Learn to Love the Burn

Our contributor commits to a fitness challenge at local health club Coreology Fitness. In the column, she lets us in on the workouts and some fitness tips.

Day 1: I’m back in Sarah Martz’s Barre-ology class. No matter how many times I take it, it never gets any easier. As soon as I hit that five-minute mark, my legs are jell-o, but I look forward to the burn.

I now love pushing my muscles to the point of convulsions because I've seen the rewards. Martz’s specialty is working each muscle group until it ceases to function. Like a sculptor who chips away at marble, Sarah chips away the fat and defines every little muscle, making you look awesome in a bikini.

Day 2: Today, I eat my fill of Pepperidge Farm cookies, guilt-free.

Day 3: SPX with Jennifer Billings. I’m learning I have to keep challenging myself in order to see results. If you let it get easier, you aren’t doing it right.

“I want people to be motivated and inspired,” Billings said. “I think it’s better to get people to want to exercise than to punish them with it.”

Day 4: Loved today’s challenge! It’s like therapy, but way cheaper: ‘If you’re having a craving, write down what you’re craving.’

I am dying for some chocolate cake right now.

‘Are you hungry or is something else going on?’

Well, I am stressing out about getting everything done before my houseguests come this week.

‘Think of a healthy alternative.’

Mayble I should go on a walk to clear my head. 

Day 5: Today, Sarah showed us just how hard to work in our SPX class by joining in herself.

“If you’re not sweating by now, there is something wrong with you,” she said.

Fortunately, we were all dripping with sweat.

Day 6: I took the tip to ‘vary my workout’ and decided to take my dog for a hike on . It felt great.

Day 7: Rested and took time to appreciate the benefits of my new, healthier way of life.

Here’s what I learned from the challenge:

The challenge is more than just gaining strength, it’s about improving your whole way of life.

Through the daily challenges, I was able to become more comfortable with my body and with who I was as a person. I accomplished things I had been putting off forever, did things I had never done before and improved my overall health.

The greatest part of the challenge was the way it was structured. Aside from the classes, it didn’t feel particularly challenging. It was gradual and rewarding, like I was "winning" every day.

Sarah and the rest of the team at Coreology were sensitive throughout the process, while still managing to kick your butt into shape.

Sarah’s take-away tips:

1. Exercise is not a chore. Think of it as something fun you can do to relieve stress and feel good.
2. In order to see real results you must continue to push your limits. This doesn't mean spending more time working out, it just means working out with more intensity.
3. Exercise is not an all-or-nothing affair. Even 10 minutes of activity is better than nothing. Just get your body moving every day.
4. Remember, you can't out-train a bad diet. Always make sure you are putting nutritious foods into your body and limit empty calories. Even a small excess of calories in your daily diet can lead to weight gain.