What a workout!

I'm just posting a few of my favorite stories that I've done. This one was during the Winter 2008 semester. One week, the sports section wrote all about the the workouts available at BYU-Idaho. I got to do a column so I chose this class, it looked hard but I wanted to look tough so I did it. I went to the class and was regretting it within 15 minutes of being in it. But I stuck to it and kept up with the instructor. I was so sore afterwards but felt it was worth it for a good story. Then I found out that there was supposed to be a photographer there who had planned on going to the class on Thursday instead of Tuesday. So I got to do it again. It was hard but I did my best to keep up so the photographer could have some good photographs of me... I'll tell you one thing, I now know what paparazzi feels like. The photographer took so many pictures and sometimes got so close. Everyone just kept staring, probably thinking "Why is she so important?" It was so weird. But I had a lot of fun and enjoyed writing the article. It was featured in the Scroll, the school newspaper, on the whole page with 3 pictures of me. I only found one online though.


Reporter feels the burn with cardio strength training

Chanae Wilson, a junior studying English, exercises her legs and arms while particpating in the Cardio-Strength Training class offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Hart 234.

The greatest things in life are the ones that take the most effort in order to obtain. But, I believe it all depends on one’s priorities. Some people are dedicated to developing their musical talents, others are committed to “bringing home the bacon” and some are devoted to developing the perfect body build. I can honestly say without any remorse that I do not belong to the latter.

I recently spoke to Bradley Highsmith, a freshman studying business management, who has been working on obtaining an eight pack in the last few weeks. I always thought would be cool to have washboard abs, but the thought of that painful torture I would have to put myself through eliminated all desire.

I am not saying that I am a couch potato, watching movies all day and eating banana splits. That is reserved for only a few times per week. I love working out. I love playing soccer, going for a swim and feeling the rush after a good workout, but I just don’t rigorously exercise in the gym like many others.

So when I went to the Cardio-Strength Training class last Tuesday, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I decided to go to this class because it sounded like a challenge. Something that would get my heart racing and help me get out of this exercise hibernation I have enjoyed a little too much this winter.

The class started out easy enough. We did a few stretches and I was feeling good about this. Then we started the exercise routine and I was ready to call it quits. The instructor had us doing vigorous stepping exercises, lifting weights and sprinting all within the first fifteen minutes. We also did killer abs exercises that left me sprawled out on the floor gasping for air when we were done.

The instructor would make us count how much we’d done out loud. If we didn’t count loud enough, she’d make us do it again. Every time the instructor would make us repeat an exercise, I’d think of how similar she was to the scene in Miracle when Kurt Russell would blow his whistle and yell, “Again!” much to the dismay of his hockey team. I always hated that part in the movie and I hated it more after experiencing a torture similar to theirs.

But I didn’t give up. I knew that if I gave up, I’d regret my failure in the long run. I decided that I had made a commitment to go to this class and I was going to follow through on that commitment — no matter the consequences.

Well, I am proud to say that I lasted up to the very end. I accomplished my goal. And though I wince at the pain I receive at every movement I’ve made since, I am glad that I did not give up on my goal.