I’m sharing the 3 lessons that 2016 taught me about fitness and why I’m doing the B3 All In Challenge. This post is sponsored by Barre3 – all opinions are my own.
This time of year, everyone is inundated by the media trying to tell us how to be a new and better version of ourselves. Last year we were “too this” and “too that” and now it’s time to change. Suddenly a date on a calendar is supposed to make everything possible and everything will be different.
If you’re a critical consumer you probably roll your eyes at most of it, but it can feel a little overwhelming trying to figure out what kind of goals you actually want to set, when everyone is telling you what to do and how to do it.
For me, 2016 was a year of a lot of change (see this epic post for some of the details). Some of it was planned, some of it happened as a reaction and all of it was much needed.
Lesson 1: You don’t have to love every kind of fitness to be healthy
2016 definitely taught me that you don’t need to love every kind of fitness. As a healthy living blogger, and just someone interested in taking care of my mental, physical and emotional health, I felt a lot of pressure to be doing the “right thing” when it came to exercise. But it turns out that the “right thing” can be totally different for different people. I mean it sounds kind of obvious, but it’s a lot harder to practice.
I learned that I kind of hate HIIT and I’m over running (right now) and that’s ok! Things might change (or they might not).
Lesson 2: Exercise is for WAY More Than Weight Management
I also learned that in order to get the most out of a fitness routine or practice, know what you’re looking for.
Something I was reminded a lot in 2016 was that fitness is not just about weight loss or maintenance. It’s so much more. It’s about celebrating and challenging what your body can do. For me, it’s about getting those endorphins and strengthening that connection between my body and mind. When I feel restless, anxious, unbalanced I find that physical activity where I’m truly present helps center me.
Lesson 3: The Best Transformations are Mental
In a world where we’re constantly shown physical transformations, I think we forget how important exercise can be in internal, emotional and mental transformations.
In 2016 I discovered how much I loved Barre and Yoga. Both these practices really helped me achieve my workout goals which were strengthening my mind body connection and challenging myself in an enjoyable way.
In 2017 I hope to continue learning how to make fitness really work for me and add to my joy rather than detract and add anxiety and stress. That means doing the things I love, while challenging myself too.
This year, I’m participating in Barre3’s B3 All In Challenge
The deets:
Starts January 9th – February 5th
• 5 workouts a week
• A guided meal plan with food you will LOVE
• Access to wellness experts & B3’s online community
Why Barre?
If you’re someone who enjoys yoga, group fitness, dance or just wants to try a something different I’d absolutely recommend barre. I love barre because it’s intense muscle work without feeling like I’m going to puke or have a heart attack (how I feel doing HIIT most of the time, sorry burpees but I’ll never like you.) It blows my mind how difficult some of the moves are when they’re so small. I swear, 2 lbs. weights feel like 30 lbs. #barremysteries
Because I’ll be traveling to England on the 11th of January I’ve signed up for the online subscription. There’s so many workouts that you can do anywhere (but I’ll be bringing my ball and tiny weights too).
Why Barre 3 All in?
B3 ALL IN is a 30-day program that helps people feel strong and balanced in their body every day and all year. Throughout January, via our 125+ studios and online workouts, B3 ALL IN Handbook with custom recipes and meal plans, social media, and an online community, we’ll set people up with the tools and inspiration they need to supercharge their body and mind all year long. This means new workouts, delicious seasonal meals, and journaling exercises to help build that important mind-body connection (so so important!).
You can join too! (you don’t have to be near a studio)
Sign up here
I’ve always wanted to try barre! Love that they have it online know because there is no studio close to me. After gymnastics season is over I’d love to try this!
im so with you on ‘not having to love all fitness’. there is something new all the time but i naturally lean towards long walks, yoga, and some sort of weights. i have a love-hate relationship with running at the moment as well. there is a barre studio near me, which i need to check out soon. i love their home workout but never been to a studio.
I’ve heard so many fun things about Barre; and I love how you’re gathering people together in a community for the New Year. And I SO agree that exercise is way way more than weight management; for too long I thought about it that way, but I’m so thankful for the freedom God gave me this year to get away from that thinking and enjoy it for the sake of movement, quiet, meditation, prayer, and other quiet things.
And mental changes? Those are the best!
I’m definitely becoming a Barre instructor after graduation, so I’m with ya on your love for Barre!! 🙂 This sounds like such an awesome challenge! I also completely agree with the 3 things you learned about fitness in 2016. It’s soooo much healthier to focus on your mental health rather than doing something because it’s “what you should be doing.” Bon voyage to London! <3
Love this! It really does not matter what you do for exercise (yoga, crossfit, running, barre, walking, hiking) as long as you LOVE it and get active 🙂
Finding what makes you the happy and is something you can actually stick with is the most important. I love running and yoga. But, I am always baffled by my friends who HATE running and yet go through spurts of forcing themselves to do it and always wind up wondering why they never stick with anything. So glad you have found what meshes with you!!