Practice Practice Practice; Exercise - practice - GOOD FORM - proficiency = results
Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”
Webster definition of practice: to do repeated exercises for proficiency
As a kid did you color inside the box or outside? I loved coloring inside the box. I am a perfectionist in some aspect and a free spirit in others. But when it comes to coloring I love precision and doing things perfectly. I will start all over again with a new coloring page if I mess up.
I carry that attitude into adulthood. I am by far a perfectionist.
When it comes to exercise I thrive on consistency, being perfectionist and I love to practice. It’s the only way to grow. When I first started so many years ago I had no idea what “form” was let alone good form. In weights class I had no idea what I was doing but because I want to be like the best of the best I watch the best looking people, fittest people and mimic them. And I google the rest and watch youtube videos on form….then I go to class and practice some more. I practice and I expect to see better results.
In kickboxing I was lost for the first three months but I continue to go, relentless and a bit insane but I expected different results and I got it. Practice, consistency, thrive, desire all brought results
Then I added Step, same goes with Step I was a clutz but practice,drive took me to perfecting form. Then Pilates, then yoga and the list goes on. When I started running this year I practice, I tweak my run, watch my form and sure enough I picked up speed and got stronger and ran longer. Can’t say I ran any time recently but I can whenever I want.
My point is, when it comes to exercise YOU HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT, YOU HAVE TO REPEAT REPEAT AND REPEAT YOUR PRACTICE. It’s the only way you train your muscles, grow stronger, last longer and become better at it.
Like right now, I know which routine my hip hop class is on. I youtube it, been watching it and practicing it. Watch me, I go back to each class with better form then the week before.
Whenever you want to skip out your exercise routine, remember being insane about exercise - is a good thing! :) Nothing wrong with doing it over and over again, result can be the same or it can be better.
Tuesday night I swam for 45 minutes. Not sure if it’s the heat or what but I was only able to get in 20 minutes of jump rope and 20 min of weights. I didn’t do any push-ups. 
And Wednesday - gotta love my second favorite day of the week. Both my favorite instructors are on board for Kickboxing and Pilates.
So true excellent blog. I started zumba this summer and looked silly with my 2 left feet but, I go every week and am getting better and better. For fall I will try belly dancing, this should be fun.
Okay…call me a suck up or whatever, but this is by far my favorite blog on the site! You rock!!! I appreciate your drive and your committment to perfection -nothing less than the best. Practice makes perfect is TRUE!!!!! I’m so looking forward to my work out today. I’m gonna kick azz!!!!!
Wonderful blog. By the way, Nancy, seeing we are on it, I would really appreciate if you made a blog with advice on kickboxing, what types there are, are there ways to get into it without buying any equipments, what DVD or books you’d recommend for a beginner etc. I’d really like to try it out, but all I know we have is a big cylindrical er… don’t know how you call it in our aerobics room. I know gloves are about $30 a pair in WalMart. Oh, and Jillian did some moves in her Metabolism DVD, it didn’t need any equipment. And that’s about all I know. Help, pls?
Thats so ironic and funny.. Iread the quotes to my sweetie and he said also that if you “log” 10,000 hours of anything, tec. you are a professional.. even if you arent good.. lol
Well said, practice makes perfect
Consistency is key. Thanks for reminding me of that!
Yes! I so feel this way, especially in boot camp! Even when I feel goofy, or like I might break my neck, I can also tell when I’m getting stronger and more coordinated!
first of all GASP no push ups.. so you make me go through my boot camp and you are laxy dasie.. MMM not sure how I like them apples (just kidding of course)
you are so right it is true practice makes perfect. never give up and keep trying but try to improve each time that is the key. it is insanity if we do not try to improve…
loved the blog
great blog, thanks hun…
Hi Nancy ! I LOVE ur insanity about exercise
U kno I am just not “crazy” about it 
I hope u have a lovely day!
Nancy just reading your blog makes me want to hurry up and get back into my routine. I miss how my early blogs looked and can’t wait to start having them look that way again! Great blog and you always make such valid points.
Well I think if you are gonna be into something like exercise, you HAVE to be a perfectionist, have to watch your form. Otherwise you can hurt yourself. Nothing wrong with being “Insane” over your workouts, I have been accused of being addicted to mine, and I don’t mind at all. I would rather be so into something good for me. And I am glad you pay such close attention to your form, you are the one who made me sit up and take notice of mine!
Well I think if you are gonna be into something like exercise, you HAVE to be a perfectionist, have to watch your form. Otherwise you can hurt yourself. Nothing wrong with being “Insane” over your workouts, I have been accused of being addicted to mine, and I don’t mind at all. I would rather be so into something good for me. And I am glad you pay such close attention to your form, you are the one who made me sit up and take notice of mine!
great blog!!
I like that definition of insanity! How true for one way to look at it! Girl, you are so right! Boy, I can’t wait to be able to work out again. You are making me jealous! Have fun, girl!
Great Blog and you make some very good points.
Thanks
I SO AGREE WITH YOU ON THIS!! GOOD FORM IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST!! AND PRACTICE DOES MAKE PERFECT!!!
I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THE CONSISTENCY
great advice thanks!
Thanks, Nancy! I know I need to work on consistency in my workouts. Thanks for the wisdom and the motivation.
I love this blog.
Excellent blog. Thanks.
Great blog. I am a clutz too, makes me feel better that someone like you didn’t find it easy :P… Hope that doesn’t sound rude, I just totally look up to you.
I have always been scared of those classes!!
Thats why I dont go to the gym (well and I dont have time lol) I have a bike at home I use LOL!
You have no idea how many times I youtube and look for demonstrations of exercises when I have free time! Mostly just strength exercises though and Pilates. I have a folder of things I can do with my ball, and of course lunges are something I am constantly trying to learn how to do. And push-ups were very highly googled by me too!
You go girl. What do you suggest for running. I feel like when I ran before I was doing ok, but I only jogged 4.4 miles and it took me over an hour that is pathetic to me. I could do so much better. I have my next 5k in Sept 27th and I want to be ready. Help a sista out.
Wow I WISH I loved exercise half as much as you!! I just can’t seem to stick with it
You sound so excited to do it. Send some of that exercise love my way, would ya?
I can’t bend my right knee all the way, so I can’t do many of the yoga or pilates moves, but those sound like great ways to work out. I know I can do lots of other things, but I just pray for a fraction of the passion for exercise that you have, girl!
(p.s. I can’t swim very well, or kick one of my legs too well, so that’s out of the question too, hehe. I hear swimming is an awesome workout!)