I Did It!

Ruth Ann, Me and Rachel celebrating my official first day as an instructor

A little over three years ago, I started working out at a gym called Body and Soul Fitness.  You can read about this fitness program's philosophy here. I chose to begin working out with a cardio and strength training class simply because I have a little background doing aerobics and thought it might be the best fit for me. The class also worked with my schedule and offered free childcare, so I signed up. My motivation? I gained forty pounds during my pregnancy with Lucas and the pounds were simply not coming off. Four years earlier, I had gained seventy pound with my twins, but found that within a year, I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight. A year after Lucas, and not only had I not lost the weight, but I was feeling tired and just not at all like myself.

The day of my first class, the music started and I did my best to try to keep up. A few minutes in and I was huffing and puffing. Surely I wasn't that out of shape, right? The first thirty minutes flew by, then I grabbed my weights. I picked out the lightest looking ones and did my best to keep up. I am so glad I did not give up that first day. I kept coming back and with the incredible encouragement from my instructors, I started working out not because I had to, but because I wanted to. The music was upbeat and positive and the choreography changed often enough to keep me on my toes (and to keep me from getting bored!). And best of all, I started to see results. I was able to lose that pesky post-baby weight, and as a bonus I started to tone my muscles and build my endurance as well.

Fun workout + seeing results = WIN-WIN!

About a year after I began exercising at Body and Soul, my mom ended up in the hospital. And if you know my story, you know that she stayed there for six months before she passed away. From November of 2010 to May of 2011, my life was being turned upside down. I was torn between spending time with my mom at the hospital and time at home being a wife and mom to my husband and kids. I was tempted to let everything else fall by the wayside. I am sure glad I didn't. I decided to continue my three mornings a week workout routine and it turned out to be such an incredible stress reliever. Not only was it good for me physically, but emotionally I could praise God through the songs, cry out to him as I pushed my muscles to work harder, and find the prayer support (and plenty of hugs) from the many women who worked out with me. The support didn't stop after my mom passed away either. The women in my class are amazing. I am very grateful for them.

I share all of this to give you an idea of why I am so committed to Body and Soul Fitness. So committed in fact, that this past February I became an official instructor. Well, right now I am only an Emergency Sub Instructor, filling in as full time instructors need me. But one day, I do plan on becoming a full time fitness instructor-- probably when all three of my kids are in school all day. It was nerve-wracking to get up on stage and lead a class, but after the first time, I felt in my element.

So, thanks for letting me toot my own horn for a bit. Now, if you live nearby, come check out a class! :)