Get your life insurance squared away

Entering each gym, Iwas nervous that I’d be surrounded by bodybuilders or that my trainerswould talk down to me. But both pros treated me as an equal.Theydidn’tevenaskmeto touch equipment immediately; they wantedtowalkthroughmyreservations and come upwithways to make me feel morecomfortable.

Whenwe did start exercising, they taught me basic moves, explaining the purpose of each exercise and the muscle group it targeted.They also paid extra attention to my form: Today I can do a good-looking squat, and I know how to hold a kettlebell.

So can I do a push-upyet? No. But I’ve finally learned to stop feelinginsecureabout it.The real aha moment for mewaswhen Kennedy told me to let go of “benchmarks” forwhat strong means, like being able to do multiple gorgeous pushups.ThefactthatIcanwalkintoa weight room and know how to handle myself is crazy empowering.And, yes, it’ll be coolwhen I can do that push-up—but I’ll get there.

CLASSES

“I went from loathing group exercise classes to teaching them.”

By Emily Abbate At my first-ever group fitness experience—a cycling class—Iwanted to leave minutes in. I had recently undergoneabodytransformation, slimming down from 200-plus pounds, and still carried self-doubt. If I didn’t stand up from the bike saddlewhen Iwas supposed to, peoplewould notice. If I didn’t bop to the beat, I would stick out like a sore thumb.

I regularly did my go-toworkouts— solo runs and gym tripswhere I felt lessvisible—for anotheryear or so. But as I got fitter, I had an urge to buy into NewYork City’svaried fitness scene, and Iwanted to continue shapingup, which wouldrequire adding diversity to my routine. I’d heard about a class that involved treadmill and strength circuits. I already liked running, I thought. So I tried it.

I loved it.The physical changes I noticed from going to the class regularly made me crave new challenges. Afterwork, I hit up dance cardio with a girlfriend (there’s safety in numbers) instead of happy hour; I began to look forward to the sweaty moments of accomplishmentwalking out of a hotyoga room.

Today the girlwho oncewanted to ditch class after a few minutes is a cycling instructor herself (at Swerve Fitness in NewYork City, ifyou ever want to find me). I always ask if anyone is new to class beforewe start; thatway, I can bop by her bike and let her know Iwas once in her seat.

YOUR FIRST THOUGHT: “I’m not part of the cult-follower crew.”

RETHINK IT: Take your first class with a friend who has been to (and enjoys) that particular class. Then you’ll have someone you feel comfortable with to use as a point of reference during the workout, and you might catch some of her already-positive attitude toward it.

YOUR FIRST THOUGHT: “I prefer working out alone, without instructors shouting at me.” RETHINK IT: Work around your preferences. A die-hard runner? A class involving speed and agility drills that can make you a stronger runner might be up your alley. This way, you can find value in instructor feedback and make it apply to you.

YOUR FIRST THOUGHT: “I tried already, and I hated it.” RETHINK IT: Go to a class three times to give it a fair assessment. You may find that different instructor personalities, times of day, or studio locales are game changers. And if you still hate it? Try something else!

YOGA

“To stop hating yoga, I had to broaden my definition of it.”

By Jacqueline Andriakos

I love exercising. Sweaty boot camp and boxing classes are my stress outlet. But I’m allyang and littleyin: Count me in for anything high intensity and out forworkouts requiring slow-motion movement, long poses, and no shower afterward. Layer on the ego factor—I’m a former ballerina who has since lost her litheness—and it’s no surprise that I consider myself a“bad” yogi.

When I shared my peeveswith MarlynnWei, MD, psychiatrist,yoga teacher, and coauthor of The Harvard Medical School Guide toYoga, she assured me that myyoga gripes are common. “There’s a notion that to doyoga,you have to be able to sit still or be flexible,” saidWei. “But the teaching ofyoga is less about poses and mantras and more about body awareness and emotional and physical release and recovery.”

Theword “recovery” resonated with me; I started to think about yoga as a form of active recovery that, as opposed to a traditional workout,would allow me to recoup better and be stronger in all my other fitness challenges.Wei also encouraged me to apply the qualities that I loved about other forms of physical activity to myyoga practice: Adding speed turned up the calorie burn, and therefore the appeal, so I shopped around forvinyasa-style options. Music, too, has always helped keep me engaged duringworkouts, so I sought outY7, a studio in New York City and LosAngeles that plays hip-hop tunes asyou move through flows. I also found that following a yogavideo online—with my gym playlist streaming—in the evening helped mewind down and shift my focus away from next-dayworries.

I’ve been attentive to myyoga practice for a few months.To reap the psychological and physical benefitsofyoga,youshouldcommitto practicing oneortwotimesaweek for 8 to 12weeks, explainedWei.

Today I can say the recuperative stretching has helped me squat and lunge deeper and alleviate some hip-flexor tightness, making my true workout loves (sprints! box jumps!) less painful and more powerful.And, I’ll admit, conscious breathing and moments of stillness feel OK, maybe even satisfying, during stress spirals. So,yoga,doIlikeyou?Idon’tknow ifIwouldgothatfar—butIhave certainly learned to respectyou.

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YOUR FIRST THOUGHT: “I’m not spiritual or zen.” RETHINK IT: Don’t force it. “Yoga is meditative by nature, so if you’re doing yoga or even just yoga breathing, you’re already being spiritual, so to speak,” says Wei. “If you don’t like mantras and yoga talk, tune them out and focus onyourself.”

YOUR FIRST THOUGHT: “Yoga doesn’t feel like a real workout.”

RETHINK IT: Look for vinyasa or power yoga for more of a burn. Or take yoga out of the workout category and think of it as a mode of self-care or relaxation.

YOUR FIRST THOUGHT: “I’m not bendy enough.” RETHINK IT: Do modifications, advises Wei. “There is no shame in it,” she says. “The power of accepting where your body and mind are at in that moment is the most empowering yoga principle of all.”