Happy Monday everyone!! I have to laugh for I wrote two blog entries this morning before going to the gym, neither of them shall I post today, for I decided this week will be lessons from the gym. Every day life is amazing at bestowing upon us profound metaphors and opportunities to really see ourselves in the mirror. Today I decided to ante up, sharing raw “Walking Naked Truth” on the page. A chance to “walk my talk”, be vulnerable, real, and open.

I got up to the 3:00am alarm, wrote in the journal and put my blog to page for editing when I returned from the gym. I headed to the bathroom, splash the face, put in the contacts, don the gym clothes, brush the teeth, fill the water bottle, keys in hand, off we go!! I took a risk today, this is where it gets really personal…, I decided I would be brave and wear a small pad, for many of us women that have had children, we know that incontinence can be a real issue. This issue drives me absolutely crazy!! I hate it!! I am determined to change it, for I do not believe it has to be this way. Men do not stop reading, it is just a truth, I promise nothing more “embarrassing and awkward” will be shared. I do have to admit, I have days where I wish there was true equality in the sexes with regard to this “fun” experience. We all have those things we quietly keep to ourselves, this is one of those for me, however I know sharing truth can help others to feel less alone. I know I sure value hearing and reading other people’s journeys, challenges, etc…

Anyway, back to the gym. I climb on the treadmill to do my fifteen minute warm up before the weight room. I started out at my normal 6.0 running clip, preparing to play my interval game of two minutes at 6.0, then one minute at 8.0, repeat. All is good until I can feel that my light pad is not going to be enough – sh**!! Okay, what now? I can quit, I can go home and come back, I can slow down to a walk and stay at it. I select the latter. I choose to change my expectation, to be open to doing something different. I slow it down to a 4.5 fast walk and decide to play with the incline. Today will be all about fast walking and hill climbing. I am grateful to be facing a window, for I know no one can see if I “wet my pants” or not. Sweating and breathing at a good clip, I complete my fifteen minutes. Now the moment of truth – bathroom mirror.

Today was going to be biceps and triceps with the usual abdominals, an everyday do, for they are a stubborn muscle group. Upon viewing myself in the mirror, I knew the weight room was not in the cards. At first I was mad, angry at my body for failing me. Looking in the mirror at the wet mark that was visible, I felt the embarrassment flush through me. As I viewed myself, I heard in my head the determined voice saying, “you can’t give up, you just have to be willing to adjust and change up the plan.” I smiled as I heard in my head many of the mentors I have been studying recently, “if something is not working, then you have to be willing to change your strategy, a good entrepreneur is willing to always review what is working and not working, then adjust accordingly. We don’t fail, we learn lessons about ways that it does not work.”

What could I do today that would make me feel good? What would push me? How could I stay at the gym, not be “seen” and still get a great workout? The elliptical!! That’s it!! If there is going to be no weights I have to challenge myself. What does that look like? I had only used this new machine once, I loved the experience, for it got my heart up and brought about a good sweat. Okay, this is it Fawn, forty-five minutes on the elliptical, going up to a resistance of sixteen, at least. That would give me a solid hour of cardio for the day. I felt good about my plan! I had not let the situation beat me. I had not chosen to give up or become the victim. I had found a way to succeed in taking care of my body, mind, and spirit.

I did miss the weight lifting, for I do love that challenge. However, I am proud that I did not run and hide, that I did not let my embarrassment or shame rule the morning. My gym lesson today was “I am at choice”, I can choose to quit, give up, be angry and disappointed OR I can choose to persevere, be willing to adapt, and make the best out of the situation. Today’s gym lesson is one I have been digging into with my business, for I want to see my blind spots, do what works, be willing to learn, change, adapt, and grow.

I’m amazed at how often we give up! How we let our expectations sabotage the opportunity for something different. Why do we let it ruin our day? Why are we unwilling to shift the perspective to a win? Is there a compromise, a change that can shift it all? We are at choice over and over and over and over….