By Melissa Lowry
I wrote this column weeks into the new year and if I’m honest – a statement I don’t often use before an admission (when I read or hear it, I think why lie?) – 2015 with its infinite potential was beginning to lose its appeal. Despite my determination to at least look enthusiastic upholding my new year’s resolutions, I had to accept the cold, hard truth: I already lost my momentum. I couldn’t even find the motivation to jog – which was only one of my many goals – a couple of miles in preparation for Wadi Bih in February. However, I must admit steady-state cardio had become a distant memory since falling in love with weight-lifting and the accompanying soreness, especially after leg day.
So, I considered heeding my own advice on mental strength written for this column in November. “Just think, while this is tough, I’m tougher,” I read and repeated. Besides, I often think about Mark Twight’s quote, “the mind is primary…training doesn’t exist alone, and it’s not the most important thing. It’s an integrated part.” I knew the quote well, however, “training doesn’t exist alone,” struck a new chord with me, and I was determined to enlist others for inspiration and accountability.
Thanks to social media and Eva Clarke’s scheduled Guinness World Record Attempt for the most burpees in a minute, hour and within 24-hours, I didn’t have to look far. I joined the Dubai-based Lorna Jane team in a group effort to attempt 1, 500 burpees in an hour alongside Mrs. Clarke. While she broke records in every category, the fitness community and public banded together to support her with donations (she always fundraises for charities during her physical feats), skills, publicity, time and energy.
According to Karlene Sugarman in “Winning the Mental Way, “the fittest to survive and succeed are those able to find their strength in cooperation, able to build teams based upon mutual helpfulness and responsibility for one’s fellow teammates.” This reinforces my belief that ultimate strength comes in numbers, so this year join classes at your local gym, hire a trainer or enlist friends and family for accountability.
While I’m not planning a world record attempt, I am bound by my WhatsApp group to accomplish my chosen fitness goals. Comprised of five women – only two of us fitness professionals (you can form a group, too) – the group was borne out of the WBFF contest prep last spring, and we have formed an amazing bond advising, encouraging, humoring and supporting one another every step of the way. Despite our differing goals (these girls never cease to amaze me) like qualifying for CrossFit regionals, international cycling and world bikini competitions, we find unity in our drive to be our best selves and ultimately, bring out the best in one another.
