I'm currently working on increasing my endurance despite low iron levels.  This past week I've attended at least 2 classes a day either 2 Zumba's, or Zumba and power yoga. I was doing well until I hit Thursday.  I was so burned out, that I spent a couple hours working on new choreography for my Zumba gold class and thinking about what I was going to do for the Active older adult (AOA) class I was subbing on Saturday morning. But I wasn't able to handle and actual class outside of home. I did find on average that the Zumba classes I've been attending are about 6000 steps on average for a 50 -60 minute class. My own is usually about this much as well.

In May I will be teaching a Zumba Gold class back to back with an Enhance fitness class (fitness for seniors) and I want to make sure I have the energy for it.  The first part of the Enhance class is 30 minutes of warm up, and cardio, so its quite important to be able to handle those parts together.  That is followed with weightlifting exercises and stretching to end the class. I'm looking forward to teaching this new class at the Y. It will be 3 times a week and I will be sharing with another instructor. 

Subbing this past Saturday went quite well. You never know in that situation whether students will be OK with a sub, so it can be a bit nerve wracking going in.  Instead of trying to duplicate the class of another instructor, I went in with my own format, including my favorite piece of workout gear the stability ball. I love this piece of equipment for all levels of fitness.  When I'm working with clients who are rehabbing I feel they may relate and feel comfortable from experience in physical therapy exercises.

The teens and dance students I work with feel the playfulness of it, and for seniors its a great way to work the core and balance along with offering them a  less traditional equipment which can often seem overwhelming. I actually had a couple students ask if I teach any other classes there on Saturdays. Unfortunately for them I don't. 2 glorious days of sunshine have occurred this weekend. After days and days of grey and rain its so lovely. 

reflection and hydration

I picked up a book my daughter won as part of a fitness night during the summer.  Its kind of a mind body book, and has many quotes & sayings with reflections from the author.  Today this one has really hit me as I came home from my 90 minute hot yoga class. When the room is 108 F and the teacher doesn't open the door at all hydration is soooo important. 
The thought here was : They hydration principle - When you're thirsty it's too late.  When you exercise you should be drinking a 1/2cup of water every 15 minutes to replace the sweat loss. This is especially important in activities where there's lots of sweating .  To go on the author discuss some healthy habits for .both life and physical fitness(these may not be the list of your choosing but you can always make your own).

• A glass of water every morning
• regular exercise
• daily vitamins ( I think its subjective to the individual)
• daily action items (you know all those things you have to do today)
•  balancing budget (life is easier if you know what you have to work with)
• phone call to mom or family member
• support group meetings (these can help you through all kinds of things)
• sex with spouse (OK this can get lost in a marriage as you have kids etc)
• Church attendance ( i know this isn't for everyone, but it offers a support system that you may not get anywhere else- not just spiritual, but also as way to find your own place)
• regular prayer- I believe that at some point we all turn to prayer, it may be the loss of a loved one, the desire for a different kind of life, the birth of a child, prayer is found in all types of spiritual thought. 

Find a way to replenish your body everyday.  Where do you go to find encouragement for yourself?

• podcast
• uplifting movies or TV shows
• books
• conferences
• inspiring friends or individuals

Do you have people who you find encouraging and uplift your spirit?
Just something to reflect on today.