Tag: barre

Take it to the barre

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My cousin Alicia got healthy and fit in the last year and it’s paid off because she looks incredible! I was so inspired by her, that I made it my goal for 2015 to get into the best shape I’ve ever been in.

I was really good about going to The Dailey Method classes through the first part of 2014, but after we got back from vacation in August 2014, it was hard for me to find the time to get to the studio. My schedule got crazy and then the guilt set in. I felt guilty about not going and was so ashamed that I just stopped doing anything active. I was doing WeightWatchers so I wasn’t gaining a lot of weight, but I definitely lost the confidence I felt when I was making an effort to get to The Dailey Method studio 2-3 times a week. 

As you’ll know from reading other posts of mine, the work-life balance is a hard one, especially when you’re in traffic for 2-3 hours a day. So, you can imagine finding classes that worked with my schedule and setting aside 85 minutes for a work out (60 minute class, getting to the studio 15 mins. early, 5 minutes to the studio and another 5 back) was difficult. 

I knew I liked barre workouts and did some investigating. My neighbor recently became a Barre3 instructor, so I went to their website to learn about their studio. I was so excited to find out that they had an online program that is WAY more affordable than going to classes. The best part was that I could do it in my own home! 

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I signed up for a one year online subscription and haven’t looked back. It was probably the best thing I could have done. I opted to do Barre3’s 28 To Great program. I’m in week 4 of the program and proud to say that I have worked out 17 of the last 22 days (it would have been been 19 of the last 22 but I was pretty sick last month). That’s the most consistent I’ve ever worked out and I’m seeing results! So far, I’ve lost 7 pounds, lost several inches, gained muscle, and am on my way to a flat tummy.

Another thing I love about the 28 To Great program is that it comes with a guide and recipes to help you eat clean. Everything has been delicious, filling, and kept my conscious clear as it has all been whole foods. I cancelled my WeightWatchers membership (I’ll have to write another blog later about their Simply Filling method and my issues with it) and am devoted to this Barre3 approach to eating right and working out regularly. 

I’m posting about this here so that I keep up with it. It’s harder to quit something when you’ve let the internet know you made it your goal 😉

The Road To Reaching Reformed Lazy Bum Status

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After having a baby and going back to work full time, I could never find time to get to the gym. I was so exhausted from life that by the time the day was over there was no way I was getting my behind on a treadmill.

Ok, let’s be honest…even before having a kid, I rarely found the motivation to work out. I always found a zillion excuses. My stomach hurts. I have a cold. I have a meeting. I don’t like to sweat. I’m tired. I’m a lazy bum.

My decision to make time for me all started with my diet. My husband and I decided in early 2013 that we would try to do a paleo diet. I’ve had a chronic history of stomach problems (including stomach ulcers as a kid) and I figured I’d see if cutting out gluten and dairy really did help. We stuck to it pretty solid Monday-Friday, allowed ourselves some flexibility on the weekends, and kept at it through the end of 2013.  It’s a diet I thought I’d hate but actually am glad I went on.  I feel better than I have in a long time. I still get the occasional stomach ache or heartburn, but nothing like before. 

Almost a year of paleo produced positive results and dropped pounds. I had gotten serious about my diet; it was time to get serious about exercise too. Now that my kid was sprinting away from me and weighed over 25 pounds, I needed to get in shape just so I could keep up with him or wrangle him (if necessary). 

Following some scientific research (aka Google and Yelp), I decided to sign up for Dailey Method Barre classes. My first class was in February, and with the exception of the month of May, have been going pretty consistently, shooting for twice a week.  The classes are an hour long and are tough. They work my entire body, but primarily my core so that I’m not risking injury to my back, neck, or knees.  They are pricey classes (and based on those around me in class, I’m likely not their target economic demographic), but it’s been a worthwhile investment and I’m probably the strongest I’ve ever been. Also, knowing that I’m paying for it makes it hard for me to find a reason to get out of it. 

Once I found the motivation, I MADE the time for myself. I can proudly say that I’m officially on the road to becoming a reformed lazy bum.  It feels pretty good.