Happy Monday, peeps! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I hit up Roundtop on Saturday, we had a date night and we also celebrated Mr. Fancy’s birthday! To say that it was a jam-packed weekend is an understatement! I was NOT ready for Monday!! But, alas, here we are and I am pooped!
Today, we are going get a bit personal. I’m going to share the types of pictures that I don’t usually share. So, let me give you a back story on me first. I am a small person, I am barely 5’2. I probably seem taller to you in pictures. It’s an optical illusion…because I have long legs for a shorty! #thanksforthelegsmom My legs make me seem taller. I’ve never been an extremely thin person…it has never come naturally to me. I’ve always had to workout to maintain it and when I don’t, I can seem to maintain my weight, but not the toned body, If that makes sense?!
So, this past year has been a busy one. We listed our house, we moved, we renovated, we traveled. WE.WERE.BUSY. It didn’t leave much time for working out and I did miss it at times. I didn’t think I would, because, I must admit, I don’t enjoy working out. I don’t get a high from it. I do it because I need to, physically and it’s so great for you mentally, as well. After eating out nightly for weeks when we renovated the kitchen, I could tell my pants were a bit tighter. I hate that feeling. I knew I needed to get back to gym, but time is lacking. I don’t have tons of free time to spend in the gym, so I just let it go and figured I’d make time when I could. We went on vacation for spring break and I hated how my stomach looked in pictures and I thought, okay, it’s time to finally get toned up. For no one, but myself. I always say, I don’t care what the scale says, as long as I’m comfortable in my skin and my clothes, then I’m good. I don’t put too much stock in weight. Example: I lost 10 pounds in the fall after I gave up gluten and I’ve gained it all back. Weight is just a number and I think how you feel is so much more important than that! So, a couple weeks ago, I decided it was time to try and really dedicate myself to trying a new and fun routine.
Enter Pure Barre. I’ve done barre type workouts before and really didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere. I think I probably wasn’t doing the movements correctly. Now, I always tell a new teacher that I appreciate them correcting my form. If I’m not doing something correctly, then it’s a waste of my time and let’s face it, I don’t have tons of free time as it is, so, I need my workouts to count! So, I committed to trying Pure Barre 3-4 times a week for 60 days and I decided to bring you along on the journey. I am also going to show you the areas that I’m trying to tone up. This is out of my comfort zone, but I think it will be neat to see how this workout routine can change the body over the next two months. And let’s face it, that hour a day is so helpful. It’s total “me time.” Time that all I do is think about how to stay in certain positions. It’s been so nice, so far! I love that aspect. It’s hard for me to turn off my mind from racing and I can truly say, during this hour a day, I can completely focus on me and my workout. This is very doable for others too, because there are Pure Barre studios all over!! *PS These pics took a lot of courage. There’s no sucking in and it’s all out there. It’s much easier to take photos with the stomach and back area covered! Ha! But, in true realness, I’m showing you my before! And I will be excited to show you my after in 60 days.
So, my ultimate goal is tone my stomach and my back. I don’t want a six pack by any means, I just want that area to be tighter and less flabby. I’ve had two babies, so it’s definitely a loose skin area! I think my legs and arms will follow suit, but my stomach area and my back are my trouble spots. It’s always been hard for me to tone my stomach area and keep it toned. Again, it’s all about sticking to a routine, which is tough for me. So here, we go! And don’t get me wrong, I know I’m not overweight by any means, so please don’t take it that way. I just want to look healthier, feel healthier and I want my clothes to fit better. I love how working out helps the mind too! This hour a day has already done wonders for me and I just admit that I do feel less stressed since beginning this. I will also say that an unexpected benefit to this, is friendships. I have met some great people through Pure Barre and I have a few friends that go, as well. It’s nice to have each other to hold us accountable. I think it’s so important to have people in your corner rooting for you! And I am happy to be rooting for others as well!! I’m excited to see where this journey takes me and I am excited to share the ups and downs of this with you!
SPORTS BRA // PANTS // TOP
SPORTS BRA // PANTS // TOP
Now a little info about Pure Barre and why I chose this method of exercise:
–Pure Barre includes cardio, which is ideal. The platform barre class is equivalent to running sprints, gaining lean muscle mass & burning unwanted fat at your own pace in 1 hour. I do one of these classes a week and this is one of my favorite days. If there were more of these classes that worked with my schedule, I would definitely do more. I was scared to try this class at first, but actually love the platform class now!
-The classes are ALL open to anyone! It’s truly a non-competitive environment and all the teachers are knowledgeable and they truly want to help you with your goals and they want to see you get results, as much as you do! They are rooting for you and to me, this is so key!
-There are new classes coming this summer! There is a new class format that incorporates cardio, resistance and the platform – but with a totally new twist. Can’t wait to try this one!!
-The Pure Foundations class is also coming soon! This class is slower and a great option to come and get a workout, but everything is much slower so you can learn the technique before taking it to the next level. Great for beginners!
And last, Pure Barre is results driven and can be a one stop shop. Giving your best effort in class and working on cleaning up your diet, make it one of those workouts where you actually see feminine, strong results! YESSSSSSS!
I will be taking pictures every 2 weeks to keep track of my progress and then at the end of my 60 days, I will blog about it again and show you my results and all the pictures in-between! I will also share lots of stuff on my Insta Stories, so be sure to check those out, as well!
Thank you for your constant support and I truly look forward to sharing this with you! If you are local, come try one of the two studios HERE and tell them Fancy Ashley sent you!! Or if you have a Pure Barre near you, you should also try it out!! I think you will love it! I hope your week is off to a great start! XO!
A big shoutout to Jaimee and Heather, who own our local Pure Barre studios! Super thankful for these gals and their commitment to helping us all succeed in our fitness routines!!
Photography by Melissa Parsons
Good luck on your fitness journey! I began doing PB at the beginning of the year and have “enjoyed” being more active and on my way to being more toned. I have a long way to go but will be rooting you on! Thanks for your openness!
Dawn! Good luck to you, too!! Keep me posted on your results! I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you! I am really hoping I can keep up the momentum! XO!
I love this post! I just joined Orangetheory a week ago and I, too, have committed to working my butt off and eating healthy for the next sixty days. We moved in the fall and it’s been an especially busy season for us. I’m looking forward to seeing how hard I can push myself this month and next. I’m looking forward to following along with your journey, too!
Thanks, girl! I’ve heard Orangetheory is awesome!!! I’m trying really hard right now, too! The moves are so tough and it’a hard to stay on track! Good for you!! Cant wait to hear about your journey as well! I’m cheering you on! XO!
You go girl! You look good right now, but I totally understand the need to tone up! I have been doing something similar the past year, fitness for me! I’m a ways down my journey but have more that I want to accomplish! Good luck, and we will be here being supportive!
Thanks, girl!!! Good for you!!! I think that “me time” is so key!!! Good luck to you, too! XO!
You look great!! I’m on my own journey of getting more toned. Keep us posted.
Thanks, Lydia! Good luck on your journey as well! XO
Hi Ashley. I also started doing Pure Barre this year. I began in January and just finished the March challenge. I have yet to try a platform class due to intimidation. I’ve noticed very small results in my own body but I’m committed to a year so we’ll see how it goes. Good luck to you!
Hi! A year is a great amount of time to commit! Good for you! You should try a platform class! I actually love them. They are so fast paced and fun! XO
Do you just search the Pure Barre website for classes in your area? I’m definitely intrigued by this but I haven’t heard of any places nearby that offer the classes 🙁 Good luck on your fitness journey! I’m sure you’ll do great!
Yes! Check PureBarre.com and see if there are studios in your area. If not, search barre type studios in your area and hopefully you can find something that is similar! XO
You look great already and I love the idea of this post for motivation! I really need to start getting in shape and working out but have had a hard time finding something I really like. I’ve thought about PureBarre but wasn’t sure how competitive or if it would be filled with super-skinny girls looking at me all out of breath :).
I also have tried BodyPump before and it was so painful for the next 4-5 days I could barely walk – was it really bad after the first workout? Can’t wait to hear more about it!
omg, i tried a body pump class twice and it was so rough! i was in awful pain. pure barre definitely works all different areas of the body…places I didn’t even know i could workout! lol. it’s definitely a good sore after class. I’m always sore. But, it’s not bad. I always feel like when I’m sore, I know I had a good workout! no one will look at you for being out of breath! everyone is out of breath and we are all there with the same fitness goals in mind. it’s definitely a great place! XO
I was a Pure Barre instructor and it’s a great workout. Mostly though I wanted to say it’s so great that you put yourself out there. As women we are so tough on ourselves and think everyone else is perfect and I find it so refreshing to see someone I love following and who’s style I admire putting it out there and being so brave. Definitely inspiring and a reason I am a huge fan of yours! Xo
So refreshing and empowering to put yourself out there!!! Any size or shape, every woman has SOMETHING they want to work on and i LOVE how you said the number doesn’t matter, it’s all how you feel!! – I hit the ground running in the new year but literally visited my gym 0 times in March. AGH! Thanks for the inspiration and motivation!
Xo
I love this!! I am in the same boat – not overweight but the pants are fitting tighter and I want to get healthy so I’ve been focusing really hard on a healthier lifestyle. So far, it’s been working and I can’t wait to follow your journey!! This will help me with my motivation as well! Have fun!!
Major kudos to you for letting it all “hang out” and showing us what we don’t see behind the clothes! I look forward to following your journey and wish you the best of luck!
I absolutely love your “realness” and how relatable you are! I think this amazing that you are sharing your journey with us. You are beautiful and strong! I’m cheering for you!
On week 4 of Pure Barre. About 5′ 1″ and about 118 lbs. Could lose a few pounds but mostly trying to tone up. Not seeing any changes on the scale but feeling stronger. The biggest issue, with working full time, is to find the time to take a class 3-4 times a week, which is necessary if you are going to get the results from PB. Going to give it another month or two to see how it goes. And to see if i can keep with with that schedule. Will be following your progress. Appreciate you sharing – very inspiring!
Thank you for your honest review of Pure Barre! God Bless you for being authentic and real. As a mama to a 15 year old, my tummy has never really been the same since he was born and I have been thinking its time to tone up and get energy. I love the accountability aspect to classes, and the teaching is so helpful:) I live for your dressing room reviews-you always choose such awesome peices to style:)