Left! Left! Left! Right! Left!

At six o'clock last night, my palms were sweating and my heart rate was elevated from anxiety. I was driving to my very first *gulp* boot camp class!

That's right, I, Princess Melanie, went to boot camp. My body has pateaued with the workouts I keep repeating at the gym. I know I could lose weight faster if I could just watch what I ate. But apparently I would rather torture my body with exercise than control what enters my mouth. So I needed something new.

I had looked into the Snohomish County Boot Camp a few weeks ago, but chickened out after corresponding with the lead trainer. I was all gung ho to go get my butt kicked at boot camp until I expressed a concern that I wouldn't be able to keep up with the class. The trainer emailed back with, "If you've been going to the gym 4 days a week, you'll do just fine and we do have people of all different fitness levels come. We have beginners who can barely jog 1 lap around the track..." Wait a minute - I can barely jog around the track. I mean, I can do it but I am very winded afterwards. Yes, even though I have been running in the mornings for the last three weeks. So I chickened out and didn't sign up.

Two weeks later, the scale is moving in the wrong direction. I decided I had no choice. I had to do this. And besides, I get one week free! So, with trembling fingers, I signed up online. All day yesterday I was scared out of my mind. What if my knees give out? My arms are sore from my previous workout, what if I can't do any of the exercises? What if they scream at me?!

All sorts of horrifying thoughts kept running through my mind until quitting time at 5:00. The term "Boot Camp" just sounds so foreboding. But it was too late to cancel. I was signed up.

I pull in at 6:04 (the trainer knew I would be a bit late) and they were just getting started. The trainer, was easy to spot. She was this cute Asian girl with Oakley's on. She greeted me from across the field with a warm smile, "Are you Melanie?"

From that point on, I was able to relax. The trainer had me jump right in. It was super challenging, but you work at your own pace. Really, it was like your high school PE class - but harder because you are ten years older and are packing on a few - ok a lot! - of extra weight.

I was lucky the trainer was nice. She was motivating and worked us out hard without being overbearing. I don't know that I would be going back if the founder of the boot camp was the trainer: His name is Mr. Pain. 

So, if you are tired of your same ole, same ole gym workouts, I suggest hitting the outdoors with a boot camp class. It was great to be with other people working towards the same goal as you and who were struggling just as hard. You aren't the only one!

Behind the Times

I bought my mom a Pilates DVD and balance ball from Costco like 10 years ago. Thus far, the DVD has never been taken out of its case and the balance ball has mainly been used as a seat or for my daughter to bounce and roll on. Since my mom wasn't using it, she gave me permission to take it home.

I have never done Pilates (which my mom pronounces as "Pie-laits" - she is so cute!) so don't know much about it. I tried the DVD for the first time last week.

First off, I think I would be better suited for a boot camp type of regime where I am constantly yelled at. Because this lady's soothing, soft way of speaking just about put me to sleep. However, I did learn one thing from attempting to do these exercises: I am severely uncoordinated. Severly. To the point that I may qualify for disability. No joke. It is physically impossible for me to breathe according to the Pilates way. And during the introduction, they emphasized how important the breathing and posture is. Basically, if you can't breathe properly and align your body correctly, this whole workout will be useless.

I tried. Really, I tried. And I failed. The ball will again be used as a seat or for my daughter to kick around the house.