The "Fit" part of FitBloggin'

It's no secret that I'm not exactly YaY!!!! Fitness!!!! While I am now convinced that it is a non-negotiable part of being healthy it has not been an easy place to arrive at.  I haven't blogged much about my change in attitude this year because I haven't been able to find the right words.  Back in June my trainer asked me to write a testimonial, he asked again this evening.  To sum up, he's changed my life. But that's another post.

I was nervous about the workouts at FitBloggin'. Could I do it? Could my beat up knee handle it? While I've been working out twice a week since February I wasn't really sure where my fitness level was in comparison. In comparison to what I don't know, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I came back up from DC on Friday morning with an EPIC hangover and all I wanted to do was sweat it out. I hustled to get back for the Crossfit workout only to stand around for 30 minutes and workout for 6. Really? This is Crossfit? Air squats, sit ups, burpees and pushups?  Maybe it's different in a Crossfit gym but I was totally unimpressed. I did finally try on the Reebok sneakers though and wore them tonight. Loved them! Much better than my walking sneakers for what we do in my gym.

I wasn't planning on doing the Cathe Friedrich workout Friday morning but after the disappointing Crossfit experience I needed to sweat and hustle. She provided exactly that. I have no coordination nor do I have any speed but I still had a ton of fun. Some things were super easy, like the bands and some stuff was super hard, like the squats with the discs. I had been doing squats in PT this summer with a laminated piece of paper so I was happy to discover that there is actually a piece of equipment I can get for this purpose. Workout DVDs have never been my thing, but being a new mom, I can see myself giving them a shot.

After those two workouts my knee was feeling it.  I iced for the rest of the morning, 20 mins on 20 mins off 3 times.  I took a picture and was SHOCKED to see my quad.

Saturday was more workouts but this time sans hangover. My one big fitness regret of this conference is that I did not get up for Erin's bootcamp. I psyched myself out of it after watching her online videos... She was in front of me during the Cathe Friedrich workout and I was in awe of her strength and power. When I put the two together I was all No Way! Turns out Erin is one of the nicest sweetest people ever. I took one picture of myself with someone else at FitBloggin and it was with her. I really wish this had been taken after that bootcamp. Now I know. Self doubt is still a problem for me. 

My favorite workout was by far and away the Fit Trampoline session put on by Jump Sport Saturday morning. It was led by one of the most charismatic fitness instructors I've ever seen. Not that I've seen many, but wow, Jeff was awesome. I was hesitant to try it because of my knee issues but once it was explained to me that this is about pushing down rather than jumping up I was sold. Not that jumping up and down on a trampoline wasn't fun and totally freeing (omg I got air) but the glutes, hamstrings and quads really got a workout. I tweeted this picture of me in hopes of winning of a trampoline and even though I didn't, I love this picture. That smile on my face is pure happy endorphins. 

Next up was Zumba and I really wanted to love it. I hated it. It was rough on the knee and I'm not sure if that's because I had done a bunch of stuff already but... wow.  I already knew I was not coordinated from the Cathe Friedrich experience but Zumba took it too a whole new level. Hips and rhythm and I don't have it. About fifteen minutes in I took a wrong step trying to keep an eye on Sue.  Tweaked I was done. I went upstairs to shower and snapped some more pictures.  I loved the full length mirrors in the rooms at the Hyatt (and also in the bathroom).  Not often I get to see myself full length and can check out my awkward angles and sagging skin, but this is me. And my messy hotel room. 

The last fitness opportunity was the 5k on Sunday morning.  Normally distance is not a problem for me.  I walk all the time.  Several miles several times a week usually pushing a stroller.  Sunday morning I woke and unfortunately was clicking with every step.  I think it had to do with the shoes I had on in this picture below.  What you can't see because of the pose is the Lidocain patch.  I love those things but as I explained to a Baltimore Raven hitting on me in the elevator they give me confidence I shouldn't necessarily have... He complimented me on my shoes. It's been years since I've worn a pair of heels with confidence. 

I hemmed and hawed over which distance to do but in the end was glad I went with the mile. Our small group included two of my most favorite people from the weekend. Shauna and Sue. Meeting these two is a whole other post but what a way to finish up my weekend. :) 

It was a surprise to me how much I loved the fitness part of FitBloggin'. It gave me a chance to try out exercises I never would have otherwise and I was thrilled to discover that I am actually in pretty decent shape. I've been building up slowly since February and it was neat to be able to just do. I sweat for sure and even sucked some wind (Affirmative!) but overall I kept up just fine. What a fantastic opportunity I had to show myself that I am capable.  I may have the knee of an 80 year old but I can still use my body.