Anonymous wrote:Can I ask a silly question about shower shoes? What do you do with them when you're done? I mean, they're all wet... and presumably, they have all the germs/fungus on them that you're trying to avoid.... Do you wipe them off? Put them in your gym bag? What?

I've always just gone barefoot... never had a problem (yet). But I really am curious as to how shower shoes really help unless you're throwing them out every day...

put them in a plastic bag, then put that in your gym bag.

Center

I'm not ACE certified, but many people I work with are. Are you certifying in group exercise or personal training?

For group ex instructors starting out, $25 is the average rate at gyms. YMCA pays even less. Although gyms don't pay well, they're great for experience and exposure to clientele..a great benefit if you are a personal trainer, too. Trainers make more per/hr (around $40-$100). If you cross-pollinate your fitness classes/personal training, you can build a good business over time. Some trainers do small group sessions, and so would make around $300-$600/hr.

Corporate fitness centers and private studios/spas pay group ex instructors better than gyms. Between $50-$100.

Running your own show is the most lucrative approach. Find a space, start up a class and charge any way you want. 8 week sessions, drop-in rates, group rates, etc. Some studios will let you work out a profit split.

I think most people study for a month.

There is much opportunity in the fitness industry. Jobs everywhere. The fitness industry saved me when I was laid off and since evolved into my dream career.

Your ACE cert can just be the beginning...as you can build on as many specialties as you want. Yoga, spinning, aquatics, pilates and the million brand name workouts out there. But I've built a pretty solid career with just 2 specialties.

Most instructors have a website that can be googled, they are listed on CL and on the database of their certifying organization. There are probably some online resources to locate fitness instructors in DC, but I only know the dance related ones. When we hire an instructor, we either take their class at another site first or hold auditions.

oh yes the silk wraps are better.

man I cannot spell tonight. I meant they're not their.

I had them for a year in college. It ruined my nails and they were thin and damaged for 6 months. They only look good for a few days after their done, and then your nail bed grows out and looks bad. I'd probably try to nurse and pamper the hell out of them first. I know someone who took some kind of vitamin that strengthened her nails a lot, but I'm not sure what it was. Probably E.

sorry I didn't edit so well. i'm tired.

Anonymous wrote:All over in an RV until we find the perfect spot to retire.

OP here. This is DH's dream. Or mountain home. Sigh. Are there any towns like Asheville (which I have yet to visit), that are have natural beauty, charm and culture, and hopefully some kind of art scene? With a lake or river? That is hopefully somewhat diverse?

Although I do have 30 years to convince him to stay here.

Is it possible for your DD to make up a class on another day before the winter session is over? I don't go to Ballet Petite, but this is what we did to make up the classes she missed due to the snow. So for the past 2 weeks, she's had ballet twice a week instead of just once. It doesn't make sense to completely lose those 2 classes. I'd at least ask if they can roll them over into the next semester if you can't make them up before then.

Royale

I think it would be annoying if you only use it to talk to people you don't really want to talk to. But it's not limited to small talk with highschool friends...it can be used to find a million special interest groups, if you're into that. DH uses it to stay in the loop with the martial arts world.

I find it extremely useful in communicating with my students and other instructors...to share music, choreography, links of interest, ideas, stories. It's especially useful when I have to cancel for a blizzard or organize an event.

I also like getting daily pictures of beautiful beaches around the world, getting Colbert Report updates, or that many people can jump on a discussion about the one-legged salsa dancer or Nikes or whatever it is someone posted.

Hip hop classes usually have the most boys, compared to jazz, tap and of course ballet. I think it's the least intimidating style as the movements are not so feminine.

A kids' Capoeira class might be worth looking into. It combines Brazilian dance, martial arts, acrobatics, sometimes they even learn to play the drum. Lots of fun for boys...in fact the classes I've seen are mostly boys.

Greek

Both my parents worked FT, but we managed to have a very strong connection in so many ways. Breakfast and dinner together everyday. Scrabble night and freehand drawing night, where we'd set up a still life on the dining table and everyone would draw a different persepective of it. Lots of family road trips, family bbqs, and nature hikes. I remember us all cuddling on the sofa together and watching the Cosby Show and Amazing Stories every week. When I came home from school, there would be a note or a call from my mom to do my chores.

On top of work, they were always very involved with the community outside of their jobs, and so I spent a lot of time at their meetings, events and even protests on the weekends. Even though their attention was not always on me, I was involved in their cause and felt a strong connection to them. They still managed to help me with my hmwk, go to all my recitals, read to me, take us to museums, parks, shows, etc. I admired their ability to do it all and never felt unguided.

joy

1) you: no
2) kid: no
3) you born: yes
4) parents born: one no, one yes
5) kids born: yes