Coming Back Down to Earth....Slowly

I am finally registered, paid and committed to the Body Pump training. And it's happening in 16 days. Oh God. I hope I will be ready. 

I wanted to wrap myself in bubble wrap to prevent anything from happening. Lo and behold, I had to go have a massage on Sunday for upper back pain and it didn't really help much. Skipped kickboxing and Body Pump last night which killed me, because the only way I am going to get ready for this 3 day training is to do more BP!!! But I just couldn't. I am icing, heating, stretching, rolling......must be tension. I don't feel overly stressed, really, just dealing with the normal crap right now of conferences and sitting on my ass all day. But there was the stress the last couple of weeks with testing, putting the report cards in the computer, getting ready for conferences....guess it's all caught up with me.

Went yesterday and spent a small wad on new workout clothes since I pretty much wear the same couple of things and wash a lot. Now I have 2 more pants and 6 new tops to add, since I will be changing a lot that weekend. It's funny how much fun I am having buying work out clothes. This is more fun than regular clothes.

Today really sucked. Started with a phone call from Alexander asking for Franklin's DL # (yes I am weird because I have my #'s and his all memorized, from CDL to SS#'s), then a call back from Franklin saying he was pulled over because Alexander was wearing his seat belt under his arm and CHP scolded him and then gave Franklin a ticket for forgetting his wallet and not carrying his DL and proof of insurance! We are making Alex pay for that one. I wish he HAD gotten a ticket so he could pay it and learn his lesson. We have been telling him for years to wear the damn thing the right way, and he cannot use the excuse that it cuts into his neck because he is taller than me and it doesn't do it to me! Ugh.

Then I had 3 different kids at 3 different times fall and bump their heads and go to the office, another one with a bad bloody nose, another who ran into a pole and had a big bloody head wound, my as-yet-undiagnosed developmentally delayed girl crying and making noises under the tables/crawling around and leaving the room, 8 parent conferences, 2 no shows, and then as I was dismissing my 29 students, found that one was missing and while the dad was all cool I was beginning to panic because she was with us in the classroom but I had told her not to leave because I needed to ask her dad what her new baby sister's name was and she took me so literally that she sat in the classroom instead of walking out to the gate with me! I guess it's no wonder my back is wracked up with tension :-/

Alex had a soccer game at 7:30 and I got Cassie home, fed and was sitting on a heating pad, not wanting to get out again in the cold but bundled her up and got to the game about 8pm. Talked to some parents, then Cassie wanted to run around so I chased her around the field and I'll be damned, running in the cold felt SO GOOD!!!I think it released some of my tension. Did that several times, back and forth, saying hi to Daddy on the coach's side, back to the other, and while it was not a workout by any means, the physical activity was just what I needed. So I will go to BP tomorrow night.....and if I still am tight in my back I will skip the back track or go real light. If my back is too bad, then I will definitely get some cardio in.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that my newfound craving for chocolate, coupled with not getting enough BP  in isn't going to screw me for training..........no, change that -

I WILL BE READY, I WILL PASS THIS TRAINING AND I WILL BE STRONGER FOR IT..........I am truly excited....can't wait! Off to stretch, roll and fall into bed.....and begin another day tomorrow.

I Need a Paper Bag

I have never had an episode of hyperventilating. Until tonight. Well, it wasn't so bad that I really needed the paper bag, but I swear I don't think I have ever felt like that before.

I had just spent some time at Jen's house catching up on our respective first 1/2 marathons (San Jose for me and Nike Women's for her) and Cassie and Jordan were playing. I had to leave to get my van from the dealership and Cassie wanted to stay so I left her and began to drive to the dealer. At a stop light, I checked my phone for email (I know, I know but I was NOT moving) and saw I had a new email. I clicked on it, saw that it was from Les Mills West Coast, saw the first line that said "You have been approved in the system and can now register...." and literally I threw the phone on the passenger seat and clutched my chest. I am not exaggerating. My heart started pounding, my eyes teared up, and I thought I was going to puke. I kept driving and all I could think was "Oh my god, oh my god, now what am I gonna do".

I think I panicked because deep down, I knew that no way would Les Mills REALLY approve me to take the training because I am a nobody, just a participant and not a fitness professional. Why in the world would they let ME ME ME ME ME take this training? And now, seeing that they actually WILL allow me to do this? Cripes.

I arrived at the dealership and immediately posted on FB but after one response, couldn't even get back on for awhile because it freaked me out. Of course, right away Pam and Kimi were onto me and knew exactly what caused me to freak.

I got back to Jen's house and told her, and promptly, as I covered my face telling her, couldn't hold the tears back anymore. I can't believe I cried over this. I must be seriously screwed up. Jen was so great (thank you for letting me cry in your cupcakes!! - and yes, I ate a mini one, HAD to) and said all the right things, and promised she would be in my class for taping (maybe I'll get her to leave Crunch....hahaha)

I know I can do this, but I am just enough of a  Drama Queen to have to freak out for a respectable amount of time first. I know I did before running, had to be talked off the ledge, and I know I can do this.....I think. Now I just want to wrap my body in bubble wrap so that nothing gets strained or sprained before this training.

WHICH IS IN THREE WEEKS. Oh my god, here I go again. This training, if I want to do it this soon, is the first weekend of December. If I could just see the training calendar for January or February, I would push it out a bit and get more fit and ready. As it stands, now I feel like I want to lose 10 pounds before I go, which I could do if I cut back on carbs again. Or do I just chance it that I am actually ready for this? So many unknowns..........I hate unknowns.

Okay, another freak-a-zoid moment..........went and dug out a journal I keep by my bed, one I wrote a few goals in privately from this online journal.

In April 2010 I wrote a goal of being able to run and have better endurance. Check.

In June 2010, before Combat and Pump went away, I wrote that I wanted to be more fit, work in the world of fitness, maybe as a group fitness instructor.....maybe teaching Les Mills, helping people reach their fitness goals. I don't even remember WRITING that!!! I have said it before, I so believe in the power of writing, and here, again, something that I wrote a long time ago is coming to fruition.

Several people have sent me comments from my blog, telling me that maybe someday I will teach the programs that I was so distraught to lose back at the beginning of the summer. Wow.

Another thing, other than actually committing to do this, was to make sure it was okay with Franklin. I don't mean that I needed his permission, he is actually the one to bring it up to me awhile back, teaching BP. I wanted to make sure, #1, there was no soccer going on that weekend :-), #2 that he was going to be supportive (I know he would be but it's just been talk so far, and reality is a bit different) and #3, well, after 28 years together, this is a BIG decision that will affect our entire family so I needed to have him on board. If he was not at this time, then I would put off for awhile because to me, that would be a sign that it was not the right time.

So no, no soccer going on, it is the weekend between his birthday and Alexander's birthday, and he had said before that I should do it on a weekend when he can come up with the kids. Now this concerns me because from what I understand, my evenings are going to be full of me learning choreography for a track that I will have to learn overnight and teach the next day, so I will not have time to socialize or deal with a 5 year old girl that will be wanting to be with Mommy after not seeing her all day. So I had to make sure he would be supportive in that way and understand that I will not be able to give them "attention".

I asked him what he thought, if he would be supportive, and when he said of course he supports me, I burst into tears AGAIN. Fricken Pisces. So damned emotional. He said he wants me to rent a car to drive up and leave up there so he can drive me home on Sunday. He said he would come up with the kids after school on Friday or come on Saturday and he would take them to the movies or something in the evening so I could work. Then Alexander sees me crying, asks me what was wrong, then right away says "Oh you're freaked out about the training, huh?" (wow he is perceptive) and then Cassie comes over, tells me it's going to be okay, then has me bend down so she can wipe my tears with her pink sleeve. Aaawwwww. They are the best.

I actually skipped Boot Camp tonight. I was worried about my knee, even though it is better, it feels tight and I just didn't want to aggravate it. Again, I  need bubble wrap.  In hindsight, I probably should have gone as I needed to work off this anxiety, but I am now paranoid about my knee getting better before the training. So instead I came home, vacuumed and did some purging of papers.

I went on to the LM site to register; got to the payment screen after reading all the fine print in the Terms and Conditions, then backed out. I will do it, by Monday, just have to figure out where the money will come from and to make sure I don't cut us short. But I will do it.

Plus I have to call my brother in Roseville and ask if I can stay with them. If not , I have to look for a hotel and I hope I don't have to have that added expense. I wonder if I will have time to eat dinner? So maybe we can all go out for birthday dinner for my boys that weekend.

I'm a little better. Still freaked. Still unsure, even with Franklin leaving for a football game tonight and telling me in my ear "You KNOW you can do this; you got this", I still feel sick to my stomach. Hope this goes away soon.

Can't even do BP and kickboxing tomorrow because Cassie has a birthday party to go to at PAC at 10am, but I am going to get up at 7am and go to the 8am yoga class.....calm my mind down, help work out the kinks in my body. Will also have to schedule a massage for next week.

Next week, conferences, UGH. How in the world will I keep my  mind on teaching and work with THIS looming in 3 weeks????!!!

Day 12...Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This came up tonight in conversation with my friend Pam on the way back from a really good Body Pump class with Amy at PAC. I was thinking of this as I showered because for some reason that hit home with me.......I look at myself in the mirror during class and think "Wow, I look pretty good, I feel and look strong" but then when I am showering, I look down at myself and see the same fat woman from almost 70 pounds ago. I still look flabby, still look heavy. Why is that?  Thank goodness when I am wearing clothes, I don't feel that way. I do feel the difference then.

I know how much progress I have made and the fact that I am making decisions that are moving me closer to teaching a class I am passionate about. I know that I love to exercise and push myself physically, and I am in constant awe of what my 42 year old body allows me to do. So why is my head playing games with me? Is this a bad sign that someday I might revert back to the old me? That fear lives in me because I should, at this point, be able to look at myself and see a whole new person. And I do, most of the time. If I am still seeing the old heavy one, does that mean that I really haven't figured it all out in my head and there's a chance I will fail? I know I really have figured out the physical part of being healthy, and I still struggle with the food (which is probably why I haven't lost much, even with the running) but I wonder if I will ever see myself as thin?

Went to Pacific Athletic Club tonight as Amy's guest for BP and when she saw me she commented on how skinny I was. I am trying to accept compliments graciously but I still choked on my reply because I am NOT SKINNY. Yes, I am skinnier than before, and I haven't seen her since July or so, and I do look leaner, but I have a hard time just saying "thanks" when people compliment me. Always have had problems with that. My butt is still big, maybe it always will be. My thighs are still big and jiggly. And it feels so false to me, skinny. I don't aspire to be skinny, I aspire to be FIT. HEALTHY. STRONG. I am not there yet. My journey is not over.

Now that I have committed to taking steps to take the Body Pump training, the self doubts arise. I feel like I am not fit enough, or strong enough, or cannot keep up. I looked at myself sideways tonight during the lunge track and was a bit surprised to see my back knee lunging down the way it's supposed to, especially since my knees have been bothering me for several days. I remember vividly how I never used to be able to complete a lunge track, let alone do it correctly.  So I know I have come far. But as a participant, I can take a breather, or skip one repetition to rest. As an instructor, I will not be able to do that. Plus I will have to INSTRUCT. I will have to speak and do at the same time. That freaks me out. I'm a grunt-er, a whiner during these exercises. I did 3 pushups on my toes tonight - haven't been able to do that since before I started training for the marathon, and my upper body strength has suffered. So that is progress, and when I looked over and saw that after the first few, Amy also went on her knees, I felt better. I used to not be able to do more than a couple of pushups on my knees. I couldn't do a plank at all, nor tricep work or dips. So I know I have improved because for the most part, I can do all of these. I just need to keep training.

Amy, Pam and I talked for a long time after class tonight and Amy shared specifics about her experience in the BP training, since she just did it this past February. I still don't feel like I am fit enough but the more I talk to these wonderful instructors who have become my friends and offered their support, the more I feel like yes, I can do this. I am not at the end of my journey, and this training will help me get more fit, strong and confident. Amy also said that in her initial training, there were many people who have never taught fitness at all, so I shouldn't feel like I am the only one going in as a fitness virgin. I also look forward to the physical challenge of doing something that just 2 years ago, oh hell, just a year or six months ago, I never ever envisioned doing. I just want to succeed.

I just yesterday, after 10 days of looking at the calendar in my kitchen, actually read the quote: 

 "To succeed.....you need something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you."

That something, right now, is Les Mills, Body Pump training......and all the thrills that will follow...........but in the great big scheme of things, it is really living a longer, healthier, fit life.

Day 10.....sigh

I suppose I shouldn't try to push my 42-1/2 year old body as much as I have these last 10 days. I just figured that with the addition of this two week boot camp, I was crazy to work out every single day, but then it didn't sound so crazy and more of a challenge.  I did feel a ton better today and was really looking forward to kickboxing and Body Pump. I feel like I need to take as many BP classes now so that I can really begin to wrap my head around trying to do it myself......Donna suggested I take notes of what works, what doesn't (and there is so much of that lately) and cueing, etc. so that I can get a jump start on my training before it begins.

It's not like my knees hurt tonight; but this Steven character (and he really IS a character) is so damn frenetic in his kickboxing moves that I really had to pay attention to how I was moving so that I didn't hurt myself. Reminded me of Zumba, not that it was loosey-goosey, but that it was so fast and furious, not more controlled like Combat. It really does set one up for injury if the moves are not more deliberate and controlled, I think. At least that is how my body was feeling tonight.

For Body Pump I went a bit lighter in my weights and ended up taking an option for  lunges, holding the bar vertically which I never do. I could lunge, but the squats were bothering me from kickboxing so I didn't go real heavy on the bar. I ended up still way exceeding my calorie burn today but still felt like I could have done better since I did rest yesterday. Boot camp worries me a bit tomorrow, especially if it is as rigorous as last Wednesday with the timed workouts. I will take options if I need to; I am too excited about taking Amy's BP class at PAC on Thursday, along with Pam, and I don't want to miss it. I WON'T miss it, even if I have to option out some of the tracks. Amy is going to give me some pointers about training as well on Thursday.

I really do feel fortunate to know people that I feel are the best in the LM business. I am also so thankful to call them my friends, and to love and be loved by them. I know I keep saying this, but almost daily I get an email from one of them that is so encouraging and supportive that I really do feel lucky. I was talking to Rosa today after class (the 24 hr instructor) and she asked if I had applied yet because they are so desperate for instructors. I told her that I applied last week, I emailed Angie and still have not heard anything. I also said that I know instructors who have tried to get in and they aren't being called back - if they are so damn desperate, why aren't they calling certified, experienced instructors?

She told me that LM has an agreement with 24 hour, that they will allow people to go through the training and teach even before they are officially certified. That really doesn't make sense to me, as why do that when there are people out there wanting to teach? I told her that I am not looking to teach a bunch of classes; I would be happy to sub, or have 1 class a week or something. I am just passionate about LM and Body Pump and want to help people like my friends have helped me. She told me that I would get to sub a lot. Well, she ended up taking my email and number and she is going to pass it along to the Group X Mgr and tell her I already applied, so that I can sign up for a training. We'll see. It was just a very interesting conversation.

Her timing and cueing were so off again tonight. She would say 2 and 2 when it was really 3 and 1 and then back track; I kept looking at Kristen because we were so screwed up! Then Jeniffer and I were commenting after how we always feel short changed after her classes. It is driving me crazy! She cut out the cool down and told us to do it on our own. Arrrrggggghh!

What will be, will be. Whatever.

Day 9 - BUST

Well, I couldn't do it. My damn knee decided to act its age and got cranky on me all day, so much that I was limping. Felt just like during a run awhile back when it was overused, so I am not worried, just bummed to miss boot camp because I know I would be running and doing things to my knee that would piss it off. So I reluctantly skipped working out.  I will do some pushups and abs before bed, though so the day won't be a total loss. Of course, around 7pm, the pain went away and now it feels fine. Figures.

Made a recipe tonight from Active.com for a healthy Mexican lasagna....now I am not a good cook and even though I enjoy cooking, I have ZERO creativity and have certain standard dishes I will cook. So I decided to branch out and make something new since I couldn't get to work out.

My beautiful baby boy (well, almost 16 but he is still my baby, and I can only write this here because he doesn't read my blog like he does FB!!) came in the kitchen and asked if he could help, then proceeded to tear tortillas, spread beans, mix chicken and cottage cheese, etc. all the while we chatted about his soccer practice at the high school today, how he is probably going to make captain for the Varsity team even though he is a sophomore (they wanted him for Varsity last season but we wouldn't let him, wanted him to finish strong on JV plus those dudes on Varsity were BIG and aggressive last year - why chance injury when he was just a freshman and had 3 more years to play?) He actually got put on the Varsity roster during the playoffs but got no playing time (which is another reason not to have him play before he is ready because why warm the damn bench when he would play a full game on JV?)

So he is telling me about running 2 miles in 13 minutes, which is slower than usual for him, maybe being captain, his stupid Spanish II teacher, and the cheerleaders watching practice as he took off his shirt during the run.....I just smile because it is SO high school and my boy feels comfortable enough to tell me these things. I am very fortunate.

He just walked past me and rubbed my shoulder affectionately as he passed - what is going on? He has also given me a few hugs tonight. My son is changing, and I am loving it. He does want to learn to drive, mostly so he can have a place to put his soccer gear during the day and not carry it around! He knows I will not do the research for him; if he wants to get his permit he needs to figure out what he needs to do and then we will do it. Sigh. I will have to get over the fear of him driving real soon.

I know this has nothing to do with my fitness journey.....but this is my journal and I can write what I want ;-)

On that note, Kimi has been giving me more practical advice and I am excited to go do Body Flow with her Thanksgiving week when I am off, then we are going to have lunch. Can't wait!!

Well, one kid is passed out on the sofa and the other is nodding off....this is the ONLY part of this time change that I like.....going to bed earlier. Otherwise the rest sucks. Want my warm weather BACK!!

Day 8 of 14

Never left the house today :-(

Which is not necessarily a bad thing with all the rain, but I bailed on my run this morning because I was up until 3:00 am (or 2:00, or 4:00, hell I lost track) working on report cards. I kept getting distracted even though everyone was asleep, and my eyes were burning.....then I couldn't sleep.

This morning I had to get the guys up for soccer, but Cassie beat me to it and by 8:00 am, we were both up and it sucked - I so wanted to sleep in. Once I got started on my report cards, by 10am, I kept getting distracted by Cassie, the TV, Facebook, music.......it literally took me until the guys came home at 3pm, brought me Starbucks and took her away so I could finish! This took forever because I had no attention span at all.

Once they came home finally, it was 5pm, dark, and I didn't feel like getting out to the gym, which was my original plan so I ended up working out at home, which I never do because a certain little girl gets in my way. But I was able to do 100+ jumping jacks, some kicking and punching,  kettle bell work, push ups, abs and lunges. So not all was lost and I didn't miss a day. My knee is bothering me now, though, so I've iced twice and am taking Advil before bed. Back to boot camp tomorrow.

Had a nice conversation back and forth with Kimi tonight regarding LM, got some sound, practical advice and encouragement and am feeling probably more freaked out than ever, with all the information I am getting, which is my own fault because I'm asking for it. I don't like going into things blindly, for the most part, and this is so new to me that I need to get as much information from the experts in the biz.....I suppose it will all work out if it is meant to be. I am so fortunate to have friends that are in fitness and who are willing to support me and give me advice. Not everyone is this lucky, I know.

Still have not heard back from 24 hour and I have no idea how long that takes, so I may miss the December BP training in Modesto and have to do something later on. I suppose there is no rush, I just hope that early in 2011 there will be something local enough. There were two the remainder of this year, Roseville and Modesto, both locations where I have family I could stay with. Oh well, I hope future ones are close because with the cost of training, I don't want to have to deal with travel costs and hotel if I don't have to.

I also have to look into ACE or AFAA certification as well, as some friends have told me, and Kimi also strongly recommended it tonight. When the hell will I find time to study? Sigh.

Going to try to go up and Flow with Kimi during Thanksgiving week since I am off of school.....love that program and I wish it would come to my gym. I so need that in my life right now.

Off to bed. So tired............

Day 7 of 14

Well, at least today was somewhat active so I can count it instead of it being a day of "rest".

Went to San Jose - man is that city HUGE - we were in South San Jose at Evergreen Valley College. I had Cassie take her scooter out of the van and at Pam's suggestion last night, I dressed in my running clothes and since Cassie hates to sit and watch her brother's games, we took the time (about 1-1/2 hours) playing. Chased her while she rode her scooter, jogged around the field, then played "Coach" - her game - while she found a ramp to ride up and down, she instructed me to yell at her and push her along - "Hustle, hustle!!" and "Let's GO!!", as she put it, in a mean voice! She cracks me up but didn't let me sit and be idle. We did this for so long but at least I was in view of the game and could watch and cheer at the same time. Lost at the last minute on a ball that hit the goal, hit the ground and bounced in. Oh well.

Then we were invited to a barbeque in Newark for a fellow soccer team, and while I was not really feeling like it, we went along and I am glad I did. Not only was there good food, but since Cassie loves the playground, I discovered I am not really the "sit on the bench and watch her play kind of mom" anymore. I climbed the ladders, slid down the slides, swung on the swings, and played Follow the  Leader (she was the leader and I followed, jumping, skipping, running, twirling). Franklin said in awe that I never would have done that before, as he watched me climb up the ladder! :-)

So while I may not have spent time in the gym for two hours today, I got my exercise and best of all, had quality girl time with my baby. So I am counting this as Day 7 of 14. And I got to watch my son kick ass on the soccer field, loss or not.

Tomorrow I have to skip my run because the guys have another game in the East Bay and need the van. I am going to try to sleep in for once, then get up and finish working on my report cards that are taking so much longer to input in the computer, now with 30 instead of 20. Gotta finish them since they are due. I already feel brain dead and it's only early November. Not looking good for the rest of the year at this rate! I am committed to going to the gym in the afternoon, though, for some cardio for Day 8.

I also was messaging back and forth with another Les Mills instructor friend, Donna, today (I only know her through FB through Alex and Kimi) but she was hugely supportive of my decision to go for it and gave me tons of practical tips and advice. She mentioned that if 24hr Fitness doesn't work out, to check with Palo Alto YMCA as they love new instructors and that may be an option to get sponsored.

I am so fortunate for all the people I have met (Donna, Kimi, Alex, Amy) who are so willing to give me support and advice on another leg of my journey, as well as old friends who are so encouraging.  I am also thankful to Pam for her constant encouragement, advice and cheerleading through all this. This group of fitness minded people are AWESOME.

How did I get so lucky??

*Sigh*. Back to report cards now.

Now I've Done It

Yikes. Just submitted my application to 24 hour fitness. I have to be "hired" in order to sign up for the Body Pump Initial Training. I'm shaking right now.

Why in the world would they hire me? I'm a nothing in the fitness department, I've no experience other than as a participant. I have no training, I teach 5 year olds. Not critical adults.

Ugh. I've been accused lately, several times in fact, of being a drama queen.

Yep. That's me.

Sigh, Change of Plans for Day 7 of 14

Day 6. Sigh.....change of plans. My quest to go 14 days working out have hit a roadblock. I just found out that tomorrow Alexander has a game, the biggest of the season against Pac Tigres, in San Jose. At 10:30. Have to leave at 8:30. So this means that I got the "look" and the guilt trip because I had planned to go to Body Pump at 9am and to kickboxing with my FAVORITE instructor there at 10am. Now I have to miss it.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE to watch my son play. He is a force to be reckoned with on the field, and now that he is healed from his groin injury, he is on fire. So it's not that I wanted to miss the game. It's that I plan my workouts for the week and when I am not told of important soccer games till the last minute, it really irritates me.

Oh well, I will get over it. I will try to get to the gym in the afternoon and do some boring elliptical work or something so at least I can say I worked out and didn't take a rest day. I would take one if I needed , and I said I would, but other than being really sore in my shoulders from all the damn pushups and I hate mountain climbers, I feel good.

Duty calls. I will adjust around it. Life goes on.

Day 5 of 14

Considering this is day 5 for me with no rest day, I'm feeling pretty good. My knees were feeling tweaky all day so I went to Body Pump and went lighter on weights for squats and lunges. Icing right now so I think I'll be fine.

Today was a particularly rough day at work, with all 30 kids, music class where all the kids played an instrument - maracas, rattles, tambourines and bells. I seriously needed Advil afterward because the noise was deafening! They also, as a whole, just can't handle being all together ALL day. Plus I was still testing, scheduling the conference with parents, planning, teaching after school to a group of clowns..... I'm beat.

In class tonight I spoke to my "favorite" instructor, who looked excited when I told her I was thinking of going for my BP certification and she said they need instructors so what I had to do was apply online for a job, then I could go for the initial training. She said once that happened she would hook me up with the Group X manager. So she may not be as useless as I thought. She was a bit better tonight (only in terms of timing, got through all the tracks but cut out the cool down all together (and it was one of my favorites from an older release!) she still was unintelligible most of the time and it was hard to follow but since I'm familiar with the release, I can follow along with out too much difficulty.

I figure if it's meant to be, things will fall into place. I suspended the online application because I needed professional references and I don't know if that is fitness wise or just regular references. And do they really contact people? Is this merely a formality because I have NO fitness experience so why in the hell would they "hire" me? Would they really hire just so I can take the initial training? Rosa also said no when I asked about other certification like ACE or AFAA. Seems odd they wouldn't want other certification. So who knows?

Tomorrow another Boot Camp.....this time with weights and resistance bands. Lovely.

Pooped. Off to bed........dreaming of BP..............

BOOT CAMP BUTT KICKING!!!!

This is Day 4 of 14 days of continuous planned workouts. After this workout tonight, who know if I will have to call in my rest day tomorrow.

Whew. I kicked BUTT tonight. Or rather, the boot camp session tonight kicked my butt.

Wednesdays are apparently the tough days, with timed circuits and lots of cardio. The group was small tonight, just 5 of us, so it feels like personal training, which is awesome. We started out with warm ups for about 15 minutes, running in place, jumping jacks, squats, easy (ha!) mountain climbers, push ups, etc. etc. We finished the warm up with a run (this is around the block, out the back alley and all the way around the plaza, probably a football field lap) then Jose explained the timed circuit (all to be done as fast as possible):

*25 jumping jacks
*25 push ups (feet or knees)
*25 mountain climbers (each leg, total 50)
*25 squat jumps
*25 box steps (stepping full foot up onto a stacked set of mats, each leg, total 50)
*25 shoulder taps (in a plank on your feet, tapping alternate shoulders, each shoulder, total 50)
*25 side steps (over a line on the mat, jumping side to side, each side, total 50)
*Run a lap

THEN DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!!! I thought I was going to die. And to do this all as fast as you can.

Well there is one man who comes who is a regular boot camp attendee, and he has harder options like using a medicine ball or longer holds on the planks, etc. The rest of us are teachers, two women about my age, and older woman in her 60's.

I of course knew that Carlos would blow past us all, and I knew I wouldn't come in last, but I wasn't really caring what my time was. Until I began. Then the competitiveness kicked in!

I went through the circuit, then took the lap. Felt like I wanted to collapse when I returned, only to have to start with jumping jacks all over again.  This felt like by far the hardest workout I have had yet. I had to do the pushups on my knees, but I did all of them, both times. The second circuit I had to do the mountain climber option which was on my back, bicycling, but I did them all.

On the last lap, which was really hard, I realized I was coming in second, not that it was a race, but as I came in the back door, Jose told me my time was 12:23. It felt like 20 minutes!! All in all, I think a pretty good time considering the first place guy, Carlos, had a time of 10:50!!

I figured we were DONE. Not so! We took a 2 minute break and then moved right into ladder runs (forward, side to side) and then low hurdles (front, side to side), all timed.

Then ab work with medicine balls ( I was given a 5 lb) and then ab work on the floor.

Kicked my butt. I was dripping sweat like crazy. Had to ice my knees when I got home, but I did it!

Looking forward to only 1 class tomorrow, Body Pump. To which I am approaching this workout with a new focus, a new determination. I am 95% sure that I am going to go for getting my BP certification with LM (freaking out all day and last night, though) and am researching fitness certification through AFAA or ACE.I have sent an email to the Group fitness manager at 24 Hr Fitness to see if they will sponsor me for the training. Haven't heard back yet. Will have to accost her in person tomorrow.


OMG. What in the world am I doing??!!

Boot Camp!!

Just not able to turn down a challenge. So now, I've signed up for a 14 day program for teachers that really is simply a Boot Camp program coupled with a nutritional plan designed by a group of former athletes from Stanford that began Performance Science Training Institute. This is an introductory program that has you working out 3 days a week and following a nutritional plan. I have been in contact with the president, who is a former Stanford Cardinal football player and voiced concerns over the 1300 a day calorie plan given to me, since I am working out regularly and need more calories than that so he gave me one that is 1700 calories instead. They are young, athletic, educated people that are fitness and health minded and I figured, what the hell? I'm not planning on continuing their boot camp because it's $150 a month and I am already at 24 hour Fitness but for 2 weeks, I am going to push myself and see what happens. Here's what their website says about the Adult Boot Camp training:

"Cardio Resistance Core (CRC) System. Our CRC System combines the best aspects of multiple fields of training. Cardiovascular exercise is the best way to burn calories while strengthening your heart and lungs. Resistance training with body weight, dumbbells, and bands tones muscle and builds bone mass. Core training strengthens the abdominals and lower back, improving posture and increasing balance and stability. Our CRC system allows us to create dynamic workouts to help you break through your fitness boundaries!"

That's what I need - to break through my fitness boundaries! They offer teen programs and sports agility clinics so maybe this is even something we could look into for Alexander and additional training.

I was thinking as I was driving home that by committing to this, I will be working out 7 days a week :-/ Since I run Sunday, Boot Camp Mon-Wed-Fri, Kick boxing and Body Pump Tues-Thurs-Sat...........crap! I have done 6 classes in 3 days before when Body Pump and Body Combat were on their way out and I was going to as many classes as I could, but this seems extreme even for me. So I will do this: listen to my body, take a rest day if I need it on Thursday, and maybe even skip my run this Sunday if my knee is tweaky, which it was today after my 5 mile run yesterday. It felt fine during the boot camp, though.

Then I thought - don't be such a wimp - you're talking 2 weeks. It's not going to kill me to push myself physically for 14 days and then go back to my 5 days a week. And if I follow the nutrition plan outlined maybe I will lose a few pounds. I will be smart and not push myself to injury. I am pretty tuned in to my body now. I didn't do another Zumba class after my knee popped and I had shoulder pain, so I will back off here if it is too much.

Besides, I still haven't finished assessing all my students, report cards are due in a week, and with a short week ahead, there is not much time left. Tomorrow I am in another frickin training and so with all the stress at work, I will need a daily workout to counteract the stress.

Sigh. And the holidays are upon us. Why do I dread them so much??!!