Class Pass 2-for-1

In December I was asked to be an ambassador for ClassPass during their Dallas launch.  I got the opportunity to try out some great fitness studios and really started learning what I wanted out of a workout.  This month Meghan and Fiona from ClassPass have been in town hosting some awesome events and free classes around town and I was lucky enough to attend 1 event at Beyond500 and 1 event at The Ride House.  I was also lucky enough to go to dinner with these 2 amazing ladies and was asked to be an ClassPass ambassador once again!  I will be spending the month of March trying out new workouts and studios and reporting back to all of you about what I've found.

For those of you that don't live in Dallas, don't worry, I still have something great for yall!  For a short time ClassPass is offering an amazing 2-for-1 deal: 2 months of unlimited classes for just $79! That's 2 months of barre, pilates, cardio, weigh -training, spin, etc! Swimsuit season is right around the corner so what better time to take advantage of such an awesome offer!  Sign up here!

Side note, see that cute blonde in the picture above?  That is my sorority sister Amanda!  Small world huh?!

If you live in DFW and sign up, let me know!  We can try some classes together and #livethesweatylife!  Also check back tomorrow for my review of The Ride House class!

Class Pass - #Livethesweatylife

A few weeks ago I received an email about a new fitness opportunity in Dallas.  After a little research I jumped at the chance to be a part of this and soon my collaboration with Class Pass began.  Class Pass is basically an alternative to a gym membership.  You pay a monthly fee and this allows you to take UNLIMITED classes at any participating studio.  Unlimited!  That means all in one month you can take spin, pilates, yoga, barre, kickboxing, rowing, you name it!  You are limited to 3 visits per studio per month but with all of the great classes in Dallas you're never going to be short on options!

Last week I took a Megaformer Pilates class at Studio 6 Fitness.

Although this class moved very fast and was a little hard to follow at first, I loved it!  From the second the instructor started class we didn't stop moving.  This class provided a total body workout that combined cardio and strength training.  I honestly felt like I was toning every single muscle in my body but maybe that's because every single muscle was shaking!

Yesterday I started my Monday off with a Circuits class at City Surf Fitness.  I have been wanting to try City Surf for awhile now but have always been a little apprehensive since the majority of the class in done on surfboards.  Yes, you read that right - Surfboards!  City Surf is set in the heart of Uptown and is a cozy little studio with a laid back vibe.  Surf videos are projected onto 1 wall and the other is lined with mirrors and a barre.  The soundtrack that played definitely kept me motivated through the whole class!

Sorry for the fuzzy photo but I was trying to be sneaky!

The Circuits class claimed to increase stamina and muscle and improve body awareness, form and mobility.  Here's how it worked:  Each surfboard was a station and everyone rotated through each station twice (I think there were 13 stations total).  You'd do each exercise for 1 minute but before moving onto the next station there was a 30 second "extra" exercise (squat jumps, 1 arm row, plank jacks, etc).  By the end of the first round I was tired and worn out but somehow made it through round 2. While I really did like the class, I was very surprised that there was no warm up.  Had I known that I would have stretched beforehand.  I will definitely be back to City Surf to try out all of their classes.

I'm hoping this week to try either a spin or a yoga class!

I am really enjoying the opportunity to try out different workouts through Class Pass.  I tend to get a little bored at the gym so this is a great way for me to shake up my fitness routine!  What do yall think of Class Pass?  Would it work for you as an alternative to a gym membership?

**I was offered a 1 month complimentary membership to Class Pass in exchange for a few social media mentions.  All thoughts and opinions are my own!**

Friday Favorites: Studio 6 Fitness, Justin Timberlake and Pho

Happy Friday lovebugs!  Apparently I'm only good for a link-up these days being that I have only written Monday and Friday but oh well!

Yall know the drill around here for Fridays.  Linking up with Amanda for Friday Favorites!

Favorite food obsession

During my training last week one of the girls took me to a Vietnamese restaurant so I could try Pho (pronounced Fa).  I had heard amazing things about Pho but had never tried it before.  Let's just say I've had it 3 times in 8 days it is THAT good!  The restaurant that I go to also claims that Pho is the best cure for a hangover or cold.  If you have any good Pho recipes let me know because with this obsession I can't continue to pay for it several times a week!

Favorite Beauty Buy

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I picked up a couple of these NYC Twistable Intense Lip Color sticks at the recommendation of a friend.  These are some of the best lipsticks I've ever used and I am picky about my lipsticks.  I only look good in certain colors because my complexion is SO pale so it is hard for me to find a bold red that doesn't wash me out.  The NYC colors are perfect and seem to stay on pretty well.  Plus at $2.99 what do you have to lose?

Favorite Workout

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I got a great opportunity to try out different fitness studios in Dallas (more on that next week) and decided to pop into Studio 6 Fitness for a class on their Megaformer.  I have taken several classes on the Pilates Reformer so I thought "no biggie, I'll at least understand what's going on".  Boy was I wrong!  The Megaformer is a bajillion times harder to use but holy moly I loved every single second of it!  The class was amazing and every inch of my body is sore-yall know how when you work your core so hard that your ribs are sore-well that's me!  I'll have a full review of this class up next week!

Favorite Weekend Plans

I am headed to OKC tomorrow to meet up with my favorite college gals for a night out with Mr. JT himself!  I was fortunate enough to see Justin in a smaller setting so I am so pumped to see his full show with his dancers!  Can you say excited?

Favorite Quote

I feel like this is the story of my life lately.  Between the new job and the new dating life (when did that happen?) I've just kinda plastered a smile on my face and pretended to know what the hell I'm doing.  It seems to be going well so I'll just keep going!

Alrighty I'm off to get my hair done (FINALLY....lordy my roots are awful) and then head out for my date with Mr. Timberlake!  Happy weekend lovebugs!

Workouts You Can Do At Home

Since I'll be a little all over the place for the next few weeks, I wanted to find a few workouts that I can do from home.  My requirements for workouts from home are simple:

1. Little to no equipment required
2. Easy to follow
3. Interesting and fun enough that I will do it on my own

Here are a few that I've found.

Do Anywhere Bikini Circuit

I like that this is broken down into 3 exercises that vary.  It definitely makes the time go much faster when you're constantly changing exercises.

Indoor Cardio Crusher

These would also be great if you broke the intervals out and did them between each circuit in the Do Anywhere Bikini Circuit.

Everyday Wake-up Workout

Always nice to have a routine to do when you wake up.

No Equipment HIIT Workout

This reminds me of the stuff we do in bootcamp. 40 minutes of work, 20 seconds of rest. Repeat entire workout 3X!

20 Minute No Excuses Workout

Another great set of cardio bursts!

Do yall have any great workouts that you can do at home?

Friday I Have Missed You

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Oh hey there Friday!  I sure did miss your face, thanks for gracing us with your presence today.  Let's hit up these favorites shall we?

Favorite Meeting
I got to meet the lovely lady behind Katie Elizabeth.

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Katie just moved to Kalamazoo and I am so glad that we were able to get together before I leave. She is just as sweet and wonderful as she seems on her blog.  We somehow managed to not get a pic together #bloggerfail

Favorite Workout

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Does anyone love these ladies as much as I do?  This sounds a lot like some of the boot camp workouts I've done and I love that you don't need any equipment for this workout.

Favorite Purchase 

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These beauties were on sale for $18 this week!  I just couldn't pass that up!

Favorite Reads
17 Ways Girls Throw Shade
(raise your hand if you're a tad guilty....)

24 Things We Become Obsessed With In Our Late 20's
(I know I'm not in my late 20's but still)

Favorite Song


I hope yall have a great weekend.  I am going to start the whole packing process so I will be buried in boxes, tape and packing peanuts!

Kettlebell Workout #1

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Back when I first started my fitness journey in the gym, I was petrified of kettlebells!  My trainer at the time handed them to me and taught me how to do a 1-arm swing among other exercises.  I hated every second of that workout and would dread anytime I had to use those dang bells.  I've used them a few times throught the years but was never completely comfortable until recently. The trainer I've been using in KZoo loves kettlebells and I quickly found myself becoming more and more comfortable with those 1-arm swings.

After Monday's post, I had a few of you lovelies ask about my kettlebell workout. My trainer put this together for me in January and it still kicks my butt every time.  I'll usually stick to it 2-3 times a week for a month and then swap it for another strength/weight training program.  The best part about this one is that (at least for me) it seems to fly by.

How it works:
Start with a 5 minute cardio warmup
Complete the entire kettlebell circuit
Complete 2 minutes of intense cardio
Repeat kettlebell circuit/cardio 3 more times for a total of 4 rounds

The whole thing takes about 45 minutes.  C'mon....EVERYBODY has 45 minutes to do something great for their body and health!

Need more inspiration to pick up those kettlebells?

I mean, this has my name written all over it!

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Super cute!

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If that's not motivation, I don't know what is!

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July Goals

OMG yall I totally forgot to post my July Goals!  Here it is July 3 already, can yall believe how fast this summer is flying by?

Let's see how the June Goals went.

June Goals

1. Take 1 new workout class

Ugh...between teaching barre and dealing with life this one has been an epic fail.  Staying up until I meet it.

2. Get back on the juicing bandwagon

Another fail.  I have made 2 green juices in the last 4 weeks.

3. Make 3 new salad recipes

Maybe not all salads but you can see the new healthy recipes I've been cooking here, & here.

4. Blog at least 4 times a week
Accomplished

Soooo......1.5 out of 4?  Hopefully I'll step it up this month.

July Goals
1. Take 1 new workout class
C'mon....it's gotta happen this month right?

2. Work out at least 4 times a week
Teaching barre class does not count as a workout.

3. Call my best man-friend and catch up
I haven't talked to Hewett in FOREVER which is very unlike us.  

4. Figure out how to get a blog button
Guys seriously, every time I make one, my picture looks like that creature from the Goonies.  Someone help me!