My Fitness & R.I.P.P.E.D.

I was spending time going over my R.I.P.P.E.D. training material and choreography notes. After learning more about it I felt compelled to share some background. But first...!

*ahem* Ok! Moving on...!

Throughout high school I would workout using my own routines. I'd specifically choose different exercises to target different areas. I didn't really know all the technical stuff, I just knew what I wanted to tone and strengthen. I'd incorporate cardio simply because I actually felt like I was burning fat by expending the energy. That was it. I had a desire to move and burn calories without realizing exactly what the benefits of cardio was other than it helped with weight loss. I felt stronger and effective after working out. I would be conscientious of my form, too. I'd eat cleaner most of the time. I tried the different fad diets and yes, even some diet pills. Once during a 5-week period I didn't eat meat and cut out the junk. I ended up hungrier because, of course, at that time I didn't educate myself enough to know that my muscles wouldn't be fueled by grazing.

One of my biggest motivators that got me through each workout and, in fact, made me workout even harder was the music. Music, music... MUSIC!! I'd select songs that fueled my energy and lots of times I'd feel like working out (or just moving) when certain songs came on. My personal sessions reflected that of a Rocky training montage (one of my fave movie series). I didn't run stairs to a victory hop or anything grandiose, but in my head I was at the top of my game and the music added a sort of driving force behind my enthusiasm.

My friend and Zumba instructor extraordinaire, Marissa Hodge of The Klubhouse in West Sacramento, introduced me to R.I.P.P.E.D. I first met Marissa at a Sacramento Kings Zumba halftime show in 2011. Her enthusiasm and personality are infectious and we got along right away. We became friends very shortly after and really the only thing that keeps us from seeing more of each other is geography. She called me one day and encouraged me to take the R.I.P.P.E.D. instructor training. Her timing (and vote of confidence) was impeccable. I was ready to take on a challenge. I was ready to jump out of my comfort zone and experience something that typically my insecurities would stifle. After our conversation, charged with a spark of motivation I looked up the website for R.I.P.P.E.D. There was no doubt from the moment I watched the video it was something I could get behind. I said yes.

Me and Marissa at the Kings Zumba Halftime Show 2012
(Photo by Jennifer of Catch A Flash Photography)

The R.I.P.P.E.D. fitness concept embodies the very things I conditioned myself to back in the day; the things that motivated me to a healthier, more fit lifestyle beginning at an early stage in my life... only R.I.P.P.E.D., of course, is based on solid, educated, careful planning. It makes sense and it's all deliberate right down to the music. In fact, the music is a huge part of R.I.P.P.E.D. Terry Shorter, one of the creators, composed all of the music specifically for each piece: Resistance. Intervals. Power. Plyometrics. Endurance. Diet/Nutrition.

Terry Shorter, my sister, Charlene (who's now also a certified

R.I.P.P.E.D. instructor), and the lovely Tina Shorter

When I first began the journey back into my fitness 2 years after my son was born. I discovered Body for LIFE by Bill Phillips. (Little shout out to BFL!) Though the routines are different and more weights are used, the philosophy is much like R.I.P.P.E.D. I was a walking testimony (note was but I did it once, I'll do it again) that this philosophy is effective so it was easy for me to be drawn to R.I.P.P.E.D.  It really is a One Stop Body Shock. You work everything in one session, including cardio, and burn 750-1000 calories by the time you're done! It's also recommended you only do R.I.P.P.E.D. 2-3x a week to give your body time to recover. So it really gives you time to take care of other tasks on your "TADA" list throughout the week and you still get a kickass workout!

Pre-BFL (155 lbs)

Post BFL maintenance, 2007/2008! (127 lbs)

Fast forward to today, I'm even more excited by the whole idea of R.I.P.P.E.D. Every one of the instructors I've communicated with have been nothing short of supportive, inspiring, and enthusiastic. Thanks to Jen O'Neal, who led the instructor training class the day I completed it. Lots of energy, lots of sweat, and lots of smiles! I was welcomed into the R.I.P.P.E.D. family and their love of fitness and desire to reach out to others to help with their fitness goals is infectious! At the time I'm typing this blog I've not yet started instructing. Once the "busy" settles down (soon) I will. Until then, I'll continue to read through the training material, listen to the music, and learn the choreography! Mad propers and thanks to the whole R.I.P.P.E.D. family "...for helping people believe in all the goals they achieve. You inspire, we appreciate all that you do!" ~ lyrics from Season 8 warm up

Jen O'Neal, Marissa Hodge, me, and Todd Nicholson (fellow R.I.P.P.E.D. instructor)
at a R.I.P.P.E.D. intro class a few weeks before the training class.

Terry chose this song for the cool down section in Season 8. I loved it right away and was determined to learn it. See? Positive, inspirational, and... all good!

I will get back to my goal physical condition!

♠