Barre Blend Review

I wanted to enjoy Beach Body's new program Barre Blend, but I just couldn't. I restarted the program twice, each time making it slightly further than the last.

The last time I restarted it I made it to the end of the fourth week.

Before I dive into this a little further, I wanted to share that I am not a consultant and I do not sell Beach Body products. I also do not use shakeology. I have tried Energize and hated it. I have Recover sitting in my cupboard waiting to be open.

Now that is is out of the way, I like Elise the creator of Barre Blend. She is down to earth, soothing, and truly motivating. She reminds me of Denise Austin.

I liked that the cast was diverse.

I liked the program but I was just bored while doing it. There are also so many lunges. I hate lunges. I hate doing them slow and doing them at tempo is not enjoyable for me. But the biggest problem was that I was bored. I tried to push through it but I would dread that moment of play and not give it my all. I would allow myself to get distracted easily.

Unfortunately, this program just wasn't right for me. I wish it was because other than the lunges I loved listening to Elise.

What I am starting doing, is trying 21 Day Fix. I enjoyed 80 Day Obsession and thought I would try 21 Day Fix, starting today.

If you have ever tried any Beachbody's programs which one have you enjoyed the most? Did you try Barre Blend, if so what is your opinion on it?

80 Day Obsession: Completed

I haven't updated this blog in a while. With the Corona-virus pandemic, I figured now would be the perfect time to get back into the swing of things and see if I can keep the momentum up.

I finished 80 Day Obsession over a month ago. I saw great results. I went from wearing a size L/XL to wearing a size S/M. I have muscles that I had no clue I would ever have.

I feel better. That is the main reason why I started this program. I wanted to feel better and to live a healthier lifestyle. I do not do the nutrition part of the program, maybe next time.

I eventually tried Beach Body's energize, a prework out supplement. I did not enjoy it. I also ordered a container of recover but haven't tried it yet. I will keep you posted once I do try it.

Currently, I am on week 3 of Barre Blend. I am enjoying it and hope it helps to tone up my body from 80 Days. I do feel like I am going to end up going back to Autumn again and doing 80 Days. I might try 21 Day fix before I go back.
 I am now going to end this ramble.

In the upcoming weeks, I will be building our 6th-grade curriculum. Spoiler Alert: Build Your Library will be the base again. I also will share how we ended 5th grade. I also will be putting together a preschool curriculum set for my 4-year-old to start shortly.

So stay tune!

BeachBody 80 Day Obsession: Week 2 Completed

Friday, I completed week 2 of 80 Day Obsession with yesterday being a rest day. I decided to do yoga on my rest day, which somehow now my left shoulder hurts. This means I will not be pushing my self super hard on the first day of week 3, hopefully, healed by day 2.

Since I decided to take notes after I finished the workout to help with my review. The basis is so far, I do have more energy and I have noticed that I have arm muscles starting and I can feel my abs! My clothes are fitting better.

During this week, we had Thanksgiving. I still ate pie and mashed potatoes. I ate whatever I wanted. I didn't deprive myself. I refuse to do that if I do that it starts to spiral and a real obsession starts. I am working hard to avoid that. I am working out to feel better, with help to not let it become an addiction, like previously in my life.

But here are the notes I took.

Day 8/80: I didn't write anything down. I love Total Body Core. I am pretty sure I did 5 push-ups that day because I challenged myself to 6 later in the week.

Day 9/80: It was Booty day. This is also one of my favorites, I can feel muscles in my butt when I do this workout that I had no clue I even had. Who knows butt's had muscles?! I also really love resistance bands. (I will do a review on the ones I have after I finish phase 1.)

Day 10/80: I used to love cardio workouts over strength training ones. Now I dread cardio. Cardio Core is definitely preferable for me over Cardio Flow though.

Day 11/80: I challenged myself to do 6 pushups each rep and I did! I used to be a girl who had to do push-ups on her knees, I didn't even want to try. I am so proud of how far I have come even if I have to drop to my knees after those 6 push-ups but I am growing. I used mostly my size 8 weights but the last rep I changed to 5's. Again, I am upping my game.

Day 12/80: Today was leg day. I hate lunges of all shape and form, except side lunges, I like those. Overall, other than lunges I like these. I used my 5lb weights to help with balance during those stupid lunges. Maybe by the end of this program, I will feel differently about them.

Day 13/80: I am still not a fan of this program. My balance has improved since the first week. So that is a plus. My coordination has improved a little, which makes this workout difficult. I am going to push through it and continue to do this one instead of switching it. I was able to do the kickback, frog jump without the jump this week. This is an improvement because last week I couldn't even do that. I also can not do the leg through exercise. It moves to fast and struggles with the coordination with it. I am going to try next week to do at least 1 leg on each side before they move on.

Day 14/80: Was a rest day, I decided to do yoga and now my left shoulder hurts. Which means I was probably slacking on my form. I am placing a heating pad on it to try and relive some of the tension.

Today, I start Day 15 and am excited to see what happens this week.

Week 1 Review

Disclaimer: I am not a BeachBody coach, I just wanted to try the workout program and thought I would share my journey along the way.

Beach Body: 80 Day Obsession Week 1 Complete

Friday, I completed week one of 80 Day Obsession with my rest day being on Saturday. Today, I started Week 2.

I decided not to post my measurements until the end of phase 1.

But so far here is what I have experienced with this program.

 

The very first day I couldn't figure out how to get the bands to stay. In a week, I only have trouble with the ones that are on my feet (looking at the side plank with a knee crunch move). For the one, I had trouble with I either did the modified version or without the bands. I felt like they were working in two different areas when I did either version.

Day 3, which was Cardio Core I wanted to throw up. It was an intense work out for myself and look forward to improving. I did not purchase sliders, I purchased bands (not the Beach Body ones), and didn't want to spend more money. I used paper plates instead. They worked fine on my vinyl floors. I can see myself buying sliders in the future, any recommendations would be great. 

Day 4, I surprised myself, I did 5 push ups before dropping down to my knees. I had no clue I could do that many! 

Day 5, my notes only have one sentence. I HATE LUNGES. 

Day 6, Cardio Flow was definitely not a favorite. I enjoyed all the exercises up to this point. The moves were awkward and moved rather quickly. I found myself needing to watch the first rep of a new move at the end just so I knew what I was doing. I read a review with a similar opinion, can't remember where and for some reason can not find. As soon as I find it I will link it. But she suggested doing a different cardio program. I believe this is what I am going to do. If I try this program again I will try the Cardio Flow again but right now I am going to try a different program in its place. 

Weights I used: 3LBS, 5LBS, and 8LBS mostly alternated between the 3's and 5's with the occasional 8's. I am planning on not using the 3's this week and probably use 5 most of the time with some 8's. 8LBS is the largest I have currently. Next month I will probably add to my collection because I am growing and gaining strength. 

To read more: My First Post on 80 Day Obsession

Pumpkin Pie PlayDough Recipe

During October, we had a pumpkin theme for my preschooler. We set up a pumpkin patch play area, read books about pumpkins, and did some fun pumpkin activities. 

One of those activities we made pumpkin pie playdough. The photos do have Halloween cookie cutters in them but swap those out for some pumpkin shapes or thanksgiving theme ones and it would still work today.

After we made the playdough I gave him some items to use to create pumpkins or to let his imagination run wild

The recipe I used was found on DIY Natural and I added pumpkin spice to the recipe. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of flour
• ¼ cup of salt
• 1 Tbsp cream of tartar
• ½ cup of warm water
• 5 drops of orange food coloring
• Pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

1. Mix together the flour, salt, cream of tartar, and pumpkin pie spice.
2. Mix together ½ cup of warm water with a few drops of food coloring.
3. Slowly pour the water into the flour mixture, stirring as you pour. Stir until combined, then knead with your hands until the flour is completely absorbed. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour until it doesn’t stick at all.

** For the pumpkin pie spice, I did not measure it, I just went by smell. It is really up to how much you want to use. I would say  I probably used 1 tablespoon but give or take.

Beach Body: 80 Day Obession

In my bullet journal for December, I am going to keep a blog tracker. I really want to make this happen for a creative outlet for myself. 

I want to become a healthier version of myself. I would like to lose weight but it isn't a priority, I just want to make myself stronger physically and mentally. When I exercise it puts me in a better mood. I remember seeing Beach Body all over Facebook last year, so I went ahead and signed up for Beach Body on Demand. I am NOT a coach. I am NOT doing shakeology or following their nutrition program. I am just doing the workouts. 

I am going to start with 80 Day Obsession and want to share my results. Today is day one out of 80. Every week, I want to update with my results. I am hoping it will help me keep on track.

 

I drink 2 cups of coffee a day with some International Delight creamer and water for the rest of the day. I eat when I am hungry and I try to make healthy choices. I do not deprive myself of food. If I want a slice of pie, I will eat the pie. Dieting does not work for me and is a huge trigger (maybe I will share that story at another time).

My measurements before I start the program, I am not going to share my weight but at the end I will share a before and after photo. 

Chest: 37"

Right Arm: 12.5"

Left Arm: 12.5"

Waist: 35.5"

Hips: 41.5"

Right Thigh:  25"

Left Thigh: 25"

A little bit about 80 Day Session: (info found on their website) It was created by Autumn Calabrese. It features a timed nutrition plan (I am not doing this part) and features 80 unique workouts that are spread out over 13 weeks.

September 11, 2001

I didn't create a post yesterday because I wanted to spend some time with my boys, mainly my oldest talking about how important the day means to so many. I shared my experience with him. I believe we should keep it just alive as our grandparents have about World War 2. It is part of history that we experienced. 

Here is my story:

I was in my 8th-grade art class. That day, my art teacher was teaching us a new technique so he did not have CNN like most days. Another teacher came in the room and to see if he saw what happened since the tv is usually on. As soon as he turned the news on, that is when we saw the second plane hit. I remember the first time being confused over what was happening. My teacher said something about how it cannot be an accident if another plan hit. I was stunned, there is no other way I can explain my feelings. The entire class was silent. It was art class, it was never silent. 

The bell rang for us to go to our next class. I had gym class that period. It was a beautiful day. It was the perfect day for the gym teachers to have class outside. We were outside for a little bit. I don't remember how long. I don't even think we received the instructions yet when another teacher came running out saying we needed to go back inside because the school was on lock-down. A plane crashed in the field in Pennsylvania, about an hour away from my junior high school. The rest of the day we stayed in the locker room. It was quiet as we sat there watching the tv and absorbing the information. 

It is one of those days that I can still clearly recall like looking at a photograph. It is amazing how certain parts of your memory are blurry but then some feel like it just happened yesterday. 

I will never forget.