New year, new goals right?  That was my thought when I decided to up the ante on my work out routine.  Okay full disclosure – I picked up some “fun” pounds in the 2nd half of 2014.   At a recent visit to my oncologist’s office, the nurse confirmed how much fun I actually had last year when she asked me to jump on the scale – YIKES!  When I saw the number go past my regular weight, I was quickly reminded of how important it is for me to stay within a healthy BMI to keep the cancer at bay, which meant getting back to a regular exercise regimen.

A friend and fellow cancer survivor suggested I join her at a TRX/Boxing class.  I am always up for a workout challenge, so of course I accepted her invitation having NO CLUE what I was getting myself into.  So, to prepare for the workout I did a little research and found a few articles and videos about TRX.   The videos were somewhat intimidating and had me thinking “uh-oh, this is going be interesting!” At that moment I wondered what the heck I’d gotten myself into.

Class day arrives and I get there a little early to chit chat with my girlfriend, meet Bevin the instructor, blah blah blah.  I entered the workout room to see long hanging straps mounted from the ceiling… let the games begin!  The instructor demonstrated the first exercise with such ease I was eager to show off my workout skills.  I jumped right in thinking “I got this”!  After some much needed help untwisting my ankles in the straps I was on my way.  Push-ups, leg lifts, bicep curls, all using my body weight as resistance.  Then came the boxing circuit.  Jabs, uppercuts, and hooks.  I was a punching bag fiend all while cursing every single one of my “fun” pounds silently in my head.  This class was not as easy as I thought it would be and I definitely didn’t do each exercise as effortlessly as some of my other classmates, but I felt a great sense of accomplishment at the end of class.  Heavy breathing and high fives were flowing like champagne on New Year’s Eve.  After the “celebration” I went home and took a nap!

I slept like a baby that night, but woke up the next day feeling quite sluggish.  My body was completely exhausted.  Where was the pep in my step?  I felt like I’d been hit by a Mack truck and there was soreness in muscles I didn’t even know existed!  “You really did show off, huh?” I said out loud as I laughed then moaned from the soreness in my abs.  After two days of walking around stiff as a board, I decided to sign up for another dose of punishment.

Call me insane but there’s nothing like a workout that kicks your butt so much that you look forward to doing it again.  Now, here’s hoping I stay consistent! If you’re in the Los Angeles area, make sure to check out Studio-U, 760 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey 90292; 310-452-1717.

I’d love to hear how you’re staying healthy. Feel free to leave your comments below and KEEP KICKING CANCER’S BUTT!!