barre3 online Archives - My Inner Shakti

Bringing Back Barre3 + Why I ‘Quit’ BBG

As a mom, getting into an exercise groove is much harder than I anticipated it would be. I used to be one of those early morning workout people. Up before the sun, ready to go! While I can’t say that’s me anymore, I hope to get back to AM workouts one day (when K regularly sleeps in until at least 6 am!). Currently, I’m in a season of life where it’s all about collective movement and fitting in what I can when I can. And not beating myself up when I can’t (this is key!).

With that being said, I am trying to be more intentional about the kind of workouts I do. With exercise being my ‘me time’ and an opportunity for me to destress, I want what I do to reflect how I feel. And that is why I’m bringing back Barre3 online workouts. After having Kaiden (and being cleared to work out again), Barre3 was the only thing that got me out of bed. It was the only workout that left me feeling good not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. I also love how it incorporates functional movements as well as cardio, strength, and stretching. I’m only a few days into it and already sore…those shakes and quakes are something I tell you!

If you’re interested in trying out Barre3 online, here’s a give $10, get $10 code. And if you want to read more about why I love it so much, check out these posts – 7 Reasons Why Barre3 Online is a Great Option for Moms and 5 Reasons to Try Barre3 Online.

Ok, now on to why I ‘quit’ BBG (for now at least)…

BBG is a great workout system. There’s no doubt about that. If you commit, you will see results. I certainly felt stronger and saw more definition in my legs, arms, and stomach area (I just can’t call it abs…because I’m so far from that!). The first time around, I got to week 5 (out of 12). The second time around (I started all over again), I got to week 9.

When I think back on my BBG workouts, the things I stopped enjoying included always working out by myself, the intensity of the workouts, and how monotonous they got to be after a while. So here’s the thing, I get that it’s only 28 minutes (in theory), they’re meant to be intense (that’s the whole point), and you’re supposed to build your strength from week 1 to 12. I get it all, but for me at this point in my life, BBG just isn’t working. So instead of doing it for the sake of doing it and finishing, I decided to ‘quit’ and say goodbye for now. I may pick it back up again at some point, but for now it’s Barre3, some wogging (walking + jogging), and Soul Cycle (still once a week when possible). Oh and lots of good old movement, which Kaiden ensures I get on the daily!

Overall, if I had to share one piece of insight I’ve learned in my own journey, I’d say this – do what makes you feel good because that’s what you’ll stick with through all of the ups and downs of…well, life! Don’t do something just because someone else is doing it. Do it for you! If you enjoy Barre, do that. If you like HIIT workouts, give BBG a try. If you’re a runner, stick with that. It’s good to try new things (all about that!), but at the end of the day, go with what you love. And remember, every little bit of movement adds up!

*Stepping off soap box…*

So tell me, what’s your preferred workout? What do you always go back to?

7 Reasons Why Barre3 Online is a Great Option for Moms

written by Parita 6 Comments

Alternative title – 7 Reasons Why Barre3 Online is a Great Option for Anyone

I chose to use ‘moms’ in the title because I can relate to the struggles moms face in the workout department. With that being said, I think Barre3 Online is a great at home option for people being pulled in every which direction.

I first wrote about Barre3 Online back in 2015. We were living in St. Petersburg, and I wanted to try something new because my workouts at the time mainly included running (both outdoor and treadmill) and strength training. Well, it’s now 2017, and I’m still talking about Barre3, so you know it’s good!

Personally, as I’ve transitioned to being a mom, I’ve found Barre3 to be a great way to get (and hopefully stay) strong again. Not only are the classes themselves effective and powerful, but the entire ‘system’ is amazing. I love the mind, body, and soul approach.

With that being said, here are 7 reasons why I think Barre3 Online is a great option for moms/anyone.

1: Cost – A monthly membership sets you back $29. Believe it or not, this is less than the cost of one in person class. And your membership includes hundreds of online classes, online support, access to delicious recipes, etc. Babies/kids are expensive, Barre3 isn’t!

2: Accessibility – Obviously with this being an online option, you can access the classes from anywhere – your living room, a hotel room, etc. As a mom, this is everything because you don’t need to worry about childcare. I usually fit my workouts in during nap time or after Kaiden goes down for the night. Also, you don’t need much equipment to break a sweat. If you don’t want to use just your body weight, you totally can. Want to take it up a notch? You can do that too with the help props – Barre3 core ball, a yoga mat, resistance bands, and/or light handheld weights.

3: Zen – Barre3 is my me time in all ways possible – physically as well as mentally. I love zening out and really focusing on my body, my breathing, my posture, etc. I can honestly say this workout makes me a better version of myself. A more patient version (always appreciated!).

4: Options (time, body part, equipment, etc.) – Low on time and looking for a 30 minute total body workout or a 10 minute upper body workout? Looking to take a ‘break’ and just stretch? All of of that and so much more is available on the Barre3 Online platform.

5: Tough yet gentle – Barre3 is known to be where ‘ballet barre meets yoga and pilates.’ This essentially means it’s a tough, low-impact workout. When I say tough, I’m talking sweat running down my face tough. And yes, even the 30 minute classes are tough. What I love about this tough yet gentle combo right now especially is that I get an effective workout (heart beating fast, muscles ‘quaking; and shaking) while being kind to my new #mombod. 🙂 You can always meet your body/mind where it is that day because every class offers a turbo and a non-turbo option. Love that!

6: Core focus – Until I had Kaiden, I didn’t realize how essential core strength is to being a mom. It’s literally on fire all day long, especially when taking care of K. Barre3 workouts really focus on the core, even when you’re not specifically working the core. Every exercise requires you to be aware of your core, which means it’s constantly on and working. I LOVE that because I HATE things like crunches. Ew.

7: Functional – In addition to the above, all Barre3 moves are functional. This means you really target the muscles used on a daily basis. You know, the muscles you use when you pick your baby up from the crib, squat down a million times to pick something up off the floor, etc.

Don’t take my word for it. Try Barre3 Online for yourself and let me know what you think!

No portion of this post is sponsored. However, there are referral links included. If you sign up using my link, we both get $10 off our subscriptions. Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!

Barre3 Online Review

written by Parita 9 Comments

Barre is all the rage right now. It’s like the kale of the fitness world.

What is barre? Well, I really like Barre3’s explanation – where ballet barre meets yoga and pilates. Basically, you use a barre (or chair if you’re working out at home) to balance your body while alternating between pulsing type movements of various exercises and high reps of small range of motion movements of the same exercises.

I know this doesn’t sound super intense, but it is. Trust me. I went into this whole barre thing a cynic, but it turns out it’s a super effective way to train the body. The puddle of sweat around my yoga mat proves it.

Barre classes at barre studios are pretttty expensive. We’re talking $35 a class expensive. I don’t know about you, but that’s not something we can afford right now.

That’s where Barre3 Online comes in. With Barre3’s [affordable] online workouts, you can turn your living room into a barre studio.

If you can’t tell already, I’m hooked. In fact, it’s been exactly a month since I signed up with Barre3 online. When I first started, I decided to take advantage of the two free weeks. I made a deal with myself that if I did 2-3 workouts a week, I could sign up for the $15 monthly plan. Guess what? I did it! I average about 3 barre workouts a week right now.

If you’re looking to switch things up or just want to try something new, I highly recommend taking advantage of the two week trial.

And if you need more convincing, here are my top five reasons to try Barre3 online…

1. Convenience – For me, the convenience that comes with at home workouts can’t be beat! It’s like having your own personal trainer for pennies a day.

2. Minimal equipment – Barre3 Online workouts require minimal equipment. While there are a few no equipment options (great for when you’re traveling), most require a yoga mat at the very least. If you’re planning to make Barre3 workouts a regular thing, I recommend investing in light hand weights (2-3 pounds) and the Barre3 ab ball. If you’re not ready to buy the ball, a rolled up towel kind of sort of works too.

A little tip if you do want to buy the ball. After signing up, go to the online shop, put the ball in your shopping cart, and don’t check out. I did this and ended up getting a 25% off code emailed to me a couple of days later!

3. Variety – There’s a huge variety of Barre3 Online workouts available. You pick how long of a workout you want (10, 30, 40, or 60 minutes) and what part of the body you want to focus on (upper, lower, total, core, etc.).

Depending on the class you select, you often end up getting some cardio, quite a bit of stretching, and lots of strength all in one!

4. Barre3 is challenging – Like I said before, I used to be super cynical about these kinds of workouts. And then I quaked and I sweated and I took breaks because it’s HARD! After my first 30 minute no equipment workout, I was sore for two days!

Not only is Barre3 physically challenging, but it’s a great mental workout too. You have to focus or you’ll literally fall over! But don’t worry, there’s always someone moderating the movements.

5. Great instructors – When it comes to workout DVDs and online workouts, sometimes the instructors suck or you just don’t jive with their energy. I’ve tried quite a few Barre3 online classes and can personally vouch for how great ALL of the instructors are! It may take a class or two to understand the lingo and flow, but once you get it, every class feels the same regardless of who’s leading. I love that!

I hope you try and love Barre3 online! Let me know if you decide to sign up.

Thanks for reading!

Have you ever tried a barre workout? Thoughts?

A “Me” Weekend Recap

written by Parita 12 Comments

This ended up being a true ‘Parita’ weekend. With Vishnu working on both Friday and Saturday, I had lots of time to get the ‘must do’ things out of the way – cleaning, laundry, etc. And in between all of the musts, I made time for one of my favorite activities…reading!

You guys! I finished both Crazy Rich Asians and its sequel China Rich Girlfriend. I went on reading frenzy! I’ll share more about these books later, but I highly recommend both. If you’re looking for funny, crazy, over-the-top books, Kevin Kwan’s novels are it.

Before sitting down to read on Saturday morning, I turned my living room into a pseudo barre studio and completed a 40 minute online Barre3 workout. I’m enjoying the different workouts so far and even bought the Barre ball (because a towel just doesn’t cut it!). More about Barre3 online coming soon!

Saturday also included a little bit of baking. I had a hankering for cookies that combined peanut butter and chocolate chips, so I tried my hand at making some…without a recipe. And they didn’t out half bad! I’m sure I’ll be making these again soon, and next time I’ll jot everything down and share!

While I waited for Vishnu to come home from work with our dinner, I watched UGA kick S. Carolina’s butt! And then when he got home, we continued watching the game while eating eggplant parm pizza. YUM!

On Sunday morning, I woke up, asked VIshnu what the temperature was (a cool (ha!) 79 degrees), and headed out for a run. Umm, my run turned into a run/walk and then just a walk. The heat was unbearable. By the time I got home 45 minutes later, it was 85 degrees. CENTRAL FLORIDA, PLEASE COOL DOWN ASAP!

After I got home and got ready, we headed out for our lunch date that Vishnu planned. He made reservations at a restaurant in Tampa called Green Lemon, a hipster Mexican place (Vishnu’s definition!). The atmosphere was very relaxed, fun, and colorful, and the food/drinks were delicious and very fresh.

We started with spicy Bloody Mary’s. YUM!

For my entrée, I ordered a veggie quesadilla, and for his, Vishnu’s ordered a trio of tacos. We both left fuller than expected but happy with our choices. Everything was flavorful and satisfying. Exactly what we were looking for!

And of course, we ended the weekend with football!

Happy Monday and thanks for reading!

What was the best thing you ate this weekend?

Please note: There are a few affiliate links in today’s post. Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!

Weekend Recap–Just the Two of Us

written by Parita 11 Comments

Just the two of us. The perfect way to describe our weekend. Vishnu was home by 1:30 pm on Friday and didn’t have to work on Saturday or Sunday. Instead of making specific plans to fill our time, we decided to wing it and relax. No better way to spend the weekend, especially given that Vishnu’s going back to a six days a week/12 hours a day schedule.

Here’s how we filled our days…

Taco Bus

Vishnu was craving Mexican food on Friday and asked if I wanted to try Taco Bus. I just so happened to have a Taco Bus coupon (one free entrée), so I was on board!

The coolest thing about this place is that the kitchen is literally located inside a renovated school bus. So you order at the front window (much like a food truck) and take a seat on the outdoor patio where you food is brought out to you. Thankfully, it didn’t rain on Friday, so we were able to enjoy our meal in the beautiful Florida sunshine (for once!).

I ordered the nachos – queso, veggies, and tofu (as my chosen protein). The portion size looked small at first, but I was sufficiently stuffed by the end of our meal. I’d definitely order this again!

Vishnu ordered two tacos – fish and chicken – and was happy with his decision. Everything was fresh and nicely seasoned.

We hear that the original Taco Bus in Tampa is amazing, so we’ll have to check that out at some point.

College Football

Both the UGA and Georgia Tech games were on at the same time, so we switched back and forth between the two for a while. House divided!

House hunting

We spent most of our Saturday morning looking at homes in Chicago. Since we’ll be there for at least four years, we’re thinking about buying versus renting. It’s all super exciting to think about but a little nerve racking at the same time. Eep!

Reading

I FINALLY finished The Poisonwood Bible! I’ll share more soon.

About Me page

I rewrote my About Me page. It needed a bit of an update and an overall refresh. Check it out!

Homemade treats

We were both craving something chocolaty on Saturday night, so I made a batch of Lindsay’s Freezer Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. You guys, you HAVE TO make these at some point. I used crunch PB and chia seeds but feel free to add whatever mix ins you like.

I also made these Blender Banana Oatmeal Muffins. I was looking for a healthy go to snack, and these muffins did the trick. Fair warning, these are on the extreme end of the healthy spectrum, but still taste delicious.

Target

I had two things on my Target list. I ended up coming home with four. Not bad, considering that I can easily spend $100+ at Target. And get this, I had $11 worth of coupons, so I only ended up spending $25.

I found this shirt in the clearance rack. $6!!! Plaid shirt + jeans + boots = my (eventual) Fall outfit.

Barre3 Online

After reading about Barre3 Online workouts on Kacy’s blog, I decided to take advantage of the free 15 day trial and see what the hype is all about. I did a 30 minute workout on Sunday, and at one point, my entire body was shaking. I’ll share more once I’ve tried a few more classes. But so far, this whole Barre thing seems pretty legit!

Naan pizzas

With a lot of help from my friend Trader Joe’s, I made delicious naan pizzas for dinner last night – pesto, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and chicken (for Vishnu). Yum!

NFL games

Football season is officially upon us, people! There was some serious game watching happening at the MIS house yesterday. The serious part only applies to Vishnu. I was in and out during most of the games. I will, however, be watching tonight’s Falcons game because Matt Ryan is my QB this week, and his performance will determine whether I win or lose! Wish me luck!

Well, these are just a few snippets from our weekend. I hope you had a great one as well!

Happy Monday and thanks for reading. Smile