Quotes

So, tonight in Zumba Class, we are doing these reverse sit up/crunch type things (yeah, I have no idea what they are really called, I just do what Eva and Allison are doing) and I feel the burn in my stomach muscles. Totally normal, right? So then, I start feeling this pain right under my ribs. It's like right under my bottom ribs, and I have never felt pain right there before. So, I say out loud (stupid me) "It's hurting so bad under my ribs! Oh my gosh is that OK? Is it supposed to hurt under my ribcage like that?!" Allison hears me say this, (because I am in the front row right behind her) and she says "Um, yea Julie... those are your abs." I just started laughing and looked at the gal behind me and said "Well, shit... I didn't even know I had muscles there."

Seriously! When people say "What a workout, I'm sore in places I didn't even know I had." That is not a joke! I always thought that was drama, exaggeration, joking around... No it is seriously freaking true! It's just so funny to me that I really was worried. Like I was thinking "Oh, I better say something, I might be doing something wrong because this is hurting under my ribs!"

Another time, I was in Zumba (right behind Allison again) and my feet were going numb! I'm jumping and dancing and just "Zumba-ing" my heart out when I notice the numbness and tingling in both feet. I slow down my pace, and it is not going away! I'm thinking..."Okay, calm down...I don't remember numb feet being a sign of a heart attack or a stroke..." My mind is racing and I catch Allison's eye. I say to her, "Something is wrong with my feet. They are going numb!" As I say this I start taking my shoes off, (so I can look at my feet) and Allison says "Your shoes are probably tied too tight." Ha Ha Ha! What a ding dong I am! Duh, they were brand new shoes and just tied too tight. The second I got them off, my feet felt totally normal again! Who does that!? I totally freaked out over nothing... More than once!

One thing I have recently learned for sure : Working out, working hard, working on changing your body... It's not for wimps! I'm not saying this because I feel like I'm "all that and a bag of chips." I'm saying this because I want everyone who reads this to know how even a big baby wimp like me can start LEARNING to become strong. If you have ever thought of trying to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle, but been afraid... I want you to know, I too was (still am) afraid! Every time Eva - a.k.a. Sergeant Shurts - asks (makes) me do something new, or makes me do "8 more reps, Julie" I am afraid of the pain, afraid I can't do it. I mean, SERIOUSLY?! At 35, I have just recently learned my abs go all the way up to my freaking ribcage! I am more clueless than ANYONE I go to those Zumba or Strength Classes with. But...who cares? I do what I can, and I learn as I go. (and I think, and say, and do, and hear a few funny/crazy things along the way).

Some things said that I don't want to forget:

Me: Oh Shit, (groaning) it hurts, I can't, (more groaning)

Julie Gates: You had a kid, if you've given birth, you can do 8 more leg lifts!

Me: (Gagging)

Brenda: (Laughing)

Sergeant Shurts: You better not puke! You'll be the one who has to clean it up!

Me: Every time she makes us do this...I'm afraid I'm gonna toot.

Sergeant Shurts: What did she say?

The Whole Class: She's afraid she is gonna TOOT!

Sergeant Shurts: Frog Legs...Put your feet together and lay on the ball like this...Squeeze, Release, Squeeze, Release....

Me: (I'm only thinking this, not saying it) "I can't believe I'm doing this in public. I totally feel like I am humping this exercise ball...Man my ass hurts! No wonder Tom has such a great butt."

Sergeant Shurts: When you do this exercise, if you feel it start to burn...

Me: Then what? I feel it burn, what do I do?!

Sergeant Shurts: (laughing) You live right through it!

To Eva (Sergeant Shurts), Allison, and all the gals who attend Beloit, Smith Center or Osborne Zumba classes with me... Thanks for the laughs! It's been great fun dancing (a.k.a. throwing this big butt around) and sweating like a fat baby in your presence! See ya'll next week!

Lots of Love to you all!

-Julie Brush