Fitness Magazine

It all started back in April 1st, 2014. I was just a few classes into being released from my second shoulder surgery.

I was at Sadie's first class teaching in the new Williams studio and was obviously requiring some additional help and modifications, for which Sadie was very aware. She also mentioned my weight loss/surgery a time or two! There happened to be an editor from Fitness Magazine in the class who was there to visit with barre3 about being in their magazine. I left class, unknowing what was about to unfold.

barre3 met with Fitness, and they asked about me. And the rest, as they say, is history.

I received an email from Kait connecting me with Karla from NYC. From there, I filled out the "I DID IT" section application, which told my story. 2 months went by and I hadn't heard anything. Then, one day, I got an email saying that they wanted to feature me in the magazine!! Me. It was surreal. We had just a week to schedule the photo shoot because I was about to go on vacation!

Wouldn't you know it...but it rained the day of my photo shoot but I think that made the light even better! Here are a few of my favorite pictures by the wonderful photographer Robbie McClaran.

I still can't believe I was in an international magazine. It's mind boggling really. I figure I bought about 50 copies, giving many out to studios, family, and my village of doctors!

The winning picture! 

The Article

The barre3 blog blurb

Reinspired!

I had all these grand plans of blogging the last few months but my work and daydreams got in the way! Work is going well. My daydreams, that's another thing.

Moving forward it is my goal to help others, especially with PCOS, do what I have done - to create a heathy life and a happy life. It's the strangest feeling in the world when your daydreams don't come true when you want them to, and it turns out to be the best thing that's ever happened.

Looking forward to 2015!!!

on the news!

I'm telling you, this is a crazy & wonderful ride I'm on. About a month ago I took a 1/2 a personal day and did something amazing...I was on the news! And yes, I know I am behind!

Filming. My eyes look HUGE!

I was so honored to be asked to speak on behalf of barre3! Sadie was interviewed first and then they asked me a few questions. It is terrifying to be in front of the camera and I'm always nervous I'm going to mess up but it wasn't live TV so that made it a bit easier. 

I've learned to stand tall, focus (which is hard for me :), and take my time if I need to so I can answer the questions with clarity. 

The spot was aired that night...here's the link - Annie on KATU

After the interview we took a class and Matt, the reporter, took with us led by the amazing Kait! I brought him 3 pounds weights to start and he said "Is there anything heavier?" and I told him there was but these would likely be enough. During the class he actually put them down and during the segment said "I had to put down the weights and they were just 3 pounds." He sweated through both of his shirts he was wearing, as did the rest of us! 

Sadie, Robyn, and I before class!!

I'm in the back!

During class!

So proud of the old me who turned into the new me!

Crazy!!

I swear I was happy. I just get so nervous!!

Me & Sadie!

What an experience this was. And then, that night after it aired, I got an email from Sadie saying how well I did. Nothing like positive praise from someone you look up to!!

I love barre3 (as if you didn't already know that)!!!

Fingers crossed {for more of this}!!!

PS. That night I also CHOPPED off my hair. This makes me miss it!

b3 challenge - starting week 2

Today was day one of week two of the barre3 spring challenge! So far my favorite part has been connecting with people on Instagram, my jeans fitting better, and proving to myself that I can do this!

week one - done!

Week one went really well. I got all my classes & 10 minutes in, made great connections, lost 1 pound and had NO treats from the staff room. Which, during teacher appreciation week, is saying a LOT about my level of self control. I might have had a few too many barre3 treats but I figure those are better than the processed stuff any day!

I know from past experiences that this week will be hard! It's the week when I'll want the treats I didn't allow myself to have last week. It will be the week that my mind wants the things my body used to crave. Thankfully, I've already scheduled my classes for the week, my snacks are prepped, and I have the whole barre3 community watching me! Peer pressure is a wonderful thing sometimes.

Here's some pictures of week one!!!

hers & his smoothies

I always pack my bag the night before! One less thing in the AM!

I think I am the only one at barre3 Vancouver bringing my orange ball!

Had an awesome HH Friday class at barre3 Williams!

Whitney, Me, Sarah, Maggie

My goal this week is to make myself proud. 

Fingers crossed {that week 2 is just as good as week 1}...

back at it...barre3 challenge style!

WOW! Has it really been over a month since I've posted!?!? I kind of can't believe it but then what I look back at what I've been up to I can!

I'll definitely go back and update you on things that have been happening but starting today I want to go forward. Forward in all things in my life but mainly, the barre3 Spring Challenge!

This couldn't have come at a more perfect time for me! I'm allowed to do barre3 (granted - with major modifications) and I gained 7 pounds after this second shoulder surgery so my body definitely needs it. Yes, I know the number on the scale shouldn't mean anything but it's not just about the weight. It's about how my clothes fit and how I feel. My clothes fit tight and my body feel bloated!

I didn't do barre3 from December 31st - March 24th. It was, quite possibly, the worst 3 months of my life. I was so down about surgery #2 and not being able to do barre3 that I just gave up. Well, not all the way but was definitely more lax that I should have been (can you say CHEESE?!?!). But you know what, that's okay, to an extent. It's going to happen again (and again) and now I know how much I don't like the feeling of letting myself go! I have learned from the past and hopefully when a big event in my future comes I'll know how to handle it better!

I think the toughest part of the bulge is that I'm having to actually work to get it off! Up until last June when I had surgery #1 and plateaued at my weight I hadn't struggled to lose weight...it just came off! Lucky, I know!

I'm hoping this barre3 spring challenge will be my newest jumping off point! Here are the details...And, as with almost anything, you can make it your own! My fellow barre3 Ambassador Robyn is also blogging her way through the challenge and all things whole, good food! Check her out!

~ 4 studio classes per week
~ 2, 10 minute online workouts per week
~ Whole, fresh, organic foods using the barre3 nutrition guidelines

There is a menu plan but I'm not going to follow it each and every day because I just know my brain doesn't work like that. And that's part of the process - learning what works for you and your family. We work better when we have 4 meals per week planned and we can have them when we want!

Day One of food & earning my barre3 sticker!!

Day two Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie. +banana for Jason

This is the first challenge I've been able to do since I did the tester round of barre3 28-to-Great back in September 2012. I think back then I wasn't as ready as I needed to be...but this time I'm in. ALL IN!

Fingers crossed {that in 1 month I feel 100% better}...

a day in the life...

...of ME!

The day after the workout video I was in came out, a blog expose about me was published on the barre3 blog! Super humbling and super exciting!!

I was approached by Kait to help write the blog post and inspire people to live the barre3 life throughout their days. Everything I said on here, I truly do!!

6am: Wake Up

6:10am: Start a 10 minute workout. My go-to this early is Standing Energy Blast: Legs, Glutes, + Core because it doesn’t require anything besides my dresser and my glasses!

7-7:15am: Quick Breakfast. My favorite quick breakfast is the “Glass Half Full” Detox Smoothie, especially because I can prep it the night before.

8:00am: Arrive at school to teach my students—I’m a special education teacher at an elementary school.

12:00-1pm: Lunch! I always have leftovers & a salad. To save time, I prep my salads four at a time on Sundays so that they’re ready to go each morning. I also squeeze in some quick exercise on my lunch break. During the winter I do a workout on the barre3 App. In the spring and fall I walk a lap outside on the track.

3:30pm: Say goodbye to the kids and head to barre3 Vancouver for class.

4:15 – 5:15pm: This is my favorite time to take class. It’s always packed which gives me so much energy, but it lets me get home in enough time to cook and have dinner with my husband.

5:15-5:30pm: After class, I connect with the instructor and other clients. The face time I get in studio after class helps me stay on track and motivated. I also use this time to plug into Facebook and Instagram to share my workout and see how my other friends’ workouts went that day. I’m a member of a few closed fitness focused Facebook groups, and I love supporting others to help them reach their fitness goals.

5:45-7pm: Prepare dinner. If my husband is home from work, he helps me cook too. Our favorite go-to during the week is the DIY Salad or DIY Bowl because they’re so easy. We always make big batches of the meat and chopped veggies for leftovers during the week.

7:00-7:30pm: Dinner time. I love this part of the day because it gives us a chance to sit down and connect over a healthy, balanced meal.

8:00-8:45pm: Epsom salt baths are another highlight of my day. I take one each evening as part of my bedtime ritual. Baths help me to relax and calm down before bed.

8:45-10pm: Reading in bed, then sleep!

What really got me was the part of the blog post I was not involved in...

For a definition of “glow,” you could check out the dictionary, or better yet, check out Annie Eeds. Not only does she glow from the inside out, she inspires us all to embrace whole-body health through her own dramatic transformation.

 

Even though she’s lost 80 pounds since she started as a client at barre3, she isn’t fixated on a number on the scale. Instead, Annie coined the term “off-the-scale victories” to describe the successes that are most important to her. (It’s a term we’ve since adopted and embraced.) Some of Annie’s biggest victories include no longer being at risk for diabetes, having energy to climb the stairs, the ability to balance in Warrior III better than she ever thought possible, and inspiring her husband to take better care of himself.

 

Annie is so successful because she understands that being healthy isn’t just about the time she spends working out in studio and online. She focuses on self care all day long, and she inspires my team and I to do the same through her commitment and positive energy. She was kind enough to share her daily routine with us; read on to peek inside a day in the life of Annie Eeds.

 

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I was SO honored to be featured on barre3.com blog. I love sharing my story and reaching others. While I wish I'd said something on here about PCOS but there is a "special project" coming up soon that I'll be featured in and they said that my PCOS would be mentioned! That's been such a HUGE part of my journey.

 

I truly do love my Non Scale Victories. I'm not sure where I first heard that term...I believe it was on Instagram. It means taking time to focus on the positive things you're doing and not just the number on the scale. Sure, the number on the scale gives you information but it can fluctuate SO much!

My very favorite NSV is back in September 2012 when I first realized I was beautiful...when looking in a barre3 mirror.

Fingers crossed {that you can fit some barre3 in to your day today}!!!

light, camera, SMILE!

Years ago I couldn't imagine doing a workout video...much less being in one!

It's been almost a year that we've been talking about this happening! First, it was supposed to be the day after my 30th birthday {March 2012}. Then, in the summer, twice, but surgery foiled those plans. Finally...last fall we had a date for filming the workout!! I was just a few weeks shy of shoulder surgery 2.0 so I didn't use weights and was the modifier, which was fine by me!!

I was lucky enough to get to film with my mentor/idol Sadie and my fellow barre3 devotee Robyn!

Robyn, Sadie, Myself

 

We filmed down at the home office one afternoon. That meant I got to see my favorite photog, Zach, who is always so nice!! Thankfully we were only filming a 10 minute workout...just that was hard so I can't imagine filing a 60 minute one! We did it two time through and the second time was the one they used. In the first one I looked a bit like a deer about to get hit by a car.

 

It was a very surreal experience to be in a workout video. To know that thousands (if not more) people are going to view this, do this, and hear a bit about my story!! It's mind boggling.

 

 

A video of me watching the barre3 video I was in.

 

I was very emotional watching this - as you can tell by my quivering lip and labored breathing and I definitely shed some happy tears. It's very tough to put in to words what I was feeling and am feeling about this. Because I have been willing to be an open book I have had so many opportunities, many of them through barre3. I am thankful for each of them and am so happy that this amazing memory was caught on video!

 

http://www.barre3.com/videos/total-body-10/

Click on the link above to view OR DO my FREE 10 minute workout for barre3.

Leave a comment here if you do my video!!

Fingers crossed {that this might not be my last video}...

shoulder surgery 2.0 {the details}...

The day before surgery 2.0 I took my last Barre3 class for three months. At the time I thought it would only be 6 weeks but my surgeon had other plans...

12.30.13

I miss this view

I have to say that surgery really went well! Bright and early on New Year's Eve day we checked into the hospital. I was less nervous this time around which I believe led to less pain meds which lead to less of a pain med hangover so that was a good thing! I wasn't nearly as delirious as I was last time...there was no cussing about where by bed had gone ;-)

ready to rock #2

This time around they didn't want me to wear my barre3 bracelets into the surgery center which, for some reason, made me really emotional! Thankfully I have a fabulous husband and he decided that Squirt the teddy bear could wear them as bracelets because he was allowed to come into the operating room again! Seriously, best husband ever!!! Recovery went well, I preferred apple sauce this time around as opposed to crackers.

The surgery ended up being more invasive than we thought. Or really, the tare ended up being worse. I still had a labrum tear but this time I tore the whole thing, where as last time I just tore a portion of it. So this time it was double the repair. He had to go through scar tissue, add 2 more anchors, and 3 more stitches. Something that I learned this time that I didn't conceptually understand last time is that a labrum is like a ligament but it has to reattach to the bone. So it doesn't just have to heal but reattach. Crazy!! I either didn't hear that or understand it last time but this time I do. That is why there won't be any barre3 for 6 weeks after I'm out of the sling...so it can fully heal.

Once we got home I had zero pain, which worried me slightly but one call to the surgeon's nurse assured me that it was okay that I wasn't in pain. The first 4 days were easy - relatively speaking. Day 5 is when the trouble started. Since I wasn't in pain I decided to wean myself off of my pain meds and I did it WAY too fast and had MAJOR withdrawals! Not fun.

Since I haven't been in much pain I've been sleeping in the bed since day 10 - as where last time I was in the recliner for 7 weeks. This has been a nice change of pace, pain wise.

We have been thankful to all of our friends and family who have helped us out in so many ways during this time. The dinners were delicious, the treats exciting, and the time helpful! My Mom spend days 3 & 4 with me so Jason could continue to work. It was nice to spend a few days with her. Unfortunately for Jason days 5 & 6 were the worst ;-)

my online barre3 friend Katie sent me these!

I got them the day we go home...it was a very drug-induced convo explaining who they were from to my husband!

 

barre3 dinner, juice, flowers from the home office & magazines/books

This time around I will be in the sling for 6.5 weeks instead of 5 weeks like last time. I won't be going back to barre3 for at least 6 weeks after that, where as last time I went back after 5 days. I am following all the rules this time...I do not want to do this a 3rd time! This time around is a bit more boring because my friends are all at work but I've been trying to get out of the house every day either to go to the store, the gym to walk on the treadmill {okayed by surgeon} or an appointment.

Things are going good!! 14 more sleeps until the sling comes off!!

Fingers crossed {that this good trend continues}...

the day that I fell in love in barre3...

...well, maybe it wasn't that easy.

2 years ago I walked into barre3 Vancouver for the first time. In my memory it was "love at first sight" but my husband has other views. His views are probably more accurate. He says that I did enjoy it but I was sore for DAYS, worried about how much it costs, and just wasn't ready. I know all of that but boy, am I glad that those thoughts didn't stick.

 

It took me just about 4 months to go back to barre3. In between when I first went and April 2012 I had lost about 20 pounds, worked out with my trainer a lot, and was in a better place mentally. There was some "community free" classes which means they were free, so that was an added bonus. From then on...I was hooked!!!

Today, I am not going to barre3. I am at home resting and prepping for shoulder surgery 2.0 which is in 2 days. I went yesterday and will go tomorrow and both of those classes will be taught my owner {and one of my very favorite instructors} Carrie!

Tomorrow will be my 180th class. It will be about 14 hours before my second shoulder surgery and 208 days since my last one. It will be almost 800 days since my tipping point and will mark another 6 week set that I won't be able to go to a studio class.

Tomorrow will be emotional for many reasons but mostly because I am proud of what I have accomplished.

Fingers crossed {that my love for barre3 never dies}!!!

i've been MIA...

...but only in the blogging world.

After my {self} record breaking 30 days of blogging about my 30 thoughts of my weight loss journey I think my brain & my fingers needed a break! But really...only my fingers got a break because I feel like I've been as busy as ever!

After I hit the 2 year mark I decided to stop tracking my weight with Weight Watchers. I started out 2 years ago following the plan, tracking food & weight, and learning SO MUCH from their website. As time has gone on I have proved to myself that I can handle the planning, choosing, and eating on my own. I am very grateful for the WW program and I know it will always be there should I need it again...but I don't plan on it!

Here's a recap of what I've been up to the last few weeks...

Halloween MRI

DinoAnnie

Rainbow Annie at bus duty!

Dressed up in Vegas {whole post on that to come}

Detoxing from Vegas!

Lemon Meringue Pie!!

Being an honorary Lincoln!!

Cupping.

Hot cocoa & fire!

Christmas Tree of 2013

Shoulder surgery approved.

 

That's not all...but that's the jist!

Fingers crossed {this next month is WAY less stressful than the last}...

the 2 year mark!!!

Today marks 2 years since my tipping point. And you know how I celebrated...

Kait, Mom, Noel, Bree, Sara, Brooke, Jason

Erica, Me, Sabrina, Alison

{missing from the picture is Brian, Alison's husband}

 

BARRE3, of course!!!

 

I had invited my friends & family to join be at the barre for a class!! I was so happy with the turn out. A few of my village battled Portland rush hour traffic to be there with me. Erica taught a ROCKING class, it was so faced paced I didn't have time to cry. Except for at the end...the tears definitely came! Erica played "Girl on Fire" and dedicated it to me and then I looked around and saw my husband, Mom, and some of the very best friends a girl could ask for.

 

Flowers and cards from three of my biggest cheerleaders.

 

Carrie - owner of barre3 who accepted me for who I was and treats me like one of her own!

Amanda - my personal trainer who believed in me LONG before I believed in myself.

Kait & the barre3 Home Office - who continue to support & surprise me with their generosity.

Cards from Carrie & Amanda

The words on the outside are powerful. The words on the inside made my cry.

 

Afterwards Jason, Bree, Noel and I went to grab dinner since it was 7:30 and we were starving. We headed to the Mexican restaurant that shares a parking lot with barre3. It'd been a very long time since I'd been to a Mexican restaurant. Part of me really, REALLY wanted to get a cheese quesadilla but my friends reminded me I didn't need that. Instead I got a taco salad and it was very good!

 

Me, Noel & Bree

These two have stood by me and lifted me up through some of the roughest patches of my life.

 

Jason & I

I just love him SSSOOO much!!!

 

I have many feelings about this milestone and the future...

 

 

It is going to be interesting to see how this "maintenance" part of my change goes. I've been the same weight for about 12 weeks now so I really do consider myself in maintenance. Sure, I want to get tighter and more toned but I don't think my number on the scale is going to move easily anymore - and that's okay! I know I will never go back to where I was!! More on how I plan to tackle the maintenance part of my journey, later!

 

Fingers crossed {that maintenance is as easy as losing weight was}!!!