Oh my aching abs!

I went to my first pilates class the other day. I was a little nervous about it because it was level II ("A more advanced Pilates Class combining yoga with western calisthenics") and I tend to suck at anything with the words "yoga" or "advanced" in the description. So I called the gym to see if I was qualified and the guy interrupts me with "Honey, there's people in that shouldn't be walking, much less doing Pilates. Trust me, you'll be fine."

Dude was right - the average age was roughly 102. One woman had a walker. (Imagine the people in level 1...) I mean, bless them for doing it! They had to keep asking if the instructor could speak louder but nobody passed out or anything so I'm assuming they kept up. It wasn't a very vigorous class, just a good, solid stretch and strengthening class. I was sore the next day, but overall, fine.

Today I decided to check out the Level 1. I knew I was in trouble when I looked around and noticed that every single person in the class looked like a professional dancer. Where were all my old people?! Everyone was all flexible and stretchy and buff - and then there was me. People, it was a solid hour of ab work. Hoooo-ly fuck. Crunches with arm pumps, crunches with leg pumps, crunches with this rubber circle thing they gave us, crunches sideways, crunches with our hips in the air... I thought I might have to vomit right there in the middle of class, just to escape more freaking crunches. I think my stomach is bulletproof now. I'm still quivering.