Guess What I Did?

It’s a year of doing things I’ve been way too scared to do. At least that’s how it’s starting out.

Saying yes to Sarnia’s Dancing With The Stars will be the first big one, coming up Saturday January 19th at the Quality Inn in Point Edward. I have never pushed myself this far out of my comfort zone. It’s one thing to imagine yourself on a stage, singing or dancing your heart out, like I did when I was much younger – to imagine what that must feel like – to be good at something and have the whole crowd cheering, to be doing something you love so much.

Months of practice and hard work trying to get it right.  Months of practice leading to one chance on that stage to support an incredible local charity.  It’s been an incredible journey of self discovery. A dream come true in so many ways. It’s forever changed me for the better.

So with this new found courage, I’ve done something else I NEVER EVER EVER (cue Taylor Swift) would have done in my lifetime.

I said yes to BOTH a Zumba class AND Pound.

Me!  The one who swore she didn’t belong there, she wouldn’t fit in there, she had no skill required to take such a class.  Yes, I went there. And I loved it!

Zumba was tons of fun.  If you love music and love to dance and forget that you are actually WORKING OUT you will probably love Zumba.  Is it hard? Well, it gets your heart pumping really fast but it’s easy to modify or give it 10000%.  You do it at your level. Follow the instructor and just let go. I have to admit I was so afraid to go into that first class. Afraid I would fall behind and not be able to keep up. Everybody is friendly, everybody is helpful – and you really can’t screw up.  I will admit after the first fifteen minutes I was ready to just stop.  But after a few songs I was absolutely loving it. I forgot there were other people in the room. I forgot just how worried and scared I was when I first got there.  There was some 80’s songs in the mix, which I like to believe were purposely chose – ha ha ha.  When you hear Wham! – Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – you can’t help but move.

Last night I tried Pound.  Music (including some 80’s – it’s like they know me!) Drumsticks. Fun.  One website describes Pound as a combination of cardio and weight training that includes some of the rhythmic techniques used in Pilates.

Lots of squatting – I mean lots. Your legs will hate you in the first ten minutes. They will hate you even more the next day.  But what a fun workout. It works your whole body – even those dreaded abs.  You get to use what look like drumsticks. But prettier. They are colourful, light-weight drumsticks called Ripstix. And while you feel like a rockstar using them, they are actually helping to tone your forearms, upper arms, chest and shoulders. Impressive, right?

The music will get you fired up and excited to be there.  With sticks in hand, banging in time with the moves – you will forget you are working out.  You will burn a ton of calories, and the thrill you feel while doing it is like nothing else. Yes I had to stop a few times and catch my breath – you know, to avoid  passing out (ha).  But that’s ok.  You can do it at your own pace.  And can I add the instructor is pretty amazing too?  Chris will make you feel right at home.  Lots of laughs, lots of fun the whole class.

I swore I would never go to the gym or join a class. It was far too intimidating for me.  But after this week – I realize that a whole new world of fitness has been opened to me and I am more than a little excited to do it again.

Do it. I dare you.  Try something you have always been afraid to try.  Do something you’ve always let fear stop you from pursuing. It doesn’t have to be Zumba or Pound class.  Do something that takes your breath away.  For those that want to join me – The Studio is where I will be next Tuesday and Thursday night. Your first class is FREE.

Categorised in: Afternoons

This post was written by Carrie Buchanan