INSANITY

Hello my name is Audrey and I am addicted to infomercials.  Specifically just the fitness related ones.  Last summer I watched the infomercial for the INSANITY dvds about 1,000 times.  I could practically quote the people in the clip.  Needless to say, I ended up ordering that set so that I could have my fix any time I wanted.   For the most part, I'm a little skeptical of most of those infomercials and the products they are trying to pawn off on innocent and gullible fools that will pay big money for those "miracle" items that will change their life.  So when the dvds came in, they had alot to live up to.

The INSANITY dvd's are appropriately named.  They could have been named "Shoot me now, I'm dying"  or "Shove these hot pokers in my eyes, it would be less painful".   The set comes with 10 dvds, a wall calendar that tells you which dvd to do on which day and a nutrition guide.   I will admit, I went in to the workout thinking to myself "I'm in good shape...how bad could this be?".  Very. Bad.

Bad, but in a good way.  I really believe what Shaun T preaches in his infomerical...."INSANITY will put you in the best shape of your life."   If you are the type of person that strives on a challenge...that wants to push yourself to the absolute breaking point...then this series is for you!  I was not able to do the INSANITY challenge exactly as the plan wanted me to.  I also had to fit in my gym classes I teach and I didn't want to give up my running.  However, I did use the dvds as a supplement to my regular routine....trying to squeeze it in a couple of times a week or when I wasn't able to run.

When school started back in the fall, my devotion to the series dwindled.  Then, almost a year later, I'm laying in bed flipping through mindless television, and there he is.  The Gatekeeper to Torture.  Shaun T.  The infomercial was a newer version (still advertising the same dvd series).   I found myself once again mesmerized by the promise of 6 pack abs and a rock hard body.  Might be time to dust off the set.  Somebody hand me my straight jacket....here I come.

Pay it forward

One of my dearest and oldest friends has asked me to run in a 5K fun run with her next weekend.  This is her first 5K and she is nervous.  Besides the fact that she is my best friend and I would do anything for her, I feel a certain obligation to support her in this endeavor.

I ran in my first race 20 years ago.  It was on my 23rd birthday to be exact.  A friend paid my registration fee as my birthday gift.  Forget the girlie gifts like candles, books, jewelry...I got to do something I was sure I was gonna hate.  My friend even devoted her time to help me "train" for the race.  I had never run before - unless it was to the frig and back - and told myself I couldn't do it.  I had recently lost alot of weight and was not necessarily new to exercise.  I loved going to group fitness classes but I could never visualize myself as a runner.  I remember being totally in awe of my friend - with her wall full of trophies, ribbons and awards for all the races she had ran in.

We started going to the local track to train.  Baby steps.  I couldn't even run half way around the track without wanting to kill myself or her.  How is it that I could do aerobics for hours on end and not make it 10 minutes running in a circle????   She didn't give up on me.  We went back. Again.  And again.  And again.  Each time I ran a little bit longer and felt a little bit stronger. 

Race day came and I actually finished 2nd place in my age division.  I have my friend to thank for that.  Without her support and encouragement I would not have done it on my own.  She is a huge part of the reason I am a runner today.

Always strive for your own fitness goals....and then remember to lend a hand to others that need some help along their journey.  Don't forget to PAY IT FORWARD.

Back in the swing

I am a morning person by nature.  So I really do look forward to teaching Zumba at 5:30 AM.  We had an AWESOME class this morning.   I get a rush when I see how many folks actually left their warm covers to come out and get their groove on with me on Monday and Wednesday mornings.  I had an extra special surprise this morning when I saw a girl walk in that has not been to class in a long while.  Of course, I do need to mention that she was busy having a baby and building a new house.  Anyway, I was tickled to see her back in class.  With 4 young children and a brand new home, this is one busy lady!

Babies come along.  We get new homes, new jobs, new commitments.  The important thing to know is that it's never too late to pick back up where you left off with your fitness goals.  I hear so many people say that they just fell out of the routine and never could get back into the swing of things.  It doesn't matter if you fall off the wagon a million times, GET BACK ON.   Life happens.   Be around to enjoy it. 

My running love/hate relationship

A friend of mine once said, "I love running....until I'm actually doing it".  I couldn't agree more!  As a matter of fact, I was sooo NOT loving it this morning.  At 5:30 AM.  In the cold.  Uphill.  Both ways. 

I teach Bodypump which I love.  I teach Zumba which I LOVE .  I RUN.    When I talk about my fitness regimen, I always say how running is one of my favorite cardiovascular activities.  All of that completely went out the window at about umm 5:45 AM.  My only saving grace was that I had great company....to keep me entertained and to keep me from totally wimping out halfway through the run.  

When it comes to fitness, by all means, do what you love.  But even if you don't love it at the time there is always a way to make it better.   Put some kick tail music on your ipod, enlist your friends to commit with you or just tell yourself..."this too shall pass".   I love how I feel after the run.  Accomplished.  Sweaty.  Strong.  So if it means I have to endure 45 minutes of hell on Asics, I will do it.  Every time.