Three reasons difficult things are good for your health and well-being

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Working out might be intimidating at first, but pushing yourself to try something new can really make a positive impact for yourself and those around you.

You are not alone. Everyone on the planet has or will encounter something difficult in their lives that they don't want to do, have a fear of or the mere thought of it makes them anxious. It could be because they are not sure of the outcome, or the process scares them or they just believe that they do not have the ability.

We see it everyday in the fitness & wellness industry. People are afraid to talk to a trainer because they think they will get roped into expensive training sessions, or that the trainer will think they are ignorant, or they assume that the trainer will not be able to help them with their specific issue because of an assumed prejudice they have about the trainer.

We see everyday how people are afraid to come to a group fitness class. Some make it in and they have a terrified look on their face when they tell the trainer quietly it is their first time. Don't worry. It was everyone's first time at some point. Some linger around the door and don't step over the threshold for weeks. Some do their independent workout, stealing glances over at the group program wishing they had the guts to go because that looks like way more fun. Others make it into the class and try and hide in the back (even though this is the worst spot for a newbie because it's really difficult to see the instructor so you have to rely on their vocals and the uncoordinated person in front of you).

We also see that people are afraid to try an introductory program because they don't want their friends or the leader to think less of them or that they might not know all there is to know about fitness, nutrition or anything related.

I repeat, you are not alone. This world can be very scary, test your ego and confidence and push you in mental and physical ways you didn't know were possible. You should know that for those of us that are working in it are here because we all overcame something in our lives in some way and we want to share that with you and help you get there faster than we did.

We all have fears too. I've been doing this a long time and I still get nervous before a class or training session, worried that I haven't put together the best program possible. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but I learn from every opportunity.

Then, there are those who have reached the stage of coming every day and doing their workout and following a plan of sorts, but they are afraid to push past to really reach their goals. Think of a time in your life when you couldn't do something and now you just do it without even thinking. This is where you can get when it comes to fitness, eating healthy and overall well-being.

It's difficult at first. It's difficult during and it will continue to be difficult if you make it that way. You have to choose to move from difficult to easy or you have to embrace that it's still difficult because you are getting better and you keep adding more skills or goals to achieve.

Doing difficult things is what makes us grow and keep going. Here is why it is so good for us:

1. You realize your potential of learning new skills. When you start small with one skill at a time, or a few small ones, and then start to master them, you become hungry for more. You realize you can do something new, but in your own time and pace.

2. You allow your emotions to flow and release pent up anger, sadness, anxiety, etc., therefore releasing serotonin and allowing you to feel more relaxed. When you trying something new for the first time, there will be nervousness, frustration, excitement, stress, eagerness, embarrassment and more. When you go through that roller-coaster and come out of it with a newfound confidence, you allow your body to relax more when practicing the skill or when trying more new things. This allows the release of serotonin, a hormone that helps to feel happier, less stressed and more relaxed.

3. You improve your leadership and teaching ability. When you learn and master a skill, you automatically teach it to someone else in some way, even if it is just casually telling a friend how you did it.

So next time your inner voice says I can't, I won't, or I'd like to but…think of this list and all the amazing things that will happen for your mind, body and soul when you take that small step to doing something you perceived as being difficult at the time.

Karen Nixon-Carroll is the Program Manager at Fanshawe's Fitness Centre.