's motd Tues May 6. 2008

[Guest guest]

ALL OR NOTHING

Tuesday, 06 May 2008

About two hours before I teach class at Slimmons, I have a little routine I go through at my house. First of all, I go down to my records closet and yes, I do have a closet-full of vinyl records. I open the closet door, sit on the floor and begin picking out the records I will play in class.

Ohhh, let's see. I'll need something fast and sassy for my opening number. Then I have to pick out five songs to play for our cardio-workout. I'll also need an aerobic cool-down number, a song for toning and a song for a nice stretch at the end of class. I'm just like the kid in a candy store with all of my records. I've had some of them from as far back as 1975!And I've got to tell you, my records are still in pretty good shape, too. Oh, some of them may have a scratch or two but nobody in class ever minds. After I've made my selections, I sit and play all of my choices and work on the routines I will use to the beat of each.Then I go up to my gym and do my toning from head-to-toe. After that, I pick out a tank-top to wear that will make people smile, grab a towel and head for Slimmons. After I arrive and begin my class, I give it my all!From the very first beat I put on the turntable, I'm in a trance to prance. I prance very well, too! I sing and sweat and by the end of class, I'm a mess! I give every movement my all because, hey, that's what you've got to do when you exercise.

You have to focus on you and what you're doing now. You shouldn't be focusing on things that may have happened in your past or things that may not be going so well for you in the present. I'm telling you, once you hear that first beat, get ready to give it your all, like me!Because with exercise, it really is all or nothing! If you just simply "walk through" a workout...you've done nothing. If you take lots of breaks all through your workout, (and I don't mean water-breaks), you've done nothing. If you're capable of doing a lot and you only do a little, well....it's really nothing.Give it your all and you'll see the numbers on the scale do their thing, too. When you take a walk, you've gotta really use those arms and legs to take you down that road. A little stride won't do. Really put your legs into that walk, like you're supposed to.

When you go to the gym, act like you're the only person in there. And when you do your toning exercise, work to really feel all of those muscles you're working on. And when you're doing your cardio, do it all the way.When you have to lift those legs, lift them. When you have to lift those arms, again...lift them! And when you're doing your dance movements, do them like it's your "last dance" while the crowd is applauding and cheering you on! When you're doing your stretching, concentrate and really relax your muscles and bones so you can stretch them the way they really need it.During all of my classes on the cruise, I gave it my all and of all my cruisers really had a ball. So whatever workout you're doing today, do it the way Sinatra once put it...all the way!Love,