Resolve to Get a Life: Week #4

Sieze every day to get out and have more fun with Amanda, Onlineshoes.com’s Rehabilitated Recluse.

Three weeks into “Operation Get a Life” and already I‘ve checked five items off my To Do list. Watch out world, ‘cause I’m on fire!

After learning the finer points of butt-kicking in martial arts, and then subsequently getting my butt kicked in flag football, I’ve taken up Hot Yoga, Zumba, and Step Aerobics.

I had tried one yoga class back in college and never returned. Nothing about it was natural. While everyone else was centered and relaxed, focusing on their chi, I was trembling like a leaf, grinding my jaw and praying to Buddha not to let me fall. In fact, the only thing even mildly enjoyable about it was hearing the funny names the instructor would call out. I wonder how yoga instructors can keep a serious face as they ask you to move into the ‘happy baby pose’ or ‘downward dog’. But I digress…

So after my less than successful attempt, I promised myself I would give yoga another shot…eventually. And now, years later, I am again motivated. So this time I signed up for the current craze: Hot Yoga.

Now let me tell you, the discomfort I felt during my previous experience was dwarfed in comparison. Not only was I contorting my body into ridiculously awkward positions for 90 minutes, but I was doing it in 105 degree heat. Despite the initial discomfort, Hot Yoga has its benefits. For one, the vast excretion of sweat, although sticky and gross, releases toxins. And secondly, it is great for sleep. On the days that I have yoga, I get at least a full six hours of uninterrupted shut-eye. For someone who is lucky to get four hours of broken sleep, this is reason enough to attend.

Zumba and Step Aerobics are both offered at my gym for no additional charge. (Free is good!) I had always chuckled to myself as I passed by the studios and saw the aerobically challenged jump around to outdated, Top 40 music. And now, I am one of the fools.

When I showed up on the first day I was cocky. Looking around, I saw people with at least 15 years on me in far worse physical condition than myself. I felt like a young stallion in a stable full of old mules and was confident I would be running circles around them. But once the music started, I proved to be the ass. For every one fluid step the others took, I would take three frantic steps, haphazardly trying to keep up. Though this increased my caloric burn, it did nothing for my ego. And to top it off, I am forced to stare at myself in a mirror the entire time, so as not to lose sight of how idiotic I look. As with everything else I have tried up to this point, it got easier the more I went. I can confidently say that I only look half as ridiculous as I initially did.

So with five regularly scheduled activities, two things have changed in my life.

1. I am a very busy girl. When people ask the question, “What did you do last night?” I no longer shrug my shoulders and sigh. Now I demonstrate how I am a master of the snap-kick and tell tales of challenging the untamed beast.

2. I am on my way to becoming ‘The Bag Lady’. For every activity, I have some sort of accessory: yoga mat, ninja shoes,stability ball, running shoes, football, etc. And because my primary form of transportation is public, my accessories go where I go. On a typical day, I will have my book bag, my gym bag, my lunch bag and an umbrella. All I need now is five cats and a house stacked full of old newspapers. 

Overall, I’m happy with my progress and am motivated to take on more items on my list. The sky is the limit folks!

Next, I’m thinking dance classes are in order, and I really want to learn to shoot a gun.