Saturday was our first competition challenge. We all traveled to Port Clinton to hang out a Keisa’s gym, Bodi N Balance. Got to meet the famous Trevor Tieche I’ve read about and heard about through the challenge. He’s an upbeat guy, very personable and uplifting.
He made me feel as if I had been to that gym many times, and not just a stranger wandering in off the street. Way to go dude. Also, got to see Jacob again. He was a part of this challenge a few seasons ago, and because of it he actually BECAME A TRAINER! Talk about inspirational!
I decided that negative thoughts would only cost me the competition, so I spent my morning listening to “Eye of the Tiger”, “We will rock you”, “We are the Champions”, “ and of course, “Safety Dance.” I don’t care who you are, that song is AMAZING.
I left my house early so that I was sure to locate the place on time. After hearing FIT Challenge contestant Craig Wessels rant about how the place was hidden, I figured the directional challenged Leah, would need a few extra moments. I can say, with a happy face, that I only passed the place once, and found myself sitting in the Bassets IGA parking lot Googling the gym on my phone. I was able to see pictures of the building and by looking at the landmarks around it, I was able to zero in. It’s tucked back in a plaza and it’s in a corner that is diagonal to the road, EASY to miss, and almost an odd place for a gym, but after experiencing the atmosphere of the place and the people, I couldn’t agree more. It was a big place, but I feel they should buy out the stores that are facing the street so they can expand and be seen by the people like me, and Craig.
The challenge was rowing. We got to be outside! They set up the rowing machines on a dock outside the gym, and Trevor put on some Pump-Me-Up music and explained how the machines worked. He said "go" and off we went. It was amazing. I can’t even pretend that I was miserable when I got out of breath and just wanted to lay down. At first, I was scared, because I wasn’t sure how my spine would like the whole rowing thing. After the first few meters I seemed to be doing OK and threw caution to the wind and went with it. I still use my fear of hurting myself as a crutch sometimes apparently. Steve finished first, with his bodybuilder self. Keisa came in second with me close behind in third and Meg finished us off in fourth.
I was happy to see that we weren’t all super competitive. I know that we are “In it to win it” but it’s not an individual thing, we are a team. As each of us finished, we’d encourage the others to not give up, to think like a beast. There was no gloating about who placed what; I don’t even recall it being mentioned except for the one time Trevor told us who placed where.
I really wish NOMS had some rowing machines. Apparently only a few gyms in the state have them. I felt so accomplished getting off that thing, even though I felt like my legs and arms were made of Jello. I stood around and talked with Meg, her trainer Joyce (hope I got that right), Trevor and Jacob (FIT Challenge winner who became a trainer) about what Bodi N Balance has in store, and discussed our mutual hate for spinning, and the stupid bike seats ( I mean, really.. I know working out isn’t about comfort, it’s about progress and health and blah blah blah.. but if my tush is sore afterward, I’m not going to want to come back. This is not the effect a gym wants right?! Spin bike creators.. GET WITH THE PROGRAM! Pamper my tush, please. GAH! Just can’t handle it!) Anyway, Trevor is a good man, from what I saw, a great trainer. He’s got a nice gym, and the challenge he gave us was a feel good one. I’ve been in a good mood; I blame rowing.
I came home and was pumped up still. I wanted to launch off my front porch and sprint back and forth through the field across the street from my house. I knew that was impossible, so I scooped up my bike that has been collecting dust oh-so evenly for the past nine months or so in the foyer of my house and took it outside. I pumped up the tires and decided to give ‘er a go. I was a little nervous about beefing it in front of the neighbors, but decided they won’t know that I hadn’t rode a bike in almost eight years if I don’t tell them.
I didn’t ride far, just the big block of my neighborhood. I felt it, was different than riding the bikes in the gym. I liked it, though, being outside and hitting the bumps and watching people dodge out of my way as I sped at them. I get why kids do that now by the way. They aren’t crazy kids, they are just looking for amusement. I’ll still not hesitate to knock one over though, should they get too close to me, and I’d expect the same in return. When you ride by me, if your handle bar swipes my shirt sleeve, and you don’t even glance back or shout sorry over your shoulder, get ready for my rock, or stick to get you in the back of the head. Heathen. I don’t promote violence. I’m just saying..
Oh, bought an exercise ball. Not one of those weighted medicine balls, but the big balance ball things. They make sit-ups do-able for my on-the-mend self, and I have this weird thing with doing push-ups off the ball. It’s also fun to roll around; it’s a multipurpose toy, I mean, piece of exercise equipment.
Overall. A good week/end. No more deaths, thank the heavens. Won bingo at work, got a free shirt! It’s too big. Got a new shirt for the FIT Challenge! It’s too big. Got a balance ball, it fits just right. Rode my bike, didn’t beef it. Danced to my favorite song, multiple times. Saw a new gym, met new people and completed a challenge, all good things.
I suddenly became very tired. My eyes keep trying to shut and I catch myself shaking my head to keep them open. Life has really brought me to some interesting places. I mean, I never thought, that at 25 I’d be going to bed at 8:30 every night. My idea of sleeping in, is 7 a.m., and staying up late is 10:30 p.m. I’m single and it’s Saturday and there is no place I’d rather be than snuggled into my bed with Minion and Specter, two of the worlds greatest cats.
Until next week my friends, I hope your weekends went well and that the coming week treat you like royalty. Don’t let any of the negative people come in and ruin your day. My daddy wrote in my graduation card, “Never let the bastards get you down.” It wasn’t until this challenge that, that really sink in. There will always be haters, just keep brushing them off. I love my daddy. He’s my hero. <3
— Leah Collins
