I realized exercise would be a lot more fun if I choose activities I love doing.

I thought about all the things I love doing that will help maintain a healthy body. I remember all the fun I had at my neighborhood pool during the humid summers of my youth.

I remember taking a few Swimming lessons but never progressed beyond being able to float a little on my back even though I secretly longed to Swim laps like the more proficient swimmers.

A few weeks ago I talked to one of the swim instructors at work and he recommend a student to teach me how to Swim Laps and eventually do the incredibly cool kick turn like the real swimmers do.

I bought a swim cap and a pair of goggles and was all set.

I thought it’d be a breeze since I wasn’t afraid of the water and fancied myself a proficient back floater.

Boy was I wrong.

Learning to move your arms and legs and head without ingesting tons of water is difficult.

I thought I was a horrible student until I realized it takes time.

It takes lots of practice to get the timing right and the leg kicks and the head movements and most importantly the whole breathing thing.

It also takes lots of effort to go to the pool and swim a few strokes then stop and repeat  over and over and over again.

Yes, I look like an amateur because that’s exactly what I am.

At first I was embarrassed and that was a great thing.

It helped me realize that’s why people stay stuck.

That’s why some people never learn new skills or leave their comfort zone.

They don’t want to look silly or feel uncomfortable or look like a gawky beginner.

Once I realized that’s what was keeping me from practicing I was elated.

I then chose to mind my own business and not caring what others thought about my lack of swimming skills.

My sole purpose in practicing is to get better and doing that means I don’t do it right most of the time.

What I like most about this process is that I’m constantly figuring out what’s not working and then taking steps to change it.

It’s exhausting and so much fun!

I really want to do it every single day.

And that’s the point.

Doing it everyday helps me get better and better.

Someday soon I’ll be zipping up and down the pool and exercising my body in a whole new way.

What about you?

What is it you’ve always wanted to learn or be or do but are afraid to begin because of how you’ll look or feel?

How can you put those thoughts aside and begin?

Remember how babies learn to walk.

They don’t wake up one morning and hop out of the crib and start toddling across the floor.

They crawl.

Then they take a few cautious steps while holding onto the closest piece of furniture.

Then they take a few tenuous steps before falling – a lot.

Do they just give up and say to heck with this whole walking thing?

Nope.

They keep on going until that glorious day when they’re able to wobble across the floor much to the delight of their doting parents.

Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you can’t take baby steps towards something you really want to learn or be or do.

It just takes patience and perseverance and a propensity to look like a complete idiot.

What would you like to learn but have been putting off?

I’d love for you to share your answers on our Facebook page.

I’ll even post a video of my not so grace swimming once I learn to string more that a few strokes together.