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Zumba, Pilates, and My Busy Life Part II

by on ‎09-04-2014 12:16 PM

If you follow me or Rachel Boesing on Facebook, then you know we walk a lot. This wonderful part of my life began after Rachel decided to help me train for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer walk.



When training for the event, I have to walk as much as 17 miles a day and that can be so long, exhausting and boring. Rachel jumped on board to help me train. Not only did this help me train and get ready for the long walk, but it did wonders for my head and heart.  Rachael and I talk and laugh for hours on these walks. It's like therapy, and part of the reason I love the actual event each year. It’s devoted time with my best friends.  



When training, I'm walking at least three or four days a week, so I have to be very specific about what I'm doing on my off days.  When I'm not training for the charity walk, I usually run, do yoga and mix in weight work.  But, because I don't have as much time, I have to be much more specific with what I do.  The only problem with this walk is that it takes hours a day to train.  It's so hard for me to be away from my kids for that long, especially since I am already away from them at work.  So on off days I don't do more than 30 minutes a day. The good news is that is all I need to do Pilates and Zumba.


I used to be a Mat Pilates instructor when I was a struggling actress in Los Angeles. I was so happy to start selling the Reformer on QVC, because I know it is a form of exercise that can truly work for everyone. The DVDs make it even easier. I love running, P90X, Tracy Anderson and Zumba, but I know from my own family, that not everyone can physically do such high impact work outs. I would never tell my mother, who never works out, to try working out with Tony Horton or have my Aunt, with her he arthritis and multiple foot and back surgeries, to go for a three mile run. But, I have told both of them to get the Reformer. In fact my Dad and step mom did get one and they love it!


There is no impact on your joints, you use your own body weight so it works for all levels, and the machine is on the ground so it’s not even hard to get on like others. And for someone like me who is very physically fit and needs more of a challenge, it can be adjusted to really kick my butt and give me a hard core work out inside of 20 or 30 minutes. The machines, whether you choose the 3 cord (beginner) or 5 cord (more advanced) come with videos so you can follow Marcheline in your workouts, but even more valuable to me is the wall chart of all the exercise broken into muscle groups.  I don't need to work out my lower body when I am walking so much, so I use my precious 20-30 minutes to focus on abs and arms.  No fail, every time I get off that machine my stress is less, my breathing is better, my heart rate is up and I feel that wonderful "good" sore.  




When I am using the reformer I turn up my music on my phone through my Braven (or if my husband doesn't have it the Bose) and rock out while I work out. I know I am a 30-something mother of two and a wife of over a decade, but I gravitate to work out music that is more in line with the college students that have all returned to my university town. Seriously, I need Pit Bull and Pink to get moving. Which is part of the reason I love Zumba. The music is heart pumping and toe tapping and before you know it you have danced away 25 minutes and you have a smile on your face. I was shocked when my mom said she went and took a Zumba class. I wish I had a picture of that! I studied musical theater in college and I was a professional dancer for a few years (while trying to make it as an actress a.k.a waitress/fitness instructor) so I guess I had to get that dance gene from someone. When I heard my mom was taking Zumba I was floored. But, it makes sense, it's just plain fun!!!! The Zumba movement has taken over. I heard its the fastest growing franchise in the U.S! Zumba isnt just a work out, it has become a way of life.  From the great colorful clothing, to the music, to the moves, it sticks with you all day long. Just a side note, I do recommend doing any exercise you do, in the morning. That is when our body’s are best prepared for the impact and so much can happen during the day that can prevent you from getting a workout in at the end of the day. So if you are starting something new, do it first thing in the morning.  Have a glass of water, a small bit to eat and your Natures Code Vitamins and then go work out.  Before the kids, husband, dogs, work, stuff of the day, get in the way. Okay, back to Zumba.  My mom didn't stick with the classes. She went to two. She had other challenges that kept her from following through but the beauty of having my own Zumba DVDs is that I don't need to get in the car, fight the weather, fight traffic, and fight my feelings of inferiority dancing in front of other people and so on. If I only have 20, 30, 40 minutes I don't waste any time.  I walk up the stairs in whatever mommy attire I happen to have on and put on my tennis shoes and dance.  Its a blast!  It just makes you smile. I can dance, not as well as the instructors, but I do have some moves left in me. But, even if you can’t dance, it’s not intimidating. I have a wedding coming up and I love the DVD that shows all the different types of dance. I can even pick up a few new moves for the party. It’s like going to a dance class. But, no matter which DVD I use, the goal is to get moving.  And not just chasing toddlers and dogs moving but heart pounding, muscles firing moving.  


I’ve said it in just about every blog and Ill say it again, I NEED to work out for my mental health. There is something about those endorphins that give me a better outlook on life. My husband will tell me to go work out when he can tell I am getting moody or sad. If I skip a day or two my attitude is much worse. That’s just how my mind and body work. Other people can be fine without getting their heart rate up every day, I just can't. And, I’m always looking for different ways to keep myself going.  


The end of the summer means I usually get a little blue as the weather gets grey, so its even more important for me to get my heart rate up. So now as my babies (can I even call them that anymore??) go back to school, (again a reason I'm blue) I start getting back on track, back into a routine. Though I'm not doing the walk this year, I still enjoy knowing that I can walk to my hearts content without worrying when I'll squeeze in the rest of my workouts. I'd love to hear if you like Pilates or Zumba, or what keeps you moving! Happy "end" of Summer my friends.


Have a blessed day!


Kerstin


PS- Be sure to follow Nancy Hornbeck as she gets ready for this year's race!


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