Turtlenecks and Tights

Time to get out of the ole comfort zone. I know little things like wearing the outfits I buy thinking they are cute and then don't wear because it isn't fully in my comfort zone may seem small but, you gotta start somewhere. Turtlenecks and tights are two such things for me. Of course I took that as wear both at the same time. Turtlenecks feel like something is pressing on my neck all the time and it just isn't a feeling I am really into. I like scarves though so go figure on that front. Maybe it is because turtlenecks are a little tighter than a scarf. Anyhoo, it isn't my go to top for sure. I love the way they look so I am pushing myself to go with it. Tights I just find uncomfortable as a whole. I always feel like they need adjusting. They are too high or they roll down or you didn't pull them up enough on the legs so they are too stretched at the thigh. I hate nylons so why would tights be any different. During the winter though you want to have a little bit of barrier if you want to wear a skirt so tights it is. I am now at a place where both are things that are now in my regular work outfit rotation. Starting with small things like that will help move into the larger stuff. At least that's my theory on the matter. The more you take yourself out of that zone the more you can find a way to deal with something bigger. We all get stuck in our ways and for the most part it works but does that ever help you grow or evolve? Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised with the results. Personally I have gotten into things I never thought I would just by be a little more open minded to the change. For example I now run at least two half marathons a year (depending on availability I may do more runs in the year) just for fun. I would never have thought of doing that years ago because I thought running was stupid. To be fair the only real running experience I had before that was the occasional run in a PE class or fit test in school. Needless to say that probably was not the best sampling there. It wasn't until this all lady workout business came along that I began the running journey. There was a specific coach there, Elena, who knew how to push me to do/try things I didn't think I could. From pull ups, push ups and yoga to finally taking the leap to the run group she coached, Elena made it believable that all of those things were not the worst thing ever. She knows how to balance the correct movement while making it fun. Thanks to her I was able to run my first half marathon at a high elevation with killer hills while having a pretty respectable time. It was 2 hours and 3 minutes which isn't too bad considering we had to run up a couple major hills, Zephyr being one of them. If you live in the Reno/Tahoe area you know what I mean by running Spooner Pass to Stateline and hitting that beast of a hill. She was also there the first time I ran a mile in under ten minutes and when I was able to do my first sumo squat. Two things I would never thought I could do had I not pushed past what was comfortable. Now look I run all the time and am continuing work on the squats while working out at a gym that constantly pushes us to do better or try something that you may just think, "no way" but end up doing. I may not always enjoy it but sometimes I end of loving it. There is also that feeling of pride and the ego boost that comes from doing well with something that is not your normal go to. The turtlenecks and tights were the catalyst for me to start doing instead of sitting on the side hoping and dreaming while doing nothing out of the ordinary routine. I hope you all have at least one "Elena" in your life that inspires and pushes you to go there.

Tina is another person who has helped me move out from my hermit crab shell. I for sure would never have even thought of doing a blog without her. I can't name everyone by name and how they have helped but I now have quite the small army of Elenas who help me get over the hurdle that is my own mind. I hope you all are lucky enough to have people in your world who inspire you and give you the confidence to do something you might have thought was crazy before. I am going to hold my glass up in a preemptive cheers to you for accomplishing something you might not normally do no matter how small you may think it is. The small things add up and do grow into bigger things so go out there and find your own turtleneck and enjoy the journey.