Wow! Cycle...that was intense and such a great leg work out. To start with, Cycle was something
completely new to me. I had heard the music blaring before and I just knew it was something I had to try.
When you walk into the room, it's completely black with glow in the dark drawings of roads on the wall. Pretty cool! The bikes had only one lever (move up for more resistance and down for less). I did have to find a kind soul and ask them how to position the bike. Thankfully, the instructor also came over to assist-and was super nice! She put me at ease and told me, "This is your ride...go at your own pace."
Gosh was she right. I'm so glad I didn't try to keep up with everybody. I listened to my body and did what she asked.
"Stand up on your bike. And then sit back down again. See how many times you can do that. It pushes your heart a little bit more," she told the class.
"What?! You mean on top of all this resistance, I have to stand up and sit down repeatedly."
But I put my big girl panties on ; ) I sucked it up, gritted my teeth and sweated it out : ) I didn't know the protocol was to bring your own water and towel. But thankfully the instructor had extra water---and I definitely needed it!
At end of class, I was drenched but felt so exhilarated. The instructor found me and asked, "You've never taken Cycle before?"
"No, but I REALLY enjoyed it."
"Well, you did really good with standing up and sitting down. I'm surprised you've never taken this class before."
So I told her about my blog and she gave me a bit of VALUABLE advice...
"Your butt will probably hurt from sitting on the bike. But take the class three times in two weeks and it will never hurt again."
Many of you have heard me talk about the new blog series I wanted to create. I think I will call it, "I Survived The Gym." I've always been slightly intimidated by the gym...mostly for fear of judgment from others. But after attending four Zumba classes, I've decided to throw caution to the wind and dive into the gym classes head first.
What does that really look like though? That means I'm going where not many people have gone before. I'm going to take every single gym class offered and write about it. Maybe it will inspire someone else to join the gym : )
Yes, that means I will drudgingly put on my bathing suit and jump into Aqua Tai Chi. Yes, I will lug some weights and sweat out to BodyPump. Yes, I will pack my towel and water and basically die during CYCLE. Yes, I will shake my booty to Zumba and yes oh yes, I will even try Qi Gong (even though I don't know what the heck that is). Believe me, I am the most nervous I've ever been. But I have a reason why I'm so interested in doing this!
When I took my first Zumba class in January, I was more nervous than I've ever been! Afraid I'd look stupid (I did), afraid I couldn't get the moves down (I couldn't) and afraid I'd get singled out in class (I was). Everything BAD happened to me. But you know what? I SURVIVED. Yes, I was embarrassed for about a week after but something kept telling me to go back. Was it the upbeat music that made me want to move? Yes! Was it the energetic instructor who tried to teach me how to move? Definitely! But the biggest reason of all was because I coveted the CONFIDENCE of women twice my age and twice my size moving their hips so effortlessly and looking so beautiful doing it! Gosh, could they ever move!!!! It's so inspiring to see small people, large people, older people and younger people all smiling and clapping once they'd completed a dance.
So after finding myself in the midst of my fourth Zumba class and sweating it out, I decided everyone needed to be encouraged to try a new gym class. Bottom line-it's FUN! Isn't that one reason why we want to live? To have fun! And I have to say my confidence is growing and I'm moving just as much as the 70 year old beside me : )
So here goes nothing! Wish me luck...especially during the water classes (for some reason, I'm nervous about that).
ZUMBA
Since I've pretty much explained what Zumba was like I'm going to give some pointers.
1) Don't make the mistake I did and find your spot in the middle of the classroom. The instructor discovered that I was a newbie and had to teach me in front of about 40 women. My face was red from embarrassment after that! Instead, pick yourself a nice spot in the back corner. That way you can watch and learn at the same time.
2) If the instructor is so good you become intimidated, pick someone on the front lines to watch. I could never move like the instructor, so I picked an energetic young 20's girl to follow!
3) And last, throw embarrassment out the window. No one looks at you! They only look at themselves-if their good or straight ahead (like me)... because looking into the mirror would be a complete tragedy...
And above all else-have fun! It will certainly make you SMILE!
Do you ever just stare into the sky and wish you were on that plane flying somewhere...anywhere but here?
I do-all the time! It had been a year and a half since we took our couples trip to DC. We knew we wanted to go somewhere but never really set down to plan it. So one day, I sat down and googled Carnival cruises.
"Wow, a cruise would be so nice. And look at these prices! So cheap," I thought. I couldn't wait to show The Hubs that night.
And that's how it all started. Exactly one month later and we were on our way to Miami , Fl.
Here we go! After numerous flight delays and having to drive from Richmond to Roanoke and back to Lynchburg, we finally got on a flight.
So long Miami! We were now off to Grand Turk and Little Stirrup Cay.
Watched a movie in the middle of the Caribbean...
Looking down into the Atrium of Carnival Victory.
Grand Turk
We made it to Grand Turk! Sipped on Piña Coladas and frozen Mojitos from Margaritaville and snorkeled in Hidden Bay. Swam with a Beracuda and drank a special Rum Punch made with Agave and Watermelon, after visiting an uninhabitated island.
Notice all the health risk signs on the cigarettes. They were everywhere.
Karaoke
The ship had so much to do-especially at night. We felt so young again, getting the chance to float from Comedy Shows to Game Shows each night. Our table of new friends from Chicago, New Jersey and Canada decided to Karaoke one night. The girls sang, "Everybody," by none other than the Backstreet Boys. And the guys belted out their best performance of, "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion. Did I mention the guys got a standing ovation?!
The Girls Singing, "Everybody" by the Backstreet Boys at Karaoke on Carnival Victory!
The Guys singing, "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion at Karaoke on Carnival Victory!
Little Stirrup Cay
On our second to last day cruising, we arrived on Carnival's private island, Little Stirrup Cay. The Hubs and I stopped to rent an umbrella and walked as far as we could down the beach. We found a quiet little spot near some trees. Even though the weather was stifling hot, the umbrella saved us from burning and a coolbreeze continuously blew the whole time. The cruise staff brought over so much good food from the ship. I loved the hamburger, jerk chicken and cous cous. For dessert we ate fresh pineapple and honeydew melon. So good!
When you're on such a beautiful island the taste of an ice cold Piña Colada sounded so nice. So I got one-of course ;)
The water was so clear and the sand squished between your toes like soft silk.
Yep, that's a sting ray.
And a live conk shell.
I decided to sit in the water while The Hubs relaxed in his chair. While looking at the ocean, I recalled standing on the top deck the night before. The stars were so clear in the midnight black sky and the moon reflected over the dark ocean waters. I told The Hubs, "Look at all of the water surrounding us and all of the stars in the sky. I feel so finite. So small. How could a God so big and powerful love me--love all of us?" The Hubs said nothing but I didn't really expect him to. It was more of a statement than a question. We stood in silence, leaning over the edge of the ship, watching the rushing water below us.
And again as the cool water gently washed over the shore and the sun kissed the top of my shoulders, I quickly became aware of how quiet it was. The ocean was so infinite...seeming to go on forever. I was humbled by the experience, reminded once more that HIS LOVE for all does endure forever.
Take a look at these verses from the Bible...
Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136: 4-9, 23-26
Back on the ship that evening, we made it upstairs in time to see the sunset. I thought again about how beautiful this life really is. God gives us tiny little glimpses of what Heaven will be like with sunsets, infinite waters and cool breezes.
The morning of our departure home, we drank our coffee on the deck and got one last look at Miami as the sun rose over the city. It was depressing to think of leaving all that beautiful weather, only to return to icy temperatures. But the one thing that made my heart warm, was the thought of seeing my beautiful babies. I missed them so much and was ready to be, "Momma" again.
So here's an update on life since introducing Facebook detox 30 days ago. Enjoyed a date with my lovely daughter at Sesame Street Live. Baby Girl and her "boyfriend" enjoyed popcorn and goldfish.
A quick Subway lunch. Best way to feed little kids. Take the lunch meat and cheese off the sandwich and feed it to the kids 😋
Baby Girl is now interested in playing The Memory Game.
Baby Boy ONLY wants to feed himself....Mr. Independent
Celebrated the big 29 with some great friends.
Grad School Friends😄
So so tired.
The next advertisement face of McDonalds.
Anyone ever went grocery shopping in the "car buggy"? So. Hard. To Push...
Date Night with The Hubs😎
Spiking hair for church...my heart melts😻
Baby Girl lovin on her baby dolls...such a little momma
He's so cute I could eat him up.
Best Smile all around
In the beginning, it was so tough having them so close in age. Now? Well it has been the best decision ever made.
Riding the froggie!
Hangin out with the boys:)
Crusin with her girls. Look at those precious smiles!
Wooh! 8:30 and momma is tired but still enjoys snuggling with her babies.
Again, did I mention how much I could eat him up...sooo cute.
Decided to keep them coraled in the bath tub while I took a shower. BIG mistake! How did the candle end up over there? How did Baby Boy get ahold of Baby Girls food? And how, oh how did she manage to open up the shampoo bottles?
So there you have it! It's actually been very relaxing not to look at the NewsFeed. But I'll explain that more in a future blog. And I've been spending more time with the kids...so I feel like I'm being a better mother :)
Stayed tuned for my exercise blog. I have an exciting announcement to make😉
