A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Market.....

I have to share a great humorous story with all of you.  I was in a local Sprouts today picking up a few things when I saw one of my step class regulars.  I was so excited to see her because I LOVE it when I see students outside of class and we get to say HI.  We were all chatter boxing all about a new step class and circuit class I am going to begin teaching at a brand new location that starts TONIGHT!!!!!  Woooo hooooo!  Anyways we were joking around and talking about classes for about 10 minutes before we noticed that there was a mystery lady there that kept walking by us.  Apparently our enthusiasm for class was oozing out our pores and we lost track of our inside voices.  Well, on about her third pass she decided to stop and this is what she said……

 ”Wow! This sounds like the most fun and exciting part of the store!  Can I join in on the club here?”

To which I emphatically replied, “ABSOLUTELY!” 

This came out even louder than I was talking, because now there were a few people looking at us.   That is one thing about being a group fitness instructor;  you really don’t have a problem with projecting your voice, sometimes I even feel like the microphone I use during class maybe unnecessary….teeeee heeeeee!

Well, my friend and I said our good-byes and I was off to grab my ground chicken breast.  I headed up to get in line and check out.  I saw that the two of them were on the opposite side of the lines chit chatting back and forth, but I didn’t think anything of it.  As I finished checking out, I walked towards the door and the mystery lady was passing me by.  I thought there was going to be just a friendly exchange of smiles and we would be on our way to enjoy the rest of our days.  However, there was and exchange of words that went with the smiles and it went something like this…..
I should also mention she apparently now knew my name which I did not give to her……

Mystery Lady:  “Hey Tabitha!?!?!?!”

Me:  “Yeah!?!?!?”, as I looked up from my receipt and smiled

Mystery Lady:  “I’m going to go head out and get FIT!!!!!”

Me:  “RIGHT ON!!!  YOU GO GIRL!”

Every time I think about it I can’t help but chuckle and be happy.   As a fitness instructor, I thrive on others being inspired through enthusiasm.  To that mystery lady I say “Thank you”!  Your enthusiasm now has me now inspired and supercharged up to teach my brand new double header of classes tonight, STEP AND CIRCUIT TRAINING!    Who's in?!?!?!?!

Homework:  Let me know what or who has inspired you to fitness today?????

Oh, The Monday Aftermath!

TBC (Total Body Conditioning), as it is taught at our gym, is typically a workout that combines muscle/resistance training with high powered cardio intervals.  I love teaching it because I get to be as creative as I want with the format and the exercises while having a ton of tools at my disposal (i.e. – dumb bells, steps, resistance bands, stability balls etc.)  I am not lying when I say that I will use anything and everything in the room if I think we can build a better body using it…even the lint on the floor if necessary.  After pondering and laying out the plan of yesterday’s class, I decided it would be good to send out a warning…

Tab:  "Hey! You might want to make sure that you leave enough time between snack #2 and TBC class."

Chelle:  "egads! Now I'm scared!"

Halfway through the class I did not realize as to how accurate my statement was going to be.  No joke….it was 60 minutes of non-stop energy (very little rest), great music, and calorie busting hard work.  Here is a rundown of what took place:

Overall Description:  4 Rounds/Stages of Circuits, each done 2x through and each with a theme that may look and sound a little familiar
(if you read yesterday’s blog you will know what I mean):

Warm-up

Stage 1:  GOALS: Think about the goal you want to accomplish during this stage

• Dumb bell Chest Press
• Sit-ups – with dumbbells continually pointed up to the ceiling
• Dumb bell Pullovers
• Sit-ups – with dumbbells continually pointed up to the ceiling
• 30 Plank jacks – pretty much a jumping jack in plank position

Stage 2:  COURAGE:  Have the courage to go after your goal

·         Single arm dumb bell squat swings

·         Squats w/ lateral leg lifts

·         Squat thrusts

·         Mountain climbers

·         30s – 1 min Static squat holds

Stage 3:  YOUR BEST: Do your best to get closer to your goal

·         Woodchopper w/ one arm diagonal dumb bell swings

·         Resistance band rows

·         21s – Bicep curls w/ the resistance band
     *7 all the way up & halfway down
     *7 all the way down & half way up
     *7 all the way up & all the way down

·         Bench hops

·         Bench step ups/run ups/jump ups

Stage 4:  CONQUER: ‘Nough Said here!

·         Bench Dips

·         50 Push ups

·         50 Lower half squat pulses

·         30 Butt-ups – You can check this one out here:

o    http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/butt-ups

·         Plank hold – 1min

Stretch

When we were done, the equipment put away, and everyone was gone, Chelle and I shared a couple of looks that could only translated into one conversation (I love that we share a brain and can have conversations without even uttering a sound)….

“Where is the closet garbage can we can puke in?” :D

Which was followed by...”Now that was a great workout!”

And then finally…”But….Who is going to carry us down the stairs to our cars?”  ;)

I have to say…for me, I will have fond thoughts of the queasiness of yesterday every time I go to move and feel the soreness today!  Killer Monday Workout…CHECK!

Bring on Tuesday!

FEAR! An Equal Opportunity Tormentor!

I have been in the fitness industry for over 10 years.  With my group fitness credentials I have taught hundreds of step classes, boot camp classes, muscle conditioning classes, kickboxing classes, and even a few dance classes.  A few months ago I participated in training to add both ZUMBA and cycle to my list of formats.  I do not have a problem wearing a microphone, nor do I have a problem being in front of a class (most of the time).   Ok so……With all this in mind, why is it, I ask you, that I am so MASSIVELY AFRAID to get out there and teach a ZUMBA or a cycle/spinning class???  We are talking butterflies the size of semi-trucks! 

Hello, my name is Tabitha and I am a “cycle and ZUMBA instructor virgin”.   Here’s the problem and what goes through my head regularly…  Unless my classes are perfect, there is no way anyone will want to come to them.  So rather than run the risk of being  the ZUMBA or cycle instructor that people DO NOT like, I should stick to what I know and with what I am comfortable doing.  Even though I have taught all the other formats so many times…and you can ask Chelle this…I still always get this flash of fear as I am standing outside the classroom door to go teach…”What if no one wants to come to my party”.  How is that for knocking yourself down!?!?!?! 

Like you all, I have people that I idolize.  Some of my idols are “STUPENDOUSLY WAY AWESOME” fitness instructors.   I have met them in person, taken their classes, and have trained with them to get my new certifications (i.e. – ZUMBA and Cycle).  Their classes are OUT OF THIS WORLD, the best classes I have ever been to.  Thank you JULZ ARNEY, JAY BLAHNIK and VANESSA LUPERCIO!   I am fortunate because they have shared with ME the tools I need to succeed in creating the same magic that they do on a regular basis.  But, stepping out of my comfort zone and putting myself out there in this way is sooooo HARD! 
What if I fail???  Ok now…..WAIT!!! STOP!

With all of the talk about goals and transformation in the last few weeks I decided this weekend that these unhealthy thinking patterns have got to change!!  I need to transform and get my mind in check.  After doing quite a bit of soul searching, talking to other instructors, talking to some of you (Thank You RFF Transformation Participants), and reviewing my tools, I finally have the courage to take the first step.   This step, as it was over 10 years ago when I first started teaching, is to focus on creating and COMPLETING my first class plans in these formats (something I have been struggling to do since I have gotten ZUMBA and cycling certified).  On Sunday, I started with a cycling class.  It took me all day practically, but I am happy to say that my first cycle class plan is DONE!  Next step…..PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE (‘nough said there)!   Then that final and most crucial step… JUMP OFF THE EDGE….get my booty in front of a class and TEACH IT! UGH! 

I know the last one is going to be the hardest.  However, I believe deep down that when I get on the other side of that first class it is going to be one of the most rewarding feelings I have ever had.  In the end, it is going to make all the uncertainty, discomfort, and struggle worth it, because I know that it is something I really enjoy and want to do well.  My first few classes are probably not going to be perfect, but that is why I am a work in progress.  I will continue to work at it and this how I will grow and improve.  Yuck!  Those words tasted like vinegar coming out of the mouth of a perfectionist.  All I want to do is to have fun and influence others in the same way that my idols have influenced me.   The only way I know to achieve this is to have the courage to put myself out there, to try my best, and do everything within my power to conquer these fears...even if I have to do it over and over again.  So here is my mantra for the week…..

COURAGE, do your BEST, and CONQUER!

 Ok, with that said…Let’s get this week started!!