it felt amazing to be counting 96…97..98…99…100!!!!
I racked the weight and realized I could probably have done more. I could have pushed myself harder and gotten more benefit out of the exercise. But I still had all those other high-rep exercises to go, so I didn’t feel it was a good idea to have nothing left after the first one. Plus I had NO idea how much weight I could push for 100 reps, so I guessed. I then made it through the 50-rep set on the Smith with excellent form, squatting deeply, and really felt each rep. But it didn’t kill me. I wasn’t puking or laid out on the floor, as I was afraid I would be. I made it through the step ups well, and then got through the plyo squats, although those just about got me. The last 10 on those, I couldn’t feel my legs! They had just gone numb, but I was still jumpin’!!
The moral of the story is: don’t let your fears stop you! You may have an intimidating task or obstacle in front of you. The fears are most likely blowing it up to be a much bigger monster than it really is. When I took that deep breath and plunged into that 100-rep set, I was so afraid of failing, of not finishing, of not being strong or good enough, of hurting myself, of losing my lunch on the gym floor, and of embarrassing myself if I dropped the weight or something. (I had no spotter, so I was on my own.) But those fears simply turned out to be mirages; misty ghosts that dissolved into wisps with each passing rep. As I realized I was actually doing it, I then felt stronger and stronger, and finishing the drill was complete elation!
Now, I wish I had pushed harder. I wish I had challenged myself more. I am not only not afraid now, but I am looking forward to doing it again and challenging myself! I don’t know when I will have that opportunity, but I know I am ready. This was such a rush, and an amazing feeling, and I couldn’t believe how fearful I had been. I had a real break through today. I shattered that paradigm of limitations that I had subconsciously placed on myself, and I broke free. What a feeling!
Talk about being defiant! Defying your own ghosts, demons, and fears is probably the hardest thing of all. Defy your fears. Look them in the eye, grab them by the throat, throw them down, and use them as a stepping stone instead of a stumbling block. After today, I will be less fearful, because I can look back at this experience, and say, “Hey, if I can do that, I can do anything!”
I just had to share this with you. First, to show you I am totally human and not some workout machine. I have fears and insecurities just like anyone else. I am not trying to brag here. In fact, I am a little embarrassed to expose my silly fears to you. I hope you understand what I mean by the elation I feel. And second, to show you that your body is capable of much more than you give it credit for! Go out there and challenge yourself. Be better than the best you thought you could be!
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And now I have to go do my second cardio session, while watching my Atlanta Falcons try to beat the undefeated, awesome Saints. I don’t think it will happen, but ‘Bird is the Word’ tonight! Go Falcons!
I want to close with a great quote I just saw:
Today is the time of your life, to have the time of your life.
Think about that one for a few minutes!
Be Defiant!
Christy
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