[TPBE] The Results

A month and a half ago I made a commitment to trade in my normal exercise routine for classes at Pure Barre Pasadena. I went from a steady routine of weight training, fitness classes and cardio exercise about 4 times per week to consistently attending 2-4 classes at Pure Barre Pasadena each week. What began as a hopeful attempt to improve my physical appearance turned out to be a transformation unlike anything I imagined possible.

I, personally, am pretty speechless about how much change I saw in such little time... especially since I was already in pretty good shape, I didn't change my eating habits and I mayyyybe did 2 additional "cardio only" sessions each week (Example: 20 min on elliptical outside of class), IF it was a good week. My entire concept of body types is changing, I'm finally abandoning unhealthy notions of weight control and I'm understanding what's ACTUALLY WORKING more than ever before.

The Stats
Check out [TPBE] The Starting Line for pictures of where I began!

Starting Weight: 134.5 lbs
Ending Weight: 132.1 lbs (2.4 pounds lost)
This transformation wasn't about weight loss to me but I was impressed that my weight did drop a bit. More than anything, it was about seeing how my body physically changed and responded to this style of exercise. Pure Barre taught me so much about what ACTUALLY counts when getting in shape - see "Top Lessons Learned" below for more!

Starting Bust: 35"
Ending Bust: 33" (2 inches lost)
This measurement change is one of the most interesting to me - technically, my "girls" are smaller, but because my whole upper body is more toned, the "girls" are perkier than ever and getting lots of compliments! So, ladies, maybe it's not all about size and it has more to do with shape, tone and overall appearance!

Starting Waist: 27"
Ending Waist: 26" (1 inch lost)
A smaller waist has translated into more feminine curves which I LOVE! I've never really had problems with this measurement/area but the more toned and lean, the better!

Starting "Right Below the Bellybutton": 30.5"
Ending "Right Below the Bellybutton": 29" (1.5 inches lost)
THANK YOU PURE BARRE FOR BEING THE FIRST WORKOUT THAT HAS EVERRRRRRR ADDRESSED & CHANGED THIS AREA!!!! I cannot stress enough how incredible this measurement change is for me - this is my trouble zone/insecure spot/whatever you want to call the part of my body that I've always struggled with and I'm FINALLLY feeling better about it for the first time in my LIFE!

Starting Hips:  39"
Ending Hips: 38" (1 inch lost)
Smaller hips and my butt still looks great?! Wow, I quite literally thought that was impossible. When I started working out, people would tell me, "don't lose your curves!" - Pure Barre taught me that I don't have to lose it, I can IMPROVE IT!

Starting Thighs: 23" (each thigh)
Ending Thighs: 22" (1 inch lost per thigh)
Again with the WOW... for the first time ever, I am confident in shorts or a mini skirt. For the first time ever, I look down at my legs when I'm sitting and I don't think I look fat. For the first time ever, I LOVE MY LEGS!! 

Starting Biceps: 10" (each bicep)
Ending Biceps: 10"
No change here but the difference in definition and toning is completely visible. I've been getting the MOST compliments on my arms since I started TPBE and I'm pretty sure my fat is being steadily replaced with muscle - I LIKE I LIKE!

THAT MEANS I LOST AN INCH OFF MY ENTIRE BODY IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS!


I HAVEN'T CHANGED MY MEASUREMENTS OR BODY SIZE LIKE THAT SINCE I STARTED MY FIT LIFE 2 YEARS AGO... WHICH MEANS I CHANGED MORE IN 2 MONTHS THAN I HAVE IN 2 YEARS...

Top Lessons Learned

• It's actually not about weight loss - for me, at least. Pure Barre helped me WAKE UP to the reality that there can be a huge difference between losing pounds and actually changing your appearance and shape. At a certain point, I weighed less than I do now, but I wasn't in love with how I looked; my body responded to cutting calories and losing pounds by leaving me hungry, uneven and perpetually frustrated and critical. Now, instead of focusing on the scale, I'm focused on my inner core strength, my flexibility, my body measurements, my proportionality and my personal confidence level - and I'm LOVING IT! I finally understand and know that I'd rather lose inches than pounds, any day.

• It's actually not about the movement, it's about contracting and working the muscles. Pure Barre helped me UNDERSTAND that working out is supposed to be challenging, it doesn't need to be large scale and upbeat, and you have to actually focus on contracting and using your muscles if you want results. The most impossible moves were totally do-able after I properly began tightening my core... my moves became more fluid and effective when I learned to keep my hips tucked in and my posture straight... I was able to increase my reps and performance after being taught to concentrate on contracting my muscles to make the movements. 

• It's actually not boring to consistently do the "same thing." By attending classes taught by different instructors and concentrating on increasing my personal performance, it felt like a NEW and FUN challenge every time I went. In addition to supportive and motivational instructors, great music and concentrated breathing kept me going and entertained the whole way through!

THANK YOU PURE BARRE PASADENA!

I FEEL BETTER THAN EVER AND I'M DEFINITELY NOT STOPPING.


Are you ready to meet me at the barre?