Struggling with Pull Ups: Part 2
It’s been two months since I wrote an article on struggling with pull ups. That seemed to be my one life long fitness challenge that I just couldn’t seem to meet. I’ve run miles, jumped off towers, climbed walls, and even survived several rounds of the 92 minute P90X Yoga X in all of its glory, but I just couldn’t seem to pull myself unassisted to the top of a chin up bar.
I found every reason why I couldn’t do it. I was carrying a little extra weight. Hmmm. I wasn’t overweight in the Air Force but couldn’t do them then. I’m a woman, and we don’t have natural upper body strength. In addition, unlike our male counterparts, we’re weighted on the bottom like a bouy! Everytime I did a P90X workout that had pull ups in the workout, I wanted to do one…just one little pull up. I wanted to be strong enough, determined enough.
I started visualizing myself pulling my body closer to the bar. Then, I’d try it and fail. I’d try visualizing myself over the bar. I’d try it and fail. I kept trying because I knew from great scientists, athletes, and leaders that success comes from many failures.
I’m writing this article as a follow up to my struggles with pull ups back in May. I let go of the struggle for a few weeks, but I kept seeing myself above the bar in my mind’s eye. I kept strengthening my core and upper body through Slim in 6. Then, I tried a chin up last week. I made it half way to the bar….another failure. It was a failure for sure, but it was a success in my struggle.
I made it half way to the bar. My arms were at a 90 degree angle as they held me suspended in mid-air. I walked away knowing that the next time I tried, I’d see the top of the bar. Today was the day. I passed by the doorway that holds my chin up bar. I knew today was the day. I grasped the bar and pulled myself past the half way point to the top and over the bar. The thrill I felt was incredible.
It was incredible because I’d set a goal for myself. I visualized the end result, took action and achieved what I’d previously thought impossible. Now, I know that there’s a difference between a pull up and a chin up. Afterall, aren’t chin ups the easy version of pull ups? My answer to that is you’ve got to start somewhere. I learned to crawl and stand before I learned to walk or run.
My new goal is to do two chin ups, then three, then four….until I reach seven or eight or ten. Then, I’m going to turn my hands the other way and do standard pull ups, narrow grip pull ups, and wide grip pull ups. I’m doing this for myself. It’s not just about fitness. It’s about seeing where you want to go and finding a way to get there.
What’s your fitness challenge? Set a small goal and celebrate small successes that get you closer to that goal. Never lose sight of your goal. Create a vision of the end result. Take action. Step away from it when you need a break. Go back to it when you catch your breath.
