Rowing is AMAZING!

My Rowing Obsession

It’s been one year (almost to the day) since I went to my official orientation class for indoor rowing with Lowell.  Although I’d been doing Row-ga with Laura for a while before I started “really rowing,” I had no idea how rowing would change my life when I decided to do that first class.  For those of you that are interested in tangible and measurable results, I will tell you some of mine during this first year of rowing:

1.  I’ve lost 45+ pounds since I started rowing (and gained an incredible amount of muscle mass – I’m not a little girl ☺) 

2. I’ve dropped 2-3 (depends on the brand as we all know) dress sizes

3. I’ve almost doubled my lung capacity (as measured by my doctor)

4. I’ve vastly increased my cardiac fitness and can feel it every time I hike or swim or do any of the other outdoor hobbies I love.

5. I sleep a lot better (deeper, more restful) than I’ve ever slept in my life.  (I have a long history of insomnia, which has been difficult to deal with.)

And then there are the less tangible things that, to me, are ultimately even more important.  

1.  I am simply stronger:  physically, mentally and emotionally. 

2. I am better able to focus on things that are actually important to me and have a positive impact in my life.  (I’m classic “ADHD” and rowing has helped me channel a LOT of that “H” that can be pesky.  When I’m done rowing, I can actually be still and focus on tasks at hand throughout my day with a lot more ease and NO medication.)

3. I trust my body, for the first time in my adult life, and I know I am physically capable of a LOT more than I thought I was physically capable of for a while.  

4. I feel younger now than I did a year ago and a LOT younger than I felt about 3 years ago (my worst physical fitness point).

5. Rowing has helped me re-balance my body and it’s done it without aggravating my long-term injuries from my early days as a gymnast.  (Injured left ankle; injured back and neck; injured hip.)  Beyond not aggravating those injuries, rowing has actually helped a lot!  Especially with my back and neck because the muscles are so much stronger.  And, thanks to combining rowing with yoga, my hip and ankle are also a lot better than they were a year ago.

6. Rowing has given me courage to pursue other long-term goals and I’ve seen an enormous amount of success in my personal and professional life during this first year of rowing.

7. I have this whole new family of rowers that offer great support, positivity and enthusiasm every single day.  The crew at the oarhouse is priceless and I had no idea that taking one class would end up giving me an added support system for my whole life.  It’s awesome.

So, yes, I am obsessed with indoor rowing and the more I learn, the more obsessed I become.  My next step is to get in a boat!  My friends who’ve known me for years have told me this is officially the healthiest addiction I’ve ever had and I agree completely.  I honestly don’t have the words to express my gratitude to Lowell, Laura, Anne, Helen and Robin for all they do for me and the rest of the crew.  Rowing is great exercise, but it’s much more than that, too.  And, for me, it’s been a “game changer.” I’m super excited about hitting my 2 million meter mark very soon – before my birthday at April’s end. (Oh, and the fact that we get to drink mimosas after class every time someone hits a million meters is a whole other kind of happy bonus!  Celebrating successes is a key ingredient to happiness!)

Thank you, Greenville Indoor Rowing!