Boxing!? – The Fight Against The Comfort Zone!
My Fight Against the Comfort Zone’ is a brand-new series where I embark on new and different experiences. These will allow me to continue to push myself out of my day-to-day life. Seeking fear, adrenaline and generally just a good time, you can read all about my what, why and AHH here!
Boxing…What!?
I don’t have much of an interest in watching boxing. Or any sport for that matter. I can appreciate it, watch during the Olympics and I LOVE watching running. Apart from that – no thank you!
DOING sports is where I’m at. Whilst I was never particularly good at any of them, I loved taking part and playing them.
I wanted to start practising boxing a LONG time ago. The thought of learning self-defence, increasing my strength and then having a hella good workout had me beaming. Of course, with most things, I was met with my challenges. If you haven’t worked it out yet – I live in the middle of nowhere. So my ‘local’ boxing club happens to be an hour drive from me. I also didn’t have people around me who were also interested. Two MAJOR demotivating factors right there.
Once, I did get the courage to ask an instructor at the gym to do a boxing session with me, around two years ago, but that has been the only thing I have done…until now.
The Why?
I’m not going to sit here and suggest you go start hitting all your friends, as Alan Ruddock makes very clear in this post – boxing is NOT a game. However, boxing can be adapted for how individuals would like to train.
Here are two of the main reasons that I got outside my comfort zone and started boxing. If you are even the slightest bit interested then I really recommend spending a minute thinking about the benefits (boxing doesn’t have to include the competing!) and taking that leap!
Boxing releases stress.
I’ve spoken many of the times about stress here, from my own experience to how to avoid it. (If you are interested in more of the science behind stress then I recommend reading my review of Dr Rangan Chatterjee’s ‘The Stress Solution‘.)
If you are looking for a way to release said stress then boxing could the best thing for you. Built-up stress can lead to aggression and aggression that is not handled can end badly. Boxing gives you the opportunity to release it, with each punch and move. Plus we all love the rush of endorphins we get after finishing exercise!
Boxing is an AMAZING workout.
Is there a better workout out there than boxing? Probably not.
Mixing a high-intensity fitness workout along with strength conditioning – it doesn’t get better than this. You can feel yourself getting stronger with each workout. Your body will begin to physically change as you begin training a variety of muscles. You will feel POWERFUL.
Boxing isn’t only an amazing physical workout but also a mental one. I was surprised that the biggest barrier I faced in my first couple classes was my coordination and mental ability! Remembering the moves, to keep your gloves up, to coordinate your entire body AND ensure you are performing well is a HARD workout. But an important one all the same.
So these are only two reasons why I wanted to get outside my comfort zone and try boxing. It was not a very ‘Millie thing’ to do at all. But SO worth it.
The AHH!
So I did it, I went to my first class. I’m not going to lie – it was hard. I knew before I went that the classes were going to be dominated by boys/men. But, what I wasn’t expecting, was that a couple of girls/women that did go were the best ones! That was a HUGE inspiration for me, to get to see someone my age and just like me be a total badass.
Whilst some attended for fitness, I was there because I wanted to know how to box. Since then, I have been about 5 times now and loved every session. Sometimes it was hard for me to get there but once I started the warm-up I was in the zone.
Don’t get me wrong – I am NOT a naturally good boxer. In my first session when the instructor hit me I was taken aback as I just wasn’t used to being hit. I also had to adapt to learn how to feel comfortable hitting other people too.
As I mentioned above, my biggest challenge is my coordination. I spent
It is a physical and mental workout that makes you feel powerful and helps build your confidence so allow you to tackle anything.
Go Try Boxing!
So, I didn’t die of embrassment (or by being hit) at my first class. Please, if you are thinking of trying boxing out, take the step. I took major influence from Flora Beverley, so try find someone that does the same for you.
If you have any questions regarding boxing then please feel free to send me a message or leave them below! Also please let me know what your thoughts are on boxing and whether you have tried it out before.
Till next time my friends!
-Millie 🙂
16 Comments
ThatAutisticFitChick
One of the reasons I stopped training in martial arts (freestyle karate and kickboxing) was because I just wasn’t comfortable with hitting people. I loved all the pad work so much, and I loved the kata but I was always afraid of losing control sparring, and when we moved from touch contact to light contact it was just too overwhelming for me.
I still do some drills at home for cardio though 🙂 I love the movements of my body, it feels very fluidic almost like dancing at times.
msblife28
Freestyle karate and kickboxing sounds so good but I totally understand what you mean about not being comfortable hitting people. It is still very weird for me and I don’t know how I feel about it yet. (especially if I ever get as good to compete!) I hope one day I can get to the point you are that it feels fluid because my coordination is still terrible! Thank you for reading and have a great week! 🙂
Nadine
If I am being completely honest, I never even considered boxing. Now that I read your post I am really wondering why. The way you describe it, it sounds interesting and definitely worth pursuing. I will do some more research on this, as I definitely need to do more sports. And who knows, maybe I will actually end up boxing.
msblife28
That’s so amazing to hear! Thank you so much for reading and good luck!! 🙂
msblife28
Aw thanks Chloe! It defo is weird but hopefully I will get used to it. (Although maybe not too much…!!)
msblife28
Thank you!
Madi Dearson
You are amazing! stepping out of your comfort zone is SO hard, and with something like this, it can be super intimidating too. I am so proud of you for doing this. I actually watched my husband practice and teaching our son to box, and I was kinda jealous – I never thought to do it myself. I am completely with you on the coordination thing. which is why I started doing the body jam videos to improve it without dying of shame inside while attending a class:) This was such an inspiring post!
msblife28
THANK YOU MADI!! It took A LOT of confidence but I am so glad I finally took the step and went! I love that you do YouTube videos instead so you are still getting the workout in!
Sophie Wentworth
I love the idea of this series and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. I’ve heard so many great things about boxing as a workout but I’ve always been hesitant to try it. It’s a shame your local one is so far away but I’m glad you’re enjoying it! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
msblife28
Thank you Sophie! You should definitely give it a shot as you never know! Thanks for reading 🙂
Charlotte
Well done for stepping outside of your comfort zone, it’s such a hard thing to do. I actually quite enjoy watching boxing on tv but I’m not sure if I’d like it in person ha ha keep doing what your doing and it will get better !!
msblife28
Thank you so much Charlotte!! It’s funny that we do the opposites haha!
Bexa
This is really inspirational Millie, go you for stepping out for your comfort zone!! I’ve never tried Boxing but there are a few boxing style fitness classes at my gym. As I am getting back into the classes again, I’ll be sure to bear this one in mind. It sounds like a fab workout and a great stress-buster all in one! Thanks for sharing and have a great week! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
msblife28
Thank you Bexa!! I highly recommend the boxing classes 🙂 Hope you had a great week!
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