I had bad experiences in gym class when I was a kid, and have never enjoyed physical exercise. I’d rather sit and read a book (or eat glass, frankly) than lift weights. But my doctor told me I had to, because I have bone loss. I was also finding that, every year, certain leisurely activities, like biking and kayaking, were getting just a little harder. (Thanks, Menopause.)

So I figured I would try Build & Burn for a month or so. . .just till I was cured. I was blown away to find that group exercise could be so supportive and (I can’t even believe I’m saying this) so fun! The camaraderie in the classes is fabulous, and the sneaky trainers at Limitless keep tricking me into doing more than I think I can do.

One day, when I was exhausted from burpees (hate ‘em!) and my defenses were down, I let a classmate talk me into personal training with her twice a week. AT 8 A.M., NO LESS. We started with Sue and then transitioned to DJ, a cherubic-faced young savant who routinely leaves me cursing him when it hurts to walk up the stairs the day after a workout.

But it turns out that Sue and DJ know exactly what they’re doing. After several months of working with them, I am biking more than 5 miles around the block. I ride on Thursday nights with a women’s group out of Gus’s bike shop in North Hampton. We do 22 miles on the coast, and this is now actually an EASY ride for me. In June I rode 102 miles in the mountains of Maine for the American Lung Association. I actually did not intend to finish this ride; it’s a little early in the season for that long a trek, which usually takes at least 8 weeks of training. But even though I desperately wanted to join the folks who were walking their bikes up those hills, I never had to dismount. My legs were STRONG!—and so were my back, shoulders, arms and wrists. I also knew how to hydrate, and how to eat for the best energy and endurance. (Who knew it wasn’t just burgers and pizza? Though I sure did enjoy the post-ride ice cream!)

Thanks, Limitless, for all you have taught me. . .and for giving me so many good laughs and new friends along the way.

 (Guess which one is me in the picture.)