I hate working out. I mean, I really hate working out. I hate being out-of-breath and would never…read moreadd "sweating through my clothes" to my list of ... well, I'd add it to my list of things that are uncomfortable, and bordering on embarrassing.
I also don't really like team things. And I don't have much good to say about over-enthusiastic people and their over-the-top motivational slogans, trying to fool everyone into "getting excited" about something crappy. Like working out.
That being said, I love Kaia F.I.T. Love it. I was super unsure at first, but after even just the orientation, I knew it was going to be awesome. And horrible, because I really do still hate working out, and you do a lot of that, there. But I knew it was different than any other place I'd been to, so I was hopeful.
I was worried about being the oldest girl in there (41). I was worried about being the person in the worst shape. About being the only one not able to complete the exercises. I was worried about passing out or throwing up or peeing my pants (six kids).
But it turns out, it doesn't matter if I'm the oldest, or if I'm in the worst shape of the bunch. It doesn't matter if I am the Rock Star of Kaia, or a sweaty, vomit-covered pile of flesh laying in her own urine (too far?) - the girls there are awesome.
And the part about not liking being a part of a team? I take that back. Just this one time. The other girls are so encouraging. And never make me feel like an idiot. Everyone cheers each other on, and that really does get you through that last little bit, when you think you can't hold that plank for even one more second.
At orientation, Megan (I'll get to her in a bit!) said, "Don't worry if you're sweating or if your shirt rides up and your belly is hanging out. Nobody here is even going to notice, because we're all just focused on doing our best." Or something like that. I don't know, but the part about not worrying if your belly hangs out? That part I remembered, because let's be real: It's a legitimate concern. But to know that you can show up with no make-up, with wild hair and in a dumb t-shirt AND you don't have to worry about your shirt riding up during Standing Mountain Climbers? Prime.
The workout is amazing, as well. I've lost 16 pounds (down to 140) and can DO things. I can do things I couldn't do when I started. I am getting stronger and more agile. I have energy. I feel really proud of myself, and I don't say that often. Or, really, ever.
Each day is different. It's broken down into small chunks, so it always seems manageable. It's brutal, I'm not going to lie. I've never sweat this much in my life. Every session leaves me spent, but feeling - and I'm really going to say this - revitalized. This isn't a "Show up sometimes and eventually, maybe you'll see a little results" routine. This is a, "Commit to showing up, workout until you think you may actually die (maybe that's just me) and get amazing results" routine.
Oh, and girls only. I love that.
Fridays are Yoga, Wednesday is a running class (never gone, too scared), Saturday is a walk/run that you can bring friends and family along to. The other days are a boot camp style workout that will kick your (getting-to-be nicely toned) butt.
Megan Powers is the owner and coach and everyone loves her. You can't not love her. Remember my earlier reference about the awful over-the-top, over enthusiastic, let's make everyone feel uncomfortable with my sugar-coated, sing-song voice? That's not Megan. Megan is funny and easygoing. Easygoing, but super motivating. She knows how to get the best from everyone, without making anyone feel like a loser. She puts everyone at ease right away.
Megan has encouraged me to re-examine what I believed to be my limitations. It takes a pretty unique person and place for me to be comfortable enough to even attempt something that could very easily end up being incredibly humiliating. But I felt comfortable enough to try hard things and it turns out I could do them, after all.
She's really knowledgeable about fitness and nutrition. My husband is a fitness and nutrition superstar, and she tells me the same things he tells me, so I trust her.
Plus, you can't argue with results. I'm getting smaller AND stronger. And while I can't say that I bounce out of bed each morning or that I arrive to class thrilled to be moments away from a hard, hard workout, I can tell you that I really do love (and hate) each day there. At the end, I always love it. In the middle, it's a love/hate thing. But if it was easy, this would all be a waste of time.
The hour is going to pass one way or another - better to have it pass with a workout that will really, really count.
Longest review I've ever written, but I couldn't leave any of it out!