Take Your Health To New Heights
It’s so easy to get caught in routines that just guide us through our day without much thought. We just do because…well….that’s what we’ve always done. The problem with that is that it doesn’t challenge us and doesn’t allow us to express our true potential. It’s amazing how trying something new can improve your health as well as your outlook on life.
I recently participated in a new activity that took me out of my comfort zone.
As a result of participating in this new activity I felt like a new person. I felt like I was capable of so much more. I felt physically stronger (and sore as well :) ), mentally stronger and realized that I am capable of accomplishing so much more in life.
Why? Because I got out of my comfort zone and tried something new.
You can read more about my recent adventure below along with some video footage below. But before you do, let me share a few things that I learned from this experience. My hope is that it will encourage you to try something new and enjoy the wonderful feelings that I did.
ALERT: I’m not encouraging you to go do what I did (especially if you’re afraid of heights). What I’m encouraging you to do is something that is new and challenging to YOU.
Do something that will get you out of your comfort zone.
We humans are creatures of habit. We have a tendency to gravitate toward routine. Routine feels comfortable, there are no surprises and we know exactly what to expect. In fact it feels so good that we often LOVE our comfort zone (ZONE). However, playing in our comfort ZONE on a regular basis prevents us from becoming a better person and fulfilling our true potential. We develop routines that mold us into the person we are today. And let me be clear that not all routines are created equally.
Get in the Right Zone
One example would be if you have a solid morning routine during which you nourish your body with health foods, partake in some exercise, practice stress reducing techniques like meditation, reflect on the things you are thankful for, plan your day ahead or participate in something positive like learning to expand your mind. This is a good routine that adds to your health.
But this same routine, despite being a healthy routine, followed day in and day out will only take you so far and you will plateau. You will not express your maximal health potential.
Heck I’d rather see you follow this routine on a daily basis then the alternative where you’re on autopilot and participating in chronic disease promoting habits. If your routine consists of waking up late, rushing around, getting stressed out, scarfing down a sugar laden breakfast and not actively thinking about your day ahead you will detract from your health and be caught in a vicious poor health ZONE.
The same idea goes for eating the same foods day in and day out or performing the same exercises regularly. Despite that fact that you are eating “healthy” foods or performing good exercises regularly you are not challenging yourself and ultimately you will not be maximizing your true potential.
Every now and then you need to mix things up and get out of the dreaded comfort ZONE, especially when it comes to your health.
Just so I’m clear, I’d rather see you doing the same good healthy routine on a daily basis than a disease promoting routine but I know you have something greater inside of you.
Try Something NEW, Get Out of Your Zone
Instead of doing the same routine at the gym get CRAZY and try a new class that’s challenges you physically in a way that you’re not accustomed to. Something that makes you work harder or differently than you ever have before (provided you don’t have a health condition that restricts you from doing so).
Instead of eating the same healthy foods (or junk foods) on a regular basis expand your options by trying new healthy foods that you have never tried before. By doing so you’ll flood your body with a new diverse set of nutrients to run on. Who knows, you just may find a new favorite healthy food in the process.
By actively getting out of the ZONE and challenging yourself to try new things periodically you accomplish at least 3 things:
- You will take your health to greater heights by trying new things that challenge you physically, mentally and metabolically.
- Your “normal” daily routine will become much easier because you will realize that you are capable of much more as a result of trying new things.
- You will establish a new sense of confidence in your own capabilities because you took on a new challenge and accomplished it. This will encourage you to take on additional new challenges and push yourself to the limits while maximizing your potential.
Start with something simple and build from there. One small accomplishment will be enough incentive for you to take on the next big challenge.
Mix It Up
Instead of taking a leisurely 10 minute walk try doing 5 minutes of speed walking. Instead of taking a yoga class try taking a high intensity interval training class. Or instead of an intense weight training workout try taking an intense yoga class. Instead of eggs for breakfast try eating a a kale salad with chicken (yup I just said that and it’s delicious). You get it!
The point is to mix things up and try something totally different than you are used to. By doing so you will increase your capabilities, bring your health to new heights and take one step closer to reaching your true potential.
Are you up for the challenge?
Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone in order to take your health to new heights and expand your capabilities? My answer is and will always be YES!
In fact this past weekend I took on a new adventure. Now I’m no stranger to adventure. I’ve jumped out of planes, gone white water rafting, ran a marathon, backpacked into the woods and several other fun activities with more new adventures to follow.
However this past weekend I tried something that I had never tried before. Something that challenged me both physically and mentally.
I went rappelling!
Dr. Mike Is No Stranger To Adventure (Prior to kids :) )
For those that aren’t familiar rappelling is using a rope to descend a vertical drop such as a rock face or cliff.
All I can say is AWESOME!
Totally (well kind of :) ) out of my comfort zone but when I tell you it changed me. I mean it really changed me. It made me aware of the fact that I am capable of so much more. I got out of my ZONE!
Our location was Chickies Rock located in beautiful Lancaster County right along the Susquehanna River.
We started with an 85 foot descent.
I’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t a bit nervous but I didn’t let those nerves hold me back. I pushed through my comfort zone and accomplished it.
Next stop was a 175 foot rappel.
Heck if I did 85 feet why not 175 feet. I got nominated by the group to be the first to go. The first one testing out the new set up and having to lay the rope for the rest of the group was a bit more nerve racking but once again I got myself mentally prepared and pushed through it. EXILLERATING!
I wrapped up with another 85 foot rappel with absolute confidence and much better than my first go round.
When the day ended I felt accomplished!
I took on a new challenge that tested me both mentally and physically and came out a stronger person with a new outlook on my own capabilities. Truly a wonderful experience for me! Now if these sort of activities aren’t your thing then that’s quite ok. My point is that you need to challenge yourself and your health periodically and get out of your comfort zone so that you can become an even better person.
Get out of your ZONE so that you can truly MAXIMIZE your potential. We are all capable of so much more in life but often haven’t taken the opportunity to test our capabilities. We get complacent with the daily grind.
On the other hand if this is type of adventure interests you then I would HIGHLY recommend Valley To Summit based out of Philadelphia to serve as your guides. You can find them and all of their adventures at www.valleytosummit.com. Great group with AWESOME adventures! I see a rock climbing trip in my near future.
Get out there, get out of your comfort zone and take your health and your capabilities to the next level.
Click on the video below to join me on my recent repelling adventure!
As always I hope this information has served you and will take you one step closer to your desired health goals.
Did you like this information?
If so please be sure to let me know what you liked by sending me an email at DrKirk@PerformanceHealthandChiro.com or leave me a comment on Facebook. I would love to keep the conversation going.
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Until we chat again remember: Eat Well, Move Often and Stay Healthy!