Day 17: Lean on Me

Tonight my friend, Andrea, held up to her commitment to go on the road with me.  I texted her earlier in the day to tell her I hoped she was still going because I needed some motivation for my muscles.  Her response back was:

Lean on Me
When You're Not Strong
I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on

That was just perfect to send me some tunes!  We always joke about being sistas from another mother.  We have some of the same taste in music and can bust out in song lyrics at any time.

We rolled into the 87th Lenexa club to attend Andrew Letsch's class.  I always like to get there about 15 minutes in advance so I can get wrapped and prepared without feeling rushed.  The club was filling up pretty fast when we arrived.  We found our bags and started getting mentally prepared.  I told Andrea that I couldn't remember if this class was Boxing or Kickboxing.  I had mostly boxing classes on my schedule, but then just started picking any time slots with trainers that worked.  She had never been to a Kickboxing class, as we usually always went to Boxing.  As I could see the panic setting in, I tried to calm her nerves and told her she would be fine.  It was a new experience and that is what this process is all about.

As the warm-up started, it felt like a sauna in there.  I was already sweating in the first 5 minutes after running and stretching.  When we started with our first kick combo, I asked Andrew if he could help show Andrea the correct way to kick.  He said, "Absolutely!"  I knew she was nervous and hoped this would help her relax.  Once she had a few kicks in, she was like a machine.  She was twisting into the bag, throwing those kicks, and getting leaner & meaner by the minute!  I felt so proud for her that she had overcome the fear of thinking she couldn't take on kickboxing just yet.  Baptism by fire baby!

Although Andrew's workout was definitely challenging, he was super upbeat.  He stressed the importance to keep moving, even if you couldn't do everything.  As long as you're moving, you are burning calories! At one point, Andrea & I were throwing punches and thought we were giving it our all.  Then, Andrew yells "20 seconds of crazy!!"  You just get this energy that comes from nowhere to kick it up just one more notch.  All my stress from my busy day just floated away.  Poof!  Gone!

Becky~Andrew~Andrea

Something truly amazing happened tonight!!  Andrew asked us to place our feet under the bag while laying flat on your back.  Then, do a sit-up and throw your arms around the bag.  You need to do this by rolling up with momentum into a standing position.  So, you are basically pulling your whole body weight up.  When it was go time, Andrea started to pull up and said, "There is just no way."  I looked at her and said, "Just try it."  With one big push and all her might, she pulled up to a standing position!!  We were both yelling and celebrating and I threw both arms in the air!  Andrew walked over to see why were were laughing and celebrating.  He smiled when I yelled..."1st time!  She did it!"  I was so pumped to have witnessed this moment.

Although the club feels a little more familiar each time I go, the mystery factor is still there.  We had no idea what we would be doing when we walked through the door.  We had no idea that such greatness would happen.  

Andrew~ Thanks for helping make the impossible...possible!

Andrea~  You are on a roll!  You should be so proud, I know I am!:)