 Waking up (the good kind of) sore has become a frequent occurrence since starting Barre last May. I’m not going to lie, the first class was VERY humbling. I usually gravitate towards physical activities that give me a little confidence boost and while I have improved quite a bit, I still have a LONG way to go before I can fully complete each exercise in a class with proper body positioning. (In high school, I worked out at gym associated with a nearby hospital. So, for a while, I was accustomed to feeling like a total champion, working out next to adorable elderly people.)
Growing up in a family of chiropractors, I’m always very conscious that when I’m pushing myself in a workout, I’m not doing anything that will compromise the alignment of my spine or has potential to put excess strain/stress on my body. In Barre, the movements are very small, but successfully able to fully activate specific muscle groups. I have never felt so much isolated burn in my entire life and I’ve tried it ALL. As challenging as it is, each movement is still harmonious with your bodies’ range of movement. So, even though I was extremely vulnerable during the first handful of classes, (I have always had very tight hamstrings and weaker upper body strength), I really loved that there was SO much opportunity for improvement. I was also really psyched that I was able to feel and SEE results so quickly after making a commitment to go consistently. I have real calves, guys. This isn't an easy feat. The other bonus that comes with participating in a form of movement that is unfamiliar or feels foreign to you is that you're opening yourself up energetically and spiritually. It allows you to exercise not just your body, but the intention to grow. So, I challenge YOU, if you have a Barre studio in your area, go give it a try! Most studios will have some sort of trial opportunity or introductory offer. If I am sampling a certain service or workout, I frequently utilize resources like Groupon or Living Social, to avoid too much of a financial investment. Have you tried barre before? Comment in the section below...I'd love to hear about your experience!        I can't express HOW easy meal prep can actually be! These options are two of my very favorite things to fix because they will provide quite a few meals and it's just a matter of dumping a bunch of healthy and delicious ingredients together, letting them sit (soup obviously requires heat and the chia pudding is chilled), and YOU'RE DONE! It fixes itself.
Both are very versatile and you can switch up the ingredients as you see fit! I won't list the soup options because vegetable/ meat/ grain options are endless, but chia pudding can be enjoyed with cinnamon, cooked fruit, raw fruit, cocoa powder, a little honey or maple syrup, (I prefer unsweetened, but with fruit!), shaved coconut...the list goes on and on. Give meal prep a try! Your future self will thank you for it. |
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“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.” - Marianne Williamson