On occasion (an understatement), I get discouraged by the levels of machismo and chest-thumping on these boards, particularly the quick/easy jokes equating weakness with girliness. Going into the HKC, I honestly expected some of that locker room tone to be carried through.
Boy, was I wrong. The entire staff could not have been more supportive and respectful throughout the entire day. Nobody acted like they needed to prove themselves. There was no bullying or drill sargeant order-barking. No teaching by embarrassment. The instructors all conveyed that they genuinely cared about each and every participant. What a rare atmosphere for a fitness event!
I’m expecting a baby next February, my second. In my last pregnancy, I lost motivation to exercise after a couple months, and I didn’t pick up again until my daughter was 9 months old and I was fat and weak. This time, I’m committed to working hard as long as I can (with medical approval and wise modifications when they are necessary, of course), but I’m still a little nervous about how to find the motivation to pick up again after the baby is here. I’m concerned about the break in momentum.
But I know that I always work best when I have a concrete, specific goal. This weekend gave me that goal. My plan is to register for an RKC weekend next year, as soon as I’m ready for it. The HKC experience makes me more fired up than ever to get there.
So thanks again for all of the care and attention. I couldn’t have asked for a better time.
(p.s. – Everyone always says KBs are a full-body workout. I’m not so sure I agree. Based on my muscle soreness today, it’s a full-body workout with one big exception. The muscles of my low back feel like I’ve been resting on a gentle cloud — not a twinge of soreness anywhere in that area, which is more than I can say for almost every other muscle group. I think the full truth is that KBs, when well-coached, are a full-body-minus-the-low-back workout.)
