Good afternoon! How are you guys doing today? Things started off on a high note over here because I completed my Pure Barre studio’s October 20-class challenge this morning!
Anyone who completes the challenge gets more than 60 percent off the following month’s membership which was all the motivation I needed to participate. I was worried I would feel totally burnt out on barre workouts by the end of the month, but that truly isn’t the case at all. My love for Pure Barre continues. I can’t get enough of the burning and shaking!
My new job at the gym is coming at a great time, though, as I’ll now have access to a gym again after more than four months without a gym membership. I’ve tried my best to use the dumbbells I have at home and complete some strength training workouts but I have missed the gym atmosphere a bit. I’m still planning to take Pure Barre classes regularly, but it will be nice to incorporate some variety in my workouts again.
Just in case you’re looking for some at-home strength workouts, here are a few I love that only require dumbbells:
- Fast-Paced + Sweaty Leg Workout
- Back to Basics Arm Workout
- Living Room Total Body Workout
- Upper Body Superset Workout
After Pure Barre and breakfast, I worked through the morning. (I am about halfway through writing a blog post that will include a tour of my home office, so stay tuned!) I also spent some time reaching out to various companies looking for donations for the Girls On The Run 5K that will take place in December. I met up with our program coordinator yesterday for a late afternoon meeting and I’m hoping to do my best to help out with our local race.
Lunch
Before I knew it, lunchtime rolled around and I assembled what I’ll call a lazy girl’s lunch because it took me all of three minutes to pull together.
My afternoon meal included a big salad topped with a black bean burger, leftover corn, feta cheese and ranch dressing served with a banana and yogurt on the side.
I actually bought that yogurt after one of my fellow coaches brought it to a Girls On The Run practice and we all ate it as an afternoon snack. It was pretty darn good and I froze a box to have on hand as a creamy frozen snack!
Now it’s time for me to grab a quick shower before popping into my gym to drop off some paperwork and heading out to coach Girls On The Run. Have a great afternoon!
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Great job on completing your challenge! That is a totally awesome incentive 🙂
Congrats on completing your first challenge. I did Barre for the very first time last week, and love it! Hopefully, I can get to a class more often. Good luck with the rest of the challenge!
I liked this picture on Instagram this morning. 🙂 Great job on the challenge! A barre studio just opened 2 blocks away from my apartment and I am fighting the urge to spend all of my savings on barre classes lol. I love them too!
Quick question/post suggestion: how do you manage to be so productive working from home? Anytime I try to get work done while I’m home alone during the day, my bed always seems to call me over for a nap! Haha. But seriously if you have any tips, I’d love to hear them because I tend to get very distracted at home. On that note, can’t wait to see your office!
I love this idea for a blog post!! Adding it to the list! But to give you a quick answer… I really right to keep normal work hours. Of course that doesn’t always work, but for the most part I really do try to maintain a normal work schedule. That’s part of the reason why I like to work out first thing in the morning… It sets my day in motion! Hoping to elaborate more in a longer post!
Thanks! Looking forward to reading more!
Throwing a black bean burger on a bunch of lettuce is one of my favorite quick meals too! I’m so impressed with that Pure Barre challenge, I’ve heard it’s tough! Sounds like you are having so much fun with Girls on the Run!
Girls on the Run really is so great!! I highly recommend it to anyone interested in coaching!
I can’t get enough Pure Barre! Just love it. That’s a great deal – 60% off! Awesome.
I’ve had short stints as a gym goer- in college especially, but mostly rely on running and doing NTC or some of your workouts you’ve posted on Pinterest, and yoga workouts from yogaglo. Recently I’ve been in a work out rut and I’m considering joining a gym.
That’s my lunch this week! A veggie burger over a salad with lemon tahini dressing.
I LOOOVE the NTC app! I need to bring that back into my life!
Sometimes it’s nice to get a change of oace with workouts and challenge your body in a new way. I love my gym and PB membership because they offer my body different ways to move and be strong.
Congrats on you Pure Barre goal! Glad to hear it isn’t losing its luster! 😉
Can’t wait to see your home office. I wish we had a dedicated space for this in our home, but maybe the next one will!
Great job at conquering the challenge, Julie!
I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have my gym membership for 4 months. The atmosphere and seeing my friends there is a big motivation.
Congrats love! 20 classes – so awesome!
xx Larisa @ weheartbeauty.com
Congrats on the 20 classes! I’m not sure there is a Pure Barre where I live now, but I would love to try it out at least once. I’m also in the process of trying to get on board with Girls on the Run, hopefully I will get a response back soon! Lastly, I couldn’t help but notice your bowl has a little ‘spout/lip’ to sip the leftover milk from cereal! Haha, I love it!! That’s one of those “Why didn’t I think of that” ideas 😛
That so awesome you’re loving Barre classes lately! one day I’d love to try it and think I’d love ’em b/c of my ballet background 🙂
I love trying new workout classes, hot yoga, and going on runs in the winter months!
I love the feeling of completing something and to have a great deal at the end is a cherry on top! I’ve never taken a Pure Barre class but I’ve heard it’s pretty intense. Great job on completing it!
Congrats girlie!! 🙂 🙂 I still have yet to find out what we get and I’m too nervous to ask… I know.. that’s weird lol Can’t wait to see your office tour!
Winter months for me is a great time to focus on strength and I love snow play dates with the kids!
Thanks for the suggestion on such a great running jacket… I have been scouring for a good one! I would love that one in black… Always the right color. Love your blog such great suggestions!
Congrats on completing your Pure Barre challenge-so awesome! I am in love with the Minx low boots you had on-thats soemthing I am putting on my christms wish list!
I can’t wait to see the office. We’re always looking for DIY examples and inspiration!
I haven’t tried an official Pure Barre class, but there are a few YouTube videos and they’re tough! Congrats on finishing the challenge!
Congrats on achieving your goal! Question for you: have you noticed a significant difference in your body from going to barre class that often? Just curious…
Looking forward to your post about staying productive while working from home!
I like the tube yogurts. Especially the chobani “chocolate dust” ones! I put them in the freezer and pop them into my lunch in the morning and they are still nice and cool for lunch. I prefer the Chobani to the stonyfield for the higher protein count and creamy texture. Love your blog!
Good call on freezing the yogurt!! I’m about to have a lazy gals dinner before class!
So great you finished your challenge! I still need to try a pure barre class I have heard only good things about them.
Congrats on completing the challenge! Speaking of your Back to Basics Arm Workout – I did this yesterday at the gym and my biceps/triceps are superrr sore (in a good way!)
I would LOVE to have the Minx II Omni-Heat in red!! Currently, two of my three daughters and I wear the same size shoe so we could all enjoy this boot!!
ooooh I used to love freezing go-gurts like that– thanks for reminding me how delicious that was! YUM. Congrats on finishing the challenge! 🙂
I wish my Pure Barre studio would do another challenge! I go 6 days a week and never get bored with it. It’s my me time!
Congrats on finishing the challenge! I have yet to try a pure barre class but have a few friends who go and are addicted!
I love that yogurt! Congrats on completing your challenge!
that’s awesome! way to go!
I would love either of these items! My exercise of choice is walking/hiking throughout the year!
Congrats on finishing the challenge! I love the Pure Barre challenges, I’m finishing the 40 in 60 days tomorrow and I joined the 100 club a few weeks ago!
Awesome! I’m still slowly working my way toward 100!
you’ve probably said this before (sorry!!) but what ranch dressing do you use?
Bolthouse Farms!
Congrats on finishing so many barre classes. I’ve taken only one Pure Barre class here in SF, but tons of other barre classes and I think the isometric hold and small pulses are a GREAT way to target and tone muscles. Of course, like you said, it’s best to do a variety of working out and have barre as just one part of your fitness routine. But it’s definitely super beneficial and a fun way to switch up a normal gym week.
Congrats on completing the challenge! That’s awesome!
Can’t wait to try out some of the workouts you included in this post. I always have a hard time mixing up my routine so these look great!
Julie, You’re such an inspiration. I love your stories and recipes…your blog, along with Weight Watchers, has been a great tool in my weight loss journey and I’m proud to say I’ve currently lost 86 pounds! Obviously, exercise plays a huge role, too. During the winter months, I like to stay active by taking challenging classes in the gym…I Love Spin, Kickboxing and Body Works. I also try to spice it up on the treadmill/elliptical. I prefer to jog outside but in the winter, it gets tough! I challenge myself to internal contests like doing the Couch to 5K App to get better at running, I’ll create new and fun playlists to run to as well. I like to keep it different so I don’t get bored. Another trick that helps with running or elliptical workouts is getting a new CD and letting the entire thing play while I workout. That way, I’m focused on listening to the new songs I’ve never heard and enjoying the new lyrics while I push myself on the machines. I would love to see a post about some of your winter workouts, too! I would also like to throw myself in the running for the Columbia giveaway. The Platinum 860 Turbodown jacket is gorgeous and I would love it in Red! This is a great idea for a giveaway and to learn about your followers!
Keep up the inspiring posts and motivation….You’ve got a fan in Texas! 🙂
-Liz
Well, I love the purple jacket and I also love those boots! One way I work to stay active throughout the cold winter months is to sign up for a spring half-marathon…I also firmly believe that staying active, even/especially being active outdoors keeps my immune system healthier.
I live in Albany, NY so staying active in the winter can be TOUGH. I am a fair-weather runner but end the season in October. I have been known to use PBF indoor workouts to stay in shape when it’s cold 🙂 I would LOVE the columbia jacket in red to keep me warm when I brave the cold, or the minx shorty omni-heat print in elk/red orchid. So cute!