Shed the image

"My friend is going to come," C said with a smile as she returned to the aerobics area of the gym.

It was Tuesday night, and I was minutes from hitting start on the iPod to begin my 6:15 p.m. BODYPUMP class. The crowd, as it always is in summer, was little thin, and I was excited to have a warm, enthusiastic body to fill in. C and I quickly set up a station for her in the back - where C thought she'd be more comfortable - and I hustled to the front of the room to get things started.

The class was a good one. Though there were only four ladies, I felt like I was on my game and enjoyed teaching some new material. I pushed myself weight wise and did all of the walking planks on my toes. Plus, I was looking fierce in my knee socks.

But, really, this post isn't about any of that. It is about the friend.

The friend has lost 85 pounds and, after class, she told me that it was her first time exercising in 13 years. Her knees and weight had, in part, kept her out of the game. Until Tuesday. My class was her first time moving her body with the intent of fitness in more than a decade. To say I was humbled would be an understatement.

She had heard the music from the class as she watched her daughter tumble. She had been interested. But intimidated. She was intimidated of what people might think, how people might judge. She was embarrassed, she said, that she had the weight to lose.

But the gym manager had told her about me. My story. It's a story that I sometimes forget is mine. The friend said knowing that I had been there, that I knew what it was like to be there. It made a bit easier to walk through the door. If anything, knowing the story made her want to meet me. I was floored. Because, to me, I should be the one wanting to meet her.

I've thought about the friend a lot since then. I've thought about the things I want to tell her. I want her to know what it's like to feel embarrassed that you had so much weight to lose but the only thing you can do about your highest weight is to change it. Be different. Be better. I want to tell her not to feel intimidated about coming to a class. Fitness instructors want you to come. I want you to come. I want you to feel the way I do when I work out. I want to tell her to feel strong because she is. You have to be strong to commit to losing weigh and following through.

The thing I did tell her is that I hoped to see her again. And she said I would.

It is my hope that I think of her, her story when I teach my classes. It is my hope that I make everyone feel welcome and able because, to me, the beauty of group fitness is it allows a person to do what they can, the camaraderie to get through it and the inspiration to believe in who they can be and shed the image of who they were.

Three Things Thursday: Little things

1. Monday was a good day. A really good day. My boss returned from vacation, I discovered I won Karen's Spartan Race giveaway and I came home from work to discover a small package from my BFF.

I didn't have the greatest of weeks last week (see boss on vacation), and Pattie knew it. So she took the time to send me a "You're Awesome" box. Inside, I found a supply of Clif Shot Bloks to help me kick off marathon training come July and two pairs of Under Armor knee socks. The socks are offensively bright, which means that I lurve them. I wore them for BODYPUMP on Tuesday, and I felt so  legit.

I felt so lucky and loved that she thought of me and went out of her way to put together the gift. Especially since I just mailed a first birthday gift for my niece, who celebrated Mother's Day weekend.

2. Speaking of lucky, a few months ago I won a giveaway from my favorite local photographer, Kelly Benton, for a free portrait session. It took us three tries for it to come to fruition (dang weather) but Friday night, we met to capture Miles at 2 years.

From last summer's shoot on a near 100-degree day. 

This was our fifth portrait session with her, and each time she surprises me with what she's able to capture. She just posted the photos on her blog and ... let's just say ... wow.

3. I had a date today with a seriously handsome dude.

Ah, the joys of being married to a teacher and the onset of summer!

Mark joined me for Lunch on the Square, and I (finally!) got to partake in food truck goodness. We tried the chili cheese dog and the SnoopDog, as well as some potatoes and mocha Reese's ice cream. Indulgent and delicious.

Sort of like spending time with my husband without the choir of donut and hot dog requests and the "I don't like it" refrain, with the two of us getting to talk about important things like ... uh ... hot dogs.

It really is the little things in life.

Weekly Training Update: 6/10-6/16

I wish I could tell you about my training last week. I do. Really. As I look back on the week, though, I can't remember much.

I know I ran - thanks to the MOTOACTV. I know I taught my classes - thanks to my paycheck. And I know I hydrated, thanks to the nearly empty Cherry Limeade and Watermelon nuun tubes. It will be a sad day when those were gone.

To give you a highlight, a stellar story or something quippy, I'm not sure I can. I can tell you that I did a speed workout on Friday that I gleaned from Runner's World. It's a 1-2-3 ladder that you can customize to your needs. It was hard. I wanted to not do it. But I did.

And that's that.

The week:

Monday: 4 miles
Tuesday : Piloxing (taught) + BODYPUMP (taught)
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 5.25 miles + Rip (taught)
Friday: 4.17 miles (intervals) + 3.05 miles
Saturday: BODYPUMP (taught)
Sunday: 7.09 miles

Dip into the dark side

I'd like to say that I was the life of the party this weekend but I'm fairly certain I killed it.

And by killed it, I mean that I made the most delicious dip on the planet. It easily beat out the Chili Cheese Fritos and Star Crunch treats that Mark's bachelor friend contributed.

It was so good that Mark grabbed the chip-dip dish and sat with it on the couch as our hosts tried to solve a grill malfunction. I'm fairly certain that he ate 90 percent of it within 5 minutes. Note: We were inside because of rain, which was not related to the malfunction but should have earned our hosts extra points.

The dip is a creamy take on the party favorite, guacamole. Filled with heart healthy fats from avocado, protein from non-fat Greek yogurt and a depth from fresh lime juice, it tastes great with multigrain chips for a gathering or could be an afternoon snack when served with bell pepper slices or carrots.

The star of the dish is Laughing Cow's Queso Fresco & Chipotle wedges. The spice in the cheese gives it just the right kick and seasoning without being overpowering.

And, in case you were wondering, the life of the party was Thomas. Thomas the Tank Engine, who took the form of a riding toy to thoroughly entertain my child for the duration of the party so I could eat whatever dip I could score from Mark's greedy grasp.

Creamy Avocado Dip

2 avocados, divided
4 wedges Laughing Cow Queso Fresco & Chipotle wedges
1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tomato, seeded and chopped
1/2 onion, diced
Juice of one lime
Handful cilantro, roughly chopped
Sea salt, to taste

Peel and mash one avocado. Add Laughing Cow wedges and Greek yogurt, using the back of a fork to mash together; continue until thoroughly combined. Dice remaining avocado, adding it to the bowl along with in diced tomato and onion, lime juice and cilantro. Taste and season with sea salt as necessary. Serve with multigrain chips or cut vegetables.

Disclosure: Laughing Cow provided me with product at no charge but I was not otherwise compensated for this post. I was not required to publish a post about the product nor develop a recipe. All thoughts are my own.