Challenge yourself

Yesterday we launched a new Six-Week Challenge on the Nerd Fitness Message Boards.  If you want to join a few thousand of the most supportive people you’ll ever meet and help yourself live a better life, we’d love to have you.

For this challenge, I’d love for you to commit to trying something new at some point in the next six weeks.  I committed to Swing Dance Lessons for the month of September.  After my four weeks are up, I’ll move onto something equally terrifying and new like Krav Maga or Capoeira for the month of October.

Here’s my advice to you:

• Say yes before you can say no. Stop saying “I don’t have time” and realize you do.  Stop saying “I can’t afford it” and find a way to make it a priority.  Do all of this before you can talk yourself out of it.  The best way to do that?
• Commit in advance. I pre-paid my four weeks of swing lessons.   Having already paid for it, I knew I’d be just throwing my money away if I didn’t attend.  Put down a deposit and make an investment in yourself.
• Go with a friend.  I went to my class alone, which forced me to further develop my social skills, but if you happen to be TOO afraid to attend a class, get a friend to drag you there.  It’s amazing what we do to avoid ridicule from our buddies.
• Expect to suck.  It was frustrating for me to not be good at swing dancing right away.  After playing sports and lifting weights, it was a tremendous shift for me to stop trying to be the fastest, strongest, most perfect, and instead relax, let loose and enjoy myself.  If you are learning a new skill, expect to suck at it.  You’ll get better.  As long as you remember to…
• Have fun.  Remember, we could get hit by a bus tomorrow.  Every day above ground is a blessing, so enjoy it!

That one thing you always wanted to try but have been putting off?  Today’s a good a day to get started.  Just take that FIRST step.  Google classes in your city.  Find a site that focuses on beginners, and read about it.  If there’s a place to pre-pay or make a deposit, do it.

And then go.  Use your beastmode skills if you have to.

But suck it up, expect to not be good at the new activity immediately, and have some fun.

What’s the one new thing you’re going to try this month?

-Steve

PS: Over 3,000 women have signed up for the Nerd Fitness Academy Women’s email list - we’ll be sending out an email in a few days asking a few important questions to make sure all students have a top notch experience. Make sure you’re signed up so we can hear from you!

PPS: Our #HardHatChallenge is still going strong!  How is your month going of filling up your calendar with X’s?  I missed one day this past weekend, but that’s okay, because I got right back on track the next day.

Today’s Rebel Hero: Joe (Anivair on the message boards) from Columbus, who drove down with his wife Tracie to hang out with me at MidoriCon two weeks ago!

Since finding Nerd Fitness, Joe is down 100 freaking pounds, and hopes to one day become a MovNat trainer.  I’ve known Joe through NF for years, so it was great to finally meet him in person.

Source:

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/09/17/25-ways-to-exercise-without-realizing-it/