Today is 11/11/11. Don't know why I feel I need to make note of that, but I do. Very cool.

Anyway, here's my newest "crisis": an issue with one of the water aerobics instructors at my new gym. She's one of those drill instructor type bitches who wants no talking, no fun, and everyone to do everything exactly as she does it, no matter what their level of fitness or injury. I told her before my very first class with her that I was taking the class on a medical prescription due to my back injury and that I might have to modify some of my movements due to it. Her response? In the bitchiest tone possible, "I am an aerobics instructor, not a physical therapist. If you can't keep up with my class, then you shouldn't be here!" I was completely shocked, but managed to tell her "No problem. If I can't keep up, I will happily get out of the pool and leave." Since then, she has continually barked at me any time I modify any of her exercises, and every time, I tell her "I'm not allowed to do that." Finally, this past week, we were in a circle doing an exercise when she came right up to me and told me I was doing it wrong, to which, as always, I replied, "I'm not allowed to do it that way. I'm modifying it for my back." She then literally told me "Well, then, step back, because you're obstructing my class!" I was so pissed I couldn't even speak. I couldn't decide if I should just get up and walk out, go report her to a manager, tell her off myself, or what. I decided that none of those things would actually help the situation, because her bullying personality would only get worse if I did any of that. Instead, I just carried on with the class, though without looking at her at all. When the class was over, however, the incident was the talk of all the women in the class. They couldn't believe she would be allowed to speak to people like that. Then last night, pretty spontaneously, I decided to go speak to a manager about it before class (this one with a wonderful instructor). I basically just asked if an instructor was allowed to threaten to kick people out of class who were medically unable to do every exercise exactly as the instructor did them. I didn't even have to give her name...the manager knew exactly who I was talking about. And of course she said that no instructor could kick anyone out for ANY reason like that. They are told to allow encourage everyone to work at their own pace, modifying anything they need to. She then asked if any of the other instructors were not following that rule, and I told her no, that everyone else was wonderful. It was just the one instructor who was so inappropriate. And while I didn't really intend to give all the details of what she had said to me personally, I did. Though I also asked the manager NOT to speak to the instructor personally about it, because I knew that would only make her worse. I told her I just needed to know the policies of the gym, so that I would know how to handle the situation in the future. The manager said that was fine, but that she would keep a closer eye on the instructor (and maybe even come to the next class herself!). So while I do plan to go to the bitch's class tomorrow (and fully ignore anything she says to me), I am considering whether going to her classes are even worth it, since her attitude is so bad. I'm considering just doing the two other night classes (taught by others) and then going once a week on my own...and maybe even talking some of the other women into doing a little group session just in a swim lane or something, since so many of them have been turned off by that instructor as well. We'll see. One good thing: a new branch of this gym opens near my house in January, so hopefully I will be done with her completely then!

Saw the doctor yesterday, and even though his scale showed me 6 pounds heavier than mine, (GRR!), it still showed a loss and he was very proud of me for it. He thinks by my next appointment in December we may be able to start lessening my BP meds, which would be WONDERFUL. And will also be a great incentive for me to stay on track through Thanksgiving!

On a less happy note, my business class really sucked last night and it was the one that I actually needed most -- the financial projections process. The instructor was completely scattered and gave out all kinds of random financial worksheets that none of us could really understand or use at this point, then told us to be prepared to present a draft of our entire plan in class next week! Which is ridiculous since several people in the class haven't even decided on their exact business yet! And which I, the person with the most work already done, can't even do because her only advice to me for getting the financial info I need to make my projections was "go get a job in a bakery." Oh, OK, let me find a bakery and get a job this week and pump my boss for his financial info on my very first day so that I can use it to get my plan together for next Tuesday! Just flat out stupid! Then she wants all to bring "guests" to the last class to present our plans to them! Even more stupid! I'm almost thinking of skipping the last two classes and just going to the good water aerobics class instead. I'd definitely get more out of it!

I've come up with a new motto for my weight loss program: Shock & Awe. As much as I hate to use a term invented by the Bush administration for a senseless war, I think it's totally appropriate for me at this point. I'm now 23 pounds lighter than the last time most of my family saw me, and I'm hoping to add one or two more to that total by Thanksgiving. And better than that, I'm about 45 pounds lighter than the last time my father saw me, and I don't think he even knows I'm even working on it, so I'm hoping the real shock & awe will come from him. And his brother. And my mom's neighbors. Anyone I can get some positive reinforcement out of so that I don't do anything stupid over the holidays and get off track!