Like To Get Sweaty?

I don't love to workout. I love the feeling when I'm done, but before and during... meh. So it's important that I invest the time I put into working out wisely and find workouts that I enjoy and don't get bored of. I feel like a lot of you can relate to the workout boredom thing too. How many times can you hop on an elliptical and mindlessly "run" all the while not achieving the results you want? Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, am I right?

This is where the genius of ClassPass comes into play. ClassPass is an alternative to a gym membership that gives you access to the best boutique fitness studios in your city for a low monthly rate. With your monthly membership, you have access to unlimited classes at the best cycling, barre, yoga, dance, you name it studios in your city. Your $99 a month membership fee allows you to take unlimited classes at the studios in your network, up to 3 classes per studio each month.

I cannot tell you how much I love the concept of ClassPass. I don't know about you, but in DC boutique fitness classes can run anywhere from $20-$30 per class at a minimum. If you take more than three classes a month, your membership is paid for. Not only is this a very cost effective way to go, but there are so many options to choose from. There are times I want to try out those crazy pilates torture-looking machines, but I am not paying $45 just to try it out. With ClassPass I can. I love the freedom, the flexibility, and the variety that those $99 a month affords members. ClassPass is currently available in Boston, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and San Francisco.

DC's list of participating studios is AMAZING! All your favorites like Pure Barre, Revolve, & Sculpt are on board!

Jess from Little Miss Runshine is the DC area City Launch Specialist and has kindly given me the chance to try ClassPass out for a month (will post about that in the future). I am really looking forward to it! If you are interested in ClassPass or have questions, check out their site as they have a very thorough FAQ section!

Fashionably Fit

bkr bottle // tank // long sleeved top // yoga mat // yoga towel
headband // sneakers // fit bit bracelets // capris

Sometimes you need a little motivational boost to keep you on a track. Just like when you buy a great new pair of shoes or cute top, if you buy activewear you love you're bound to find a reason to wear it. Maybe it's new running shoes, or a gorgeous yoga mat that really gets you amped to workout. Whatever it is, find what works for you! I think my favorite item up there is the "Party on Wayne" tank (one of my favorite movies).

CLICK TO SHOP 

So You Want to Workout At Home

yogalosophy // xtend barre // 5 factor
shred-it with weights // core fusion body sculpt // tracy anderson perfect design series

I've been pretty open with my general dislike of the gym as of late. And when I think about the times in my life when I was an avid gym goer, I remember all the time I wasted and the inefficiency that went on too. I don't have time nor do I want to devote much time to long, extensive workouts. On a good day I can give an hour (for example a studio class), but typically, 20-30 minutes is what I actually feel like doing.

This where DVDs play a huge role in efficient home workouts. I need instruction, I like instruction. I enjoy someone keeping me on pace and using my time wisely. We are insanely lucky to have access to some pretty incredible fitness resources with just the push of a few buttons. Like yoga and pilates? There are great DVDs for that. Maybe you are really into body weight excercise or hand weights. There are lots of great options for those too. The point is if you want to workout at home and really put in the work, you can find something you like that can be really effective.

At home I have done previous Jillian Michaels dvds (she shames you into keeping up), a yoga series, and several of Tracy Anderson's workouts (no joke she kills you and makes it look so effortless I have never swore so much during a workout as I have with TA). I also will pull up things I find on youtube and try them out too. With internet and streaming options, there are so many options out there.

I am no expert, but I am very familiar with the struggle to find something you can and want to commit to. So go out there find what you like if you don't like it, try something else. It's all about you, keep it that way!

Fit Transformation

I am skipping this week's ESWD because I just HAD to talk about one Ms. Miranda Lambert. If you aren't familiar, this country  singer has had a long history of doing what she likes, saying what she likes, drinking what she likes, and eating whatever she wanted. While I would have never considered her heavy, she was by no means in shape and at time looked a little plumper. I think that's what so many of us liked about her. She was still gorgeous and bad ass as hell, but she gave a big middle finger to being a typical svelte woman in the spotlight.

Fast forward to now and she is looking amazing! Whatever she did worked wonders. Her claim is that she just started making better choices (buh bye cheetos and fried chicken whenever she wanted) and started working out with a trainer on the road. Now, I am not an expert and I have no clue what she actually did but whatever it is sign me up!

The interview in women's health really hit home with me. I, like Miranda am a petite woman, but some parts of me (ahem, huge hips) are not as tiny. I wouldn't say I'm fat either, but I am definitely not in shape...for a number of reasons but that can be saved for another post. I liked her approach of making choices. Some days your choices will be great and spot on, other days may be not so much. But everyday, every meal, every time we drink we make choices. I am trying to redirect my thinking as I work on getting healthier to one similar to Miranda's: small choices, day by day. It's great to have goals and know what you want overall, but to me this all seems so much more manageable taking it meal by meal, snack by snack, hunger pang by hunger pang.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on how you approach a healthy lifestyle and healthy choices. Suggestions are more than welcome!