I grew up dancing 6 days a week, many hours a day. People constantly called me skinny, or "string bean" being 5'9 at age 15, so when adult hood came, it struck HARD. I had no idea how to "workout" or stay healthy. I would go to the gym and attempt some machines, do 100 crunches every now and again. It wasn't fun, and I had ZERO clue what I was doing.
Fast forward a few years later, a good friend of mine was visiting me in DC when she recommended we sign up for this intense workout class, I didn't want to but I figured it was once and frankly I hated the way I looked and felt. Well, we ended up getting lost and missed the class, but quickly booked at a spin studio called Zengo Cycle.. it was going to be dark.. no one could see or judge me. I ended up really liking it. I felt like I was dancing all over again, I switched it up between Zengo and SoulCycle. I tried to add in a spin class when I had time, not really being able to afford multiple in a week (hey, I was on an assistants pay check here)
That went on for a few months before my husband, then boyfriend was traded to Toronto. This was a massive change, since it meant leaving my job, to go live with him for the first-ish time. Being an American in Canada, it meant I couldn't work and would have a lot more time on my hands. I decided I had no more excuses, and joined a gym in Toronto that offered classes. Since again... I still had no idea what I was doing. I ended up throwing out my back trying to dead-lift during a class (I know, dumb.) Working out still wasn't fun for me but I had to do it to keep myself from gaining weight.
My good friend Lucy, who has two metal rods in her back, tried convincing me for a good... 7 months to try Barre3. I made excuses until she was teaching the class and she needed guinea pigs. From there, I was hooked. it took me a good while to "Listen to my body". We hear everyone say it but what does it mean? I learned maybe I can't squat as deep but I can feel my hamstrings light up through my glutes in a different position(inclined chair) to finally turn them on! Turning on your glutes = turning off your screaming lower back!!!
I now do barre3 several days a week, and mix in a high intensity workout like Barry's Bootcamp, or spin class like SoulCycle when I am feeling like jumping to music (music REALLY gets me goin!) I listen to my body, and even when my mind tells me I don't want to workout. I commit to movement and do as much as I want.. then I end up doing the whole thing. It is also worth mentioning classes are more expensive than joining a gym, but I get much more out of a classes than I ever would by myself, and Barre3 also has a more affordable online option. Click here for $10 off your first B3 online subscription.
I hope this post inspires you along your workout journey, I would love to hear what your favorite workouts are!
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