Nothing good comes from staying in your comfort zone.

No news flash here but I do love a good work out. I respect my body and revel in the fact that it continues to support me and carry me to be a healthier and better human. After all, I plan on needing this old body for at least another 40-45 years. (So, look out!)

This morning in spin class, in the height of a long uphill push, our fearless instructor Joanne said, “Nothing good comes from staying in your comfort zone.” Hmm.

It’s a new year, build a new comfort zone.

I do not claim to be a motivational guru. Honestly, I do not subscribe to today’s modern motivational speakers. I can’t say why, but many of them just don’t do it for me. Now please, restrain yourselves from texting me book titles, pod cast links and You Tube clips. I am happy for you that you have found your chi in those resources, but I find mine in stranger places, like the spin room.

Joanne’s seemingly innocent statement sparked a thought, “What is my comfort zone?”  And the answer was, “I think it is time to build a better one.” Let’s open our minds a bit and stretch our proverbial muscles and grow.

• Why don’t we promise each other to not overthink things too much? Like Nike says, “Just do it.” Deal?
• Reach out to someone at a business event, a class at the gym, or in the supermarket and say hello. Open up just a little. I promise, it will come back to you in spades.
• Buy a new kitchen tool for a challenging recipe and try it. What’s the worst thing that can happen? Call Pizza Hut if it doesn’t work!
• Take a class. What do you like to do? Photography? Computer programming? In 2012, I took exotic dancing with my Zumba ladies. Read the link if you want to see ‘out of your comfort zone’! I think line dancing may be more my speed this year.
• Hold that plank for a minute or 30 seconds on a pull-up bar (Chris). I can push a sled with heavy weights, thanks to encouragement from my fellow HIIT Zone peeps. It may not be pretty, but hey, I am doing it!

Prosecco can get the creative juices flowing.

Please don’t be overwhelmed. You may not create a new comfort zone tonight, on New Year’s Eve. You may not realize it till the 4^th of July. There is not timeline or structure, but if you need some assistance, I hear Prosecco can help a great deal. I know I will be partaking this evening. I am pairing my new zone with a steamed lobster, oysters on the half shell, and butternut squash with Thyme, apples, and scallops.

No more resolutions.

Let’s call it an assessment instead of a resolution. How about we make a few tweaks and changes instead of criticizing what we have done poorly or need to fix? We are doing just fine, but together, we can be outstanding.

Happy New Year. Cheers to 2020!

When was last time you did something for the first time? A question on a vintage slate blackboard.