Let's Get it Started...

Hi Everyone,
Well, many of you missed it (which is totally ok), but I started teaching again last Wed. night. Yes, that's right-4 weeks and 6 days after my surgery. I team taught with KT and will be phasing back into my schedule, not jumping in with both sneakers like I REALLY want to...gotta be smart about it!
I will be teaching this Saturday's Body Sculpt and, once again, team teaching the Jazz class with KT. Then, it's just doing team teaching Jazz and starting to restart teaching all the Body Sculpt classes next week. To say I am thrilled to be back is a huge understatement...huge.
I don't know how many people realize that, for me, teaching J is my calling-we all have one and this is mine. Some are called to teaching school, to be nurses or doctors...when you find the place you were meant to be, it feels right. Plus, doing this is the only talent I have! HAHA
Many may say, "It's too early for you to be back, my Mother-in-law took forever to heal."(Uh with the MIL being an 84 year old...) "My sister had a tough time, how can you be doing so well?"
First, everyone heals differently. Look at a woman with 2 pregnancies-1 very easy, natural birth, no problems and the 2nd one she was on bed rest. Same women, same body, 2 different outcomes. Your healing (or your sister's, mother's, brother's or husband's) isn't MY healing.
Second, how did I do this? Well, I didn't. I have kept my body very fit and healthy (I really believe you all have no idea how fit you are doing J...if you're coming to class 3-5x per week you are VERY fit, strong and healthy!) for over 20 years and that makes a HUGE difference. Plus, I'm only 46 years old thank you-not 86. Having a joint replaced from a birth defect is a bit different than having one replaced because you wore your good one out. I never HAD a good one-let's remember that. And, unless you have lived in constant pain 24/7, you have no idea how it feels to have it taken away in a 90 minute procedure. It's a MIRACLE. My body and it's level of health and fitness is healing me at the rate it should-what's good for me.
When I woke up from surgery (and after a couple hours of rest) I felt amazing...tired, but amazing. Plus, I had an amazing team of doctors and nurses who do this work every day, all day over 3000x per year. That too makes a huge difference.
So, you see, exercise IS medicine. If you take a day off class or a week or 2 for vacation you'll be just fine but if you takes months or years off, don't exercise and eat like crap, you will find yourself unhealthy, unfit and unprepared in the event YOU have to have a surgical procedure-be it planned or urgent.
J allowed me to wake from anesthesia with no after effects, it allowed me to get UP and use the bathroom only hours after surgery, it allowed me to eat breakfast the morning after my procedure when most patients are on liquid for a day or 2. It also allowed me to leave the hospital after 2 days and go directly home, go up my stairs after 1 night downstairs, not use ANY pain meds after my 2nd day home (and only use them 1x per day before that), drive after 5 days and get the VNA to 'fire' me after less than a week because, and I quote, "You could take care of ME!" It allows my physical therapist to work with me for a VERY short time (4 weeks, 2x per week) and send me on my way knowing my muscles are strong and ready.
So never underestimate the power of health and fitness. Do you have to be a marathon runner? No. Do you have to do an Ironman triathlon? No. All you have to do is commit to a program you love (might I suggest J) and come to class 3-5x per week. Eat well 5 out of 7 days, drink your water, get your rest and you too will hear what I hear almost every day now...
"How the hell are you better this FAST??"
It's really not a mirage or a trick folks and, no, I'm not PUSHING as hard as it might appear. I am listening carefully to my body, my heart, my doctors, my PT...and all together I know it's time, time for me to come back to the place I love, the place that makes my heart sing and my soul dance. You see, that's what I try to give you in every class-you may hear it as 'yelling' or my 'drill sargent' personality but it's passion for what I do and it's what has gotten me through. (Along with my AMAZING Mr. P&P, and Lilly, K and the kids and ALL my unbelieveable instructors.)
Find YOUR passion and your life will be everything you imagined and more.
I will SEE you in class.