Getting Back into Fitness (or: Thanks a Lot, Elizabeth)
As you may have read, Elizabeth came back from Italy and decided that she needed to get back into a fitness and wellness regimen. Unfortunately for me, Elizabeth doesn’t like to work out alone. So one day I awoke to an email nominating me to begin a fitness regimen with her at Fitness on the Run and Mind the Mat.
Elizabeth had detailed the parameters, contacted the experts, and set the dates…my fate was sealed. She is prone to saying, “big deal…you’re skinny.” To which I say, “Elizabeth, it is called Fitness on the Run…not Skinny on the Run.” Elizabeth is fit. I am not. My goals are simple. I’d like more energy and I’d like to get back to a regular, committed workout regimen of at least three times a week.
My first day at Fitness on the Run I met with Adrien. I was terrified. It had been more than a year since I worked out with a personal trainer and I had sadly let myself lapse in the workout department. I knew it would be ugly and I was scared I would be humiliated.
I arrived at 9am last Wednesday morning and Adrien greeted me at the door. As I walked in she explained that Fitness on the Run is a barefoot gym. “A what?” I had never heard of anything like that before. She explained that there is energy in the floor and that our bodies feel grounded and connected to it. Working out barefoot allows us to connect to that energy.
Adrien took things slow and worked with me on my posture and my breathing. She made sure that the exercises I did had proper form and instructed that she would rather have me do five minutes with proper form than 30 minutes with bad form.
She showed me how to use a stretch band to do the same exercises at home. I left feeling really good and promised to do the exercises at home. Then I woke up the next morning feeling a bit sore and I decided to skip the at-home exercises knowing I was going to be working out again the following morning.
I arose the following day and headed to the gym at 8am. I arrived on time. Elizabeth, not so much…just saying…this was her idea…but I digress. An FOR trainer named Andre got us started with some stretching exercises and I thought, “this is going to be okay,” and then it got real.
For 45 minutes (felt like 450 minutes…I told you I was out of shape), she had us doing squat exercises in several iterations. When it was over, I was elated. Not just because it was over, but because I felt accomplished. I was excited to be back in the gym and focusing on my health again.
The elation somewhat dimmed when I could barely walk down the stairs that morning, and the next morning, and the morning after that. But today I stopped wincing on the way down the stairs, so there’s hope. I have two days before I go back to do it all over again.
Am I excited? That may be a strong word. What I am is hopeful that one day I will be. Stay tuned.
- About the boutique
Located in historic Old Town Alexandria, for more than 17 years Bellacara has been Northern Virginia's preeminent boutique for high end cosmetic, skincare and haircare products. At Bellacara you will find premiere beauty products that have been carefully edited by the store’s owner, Angela Sitilides, who personally tests all the products sold in store. The boutique carries only the best product lines – Kiehl’s, Jouer, Dr. Dennis Gross, Christophe Robin, Moroccan Oil, Bumble & Bumble, Fresh, Molton Brown, Skinceuticals, Smashbox, Stila, Mario Badescu, Clarins, Dermalogica, Kevyn Aucoin, Kai, Child, St. Tropez, Smith and Cult, and many more.
1000 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.299.9652
