It Turns Out We were All Afraid of the Spin Bike

 

The Spin Classroom at my YMCA



While I like to try new things, I am far from the most daring person you will ever meet.  Rarely will I try anything for the first time by myself.  I ran my first 5k with my brother-in-law.  My best friend Amy and I went to our first Zumba class together.  Zip-lining was tackled with my sister's firm promise that she would be flinging herself down the mountain right behind me. 

One thing that I have been wanting to try for years is a Spin Class.  I would walk past the Spin Classroom at the YMCA and hear the pounding music and see the class full of people with wet hair and sweat pouring off their faces and my heart would start to pound.  There are a few Spin Bikes in the gym scattered among the treadmills and elliptical machines, but I would just give them a fearful glance as I finished a run. 

How could something as simple as a bike be so scary?  The seat is small.  No way my big bottom will fit on that little seat.  There are straps on the pedals.  What if I can't get them off and then I am stuck there - how embarrassing!  Various knobs are all over the place and what in the world are all of those numbers on that little screen?  Plus, I always see people peddling and standing.  How in the world am I going to stand and pedal?  I'll last like ten seconds.  No way.

One evening I ran into my co-worker Elaine at the Y.  She told me that she had just come out of a Spin Class and asked if I had ever tried one.  When I told her no, she invited me to join her sometime.  I shared with her that I had always wanted to try a Spin Class and that I would love to join her some evening. 

I managed to avoid actually going to Spin Class for about a year.  There was always a valid reason why I could not meet her for a class.

Then, Elaine called my bluff. 

I was sharing with my co-workers at our Morning Meeting about March Fourth.  Encouraging them to set a goal, try something new, do something for their health.  Elaine piped up - "This year Lisa is marching forth by trying a Spin Class with me on Wednesday."  WHAT?!?!  Everyone was looking at me.  How could I say no when I was encouraging them to take action?  "I'll see you on Wednesday, Elaine!" came out of my mouth.

Wednesday night I met Elaine at the Y at 6PM - fifteen minutes before class started (It is important to arrive early because bikes fill-up quick and once they are filled you are out of luck!).  I was literally shaking.  Elaine introduced me to the instructor who got me set up on the bike.  She moved the seat up and down and backwards and forward until she felt it was just right.  Then she adjusted the handle bars.  GULP - Next she strapped my feet into the peddles and had me start peddling.  My heart was pounding and I suddenly got really hot.  She instructed me on what the numbers on the screen meant.  Finally, she reviewed the Spinning lingo that I would need to understand in order to follow along - seated climb, standing flat, resistance, jumps  (Check out http://blog.mioglobal.com/spinning-glossary/ for a description of Spinning lingo.).  At that point, she deemed me ready to roll and walked away leaving me strapped to the bike gripping the handlebars for dear life and trying my best to maintain my balance.

Next thing I knew the lights went out and the music turned up.  For 45 minutes I sat.  I stood.  I pedaled fast.  I cranked up the resistance and slowly pushed those pedals forward.  Sweat was pouring down my face.  And then . . . it was over. 


Elaine and I after my first Spin Class

I LOVED it!  The 45 minutes flew by.  I pedaled while sitting and standing, going up hills and rolling along the flats.  I had no problem keeping up with the instructor.  Best of all - I never fell off the bike!  It was fantastic!  My mind was blown.  My fear was conquered.  I survived my first Spin Class.  Wow!  I was so thankful that Elaine had invited me and then pushed me to follow through with my yes.

The next day I felt great.  My legs and bottom were a little sore - just enough to remind myself that I had worked hard the night before rising victorious over my fear.  I told a few of my friends about how much I enjoyed the Spin Class and what a fantastic workout it was.  Several of their responses shocked me.  It turns out that I wasn't the only one afraid of the Spin Bike!  They told me that they had always wanted to try a Spin Class, but didn't want to go by themselves or were too nervous.  Really???  I honestly thought that I was the only one who had a fear of the bike.

So I invited them to join me in class with Elaine the following Wednesday, and two of my friends showed up!  By the end of class Spinning had two more admirers - both Nicole and Amy conquered their fear of the bike.


Nicole and Amy joining in on the fun!

Lessons learned:

* Never be afraid to voice fear about something because you're most likely not the only one.

* Conquering a fear is much easier and more fun with friends.

* Spinning is fun!



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A Healthy Friendship

Last weekend my best friend Amy and I went away to Hidden Valley (a resort in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands).  We've been friends for over eight years and for the past six years have encouraged and motivated each other to live a life of healthy choices.

Amy and I hiking at Forbes State Forest

Throughout this past weekend I was reminded of how different we are now as compared to when we first met.

We got pizza to eat on Friday night.  Instead of eating the entire pizza, we each had three pieces.

Instead of laying around the condo all day or heading over to the spa for a facial (which would not have been a bad choice and is something we totally plan to do the next time we get to escape life!) on Saturday, we headed to Forbes State Forest for a hike.

Throughout the weekend we drank water (and a little wine!) instead of downing can after can of pop.

For dinner on Saturday we enjoyed a clean recipe of Chicken White Bean Chili (http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/white-bean-chicken-chili) instead of stuffing ourselves with greasy processed foods and an over-abundance of gooey dips.

Dessert was warm chocolate chip cookies served with vanilla ice cream instead of consuming an entire pan of brownies.

On Sunday morning we vegged out in front of the TV for a couple of episodes of Friends, but then laced up our tennis shoes for a brisk 2 mile walk around the resort.  Years ago we would have spent the entire morning glued to the TV.

When it came time to head home we felt refreshed instead of tired and heavy.  We had talked and laughed and cried and watched a couple of chick flicks -- and hiked and walked and enjoyed the crisp fresh fall air.  The weekend was an excellent reminder to me of how thankful I am to have such a positive friendship in my life.  Amy encourages me and motivates me.  Making healthy choices is so much easier when you have someone making those same choices along side you.  It's a lot more fun, too!

Forbes State Forest 

Enjoying a roaring fire

Split the Sandwich?!?

PNC Park  May 2015

It had been an emotional day in the midst of a stressful week.  There was a lot going on at work and home.  I was looking forward to a relaxing fun girls' night out with my BFF Amy.

By the time we arrived at Rivertowne inside PNC Park I was famished!  I was soaking in their delicious menu debating between a big juicy burger or mouth watering bbq pulled pork over pierogies when Amy knocked me over with a question . . .

"Want to split a sandwich?"

What?!  SPLIT a sandwich?  Are you CRAZY?!  No, I don't want to split a sandwich.  I want to devour every single morsel of stress-reducing goodness on this menu!!  Why in the world would I want to eat half of a sandwich?  I love you, but you have lost your mind.  I am over-the-top stressed out and when I am this stressed out I eat.  I eat and eat and eat and eat.  So leave me alone and go split a sandwich with someone else.

OK.  So, I didn't really say any of those words out loud.  Instead I smiled and said, "Sure!  Which one should we get?"

Amy and I enjoyed an incredible shared meal of Pub Pretzels, the Fish Sandwich with Pub Fries and each had an amazing glass of Hala Kahiki Pineapple Beer. We also shared two hours of fantastic conversation.  By the end of the meal I felt very content - both in my stomach and my heart!  I didn't need heavy food to ease my heavy heart -- I needed time with my BFF.  Delicious food was simply a bonus.

As Amy and I sat there, I thought back to the "old" Amy and Lisa dinners.  We'd share an appetizer, each get a full meal, each get dessert and talk for hours while drinking glass of pop after glass of pop.  In 2010 we both began to make changes in our lives to live healthier.  While we still enjoy chatting over a meal, our menu selections have changed.  We have come a long way in these five years!!

                

                   Amy and Lisa circa 2009

Amy and I with our awesome Zumba instructor Cat
April 2015

Three lessons can be gained from Amy and my Girls' Night Out:
1) Sharing your health journey with a friend makes the journey a lot of fun.
2) Dealing with your stress by talking about it is much healthier than dealing with it by eating.
3) Splitting the sandwich is a good idea.

Thanks Amy.  I love you!