Don't Be Scared to Start: Finding COnfidence in Physical Activity - Hear it From Us!

BeWellAdmin

Mar 197 min read

Stepping outside your comfort zone can be daunting, especially when it comes to fitness. But it's often where the most rewarding experiences and personal growth happen. Our run club team members know this firsthand. In this blog series, we'll share their stories of trying new activities, pushing their limits, and discovering what they're truly capable of. Get ready to be inspired to try something new!

Sophia and Rebecca- Our First Half Marathon

“We should do a half marathon in the fall.” “No way,” I said. But somehow a few days later there I was, reluctantly signing up. I had always convinced myself I was too busy or too injury-prone—classic excuses that kept me from even trying. But this time, Rebecca and I decided to take the risk.

And honestly? It turned out to be one of the most run races we had ever run as former track and cross-country athletes used to running shorter, but higher pressure runs. The process wasn’t perfect, there were many missed runs, tough runs and plenty of self-doubt but we pushed through, and crossing that finish line was worth every second. You do not have to be 100% ready to start something new. Sometimes, confidence comes after you take the leap.

Whether it is tackling the treadmill, setting out on your first outdoor run or a race from 5 km to beyond, trust us and don’t be scared to start!

OUR TIPS

Make sure to hydrate before, during and after long-runs especially in the summer heat (heat exhaustion and heat stroke are a real risk!).
Make sure to warm-up and stretch properly
Invest in good shoes, but you do not need all the other expensive or trendy gear.
Find running buddies!
Eat enough to fuel your training.

Jayne – Trying futsal for the first time

I’ve always wanted to try soccer, but coming from basketball, a sport where I relied so much on my upper body, it felt intimidating. The idea of controlling the ball with my feet instead of my hands was not fun to think about. But this term, with encouragement from a friend, I finally signed up for a futsal (indoor soccer) intramural league.

It hasn’t been all pretty. I have tripped over the ball, missed easy passes, and felt completely out of my element. But with each game, I decided to stop worrying about looking lost and start focusing on just playing. And somewhere between the bad passes and missed shots, I realized I was actually having fun.

I used to think stepping outside my comfort zone meant being absent of fear. But I’ve learned that fear doesn’t just disappear–you have to move through it. And on the other side, you can find confidence, growth, and the realization that trying something new isn’t nearly as scary as you initially made it out to be.

MY TIPS

You don’t need to be good at something to start.
It’s okay to look silly when learning something new.
Fun > performance.

Raegan – Confidence at the Gym

I played sports all throughout high school and came to Queen’s looking for a way to stay active. However, I had never really committed to a regular gym routine, always preferring to be active outdoors instead. Growing up in a small town, the gyms were never particularly busy, so when I first stepped into the hustle and bustle of the ARC last year, I felt completely overwhelmed.

It seemed like everyone around me knew exactly what they were doing, moving through their workouts with confidence while I hesitated, unsure of where to start. That feeling of uncertainty almost kept me from going back. But instead of letting it stop me, I set a goal: from that point on, I would shift my mindset and bring a new attitude to the gym.

The gym can be an intimidating place, but gaining confidence isn’t about knowing everything from day one—it’s about showing up, learning, and growing over time. Whether you’re a complete beginner or just feeling out of place in a new environment, remember that confidence is built through consistency, not perfection.

MY TIPS

Make a playlist that makes you feel confident
Take a breath! Everyone starts somewhere, and showing up is the first step
Prepare a workout beforehand
Wear what makes you feel comfortable
Most people are focused on their own workouts, not what you’re doing!

Lucas – Balancing University Life Through Activity

University is a unique stage of development where you transition from a structured environment to one full of independence and self discipline. As a second-year university student, I still notice how easy it is to get overwhelmed by the demands of university life, academics and extracurriculars.

Rowing and exercising outdoors played an integral role in my high school and early university experience, which led me to join the Queen’s Rowing Team as part of the coaching team. This role allowed me to foster many new friendships and workout with like-minded peers. By combining my passion for rowing, staying active and spending time with friends, I found a natural outlet for me to combine physical activity with mental relaxation.

If you are navigating university life or looking for ways to reduce the burden of academic stress, I would highly recommend getting involved in outdoor activities. Whether it’s hiking, biking or just getting outside for some fresh air, these activities help maintain balance and improve both mental and physical health.

WHAT I LEARNED

Physical activity enhances mental clarity
Spending time with others strengthen resilience
Passion drives fulfillment

Daniel – Persevering Through Injury

Injuries can happen in any physical activity, often at the most unexpected times. When I suffered knee injuries playing basketball, it was often frustrating to be sidelined and unable to compete at my best. However, I knew that dwelling on the setback wouldn’t help me heal. Instead, I committed to physiotherapy, stayed consistent with my rehab exercises, and focused on small improvements each day. Even when progress felt slow, I reminded myself that perseverance was key to returning stronger.

Recovering from an injury isn’t just a physical challenge—it’s a mental one as well. Watching teammates play while I was stuck doing basic rehab exercises was tough, but I learned to shift my mindset. Instead of seeing rehab as a limitation, I treated it as part of my training.

By staying patient and trusting the process, I not only recovered but also became more mindful of injury prevention and body mechanics.

WHAT I LEARNED:

Consistency is essential—diligently following a rehab plan leads to real progress.
Patience is necessary, as rushing recovery can cause setbacks.
Injuries can be opportunities for growth, reinforcing discipline and resilience that extend far beyond sports.

Maddy – Stepping out of my comfort zone, and trying new and fun classes!

Although consistency is key, sometimes I have found going to the gym and doing the same exercises/routine day in and day out can begin to feel monotonous. Our bodies and minds can get used to this routine and the initial novelty can wear off, often resulting in a loss of excitement, energy, and overall motivation to exercise. I have found that exploring the different workout classes Kingston has to offer can bring back the excitement, and in my case, helped me find my favourite way to exercise!

I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try a variety of fitness classes, hoping to find something new and exciting that would challenge my body in different ways. I tried cycling at SpinCo on Princess Street, hot yoga at Skandiflow Health and Wellness, and reformer Pilates at Infinite Wellness Studios. Each class offered a unique experience, but not all of them ended up being the best fit for me.

The cycling class was high-energy but didn’t offer enough variety for me over time. Hot yoga quickly became a favorite, with the heat intensifying the practice and providing a perfect balance of strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. Reformer Pilates was a great match and is now my preferred way to exercise-it focuses on controlled movements and strength building!

I try to do a few of these classes a month in addition to regular sessions at the gym - this helps keep exercise fun!

MY TIPS:

Trying different classes is always more fun and less intimidating when you bring a friend along:)
Remember that not all classes will be a perfect fit(the important thing is that you are being open minded!)
Exercise classes can be a great way to find a community with similar goals and values! Here’s a link to some top-rated classes in Kingston: https://www.mindbodyonline.com/explore/fitness/classes-kingston-on-ca

Vanessa - Getting into Hiking

Since high school, I have been an avid gymgoer and have enjoyed progressing my strength in various lifts. Last year, I started experiencing gym burnout and became bored of doing the same routine in the same environment. At the time, a few of my friends would go on hikes on the weekend and would show me the most amazing photos afterwards. So, I decided to join them on their next hike! I was initially very nervous because I was told the hike would be 8 hours long. I had never done anything like it and wasn’t sure how to prepare. However, I was so glad that I had done it because I had a blast and gained the confidence to keep with it! Hiking is a great way to exercise while seeing the most beautiful scenery. Because each trail is different, you never get bored of it.