IT'S ALL ABOUT SPIN CLASS

As some of you know, over the past year or so, I have been slowly yet successfully losing weight and getting in shape through exercise and changing how I eat (with the help of Weight Watchers). One of my favorite ways to burn calories has been taking spin classes at the gym. Okay, I have a confession to make (don’t you just love my confessions?). Until I took a tour of my new gym and they showed me the spin room with all those shiny bikes in there, I thought spin classes had something to do with dancing. (You know, spinning around or something. Right?) I have a friend who, to this day, will still do a little twirl sometimes when I mention I’m going to spin class!

So let me tell you first why I started going to these classes. Because somebody told me I shouldn’t! Really! It was early in my working-out days, and I mentioned to a friend (who is very physically fit) that I was thinking of trying it out, and she told me she thought I should get in better shape first. Hmmmph! I showed her! (Actually when I brought this up to her a few months ago, she couldn’t believe she ever said this to me and was even more proud of me that I tried it and stuck with it!)

Here’s why I stick with it: I can’t embarrass myself! In step or dance classes, I just can’t seem to pick up the moves fast enough, so I end up bumping into people or doing the wrong thing. But in spin class, I can’t make a wrong move! All I have to do is pedal! And if I get tired, nobody has to know that I took resistance off for a little bit while I recharged my energy. But in a step class, they would surely notice if I stopped moving for a while!

Now the spin instructors are all over the board. There are instructors who just stay up there and pedal and tell you what to do in a very monotone voice and are very boring. I stay away from their classes! However, I also stay away from the ones who DON’T STOP TALKING THE ENTIRE TIME! Good music is a must. Being motivating is absolutely necessary. And good videos are definitely a plus. Most instructors just use the videos that the gym supplies (Bike-O-Rama-Vision through different parts of the country – yawn, various bike races – double yawn), but I have one instructor who actually puts different music videos together for our rides. Even cheesy 80’s videos! I love those days! (Thanks, Karen K!)

So if you’ve never tried a spin class, go for it!. Yes, your butt will hurt like hell for a couple of days, but it really does go away if you keep going to class. As my “music video” instructor says, don’t worry, you don’t get calluses on your butt, either. If she did, her husband wouldn’t let her teach these classes!

Karen

GYM ETIQUETTE!

I know it’s January, and all you people have made these grandiose New Years Resolutions to lose weight and get into shape, but do you have to do it at MY gym? Let me tell you, I am NOT HAPPY when I can’t get a bike at spin class, even though I show up a good 10 minutes early. (Well, okay, maybe only 3 minutes early sometimes, but that’s not really the point here, is it?)

So even though I know that most of you will be gone in another month or so, I feel it’s my duty (for my own sanity) to give you some Gym Etiquette Guidelines:

1. In the locker room, mind your space. This means, do not spread your stuff out on the bench like you’re the only one there. There is one bench in each row for about 75 lockers, so YOU ARE NOT ALONE! If you go to the shower, either take your stuff with you, or put it back in your locker. When you leave, put your towel in the bin. Nobody else wants to touch your sweaty towel, believe me! Oh, and I know it’s a locker room, but please cover up. It makes some people a bit uncomfortable when you walk around in the buff. Save that for home.
2. If you are saving a bike or a place in a class for somebody else, that’s perfectly fine, up until 5 minutes before the class starts. Then give it up for someone who really wants to be there. There is nothing more frustrating (okay, there are a lot more frustrating things than this, but I’m trying to make a point) than your friend not showing up and a bike or a space going unused in class.
3. This one I cannot stress enough: wipe off your equipment after you use it. Nobody wants to use your sweaty barbells or get on a wet cardio machine after you. Really!
4. You all know to use deodorant, right? Here’s another one. Do NOT try to cover up body odor with perfume or aftershave. Sweat and sweet do not mix, and we really don’t want to smell it. Ever.

Okay, I think these are the high points. As somebody who has been working very, very hard to lose weight and get into shape, I applaud all you newbie's at my gym. Really! Just remember your manners and we’ll get along just fine!

Oh, and keep up the good work!

Karen

CALORIE PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS!

Christmas is only 4 days away, and I’m trying my best to create a calorie deficit by then. But it’s not just Christmas I’m worried about. My mom and my sister are both coming in town the day after, so of course that means most of our meals will be eaten out. In fact, the majority (okay, all) of our activities will be built and planned around our meals.

And it certainly doesn’t help that I actually gained 1/2 pound last week. I mean, really, who gains the week BEFORE Christmas? Me, that’s who! Then this weekend was a total bust. DH and I went out for a nice romantic dinner Saturday night (well, the restaurant was romantic, the candlelight was beautiful, the service was fabulous, the food was to-die-for, but, oh yeah, his seat was facing the bar where he could see the Saints/Cowboys game playing… not that he was watching!) where I ate WAY too much of course. Then our own pitiful football game on Sunday where it’s impossible to eat sensibly at a stadium, and out to eat again Sunday night after our horse-drawn carriage ride with the boys to see the lights.

So now it’s Monday morning, and I’m getting ready to go to spin class at the gym, where I will be EVERY morning this week until Christmas, trying to build that calorie deficit. Oh shoot, I just remembered, I have a holiday lunch with a friend at an Italian restaurant today, so that’s a wash. Tomorrow I can be good, though.

**Sigh** Wish me luck!

Karen