Showing posts with label being a mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label being a mom. Show all posts

tuck it, tuck it real good

I have been an avid supporter of barre workouts for years. I have done both Physique 57 and Ballet Physique workouts at my home, using my beloved ballet barre that my husband got for me. Normally, I would have no problem sticking with these lovely workouts - but I need the accountability.

At this point in my life, now being mom of 2, I need that extra push for myself. I found myself not prioritizing my workout time. So when Living Social posted a deal for 10 classes at a local barre studio, I was all over that like white on rice. (Ahem, brown on rice....to be healthier.)

Enter my new found love for Pure Barre.



I just attended my 8th class. I started just under 1 month ago, and I have lost 1 inch off of my waist, hips, & chest. Incentive to continue? I think so! (Once I tailor my nutrition, I foresee more changes coming!)

The teachers at the studio I attend are awesome. Sometimes the music does get a little loud and it's hard to decipher the cuing....so when that happens I pretty much resort to "tucking" or "lifting"....haha! When in doubt, tuck!

Here is some random information regarding attending a class near you....

No you do not have to have had ballet training to take a class!
Yes, you use the ballet barre, but there are no plies or arabesques. Just a lot of lifting, tucking, & BURNING! Burning = muscle building....so that is GOOD!

Go with the lighter weights!
Don't fool yourself....just because they say they weigh 2 pounds, they will feel like 50 pounds by about half way through the arms section. GO LIGHT! If it's your first class, skip the extra weight altogether! (Your teacher may even recommend this.) Barre workouts are all about fatiguing the muscles, and then stretching them immediately. 

You HAVE to wear sticky socks.
You may think they are optional, but they aren't. The studio mandates it. You will be glad for that regulation, both for hygiene & stability. I found this cute company that makes the cutest sticky socks....TOESOX go check 'em out!

You will not look like a dancer after 1 class, 5 classes, 10 classes, etc.
If you're trying to transform in to the beautiful ballerina, well you're setting yourself up for a huge letdown. Not that you won't change your physique, but most dancers train for 8 hours a day - - it's their full time job. Instead focus on shaving off a few inches off of your waistline. Pay attention to how your clothes start fitting....how your need for Spanx may not be a "need" anymore. And tailor your eating habits to compliment your new found workout regimen.

You are not going to nail the form on day 1.
Like anything else, the form with barre workouts takes lots of practice. This may not apply to everyone, but for the majority it will. I have seen some avid "barre-ers" where I go....lean & long ladies, who are still being corrected on form during class. Face it, when your thighs are twitching & you're supposed to be lifting 'up an inch & down an inch' - - remembering to keep your shoulders down and pelvis tucked is not at the forefront of your mind. Oh yes, your legs will twitch.

The burning sensation is normal.
Unlike most of life's situations, this burning sensation is welcome & an indication that you're burning off calories!

Don't wear shorts.....
Ain't nobody wanna see that.

As with any workout program, results vary from individual to individual. Optimal results are seen with combining a healthy & nutritious diet. By diet I mean eating habits.....a lifestyle change.

the one where i needed a new cami

Tuesdays & Thursdays are my days to "dress up". I use that term verrryyyy loosely, so please keep an open mind.

Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays, are my days to work from home, spend time with BittyBeau & pretend to do the whole "home making" thing.

So this is a "what I wore, Tuesday" post!

Pay attention to the awesome photography by MattyB. You couldn't pay for pictures this good.

I much prefer this picture - softer lighting, more flattering....but MattyB said
we needed "better lighting" than our dimly lit home theatre....

So a photo opp by the filing cabinets & under fluorescent was clearly the better choice.
(hope you picked up on the sarcasm)

Well hello peek-a-boo back!
Clearly, I need a new black camisole.
Does ANYONE make a swoop back one???
Seriously, if you have a source, help a sister out.
 
Outfit details:
Jeans: True Religion via Nordstrom
Flats: Tieks
Watch: Michael Kors via Nordstrom
 
 
 
Necklace:
Tree Of Life Pendant via Stella & Dot
 
DIY Charm necklace: (Stella & Dot)
 
Locket (mine's not available)

Love my Tieks!!!
 
Arm Candy all Stella & Dot:
 

My charm necklace is now one of my most favorite necklaces ever! I love the sentimental meaning behind it. Plus it really showcases how Stella & Dot pairs so nicely with brands you already know & love!

so long designer bag, hello diaper bag

I'll be the first to admit, I'm a total snob about handbags. It's not my intention to be - for some reason, somewhere along the way (ahem, totally my dad's fault), I developed an affinity for designer bags.

I do read the Bag Snob regularly.

However, BB has put quite the whammy on my love of handbags. When it's just he & I on the town, it's A MILLION TIMES easier to just tote my wristlet in his diaper bag.

At the moment, this is his diaper bag:
Boxy Backpack by Petunia Pickle Bottom in Black Current

Go read up on it HERE but it's such a no hassle bag! I can wear it as a backpack, messenger, or over the shoulder. It has a built in changing pad, lots of pockets....just super easy to use. I took it on our trip to Vegas & it worked well.

(The changing mat REALLY comes in handy for those public restrooms that have NO DIAPER CHANGING station. Ugh so frustrating.)

So back to where I was headed originally....I've had to abandon my bags & now revert to just the diaper bag with my wristlet. Unless MattyB is also in tow, and then I can totally do up the handbag holding.

Stella & Dot recently launched some new totes....I'm not going to lie, I was totally skeptical of this new endeavor. Mainly because I have to order samples and I was totally cringing with having to purchase a tote that I despised only to promote it as something to buy to all my clients!

Alas, oh ye of little faith. Our design team made a believer out of me! Now I'm toying with the idea of changing BB's diaper bag to one of these! The prints are perfection for summer & they all have a "wipe clean" fabric. 

Here is the How Does She Do It tote...
the model is wearing it with the zipper portion
snapped down

look at that organization - even a water bottle pocket!
(There is also an outside zipper pocket)

Then there are these 2 behemoths....

The Getaway Weekender


Did you catch that!?!
It unzips to EXPAND to a taller tote!!!

La Totale 


More organization! I'm just apparently a sucker for this water bottle pocket!


Water bottle pockets - - the perfect idea for any bag! This means that virtually any tote can be used as a diaper bag, gym bag, marathon shopping day bag, etc!

Go check out all the prints!

What is your "go to" diaper bag/gym bag/tote bag!?

What do you think of the new Stella & Dot totes?

awakening the beast

My friend Shannon asked me awhile back to participate in a Stroller Roll 5K with her. At first I was like "UGH", because it was one of the Gasparilla races. I swore off ALL Gasparilla races a few years back.
Why?
Crowded does not even begin to describe how these races are. There are SOOOO many people. Plus the street that the race is on, is not conducive for stable running. I've been known to trip several times...

Regardless, what sold me on the race was that it:
A. explicitly said that this was NOT a race, and that anyone caught racing with their strolling would be tossed out. (in so many words)
B. not only does the adult pushing the stroller get a medal, but the baby does too!

Double the medals!? SCORE!

So BB and I participated with Shannon & her precious peanut.


What an experience.

Our time from our last 5K together, DOUBLED. Ha!

We encountered numerous pit stops to tie my shoes :) but also a pretty lengthy pit stop to soothe, hold, and then change a poopy diaper. Talk about obstacle course!

By the end of it, we CLEARLY deserved the medals.

BB was for more into chewing on his medal :)
(it was rubber)


I write all this to say. The beast in me has been awakened. I want more medals. Which means I have to participate in more races.

Half marathon training is back on.
it takes talent to be this pale.



YIKES!