I'm 4 months post-partum now, and so totally ready to get my trim little hips back! Wait, I never had them to begin with... but I want some!
So I went to a local Lady of America gym near my house and signed up for the long haul. It's a cute little place (and I mean little) but it does have everything I need-- instructors, a whole slew of classes at various times throughout the week, lots of equipment big and small, and -- most importantly -- daycare!!!! Yeehaaaw!!!!!
Next, I go home and open my drawer of exercise clothing. Hmmm, what still fits? Well, practically nothing, but isn't that the point? I pick out a t-shirt, some shorts I can wear without too much embarrassment, and pull my sneakers out of the closet. I'm totally set.
The first class I attend is Ultimate Toning on the Ball. I like exercise balls, so this sounds like lots of fun. The instructor is perky and seems very informed, the music is upbeat, but I quickly realize my personal stamina is sorely lacking. I don't have any balance to stay on top of the ball, and hardly any abdominal strength to do any other moves on it. Halfway through the one-hour class, I just sit down on the floor, panting hard. My instructor is concerned, but I reassure her I'll be better after I finish off my water bottle.
OK, so maybe I should avoid classes with the word ultimate in the title.
The next class I try is a short 30 minute step aerobics class, only to find it's an advanced class with a fast pace, intricate footwork, and high-impact moves. Usually I can follow dance moves fairly easily, but after 10 minutes I am totally lost, and overheating as well. So much for that.
I'm feeling downhearted. I am starting to realize how out of shape I really am, and how much stamina I don't have anymore for exercise. These classes make me so sore, from head to foot for days afterwards. But I don't want to give up. I am determined to make exercise a regular part of my life, lose some weight, and slim down some of this fluff-n-stuff. I just have to go at a much slower pace.
I talk with another woman who works at the gym. I ask her- which classes are good for beginners? She recommends I try the low-impact aerobic class. And I do. This class uses lots of fun toys -- steps (no risers for me, thank you), dumbbells (will I look too wimpy with 3 lbs?), exercise balls, and weightlifting bars (will anyone care if I only put 2.5 lbs on each end?).
Suddenly I feel like Goldilocks in her quest for porridge -- this class is just right. The pace is slower, the instructor is encouraging but not demanding, and she even stops and shows us how to do a particular exercise here and there. I feel more at ease going at my own pace. We get a few water breaks. And all the equipment is fun to use. Sure, some of the women around me look like they're professional exercise trainers, but there are also women who weigh a good 100 lbs more than I do. It's still very hard work, but the pressure's off. I can do this.
Two days later, I'm still a little sore, but I keep stretching and keep a good attitude. I have hope that someday soon exercising won't make me so sore, I will get through an entire class without overheating so fast, and maybe I will even need to buy smaller pants. Someday.
So I went to a local Lady of America gym near my house and signed up for the long haul. It's a cute little place (and I mean little) but it does have everything I need-- instructors, a whole slew of classes at various times throughout the week, lots of equipment big and small, and -- most importantly -- daycare!!!! Yeehaaaw!!!!!
Next, I go home and open my drawer of exercise clothing. Hmmm, what still fits? Well, practically nothing, but isn't that the point? I pick out a t-shirt, some shorts I can wear without too much embarrassment, and pull my sneakers out of the closet. I'm totally set.
The first class I attend is Ultimate Toning on the Ball. I like exercise balls, so this sounds like lots of fun. The instructor is perky and seems very informed, the music is upbeat, but I quickly realize my personal stamina is sorely lacking. I don't have any balance to stay on top of the ball, and hardly any abdominal strength to do any other moves on it. Halfway through the one-hour class, I just sit down on the floor, panting hard. My instructor is concerned, but I reassure her I'll be better after I finish off my water bottle.
OK, so maybe I should avoid classes with the word ultimate in the title.
The next class I try is a short 30 minute step aerobics class, only to find it's an advanced class with a fast pace, intricate footwork, and high-impact moves. Usually I can follow dance moves fairly easily, but after 10 minutes I am totally lost, and overheating as well. So much for that.
I'm feeling downhearted. I am starting to realize how out of shape I really am, and how much stamina I don't have anymore for exercise. These classes make me so sore, from head to foot for days afterwards. But I don't want to give up. I am determined to make exercise a regular part of my life, lose some weight, and slim down some of this fluff-n-stuff. I just have to go at a much slower pace.
I talk with another woman who works at the gym. I ask her- which classes are good for beginners? She recommends I try the low-impact aerobic class. And I do. This class uses lots of fun toys -- steps (no risers for me, thank you), dumbbells (will I look too wimpy with 3 lbs?), exercise balls, and weightlifting bars (will anyone care if I only put 2.5 lbs on each end?).
Suddenly I feel like Goldilocks in her quest for porridge -- this class is just right. The pace is slower, the instructor is encouraging but not demanding, and she even stops and shows us how to do a particular exercise here and there. I feel more at ease going at my own pace. We get a few water breaks. And all the equipment is fun to use. Sure, some of the women around me look like they're professional exercise trainers, but there are also women who weigh a good 100 lbs more than I do. It's still very hard work, but the pressure's off. I can do this.
Two days later, I'm still a little sore, but I keep stretching and keep a good attitude. I have hope that someday soon exercising won't make me so sore, I will get through an entire class without overheating so fast, and maybe I will even need to buy smaller pants. Someday.
Way to go, Jeanie-Bean!
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