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Happy Monday! (And An Exercise Request…)

A few things on this (rare) rainy morning in Southern California.

1. I redesigned my site again. Actually, D redesigned my site. Don’t we love D? I love D. Especially when he picks up on my very subtle clues that I’m needing a change. (You know, like staring out the window with a fake tear, shaking my head and muttering that I can’t continue my online presence. “It’s just too hard. The inspiration is GOOOONNNNE.”) He’s a doll, that one. Worked on it all weekend for me!

2. Aunt Flo came to visit this morning. I’m sure you all are thrilled to start off your week with that information, but let me just say, Aunt Flo visited after being 7 DAYS LATE. You know, I have a lot of big things planned for 2012, but another baby was really not one of them. I think I am electing myself President of the Two Is Enough Club.

3. Exercise! I realize I haven’t updated you all on my exercise routine after the boot camp post, but in March of this year, I hopped off the boot camp train and started doing small group Pilates on a reformer three times a week. I can’t even begin to tell you how much it had changed my body! However, after an unprecedented family discussion and vote (that Wita is quite the orator BABAAAAA DAHHHHGIE NOOOOOO), we joined a gym yesterday. (How dare they want to work out too! Assholes!) Starting this week, gone are the days of completely individualized instruction (BOO, but also gone are the ginormous monthly payments, YAY), and I’m a little nervous about losing the muscle tone and definition that I worked so hard to obtain, especially in my arms and back. (Which led me to do this Tracy Anderson video twice yesterday.)

Do you have any suggestions? I’m planning on getting my cardio via spinning and/or Elliptical, but in terms of toning, the gym offers a Barre-type class, as well as Mat Pilates. Do you all have any experience with those? Or great exercises I could do on all that meathead gym equipment? (Which totally intimidates the hell out of me, by the way. I’m skeered.)

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62 comments
  1. Rhi

    December 12, 2011 at 9:05 am

    I did Bar Method until I was 36 weeks pregnant and I can’t recommend it enough. And, this sounds lame, but I’m SO EXCITED to go back once I get the go ahead from my OB. My legs and arms are toned but not “bulky” and I have much better posture since starting. And, I truly believe my labor was easier because I continued the workouts throughout my pregnancy. But, you don’t need to worry about that part :-)

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 9:13 am

      I think I’m going to try out the Barre class for sure…maybe a little Elliptical beforehand as well. Best part about all of this? CHILDCARE AT THE GYM! ;)

  2. Martha

    December 12, 2011 at 9:06 am

    I did small group Reformer pilates for one year, once a week, and I miss it so much. But it was unbelievably expensive. There’s really nothing like it though, although I haven’t tried Tracy Anderson yet. I heart Pilates but it also pisses me off that it costs so much! A family gym membership is an idea our little family of three might do sometime in the future. Could you still do the pilates classes once a week?

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 9:15 am

      Martha, I am going to miss it so much too!! I think you’re right about the reformer – there is nothing quite like it…I’ve done it all, and my body has never looked so lean and defined. It’s just not in the cards right now, budget-wise. :(

  3. Megan

    December 12, 2011 at 9:11 am

    My friend taught the bar method for a couple years, and she had the most insane body. Insane!

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 9:15 am

      Okay, that’s encouraging!!

  4. Erin

    December 12, 2011 at 9:15 am

    NIKE TRAINING CLUB APP!!! It’s free and leaves me sore for days. I’ve been using this app for the past year. Without fail, I can’t walk the following two days. You don’t need a lot of equipment – medicine ball, dumb bells and a mat. There are over 60 workouts which focus on getting you lean, tone or strong. It has videos to show you how to properly do the exercises – and you pick out your own music! I love it.

    http://www.nike.com/nikewomen/features/ntc?locale=en_US

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 9:28 am

      Love it! Going to check it out right now!! Thank you, Erin!

  5. Amy

    December 12, 2011 at 9:20 am

    First, yay new site! It looks lovely! Secondly, hurrah for Aunt Flo. I was there this summer, and there really is no greater joy than that sweet, sweet relief.

    Thirdly…I used to do Pilates mat classes and loved them. I’ve done a Bar Method class and some Barre style classes at a gym and both kicked my ass in the best way.

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 9:29 am

      Thanks, Amy! And yes, SWEET, SWEET RELIEF. (I wouldn’t even take a pregnancy test…total denial.)

  6. Jen

    December 12, 2011 at 9:21 am

    I do quite a bit of mat pilates, which I love. I don’t know how it compares to the reformer version though. I’m guessing the reformer is a whole different level as far as intensity, but I would the think the mat version would be the same basic principles?

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 9:30 am

      I think it’s definitely the same principles, just not as intense, but I’m thinking you could make it as hard as you want! Gonna check it out, for sure.

  7. The Tutugirl

    December 12, 2011 at 9:22 am

    Barre classes changed my life. They really will change your body. My cousin does (and now teaches!) a combo barre-spinning class, which is basically the two classes back to back, and she looks absolutely amazing all the time.

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 9:31 am

      Now, that sounds like a perfect combination.

  8. jen

    December 12, 2011 at 9:22 am

    So here’s the deal with the meathead gym equipment: timing. The equipment itself is fine once you learn the lay of the land, but you must time your visit carefully or you may find yourself in the middle of Meathead Sea. Which IS intimidating. A little reconnaissance should do it, then you can create your meathead-free schedule.

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 9:32 am

      I definitely don’t want to drown in that sea!

  9. Heather B.

    December 12, 2011 at 9:42 am

    But you make such pretty babies!!!!

    Also, after our previous conversation you know that I’m right there with you. I just submitted my “Please do something about my site” plea yesterday. Let us pray.

  10. Mary Sue

    December 12, 2011 at 10:17 am

    I joined a fancy gym in my early 20s that required an initiation fee – which basically means I am stuck here for my whole life. It bums me out because I want to go to Barre classes or boot camps, but I have to work with what my gym offers. Luckily, I have found they offer a lot! I am really into Zumba right now. At first I thought it was ridiculous and silly, but it is a great workout and actually a lot of fun. I also sometimes take spin classes, a weights class (like body pump? my gym calls it max force), and my gym’s version of a boot camp class (fit training). I find that the key for me is to find a class I really like, take it until I am sick of it, and then switch. Oh, and I just avoid the “main part” of the gym because it depresses me to get on a treadmill. I am much more motivated with a teacher and seeing the same group of people in the class, but I am kind of lazy and need peer pressure.

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 12:04 pm

      A few of my friends do Zumba, and I totally agree about the peer pressure thing.

  11. Jen

    December 12, 2011 at 10:44 am

    HOORAY FOR AUNT FLO!!! And welcome to the Two Is Enough Club :)

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 12:04 pm

      Seriously. SERIOUSLY.

  12. Heather

    December 12, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Hi Sarah

    When I jumped ship on my reformer class (loved loved loved it, but just too expensive long term), I moved to group mat classes which were very effective at kicking my ass as well.

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 12:06 pm

      Thank you! Did you feel it as much as the reformer?

      • Heather

        December 12, 2011 at 12:25 pm

        I did–it was just as much of a challenge as the reformer, (although a little less fun for me–I really liked the movement of the reformer)

  13. slynnro

    December 12, 2011 at 11:58 am

    Any chance your gym is Equinox? I see they have one in your area. If so, email me! I am an expert on their group fitness classes!

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 12:11 pm

      No, chica. :(

  14. slynnro

    December 12, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    Oh and BTW, as a Pure Barre snob, I will say you will be disappointed if the bar class they have doesn’t use the barre. I have taken the barre class at my gym and it is just NOT THE SAME.

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 12:11 pm

      As a reformer snob (and from what I hear from those who have done both), I have a feeling I might be disappointed regardless. BUT I WON’T LET THEIR WORDS SWAY ME, SLYNNRO.

  15. Michelle

    December 12, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    I’ve always wanted to try the reformer pilates but dang! It’s so expensive even at my community center gym. I have taken Pure Barre and Pop Physique classes. Pure Barre – wasn’t really into & didn’t get a great vibe. Pop Physique at the Camp in Costa Mesa – SO AMAZING! I mean, I thought I was going to die in the first 5 minutes but it was an amazing workout. I initially tried them with a Groupon – they seem to have them often so be on the lookout. Great way to try something without a total commitment! I can’t wait to go back next month!

    • whoorl

      December 12, 2011 at 12:13 pm

      I haven’t heard of Pop Physique! I’ll definitely keep my eye out for a Groupon. Thanks, Michelle!