To Zumba or not to Zumba . . . that is the question

As part of the Better U Challenge I have a free 12 week membership to Health Strategies. They offer several group exercise classes, both land and water, and they aren't as crowded as the ones at the YMCA. I participated in Water classes on Monday and Wednesday last week and had a lot of fun with these, partly because my friend Patti is the instructor and partly because I've always been a water baby!  And to be honest, I really haven't been too enthused about doing any land exercise classes. In April 2002, I broke both bones in my right ankle that required surgery and have an 8" plate in it still. I tend to favor this ankle and have been worried about anything that is high impact. 

All day long today, I argued with myself about whether to do the water class or Zumba tonight - and I mean argued with myself, all the way up until I came home and was trying to decide if I was putting on my swimming suit or my workout shorts/t-shirt. I went for the later and knew there was no turning back . . . well that's not quite true, I could get out of it by doing some cardio, maybe conquering that elliptical! When I got to Health Strategies, I saw one of my Better U friends, Lisa, on the treadmill (instant guilt because I hadn't gotten there early enough to do that) and she joined me in this new adventure. 

Walking into the Aerobics Room, I was very intimidated by the MIRRORS!!! Lots and lots of MIRRORS - all showing my lumps, curves, and making me feel like a big whale (maybe that's why I like the water!). I recognized this for negative talk and knew it was Satan's way of keeping me from meeting God's plan for me to be new. So I said a quick prayer and decided to stick it out. The instructor, Olivia, was nice and said she would make sure to yell out the instructions so we could hear her. There were a couple of 20 something ladies in the class and several much older ladies (like in their 70s). So the music started and off we went! Well I was pretty off at least . . .while tripping over my feet and flopping my arms around in all the wrong directions, I remembered that I never could figure out how to do the Hustle, the Electric Slide, the Macarena - heck I even struggle with the Wave! I love music, I love to dance around, but to get my feet to make somewhat organized moves in rhythm, that ain't happening! 

That said - the class was a lot a of fun. I was still intimidated by the older ladies shaking their groove thing, but Lisa and I had some laughs as she struggled almost as much as I did. And I guess that's the point - getting healthy needs to be fun. Yes, it's hard work, and yes, it's a struggle to make myself go workout and try something new, but that's the whole point. God can't make me new, if I don't follow where he leads. So will I go again? Sure will - and if I look silly, oh well, that's part of the fun! 

  

And hey, maybe I can find a Zumba class with some positive Christian music like this: 

My Goals for this Week - March 30 - April 5: 

1. Do some type of fitness activity (walk, group, strength) at least 4 days 
2. Do balance exercises on the wii fit plus 3 times 

Verse for this Week: 
Proverbs 16:3 - Commit your actions to the lord, and your plans will succeed.

Word for this Week: 
SUCCESS

The Start of a New Journey

I'm new to blogging and not sure if anyone will read this but me, but this seems like a good way to track this new journey I'm on. On February 18th, 2014, I got a call that was an answer to prayer. What follows is my Facebook post from that day - I thought it would be a good way to see where I started from. 

At the beginning of the year instead of making resolutions I decided to set goals. One of these goals was to get closer to God and follow were He led me. With God's help I chose a verse for the year, Isaiah 43:19, to guide me. 

Another goal I made was to get healthier. I've been very discouraged in that goal so far and hadn't been able to decide on a "plan". I was beginning to feel like a failure and found myself pulling away from God as I usually do when I feel I have failed Him.

Today God showed me once again how much He loves me in spite of my failings. If you didn't see my earlier post, I had gone to an audition for the American Heart Association Better U Challenge on January 25th. Today I found out I was one of 15 women chosen out of over 100 to be part of this challenge. I will receive, for free, cardiologist screenings, dietitian consults, personal trainer, Health Strategies membership, and the support of other women changing their lives, for 12 weeks starting in mid-March. And I will have a mentor in my dear friend (sister), Cindy, who did the challenge last year!

God IS making something new, made a path I can clearly see, and is refreshing me with a cleansing river. I am humbled at His love for me.

Isaiah 43:19 NLT

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.