Well, it's happened. I am officially a snob. A Les Mills snob, that is. I went to class tonight, first Turbo Kick Boxing, then Body Pump. I barely broke a sweat in TKB. It just is NOT Body Combat. I went through the entire class knowing I was only there to get some cardio in, but it wasn't really worth it. I need to find something else to do for cardio but I love classes. Getting on a treadmill or elliptical just doesn't work for me either. I want to be running but with it getting dark early, I am not willing to run alone in the dark. So I need to think about this.
On the bright side, I am increasing my weights overall for each track and am noticing a difference. Today for squats I lifted 66 pounds!!! My heaviest ever. At least that's what I think I did since the weights are not in pounds. I did 2 large and 1 medium on each side. I almost thought I would not be able to get it back off my neck when I was done but I was able to squat with it. Yippee!!
I was told not to post this on FB so I am putting it here.......tonight we are watching the finale of the Biggest Loser and as the women were weighing in and not bringing huge numbers or looking real fit, Alexander says to me "Mom, you make those women look BAD!" That brought me to tears and I had to get up and hug him, which of course he complained about. I love my son!
Thanks to PH, IT, RVB, SG and AK for your responses to my blog last night. I haven't had time to email you all back but your support means the world to me and really did make me feel better about the whole situation. Love you all!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Green Eyed Monster
Jealousy is such a wasted emotion. I have lived with it, been in it, surrounded by it, my entire life in some form or another. Whether I was the jealous one, or the recipient of jealous emotions, it has been a part of my life even as a child. My mother was jealous of my dad's band when he was playing and made him stop. I was jealous of the girls that liked Franklin in high school. And on it goes.
I never imagined, as I began this journey to losing weight and getting healthy, that jealousy would play into it. I mean, there is always some insecurity that comes into a relationship when one loses weight and gets fit, I guess. But I am talking about jealousy and envy from unlikely places - friends. There have been the snide comments, the sideways glances, the comments muttered under the breath. I would like to think that people are genuinely happy for the work I have put in to changing my life and my health. I think most people are. But there are some that no matter how happy they may say they are, the snide comments continue to get me and confuse me.
I know I don't walk around and strut and show off. I am not that kind of person. I am also not physically yet at the place that I want to ultimately be. I am having fun with my journey, and I am proud of how far I have come and that may come off as confident, but certainly I don't feel cocky. On the contrary, I am still quite embarrassed at times about it all.
We had dinner with a couple of couples recently and one wife continues to make comments about certain things that I won't go into, but needless to say, it feels so uncomfortable to be around her because I keep hearing comments about how I must spend so much time at the gym and Franklin spends so much time at the soccer field that we are headed for disaster. ???!!!! HUH? He is very supportive of me, and is always telling me how proud of me he is for how hard I have worked. I could not have done this without his love and support and to say to my face that something is going on because we are both so busy or that we should divorce because we don't spend so much time together really pisses me off.
No one knows what goes on in our lives (well, okay, since I FB all the time and blog, people really DO know what goes on in our lives but that's besides the point). The reality is that the reality of losing weight is not well portrayed on popular shows like the Biggest Loser, etc. because while they show the hard work and some of what it is like when they return home, it is NOT all rainbows and butterflies. There are harsh realities people deal with, like the envy and jealousy of others. And the funny thing is, other people think that oh, you look great and you lost all this weight so your life is perfect but it's NOT. Yes, I feel great and think I look good, but there are negative consequences as well and it's NOT FAIR. It should be known that it is still a constant struggle, it's not easy to maintain and maybe I push my excitement about fitness off a little too much and that is something I have to learn how to curb but I AM excited about becoming a member of the fitness community and why SHOULD I have to be quiet?
Oh I am too tired right now to continue and it's stressed me out most of the day because I just am puzzled at the whole thing. Maybe another night to sleep on it will make it begin to make sense in my mind. Any comments or emails to me on the subject are appreciated cause I just don't get it. People, I like to believe, are genuinely good hearted. Why are all the green eyed ones coming at me??!!
I never imagined, as I began this journey to losing weight and getting healthy, that jealousy would play into it. I mean, there is always some insecurity that comes into a relationship when one loses weight and gets fit, I guess. But I am talking about jealousy and envy from unlikely places - friends. There have been the snide comments, the sideways glances, the comments muttered under the breath. I would like to think that people are genuinely happy for the work I have put in to changing my life and my health. I think most people are. But there are some that no matter how happy they may say they are, the snide comments continue to get me and confuse me.
I know I don't walk around and strut and show off. I am not that kind of person. I am also not physically yet at the place that I want to ultimately be. I am having fun with my journey, and I am proud of how far I have come and that may come off as confident, but certainly I don't feel cocky. On the contrary, I am still quite embarrassed at times about it all.
We had dinner with a couple of couples recently and one wife continues to make comments about certain things that I won't go into, but needless to say, it feels so uncomfortable to be around her because I keep hearing comments about how I must spend so much time at the gym and Franklin spends so much time at the soccer field that we are headed for disaster. ???!!!! HUH? He is very supportive of me, and is always telling me how proud of me he is for how hard I have worked. I could not have done this without his love and support and to say to my face that something is going on because we are both so busy or that we should divorce because we don't spend so much time together really pisses me off.
No one knows what goes on in our lives (well, okay, since I FB all the time and blog, people really DO know what goes on in our lives but that's besides the point). The reality is that the reality of losing weight is not well portrayed on popular shows like the Biggest Loser, etc. because while they show the hard work and some of what it is like when they return home, it is NOT all rainbows and butterflies. There are harsh realities people deal with, like the envy and jealousy of others. And the funny thing is, other people think that oh, you look great and you lost all this weight so your life is perfect but it's NOT. Yes, I feel great and think I look good, but there are negative consequences as well and it's NOT FAIR. It should be known that it is still a constant struggle, it's not easy to maintain and maybe I push my excitement about fitness off a little too much and that is something I have to learn how to curb but I AM excited about becoming a member of the fitness community and why SHOULD I have to be quiet?
Oh I am too tired right now to continue and it's stressed me out most of the day because I just am puzzled at the whole thing. Maybe another night to sleep on it will make it begin to make sense in my mind. Any comments or emails to me on the subject are appreciated cause I just don't get it. People, I like to believe, are genuinely good hearted. Why are all the green eyed ones coming at me??!!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
A milestone
December 9, 1994. My baby is 16 years old today. I know it's a part of life, but it seems like just yesterday - okay, that's a lie - but it feels like not so long ago that I was freaking out about my life changing. I had been with Franklin since I was 15, and here I was, 26 and this BABY, whatever it was going to be, was going to change all that I knew, all that I had built. How dare it? No matter that it was planned, how dare it come in and change what was already so good? I know I freak out way more often than most people I know. Must be the emotional Pisces curse. And I clearly remember a particular freak out moment. Franklin was making a cassette tape (hahaha) for me to listen to on our monster sized boombox during labor and I just started bawling......because nothing would ever be the same. I was so afraid of change back then, I mean I still freak out with change but I like to think I handle it a little bit better now! The scary thing was, at that moment, is I knew that I was POWERLESS to stop it. So many of the changes and growth I have experienced over the last 2 years, I could have stopped, I could have made the decision to take a different path. But this baby? What the hell was I thinking? And it was too late to stop it. I was doomed.
Well, not really. But it sure felt like it. I am happy to say that once that kid was cut out of my belly and his little fat face put up to mine, with his big nostrils flaring at me, as drugged up as I was, I was in love and I have never regretted one moment. Even through all the postpartum pain, the worry, the anxiety, the brother/sister type relationship we seem to have because we argue all the time, the frustration at his lack of common sense sometimes, I have never regretted having him.
I never freaked out about Cassie. Even with 11 years between them, I knew what to expect and at least my only worry was how would Alexander handle not being the only kid in town. No matter that he was the one begging us for years to give him a sibling. Then to try for 6 years and not be able to do it because of my thyroid issue, once I got pregnant with her, it was all good.
I am lucky. I am blessed. I am tired. So very tired. I am a mom. Yippee!!!!
Well, not really. But it sure felt like it. I am happy to say that once that kid was cut out of my belly and his little fat face put up to mine, with his big nostrils flaring at me, as drugged up as I was, I was in love and I have never regretted one moment. Even through all the postpartum pain, the worry, the anxiety, the brother/sister type relationship we seem to have because we argue all the time, the frustration at his lack of common sense sometimes, I have never regretted having him.
I never freaked out about Cassie. Even with 11 years between them, I knew what to expect and at least my only worry was how would Alexander handle not being the only kid in town. No matter that he was the one begging us for years to give him a sibling. Then to try for 6 years and not be able to do it because of my thyroid issue, once I got pregnant with her, it was all good.
I am lucky. I am blessed. I am tired. So very tired. I am a mom. Yippee!!!!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Final Day of Body Pump and Reflections
Be forewarned. This is going to be a long one. I'm just saying.
The warm up track to Body Pump 76 features a song called the Climb. Now I have never heard it before but found out it is originally by Miley Cyrus. I am so not a fan of hers but I have to say the FIRST time I heard the song, the lyrics rang so true for me and I actually cried - again, me the emotional one. I can't believe how the lyrics perfectly describe my journey to better health. I have to write them here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Climb
I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know this
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it more
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Helloooo....my new theme song!!!!
There's more but it just repeats. I tell you, I played that song on the way home yesterday and could hardly see to drive, what with me bawling and the rain. It was a miracle I didn't get in an accident!!
Okay, Day 3. Here goes:
Got up early and my fabulous sister in-law, on a Sunday morning at 6:00 am, was up making me coffee and breakfast. I did some review, had her watch the DVD of my track while I did the movements just to make sure I was on the same tempo (was too early for me to feel like coaching and cueing but it was a huge help to just go through the motions and slow my tempo down a bit - she actually told me I was going to fast up on the 3/1 and that was one of the areas to improve on my first critique!!) She made me a to go cup of coffee with a good luck message written on it and I was off. Got to the gym by 7:45am.
Everyone was dragging, sore and because of the CIM (marathon) in the area, one of the guys, Jonathan was more than 30 minutes late. Darcy thought it started at noon so she came almost an hour late. A bit more stressful for some to start out the day.
Our first presentation went well. I again was the only one teaching the back track so I moved in the middle of the room. I found that NO ONE else did this and with the volume of the music, it was too hard to hear them if you were on the other side of the room. Figured if I am gonna do this, I want everyone to hear me! Nailed the choreography with this one, added in more follow up cues and even some fitness magic and coaching.....all tips I got from my own fabulous instructors over the last couple of years. I did mess up a count or two midway but Margo was looking down and missed it, thank goodness.
Critique time showed that I was rising too fast on the 3/1 (just like Theresa told me in the morning!) and Margo told me to use heavier weights in order to perfect the form for the clean and press move. I was so sore that I went down just a bit but it was enough to affect the move.
We did more technique work, going through each song almost in its entirety but with Margo coaching and focusing on performing the moves perfectly. We did some team work, partner work, voice work, music critique, fitness magic, and then with just a short break, got ready to do final presentations and have a talk with the Regional manager for 24 hour Fitness.
My second presentation, I nailed the technique part but TOTALLY blew more than a few seconds of choreography right in the middle. I was so focused on the moves, the coaching that I completely BLANKED and thought I was gonna lose it. But I got back on track and finished strong.
Lisa from 24 came and told us about next steps. Since I am not an instructor, it will be different for me because I have to first audition with the Group X manager, to be hired and get to even teach anything. The launch for the new release is Jan 8 and I want to be a part of it. So I have to learn the other 8 tracks, somehow practice on my own or with someone but I can't practice on a class. Then I have 3 months, till March 5 to submit a perfect video of me teaching a full class. Cripes. The PRESSURE.
Then we finished 2 hours early (yay) and Margo talked one on one with each of us to give us our outcomes. Christelle (who also is not an instructor) walked by me and said she passed 5 out of 5 compulsories, which you need for a full pass. If you got 3-4 out of 5, you got a pass with held with means you have to show your manager you have mastered it, get it signed off and then Les Mills issues you a pass.
When I went to talk to Margo I was so nervous because I figured she would have nailed me for that screw up in the second presentation. She smiled and told me I got all 5 of the compulsories - Choreography, all three in Technique and Coaching. I was floored! She encouraged me to continue to increase my weights because it made a difference in technique and she told me I was a "strong cookie"!! I laughed at that one. She also encouraged me to do that insane instructor challenge with other instructors once a month to keep building strength and endurance.
I went back and shared with the small group of us that were waiting our turn. Then a strange thing happened: all 6 of them, 5 instructors, came back with puzzled looks on their faces, saying they got pass with helds - only 4 out of 5. I felt very uncomfortable being a non-instructor that passed in a group of experienced ones that did not. One even said to me "No offense but how did YOU pass when you 're not even an instructor and I didn't and I AM?" I stuttered and shrugged but said that I have been doing this program for a long time and had good role models. Sigh. Let's see if they keep in touch :-// So as far as I know, only two of us got the full pass out of 11 and neither of us are instructors, just Body Pump fanatics. The rest left and didn't share their results so who knows.
We took some pictures, then I hung back to chat with Margo and shared with her the reaction of the others to my passing the module. She said that it's not that they are held to higher standards because they are instructors, it's a check list and either you got it or you didn't. I did. I am still in a bit of shock.
I am feeling very fortunate to have had Margo as my Master Trainer for this module. She actually was in New Zealand a year ago for 2 weeks filming the previous release with the main Program Directors and Choreographers, was on that DVD as one of the presenters! Now I need to borrow it from someone to watch because I know her!! She's like a rock star in my eyes now!!
To many people who have never experienced a Les Mills format class, it is impossible to understand the draw, the magic, the intensity and the exhilarating feeling you get once it's over. Today at school my coworkers asked how the training went and I was stumped at how to respond. Janet really got it, because she reads my blog and understands my wacko brain. But the other teachers, one just look puzzled as I tried to explain to her WHY I would pay to put myself through that kind of pain, and the other, while interested and impressed, well, the whole experience is just hard to put into words. Just like I felt with the 1/2 marathon, and feeling like I was part of this new club that I had never been invited to before, now I feel a part of the tribe, a connection with my instructor friends in a new, really freaking cool way. I have such an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each and every one of them because it ALL MAKES PERFECT SENSE now. It also opens my eyes completely to how little we, as participants really know and understand about these people that stand in front of us on a weekly basis and inspire and instruct us. There is a butt load of work and time and dedication that goes into each class, the preparation is astounding just to learn a couple of tracks! How they teach more than one class format is beyond me.
I feel a part of something way bigger than me. Les Mills classes are in 80 countries world wide. 80 COUNTRIES. Over 70,000 instructors teach these classes. Over 3 million people a week take Body Pump classes worldwide. I feel a connection with my instructors and mentors that wasn't there before, at least it's now different because I understand a little of where they come from.
So what's to freak out about? Of course I will always find something to freak out about or I wouldn't be me. Now I can freak about when will I find time to practice, where, with who, how much, how long, will I get an audition, will I pass it, will I get hired, will I get to just team teach or will I get my own class, will my friends come to my class, will I will I will I..................
One day at a time. Breathe. Sigh.
I PASSED!!!!!!! YIPEE!!!!!!!!
The warm up track to Body Pump 76 features a song called the Climb. Now I have never heard it before but found out it is originally by Miley Cyrus. I am so not a fan of hers but I have to say the FIRST time I heard the song, the lyrics rang so true for me and I actually cried - again, me the emotional one. I can't believe how the lyrics perfectly describe my journey to better health. I have to write them here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Climb
I can almost see it
That dream I'm dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know this
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it more
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Helloooo....my new theme song!!!!
There's more but it just repeats. I tell you, I played that song on the way home yesterday and could hardly see to drive, what with me bawling and the rain. It was a miracle I didn't get in an accident!!
Okay, Day 3. Here goes:
Got up early and my fabulous sister in-law, on a Sunday morning at 6:00 am, was up making me coffee and breakfast. I did some review, had her watch the DVD of my track while I did the movements just to make sure I was on the same tempo (was too early for me to feel like coaching and cueing but it was a huge help to just go through the motions and slow my tempo down a bit - she actually told me I was going to fast up on the 3/1 and that was one of the areas to improve on my first critique!!) She made me a to go cup of coffee with a good luck message written on it and I was off. Got to the gym by 7:45am.
Everyone was dragging, sore and because of the CIM (marathon) in the area, one of the guys, Jonathan was more than 30 minutes late. Darcy thought it started at noon so she came almost an hour late. A bit more stressful for some to start out the day.
Our first presentation went well. I again was the only one teaching the back track so I moved in the middle of the room. I found that NO ONE else did this and with the volume of the music, it was too hard to hear them if you were on the other side of the room. Figured if I am gonna do this, I want everyone to hear me! Nailed the choreography with this one, added in more follow up cues and even some fitness magic and coaching.....all tips I got from my own fabulous instructors over the last couple of years. I did mess up a count or two midway but Margo was looking down and missed it, thank goodness.
Critique time showed that I was rising too fast on the 3/1 (just like Theresa told me in the morning!) and Margo told me to use heavier weights in order to perfect the form for the clean and press move. I was so sore that I went down just a bit but it was enough to affect the move.
We did more technique work, going through each song almost in its entirety but with Margo coaching and focusing on performing the moves perfectly. We did some team work, partner work, voice work, music critique, fitness magic, and then with just a short break, got ready to do final presentations and have a talk with the Regional manager for 24 hour Fitness.
My second presentation, I nailed the technique part but TOTALLY blew more than a few seconds of choreography right in the middle. I was so focused on the moves, the coaching that I completely BLANKED and thought I was gonna lose it. But I got back on track and finished strong.
Lisa from 24 came and told us about next steps. Since I am not an instructor, it will be different for me because I have to first audition with the Group X manager, to be hired and get to even teach anything. The launch for the new release is Jan 8 and I want to be a part of it. So I have to learn the other 8 tracks, somehow practice on my own or with someone but I can't practice on a class. Then I have 3 months, till March 5 to submit a perfect video of me teaching a full class. Cripes. The PRESSURE.
Then we finished 2 hours early (yay) and Margo talked one on one with each of us to give us our outcomes. Christelle (who also is not an instructor) walked by me and said she passed 5 out of 5 compulsories, which you need for a full pass. If you got 3-4 out of 5, you got a pass with held with means you have to show your manager you have mastered it, get it signed off and then Les Mills issues you a pass.
When I went to talk to Margo I was so nervous because I figured she would have nailed me for that screw up in the second presentation. She smiled and told me I got all 5 of the compulsories - Choreography, all three in Technique and Coaching. I was floored! She encouraged me to continue to increase my weights because it made a difference in technique and she told me I was a "strong cookie"!! I laughed at that one. She also encouraged me to do that insane instructor challenge with other instructors once a month to keep building strength and endurance.
I went back and shared with the small group of us that were waiting our turn. Then a strange thing happened: all 6 of them, 5 instructors, came back with puzzled looks on their faces, saying they got pass with helds - only 4 out of 5. I felt very uncomfortable being a non-instructor that passed in a group of experienced ones that did not. One even said to me "No offense but how did YOU pass when you 're not even an instructor and I didn't and I AM?" I stuttered and shrugged but said that I have been doing this program for a long time and had good role models. Sigh. Let's see if they keep in touch :-// So as far as I know, only two of us got the full pass out of 11 and neither of us are instructors, just Body Pump fanatics. The rest left and didn't share their results so who knows.
We took some pictures, then I hung back to chat with Margo and shared with her the reaction of the others to my passing the module. She said that it's not that they are held to higher standards because they are instructors, it's a check list and either you got it or you didn't. I did. I am still in a bit of shock.
I am feeling very fortunate to have had Margo as my Master Trainer for this module. She actually was in New Zealand a year ago for 2 weeks filming the previous release with the main Program Directors and Choreographers, was on that DVD as one of the presenters! Now I need to borrow it from someone to watch because I know her!! She's like a rock star in my eyes now!!
To many people who have never experienced a Les Mills format class, it is impossible to understand the draw, the magic, the intensity and the exhilarating feeling you get once it's over. Today at school my coworkers asked how the training went and I was stumped at how to respond. Janet really got it, because she reads my blog and understands my wacko brain. But the other teachers, one just look puzzled as I tried to explain to her WHY I would pay to put myself through that kind of pain, and the other, while interested and impressed, well, the whole experience is just hard to put into words. Just like I felt with the 1/2 marathon, and feeling like I was part of this new club that I had never been invited to before, now I feel a part of the tribe, a connection with my instructor friends in a new, really freaking cool way. I have such an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each and every one of them because it ALL MAKES PERFECT SENSE now. It also opens my eyes completely to how little we, as participants really know and understand about these people that stand in front of us on a weekly basis and inspire and instruct us. There is a butt load of work and time and dedication that goes into each class, the preparation is astounding just to learn a couple of tracks! How they teach more than one class format is beyond me.
I feel a part of something way bigger than me. Les Mills classes are in 80 countries world wide. 80 COUNTRIES. Over 70,000 instructors teach these classes. Over 3 million people a week take Body Pump classes worldwide. I feel a connection with my instructors and mentors that wasn't there before, at least it's now different because I understand a little of where they come from.
So what's to freak out about? Of course I will always find something to freak out about or I wouldn't be me. Now I can freak about when will I find time to practice, where, with who, how much, how long, will I get an audition, will I pass it, will I get hired, will I get to just team teach or will I get my own class, will my friends come to my class, will I will I will I..................
One day at a time. Breathe. Sigh.
I PASSED!!!!!!! YIPEE!!!!!!!!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Day 2 Body Pump Training
Again, it's 12:35 and I am not asleep. I am fading fast but trying to nail this back track for tomorrow. I am excited because I have always loved the back tracks and with the great coaching I have had over time, I am confident of my positioning and execution so it's just a matter of the learning the choreography (which I actually have down now) but I am struggling over the cues. It shouldn't be that hard since I know the cues, but for some reason I am not feeling as confident.
Today started off with an odd caterpiller warm up. I am not even going to go into it. Needless to say, my team lost and we had to do 10 push ups on the toes. I did it.
Presenting came first - I was a bit nervous but after practicing last night, using Ron, Mathew and Theresa with broomsticks this morning, and doing the moves in the car, I knew the chorey and felt good. We were not using microphones so I knew I would have to project my voice. Since I was the only one presenting the chest track I made the decision to move to the front of the room rather than on the side with my group so that I could reach the whole class. I went heavier on my weight selection and projected - it is definitely helpful when the class is cheering you on and is supportive. I am really enjoying the people I am meeting.
At the end, I knew I nailed the choreography, thought I did a bit more than just initial cueing and felt pretty good about form. Margo then did video feedback and confirmed I hit the chorey 100% and had just two adjustments on my form - on the chest press, I would hit the middle of the chest which is good but on the way back up needed to arc back an inch so my bar was over my shoulders. On the bottom halves, my elbows came down just a bit lower than the bench top.
The hardest part of the day was definitely the Body Pump Instructor Challenge. I paired up with Jennifer, who was amazing and supportive and a great coach, as I hope I was to her. I will not go into detail here; suffice it to say it involved lifting weights heavier than normal and while physically challenging to say the least, I completed it and while we were stretching at the end, I burst into tears. The realization of what I had just accomplished over the last 45 minutes or so, coming from where I began 2 years ago, hit me like a ton of bricks and I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. I am so amazed at what I am able to do now, how strong I have become, how passionate I am, how I can push myself (with help of course) farther than I ever dreamed possible, ASTOUNDS me. I went up to Margo afterward, people had left for lunch and she asked me if I hurt myself because I was crying! I explained to her my emotional sappy self, and she was so encouraging and supportive; telling me how powerful it is to be able to come from a place where I can use my journey to inspire and motivate others.
I left and since I had a sandwich with me, knew I needed to go get my comfort drug of choice - Starbucks. Cried the entire way there, wore my sunglasses inside and cried all the way back. What an emotional sap I am!!
After some more training and teaching, we got ready for the second presentation. At this point, my body was stiffening up something fierce, my arms literally were quivering for about an hour after that challenge. Legs were not shaky, just sore. Since I am not as strong in my upper body, I felt it there the most.
Second presentation went well for all of us - each of us took the critique from earlier and made the proper adjustments. What was interesting is that every one of us made at least a small error in the choreography, including me, and I think it was fatigue setting in and the focus on what we needed to correct from before. Margo didn't mention it, though, in the feedback so I guess she understood that we were getting tired.
We finished an hour early and I went back to my brother's house and Theresa was so shocked to see me walk in with energy as I told her about my day. Of course I had to cry and I relayed how emotional I was and so we both cried as she told me how proud of me she was.
Off to a hot bath and shower, listening to my music and choreography, sat and watched the DVD and tried to script out my cues. Because this track has so many different movements, it's harder than the chest track that I did today. But I know the back track well and have the chorey down. I just want to be able to coach correctly.
I am definitely fading fast now and I think I will just get in bed, put my notes under my pillow again (I swear it worked by osmosis last night!) and get up at 6am for a last bit of practice. I didn't get the chance to practice on live people tonight - Theresa has fed me well and had a great dinner tonight, but I needed more time in the bedroom on my own practicing. I think in the morning I will be able to speak my cues out loud and be fresher than I am now. Feeling pretty stale........
Today started off with an odd caterpiller warm up. I am not even going to go into it. Needless to say, my team lost and we had to do 10 push ups on the toes. I did it.
Presenting came first - I was a bit nervous but after practicing last night, using Ron, Mathew and Theresa with broomsticks this morning, and doing the moves in the car, I knew the chorey and felt good. We were not using microphones so I knew I would have to project my voice. Since I was the only one presenting the chest track I made the decision to move to the front of the room rather than on the side with my group so that I could reach the whole class. I went heavier on my weight selection and projected - it is definitely helpful when the class is cheering you on and is supportive. I am really enjoying the people I am meeting.
At the end, I knew I nailed the choreography, thought I did a bit more than just initial cueing and felt pretty good about form. Margo then did video feedback and confirmed I hit the chorey 100% and had just two adjustments on my form - on the chest press, I would hit the middle of the chest which is good but on the way back up needed to arc back an inch so my bar was over my shoulders. On the bottom halves, my elbows came down just a bit lower than the bench top.
The hardest part of the day was definitely the Body Pump Instructor Challenge. I paired up with Jennifer, who was amazing and supportive and a great coach, as I hope I was to her. I will not go into detail here; suffice it to say it involved lifting weights heavier than normal and while physically challenging to say the least, I completed it and while we were stretching at the end, I burst into tears. The realization of what I had just accomplished over the last 45 minutes or so, coming from where I began 2 years ago, hit me like a ton of bricks and I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. I am so amazed at what I am able to do now, how strong I have become, how passionate I am, how I can push myself (with help of course) farther than I ever dreamed possible, ASTOUNDS me. I went up to Margo afterward, people had left for lunch and she asked me if I hurt myself because I was crying! I explained to her my emotional sappy self, and she was so encouraging and supportive; telling me how powerful it is to be able to come from a place where I can use my journey to inspire and motivate others.
I left and since I had a sandwich with me, knew I needed to go get my comfort drug of choice - Starbucks. Cried the entire way there, wore my sunglasses inside and cried all the way back. What an emotional sap I am!!
After some more training and teaching, we got ready for the second presentation. At this point, my body was stiffening up something fierce, my arms literally were quivering for about an hour after that challenge. Legs were not shaky, just sore. Since I am not as strong in my upper body, I felt it there the most.
Second presentation went well for all of us - each of us took the critique from earlier and made the proper adjustments. What was interesting is that every one of us made at least a small error in the choreography, including me, and I think it was fatigue setting in and the focus on what we needed to correct from before. Margo didn't mention it, though, in the feedback so I guess she understood that we were getting tired.
We finished an hour early and I went back to my brother's house and Theresa was so shocked to see me walk in with energy as I told her about my day. Of course I had to cry and I relayed how emotional I was and so we both cried as she told me how proud of me she was.
Off to a hot bath and shower, listening to my music and choreography, sat and watched the DVD and tried to script out my cues. Because this track has so many different movements, it's harder than the chest track that I did today. But I know the back track well and have the chorey down. I just want to be able to coach correctly.
I am definitely fading fast now and I think I will just get in bed, put my notes under my pillow again (I swear it worked by osmosis last night!) and get up at 6am for a last bit of practice. I didn't get the chance to practice on live people tonight - Theresa has fed me well and had a great dinner tonight, but I needed more time in the bedroom on my own practicing. I think in the morning I will be able to speak my cues out loud and be fresher than I am now. Feeling pretty stale........
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Day 1 of Body Pump
I should SO be asleep right now. I'm exhausted but can't seem to stop playing the track I have to present tomorrow. My saving grace is I don't have to present till 12:00. I was assigned track 3 which is chest. Not my strongest track but I'm actually thankful I got it as it gives me the opportunity to perfect my form and get stronger. So I believe I have the chorey down 100% which is the number one priority. Margo says if we say nothing else, as long as we have those cues down we are good and this song really lends itself well to this track.
My issue seems to be the other cues - the initial, which I have,but the ongoing ones... It is so amazing to realize how much hard work it is to teach a class. So much to remember! In the morning I will practice out loud the cueing, and if I have to make my brother and sister in law get on the floor to do it with me I will. It's just more embarrassing with family!
Met a bunch of nice people today. Class size is 12 and it feels just right. Doris, who teaches the TKB class at the gym is here so we connected. Her class was actually the only where I mentioned to others that she had good enough form to be an LM instructor and here she is! I've only talked to and partnered up with a few people but expect to do it with more tomorrow.
Even though I brought a ton of snacks I was so hungry by 8:00 tonight because our breaks were all 10-20 minutes and there was not enough tine to leave and get something. I drove Britanny and Eric to look for a Subway but we couldn't find it and freaked out about getting back late because if we walk in even one minute late we have to do 10 push ups! no way.
Okay. Gotta sleep. Music playing all night and chorey notes under my pillow, literally!!!
My issue seems to be the other cues - the initial, which I have,but the ongoing ones... It is so amazing to realize how much hard work it is to teach a class. So much to remember! In the morning I will practice out loud the cueing, and if I have to make my brother and sister in law get on the floor to do it with me I will. It's just more embarrassing with family!
Met a bunch of nice people today. Class size is 12 and it feels just right. Doris, who teaches the TKB class at the gym is here so we connected. Her class was actually the only where I mentioned to others that she had good enough form to be an LM instructor and here she is! I've only talked to and partnered up with a few people but expect to do it with more tomorrow.
Even though I brought a ton of snacks I was so hungry by 8:00 tonight because our breaks were all 10-20 minutes and there was not enough tine to leave and get something. I drove Britanny and Eric to look for a Subway but we couldn't find it and freaked out about getting back late because if we walk in even one minute late we have to do 10 push ups! no way.
Okay. Gotta sleep. Music playing all night and chorey notes under my pillow, literally!!!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
I'm Ready
As I'll ever be. I'm packed - gym bag with extra clothes, snacks and extra shoes. Another bag with more snacks and a small lunchbag cooler ready to throw some perishables in tomorrow. My overnight bag with toiletries and more workout clothes. One, count them, one set of regular clothes since I doubt I'll even wear them. Lunches made, dishwasher going and I'm beat. With the amount of crap by the front door you'd think I was going away for awhile. Always been an overpacker. Oh, got the laptop also.
The plan is to drop Cassie at mom's in the morning so she can be taken to school and then a stop at some random coffee shop (hahaha) and hit the road by 8:00am. Check in is at 11:00 and the module begins at 12:00 so I should have plenty of time.
Mentally, I'm not freaking out anymore. I'm nervous but excited now. It is what it is, and I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I guess I need to trust everyone that keeps telling me that I can do this. Especially the ones who have gone through the training. I'm not opposed to hard work and I know that's what this weekend will be. Bring it on.
It brings tears to my eyes to realize that in March 2008 I was a 230 pound woman who was dragged to a Body Pump class, taught by the one and only Alex Kattar. The next day I couldn't move but I went back... again and again and now, 2-1/2 years and almost 70 pounds less later, I'm about to walk into a training to become an instructor myself for a class that changed my body and my life.
So freaking awesome.
The plan is to drop Cassie at mom's in the morning so she can be taken to school and then a stop at some random coffee shop (hahaha) and hit the road by 8:00am. Check in is at 11:00 and the module begins at 12:00 so I should have plenty of time.
Mentally, I'm not freaking out anymore. I'm nervous but excited now. It is what it is, and I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I guess I need to trust everyone that keeps telling me that I can do this. Especially the ones who have gone through the training. I'm not opposed to hard work and I know that's what this weekend will be. Bring it on.
It brings tears to my eyes to realize that in March 2008 I was a 230 pound woman who was dragged to a Body Pump class, taught by the one and only Alex Kattar. The next day I couldn't move but I went back... again and again and now, 2-1/2 years and almost 70 pounds less later, I'm about to walk into a training to become an instructor myself for a class that changed my body and my life.
So freaking awesome.
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