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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Move over Pilates, Pole Dancing Builds a HARD CORE!

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Try-It Tuesdays: 

I’m all about trying to get off the weight, but I’m sure you’ll agree the idea of being on a treadmill day after day makes it hard to get motivated enough to get your hiney moving beyond all the other things you have to do every day. So in my pursuit of creating a BETTER ME in 2013, I decided to jump off the normal exercise routine and look at some unique options for working off the inches while keeping my interest peaked. 

Oh, mama, did I. 

This week’s Try-It Tuesday brought me to pole dancing. *blush*

Yes, I did folks, I walked right on in to that class and rocked that pole…actually, that pole rocked me in ways I didn’t even expect! 


I wasn’t sure actually what to expect, so in hindsight I probably should have done a few shots before going, but in the name of blogging I was committed to finding out how this could make me fit and not just feel fabulous. 

Once again, a Groupon caught my eye and I decided to buy a package for POLEITICIANS. Close to home in Arlington (with other locations in Richardson and Rockwall), I threw on my leggings and tank top and womaned up to whatever I was asked to TRY to do. 

After circling the parking lot for 20 minutes, I found myself in a small room with six poles, a group of ladies (including 3 newbies + myself) and a powerful professional pole teacher, all ready for Level 1. We didn’t waste anytime getting into working our bodies; only five-minutes into the class for the warm-up, I could feel my poor core and thighs just shaking. 

Man, move over pilates, pole dancing is where it is at to work that core!


I was able to continue to the actually routine portion of the class to learn how to do the Martini and a Rockstar…

Oh, my again I thought again after seeing Rashinda demonstrate the moves. There’s NO way I can do that. Between pointing my toes all the time (think ballerina), holding out my arms appropriately and then swinging my legs close to the pole, but not around the pole, I wasn’t even going to be able to complete my first class much less graduate to Level 2 in a few weeks. 

Well I’m glad to report, I did. Maybe not very well and let’s just say, if you paid to come see me at BabyDolls, you’d ask for your money back, but I felt like a Rockstar (which was good since that was supposed to be performing.) 

Now, I’m sure you are looking for that photo of me mid pole, but let’s just say: 

Hell, no. It ain’t happenin’…at least not at this point. 

This photo is one of the instructors showing how to do the pose properly, but I promise if I can actually make it to the last class, I will be happy to take a photo since my body, especially my abs, will look amazing. Now I know why people contunue to do this workout and lose mega pounds like 10-100 lbs. 

Now if that’s not enough reason to take to the pole, then consider it for your next girlfriend get together. And make sure you have socks, shorts and a little pole wax! Not only do you get an out-of-this-world workout, you do feel like a stronger, more confident and sexier you. 

Can’t beat that, right? 

It Hurt Me (Good) to the Core {Free Fab Ab Video}

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Try-It Tuesday:

Every mom, except maybe Heidi Klum, has to work to get her abs back after giving birth.

Too bad in my case, I’m still looking to get some in the first place.

Bellybands, girdles and Spanx are very useful in creating optical illusions, but when it comes down to it, nothing beats working out that core section to create those coveted Jennifer Aniston abs.

Unfortunately, while practice does make perfect, it is hard to pony up to a pilates class because when you hear “100,” you think it means it’s a sponsored Nabisco snack time. (That’s another story.)

Thankfully, Jill Miller has created a solution that helps you build-up those abs layer-by-layer to help you overcome core and abdominal weakeness caused by underuse, injury and scar tissue (i.e. babies.) Through  her seven sequences that can be completed at home in no matter what shape you’re in, she works to create a strong, flexible and balanced core with her newest video in her Yoga Tune-Up series, Coregeous (yep, say “goregeous” with a “c.”)



While I won’t be sharing my first experience working through the video, I can definitely admit – my abs have been worked in ways I never thought possible. After being in bed due to illness, I need a lot of help. And if I can get up off the floor tomorrow, I’ll be doing this again and again…(How else am I going to make Ryan Gosling mistakenly call me Eva?)

FREE ALERT: Wondering if this is for you? Jill’s really nice and has some free videos for you to check out online.


Coregeous with Jill Miller
$14-$19 

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Get Your Ticket to Ride…Flywheel is Moms’ Dream to Nightclub + Fitness

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Try-It Tuesday:

 One of my favorite parts of our IMPROVED YOU series is our new “Try-It Tuesday.” We all need to exercise, but goodness knows it does get boring running, stepping on the climber or doing your Jane Fonda in front of the boob tube. So I’m taking a look at some of the newer, cooler ways to burn calories and get fit in 2013. 

 My first look is at my latest obsession, FLYWHEEL. First of all, I love spin so I knew I would enjoy this new concept of spin plus a lot, lot more, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. Oh baby, it was a kick-butt kinda time, but I loved every part of it!


My normal basic spin class at my local gym includes a stationery bike with a torque (think a knob with a gear shift) to change you tension as you ride with music, a class full of other riders and your instructor.  You bring your own shoes and ride out for around an hour at your own speed — sweating your hiney off together. (You just better get there on time or you might not get a spot.) 



The Dallas FLYWHEEL class takes places at the FLYWHEEL location in Highland Park. The best way to describe the experience was like a spin class meets a nightclub at a spa. You’re provided your bike shoes and then your off to the “disco room” – a room set up stadium style, that goes dark when the class starts, an instructor seated in the front of the room and a BMW of spin cycles. 

The spin cycle not only included comfortable handles to help you hold on in different postures, but also a torque with a screen to allow you to see exactly what you were (or weren’t doing) in class. That torque made sure you were pulling your weight, but that’s not all. The board really made you work it, especially if you’re a competitive type. If you choose, you can choose a name to “compete” on the board so you know exactly where you rank with the rest of the class. (I loved this and because I chose an anonymous name, no one knew who I was, but I still was able to “race.”)



And just about the time you thought you couldn’t go anymore, the weight bars came out to get those arms in for a full-body workout. However, I did survive and burned around 850 calories in the process! 

WOW! And I had fun. A lot of fun. Did I mention the part about a nightclub? The music in the class was amazing (crafted by a DJ) and made me feel less like I was working out and more like I was dancing – and best of all, I was able to throw down and no one could see me (since the lights were out!)


Best of all, you get to keep track of all your progress on your own portal. Each time you spin, your cycle records your instructor, your speed, your distance and your CALORIES BURNED! This way you can always work for improvement and schedule out your next class. 

 So are you ready to ride? 

 You should be. FLYWHEEL makes burning fat fun – and your first class is free! What a great way to get 2013 going…with me at FLYWHEEL! 


DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

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