Up for the Challenge: Week 4

Up for the Challenge: Week 4

December 31, 2013 Laura Furr

Hello again! I took part in the Holiday Challenge at Dancers Shape (12 classes in December) and then I’m also kicking off the New Year’s Challenge (with huge prizes). I’m sharing my experience every week on the Dancers Shape blog to share inspiration, and stay focused. Hopefully it’ll help you in knowing you’re not the only one facing the barre fitness challenge!

WEEK 4: I hope everyone had a nice Christmas! Mine was good but I have to tell you that this week was one of the most stressful ones I’ve had in a long time. The holidays can be maddening on their own (but also fun). I enjoyed Christmas eve and Christmas with my family. We had lots of yummy food and I didn’t go overboard. I also fit in some exercise every day which helped me feel good. I think it an accomplishment not to gain any weight with the holiday and that’s exactly what I did! I didn’t lose any either but I didn’t really expect to this week! I am really excited for the New Years Challenge. I will be attending more classes and hopefully I’ll continue to feel great and see results. I was also pumped to get some healthy gifts including a Vitamix! I’m so excited to make lots of healthy smoothies with it.

This week I went to two Shape classes and I’ll go to Power tomorrow. As I mentioned I had a very busy week. There was the holiday, then I had a last-minute work trip on Friday and to top it all off my dog Rufus got sick. After taking him to the vet on Thursday I went to Emily B.’s Shape class and it made me feel so much better. A really nice thing about Dancers Shape is that it gives you an hour to just focus on the movement of your body. For that entire hour I didn’t worry or stress about family, work, Rufus… I just thought about the movements (and the burning!). Exercise is an amazing way to manage stress and take time for yourself and that’s one of the reasons I love it so much!

Hopefully next week is less eventful for me. I’m looking forward to getting back in my healthy routines and attending lots of Dancers Shape classes. I think it’s helpful to make a schedule and sign up ahead for my classes. Then I feel like I have them in my routine and on my calendar and I have to stick to them! Dancers Shape posted a blog last week about how to stick to your resolutions. There were lots of helpful ideas in it!] There’s also a new Mind Body iPhone app that is useful on the go. It holds your password and you can easily access the schedule and book your spot in class. The New Years Challenge starts Wednesday so be sure to sign up and I will see you in class!

Get signed up for the New Year’s Challenge by emailing us at info@dancersshape.com or calling the studio at 512-382-9150. 1/5/2013 is the last day to sign up.

Note: Laura is not a doctor or a dietician and this is only a plan for her. If you’re thinking of beginning a new exercise or diet plan, check with a doctor first to get some guidelines on what will work best for you and your goals.

About the Author

Laura Furr is an Austinite who enjoys fitness, food & fashion. She graduated from the University of Texas Advertising Master’s program and works as a consultant. She loves cooking, exploring Austin & her boxer dog Rufus. She posts about her adventures on her blog ooola-la.tumblr.com.