15 in 15: What I Learned From Pure Barre

I will take my 15th Pure Barre class in 15 days, tomorrow! That's got to be some kind of record or something (I know for me it is). 

This month, Pure Barre started a challenge: 2015 Strong, 2016 Stronger. I'm getting a jump on my ever constant New Year's resolution of "GET IN SHAPE" while getting the chance to win--if you take 15 classes in the month of December, you can win an entire year of barre, FREE!  What started out as a way to get back into shape, led to my competitive nature being re-ignited.

I was going to title this post "7 things the Pure Barre #2015Strong2016Stronger Challenge Taught Me" but then thought better of it. Nevertheless, here's what taking 15 classes in 15 days as part of said challenge has taught me.

1. Ten seconds is longer than you think.

No really. I used to think 10 seconds was no big deal, until I took barre. When the instructors start counting down, that's when it gets the most difficult.

2. It's not your sticky socks, it's you.

See proof here.

3. You are stronger than you think.

Refer to #1. Though it seems impossible 99.99% of the time, you'll be surprised how much your body can take and how you actually can hold that pose for ten more seconds.

4. Exercise is 50% a mental battle.

With every class, I literally have to remind myself that I can do it. It helps to concentrate on cheering yourself on because it distracts from the burning of your muscles.

5. Music makes the shaking tolerable. 

Because somehow Taylor Swift makes everything better.

6. It doesn't get easier, you just get stronger.

After 15 classes, my left split has gotten closer to the floor, but I still can't do a "regular" push-up (aka not on my knees). I still get out of breath during the warm up, but I want to die less when doing abs. I'm getting stronger, but the exercises still challenge me in new ways every class.

7. Allow yourself to be a beginner. 

Nobody starts as an expert in anything they do. A lot of the ladies in my classes have been taking Pure Barre for 100+ classes. It would be completely unfair to compare myself to them when I'm on class 15 after a ten month hiatus.

Fingers crossed that I win the free year of Pure Barre. But, even if I don't, I'll continue to take Pure Barre, get closer to my left split, get stronger, and jam out to Taylor Swift while "ltb-ing."


Happy Monday!