Bar Method

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A co-worker of mine has been talking about this fitness class she's been going to, the Bar Method. They have a couple of different studios located across the country. It's a fitness class that's meant to lean and sculpt your body. I've been wanting to try it out for awhile now but wanted to wait until I was done with my class. So, tonight I found it to be the perfect opportunity. It's a great class and the nice thing about the studio is that it's a 5 minute walk from my job.

When I got there, I filled out all the paperwork and they showed me around the studio. I went to the locker room and changed. They require you to wear yoga pants/capris and socks. We first worked on our arms, then our legs, and abs. Within the first 5 minutes of the class, I was thinking in my head, "I am no longer friends with H.D." (my co-worker who suggested it to me). I never knew you could get a workout just by using 2 and 3 lbs weights! It's a class that practices isometrics so you hold a lot of the poses for a long time and pulse up and down for many repetitions. It was hard but I loved the way it worked out my body, very low impact yet effective. I've worked out with a personal trainer a few times before and to be honest with you I'd rather spend my money on this. (It's $20 a class).

Happy Monday!

I'm sick. Like call into work, sleep all day, stuffy head, ears, nose and throat kind of sick. At the rate I was going, it was bound to happen. I'm actually surprised it didn't happen earlier.

My weekend was otherwise a productive one. It was pretty low-key but I definitely needed that. On Friday night I cleaned my apartment and caught up with all the shows I had missed for the week. Hey Grey's Anatomy...what's going on, yo!? You're majorly slacking. And Hello Private Practice...(and wink wink to Taye Diggs) you are my new favorite show. I got 8 hours of sleep on Friday night. It was heaven. Saturday, I finally switched out all my summer clothes for my winter ones, and spent two quality hours with my friend, GYM. After my sweaty reunion with GYM, I ran (literally) in 40 degree temps with capri pants to Target to get some goodies for LC's Christmas care package. It's going to be a good one! Funny, I started sneezing and feeling sick already Saturday night... I woke up on Sunday feeling a little sickly, but still held my date with Sean T who kicked my butt before church. So on top of having a really bad cold today, I cannot move the rest of my body. On Sunday night, I watched one of my Netflix movies, The Duchess. I thought it was a very good movie and Keira Knightly always does such a good job with these "era" movies. The ONLY good thing about LC being gone, is that I get to watch whatever "girly" movie I want without having to hear anything about it.

Today also begins week 2 of phase one of the South Beach Diet. So far, so good. I'm down 4lbs, and my stomach feels great. I saw a GI specialist a few weeks ago about some complications and so far eating "clean" and lots of veggies has helped. I thought that I'd miss bread, pasta or sweets, but the hardest part about phase one is the no alcohol for two weeks. I do enjoy my vino on a Friday night...and a Thursday night. I've tried Weight Watchers, and although it has worked (when I stuck with the plan) I've gained the weight back. It doesn't teach you how to eat properly. I remember once thinking to myself, "I can get all my points in by eating ice cream sandwiches all day!" I like the South Beach diet because it's forcing me to cook for myself, make smarter snack choices, and there's no calorie/point counting involved. I will admit though that I'm very nervous about starting Phase 2 where I can allow alcohol and carbs back into my life. Phase 2 begins next Monday, but I think I might stay in phase one until Thanksgiving, because who really diets on Thanksgiving?

Reality Check

Last week Wednesday, my BFF Rach and I went to go and pick up our bridesmaid dresses for our friend's wedding. Becky's getting married in one month from today. Well, we got the bridal store and the girl asked us if we wanted to try them on. Rachel didn't want to (she had just had a baby) and I said that I would, so into the dressing room we went. I took the plastic off of the dress, looked at it, and thought "Wow, this dress looks really big I will probably have to get it taken in". WRONG! I put the dress on, Rachel attempted to zip it and it would not zip all the way up! I got it to the middle of my back and it was a no go. Crap! I made her try hers on, we got it zipped but it was tight. We both shared a good laugh about it and then headed off to Cheesecake Factory. Don't worry, we were both thinking of our friend and her wedding. I had salmon she had a soup and salad.

I got back to my sister's house (where I was staying for the week) and I told her about my problem. I tried it on again, maybe Melissa would be able to zip it. Nope. Reality set in. I have a month to fit into this bridesmaid dress. I month to fit into this dress that I thought I would have to get taken in. Sure I could have just let it out, but my wedding dress is the same size and if I go and try on my wedding dress and it doesn't zip? I would be having a bigger mental break down. Hard core motivation set in. I worked out everyday before working at the base, I didn't consumer more than 1200 calories a day, and I drank a shit ton of water. I was feeling great by Sunday. I had scheduled an appointment for that day to see a seamstress to have her look at the dress and see what could be done. Before I left, I told my sister that I wanted to try on the dress and see how far apart the zipper was. And guess what!? IT ZIPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never been so excited in my life about fitting into something. It's still a little tight and there's still more work that needs to be done, but I'm definitely back on track. I weighed myself yesterday and I've lost 5lbs since last week. I'm sure some of it is water weight, but I will take it!