As fitness professionals, beginners to exercise and long standing clients, it’s easy to get caught up in what you can’t do, or to constantly compare yourself to others who are stronger, faster or leaner than you are.
It’s easy to focus on how far you have to go, rather than to reflect and celebrate how much you’ve progressed from where you first started.
This past weekend, I competed in my second Individual Crossfit competition and placed third in the Rx Women’s category.
But what excited me more than my podium finish, was thinking back to where I was this time last year. I remember how intimidated I was by movements like chest to bar pull ups, how frustrated I would get practicing handstand push ups, how ring muscle ups seemed absolutely unattainable, and how the thought of lifting my current personal bests – seemed damn near impossible.
The true celebration of my performance this weekend (which was in no way perfect) was in reflecting on how far I’ve come, and the excitement of what’s coming next.
It’s those moments where we accomplish what we once thought was not possible that make all the moments of struggle, and the hours of practice worthwhile. It reminds us to celebrate the little victories and to remember that there is no finish line, just the constant pursuit of better.
So the next time you feel frustrated with your progress or performance, take a second to remember where you started and to celebrate how far you’ve come.
Have faith that if you enjoy the process, the results will come.
