I believe in exercise. A long hike or bike ride always leaves me exhilarated and full of insight. Gyms, however, have never done it for me.
The scary machines and looks of exhaustion on all the faces make my skin crawl. When I was assigned to cover the Deliberately Fit Workshop at the Northside Spa, and saw the schedule, I filled with dread. Nearly three hours of continuous gym exercise for four days in a row? I’d collapse.
Then I found out Eileen Pedersen, who co-facilitates the camp with Rosa Hagan, is a yoga teacher and something in me opened up.
“This isn’t just about helping people to fit into a size six. Our bodies are an amazing tool to work towards a higher purpose,” said Pedersen, who is also a spinning instructor and certified nutrition counselor. “We want to empower people to take control of their own health and well-being, so no one else has to take care of them.”
Hagan is a certified Pilates and bosu instructor, lifestyle counselor and an American College of Sports Medicine certified health and fitness instructor.
“It’s the gold standard of fitness and personal trainers,” Pedersen said. “We’re sort of East meets West, we train across modalities.”
Each afternoon, from 1- 4:30 p.m., offers a balance of cardio-vascular exercise, flexibility and resistance training, yoga and Pilates and relaxation. Following the physical workout are lectures on nutrition, cardio- vascular science, resistance training and stretching.
Before and after camp, participants undergo an (optional) assessment that includes blood pressure and heart rate, flexibility, waist-hip ratio and core endurance.
“When you meet a physical challenge and overcome it, your strength and confidence spills over to other parts of your life,” Pedersen said.
I was convinced. I went the first day and by that day’s lecture, I’d rearranged my schedule so I could attend the whole enchilada.
Day 1
After introductions and a talk on cardiovascular exercise, half the group went to Pedersen’s spin class and my half hopped on cardio machines in the main gym. Hagan came around to check on me and my elliptically bouncing neighbor.
“Listen to your body,” said Hagan, after we’d been warming up for a couple of minutes. “You should be aiming for about a seven or eight on the exertion scale — one being relaxing on the couch and 10 being running from a tiger. You should still be able to talk but not really want to. We’ll stay here for two minutes, GO!”
I stayed at eight for a couple seconds and then returned to a comfortable five. Bosus were next — they look like the top third of an exercise ball sliced off and given a flat supportive bottom. We jump off and on with variations and then Hagan adds (optional) fancy moves like knee to opposite elbow on the landing. I flounder.
“Confusion is good. It burns more calories!” says Hagan.“Thirty more seconds!”
I keep moving and get it eventually.
“Lovin’ it! Lookin’ good,” Hagan kept shouting during the following hour of strength training and I realize I love having someone cheer for me. After Pilates is our first lecture: Nutrition.
Pedersen dumps tiny containers of rice and pastas on a plate to show us what a “serving size” looks like. A ping pong ball represents the suggested serving of cheese. Pedersen recommends several small meals a day — every three to four hours — as opposed to waiting until piercing, irrational hunger overcomes us.
“This will also help to maintain a healthy blood sugar level so you are steadier, emotionally and physically,” said Pedersen.
I had so much energy that night I pulled out my dusty box of acrylics and painted a couple of small pieces and then some polka dots onto the back of my car.
Day 2
My expectations are very low as I step into my first-ever spin class. I believe biking should involve fresh air and a destination.
“It’s important to become comfortable leaving your comfort zone,” Hagan said that morning. “A lot of people will back off at the point of discomfort but it’s those who learn to tolerate the discomfort that see change.”
I decide to spend some more time in the discomfort of level eight exertion.
“Be deliberate, stay with it … visualize the finish line!” said Pedersen as the beads of sweat swam down our faces.
Inspired by the in-depth afternoon cardiovascular lecture and still giddy from Pedersen’s class, when I get home I highlight every spin class on the spa schedule.
Day 3
I’m on exercise autopilot and keep moving in spite of gravity beckoning me to the nearest patch of floor.
I vaguely recall spinning, bosu lunges, poolside lunges, a game of catch with a heavy, gooey ball while balanced on tippy plastic half moons. Then we got a crash course in weight machines.
I’m attentive during yoga because I think all the breathy stretching is why I haven’t been sore this week. That night as I polish off my second avocado sandwich, I belatedly recall Pedersen’s words as we were leaving: “Eat protein tonight. Because of all the strength training we did today, your body will crave carbs but need protein.”
Day 4
After sleeping like a rock, I awake with loads of energy. My body is buoyant with possibility.
“Up, over, down, lunge!” says Hagan as we’re building up to our first interval on bosus, which I’ve grown to love.
During our rigorous upper body workout, I ponder our imminent departure from the endorphin-soaked alternative universe of the last four days. At the morning check in there was talk of meeting up for buddy workouts and reuniting for the instructors’ weekly Deliberately Fit maintenance series.
“I want to do this every day for the rest of my life,” someone said. Nearly everyone echoed her sentiment or expressed some version of “I feel fantastic,” with a sparkle in the eyes to back it up.
I can’t say for sure if I’ll return to the gym but it’s highly likely. It’s work, but the results help the rest of the day feel like play.
Deliberately Fit workshops are offered several times a year.For more information, contact the instructors who also offer dietary cleanses and individual sessions: Rosa Hagan (575) 779- 1081 or Eileen Pedersen (575) 770-9437.
Tina Larkin
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