notbarre

Reality check.

I don’t know about y’all but 2022 has been kicking my a** so far 😂 Due to a multitude of reasons I haven’t been as active on social media lately. And to be honest….. it’s been really nice. I made this pledge almost 6 months ago to really start investing time into this account to grow my business. So I went through the whole spiel- got a coach, made a content calendar, learned how to make reels, etc. Because at the end of the day- I want to work for myself and create a lasting career.

I’d been trying so hard, posting and engaging consistently, seeing my hard work pay off. But sometime during December I just hit a wall. Between work and life I was just tired of grinding like that.

So then, every time I’d get on social media I’d start to doubt myself… “I’m not doing enough, it’s not worth it, I’m lazy.” Comparison mode. ON. So then I just stopped doom scrolling and posting and doing anything on here altogether because it became too negative.

I’ve always had a small problem with investing so much of my time into social media for exactly this reason. And for contributing to this beast that you all consume as well. At the end of the day, instagram is not going to help you cut back your app usage so YOU have to do it yourself. We rarely talk about how social media has effected all of our lives. I can tell I’m much less distracted now and can barely sit down to watch a movie much less read a real book.

If you’re still reading, you’re the reason why I keep coming back. I love seeing all these women thrive and build their brands. THAT’s what I’m here for.

Have you had a reality check moment this year?

What do you do to keep things 🌶spicy🌶??

I’m all about a time saver. Nobody has time to sit around and plan out multiple classes a week! We have to be smarter🧐

Here are a few tips I’ve relied on over the years to spark up my class routine without spending hours choreographing new material.

SEXY BACK (yeah)

I’m not gonna lie, I used to loatheeee flat back exercises. They would kill my lower back and I would be sore for days after. But with time, they became less and less grueling. Building a strong posterior chain (back body) is so important. Not only to support good posture, but to keep your spine mobile as well!

Sound ON🗣
✨Flat Back -> Squat
✨Flat Back Squat —> Lift
✨Lateral Lunge
✨Rock and Push
Try 10 for 3 rounds.

Tips
👀I want you to think about being a clapperboard 🎬 Your hips are the hinge and your torso is the clapper that lifts down and up. Nothing bends, nothing curves. The device is controlled from the singular hinge on the side! I promise these will get better with time.
👀Pull up from your belly button, in with your ribs, and down with the shoulders. Find your alignment before you move.
👀Start small. Then build from there. Your range of motion might not look like mine. Who cares?? Do what’s best for your body!
👀If you feel a sharp pain STOP ✋🏻 Your back will definitely start to tire after a while but you should not feel anything sharp.

I’m teaching this Friday 8:30am at the studio and Sunday 3:30pm.

FULL BODY CARDIO

I love these moves because they’re easily modifiable and moldeable to fit what you’re looking for.

Full transparent moment- I’m just now realizing how funny this plant looks in the middle of the floor with this wide shot. 🤣 that’s what I get for trying to make things ~aesthetically pleasing~

Let’s go
✨Modified Burpee
✨2 Jumping Jacks -> 2 squats
✨Lateral Lunge -> Curtsy Lunge
✨Wide Second Pulse -> Rock
Try these for 30 seconds each. 3 rounds. (Make sure you do the second side on #3)

Tips
👀Don’t compromise form for speed. Complete each movement before you re-start it.
👀Breathe! This is essential to cardioRESPIRATORY activity!
👀The modified version is in each video above. Try both and see which one works for you!
👀Have fun! Put on your favorite playlist and move!

ABS

Did anyone else used to do 10 crunches and then check the mirror to see if you had a 6-pack? Hopefully it wasn’t just me. 😅😂 I’m so glad I’m past that moment in history. Working your abdominals are so much more important than “getting abs.” Your abs are part of your core, your powerhouse, where every movement is initiated from. Abdominals help keep you upright, support your lower back, and help you do many every day functions- like twisting, reaching, balancing, etc. Let’s change how we think about ABS.

For these exercises, I want y’all to think about imprinting that low back on the ground. I don’t want any daylight between your back and the ground!! Think about scooping the tailbone up to the ceiling and pulling your belly button down to your spine. Start there. Exhale when you exert force. In through nose, out through mouth. This is especially important for abs! Think about breathing into your rib cage and not your belly!

Ab Series
✨Tabletop Taps
✨Chest Lift Hold-Tabletop Taps
✨Twist Straight Leg Reach
✨Twist Straight Leg Reach on Elbow
✨Scissors
✨Scissors->Criss Cross w/ Straight Legs
10 reps each. 3 rounds.