"Come along" my work colleague suggested, "you'll love it". In my never-ending effort to get fit, take a few pounds off and just be more healthy, I decided to try something different from the normal pump class I had been attending. So, I made a hasty decision to go straight from work to the gym and try out the Sh'bam class. Sh'bam, described in the brochure as "a moderate intensity dance-inspired class - the perfect way to get in shape and let out your inner star", might be a good start. Inner star? I want to get fit but perhaps I, and the rest of the world, want to keep my inner star inside, where I presume it's being living quite contentedly. I'll go so I can get fit but I reassure myself that I will keep my inner star away from any bright lights.
The darkened room increases my confidence as do the other attendees; all women wearing loose clothing which is in stark contrast to the scantily-clad Friday pump class attendees, and I'm just talking about the men! Some are in barefeet, some in socks and others wear runners. I introduce myself as a newbie to the instructor, who I will call Rosita, and ask if it's better to wear shoes or not. She says it doesn't matter so I go barefoot. Note to self: wait to see if instructor removes her shoes.
Ok, so we're ready to go. Music very loud, check; instructor's headset distorting so you can't really understand what she says, check; position myself behind someone so I can't see my reflection in the mirror, check.
And, we're off. Easy-peasey. Side steps, followed by toe-taps to the front, toe-taps to the back. Simple, I've done this sort of stuff before. Throw in a little shimmy and then a couple of little kicks and then we're sliding, jumping (oops) and running with arm movements and changing direction quickly, running back the other way, another jump (oh-oh), a sudden twirl and I've nearly knocked out the woman next to me! Quick apology, try to get back in step with Rosita, who's yelling something I can't understand, but I forge on determined to keep up and be in sync with everyone else. Yeah right, I can't understand her so I don't know when I'm meant to turn, twirl, throw my arms around, tap, kick, belt the woman next to me and whatever else I'm meant to be doing. Then the music slows; Rosita is shaking her hips, lifting her arms, sensuously running her hands down her body and suddenly I feel my inner star stirring, or is that sparkling? I can't be sure because my star has been in hiding. The music quickens and the wiggling hips, the shaking booty and flailing arms are way out of control but my inner star is revelling in this new found freedom. Why have I been locked away? Thank you for releasing me. Wow this is good. Keep me out; I'm never going back in there! Shimmy, shimmy, kick, tap, slide, run, jump (egads!), twirl and I'm moving with the best of them, well, in my class anyway!
And then the 45-minute class is over. Wow, I've worked up a sweat, burnt some calories and my inner star is out there! I'm feeling good. Until the next day. When I try to move. My left knee wants to remain straight, my right big toe is aching, specifically if I want to move, and my boobs feel 3" longer. What was I thinking? I'm 60. My body demands respect, not punishment. I'll return to my regular pump classs where I can keep both feet firmly on the ground and my arms and other wobbly bits fully controlled.
My work colleague was right, I did love it, but my body or, more to the point, my knees, arthritic toes and well-loved boobies didn't. However, I now have to tell my inner star, who is now outer, to return from whence it came. Or do I? It might be harder than I think.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has some interesting ideas or experiences about increasing fitness levels.
Cheers, Sue.
Tags: #fitness, #sh'bam
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