The Next Beethoven (Not)!

Do you have a dream that is yet to be fulfilled?  Well what are you waiting for?  You’ve heard the term ‘tomorrow is not promised’, right?  Can fear be the culprit that’s holding you back?

Well, Reba you talk a big game, but what proof do you have that you know what you’re talking about? 

Well, I’m glad you asked!

One of my dreams growing up was to learn to play piano, but coming from a single parent home with 5 children, piano lessons (much less the instrument to practice on) were not quite in the budget.

However, when I met my hunka-hunka burnin’ love (also known as my husband, since 1993), and I expressed my desire to play, he stepped right up and bought me a used piano.  SNAP – now I had to stop talking and start doing!

You best believe I was scared (and a bit intimidated) when I first stepped into that piano teacher’s studio.  Especially seeing that I was already in my 30’s and she was still going through her Master’s of Music program in college. 

What was I thinking? Am I too old to attempt something as complicated as learning to read music AND play an instrument at this age?  Fear set in, but I could no longer just talk about what I dreamt of doing, it was time to put the pedal to the metal (yes, the foot pedals on the piano (wink, wink)).  

So I buckled down and took my lessons once a week during my lunch break from work and would practice nightly. I know I drove hubs crazy, but I also know he was proud that he had enabled me to bring a dream to reality.  I was so proud of myself that I would call my mom who lives in another state, and set the phone next to the piano so she could hear me play.  Yep, she was proud of me too!

Were there more fears along the way – um, yeah!  Can you imagine being the ONLY adult participating in a piano recital along with all the children whose ages ranged from about 6 to 17 yrs?  Oh man, my hands were shaking! But I got through it and bowed to the audience, and they all cheered and gave me a standing ovation!!! 

I couldn’t believe the number of parents that approached me afterward commending me for having done something so courageous.  Wow – I could see that I had accomplished something they wished they could do – step out of my fear, leave procrastination behind, and go for my dream!

The experience was amazing, but I did find out something that I wish wasn’t true – I’m not a natural musician.  You know how some people can just listen to a song and their fingers float along the keys picking up the notes – nope, not me.  Once I stopped practicing, it was difficult for me to even play the simplest nursery rhyme.  

BUT, my dream wasn’t to become a concert pianist – it was just to learn to play, and for that – I succeeded!!! Whoo hoo!

Now it’s time for you to get out there and bring at least one of your wishes, dreams, or desires to life.  After all, that’s what makes life fun – doing things that take you out of your normal routine. Stepping outside of your comfort zone. Doing something unexpected that leaves you feeling elated and proud.

What have you always wanted to do, but have yet to get started? Do share in the comments below!  

Ten Motivating Reasons to Work Out (Not your average tips)

I posted a message on Facebook that said, "IT'S NOT TOO LATE" because I wanted to motivate people to get back on track if they have deserted their New Years Resolution to get fit. Someone responded and asked what really, REALLY keeps me motivated to exercise after the New Years resolution period has passed? My motivation is internal, and is driven by how I feel inside; although included in my list below are a few external drivers that many can appreciate.

My exercise motivators are:

• The natural high from music pumping and the energy surge from cardio exercises such as Zumba®,  dancing, fast walking, biking, elliptical, swimming, and rowing. 
• Feeling strong during and after strength training - whether it be with machines, free weights, resistance bands, or simple calisthenics (jumping jacks, push ups, etc) 
• Frequently mistaken for being 10-15 years younger!! 
• Removes those hated 'wings' of fat that can hang from the triceps area and we try to hide by wearing long sleeves even in 90+ degree weather. 
• Don't have to deal with a lot of aches and pains that people often complain about.
• Feel good in your clothes and do not blame the laundry or cleaners for 'shrinking' items. 
• Knowing that you are controlling your food, and it's not controlling you.
• You are taking precautionary measures to ward off diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. 
• Your skin begins to glow from the combination of exercise, eating healthy and drinking plenty of water.
• Ability to run around, jump, and play with kids without thinking "I'm too old and out of shape to be doing this"! 

Let me add a few commonly used steps to ensure success when followed, which include:

Setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely (SMART). A good example is "I want to train for the 5K fun-run that will occur three months from now, so I'll start walking 30 minutes five times per week around my neighborhood and measure how fast I'm walking so I can build up to 3.2 miles in one hour's time".

Vary your workout routine to keep it fun.  These days there are so many different options available such as dance class, or Zumba®, kick-boxing, body pump (strength training to music), bicycling, jumping rope, hula hoop, yoga, Pilates, pickup basketball games, flag football, frisbee golf... you name it, you can find it!

Tracking your progress can be a huge motivation.  Being able to see how much you've accomplished when your clothes fit looser, or how your face has slimmed down is a great motivator.  Your progress doesn't always have to reflect on the scale.

Here are a few quotes to motivate you to keep pushing when you start to feel like giving up:

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. ~Jim Ryan
Fear is what stops you... courage is what keeps you going. ~Unknown
Clear your mind of can’t. ~Samuel Johnson
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Bottom line is everyone has priorities in life, but deciding what to make a priority is key. For example choosing to implement steps to stay fit rather than watch that extra hour or two of TV will make a huge impact on your quality of life.

What other reasons can you think of to stay motivated?