EEEWWWwwww that smell...can't ya smell that smell?

I "borrowed" my title from that famous song by Lynyrd Skynyrd (note: by mentioning that upfront keeps me from having to pay any royalty money)

As we get into week 6, we've discussed all kinds of things about our BodyFit Extreme class...diets, positions, vices...we've overlooked one of the most important rules of class etiquette...ode de body! I'm not talking about the sweat factor, because lets be honest here (again) we all smell about the same when we have burned 900 calories with the room temperature 'round the actual temperature of HELL. I'm talking about the subtle smell of the muscle/joint ointments we've all started using...IcyHot, TigerBalm, BenGay, Aspercreme to name a few of the class favs. Did you ever think we'd all be in agreement on having to use one of these ointments...DAILY before the age of 68? I personally take it a step further to help relieve joint pain & soak in a warm tub filled with Epsom Salt (1/2 cup will do) AFTER taking a Potassium & Magnesium vitamin. After I get out of the bath, joints aching not so much, I slather on TigerBalm like it's Chanel #5...elbows, knees, shoulders...all the places one puts perfume...I now use my signature scent...Mentholatum. **CAUTION: There is a reason on the tube label it says wash your hands IMMEDIATELY after putting on the rub...I think we all know why. If you don't...here's a clue...think of a swollen jellyfish...'nuff said.

It's like my Grandmother Francis always says (she is now 92 years young) an apple a day (or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar) 1 aspirin, exercise, a nip of bourbon (instead I do a hefty glass of psyllium husk) vitamins & Ben Gay---helps keep your joints supple.

Like our class stresses...back to basics, case in point above. Oh & if you are one of the last few who have yet to try out one of the "heat rubs" find me, I've got a tube with me @ all times.

30 Days n 30 Nights!!!

As the title suggests...we've been a part of BodyFit's Extreme Challenge now for 30 days n' 30 nights! I can say it has been a long 30 days (& nights), but worth every step we've stomped, every 2 minute weight lifting segment that we've pushed our aching muscles to, all those 1 minute heel kicks...it's now starting to show. Can you believe back on August 1st, we all showed up bright eyed & bushy tailed to that lil studio off Millwood...not knowing what was in store for us. As we've gotten over Hell Week 1, 2, 3 & 4, we all know what we can do, and what we will do better in the upcoming month. That includes our diets, workouts & most importantly improving our own health. As an evening die-hard classmate, who is the front person in the mirror as well as works the fan...I can see change. I am constantly reminded of the song we stretch to by MJ himself..."Man in the Mirror" as I look out over my class I see Kerri (*NOTE sorry about any misspellings of classmate's names, correct me this evening BEFORE the Cupid Shuffle...don't want to mess up my dance moves over that issue) who has gained balance & strength, to Sally who is slimming down quickly, to Peggy & family looking LEAN n' mean, Courtney who makes us shake our tail-feathers, our VET who is starting to get cut-up, to DOC, who is starting to show a friggin' 8 pack, to J-Ray who finally gets 6 inches is not 6 feet, the Todd family, who keeps us all laughing because their shorts keep fallin' off their rear-ends, to Jessica who sings along to our workout songs, or our famous DJ pushing himself to EXTREME, Marie who should be teaching the class or @ least on stage, to our HOT fireman...we're glad you came over to the "other" side (Holly, don't worry we're watchin him) to the husband/wife teams looking good, to Liz, you will be the finest angel singin' in the church choir, to the BodyFit babes in the back...I see y'all burning up those steps, to the AM ladies...I see those windows "smokin" up after y'alls workout. To Caroline & Nurse Stephanie, come on now, those pix on Facebook look great...it's been awhile since y'all have seen how hot you are! (& were I might add) & last but certainly not least...our support team, Amy, Jamie, Stephanie, Kelley, Renee, Kara, Tamela, Nancy, Suzanne...on behalf of our AM & PM gang...thank you for seeing in all of us what we are now starting to see...thank you for the belief that we can & will do what we set out to do and just allowing us to be a part of this incredible journey that we all have embarked upon.

Insert a loud, thunderous clapping standing ovation for everyone. Take a bow, stretch deep as I know y'all can...breath deep & watch that clock because here's were we start...3...2...1...Month 2!!!