What's Your Assisted Pull-Up?

 ​I did 18 assisted chin-ups today.
That’s pretty amazing since I was starting from ZERO.

But, as always, the transformation is in the lesson here…

By profession, I am a researcher.

I can read hundred of books, articles, and websites, analyze and synthesize the information, and then summarize it for you in a paper the length of your choosing.

But, it turns out that’s how I have been approaching much of my personal life, too.

Want to do pushups, pullups, and yoga handstands??? (That’s my physical fitness goal!)

Well, you can research it.

You can scientifically determine the weight lifting techniques and exercises you should do to strengthen the muscles that you need to do a pull-up.

That’s basically my approach. Research. Research. A little more research. Slow steps. Painfully slow steps.

But, this time I decided to take a different approach, shake up my typical system, and hire an amazing personal trainer. And, I told her my new fitness goals. (I’ve previously been a cardio badass!)

​And, guess what??
 
We are doing plenty of lifting techniques and exercises to increase my upper body and core strength…
 
But, on Day 2, we were also on the assisted pull-up machine.

Photo Credit: Joel Minden

And, today, on Day 4, I did 18 assisted free hang chin-ups. (And, yes, the last 6 were SUPER assisted! No shame here lol.)

Photo Credit: Women's Health Magazine

​But, that’s the thing. We can take all of the small, carefully crafted, well-researched steps we would like.

And, that’s not necessarily bad. We need solid information. We don't want to be reckless.

But, most of the time you also have to JUST DIVE IN!

See what happens. Re-evaluate. Feel proud of ourselves for taking massive action!

So, today I ask you this question: What is the “pull-up” in your life?

Is it:

• A request for a raise?
• A job you should take the chance and apply to?
• A grant you should create a rough draft of?
• A book proposal you should type out?
• A new recipe you should try out?
• A new communication strategy?
• A boundary you should lie down?
• A vacation you've always wanted to plan?
• An apology you should have given a long time ago?
• The addition of a new great habit in your life?
• Letting go of something that is over? 

Whatever it is in your personal situation, why not take that first step today??

Here's To OUR Success!