Exercising to one’s full potential?

I’m in an aerobics class that I’ve blogged about before. It’s still hard for me. I make fun of myself.

It’s taught by alternating teachers. The one that we all acknowledge as the hardest is Melissa. I like it, and my goal is to keep up with the whole class, one day.

Side planks

Now, I struggle. I pant and heave, I sweat and slump over in the middle of a set when everyone else is still going. That includes septuagenarians. 

Backstory to the side plank photo: 20 outtakes and 5 minutes of planking to get one useable photo.

Melissa said to me cheerfully one day before class, “I’ve been meaning to invite you to a class I teach outside the gym.” It’s one of those outdoorsy boot camps not based in a facility. She described it further, to include, “If you think this is hard, that class is ten times harder!”

At which point I had to stop her and ask why on God’s green Earth she would ever think of me for that. I’m her worst student.

I know: She’s trying to kill me. Then I won’t come to class and drag down the bell curve.

“You don’t live up to your full potential,” she explained.

I could have hugged her right then and there for seeing more in me than I currently see in myself. I still think I’m a hero if I simply get my body to the gym every day. 

 For today, though, I just thanked her and nodded noncommittally for the referral. Then I went to the storage area to prep for class: the usual teensy, little three pound weights and the lightest tension bands.

Ten times harder. Hmm. Maybe in a few months.

What’s your fitness goal? Tell me in the Comments section and I’ll randomly select a winner for a $50 gift certificate to Hula Grill Waikiki, a restaurant that’s oceanfront at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. 

I will pick the winner in one week, on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at 5 p.m. Hawaii time. I will write to the winner for your mailing address and send it via USPS.

The $50 gift certificate expires February 2018. I am not responsible if you lose it or it expires. Please call the restaurant at (808) 923-4852 or visit http://www.hulagrillwaikiki.com if you have further questions. Thank you!

Diane Ako

Peace of mind By Diane Ako I like to reflect on life. Sometimes it’s philosophically. Sometimes it’s humorously. For all its beauty, life is far too difficult a journey to take alone. You need the support and connection with others to help carry you along the way. Writing brings me that connection– within and without. It clarifies my thoughts and feelings. It helps me reach out to others for advice, wisdom, or feedback. Your thoughts become your actions. Your actions become you. A wise yogi- Patanjali- said, “Speak what is true. Speak what is pleasant.” Let’s speak of things pleasant to one another and seek some peace of mind along the way. ABOUT Diane Ako joined Hawaii: In Real Life in October 2016. She likes being part of a community of local bloggers – people who like writing and sharing, like she does. Ako is an anchor/ reporter at Island News (KITV4 – ABC) in Honolulu. She previously anchored and reported at KHON2 (FOX) and KHNL (NBC), and at stations in California, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. She freelance writes for NMG Network's magazines. In between news jobs, in 2017, she launched and ran her own p.r. company, Diane Ako PR. From 2010-2014, she headed the public relations department at Halekulani Corporation, which oversees luxury resort Halekulani and boutique hotel Waikiki Parc. She’s been blogging since 2009 – before Hawaii: IRL, she wrote for The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the state’s largest daily newspaper, where her stories garnered a dozen journalism awards and an Emmy nomination. Ako has a BA in Communications from Menlo College and an MA in Political Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa. She volunteers as a board member of the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation, a Shinto shrine maiden at Daijingyu Temple, a citizen-scientist studying shrimp, and a yoga teacher at a senior center.

Diane Ako has 274 posts and counting. See all posts by Diane Ako

17 thoughts on “Exercising to one’s full potential?

  • March 30, 2017 at 6:58 am
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    Hello Diane,
    I standup paddle, paddle 1 man canoe (OC1) and run. My goal is to be healthy and physically fit.

    Reply
  • March 30, 2017 at 7:36 am
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    It looks like you having a lot of fun

    Reply
  • March 30, 2017 at 9:51 am
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    Good for you for having that commitment. Right now, my fitness goal is to just get back into a regular fitness routine.

    Reply
  • March 30, 2017 at 11:05 am
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    I try to walk at least 30 minutes a day

    Reply
  • March 30, 2017 at 11:18 am
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    You got this Di!!! Just remember, Small steps and you’re probably better now that when you started. For me, I want to get 170lbs and 20% lean body mass. Slowly getting there.

    Reply
  • March 30, 2017 at 12:00 pm
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    I want to be stronger, more toned and more flexible. I also need to work harder when I get to the gym, less cardio more weights. I’m active, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. Maybe I should get a trainer… and focus on less talking and more doing.

    Reply
  • March 30, 2017 at 2:09 pm
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    To be ripped like my man C.H.!

    Reply
  • March 30, 2017 at 6:55 pm
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    Ever since I retired 3 years ago, my new job is keeping healthy by exercising at least 5 times a week. Going to the gym and taking a variety of classes has made working out more bearable. It’s so easy to skip a workout, but I know I’m responsible for my own health and want to be in the best shape possible. Making time to exercise is easy if you make it your priority! No excuses!

    Reply
  • March 30, 2017 at 7:14 pm
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    I used to be in the military, and excelled in physical fitness to the point of winning a Master Fitness badge. Now I stay in shape by running a goat and chicken farm in Nanakuli. I also fish, and walk my dogs on the beach.

    Reply
  • March 30, 2017 at 11:06 pm
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    My fitness goal is to gain and increase my endurance because I end up feeling better even with the worst performance in class, I survived it and made it through the rest of my long work day.

    Reply
  • March 31, 2017 at 7:02 am
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    I joined a gym 5 years ago. My goal was to get in shape. I weighed 220 back then and lost 60 pounds. My new goal is to maintain my current weight for as long as I can.

    Reply
  • March 31, 2017 at 7:08 am
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    My fitness goal is to lose this fat around my belly and build more muscle by walking more and lifting weights

    Reply
    • March 31, 2017 at 3:29 pm
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      Thanks for reading, folks, and awesome fitness goals!

      Reply
    • April 6, 2017 at 6:58 pm
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      Dorian, You won the random comment selection. Congratulations and thank you for reading! I wrote you an email. Please check that and send your mailing address back to me and my colleague copied on the email. He will send it to you. Thanks!!

      Reply
  • March 31, 2017 at 6:18 pm
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    I’m always so happy when I see you at the gym! Keep at and you will be surprised at what you can achieve! I have faith in you! My fitness goal, now and forever, is to be stronger tomorrow than I am today.

    Reply
    • March 31, 2017 at 7:14 pm
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      Wendy! Me too! I like seeing you! My fitness goal is to work out enough so I can sleep and not be grouchy to live with! LOL!

      Reply
  • April 1, 2017 at 8:20 pm
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    I’d like to do more yoga.

    Reply

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