So I did some research for "low impact" exercise which included Yoga, Pilates and something called Barre. Think ballet movements, squats, planks, yoga poses, everything with your body weight and a 1-lb hand weight. Supposed to make you lean and flexible...I could use some of that!
I signed up for 2 weeks of unlimited classes and this morning was Day 1 of "Project April!" School backpack packed, gym bag packed and I'm out the door on time. The studio lobby is full of several levels of fit ladies when I arrive. Super friendly lady at the front desk checks me in and shows me around and introduces me to the instructor, Hannah. She's very nice and full of information which I only remember a portion of.
Hannah helps me set up my station with a stretchy band, a squishy ball and a pair of 1-lb hand weights (how cute and tiny). The lady next to me says hi, we chit chat, she's been doing this for a few months and loves it. Its the only thing that doesn't hurt her wrists (think Boot Camp torture) and she has quickly seen results! That sounds promising!
We start out with the warm up to Lady Gaga music and quickly transition into squats. Lots and lots of squats. And lunges. Lots and lots of lunges. And arm movements. Then arm movements with 1-lb weights. Lots and lots of arm movements. Those 1-lb hand weights aren't so cute anymore!
We're only 10 minutes in and I'm thinking, "This is going to be a lot harder than I thought!" Transition into a yoga pose, up on toes, hold it, hold it, now pulse and pulse and pulse. My thighs and ass are burning! Painful but hoping its the fat burning off! My legs are shaking but I notice several other people, Hannah included, are shaking too so cool.
Go to the bar and stretch out the glutes, then down to the floor for mat work. Yay! We get to lie down! Wait what?! Up on all fours, leg kicking back while we lift the hand weight with arm on the opposite side of the body. This, my friends, was embarrassing! I had zero balance! I kept falling over. Imagine a table whose 4th leg suddenly breaks and the whole thing falls over. This was me.
We get to the end of class with a cool down and gentle stretching and all I could think of was how sweaty I was and that I had to go straight to class! Stinky! No showers, just a packet of Burts Bees moist towelettes in the bathroom for a quick wipe down. Great.
I bolt out the door and as soon as I hit the stairs, my legs go all noodlely...that is a word right? Seriously, what the hell?! Normally the "I can't sit down on the toilet without a grab bar" doesn't hit until the next day. I JUST LEFT the class! Sigh. I make it to my car without doing a face plant in the parking lot and take off for school.
I get to campus with only my top 1/2 changed and manage to finish the other half in the micro-stall in the ladies bathroom. Maybe I'm more flexible than I thought! Made it to class with minutes to spare! Go me!
I initially thought I'd try to make it everyday for 2 weeks.
Hahahahahahahahahahaha! I think every other day might be a more realistic goal. We'll see how I feel Wednesday morning.
***UPDATE: Day 2 is when you feel it!
Grab bar! Grab Bar! Grab bar!!!
Doesn't help when the Hubs and child are snickering at you while you hobble around the house.
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