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When did this happen?

Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Okay y'all today might have been one of the most embarrassing moments I've had (but I have had some doozies---see below).

I am kinda old, y'all.  I will be 46 in November.  I am no spring chicken. Deep down I know that. But in my crazy little rose colored world, I think I am about 35 max!  My best anti-aging tip has always been to not look in the mirror too much.  I have always thought I look pretty young for my age and I never worried about aging. Until today...


woman-in-bar-method-class


My sweet friend, Laura and I work out together.  But I am pretty lame.  I do the treadmill and some stretching.  Well, that was not cutting the mustard anymore so Laura asked me to try the Bar Method with her.  They were running a special so I bought a one month unlimited pass.

Today I walked into my first barre class.  The other women were cute and young and they had really cute workout clothes on.  They looked like lithe, dewey, glowing, young, lulu-lemoned women.  I was the old, frumpy, schlumpy middle aged mama with a pimple in the middle of her forehead!  Then, we started working out.

The teacher was very nice.  She gently called out some corrections to me "Kim, put your feet closer together.  "Kim, lower your right shoulder."  "Kim, tuck your tushy under."  I was starting to feel a little self-conscious.  There were 27 people in the class and most of the "corrections" were aimed at me.   I was the new girl. But I soldiered on.  I can do this.  I used to do Pilates and I used to do step aerobics and body pump. I am somewhat coordinated.

Then we moved to the barre.  I am not sure how I did it but when I hopped my right leg off the bar, I got a HORRENDOUS muscle cramp in my right quad.  At this exact moment, the teacher, said, "Kim this next part is the most challenging part of class." I think she said something about thigh dips but I cannot recall because of the searing pain!  I had tears streaming down my face.  I was really hurt.  I could not stand so there was no way any "thigh dipping" was going to happen.  I stood there frozen as the 27 dewy, little, lulu lemon chicks just stared and waited.  The teacher came over and I told her I pulled a muscle.

She kindly invited me to stretch or go out to the lobby.  The problem was...I COULD NOT MOVE Y'ALL!  I am not kidding.  I really could not walk.  I hobbled/dragged/crawled my way out into the lobby. Picture the hunchback of Notre Dame dragging her right leg behind.  I looked worse. I went into the bathroom and bawled my eyes out.  I was so embarrassed and in such pain.

When did I get so out of shape?  When did my posture get so bad?  When did I become the old, out of shape lady in the exercise class? I remember that lady and she was not me. I was really upset and in pain.  All those mirrors were making me realize that my anti aging strategies were not working at all.  I looked awful and old.  I looked so out of shape.  Why do they put all those mirrors in these classes anyways.  It is just plain cruel.

I cried for a minute longer, stretched my cramping, searing leg.  And then I made a decision.  I could hide in the bathroom crying or I could limp back out there and finish the class.  I limped back out there with my messy middle aged ponytailed head held high and finished the class.  The teacher was SO supportive and sweet and helped me out for the rest of the class.

I am not gonna lie.  I wanted to run and hide (but I couldn't).  I wanted to leave (again I couldn't because my friend Laura drove).  But I realized today that I am out of shape.  I might not look it but I am.  I need this class. I need to get in shape.  I want to be strong and toned with good posture.  I don't want to be schlumpy. So, as embarrassing as my first class was, I am signed up for two more classes this week. I am not giving up.  I am sure that tomorrow my muscles will hurt more than my pride.



So in the interest of sharing embarrassing moments...let me tell you about 2 others I have had.  Once a few years ago, Dave and I were at a small cocktail party.  I pointed to some guy and said to the hostess, "Who is that guy?"  She looked me straight in the eye and said, "Kim, that is my husband, Jim*!  Oops.  He looked different.

Then once in college I kissed a boy at a fraternity party.  I was/am a prude so it was all pretty innocent and low key but the next day I saw him and said hi and he ignored me.  I later found out he was a twin and it was his twin I said hi to.  To this day, I am not 100% sure which one I kissed at the party.    And the thing is..it was a very small campus.  Everyone else knew they were twins but me.

So, I have made a fool of myself before and I am sure I will again.    Feel free to share your embarrassing stories in the comments.  It will make me feel better:)


 (*name changed to protect the innocent).


34 comments:

  1. kim, thanks for inspiring me to get back out there and exercise. after a hysterectomy a few years ago, I have really slacked off. I used to ride a rode bike at least 120 miles a week! now? NOTHING. But I am making small steps back to where I wanna be. Thanks for giving me a little boost. donna

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  2. Donna...go for it! I think the longer we put it off..they harder it is to get back in shape. If I can do it, anyone can!

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  3. oh girl, I feel for you! I will be 5.0. in about 5 weeks - {gulp}. anyhoo - I have noticed that if I don't work out for a week or so, what would have been no.big.deal,to pick right back up. is now a MAJOR big deal! Good for you getting right back to that class after all the fun you had ;) (and you look AMAZING! - I'm definitely jealous!)

    xo ellie

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  4. Well Kim, first can I say, Im shocked that you are nearly 46, you look like you are still in your 30's!!!

    How inspiring that you walked back into the class, I loved reading this post. I

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  5. Good for you to try something new and stretch yourself in new directions!! Keep going - you'll be one of those dewey eyed barre gals soon! :)

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  6. I just had an embarrassing moment this past Sunday. We were at a little country fair and I noticed a man who looked really familiar, but I couldn't place him. So when I saw him talking to my husband I went over and said you look really familiar, do I know you. And my husband said yes, this *, he did our playroom! So that meant he was in and out of our house for about three weeks and I paid him a large sum of money, which really should have jogged this lethargic memory o' mine! Whoops. Way to go, Kim. You are an inspiration.

    P.S. My workout consists of daily (or every other day) walking while pushing sixty beautiful chinese pounds in a stroller!

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  7. KIN ERES ESTUPENDA!!!!!

    Muchas GRACIAS por animarme a practicar algo más de deporte. Ahora estoy empezando clases de TAYCHI con un maestro Koreano...las recomiendo van genial!!

    UN GRAN ABRAZO
    Manuela

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  8. Ok, so you are NOT OLD, or FRUMPY, or SCHLUMPY or MIDDLE AGED, Kim!!! You always inspire me to be better...however, this time it AIN'T gonna happen!! I will have to live vicariously through you b'c I won't be signing up for any class any time soon!! I AM old, frumpy, schlumpy and almost 10 years older than you! As the saying goes, I'm too out of shape to exercise! YOU ROCK!! I'm so impressed you went back and finished the class (and signed up for more!), but that's just who you are:)

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  9. Ok, so you are NOT OLD, or FRUMPY, or SCHLUMPY or MIDDLE AGED, Kim!!! You always inspire me to be better...however, this time it AIN'T gonna happen!! I will have to live vicariously through you b'c I won't be signing up for any class any time soon!! I AM old, frumpy, schlumpy and almost 10 years older than you! As the saying goes, I'm too out of shape to exercise! YOU ROCK!! I'm so impressed you went back and finished the class (and signed up for more!), but that's just who you are:)

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  10. Kim, I laughed outloud reading your post! I just turned 51 and constantly wonder how did I get to be the overweight (gained 17 pounds since the birth of my triplets 13 years ago) women who can't keep up in class? However, you look great and have such a slim figure. Keep us posted on your workout program. Now off to my favorite class that is full of energetic ladies 10 years and 20 pounds lighter than I am!

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  11. Good for you going back into class.... Then signing up for some more! That's more than half the battle, just showing up! As for my embarrassing moment, my senior year in high school I finally went on a date with this boy I had liked for years. We were at his house around Christmas time. His brother asked if I'd like to help trim the tree. I said " I don't know how to trim a tree. We've always had a fake one." I still cringe a bit when I think about it. I was an honor roll student but... Ugh! Anyway, you're in good company!

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  12. Listen, I am 33 and took my first barre class on Friday. I COULD BARELY EVEN TAKE IT! Holy cow. This morning I completed my fourth class and it was a serious challenge. I am sticking with it for the 5 week coupon I purchased and am hoping for the best. Hang in there!

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  13. I have read your blog for a while now but never said anything. I do enjoy reading it. And with that I will tell you that I am 41 and have an adopted daughter getting married which makes me a young "mother of the Bride" but come December I need to not jiggle! I joined a boot camp style gym and have completed my first week. I have fallen out of my car not once but three times now! AND in front of people at the post office too! My legs are not what I thought they should still be, but I will stick to it and I hope you stick to yours also! Good luck at the barre and you should try boot camp workouts, not as many skinny minis there!!!

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  14. I have read your blog for a while now but never said anything. I do enjoy reading it. And with that I will tell you that I am 41 and have an adopted daughter getting married which makes me a young "mother of the Bride" but come December I need to not jiggle! I joined a boot camp style gym and have completed my first week. I have fallen out of my car not once but three times now! AND in front of people at the post office too! My legs are not what I thought they should still be, but I will stick to it and I hope you stick to yours also! Good luck at the barre and you should try boot camp workouts, not as many skinny minis there!!!

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  15. Barre classes are hard! It takes a few times to figure out the motions and what is expected. Go back! It really is a great workout!
    I have so many embarrassing stories. I will have to think of a good one and leave a comment later :)

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  16. Good for you for getting back out there! And what a lesson for your kids! I struggle a little at the gym sometimes, too. I go to a campus gym and sometimes it feels like everyone else in there is 18 years old and weighs 100 pounds. But then I remember that everybody is so focused on what they're doing, there's no time for people-watching. :)

    Hang in there!

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  17. Thanks for sharing! You are beautiful, friend!

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  19. Just tried to comment and it didn't work so hope this is not a repeat. Kim, thank you for giving me a good giggle. Love this story and good for you! I am not far behind you, at 40, and since coming home with Vivian I have done close to ZERO exercise. The few times I have done Flybarre I have felt like the ONLY one in Target/Old Navy workout clothes. Everyone else decked lulu-lemon, which I own none of, so I can totally relate. Anyway, I stick to Yoga, it is more my speed. I know it will be hard to get back into the swing of exercise. Good job and I say being young is overrated anyway:)

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  20. Good for you for sticking with the class - you can do it! I recently started Crossfit and we have some members in their 40s-50s and they can all kick my *** in weightlifting (I'm in my 20s).

    Let's see....back in high school our uniform was a kilt. I always had to walk to and from school down a major avenue in our city. One day, as I was walking, I thought, "Gee, it's breezy today." About 15 minutes into the walk I realized that the back of my kilt was tucked way up under my backpack leaving my rear exposed. On top of that, us girls always wore boxers underneath the kilts (some kind of tradition) and that day I was wearing neon yellow boxers with a smiley face on the rear!

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  21. I am just wishing I could hug your sweet neck! I can totally relate to being "old" in a class of 27 year olds, under the lights and in front of TOO many mirrors! Yikes, I am just imagining what I would look like :(
    I am so proud of you for finishing that class... it's not what you feel like doing, but what you DO! LOVE your spunk, my friend!

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  22. You always look great!!!! Seriously! You will be a pro at Barre class by the end of the month, I'm sure!!! Good luck! :)

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  23. I will say I am a 25 year old former Division 1 basketball player who has never had children, and I went to a barre class about a month ago and OH MY GOSH it was SO hard. I was sore for 3 days after, and so embarrassed the whole time. Every other person was so good at the small little muscle movements - not me! :) You are braver than I to go back -- congrats! (By the way, I LOVE your blog!)

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  24. I will say I am a 25 year old former division 1 basketball player with no children....and I tried a barre class a month ago and OH MY GOSH it was SO hard!! I was sore for three days. You are braver than me to go back :) Congrats! (by the way, i just love your blog!!)

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  25. I love that you finished the class! Rock on sister! That is a great story. You inspire me in so many ways on such a regular basis. Thank you for being real in your writing. Cheers!

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  26. I love that you finished the class! Rock on sister! You inspire me in so many ways on such a regular basis. Thank you for being so real in your writing. Cheers!

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  27. Kim, good for you for keeping on! I'm impressed!

    My most embarrassing moment was in health class in high school. We each had to take a turn at the front of the room doing CPR on a dummy. After my turn, I stood up and all the guys clapped. I thought, "Am I really that good at CPR?" No! I had a short skirt on and I had mooned the class the entire time I was up there!

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  28. Kim, I have been reading your blog for a few years now and never commented (by the way, you have a beautiful family) but today, I just had to comment! Congrats on trying the barre class, I do not think that I could do it. I'm 48 and have 3 boys (my "baby" is 20) and all of my boys are workout nuts and I feel like their frumpy out-of-shape mom. However, I've lost 33 pounds in the past 8 months and now it's time to hit the gym! On top of that, I now attend school full-time with a lot of 100 pound 20 year olds. Years ago, I would have crawled out of that class with my head hung low but now in my late (gulp) 40's, I would have done exactly what you did and went back in to face the music. There are benefits to being in our 40's, you know, maturity and other things. I absolutely loved your post and your honesty, that is an example that your children will remember for a long time!!! Best of luck in the class, you're an inspiration to me as I approach the gym!!

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  29. I feel your pain! I do not like getting older and I had to start exercising a couple years ago. My body was falling apart. It's not fair. LOL

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  30. Strong work for going to class AND sticking it out AND going back for more! As for my most embarrassing moment... I was in high school and finally asked out on a date by this guy I had like forever. I was at his house and his brother asked if I'd like to help trim the Christmas tree. I told him that I couldn't help because I had never trimmed a tree, that we had always had a fake one. Yes. Embarrassing!

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  31. You so do not look your age! Congrats on finishing the class- I don't think I could have. You have inspired me to get back out there and start working out again.
    -linda,ny

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  32. I love it when you post about everything, but I really have enjoyed your lists of book recommendations. Many suggested books have now made my favorite list! Thanks.

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  33. Carla,

    I will post some favorite reads soon, I promise:)

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Thank you for your kindness.