I think we all need to practice what we preach onto ourselves.  Does that make sense? 

Here’s the thing, I’m a HUGE believer in handing out compliments.  Not just for the sake of sucking up to anyone - OH NO!  But, for example, if you see someone that looks like they lost weight, tell them; if you notice something super cute on a stranger, tell them; look at the person at the drive-through and smile; hug your husband and kids extra tight; …  My whole philosophy is if you can make someone smile for no money at all - do it!  It’s free!  We’re in a recession and doing things for free is trendy, right?

Anyway, my story goes that yesterday I was feeling a little down on myself.  My family is taking a much anticipated trip to Hawaii in April and I really need to get in shape.  My arms are jiggling and my cellulite is more than noticeable.  There will be pictures of me in a bikini in 3 months so I have no time to waste.  My plan was to join a new Pilates studio in my neighborhood and look like Jennifer Aniston in 6 weeks. 

OK, so yesterday I allowed someone to make me feel a little down.  Well, not just a little down - but a whole lot down.  They said it and I allowed it.  Instead of being my own cheerleader (as I happily am for everyone else), I took the comments as an attack and couldn’t pull myself out of it.  I just wanted to curl up in a ball and go to sleep - but who can do that?  I have two kids.  My two BFFs said all the right things to bring me up, but I just assumed that they have to say that.  That’s their job. 

But then this morning, in the pouring rain, I walked into Pilates class and the instructor asked me if I knew Leila (someone who was on the reformer next to me last week).  I have no idea who Leila is because when I work out I am in my own zone…not looking at anyone and quite honestly, hoping nobody is looking at me.  Leila asked the instructor who I was and commented on my super cute mom body.  Stop!  Ta Da!  My world changed from cloudy to sunshine!  I think I even heard angels singing.  First of all, I dwelled on the “mom body” part for a minute, and then I allowed myself to be completely picked up and out of my blue zone.  Snap!  Just like that I was happy!  A complete stranger who wasn’t even there at the time made my day.  Her one little comment changed everything for me. 

This is why I’m a strong believer in freely giving compliments!  You just never know how powerful your words can be.  Thank you, Leila…whomever you are!

I know you’re wondering what happened to me losing 5 pounds by attending Lynette’s Booty Camp class.  You’re probably just dying to know!  Well, the answer is a big fat NOTHING!  I got sick.  A serious summer cold that left me unable to recover for over a week.  It was the worst kind of cold…the kind where you don’t lose any weight!  Where is the silver lining in all of this?  I am going back to the gym tomorrow.  I’m dreading it.  Taking two weeks off is scary.

I’m thinking that tanning may be an easier option.  It’s more difficult to see cellulite through a golden bronze tan.  Every woman over 35 knows this!  Keep your fingers crossed for me over the next few weeks.  I need all the positive energy I can get!!!!

I’ll keep you posted!

I’ve been a gym rat my entire adult life so I consider myself an expert someone who’s seen their fair share of instructors and classes.  I’ve been through high impact, step, spin, Pilates and yoga…but this instructor rises high above all others.

Her look is part of the trick.  She’s a tiny, petite, tan, cute, blond, soft-spoken and fully clothed girl.  She’s hiding her inner powerhouse under those clothes and I am so on to her now!  Who knew the torture I was about to endure?  Who knew I would wake up in pain for the next 3 days?  She was almost like a pitbull in a Yorkshire terrior costume.  (BTW, I’m not a dog lover.) 

As usual, I walk into class to meet my friend, J, who’s always punctual.  She has our “stuff” all set up.  I look lovingly at the spin class that’s about to begin in the studio next door and a small tear rolls down my face, but I realize that I must stand firmly planted in this class.  I need to build muscle.  I’m a weakling!  I’ve read that muscles begin wasting away as you age.  (It’s a good thing I’m not aging or I’d really be concerned.)

 So class begins slowly.  A nice easy warm up.  Nothing unusual.  But then, hell froze over and we were in plank.  While plank is not easy for me in the first place, it’s really not easy to hold it while jumping our feet together (in and out), and then going right elbow, left elbow, right hand, left hand, and then balancing on the bosu ball and rocking left to right.  Yes, you heard me - all while in plank.  Just when we thought it was over, she told us to do another set and then ANOTHER SET.  Really?  I kidd you not!!!!  And here’s the thing - she was doing it with us just to prove that it could be done.

 The class didn’t end there.  Oh no!  That was just the first 15 minutes of torture.  We still had 45 minutes more and she wasn’t even breaking a sweat!  I think in some countries this is illegal!  After this we had to jump onto a platform, jump over six steps (jump, jump, jump, jump, jump, jump) and then do some crazy overhead press squat combo.  This girl doesn’t stop.  I wanted to run into the corner and cry. 

 I did look out the window on several occasions and wish I was in the psycho cycle class.  Cycle class is for babies compared to this.  How was I going to walk out of here without anyone noticing?  How was I going to walk down the steps to my car?  How was I going to make dinner?  How was I going to survive this?  Quite simply - I made a pact with myself.  As soon as my body looks like Lynette’s, I’m going to quit the gym and save myself $75/month.  I’m giving myself until Labor Day to lose 5 pounds and have a fraction of the definition she has.  I’ll keep you posted.

And then to make matters worse, she has two kids, ages 2 & 3.  Sometimes life isn’t fair!