So sorry for my lack of blogging over the past few weeks. Things have been crazy busy around here lately! I’m still training for my first half marathon that is going to take place next week! And I’ve had a lot of other stuff going on as well. Not much end in sight, but I took tomorrow off from work after this weekend’s festivities because I knew I’d need a “catch-up” day. But I’m not going to write about this most recent adventure just yet. I’m going to go back and start from where I left off…then we’ll work our way through the timeline til we get all caught up! By the time June gets here, things should start slowing down, so by August I should be all caught up on my blogging. I hope…
Group fitness has always been an interest of mine. I enjoy getting together with other people who have the same or similar fitness goals, and love to help others get or stay motivated. I know, from my own experiences, how important positive motivation is and consider my motivating others a form of “Paying it Forward.” Additionally, by being a motivator for others, watching those who I have inspired to reach their goals helps to drive me toward reaching my own personal goals. It ends up being a positive continuum; an addiction of sorts.
I officially started my journey toward becoming a group fitness instructor in December of 2014, where I began the process of obtaining my AFAA certification. I’m still in that process and hope to have it completed by mid to late summer. On March 22, 2015 I officially became a POUND Pro! That experience was exciting and educational. If you are not familiar with POUND, it is a group fitness platform that uses lightly weighted drumsticks in full-body workout routines. It’s a fun and effective way to burn calories and to get toned. It was developed by Kirsten Potenza and Cristina Peerenboom, two women who value health and well-being that also happen to be recreational drummers. Visit the official POUND website for more information about the workout, and to learn more about Kirsten and Cristina’s amazing story. It really is very interesting! There are at-home videos available if you don’t have a local fitness facility that offers POUND classes. If you do have the opportunity to attend a live POUND class, I highly encourage you to do so. And if you live on, or are ever visiting, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, let me know and I’ll let you know when and where you can find me teaching classes!
POUNDing has been my first opportunity at teaching group fitness and I absolutely adore it. The POUND community is amazing, both online and in person. They are launching their first ever 60 day fitness challenge, Tour to Summer, that starts April 6, 2015 (tomorrow as I write this!) and runs through June 4, 2015. It’s a virtual tour that is sure to be AWESOME! It’s not a weight loss challenge, nor is it a restrictive diet challenge. It’s a challenge that encourages healthy eating habits and activity. It’s about incorporating things into your daily routine that will improve the way you feel, both inside and out. When you eat food that is healthful, you feel good. When you are active, you feel good. When you feel good, you like that feeling and want it to continue so you keep doing those things that make you feel good! Then it becomes habit, and ultimately you become the best possible version of yourself. It’s not about a number on the scale. It’s about you feeling AWESOME. That’s why I’m taking on the challenge and I think you should too.
Check out the official POUND website to learn about POUND and sign up for the Backstage access. You’ll be happy you did, trust me! Then go to the POUND TOUR site and get ON THE BUS! It’s totally free, and it will be worth it. Hope to see you along the way.
AnimalWhiz 