Tortured by Jeremy and Laurie

Jannae Powell

Jeremy had a complete work out plan ready for Lynn and I when we arrived. He politely ignored my sounds of disgust when he suggested that I run around the track 4 times. I can't remember the last time I ran. In fact, before meeting with Jeremy the only reason I thought I might need to run was if something was chasing me. I was pleasantly surprised when I could run around the track all 4 times without keeling over to my death. This was a big boost for me, I felt like I had accomplished something. I shied away from running for most of my adult life for reasons that lots of women do: when you run things jiggle. (And things DID jiggle. So I made a mental note to wear 2 sports bras next time and continued with the session.) We learned the proper way to exercise our arms and legs and everyone's favorite: crunches. (Ugh…. crunches….) We did several exercises that looked REALLY goofy… walking lunges and walking kicks… If we walked around like that in public I KNOW we would be approached by the police. But we endured and made it through, even though we continued to have to do a lap between exercises. Ugh… more running… Jeremy encouraged us the whole hour and wouldn't let us give up. I was nervous about the idea of a personal trainer, like we were going to get some mean German woman named Olga who would put us in a headlock if we couldn't keep going. But Jeremy was neither mean nor was he German. He did some reverse psychology garbage that actually MADE me want to keep going. He simply said, "This is YOUR workout, you can do as much or as little as you like." Because I had already resolved to get healthy, this tactic actually worked for me. I can try to wuss out on my workout but I am going to have to answer to my biggest critic later: ME.

After our session with Jeremy I downed a whole bottle of water in about 10 seconds, was light headed and was certain that I was going to vomit. But I absolutely did NOT feel like eating. So exercise IS effective…. I guess. I read all the time that exercising gives you more energy. Ok, WHEN?! Because after working out with Jeremy I passed out for about 3 HOURS!!! I have been to work out 2 more times since then (it was only last Sunday) and each time I didn't want to move afterward. So I'm not convinced yet that exercising gives you more energy… we'll see. So far it makes me feel like I have been hit by a truck. But I am determined to carry on.

We have been going to a kickboxing-style class called "Turbo Kick" with Laurie. It's a great combination of total torture and fun. Laurie is a great instructor, she is wacky and entertaining. She takes us through steps of choreographed kicks and punches, with upbeat and funky music. We are going to try her Funky Fitness Hip-Hop Hustle class tonight. I imagine it to be a lot like the kickboxing class without the kicking and punching. I have to say though… the kicking and punching are really satisfying on rough days. It's like an angry workout… you can really burn off some aggression with the calories.

So that brings us up to date now I think! Will let you know how "Funky Fitness" goes tonight!