Blue Ridge Flying Trapeze Part 2

Today was another 2.5 hour drive up to Blue Ridge for flying trapeze. The weather was in the 60s and I finally talked a friend into coming with me. The drive was definitely better with a friend.

Ashlynn working on her layout.

The trip was also better with tunes. My CD player broke in June and my husband installed a new CD player the night before. This was the first time I've had an iPod hookup in my care. It was awesome. It was like a radio station with all of my favorite songs. LOVE.

Nerdy Girl's Guide to VPL: Visible Panty Lines

So many women make such a big deal about Visible Panty Lines.

I have better things to worry about. My next fitness class. If I have clean socks. If the dog is up to date on his vaccines. If I paid the water bill.

Sure, I don't want to see the entire outline of your panties, down to where the cotton gusset starts when I'm behind you at barre*. If I can see a shadow of an outline—I don't care.

Good for you for wearing underwear! (*this has happened. The see-through lavender leggings weren't helping this new mom. Dark leggings are always my recommendation.)

I'd rather see that than your hot pink thong. (And I see way too many of those at barre.)

Thongs are the devil. They were really popular when I was in high school. In college, I tried to be sexy and tried thongs. I thought they were the worst thing ever. They are uncomfortable and don't support you. They increase your risk of urinary tract infections and yeast infections. 

Even doctors think thongs are a bad idea.

Ladies, most of you don't need to wear pants so tight that you can see your underwear. Some fabric does show panty lines. Wear a long tank if it bothers you. Try out seamless underwear if you want.

And yes, wear the right underwear.

“Cotton undergarments are the best due to their breathability,” explains Melissa Goist, MD, an ob/gyn at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Synthetic fabrics tend to hold onto moisture, possibly causing skin irritation.”

Though cotton is likely your gyno’s first choice in fabric, it sometimes lays lumpy and bumpy under your clothes. But fear not, there are close runner-ups. “Panties made of things like polyester, nylon, Lycra or Spandex sometimes have more stretch and lay nicer under clothing and still come with that cotton crotch,” adds Melissa Piliang, MD, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

—From Health.com

But basically, no one cares about your panty lines other than you. Spend your time and money on something else. Maybe pants that aren't see through, or are quality enough that this won't be an issue.

You still shouldn't wear red panties under a white skirt, but if you're wearing reasonable underwear under reasonable clothes I just don't see what the problem is.

If you're that incensed that someone is wearing cotton Victoria Secret hipsters under her lulu, then look away.

WOMEN SHOULDN'T BE JUDGING OTHER WOMEN on whether or not they can see panty lines.

Handstand progress

I've been working on a handstand for forever. (A year and a half.)

I started doing handstands at the trampoline gym and circuit training class. That progressed to wall handstands and gymnastics classes and finally taking a handstand class.

Progress is slow but I'm getting there.

My husband snapped this one of my at gymnastics tonight.
1. Straight up and down. (I tend to tilt my hips and not form a line. Or arch my back)
2. Toes pointed
3. My hands might be a tad wide, but it's okay
4. My head might be a tad out.
5.. Fingers are tented.
I'll take it. I can tell the difference between my handstand now and last summer. 

The goal is a 10 second hold. This picture was like a 2 second hold. I have more 5 second holds now.
I've got a better idea where my balance point is and more holds and fewer junk handstands. (Still plenty of those.)

I still need to work on
• Really squeezing my quads and butt to straighten my handstand out
• Entries. Getting me head between my arms and not out.
• Holding longer. Finding that balance point and holding it—instead of kicking up too hard and falling over.

Super happy about my progress on handstands and hope to be able to hold it longer each month.

Goal: Practice at home.
I don't have a lot of space to practice in my townhouse, so I take a Sunday handstand class and Wednesday gymnastics. That's twice a week. If I can get a few handstands in at my house or at the student gym, I think I'll make more progress. I've really just been doing them once a week and that's not enough.

(What I wore: Glyder Mosiac crop and Athleta PR tank. I like tanks with built in bras that won't come up like a loose tank might for gymnastics. )

Bonus: My husband came with me to my adult tumbling class tonight  :) It was awesome. He had a blast. He said "that was a lot of fun for $10. They have all the toys. You can pick want you want to do. And there are coaches around to help you do it." He wanted to play on the bars. So Robert worked with him on basic bar work. I think he wants to do a kip.

We walked on the balance beams. I showed him the cheese wheel for back handsprings. We played on the tumble track. He played on the parallel bars and had a bar set up for him on the floor.

Lesson: You're never too old for gymnastics. (My husband is 35.) And it is fun!

Unintentional mud run

I haven't run a trail in a month. It's been too cold. (I have asthma and cold air constricts my air ways.)

It was over 60 degrees today, so I decided to try a trail run. I sped home, changed in a hurry (wished I had packed running clothes), sped over to the botanical garden, did a too quick stretch and then hit the trails.

Only it was muddy. Really muddy. I forgot that it had rained recently.

I kept running around the trails, trying to go around the mud puddles and do some fancy footwork when I did have to step in the mud. Then I got to my favorite part of the trail—the flat sandy part by the river and it was swamp. There was no trail to run on.

I think the massive rains from a few weeks ago overflowed the river onto the trail. There was only mud.

I looked at that swamp. And was grateful I had worn my oldest shoes. I then turned around and ran back the way I came.

I ran back to the start and to the hilly white trail. It was not rained out. I got 30 minutes in. Super slow, but it was still nice to run on a trail and not 30 laps around the indoor track dodging and weaving oblivious walkers.

Observations:
• Saw a deer at dusk. Said hi. Deer said not to talk to it.
• A squirrel jumped out and scared the bejeezus out of me. Seriously this happens a few times every time I run here. !

When I got home, I spent about 20 minutes cleaning my shoes before the mud could dry. I paid too much for my Asics for one mud run to ruin them. I still have some miles in them and want them to last as long as possible.

Cleaning my shoes splattered mud on my neon shirt. This mud did not come out in the wash. I'll try again.

What's in your gym bag?

I'm not sure what's in your gym bag....but my gym bag has a bottle of water and....a cat?

Maybe he wants to try the elliptical at the gym?

(He jumped in the bag. He loves to see if he will fit in small spaces.)

Things I've learned running in the last year

Today is my one-year anniversary. Kind of. We were on a break for 13 years. (I ran in high school and haven't run consistently since.)

Me running back in 2000. Totally won this race.
Ran this 5k in 20 minutes and change.

I think I decided to go running last January because I couldn't get into a Saturday Pure Barre class. I figured I'd burn my calories running. So I bought a membership to the university gym. $15 a month (total deal!). And to make that $15 a month work for me I decided I should run on their indoor track at least once a week for the next year.

Only, I liked running so once a week became twice a week.

And then I took some of the summer off for IT band issues. I tried to increase my mileage too fast. The time off and stretching helped and in the fall I started running three times a week. I'm not a daily runner. I like mixing up my routine with different workouts. For now, running three times a week makes me happy and healthy.

Running has also slimmed me down like nothing else. I'm the skinniest I've been in five+ years. Skinner than when I was working out two hours a day. Skinnier than when I was doing barre five times a week.

So here's what I might have told that girl struggling not to walk a year ago:

Before my wireless headphones.

1. Run with music. It's so much more awesome.
I started running before iPods existed. (I think I had a diskman in high school. You couldn't run with those!) Then, I saw the runners with their earbuds and brushed it off as youngsters being young. Then I started seeing studies about how exercising with music makes a difference in performance. I tried running with my iPod and then my iPhone and haven't looked back. It DOES make a difference. Running is such a mental sport. And with the music on, I just run. I'm not fretting as much over splits and other people. It keeps ME out of my head, which is much needed. It also gives you a beat to run to. At first, I tried iPod playlists. There's not enough free memory on my iPhone to keep playlists on it, so I do a workout station on Pandora and that's worked for me.

Gym bag essentials. 

2. Take your inhaler before you run
I have asthma but I like to use my inhaler as sparingly as possible. I noticed that when I took my inhaler before my run, I felt better. (I tried the inhaler after a few runs where I felt like I couldn't breathe.) My doctor approved this use for me. And now it's standard to take one puff, not two, about 15 minutes before my run. Open lungs = better runs.

Heat rash.

3. Wash your face after you run
My skin changed this year—and my face started breaking out after sweat sessions. My back too. (Gross.) So I always wash my face and try to wash my shoulders, where my sports bra sits, if I don't take a shower immediately afterwards.

Gym bags that double as luggage ;) 

4. Keep a spare pair of underwear in your gym bag
Occasionally I'll go running on my lunch break. I keep gym clothes with me. The one thing you don't want to forget is undies. Because you definitely don't want to go around the rest of the day in sweaty undies. So gross. (It's not hygenic and sure to give you a yeast infection). So if you ever ride in my car and eyeball and extra pair of hipsters—it's probably from gym bag.

Sweaty sports bra. It has three pockets.

5. Invest in clothes with pockets 
Crops and sports bras with pockets are awesome for stashing keys and iPhones when running. (I've tried two tops with low back pockets that might be good for gels but are awful for phones while running.) I prefer the pockets higher up on the leg or hip to keep from hitting you. I prefer this to arm bands or God forbid carrying your phone while you run. (Don't buy crops that don't have pockets!)

Favorite Lulu crops, sports bra and UA tank.

6. Lululemon Love
My favorite thing to run in is Lululemon. They make the best crops I've found. Favorites: Run Top Speed crop, Run Inspire, Kris Kross Crop and Stash it crop. Their crops have pockets. They're also made with wicking fabric that feels slick and sporty when you put it on. These crops hold everything while making your butt look great. For tanks, I'm not as picky. Lulu makes good ones, so does Under Armour (the tops with vents and mesh backs are my favorite.) Don't waste your money on Fabletics and other brands. You won't like them as much.

Run socks. Fun colors.

7. Wear fancy running socks
I started buying running socks to run in—instead of my 14 year old gold toe socks. These socks are padded for runs, sweat wicking and stay up in your shoe (there's nothing worse than a droopy sock halfway in your shoe screwing up the middle of your trail run.) I have socks from Lululemon, Asics and a few other brands. Guess which are my favorite. (Hint: the Asics haven't held up and I need to toss them.)

8. Don't run in shorts when you're already sweaty
Honestly I prefer to run in capris. The few times I've run in shorts I've chafed my thighs. Once I did a 30 minute body shred class and got sweaty. I decided to run two miles after that. Mistake. I was wearing shorts and my thighs chafed. So I should just run in capris from now on. Maybe save the shorts for body shred or sweaty indoor classes.

9. What times to run at the track 
I've never tried going to Ramsey at 6 a.m., but so far my favorite times to run are
• 9 a.m. Saturday when they first open. No one is there.
• Noon Sunday when they first open. No one is there.
• Lunch breaks are less crowded than after work.

The outdoor track is closed to the public from 2-6 p.m. on weekdays during the school year.

Post workout stretch and snack.

10. When I run best.
I've had my best times running at lunch. Never first thing in the morning. Occasionally at 5:30 p.m. I think this is because I need food in me to do better. If I'm running first thing in the morning, I probably haven't had that much to eat. I like to eat after a run. Not before. But I do better at lunch because I'm fed but before my body is tired from the day.

11. Flying solo
I prefer running by myself. I go running occasionally with my husband. I always obsess over if I'm faster or if he's faster. It's not good. So I'll usually do a different workout than him. Sure, I'd love a running partner so I could get faster. But I think I need the right running partner.

12. Faster than the boys
The indoor track seems to be mostly walkers, slow runners (11-minute miles) and people that sprint a lap before working out. So at the track, I'm usually one of the faster ones. I'm faster than a lot of the boys. (Seriously, lapping boys who think they're fast is awesome.) I don't consider myself fast at my current pace, but I guess I'm not doing bad.

13. How to count laps
I hated running the 3200 meter in high school. I couldn't keep up with my 8 laps. Running took all my attention. When I run at the indoor track, 8 laps equal one mile, so 24 laps equal 3 miles or 32 laps equal four. That's a lot of laps to remember. I try to start running when the overhead clock is on 0, so then if I run 8 minute mile pace the time on the clock should be about equal to what lap I'm on. The same goes for the timer on my watch. So if my timer says 12:56 when I finish a lap, I've just finished 13 laps. And I try to say the lap over in my head. I get confused when I start thinking 3 to go, etc. I'm still not great at counting laps, but knowing what my time should be helps.

Blurry because I took this while running. See how
 little room I have to pass these ladies.  They were clueless. 

14. Obstacle Course Navigation
Running at the indoor track can be like running an obstacle course race. Some days there are swimming moms walking five wide at the track only for sorority girls to be blocking the outside lanes. The track can be pretty busy—and a lot of the people have no idea about track etiquette. It can be hard to pass a group. In January, it's especially bad. I'll give them until February and then I start elbowing.
If you go to an indoor track, read the rules. The rules at this track are to walk and run single file. Walkers on the inside and runners on the outside. So don't walk five wide. It's hard to pass you. Harder still, when you're oblivious of other people. So be aware of your surroundings.

15. Other people's ticks
I watch other people a lot at the track. I see people that run too heavy, people that lean to one side when running, people that hunch when running, people that are exerting too much effort. The other day I saw I guy that ran pigeon toed. His legs swung out instead of forward.  I've seen a guy sprinter in loafers. I want to say something, but I'm not a running coach. It would be rude to say something so I keep my mouth shut. I just think as loud as I can "Bless your heart."

16. The importance of stretching 
I do like to stretch but I'm always in a huge hurry to get my run in. If I go to run on Saturday, it usually takes me 90 minutes. A few minutes to walk into and get into the gym, to warmup stretch, run for 30 minutes, stretch and recover, maybe wash my face. If I take a shower definitely 90 minutes. When I'm in a hurry I tend to cut corners. And it's easy to cheat and not stretch. This is a great way to be tight the next day or get an injury. I missed six weeks of running from an IT band injury. Now I make sure to stretch my IT band, calves, hamstrings, achilles, back and more before and after I stretch. I will on occasion just run—but make sure to take extra time to stretch afterwards. Skipping stretching doesn't work for me.

The trail by the river at the botanical garden.

17. Running outside
I definitely prefer running trails to running 30 or so times around a track. I tried trails at the IM fields and trails at the Botanical Garden. I'm not tough enough for the White Trail hills, but that's something to work towards. I tend to send a minute goal—say run 32 minutes at the IM fields since I don't know the exact distance. I am slower on uneven surfaces, but it's more fun. I always keep my phone on me while running trails—and usually run into someone I know at the Botanical Garden. I colleague suggested I run with one earbud out while running  trails. I did have a mountain biker sneak up on me once and scare the bejeezus out of me. I like running the IM fields because I like seeing the happy dogs. And I like running the river by the Botanical Garden. I can't wait until it's warm enough to run more trails.

50 degrees and I'm bundled up like I'm racing in the Iditarod. #Southerngirlproblems

18. Temperature threshold
Cold triggers my asthma, so I don't run outside when it's cold. I feel awful afterwards. When I have access to an indoor track and treadmills, I simply don't need to get sick to get my miles in. I prefer running outside when it's 60+ degrees outside. I won't run outside if it's colder than 60, and even lower 60s I have to be careful. It's not a matter of being tough—it's what works for and keeps me feeling good.

19. How to use the treadmill (mostly) 
I have very little experience with a treadmill. I think the only time I've ever used it is when I was in physical therapy two years ago. I got to use the treadmill more this year and have it mostly figured out how to use it. I can turn it on, off, increase, decrease the speed, pick a workout, turn the TV on and more. I still have more to learn, but I will look less silly using the treadmill in the future.

20. Kind bars
Kind bars are my new favorite. I keep them in my gym bag for after a run. So I can get protein quickly fast. They're kinda high in calories (180) so are a heaver snack than say a banana. They're just awesome to have around and are filled with good stuff.

Review: Ivivva, Lululemon's girls line

Lululemon's girls line of clothing is Ivivva. It's not priced as high as women's Lulu—and I've read all over that a Lulu 6 is the same as and Ivivva 14. And even their sizing chart backs that up. I've had my eye on the site—hoping it could be a way to save some money on clothes. For example, their Vinyasa scarves are cheaper.

I made a wishlist. (Their wish list function actually works.) And several of the pieces I was eying sold out.

On Boxing Day, two pieces I wanted went on mark down. I decided to go ahead and try before the pieces were sold out.

I knew as soon as I clicked confirm on buying two final sale pieces—that it was a mistake.

My rationale was that it was on sale and there was no way I couldn't not like these pieces. I love all things Lululemon (and return very rarely. Even WMTM items that are final sale, other than a mistaken order I can't t think of anything I've been disappointed with).  And there's no Ivivva store anywhere near me.

Both pieces dropped an additional $5 that evening, so I definitely wasted $10.

My order came—a few days late because of flooding. And it came with a hideous tote. Maybe children will like it.

The vest
I love, love, love vests. I figured there was no way in the world I wouldn't like this vest....Haha.

Unflattering.

Unflattering. 

Too small. 

Who thought this was a good idea?

1. The vest is too small. A 14 doesn't equal a 6. It's too small in the boobs. I have a small chest and I meet their measurements. I could wear it open—except it makes me look really wide when I try that.
2. It has no pockets. Which is really the deal breaker. I love vests because they have pockets to put your keys or anything else. What sportswear vest doesn't have a pocket?
3. On the plus side, it is lined with sherpa, which is warm and soft. But I'd honestly never wear this vest.

It's really unflattering and I don't know what I'm going to do with it because it's final sale. Total waste of money. (And really poorly designed.)

The shirt.
I was less sure of the shirt. It looked cute in the online photos. I like black and white.

1. The shirt actually fits. It is a tad tight in the arms—and I have skinny arms like a kid.
2. The shirt lacks any type of fastener to keep it closed. It needs a snap or tie (like they have in wrap dresses) to keep in closed. I could potentially get it altered. That's the only way I'll wear it.

All in all, I'm terribly disappointed in Ivivva. Their clothing lacks the details that Lulu pieces have. Add some pockets to the vest, add a fastener to the shirt and they'd be doing a lot better.
I can't speak to the quality of the clothing—does it hold up, for example. Because I don't even want to wear the vest. I tried it on several times and wanted to make it work. It just didn't.

This was a every expensive lesson for me to learn. I probably won't ever buy something from their final sale again. And I'm trying to figure out what to do with these pieces.
• Try Ivivva customer service? I don't really want a gift card. I don't see myself ordering from them again.
• I've tried my credit card before. I have one credit card that's awesome about credits. And one that I've had for longer—that isn't. I bought it on the less forgiving card. So there's no point in trying that.
• Resell it for cheap?
• Just give it away?

I might try and have the shirt altered. I gave the vest to a coworker's 8 year-old daughter.

Also, I saw Ivivva on zulily in January. The pieces were selling rapidly and the prices were lower than Ivivva's final sale.

Above Barre Groupon

I'm gymless for about two weeks in December, so I bought a steal of a Groupon to Above Barre.

I'd been eying it for awhile—and was waiting for am extra percentage off. Between the extra percentage off and knowing I'd need some fitness classes over the holidays (when everything including my usually gyms and studios are closed) I decided it was worth the money.

I knew I liked barre classes. They're low impact (which is great for all the over-use injuries I get from running.) And the deal averaged out to about $5 a class. Awesome.

A few days before Christmas I went to redeem my Groupon.

There was a pretty hard sell to get me to a one-month contract. Which honestly, didn't make sense to me. I just stared at the girl. I bought 10 classes to use over the holidays. Why would a one-month plan be any better? I don't need an Omni membership. I don't plan on taking unlimited barre in January.

I explained to the girl that I was looking for a once-a-week option, that I had other classes I regularly took. She told me about their $59 once a week plan. So I'd change my $50 10-class Groupon for a 4-class Groupon? I continued staring at the girl—and said I was sure they'd have New Year's deals when I was done with my Groupon.

After that unpleasantness, the class was good. The instructor had a kind, fun energy. It was much better than the class I took back in January of last year. There were less ballet terms. There was more equipment and variety in the exercises. The clientele had also changed (in part to the college students going home for break) and it was more moms, grandmas, and grad school aged women. There were less co-eds. And there are also more class times, including more evening times when I can make it. (So good changes from my last visit.)

I had told the teacher it was my first class there—and she was pretty impressed with my form. (Thanks Pure Barre).

I went back a few more times. (I haven't used all 10 visits yet. Because the weather's been nice enough to run outside on a few days and I've picked up some free classes here and there.) And I've enjoyed the classes. There's less work on pointe, less barre holds (which I don't really like).

The class works your core. There's an abs series they do, that involves scissors and bicycles. There's arm work. They have weights and they use bands for exercises at the barre (Almost like Pure Barre's velcro band classes). I've done curls, back flies, pullups and more with the bands. There's the usual leg work—on pointe, lots of calf, hip flexor work. And the class ends with stretching and some yoga poses.

Above Barre also offers more variety in classes.

They have a Core Express class, which focuses more on abs and is 45 minutes. I really liked this class and hope to go again.

There's also a HIIT class, which is barre with more cardio and harder options. Really liked this class too.

And some of the instructors teach harder classes than others. I feel like I need to take another one of Hillary's classes. I remember really liking the toughness of her class.

 I've liked all of the teachers and all of the classes. I haven't had a bad experience.

The classes were smaller—in part because it was holiday break.

The difference between this and Pure Barre?
1. Not as much Lululemon at Above Barre. Girls were wearing Under Armour, Fila and regular—not luxe activewear.
2. There's a larger variety in equipment. More bands etc at Above Barre.
3. The classes all vary as do Pure Barre. A class with one of AB's veteran instructors is going to be similar to a class with a veteran Pure Barre teacher. There's a set formula of warmup, barre work, arms, abs, cool down etc for classes at each studio—with slightly different variations depending on the instructor and day.
4. Pure Barre keeps their studio slightly warmer.
5. Pure Barre's classes are more crowded (and have a younger, Greeker clientele.) PB has a larger studio and can accommodate 29-34 people.
—In January, most of Pure Barre's classes are waitlisted. I've never had that problem at Above Barre. This might only be a problem for January and Platform classes.
6. The Pure Barre instructors look like they hopped out of magazine. AB has normal looking instructors—beauties, moms, fitness enthusiasts.

Both are barre workouts. I'm not sure who has the edge, really. I like classes at both places. Classes at Above Barre have improved a lot since my last visit. Pure Barre is an established chain. And Above Barre is a barre method studio—they're popping up everywhere.

If you want a membership to a big gym (Omni) or childcare, Above Barre probably has the advantage.

Pure Barre was the first barre studio in Athens—and now there are also classes at UGA (on my list to try) and I did try a mini barre class at Above Body studio. I should do a full class and give you a review.

But taking any fitness class is a step in the right direction.

Happy tucking!

(Update: I liked their HIIT barre class so much I purchased a 5 pack of classes. It burns the same amount of calories as Pure Barre Platform, without Platforms choreography that I suck at, and without two week wait lists.)

Pure Barre Platform Review

Today I survived Pure Barre Platform. I did not fall on my face.

Verdict: This class torches a ton of calories. This is what I need to take after going on a cupcake binge.

It really wasn't like traditional Pure Barre classes at all. Where Pure Barre is about small movements—this class is about big movements. And there's a definite adjustment needed.

I took a Wednesday night class. It was a small class of 7, including an instructor who was taking. There was another lady's her first Platform class.

I felt like a little lost sheep in the class. Like in my first class—when I just didn't know what to expect at all. I was looking around to see what others were doing a lot. And there weren't that many people to look at. I was more lost in this class than I've been trying new classes in awhile. That said, I think I'd do better next time.

The class starts with a step on and off the platform warm-up. I was the worst at this. I was also bad at the Pure Barre warmup. So this is expected. I'm so bad at choreography.

There were similar sections to Pure Barre: Warmup, obliques, leg work at barre, ab work, and cool down. And the floor work toward the end definite felt like Pure Barre so I wasn't as lost. There were lunges with pulses, familiar weight work, bring your knee to your chest, seat work. It's a full body workout.

Highlights:
• Pushups with toes on the platform. At some point over the years, I started liking pushups. (And vainly how my arms look in the Pure Barre mirror.) These were great.

• The flying leaps that are in all the ads. These are fun. (I struggled with them in general, and could do the left side better than the right, but I'll get it.)
• All the big kicking—bringing your leg from the floor to several feet up in the air. This is fun!

Low points
•  At some points it was hard to see the instructor and what I was supposed to do.
• How long we worked the right and left thighs. Way too long. Dying. I thought I'd done a leg twice by accident.
• The motions do look really crazy. This could be amusing to watch. I also don't have those fast twitch muscles you must need for this. Not sure I work at that speed.
• And ha ha. I did fall off the platform once. But not on my face. Just during leaps I missed my footing. No big.

Sweat was dripping down my arms for the whole class. I did bring a towel. And sipped on my water a lot. At the end of class, I just chucked my wet tank in my bag and put on a long sleeve shirt for outside over my sports bra. That shirt was too gross to wear home.

The class was surprisingly low impact. There wasn't too much jumping. I was worried about box jumps—like in the Body Shred class I went to. But no the leaps off the box are controlled (lock out those arms on the barre.)

I got a few corrections. I won't beat myself over this. It was really different from Pure Barre. And I think I will go again a few more times to see if I like it. Or just if I overeat and need to burn 500+ calories.

Seriously, the calorie burn was the best part of this class. My Apple Watch is super stingy with calories burned. It gives me 100 calories for a pilates class. Maybe 280-300 for a barre class, and a little less than a 100 calories per mile for a run. I burned a ton of calories in this class. (More than an hour of trampoline fitness.) And I'm confident I'd do a better job next time.

If you go:
1) You will sweat. I wouldn't recommend a cotton shirt. Wear something sweat wicking. I wished I had worn crops—but couldn't remember if you were supposed to wear full length leggings for this class.
2) Don't worry about looking stupid. I was too busy watching my feet and trying not to fall off the platform to worry about what anyone else looked like.
2) Just when you think you can't do another rep—it's time for stretching. (I love stretching breaks!)

Back to the Barre

I headed back to Pure Barre this weekend. Because FREE CLASSES!

I love free classes. Especially when my gyms are closed and most of my classes are on hiatus for winter break.

I took the Saturday morning class with the owner. I was sure I was going to die. It's been four months since I did Pure Barre.

I walked in. Everyone was chatting excitedly, with a few people looking around nervously. The class started. And the warmup.

1. I forgot about the warmup. It starts out kind of jazzercise march in place and gets difficult quickly. I forgot how bad I was at the twisting part of the warmup.

2. I forgot how brutal the warmup is. 90 second plank hold is hard enough but to do it while tucking. OMG.

3. After the warmup, the class isn't quite as hellish. I settled into the routine of the class and still knew enough of the basics to not feel foolish. Thank you 100 club, for teaching me Pure Barre basics. Actually I was surprised that with the exception of the twist, I fell right back into it. I could still stand on pointe, tuck, and was still bad at the things I used to be bad at ;)

4. I picked up Pure Barre's 3-pounds weights and forgot how light they are. I use 5's at home. They get heavy quickly when you keep your arms up for 3-5 minutes so I was fine with the 3 pounds.

5. Sweat was rolling down my arms in the warm-up. They keep the room a little warmer than normal—which I like. I forgot about the sweat drip. It just shows I work hard!

6. The class got hellish again in barre holds. I just can't keep my leg up that long. I need to stretch it. And then beastly again in abs. The hard part was keep your arms up—and overhead the whole time (at some points, your elbows by your ears and hands on your shoulder blades). Eventually, I had to take my arms down. I know my limits. I was at them.

I finished the class. And was glad to have survived. And not not have sucked. It was a great class and a great workout.

I checked my watch—and the class burned more calories than Above Barre classes, but not as much as the HIIT class they have.

The owner told me I needed to try their Platform class.

A few people have told me that. (The manager at Lululemon ;) And I kind of want to. I kind of think I'd fall on my face or look ridiculous.

She offered me a free class. And I said let's make that happen. I'm going Wednesday and will report back! I'm kind of excited/ hoping I don't die.

And round two, I took a second class on Sunday.

And I'm totally embarrassed and feel like a mooch.

My friend was going to come with me—so I only signed up after she said yes. She bailed a few hours before class (too late for me to cancel) so I showed up and felt like I looked like cheapskate. (I am but don't want to look like one.)

The Sunday class was good. Less crowded than the Saturday class. Apparently a lot of people didn't show on Sunday. But I like it when there's room not to kick people at the barre ;) There were some new girls near me. They did great. I tried to make sure I had extra perfect form so they knew what to do. (So that's what I bring to the free class. Someone for them to watch during barre work.)

The class was taught by one my favorite teachers. This sweet girl who used to be a college cheerleader and is working on her Ph.D. (She is amazing!!) My Apple Watch said this class actually burned more calories. Both classes were difficult—they were challenging, my muscles were shaking and I was working. But it wasn't too challenging that I got frustrated with myself or wanted to leave. It was just the right amount of challenge. I like that.

The owner's ab section was more difficult—and I didn't know quite what to expect for the first class. By the Sunday class, I was more comfortable. But don't worry, there was still awful hip flexor exercises that I am so bad at. (Anything in beetle, I suck at. It hurts so much!!)

I survived two Pure Barre classes in two days. And was totally fine afterward. I feel like this just means I'm a beast.

Part of me misses Pure Barre. I like the structure. I like the instructors. I like the ab section and what it works. I like going up on my tip toes. I like the stretching in the dark at the end. (I really do like this part. Favorite part of class. The cool down.)

If I had unlimited time for workouts and didn't have to worry about money—I'd be there now. But while I'm running, taking a Canopy session, doing gymnastics—my time and funds are limited, I don't know how to make the money work.

Until Wednesday Pure Barre, and then I might have to find the money for my Platform addiction. (I've been warned.)

If you go to Pure Barre
1) Wear tights or leggings. And socks. Don't wear shorts. Also, if you have Lululemon, that's the unofficial wardrobe and you can't go wrong with it.

2) Bring: water bottle. Optional: towel. You will sweat!

3) Get there early to sign the waiver, talk to the teacher and find a spot. Do you want to be in the front or back? By a barre or a mirror?

4) There's usually an instructor taking class to watch if you're lost (they will usually be at the front of the room and the instructor teaching may introduce them during the warmup.). If not, find anyone wearing 100 club socks and watch them. Or ask the instructor before class who you can watch. The instructor will give hands on corrections. I always say THANKS because I want to do the workout right and not hurt myself. Don't be hard on yourself for a correction. It just means the instructor cares that you have the best experience.

5) Think small movements. A lot of bootcamp classes emphasize bigger movements. In Pure Barre, small movements will work your body harder.

5) Know your limits. It's okay to stretch or break form if you need to. It's ok to modify or take breaks. Heck, fake it until you recover if you have to. You'll get stronger every class.

Best for: Former dancers, anyone looking for a low impact workout. There are many grandmas who love these classes and excel at them. Also I told my sister who just had a baby—that this class works exactly those muscles. She should try it for her core.
Note: Not a lot of guys go. So unless it's a "Bring on the Men" class, I wouldn't really force your guy friend to come with you. (But the girls are all cute.)

Happy tucking!

Apple Watch review

I've had my Apple Watch for almost a month now. I'm still figuring out how to use it, but hope I have the hang of things.

Bottom line: Love it. Don't know how I lived without it.

I've had fancy running watches since high school and I do like wearing a watch. This one's great.

What I love

1) The watch is super light. It's lighter than any running watch I've had and I can forget I have it on.

2) Driving directions on your wrist. If you look up directions on your phone, it will pair with your watch and show directions on your wrist. So there's no need to look down at your phone. It also buzzes your wrist when it's time to turn. I like this better than the bossy Turn Now voice on my iPhone.

3) Find my iPhone ping.
I am constantly misplacing my iPhone. I leave it on the couch and the dog sits on it. I leave it upstairs when I go to do the dishes. The watch will ping the phone (the phone will make a horrible noise so you can locate it.) This is a God send for me! (And might prevent the pets from sitting on it in the future.)

4) The fitness tracker. I'm obsessed. This is a good and bad thing.
I check it way too much. I get sad when I don't meet my calorie goal for the day. (I need my off days.)

Activity rings on my watch. Blue is for hours stood (12 is the goal. You just have to stand up and walk around some.) Green is for activity. It likes you to workout for 30 minutes a day. The most difficult one is the red active calories. My goal is 500, which can be challenging when it gives me low calorie counts. I burn about 2000 calories a day, but not all of them are active. This is why I'm walking laps around the house at 10 p.m. trying to make my goal AFTER barre class and walking the dog. 

5) Viewing picture messages on my wrist something out of the Jetsons. It's pretty cool.

I currently don't have email set up on my watch. I don't need any more notifications. That would make me too anxious.

It has calendar notifications, which can be helpful, for example when I have a barre class and need to get out the door.

It has a stop watch and a timer (that pair with your phone. So if you set the timer on your phone, it will beep in both places when done.)

The watch also has silent mode (so no texts while you're in pilates) and a Do Not Disturb. (Which is great since silent mode is broken on my iPhone. My otter box won't let me flip that switch.)

Fun: You can send touches or doodles to friends with Apple Watches. Two of my friends got Apple Watches for Christmas and sent me doodles. That was really fun.

You can use the watch to take a picture like a selfie stick. 

Downside to the watch.
1) It can be hard to select the right button or press start on a workout. The screen is tiny and I constantly hit the wrong app. I struggled to press start on a treadmill workout the other day. I had to stop the treadmill. Ugh.

2) I didn't set it exactly right on the charger one night and it didn't charge. Oops. Make sure it chirps that it's charging. It does charge in about an hour so that's not bad. (This has only happened once.)

3) It can be overwhelming when your friends blow up your phone. That said, there's a silent mode on the watch. I think it still buzzes. I wanted to take a nap but kept getting texts one day (friends only text when I nap) so I ended up taking the watch off. (Before I figured out the Do Not Disturb.)

What I don't love.

The calorie count on the watch is not very accurate. It cheats me out of a minimum of 100 calories per workout. Even with the heart rate monitor telling the watch I'm working hard. It counts active and total calories—but I still don't think it's anywhere close to right. It seems to only count arm swinging as calories, so if I'm doing pilates or barre and keeping my arm still and moving anything else, the calorie count is low.

For running, the distance is off. I did calibrate the watch, but it's still not accurate—even if I put the phone on my leg (and usually my iPhone step counter is pretty accurate.) I ran 2 miles at the track the watch said 2.17 (which is almost another lap.)

• If I'm on the fancy treadmill at the gym (that knows my age, height and weight), it's calorie count doesn't match the watch's calorie count—even when I have my iPhone on me. (Watch said I ran 2.97 miles, treadmill said 3.5 miles.)

71 calories versus 151 calories and the bike
isn't even counting the arm weights I did.

• Same for exercise bike. The indoor cycle workout function—even with both watch and machine measuring my heart rate—don't get close to the same calorie count. (For a 27 minute bike-ride, the watch said 100 calories, the bike said 218.)

• There's a definite lag in the information. It will say zero calories burned and then 5 all at once. It's not real time.

• I read the the heart rate monitoring is the best out there. Except when I run my heart rate gets higher than those online charts say is feasible. The heart rate sensor does not match the gym equipment sensors on the fanciest treadmills. And I feel fine when I run, so I'm guessing the heart rate monitor has issues, like maybe the watch is too loose or I'm moving my arms too much.  I'd really like to compare the watch to another heart rate monitor. But how reliable can a wrist monitor be?

Also, Lululemon makes a long sleeve shirt with a hole for a smartwatch. This doesn't work for the Apple Watch and it messes with the watch's wrist sensors so I constantly have to unlock the watch.

Bottom line
I'm hoping that with the next update or version of the watch, they incorporate more workouts—like barre, pilates, yoga etc. So those will be more accurate. I'm also hoping to be able to edit a workout—for example when a distance is off, or I forget to stop the workout, I can go in and edit it. But for a first generation product, I'm stoked.

My friends only text me when I'm napping or working out. I absolutely hate it when I get a text while running. Because I feel like I need to look at it, but I need to run and not stop. I've started setting my watch to Do Not Disturb while I exercise (of of course the first time I do this I take a barre class and my boss is blowing up my phone and I'm an hour late responding to something. It was Saturday morning. An hour response will have to do.)

I really do like my Apple Watch. But I've been really annoyed with texts on my watch lately. (I'd rather get them on my phone.) So maybe I should have gotten a fitness tracker instead.

16 Fitness goals for 2016

Classes to try.
1. Try a class at Blast.  (Interval training with treadmills)
2. Take a yoga class.
3. Try a barre class at Ramsey.
4. Try a SUP yoga class. (or just rent a paddle board one day when it's warm.)

Running goals
5. Run a 5k.
6. 7 minute mile

Tumbling goals
7. Connect fly springs
8. Walk overs
9. Touch my feet to my head
10. 10 second handstand
11. Practice handstands at home. (Daily?)

General goals
12. Conquer the Ninja course at Rush
13. Try another flying trapeze place. Bonus: Get my cutaway!
14. Get a body composition test done
15. Stay on budget with fitness clothes. (Spend less money at Lululemon)
16. Active wear brands to try: Goldsheep, Alala, Sweaty Betty, Heroine Sport, Michi, Koral Activewear, Albion Fit

What are your goals? Any goals I should add?