I'm a mom first. This was never more apparent than today. I chose it, it's my lot in life. I love my children more than anything in this entire world, so am I wrong to feel a tad resentful that my day, my 44th birthday, was not my own? Seems pretty selfish to me.
I was excited to spend a part of today teaching BodyPump. My passion. I had created a playlist, one with my favorite tracks, either to teach or that I loved as a participant. It was a big deal for me, because I was going to teach a lunge track for the first time - one that I had never, ever been able to finish. Ever. Until a couple of months ago when I took Alex's class and was FINALLY able to finish it, with all the options. It was a big personal accomplishment for me, and I was excited to finally be able to teach this track. How did it go? I had a few people come up to me after class and ask for me to teach that one more often because it was so challenging! Woohoo! "Dangerous" lunges are here!
I brought chocolates with a little note attached as my birthday gift to my PAC class, like I did for my 24HR group on Valentines day. Thanking them for being committed to better health, for being in my class each week. They were truly surprised and thankful. I received a Starbucks gift card from one member. And after class, they all broke into the happy birthday song! It was a fun playlist to teach, and a great class overall. Several people came to talk to me after, because I had shared with the class how special today was. How on my 40th birthday, I saw the picture of myself and knew I had to make a change. How dad died a few months later, followed by my first venture into the gym and Alex's BodyPump class. I had a new member who was very inspired by my story and thanked me profusely. I left class feeling very happy and thankful I am able to do what I am doing now.
Cassie and I ran off to Alexander's quarterfinal soccer game, and when I arrived, found that he was already sitting out because he was injured. During half time he texted me and told me he couldn't walk and thought his big toe was broken. After calling to see if I could get him into the after hours clinic and discovering there were no appointments I knew it was off to the emergency room. We spent several hours there, saw that his toe was actually not affected but it was a suspected broken foot on the first metatarsal bone. X-rays showed there were no breaks, luckily, and it was an acute sprain. We left with a boot on his foot and crutches, which he is used to with his old groin/knee injury. I had to go get his pain pill prescriptions filled but he was starving so we stopped for food (not my favorite but whatever) and then after getting his meds we got home around 9:30pm. The kids bickered all day, and being in pain made Alex crankier than usual. Franklin went to a soccer game and got home at 10:30.I finally got a nice hot bath/shower and am now sitting down to relax. Overall, I'm wishing for a do-over!! I am thankful, however, that my son didn't suffer more serious injuries, that my kids are overall healthy, and that I'm healthier and stronger than ever. I have a lot to be thankful for and should keep that in perspective. I've come a long way, I have wonderful friends and family that support me, and a birthday is just another day, right? I'm just feeling a bit sorry for myself for not getting a little spoiled today. Maybe something will surprise me tomorrow. A good nights sleep and I'm sure I'll feel better in the morning. At least tomorrow I get to teach BodyPump, so I know that for an hour, all will be well.
The best part? I received a total of 4 Starbucks gift cards. I'll be sitting pretty for awhile :)
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
A Fitness Epiphany
I haven't had one of these in awhile. An epiphany, that is. I've been mostly running like a mad woman, not stopping to think carefully about next steps.
I've got a bug up my butt lately, feeling like I need something more, I need to take the next step. I equated it to the desire to teach another format. I love BodyPump, with a passion, that's no secret. But I am teaching four, sometimes five classes a week. This leaves me no time for anything else.
I read something on Facebook that another instructor posted, which has been stuck in my mind for the last week or two: "Train the same, look the same. Train differently, look different." or something to that effect. Essentially, it means if I'm doing the same thing, week after week, month after month, I'm not going to progress or change. No wonder I haven't lost any weight, even though I've been told my body has changed and I'm looking like I've lost weight. I've stabilized and even though I'm a ton stronger than I was last year at this time, I have reached a plateau. Physically. Even mentally.
So I've been getting this gnawing feeling in my gut that things need to be shaken up. I took that to mean I need to learn and teach another format. My mind has been preoccupied this week with the thought of taking AIM2, which I am now doing. Not to achieve any type of status, like Advanced or Elite BP instructor. I'm doing it to take my teaching to the next level. But it's more than that. I want to do something more. Something different.
I've been thinking of getting my basic yoga certification. Almost registered for the training in March at the SCW Mania Fitness convention in Burlingame. Then I started looking into PiYo, a blend of pilates and yoga. I even, after a suggestion today, started looking into spin certification.
Then I went to my mom's and started talking this out with Amanda. She agreed that a spin certification would allow me to sub at multiple clubs, it would be something different than my strength training, and it made sense. I'm not a huge spin fan, and I love yoga, so it made more sense to me to go for the yoga certification. Then it hit me.
I am craving something different for ME. Does this mean the same thing as I need to TEACH something else? No. I think it means that I am at a point in my journey where even though BodyPump is my passion and I truly enjoy bringing my love for the program to as many people as I can, my next step outside of BodyPump is to further my OWN training. I've neglected it for over a year. I wanted to take the yoga certification and all I could think of was "it's not Les Mills!" Well, it goes beyond that. I need more. I need a change. For the sake of my physical well being, for the sake of my physical training, for the sake of improving my stamina, for the sake of changing my body and being satisfied with how I look, for the sake of becoming a better instructor, for the sake of my sanity, for the sake of the sanity of those around me, for the sake of MOVING FORWARD......I need to expand. I need to shake things up. I need focus on me, and how I feel, and focus on what I can do, and push myself beyond the complacent place I find myself in right now.
It's interesting that for awhile now I thought this meant I needed to teach a new format. When in reality it simply meant I needed to experience more formats. Or at least focus on my own fitness more than I have in over a year. I love yoga. Do I need to teach it RIGHT NOW? No. I need to take more yoga. Do I need to teach a cardio format? No. I need to do more cardio. I'm doing this half marathon in March and have yet to train, yes, we are walking most of it but I haven't even done much of that, other than a couple of miles here and there. I spend so much time on BodyPump, and I don't think that's a BAD thing, as I've become a much better instructor than I was at this time last year. I'm committed to becoming better, hence the AIM2 training. I'm excited about it and ready to work hard and take my teaching to a new level. I just can't get lost in the process. All the great athletes and instructors train separately, do cross training, focus on thierr own workouts as well. He many of them work full time? They all do, or at least most do. How many have children and spouses as well? Some, but just because I have a job, husband and two kids that keep me incredibly busy, I made the choice to become an instructor and help others. Balance has ALWAYS been a challenge for me, and so whenever I find myself out of balance, awareness of this fact is the first step to making a change.
So here it is. I accept that I've allowed myself to become unbalanced. I recognize that I need to look inside, make some changes, create some balance, focus and just GO THERE.
I watched a video that Emma Barry posted on Facebook and she spoke of the loss of a fellow tribe member in New Zealand that lost his life last week. Her words were so inspirational to me, talking about taking it to the next level this year. Going for it. Going there. Attending educational events, improving our skills as instructors, adding to our tool boxes.....this is what I aim to do this year. I've already taken the first steps, going to the first quarterly on April 1st, going to the advanced BodyPump training, and just as important, focusing on my personal fitness goals.
It's gonna be a busy year. Bring it :-)
I've got a bug up my butt lately, feeling like I need something more, I need to take the next step. I equated it to the desire to teach another format. I love BodyPump, with a passion, that's no secret. But I am teaching four, sometimes five classes a week. This leaves me no time for anything else.
I read something on Facebook that another instructor posted, which has been stuck in my mind for the last week or two: "Train the same, look the same. Train differently, look different." or something to that effect. Essentially, it means if I'm doing the same thing, week after week, month after month, I'm not going to progress or change. No wonder I haven't lost any weight, even though I've been told my body has changed and I'm looking like I've lost weight. I've stabilized and even though I'm a ton stronger than I was last year at this time, I have reached a plateau. Physically. Even mentally.
So I've been getting this gnawing feeling in my gut that things need to be shaken up. I took that to mean I need to learn and teach another format. My mind has been preoccupied this week with the thought of taking AIM2, which I am now doing. Not to achieve any type of status, like Advanced or Elite BP instructor. I'm doing it to take my teaching to the next level. But it's more than that. I want to do something more. Something different.
I've been thinking of getting my basic yoga certification. Almost registered for the training in March at the SCW Mania Fitness convention in Burlingame. Then I started looking into PiYo, a blend of pilates and yoga. I even, after a suggestion today, started looking into spin certification.
Then I went to my mom's and started talking this out with Amanda. She agreed that a spin certification would allow me to sub at multiple clubs, it would be something different than my strength training, and it made sense. I'm not a huge spin fan, and I love yoga, so it made more sense to me to go for the yoga certification. Then it hit me.
I am craving something different for ME. Does this mean the same thing as I need to TEACH something else? No. I think it means that I am at a point in my journey where even though BodyPump is my passion and I truly enjoy bringing my love for the program to as many people as I can, my next step outside of BodyPump is to further my OWN training. I've neglected it for over a year. I wanted to take the yoga certification and all I could think of was "it's not Les Mills!" Well, it goes beyond that. I need more. I need a change. For the sake of my physical well being, for the sake of my physical training, for the sake of improving my stamina, for the sake of changing my body and being satisfied with how I look, for the sake of becoming a better instructor, for the sake of my sanity, for the sake of the sanity of those around me, for the sake of MOVING FORWARD......I need to expand. I need to shake things up. I need focus on me, and how I feel, and focus on what I can do, and push myself beyond the complacent place I find myself in right now.
It's interesting that for awhile now I thought this meant I needed to teach a new format. When in reality it simply meant I needed to experience more formats. Or at least focus on my own fitness more than I have in over a year. I love yoga. Do I need to teach it RIGHT NOW? No. I need to take more yoga. Do I need to teach a cardio format? No. I need to do more cardio. I'm doing this half marathon in March and have yet to train, yes, we are walking most of it but I haven't even done much of that, other than a couple of miles here and there. I spend so much time on BodyPump, and I don't think that's a BAD thing, as I've become a much better instructor than I was at this time last year. I'm committed to becoming better, hence the AIM2 training. I'm excited about it and ready to work hard and take my teaching to a new level. I just can't get lost in the process. All the great athletes and instructors train separately, do cross training, focus on thierr own workouts as well. He many of them work full time? They all do, or at least most do. How many have children and spouses as well? Some, but just because I have a job, husband and two kids that keep me incredibly busy, I made the choice to become an instructor and help others. Balance has ALWAYS been a challenge for me, and so whenever I find myself out of balance, awareness of this fact is the first step to making a change.
So here it is. I accept that I've allowed myself to become unbalanced. I recognize that I need to look inside, make some changes, create some balance, focus and just GO THERE.
I watched a video that Emma Barry posted on Facebook and she spoke of the loss of a fellow tribe member in New Zealand that lost his life last week. Her words were so inspirational to me, talking about taking it to the next level this year. Going for it. Going there. Attending educational events, improving our skills as instructors, adding to our tool boxes.....this is what I aim to do this year. I've already taken the first steps, going to the first quarterly on April 1st, going to the advanced BodyPump training, and just as important, focusing on my personal fitness goals.
It's gonna be a busy year. Bring it :-)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Really? It's FEBRUARY?
I'm shocked to find that the last blog post was on December 31st. I've been thinking about writing every single day in January and each night has either been crazy packed or I'm super tired and can't get to it. Even tonight I'm fried but I have to write because I just took another big step in my Les Mills journey.
Yep. After days and days of thinking, debating, asking questions, second guessing......I've signed up for AIM2. This is the Advanced Instructor Module 2, the second level to the AIM1 that I took in November. This one is being held just outside of Seattle, and I've never been, but I know better than to think I'll have time to sightsee. I'll fly in Friday night, have the workshop Saturday and Sunday and fly back Sunday night. I may stay till Monday but it's the last week of school before spring break and I shouldn't take any days off. Especially because I'm thinking of taking another certification at a fitness conference in Burlingame that Thursday......maybe. That's another big decision to make.
I'm excited about AIM2. I'll know NO ONE. Which in the near past would hold me back from doing this. But I'm part of a big tribe of instructors and I'm confident I'll make friends that weekend. I have the generous offer to stay with an instructor who lives 15 minutes from the gym. I met Ingrid in Texas last year and we've become friends since then. She is an amazing instructor, of high caliber, who is working her way to trainer status and I'm just excited to see her again. She's not part of the workshop as she's already gone through it but to have a friendly face will be nice. I'll work hard that weekend, presenting four times to world class trainers that I've only seen at quarterly events from afar. It will not be easy, but I'm not afraid of hard work and according to Alex, this training is simply amazing. I can't wait.
I am having a bit of a freak out moment because when I printed the ticket, I noticed that I'll be presenting on the next release, BP81, which I won't receive until the end of February. It just means I'll have to start practicing early to be fully ready as I won't know what tracks I'll have to present. The good thing is I didn't hyperventilate once I pressed the purchase button. So it must be the right decision :)
I've got a busy, expensive couple of months coming up. I just registered for a CPR/AED class on February 13. I need that to complete my AFAA certification (I received news that I passed the test, missed only 7 out of 100! But without my current CPR/AED card I'm not official, which I need to be in order to earn my CEC units for these workshops I'll be attending. I still have to register all four of my family members for the Modesto half marathon/5K on March 18. I just registered for AIM2, but need to book flights. The SCW Mania fitness convention is at the end of March and I'm already signed up for the Les Mills Quarterly on April 1st but I'm kicking around the idea of another certification, one I can take there in one day. I'm going to hold off for a week or so and see how the dust settles from all this first :)
Classes have been going amazingly well. My Sunday class has been like a Tuesday class for the last three weeks, with all the bars gone and a packed room. I am consistently getting new members and last night was a pretty amazing night. Two co-workers from school came, our office manager whose daughter is in my class, and the secretary in our Family Center. Both have been saying they'll come but they actually did, with one sister who has taken my class once before. Today they were walking funny because they were so sore but they were excited about the class and are committed to coming back. I love it when I hear that new participants enjoyed BodyPump and will return. I was able to talk to two new ladies I didn't recognize, and they said they had tried the class once and were excited to come back. Another girl said she normally goes to San Mateo but tried my class once and said she liked it so much she wanted to come back again. And Jessica came, it's been a few weeks and I've missed her seeing her so it was great to have her back!
I had planned to stay for yoga afterward with Amanda and my son decided he wanted to come. As a soccer player and athlete, he is the most inflexible person I've ever seen! He has done yoga with me before so I was happy he wanted to join us. Well, he and Frankln came to the gym and watched from outside the room from biceps till the end, smiling through the windows like a couple of stalkers :). Of course my son made fun of me later. What was great is Franklin has not seen me teach since my very first class over a year ago and I was curious to hear what he thought. He came in after class was over, gave me a big hug and a kiss and told me how proud he was of me. It wasn't until we got home after yoga that he took me in his arms and hugged me tight, and when he pulled away he had tears in his eyes, which puzzled me. He told me he had no idea how good I was and he was so incredibly proud of me for how far I've come. He is now 100% on board for me to do additional certifications, more trainings, etc. - not that he wasn't supportive before, he really was, but for some reason, actually seeing me in action made him respect what I'm doing even more. Seeing how passionate I am about this new journey, instructing in front of a large group of people, seeing me interact with them after class. He's always asking me how class went but to see it in person is different. I'm super excited he was able to come see me teach.
Sigh. I'll need a bunch of subs to get through the month of March, like 3 Sunday's in March/April in a row :-/ not ideal but necessary. I'd better put them on the swap board and keep my fingers crossed!
Off to bed. It's been a long week and I have fitness on the brain instead of education......time to focus....
Yep. After days and days of thinking, debating, asking questions, second guessing......I've signed up for AIM2. This is the Advanced Instructor Module 2, the second level to the AIM1 that I took in November. This one is being held just outside of Seattle, and I've never been, but I know better than to think I'll have time to sightsee. I'll fly in Friday night, have the workshop Saturday and Sunday and fly back Sunday night. I may stay till Monday but it's the last week of school before spring break and I shouldn't take any days off. Especially because I'm thinking of taking another certification at a fitness conference in Burlingame that Thursday......maybe. That's another big decision to make.
I'm excited about AIM2. I'll know NO ONE. Which in the near past would hold me back from doing this. But I'm part of a big tribe of instructors and I'm confident I'll make friends that weekend. I have the generous offer to stay with an instructor who lives 15 minutes from the gym. I met Ingrid in Texas last year and we've become friends since then. She is an amazing instructor, of high caliber, who is working her way to trainer status and I'm just excited to see her again. She's not part of the workshop as she's already gone through it but to have a friendly face will be nice. I'll work hard that weekend, presenting four times to world class trainers that I've only seen at quarterly events from afar. It will not be easy, but I'm not afraid of hard work and according to Alex, this training is simply amazing. I can't wait.
I am having a bit of a freak out moment because when I printed the ticket, I noticed that I'll be presenting on the next release, BP81, which I won't receive until the end of February. It just means I'll have to start practicing early to be fully ready as I won't know what tracks I'll have to present. The good thing is I didn't hyperventilate once I pressed the purchase button. So it must be the right decision :)
I've got a busy, expensive couple of months coming up. I just registered for a CPR/AED class on February 13. I need that to complete my AFAA certification (I received news that I passed the test, missed only 7 out of 100! But without my current CPR/AED card I'm not official, which I need to be in order to earn my CEC units for these workshops I'll be attending. I still have to register all four of my family members for the Modesto half marathon/5K on March 18. I just registered for AIM2, but need to book flights. The SCW Mania fitness convention is at the end of March and I'm already signed up for the Les Mills Quarterly on April 1st but I'm kicking around the idea of another certification, one I can take there in one day. I'm going to hold off for a week or so and see how the dust settles from all this first :)
Classes have been going amazingly well. My Sunday class has been like a Tuesday class for the last three weeks, with all the bars gone and a packed room. I am consistently getting new members and last night was a pretty amazing night. Two co-workers from school came, our office manager whose daughter is in my class, and the secretary in our Family Center. Both have been saying they'll come but they actually did, with one sister who has taken my class once before. Today they were walking funny because they were so sore but they were excited about the class and are committed to coming back. I love it when I hear that new participants enjoyed BodyPump and will return. I was able to talk to two new ladies I didn't recognize, and they said they had tried the class once and were excited to come back. Another girl said she normally goes to San Mateo but tried my class once and said she liked it so much she wanted to come back again. And Jessica came, it's been a few weeks and I've missed her seeing her so it was great to have her back!
I had planned to stay for yoga afterward with Amanda and my son decided he wanted to come. As a soccer player and athlete, he is the most inflexible person I've ever seen! He has done yoga with me before so I was happy he wanted to join us. Well, he and Frankln came to the gym and watched from outside the room from biceps till the end, smiling through the windows like a couple of stalkers :). Of course my son made fun of me later. What was great is Franklin has not seen me teach since my very first class over a year ago and I was curious to hear what he thought. He came in after class was over, gave me a big hug and a kiss and told me how proud he was of me. It wasn't until we got home after yoga that he took me in his arms and hugged me tight, and when he pulled away he had tears in his eyes, which puzzled me. He told me he had no idea how good I was and he was so incredibly proud of me for how far I've come. He is now 100% on board for me to do additional certifications, more trainings, etc. - not that he wasn't supportive before, he really was, but for some reason, actually seeing me in action made him respect what I'm doing even more. Seeing how passionate I am about this new journey, instructing in front of a large group of people, seeing me interact with them after class. He's always asking me how class went but to see it in person is different. I'm super excited he was able to come see me teach.
Sigh. I'll need a bunch of subs to get through the month of March, like 3 Sunday's in March/April in a row :-/ not ideal but necessary. I'd better put them on the swap board and keep my fingers crossed!
Off to bed. It's been a long week and I have fitness on the brain instead of education......time to focus....
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