10 Lessons after A Year of Boxing
For years, I spent my nights dancing. I was captain of my dance team and danced all through junior high, high school, and college. I loved the movement and used it as a form of expression. However, after years of dancing, my love for it declined as I entered my late 20s. Multiple nights spent on sets or on location for shoots, led to me no longer being able to attend dance class or practices. Of course, this also resulted in me gaining more than a few extra pounds and a decline in my self-confidence. As I entered the year 2021, I was determined to get back into a fitness routine and regain my confidence in my appearance.
I was always intrigued by boxing but always felt a little scared of it. In March of 2021, I signed up for my first personal training session with a trainer. I was terrified. Prior to this, I spent countless hours watching a young woman training a close friend and was determined to face another fear. Signing up for that one training session changed my life for the better. After a year of training 2-3 times a week, here are 10 lessons I learned from boxing.
You are stronger than you think.
You truly have no idea how strong you are mentally and physically until you are tested. Dawn, my trainer, continues to push me during each session. Every single time, I’m surprised by how strong I am. However, nothing compares to how good and emotional you will be after throwing your first punch in a safe place. It taught me a new level of confidence.
It’s okay to be scared, do it scared anyway.
I’m not going to lie to you. The first time I saw Dawn throw a punch my way, I freaked out. I quickly learned that despite being scared of this, I still had to keep going. There’s a saying, feel the fear and do it anyway. Besides if I didn’t move in top, I’d get hit. SO DO IT ANYWAY.
Your body belongs to you and only you.
In a world where the bodies of women are often policed and treated as if they are not our own. Boxing taught me that my body actually belongs to me and only to me. It’s important for us to reclaim it, defend it and treat it with respect. It’s also helpful to know that I can throw a pretty good left hook.
It’s okay to get angry.
When I first started boxing, I was afraid of what would happen if I released all of the built-up anger in my body. My trainer would instruct me to attack the punching bag. I would panic because I didn’t want to tap into my anger. However, one day during a session, I went in really angry and walked away relieved. I learned that releasing my anger through exercise was a great stress reliever. Now I look forward to letting my built-up emotions go during a good session.
You will be proud of yourself for committing to yourself.
Not only will you beam with pride as you see the physical results. You will also be proud of yourself for committing to you.
The fundamentals of boxing will teach you how to focus.
If you don’t focus, you will get hit. Therefore, it’s easy. Focus or risk getting punched. This lesson has helped me learn how to focus while doing other tasks as well. One at a time.
As much as you hate cardio, it’s important
There’s no other way to say this but I hate cardio. It’s my least favorite part of working out. However, I’ve learned you have to do a little cardio while working out. It’s not only important to your body but your spirit too.
Practice and repetition makes perfect.
With each punch and each session my technique only got better. It takes time to learn a new skill, be patient with yourself.
Your body can adjust quickly when given the proper tools and training.
Your body wants to move, your mind wants to learn. When you give it the proper tools and take the time to learn, it soaks up those new things.
It’s not as easy as it looks.
If you want to learn and try boxing, please understand it is not as easy as it looks. Take it from someone who thought I’d be done learning new techniques after a few weeks. I WAS WRONG.
Now with all these new life lessons in tow, are you ready to sweat? Even if your answer may be no. I get it, but please re-read #1.
Lots of Light,
Courtney
