Rahab

Any good experiences with this? Are the friends taking the initiative to start up the conversations? In my area we have been doing literature carts/table. It's set up so that those passing by may be attracted to the message, but we were instructed locally not to strike up conversations.... Let them do the asking. Not to much success. I love the way this one is set up.

How do I post a pic in photo gallery? Why doesn't it use browser to open photos from my computer files. I don't know how to do 'upload' with my photos on to this site in photo gallery. Like with 'Facebook' it uses browse.

I'm not clear what you mean by this? I get the concept of a step mat, but pitch control to speed up tempo and slow it down? Sorry, should have explained the term. It controls the beats per minute. (BPMs) Some systems have a mechanism where you can + or - the speed of the music. Remember (Depending on your age) the days of vinyl records? 45 and 33 I think? There was another setting also...?? If you put your record on the 'wrong speed', it would play super fast or super slow. The pitch control mechanism makes it possible to speed up the music or slow it down. However, it's subtle. Increments of 3 or 4% or maybe 6 or 7 %. I forget exactly. For example: If I cranked it to it's highest pitch, it's like Mrs. Howell after she ate the radio-active sugar beets. Remember she ran super fast all over the hut cleaning..... The lowest pitch would be like the slow - motion mode on TV. Pitch gives the instructor the ability to change the tempo/speed ever so slightly. A speed of 127 to 132 BPM would be average. Think Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive'. That's within that average speed. However, let's say I have someone participating who isn't used to exercising, that average speed song could be pitched down to 124 bpm, making it just a little slower. I think it's the turbo-speed, complicated routine, super high steps that gave 'step' classes a bad rep. Very intimidating. That's why I prefer to do it a little slower and give people the option of the mats or steps.

Very cool. Sounds like the brothers and sisters in Texas are in good shape!

How cool is that!? Sounds like so much fun! Too bad we live like a gazillion miles apart! I too am a clutz...so for me, step was like attempting suicide! Not pretty. Don't get as much excercie as I'd like (or need)...my weight hasn't changed...but ain't nothing toned!! Could it be the beer? Would love to bike ride...but not by myself. I walk my dog...a huge boxer. He's my protection cause the town I live in is high-crime...even tho I live in the historic district. For those that consider themselves to be clutzes, they now have 'step matts'. Your on the floor. No 'up up, down down'. Just the routine along with those that choose to use a step. Alot depends on the instructor. I use the 'pitch control' so that I can either speed up the tempo, or slow it down. I use the slowed down mode alot, that way no one is trying to do it 100 mph. and falls.

Interesting that you used to teach line dancing..... I love any form of exercise that is not boring. That way it doesn't seem like exercise. I try to emphasize that to others so that they'll understand it's mainly for association, & fun. Years ago, when I was teaching, one of my regular participants said "I hate walking on a treadmill, it's so boring, I'd rather watch paint dry". I agreed with her. Since then, I've related that saying to some that are reluctant to try 'group fitness'. I also add, "I've watched paint dry, and it's way more interesting than walking on a treadmill". Actually, I don't mind spending 10 minutes on a treadmill. I like 'circuit' type training, going from one form of equipment to another. I have a.d.d. I'm sure that I had it as a kid, but back then, it was called 'you need to pay attention', 'if you would just apply yourself', 'it's laziness'. I was surprised to find out as an adult, that there's such a thing as 'adult a.d.d'. I've noticed also, that 'midwestern' people tend to very 'low key', and 'reserved'. Most don't like an activity that they think would draw attention to themselves. My feelings are that 'if I can do this, anyone can'. I'm not the stereo-typical image on the dvd workouts.

Good question..... There could be some out there. Used to have one brother come to class. I've seen lots of guys do (or even teach) the class. My DH, never did the class. Once or twice I tried to get him to 'follow', as I practiced my routine. He had trouble with the 'march'. I instructed 'SilverSneakers' for a while and lots of guys came to that, including my dad.

Disco is dead!? The way the BeeGees keep dying, I guess it's true. Lol

If there are, we're a dying breed. I got into step back in 1992. For the first time in my no-athletic-ability life, I was average at something gym related. I got to the point where I thought I was pretty good. By the mid 90s, it started to fade away. Kickboxing became the next trend, and all of my favorite instructors went over to teach that format. That left us 'step junkies', with the novice 'wannabee's' for step instructors. I too was a 'wannabee', so I did. I taught for quite a while, and saw 1 new group fitness format after another. Each replacing the other as the 'new popular trendy thingy'. Today it's the 'Zumba' classes. Which has always been around, I just remember it as 'Latan Dance Aerobics'. But take that, 'cookie cut' it, give it a new name and now everyone jumps on that 'bandwagon'. Except for me. I no longer teach as a job, but from time to time (we were trying for twice a week) I get together with the 2 or 3 other step sisters and we do our own class. I refuse to give it up, although we've been branching out some, and doing intervals/alternating with kettle bells, hand weights, & resistant bands. This is my hobby. Quite an accomplishment for someone who was afraid of the ball in volleyball, hated softball, did more walking around the track than running, and always got picked last for the team.

Similar situation... Started smoking cigarettes at age 12, and quit at 19. I first tried smoking pot at age 12, then stopped. Started again at age 14 and quit when I was 19. I was 18 when I started to study, and it took me about a year to decide that I wanted to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses. It was at that time that I knew I had to quit. My previous life must have been similar to Nancy's. We're probably around the same age.... Photomats, Tommy Chong, Styx, REO, Rush, ACDC, Pink Floyd, witnessed the death of disco and the birth of punk, everything like 'That 70's Show'. Graduated HS in 1981.

Sounds like the LDS are doing the same as the rest of Christendom's clergy. (2nd. Tim. 4:3) Speaking of the Osmonds.... I can't blame the 2 Mormon guys for saying that they hate it when people think that all Mormons are like the Osmonds.... That's just how we feel when someone judges us according to the behavior of someone famous that happens to be, or has been a Witness. However, in relation to the news on gays, I think the change is due to the emotional turmoil that it has caused to the Mormon youths that are gay. There has been suicides and attempted suicides by Mormons because of the moral stand. That, I believe, was the reason for Marie Osmond's son committing suicide. D