thankful for danceFIT

Last Thursday I had a day. A day where you completely feel overwhelmed about the fact we are moving again in four months, and how much stuff just needed to be done.  On scale of one to 10, as in in 1 being “Huh, well I am feeling a little stressed” to 10 being “I just want to cry and pull my hair out because life is not going the way I want”, I was having a four. It was just a day where I looked around my house and at my to do list with enormous dread.  So I did what any rational human being would do- I got a Starbucks venti vanilla latte.  I put my toddler, Mark, down for a nap, placed my daughter Keira in front of some sticker books and sat at my computer and started attacking my to do list in between sips.

(smiling because life always seems better after a latte)

During this 6FIT, I have tried to put a finger on what draws me to Starbucks. Of course it is the caffeine, and the deliciousness of a caramel macchiato, but I have realized it is something more- a taste of home. You see when you live a military life, the places and people in your life are always changing, but the one constant has always been Starbucks. I have had so many wonderful conversations with my family and friends over those white and green cups. We have cried, we have laughed and we have listened. On days where I feel overwhelmed with life, I grab my venti and I just remember all the people who support me, because even if they are not nearby, I know they are with me. Being homesick in the military isn’t necessary homesick for a place, but for all those people who have made a footprint in your heart. 

(my Alabama girls in our wellies at Starbucks)

DanceFit virtual classes have helped me so much overcome this feeling of homesickness I have with my moves the past two years. This is our third home since I started taking DanceFit classes, and I am so grateful that finding a gym is one less thing I have to do on my to do list with each move.This past move we stayed two weeks in a hotel, waiting for our household goods because our truck broke somewhere along the way from Alabama to Virginia.  I kept my sanity by doing my virtual classes in our hotel room because thankfully I had the presence of mind to pack our computer in our van. I am always learning new tricks with each military move. 

(a shot of my virtual Kick and Tone class)

When I explain my DanceFIT virtual classes to people they always think that is cool, but question if they would still get the feel of a group fitness class on Skype? Or I really like going to a gym because I like the friendly atmosphere?  I can say yes to both questions. The instructor places the group call, and all you have to do is mute your house. I have had children running around in diapers, picking their noses as they look at the computer screen, and sometimes they even like to participate. My daughter, who is in ballet, especially loves the fact she can do ballet moves with her mommy.

What is most important to me, is that no matter how homesick I feel that day, there are smiling faces waving hello at the beginning of each class. On Thursday evenings it is my mom who takes the body ball and sculpt classes. Last Tuesday, I was happy to have three college friends Nicole, Kate, and Beth in my virtual Pound class. And if it is not my family or friends? I have my DanceFit family smiling back at me. There are all the ladies who have both been on my 6FIT teams in the past. Nicole, Kari, Laura, Emily, Ashley, Maeve, Lindy, Lisa and Leslie, the virtual instructors, who kick my butt every morning and evening with energy and enthusiasm. Lastly there is Gina, who encouraged me to stay fit during my 4th pregnancy, and whose heart is so big that she donated a whole day of virtual classes to support our childhood cancer walk instead of just the one class I originally asked for. Although I have not met many of these ladies, there is a bond that forms when you let people into your home. So as much as I can go on and on about how taking virtual classes has gotten me into the best shape of my life, what has really helped me more than anything is the emotional well being that has come with my virtual classes.  The smiles and waves at the beginning of class, and at the end feeling all that stress leave me after a good workout.  I know the emotions of homesick and stress will always be there on some days, but I am thankful for DanceFit and my Starbucks latte to give me my taste of home and bring a smile to my face.

this wonderful post was contributed by our virtual spokeswoman Megs!