Last Thursday, Kim and I got the attention of the entire gym. First I gave out the loud “WAHAAHWAHAHWAH” and then Kim followed with a “YESSSSS”. We both sounded like malfunctioning cheerleaders! It was a proclamation of elation and of accomplishment that made everyone’s head turn to see what all the yelling was about! It’s not that we were able to do 2000 push-ups or 400 pull-ups but rather we were able to jump up on a 3 foot stool. I know that sounds lame and undeserving of a gym-attention-getting scream, but I’ll explain the history and then you’ll understand why we were both so thrilled.
Last Monday morning Kim and I met Amy for Boot Camp. It was Amy’s first day back in the gym after being sick so Kim and I were really excited to work out with her. First thing she did was put the 3 foot stool in front of us, jumped on it to demonstrate and then said, “your turn”. Looks easy enough until you are face to face with it. Suddenly 3 feet became 3 miles. There was just so way we were getting up on that thing. Kim gave it a try first and then it was my turn. We both stood there with this ridiculous nervous laugh trying to find the courage to surmount our fear of the stool. After many attempts and lots more nervous laughter, both Kim and I called it quits – we failed, we just couldn’t get over the fear. Amy was really sweet about it and told us we’d try it again later but we were disappointed in ourselves.
The next 2 days we’d walk past the stool without looking at it. It was the elephant in the room; the thorn on the rose. Then on Thursday we were working out with Fitz he had us do a bunch of low jumping exercises. When we finished with these we looked over, and there it was, staring at us in the face. The fear had been eating at me for days. I don’t entirely understand why I was so anxious about jumping onto that stool. Fitz suggested that I was scared to be embarrassed – that wasn’t it. After all my “Before” are on the internet – not sure it gets more embarrassing than that. It must be a lack of confidence, “can I really clear it without landing on my tush?”
I’m not sure what prompted me, but I walked up to that 3 mile stool and with a little coaxing from Kim, I revved up, pumped my arms, hoped for the best, jumped – AND MADE IT!! I got up on that stool and gave out the loudest holler which was the reason for the gym attention-getting- scream. (not my intention to get the attention!!) Kim walked up to the stool next, gave it the same jump-prep and also landed safely on top of that stool! Again, another gym attention-getting- scream!
We were both able to jump on top of that stool we were so afraid of on Monday. It was such an amazing feeling of accomplishment! We were both on such a high after that. I know it’s just a little thing, but it felt like we overcame such a huge hurdle, especially after being so wimpy on Monday! We were both capable of jumping on the stool that Monday, we had the strength and agility, it just took some confidence and determination to get over the fear-factor – and we finally did.
We did it Cheryl!!. We jumped over the 3 foot stool. We now have the power to do anything. I could not have done it without YOU!! Kim
Posted by: Kim Purnell | April 28, 2008 at 05:42 PM