Spinning

I have, within the last month, discovered a new addiction (a good one)...spinning.  The first time I took a class a friend on FB asked me what it was- when I linked up some info she commented that it was not what she thought it would be.

I just wanted to share a few thoughts on this phenomenon (that's been around for a while).  I have been wanting to take a spin class for a while (after an orthopedic dr informed me to keep it as low impact as possible) but after watching things on tv and reading on the internet I was quite intimidated and being self-conscious of my body did not help the matter at all.  Other than Zumba! and one (yes, only one) body pump class at one gym (that I am no longer a member of) I have not taken a single group class- especially in a gym.  However, as this post showed I came to realize that it didn't matter anymore- that I needed to just bite the bullet and go.  So, I contacted my friend Rae Ann (who teaches spin and zumba at Provision Health and Wellness Center and arranged to go to a spin class with her.

This is point number 1 I want to make- if you are unsure of going to a class then arrange to go with a friend- not only do you have someone to keep you accountable to actually show up but you have someone to encourage you once you are there!  Rae Ann was my encouragement (and believe me that first class was HARD)!

After that first class I still wasn't sure that spinning was going to be something I enjoyed- my rear hurt!  The seat was not comfortable and my legs hurt for two days after BUT I know that one class is not enough to make a judgement on the class so I tried out another one, and pretty soon, another one.  Since I started this journey of spinning on June 11 I have done spinning approximately 10 times (more if I had not been out of town) and in those 10 times there have been several things that have happened: I SWEAT!, I have found myself pushing myself to do more than I thought would be possible, I have found that I look forward to going to spin class (which means I am looking forward to exercise) and not just the mental side but physically I am starting to see changes as well- my legs have been one place where I have carried my weight- through spinning I have started seeing some definition in my calves as well as some muscles developing in my quads.  Seeing the changes keeps me coming back for more and am now ready to kick my exercise up a notch by adding the strength training into my cardio.

So, after all that what is point 2?  Find something that you enjoy, that you can do, and do it well.  Doing it well means doing it to the best of your ability, listening to your body and adapting as needed!

Oh, and here's my challenge to myself- I write down my mileage at the end of a class and push myself to try to beat it the next class- won't always do it but anything that gives me the challenge/push to go harder it's worth it!