Bold Confidence

I have learned many things from social media, like America's obsession with cat videos and tips from 3,000 of my closest friends on which restaurant will "change your life." I have seen or read absolutely anything - AN-Y-THING - on social media! Sometimes, that any thing cannot be unseen, if ya know what I mean! <brain scrub>

One thing I have noticed is, late at night or the wee early hours of the morning, people use social media to upload to offload. Facebook and Twitter accounts are stamped with an emoji reflecting how the person feels or a photo will be uploaded to Instagram or Snapchat expressing their current emotion with a supporting #hashtag. It seems as if the person posting sees himself/herself as posting anonymously for a momentary emotional release or offload.

Loneliness settles around a heart and offloads: I want love or someone to love me.
Loss reflects: It's been a year. I miss my mom.
Depression reaches out for hope through a keyboard: Is there anyone who cares?
Anxiety silently uploads a scream: I can't do this, anymore!

Then --for the focus of today's blog-- there are those uploaders who have experienced something which has caused them to question themselves. "Do I have what it takes?" "What was I thinking?" It may have been a conversation that shook their confidence. It may have been a thoughtless comment posted on a thread. Whether or not that comment had ill intent, a message was downloaded as inadequacy into the human spirit and, later, uploaded as "Am I good enough?" 

Dear Midnight Offloader, You are valuable. That idea is a great one! "Every good and perfect gift comes down from God." That dream you're working hard to see to fruition is going to come about. Keep shooting for the stars! You will eventually find someone who shares that calling and the burden of it and is willing to bear the weight with you. This creativity is part of God's DNA and is meant to be developed. It will take work. It may take many attempts to strengthen it. Be tenacious. You will encounter naysayers. who seek to suck the life out of your work and walk away. Be courageous. You will experience loss...multiple times over and for unexplainable reasons. Do not lose heart.  Be strong in the Lord. A payoff is coming! Someone needs your idea. Someone needs you to be their confidence! Someone needs YOU.

For the Newbie Runner: Part 5

Finding Motivation: Local Runs/Walks

Face it, all of us will eventually run a little low on motivation to hit the track, trail or treadmill. For whatever reason (burn out, fatigue, schedule, poor nutritional choices, life, etc.), this lack of motivation catches up and tries to bench us.

When the "Idontwannas" happen --and they will-- a helpful tip is to find a locally sponsored run/walk event. Registering for an event forces you to commit to training knowing there's a deadline and payoff at the end! The payoff looks like an event t-shirt, the finish line photo, bling in the form of a finisher's medal and, most importantly, bragging rights! 

Finding local events is as easy as the internet. One source I have used is Active.com. You can find a plethora of opportunities by entering your location and what type of event you are interested in participating. Some of the most meaningful opps are those word-of-mouth races where a church or school or local organization is raising funds for their cause. Knowing your registration dollar benefits other people is pretty motivational!

At the end of your race event, it doesn't matter if you did not place in the Top 3 for your age group. You still get the payoff! Confidence is built! Mojo has returned! You are, now, part of a society that is incredibly supportive because 1 mile = 1 mile, whether walked or run!  

For more Newbie Running Tips, be sure to check out: 

"For the Newbie Runner: Part 1" 

• Shoes: All Feet are Not Created Equal
• Intervals: A Mile is a Mile
• Running Groups: Never Say Never

"For the Newbie Runner: Part 2"

• Stretching: Impatience can Cause Injury
• Cross-Training: Getting Stronger all Over

"For the Newbie Runner: Part 3"

• Run Unplugged

"For the Newbie Runner: Part 4"

• Walking: Not for the Wussy
• Apps: Help or Hindrance?

Share Your Expertise: #elf4health Guest Blogger

This is my second year to be part of a community of holiday health-seekers known as #elf4health! Today, I've invited one of my fellow elves --GILLIAN CLOW-- to share her expertise on how she became a SPIN INSTRUCTOR. Oh, and by the way...Gillian is a law student, too! Yep, she's smart, athletic and beautiful! And, you can try to keep up to pace with Gillian on her blog at thatsg.com.

As some of you may know, I recently started teaching spin classes! I thought I’d share how I did it.

I got into spin my sophomore year of college.  In an ill-fated attempt to join Cal’s triathlon team, I took a few classes.  I quickly learned that my swimming and biking wasn’t at a level I’d be comfortable competing at, so I dropped the team.  But I did stick with spinning!  I took classes at Cal’s RSF (with the AMAZING Anja Garcia) and my hometown’s 24 Hour Fitness when I returned for semester and summer breaks.

I even joined gyms and took spin classes when I studied abroad in Barcelona and again when I lived in Madrid.  I take my obsessions SERIOUSLY.

Since being back in LA for the last few years for law school, I have enjoyed spinning at Gold’s Gym downtown, as well as YAS Fitness, Flywheel, and of course, Soul Cycle. So after years of spinning (roughly 6 years), I decided to accomplish the goal of becoming a spin instructor.

In my mind, there is NOTHING worse than taking a bad spin class, mostly defined by a low energy instructor with bad music.

How to Get Certified

In order to become a legitimate spin instructor, you need to get certified.  I chose to go through Spinning ® .  It was a one-day class, from 10 am to about 6 pm.  We had about 25 people take the certification course, led by a master trainer from Mad Dogg Athletics.  We learned pretty basic things like how to assemble a class (meaning the combination of sprint, hills, and jumps that fill up the hour), the different hand positions, and how to set up a bike. We also took a couple of rides.  It was really a fun day — I joked that I felt like I was at spinning camp.  Although the certification is about $300, it is really efficient.  Spinning.com requires that you essentially get re-certified every 2 years, but I know this requirement is not enforced by many different facilities.  The week after the class, you have to take a 50 question multiple-choice exam.  It is not difficult. (I took it literally while I was blow drying my hair).

How to Get Hired

Getting certified is only the first step – you need someone to actually want you to work at their gym!  Many spinning specialty facilities (Soul Cycle, for example) require that you go through their own teacher training.  I decided to wait to reach out to potential gyms until after I got certified.  That week, I reached out to my gym, Gold’s Gym in Downtown Los Angeles.  The group exercise manager responded and suggested I meet him for a brief interview.  I lucked out in that my gym was looking to add a new spin instructor to the team, so I was matched up with Marcus, a long-time spin instructor at my gym to co-teach a class or two.  I taught the first three songs of a couple classes.  This really got my confidence up and also introduced me to a lot of the regulars.  I would really recommend suggesting this to the gyms you consider reaching out to.

Since then, I now teach two classes a week (Saturday mornings and Wednesday nights) at my gym.  I’m also subbing occasionally.  It’s awesome to be a part of a fitness community and to be around people who share a similar interest.  I love my “regulars” and am so thankful to have this opportunity to pursue my “side hustle” in the world of

fitness!

I’ve also enjoyed assembling playlists and figuring out what I’m going to say to the class. The hardest part is definitely getting comfortable with the mic and not sounding like a total dork when I’m coaching.

Have you tried taking a spin class? 

What is your favorite work out song right this very minute? 

You can find out more about #elf4health which is the creation of Lindsay Livingston & Elle Penner.