I am a Judgy Judgerson...

Don’t judge a book by its cover- I know my parents instilled this lesson into my brain over and over-- but it never took.

In my journey to get my last 18 pounds off by Christmas (I can do it, I can do it…) I have decided to venture out of my normal routine. How many times have we heard that when you hit a plateau to change it up. I like change as much as the next person- but if it means this last 18 pounds then bring on the change!

A while back I attended a boot camp class with my sister at a local community center- and I had an OH DURRR moment… I live in a community, and we have a center- three of them actually- SURELY they have a boot camp class at one of them. SURELY. So I went digging online and sure enough…

“EXTREME BOOT CAMP – SEE GREAT RESULTS AND GET WHOLE BODY BENEFITS FROM THIS FAST-PACED PROGRAM. CHOOSE YOUR METHOD EITHER HIGH OR LOW INTENSITY”

I maaaaaayyyyy have missed that first word, got overly excited about the affordable class, it’s right down the street (literally), and had time slots that I could make work (with some help) for childcare, that I didn't stop to think about what I was getting into! But I did this class awhile back… I would be FINE!

It was time to head to the class. After my sister kicked me off the phone so I could go in (I may have been stalling… maybe), I paid the nice old man at the counter and settled into this huge old gym. It was big enough for a basketball court and more, with two stories of stairs off to the side (who needs stairs in a gym??), and plenty of room to move around. While I was waiting for class to begin, I started to check out the other people trailing in. Okay, okay, I was judging the other people trailing in. And my confidence began to build. I was (by far) the youngest person in there. I think the next youngest in age was in their 60’s, followed by other women in their 80’s. I got this in the BAG! I mean, I am a half marathon runner, right??

The instructor came in, super fit and super nice, she walked right up to me (the new face in class) and explained to listen to the ole body, and only push as hard as I could- avoid injuring myself. Oh lady- I am an expert, I am an exerciser right here. She headed to her mat, began the wonderful workout music and the party was ready to begin.

As our warmup progressed, I was feeling pretty great- jogging and stretching is no problem! Nice and easy, breathing fine and still able to hold a conversation. I had a smile on my face and the world was a great place. Then it happened. My perfect little world began to crumble…

We went from pushups to squats to planks and then to jump squats in a matter of minutes. Burpees... As soon as the word left her mouth I wanted to throw up. Never stopping!

Did you need a drink? Oh well!

Did you need to stop? Suck it up buttercup and keep on going!

Do you know that 60 seconds can last for an ETERNITY when you are doing plank-jacks? AN ETERNITY. And just when I thought I had surely finished the 45 minute class, I look up and it had been five minutes. FIVE MINUTES.  As the workout continued the instructor would call out “keep your butt down”, “keep your arms straight”, and “don’t stop now” and as I looked around during those instructions, I realized, she was talking to me! Those elderly ladies were on top of their game. They smoked me in pushups, not to mention they can plank like there is no tomorrow! And then it happened I found out why those stairs were in the gym. I found out nine times. Well eighteen if you ask me, I feel like going up should be one and coming down should be two, but the instructor was not interested in my opinion. Sprints, bicep curls, stairs, planks, pushups in a form I haven’t even heard of before and more stairs. The longest 45 minutes of my life. You knew where I was stationed because there was sweat everywhere and at any given time you could see me lying flat on my back like a turtle trying to take in my last breath.

As class ended, my elderly comrades jumped right up and began talking about attending the next class. And by next I mean the very next class she was teaching next hour! All the while I was just trying to get from all fours into a standing position. For the first time since I bought my car I regretted buying a stick shift and wasn’t sure if I could work the pedals to get home. Getting out of the car once I arrived was even worse.

All that being said, I did it. I survived. I didn’t die and I am sore, but I am stronger. And I can’t wait to go back! I am excited to see how boot camp changes my body in the next few months (yes I signed up for more than one—crazy I know)! Moral of the story... maybe I need to work on my judging skills because in this case the cover was very deceiving! Those old ladies kicked my tail!

Try something new- you never know… you may just enjoy it! 

Much love and burned calories to you!
~K