BODYSTEP

i made it.

18 hours
5,700 calories
37,000 steps
4 blisters
and five pounds...

...that was my weekend.

and i got a PASS. which is the highest score. i was told by another instructor i would probably get a pass with-held just because i'd never taught before. and, honestly, i was expecting that. but i got a pass. (!!)

today, all my toes are tingly. my body weighs a million pounds. and i am SORE.

i met some wonderful women there (there were 12 of us) and our trainer was so much fun. it wasn't what i expected at all. but i'm glad i did it!

for anyone who doesn't know what i'm talking about, here's a basic description of bodystep off of les mills' website.
BODYSTEP™ is the energizing step workout that makes you feel liberated and alive. Using a height-adjustable step and simple movements on, over and around the step you get huge motivation from sing-a-long music and approachable instructors. Cardio blocks push fat burning systems into high gear followed by muscle conditioning tracks that shape and tone your body.

i have until june to turn in a video of myself teaching a class--start to finish--by myself. i have to get 2 basic fitness certifications. i have to co-teach at least 4 times...i'll probably do it about 6 times. and before i do all that, i have to learn the entire release (so 55 minutes of choreography). right now i know 4 minutes 44 seconds worth. (we had to memorize one track (that we were assigned to) to teach to the class yesterday)

so. a lot to accomplish. but i've jumped in, and i'm doing this. i'm proud of myself for doing it because it's really not something i like to do. i'm putting myself out there, beyond my comfort zone. i joined the gym when aidan was 2 and oliver was 8 months. i was pretty burned out with being at home. i started trying the classes. i started with bodypump, then tried bodystep. i remember those first 3 or 4 classes, i thought to myself, "i'll NEVER get this!" and i quit going for a few weeks. then tried it again. after 5 or 6 classes, i was getting the hang of it and it became fun. and i was addicted. i went to step and pump all the time. then i had the infamous terrible job of 2009 (sonshine station) and didn't go for awhile, but after quitting that i started back. i started attending bodyflow about 2 months ago and i love that one, too.

so, if you have the les mills' classes at your gym and have thought about trying them, i encourage you to! there's also bodyattack, bodyjam, bodycombat,  bodyvive, and rpm (cycling). these classes are good for people like me. i'm lazy. if i got to the gym and just do the elliptical or machines, i'll quit after 30 minutes or so. and (especially) with step and pump you can adjust to your fitness level. so it won't push you until you're ready. you can start out with out even having a step, just on the floor. or with pump, you can start without weight. i see all kinds of people in classes..from college students to people 50 and over! it's pretty incredible.

i'm going to spend the rest of the morning reading books to oliver. then i'll be taking a nap. :)

thanks for all the encouragement, yall are great!