Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Shortly after New Year I decided to begin working out. If you know me, you know I despise exercise. It truly baffles me that there are people who enjoy it and dedicate their life to it. I honestly praise them; they deserve credit where it’s due, because it is one of the hardest things in the world to me.

I decided to give Lift Gym a go. Alex Byrd was teaching a class called Barre Above that is a fusion of yoga, Pilates, strength training and ballet. I thought this would be the class for me. I took ballet from first grade through my senior year of high school and took some yoga classes in college- surely I could handle a mix of the two.

Flash forward 20 minutes into the class, I was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily and using the bathroom as an excuse to take a breather. I was sure any second I would begin dry heaving and the whole class would be embarrassed they even knew me.

While the workout was definitely difficult, I can’t blame it all on that. My bodily strength and general fitness is a level zero. I had not worked out in well over four years. The most core work I’ve done since moving to Bainbridge is a casual stroll along the river-walking trail. This lack of exercise became extremely apparent during the class, but even more so the next day. I was sore everywhere. My stomach was sore from the crunches, but my legs and thighs were a different level of aching. Not to be dramatic, but squatting to sit on the toilet was the vane of my existence.

I knew something had to change. I am planning to visit my cousin in Colorado in March and hopefully go skiing, but without some type of leg strength, I might as well call the trip off.

Since my first visit, I have returned weekly to the class. The pain has dwindled somewhat, but every week I’m tricked by some new exercise that wasn’t there the week before. The new and varying exercises cause my legs to shake uncontrollably. I want to believe that means they are getting stronger, but sometimes I hope it means I’m about to pass out and can leave the gym and give myself an excuse to take a break.

I have to keep repeating that I don’t need a break; I’ve only just begun. Working out is extremely difficult, especially when just beginning. Take it from the unhealthiest, most unfit person in town, you can do it! I truly believe if I can, anyone can. Even though I’m the world’s worst, don’t compare yourself to others in the class. Move at your own pace, take a breather when you need and even escape to the restroom if necessary. I have all the faith in you and I know any class leader will as well, especially Dawn and Melissa Richardson.