Any "Stepping out of y/our comfort zone" Success Stories?

I was always too embarrassed to workout in front of anyone, and as a mom with a whole lotta kids (LOL) I could either got over it or just not workout at all. Eventually I chose to get over it. That was 23 months ago and it was all I could manage to do 10 minutes on the wii fit. I kept at it till I could do bigger and better things and 3 weeks ago I was offered a job (they approached me, I'd have NEVER asked for it!) instructing a low impact cardio class. I also instruct a bootcamp style class, which is what I *really* love to do, but I don't get paid for that one.

It's no longer an issue for me to workout in front of people, but it sure has been a stretch to be the one leading it. With all the rewards I've reaped by working out (losing the weight, feeling good about myself for the first time ever, gaining confidence I never thought possible), I can't wait to see what will come of this new step out of my comfort zone.

Well, the two big "out of my comfort zone" things that I've done recently have been joining the local Y and taking up swing dancing. The Y was an issue for me because I always felt way too self consious to work out in front of others, especially people who are already in fabulous shape.

As for swing dancing, it was something I always wanted to do but was always way too afraid of being that fat chick that nobody wants to dance with. I started attending lessons and social dances regularly a few months ago and last week, lo and behold, a friend and dance partner dipped me AND picked me up! After that, I didn't feel quite so much like the awkward and overweight geek in a room full of svelte and athletic college girls :bigsmile:

My entire journey has been a step outside my comfort zone; walking into a gym and taking part in classes at 252lbs with other people (often a lot slimmer and fitter than me) was a huge step for me when I started 7 months ago. Even doing a spin class for the first time was scary! I started New Rules of Lifting for Women last week and it was a major step outside my comfort zone, setting up my own 'gym' at home and working through the exercises was daunting, but now I love it so much, I wished I had started strength training much sooner.

Not sure if anyone else has experienced this, but the biggest step outside of my comfort zone was wearing better fitting clothes. I've been so used to wearing big, baggy t-shirts, jeans and hoodies for years than when I started wearing better cut and more fitted clothes, it was a huge shock to my system.....it just felt wrong. For months I had to 'mentally' fight against buying shapless, baggy outfits, and force myself to wear clothes that actually fitted me, it's only now I'm adjusting to having clothes properly fit me and not hide away behind huge shirts and tops.

I'm typing this wearing a pair of size 14 (UK) skinny jeans.....I still can't believe I'm saying that...from an unflattering size 24 7 months ago. I'll continue to step outside my comfort zone if it means staying on this path to health :drinker:

I was not a runner, never ran, never wanted to run. Last February I decided that I'd think outside the box and train myself to run a 5K. I did the C25K program and at the end of May I ran my first 5K. I did 4 others last summer. Still not much of a runner (14 min/mi) but I did something that I thought I'd never ever do!