Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels...



Let's get real - being a hard-working mama, a kickass force in the boardroom, and staying fit is nearly impossible. I like sleep, sleep is good. And, post-pregnancy pounds might be the most frustrating thing to rid yourself of. They're like that clingy ex who won't stop "poking" you on Facebook, seriously. Go away.

I'm diabetic so healthy living is a huge priority in my life. Pregnancy was one of the most difficult obstacles for me, and during my 9 months of incubating my tiny tot I was incredibly knowledgable about what I put in my body. Pregnancy wasn't a chance to binge on my favorite junk food must-haves, instead it was about nourishing my body + soul with positive food and juices. But, even with all the caution I took during pregnancy, I still had pregnancy pounds to lose and it has been one of the most challenging aspects of my life. Once Reagan made her regal appearance in this world, I assumed slowly transitioning back to my old fitness regime would do the trick and in a few months, I'd bounce back. Giant negative.

"Of course it's hard. It's supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. Hard is what makes it great."
- A League of their Own

I needed to do something more drastic than a treadmill and some Pure Barre. I needed change. A massive life change. Enter SoulCycle.
Walking into the studio for my first class was beyond terrifying yet exhilarating at the same time. The white interior is oddly calming, especially for a girl who just popped a baby out of her and has never done a spin class before or really any cardio class for that matter - planking at Pure Barre was as cardio'ish as I got.  The scent from the gardenia candles quickly filled the locker room and instead of panicking, I felt a sense of ease as if this was going to be a meditation session. Let's get real, it's not a meditation session - it is the hardest 45 mins of your life and at times, your legs feel like they may just fall off. Your instructor will glide you through the class with ease, teaching you to ride to the rhythm of the beat. The studios are illuminated with only candles so the workout is a private session between you and the bike. The last few minutes of every class provide you with a reflection and inspirational period. It's those few moments that mean the most to me - getting back to what is important and what needs to wash away. Working out alone is boring and cumbersome - with SoulCycle, you're a part of a tribe and you ride together. I needed motivation while I transitioned to this new fitness lifestyle and SoulCycle has offered me that. I'm a spin junkie now, I get it. Make fun of me and my overpriced Palo Alto WARRIOR tank - it's cool. 
The pounds won't slip off, as much as you wish they would, but the stamina you build is one of a kind. And, slowly but surely - I started making my way back to my pre-tot weight. Granted, it took a few months of non-stop cycling, but things started melting away. Through it all, I found my Soul (cheesy - don't laugh).

Do I still have pounds to lose? Absolutely. But the strength I've found in these classes has made me realize that being the best me doesn't mean I go back to being a size 0/2 - I'll get close, but if I'm happy that's honestly all that matters. The thrill of SoulCycle keeps me craving more and that's what a healthy lifestyle is all about. Besides, you can't really complain about leaving a class dripping in sweat knowing you've kicked some serious ass with some super cool people. 

So you have a choice..you can throw in the towel or you can use it to wipe the sweat from your face. What will it be? 

See you at the studio!

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