I'm sure you all heard about the controversial Peloton commercial that came out right before Christmas. I know I saw it.
I remember when I saw the commercial I didn't understand why anyone would be upset... I guess people felt like this thin woman didn't seem to want the Peloton in the first place, and felt like she "had" to use it. Like her husband was giving her a not-so-subtle hint to lose weight.
When my boyfriend gave me a Peloton bike for Christmas, just like in the commercial, I was absolutely STOKED about it. As a Personal Trainer, I know I'm probably not exactly like everyone else. I love exercise. I really wasn't doing enough of it, though. I have a Gold's Gym membership, I work in an amazing gym... but I was finding it difficult to find the time to really hit my workouts between fighting traffic to and from work, motherhood, and other responsibilities. I had also been trying to go for runs in the neighborhood, but after almost getting murdered by some moron kid on his cell phone on my last run, I decided I would NOT be running the neighborhood any longer.
So in MY case, my boyfriend was doing something really amazing for me... making exercise that I already want to do more accessible... not just for me, but also for our family. He was giving me and himself and our children a gift, the gift toward better health.
Now I'm sure if you have read any of my other blog posts or dozens of articles that seem to come out especially around January 1st, you know the benefits of cardio are plentiful. I wanted to give you guys a sneak peak into my experience with going from not very much exercise, to doing a peloton ride of 45 minutes or more 26 times in the last 34 days... and what that's done for my body and my mind.
My 1st ride was the weirdest experience. I chose to do a 45 minute Tabata ride with Christine D'Ercole. In that ride, she repeated her mantra over and over "I can, I will, I do." I had no idea how much of an emotional response I would have to that ride. It was a very difficult workout, I was not conditioned for it at all, and I found tears streaming down my eyes as I pushed myself harder than I had in years. I can. I will. I do. I did. I never gave up. I told myself from now on I am going to EARN a healthy body and stop expecting it to happen without putting in the work. I cried because it felt so good to take control over my life again.. to be doing something I love so much... pushing my body to it's limit, seeing what it can do.
I told myself after that first ride that even though part of me HATED it, because it was HARD... I was going to make myself do it until I couldn't live without it. I wanted to crave it like I crave water after a hard workout. I cried the first 2-3 workouts (it's hard to remember) oddly enough. Then I stopped.
At first my body totally rebelled. I was constantly tired and cranky. I also started myself on a Paleo-like diet on January 1st, which added to my feeling of being run down... but I persisted.
As I have ridden I have tried many different kinds of classes. I find myself drawn to certain instructors, and appreciating things about their styles, while other instructors are not my cup of tea. For example, I absolutely LOVE Alex Toussaint. Of the 26 rides I have taken, 13 of them have been with Alex. Alex Toussaint's attitude works perfectly for my personality. He reminds you while you ride that you are amazing and we are celebrating just the fact that we woke up and our bodies work. He always says leave your negative attitude at the door. He's got TONS of energy, and his energy really fires me up. I feed off that positivity. And because of that, I tend to gravitate toward his rides, especially his dance rides like Hip Hop and Club Bangers.
What's great about the classes, is the instructors really motivate you to work hard. This is not a leisurely ride in the park. They push you, they encourage you, they send love your way. As I ride, I feel physically pushed, but also.. almost like I did during church. I feel like I'm communing with my body and my mind.. reminding myself that each day is a gift and I am grateful for the body I have and what it can do.. and that's something the coaches really do well. It may sound Hokey, but I buy right into it and I love it. I feel like I'm remembering during my ride what matters in life, and it allows me to go about my day with a lot more purpose and aim.
My other favorite instructors are Cody Rigsby and Matt Wilpers. Cody is fun and sassy, Matt is really great at explaining the athletics and changes your body is going through during the process (I cannot recommend his 90 minute ride enough) without talking too much when you're just trying to survive. I don't like it when the instructors get overly chatty or go overboard with the shout-outs. When they do, I want to throw my screen across the room. But hey, anger is just another tool to get more output right?
As for the female instructors, I find myself less motivated by them for some reason. It's possible I just respond better to males. What can I say?
My boyfriend's experience has been similar to mine. He's gotten on the bike almost as many times as I have, and he kicks my ass on output. His favorite instructor is Ali Love and he thinks Alex has TOO MUCH energy (his loss).
It took several weeks for my body to adjust to this new way of life. If you think I'm stopping now, you're crazy. I will not stop until my bike stops. This is life now.
The biggest changes I have noticed from ride 1 to ride 26 (which I completed today) are the following:
1. My weight has gone down 6 lbs so far (this is also because I started eating a paleo-like diet and stopped drinking). I'm hoping to lose another 15 lbs or so.
2. My mind works better - I'm happier, more even tempered, and I feel like I can think better
3. I have more energy throughout the day (especially when I do my rides in the morning)
4. I crave my cardio workouts. I feel off when I don't get my ride in
5. My legs are getting more muscled, stronger, and better defined
6. My output is going up.. I'm getting stronger and faster on the bike
7. With the weight loss, I am starting to look better - my double chin has receded and I'm fitting into my clothes better
And it's not just me! My boyfriend is looking so good these days (he always has.. but I mean, if it was possible he's even hotter)... he's also lost some weight, his legs are building some beautiful muscle, and he's generally happier in my opinion.
We are getting healthier, and it's all thanks to our bike, but also our persistence at the bike.
I am in NO way affiliated with Peloton, nor am I getting any compensation for this honest review of my Peloton experience. I just wanted you guys to see what consistent exercise can do for you. It doesn't have to be on the Peloton, it can be running, lifting weights, or many other methods of exercise. I just wanted to shout from the rooftops what a gift this bike has been!
