Pure Barre

Well, today was my very first class and it KICKED MY BOOTY! You think bar and ballet = easy? WRONG! I know you can’t change your body with easy but I didn’t realize small isometric movements could be so painful (a good painful). At least you know its working and your getting your money’s worth. I have always done cardio and weights or had a personal trainer but a few months ago I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try new exercises. If you look under the exercise & diets category you will see others I’ve experienced recently. Anyways, Pure Barre lifts your seat, tones your thighs, abs and arms. You do exercises with the ballet bar, mat, 2 pound weights, a stretch band, and small medicine ball. Don’t be fooled by the 2 pound weights! They claim you can see results in 10 classes and I believe it! Its new to me so I felt like a fish out of water but I’m not going to let it stop me from conquering and going back. After all, I have to work off all this DELICIOUS FOOD I’m always cooking. 😉 Check it Out!

Story behind Pure Barre: It was founded by dancer, choreographer and fitness guru, Carrie Rezabek Dorr. Carrie opened her studio in the basement of an office building in Birmingham, MI in 2001. She has grown Pure Barre into what it is today and in July of 2009 it became a franchise and has locations nationwide.

Rowing

They say, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”. So, I tried rowing for the first time and I must say I was nervous at first. Everything in the gym can look intimidating besides the treadmill (old faithful). Rowing is excellent cardiovascular exercise targeting major muscle groups. The machine works your back, biceps, shoulders, quads, glutes, and your core. In fact you burn almost double the calories using the row machine versus the treadmill or elliptical. Make sure you use good posture and use your LEGS otherwise you can hurt your back. Oh, and women usually keep it on a setting of 2. Happy Rowing! 😉

Cardio

Good Morning World! Get up and get your workout ON! Do whatever it takes to motivate you …pin pictures of fit women to the fridge or on your pinterest boards, blast high energy music, keep a bikini out or an old pair of jeans you want to fit back into, or torture yourself by starring at Miss America…HA 😉 Just get MOTIVATED!
It’s going to be a busy day today. 🙂 I kicked off my morning earlier with some cardio. Cardio is one of the most important things you can do for your body, whether you want to improve your overall health or loose weight. I’m a member at Pura Vida but if you don’t have a membership at a gym, there are many other ways to get your cardio exercise. Just get up and do something to get your heart rate up and burning calories. It’s not always easy to workout. Actually, I would say its easier to make excuses on why you can’t workout (I’m guilty) but even if its just 30 to 45 minutes of cardio daily you will begin to see and feel a difference in your body.
Note:
1) To burn fat, you should at least do 20 minutes of cardio
2) Cardio improves your overall health, but also helps lower cholesterol and prevents diseases and disorders
3) Commit to doing cardio “at least” 3 days a week
~You Can Do It~

Flush Fat

I caught the tale end of Dr. Oz the other day and Kim Lyons (celebrity trainer) was talking about her ultimate 10-day diet plan to lose weight. Needless, to say it caught my attention and this was one of her interesting tips below…
I will be posting a few other of her diet tips to follow as I try them! To make combine 1 slice of grapefruit, 1 tangerine, 1/2 cucumber, 2 peppermint leaves and ice. The grapefruit and tangerine burn fat. The cucumbers help you stay full. The peppermint calms your stomach and is refreshing. Drink as much as flush water as you want, but you must have three 8oz glasses before meals for at least 10 days. 🙂 Enjoy!
My supermarket did not have peppermint leaves so I substituted mint leaves. I also added a whole grapefruit, its not going to hurt and I used some of my left over ice cubes with blueberries and lemon. Why not? It’s going to add to the flavor and taste great!

Ballet Body

I officially conquered a fear today of attending a gym class ALONE. I know it may seem silly but I’ve always attended a class with a girlfriend in tow. I guess its like having a security blanket you feel more confident by having the support of a friend with you. I had no option, I have decided to challenge myself and try out all the classes the gym has to offer from Kenesis, pilates, yoga, ride & row, etc…You catch my drift! So, this morning I attended the Ballet Body class, please DO NOT be fooled by the name I’ve never sweat so much in my life. It a class that tones and sculpts giving you the lean, dancers body look. You will sweat and burn your way through strength exercises rooted in ballet, pilates, and gymnastics. You achieve cardio, strength, flexibility, and balance. I had to pause a few times throughout the class because the micro movements that were focusing on certain muscles felt like I had 50lb weights attached to me. I can see how this workout can really stretch and sculpt you. I will be attending again! ~Thanks Suzanne!

Spin Class

So, exercise is equally as important as diet and seeing how I cheat at times on my diet, I HAVE to exercise to at least maintain my weight. I took my first spinning class this morning and even though it kicked my booty, I will definitely be signing myself up for more classes. My legs were dreading it half way through the class and I was dripping with sweat but you could feel the serious calorie burn. The music is loud and the instructor gives constant encouragement over the mic to keep you pumped. It’s also motivating when you look around the class and there are others in there 20 and 30 years my senior peddling away barely sweating (class pros). I think I can, I think I can! 🙂 You control everything from your speed and resistance to your intensity level, so it can be as challenging as you want it to be. Like many things in life, you will get out what you put into it. I really enjoyed the class and am looking forward to my next one! Here’s to a mid-week MOTIVATION…