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| Ten weeks of HARD work giving results!! |
I have tried 100 times to get myself in shape and 99 times I've given up...... Every time I gave up I started to think this "healthy living" thing wasn't in the cards for me. I just wasn't cut out to be a size 6, I'm big boned, my genetics were holding me back, I broke my leg, I broke my arm, I got sick, I can't run because my boobs are too big and I don't want a black eye. You name it, I made an excuse for it not working out and, well, quit working out. But now I look back and realize, those 99 times were there to show me what I truly wanted and to weed out what I didn't. It was never easy to give up because it put me in a place, mentally, that I never wanted to return. Yet, I would return-- willingly-- because I did not like what I was doing, how I was doing it or just didn't fully believe it was in the cards for me.
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| Working it in Body class |
What has changed you ask? Well, by a series of awesomely fortunate events, I crossed paths with the owner of a studio that I now consider my second home. Not sure how we became Facebook friends but we were. She commented on my thoughts of becoming vegan (which I haven't done to the full extent yet but I'm learning) and that was that. It was a life changing event that has brought a support group of women and a few men, who dare, that are happy, healthy, funny, working each day to do better for themselves into my life and I am SO grateful to have the opportunity to join them.
There is no miracle pill or single exercise that will make you healthy. I think we all know that by now. It is pure determination and hard work. It takes time, patience, growth, some pain (and by some I mean a lot but never more then I can handle), support and a true willingness to give it my all if I really want something to happen in my life.
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| Balancing in Mind class |
So, my new friend invited me to take a class at her studio, Define Body & Mind. My first class was on November 5th and I was completely hooked! There was giggling going on in place of groans when the workout became super intense. There was encouragement to "Smile through the shake." There was a room full of smiling faces. We weren't packed in like sardines in a sea of faces like classes at the gym. The instructor knows everyone's names and frequently gives you that boost of confidence you need by telling you what an awesome job you're doing over the mic. They come through and correct your stance so that make sure you maximize each moment of your class. I knew almost immediately that I was home.
There are 3 classes I take there that range from a full Body, barre, use your own body as resistance and light weights type of class, a Revolution class (REV for short AKA Spin) and the Mind class where you stretch and work out all of the lactic acid your muscles have in them after working so hard in your other classes by rolling over a hard silver ball called a Yamina ball.
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| REV class |
Now the REV class, quite frankly, scared the crap out of me AND I completely avoided it for the first month. I would just peek into the room like some sort of nosy neighbor ask, "Uhh.. Hey...Hey guys..What... whatcha doin' over there neighbor?" And for the record-- if you want to join a place like this I would totally suggest NOT getting on the bike as your first class. Those who have taken it know the seats are small and your, ahem, "whoody who" feels like someone beat the crap out of it with a sock full of rocks. BUT the good thing is, that doesn't last. You will soon get used to it and your nether regions no longer feel like they require an ice bath after every class. None the less, I chose to get up on that bike and ride like we were in the Tour de France and ready to bring home a million dollars for our team. Because we are ALL in that ride together. We push hard together, cheer for one another and there is an awesome added effect with dimming of the electric candles so you can really dig down deep as things get tougher to help you stay laser focused.
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| Never a dull moment with the best instructors on the PLANET! |
Within the first 2 weeks of joining and bringing on some of my close friends, they started a 6 week challenge. The challenge was to take 36 classes in that 6 weeks. I was not only determined to make it, I was determined to CRUSH the challenge and crush it I did. I ended the 6 weeks with 53 classes and on the final day, I took 5 classes. Two bodies, two Revs and a Mind. I'm not even gonna lie to ya... I felt like a freakin' CHAMPION that day!! And just for the record-- I won the challenge and earned myself a free month! Really though-- I won far more then that. I gained confidence, knowledge, experience, friendship and lost about 18 pounds and quite a few inches. So rewarding!
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| After my first intermediate class! |
As you can see, I love the place and even though I gave up 99 out of 100 times, this time I've got the mental strength I need to reach my goal. This time I feel the love, support and guidance that I've always wanted to get on the right track and for that I am eternally grateful! Even though I'm not even half way there, physically, I'm all the way there mentally. This time I am not giving up. I've got too much going for me and too many people supporting me to not make it. But most of all-- I believe I can do it. THAT is more then half the battle and turns a dream into a reality.
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| Feeling and looking good!! |
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| Notice how my right shoulder was slanted down and now I am aligned! |
