So says my good friend, spin instructor Joanna S. In the middle of her hour long or two hour long rides, after pummeling us with wicked hills and kick-ass sprints, when she is telling us that just because the song has ended, doesn't mean we can sit up on our bike and break, she tells us this: "You're not tired, you just think you are." These are words to live by, and it's in the same vein as the "No Pain, No Gain" idea, in that figuratively speaking, you can push yourself harder than you think you can. Obviously, pushing yourself through an injury can be stupid, like what I'm doing now I would do. Now, I'm considering spending a little bit more time at this other gym, and went to take a spin class with this really, really tough instructor. People love him, and he can pack a room in the middle of the day. This guy is pretty bad-ass, an endless flow of pounding techno (not cheesy house music) filled the room, and he even said that if this was your first time spinning, if you haven't been to a spin class in a long time, or if you are hungover, leave. That's right, he said newbies, out! I'm not going to digress on that last bit right now. Anyway, his class is truly an exceptional ride. Like, this, courtesy of another spin instructor friend, Danielle W., is what I think of when I think of his class.

However, I just was not feeling it. Normally, I burn a minimum of 450 calories in even a mediocre 45 minute class, and up to 600 in a great one. Yesterday, class was close to ending, and I hadn't even cracked 400. From the get go, I was thinking about how I was sleepy, how I hadn't brought my spin shoes since they were at my locker at my normal gym, I couldn't tighten my cages properly, the bike was different from the type I normally use, I didn't have a view of girls spinning across from me in low cut halter tops, etc. This all contributed into what I would consider a pretty big waste of time, and it was not the instructor's fault, it was all mine. This is why spin instructor friend always tells her classes to mentally tough out her rides. So many people will go into a class and think they just cannot tough it out, even though they can. Normally, I'm not that bad, but yesterday I was a prime example of losing in the battle of mind vs. matter. I promise to make up for my lack of intensity the next few days. Don't get me wrong, low intensity can be a good thing also. Just check this SNL clip out. I especially like the"advanced move."