I went to the gym this morning and took my 3 times a week class – Strengthen and Tone. It would be better called ‘Cardio with Weights and Jumping Around’. Strengthen and Tone appealed to me – I need to get stronger and the Lord knows I need toning.
But life is pretty funny.
Cause it turns out I need Cardio with Weights and Jumping Around more. My legs (logs with bricks attached) are learning how to jump. Did you know if you don’t jump your body forgets how to do it? My feet don’t like coming off the ground. But my feet don’t control me, my mind does. So we jump. I started with 3 pound weights two weeks ago. Don’t laugh – I don’t see you in the class lifting weights. I am now up to 5 pound weights. Muscles, if you don’t use them, don’t work so well. So I’m building my muscles back up (guess that’s the strengthening part).
Today we straddled a step (remember Jane Fonda in the 70’s doing the whole step thing? one of those). Then we lifted one leg to the side and then we lifted it to the other side. 50 times. Then we repeated it – but we lifted one leg 2 times to the side and did the other leg twice too. Finally,we repeated it again. But this time we did it three times on each side. Liz, the instructor, promised me it would delay hip replacements.
Did I mention we do abs? Lots of abs? We do. Crunches, with leg lifts, on a ball, sideways – there’s lots of ways to do abs. So underneath that fat I’m building a six pack.
I’m the oldest person in the class. I have very little coordination. I lift up rather jump a jack. I moan. It takes me forever to get down on the floor to do abs or whatever crazy thing we are doing. I look ridiculous. And I don’t care.
Cause this exercise (let’s face it, that’s what it is) is giving me a better life.
What are you doing today to have a better life?
Sometimes even when you’re a younger person in the class you moan and struggle to keep up! Unfortunately my hours at work switched and I haven’t been able to go to the classes. I thought I’d do ok with just going on my own, but I’ve been terrible about going to the gym all summer. Which is sad since I had sworn I was going to do so much better this summer… I’m hoping I can make a better effort this fall… and your timing is impeccable again, I already had packed up the gym clothes and my swimming suit into the car to go back starting tonight!
good for you! it’s worth it.
Let me know the next time you sign up for a class and I will too….then we can look silly together!
it’s a deal Deb!
Once my foot heals up I will be back to walking, until then I have to stay off of it. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Denise — and your job is to take care of that foot!