100

Today I took my 100^th class at Pure Barre. 

Last year in June, when my sister was here, she talked to me about Pure Barre and how much she loved (and hated) it.  She had been going for a while and we drove by the one here in town and peered in the windows.  About a week after she left, I went back and signed up for one year of unlimited classes.  !  This is without even taking my first class.  But she raved about it so much that I figured it couldn’t be that bad, right?

Hahahahaha! 

The first class I took I thought I was going to pass out.  And throw up.  And the next day?  I actually had trouble walking because every muscle in my body was indescribably sore.  Sorer than I have ever been in my life.  I had muscles that I didn’t know existed.  But I just kept coming back.

And today I attended my 100^th class!

I love it. And I hate it.  I haven’t lost any weight (because I don’t eat right), but I’ve lost inches.  My clothes fit better.  And I am stronger.  Part of the warm up of each class is a 90-second plank.  90 seconds doesn’t seem like that long, right?  WRONG.  When you’re planking….it feels like an hour.  It is awful.  I think the first time I was able to hold my plank without coming to knees was maybe in November.  And remember….I started taking classes in June.  And full (SLOW) sit ups (not crunches) from lying completely flat on the floor (legs extended and everything)...it took me a couple of months to do one of those as well without helping myself up on my elbows.

I still get sore.  But not after every class.  It depends on the class and it depends on the instructor.  There are certain instructors that push you harder. 

Here’s why I love it:

*You have to sign up for each class via the app.  Which means that the classes aren't super crowded, because once they are at capacity, that's it. 

*It doesn't feel like a gym or a large grouop exercise class, which is a huge plus for me.  It's more intimate than that.  In fact, they lock the doors after class starts.

*The instructors are INCREDIBLY nice.  And super encouraging.  And they know everyone's name.  This still baffles me.

*They correct your form in class if necessary (which is super helpful).  It makes a big difference in how you feel (protect those joints people!) and it ensures you are working the targeted muscle correctly.

*The music is LOUD and really gets you going. 

*I gained a reading buddy, Rebecca.  We talk books before class.

*It doesn't get easier.  If it weren't challenging, then why bother going?  I don't know how they do it, but every single class is different (and I usually take 2 a day and they are NEVER the same) and every single class is hard.

*There is no judgment.  Everyone there is focused on themselves.  They are too busy trying not to die that they don’t have time to check out other people in class.  They don’t care what you look like, what you’re wearing, and how good your form is.  NOBODY CARES.  We’re all just trying to get through the class in one piece. 

Here’s why I hate it:

*Planking

*It's pricey

To celebrate my 100^th class and reward myself, I went to the Nordstrom Rack website and ordered 2 pairs of leggings (Zella), 2 sports bras (Puma & Nike) and 2 tank tops (Zella), all of which I needed.  

Next milestone?  250!!

Howie

On February 18, we made the tough decision to put our sweet boy Howie down.  His diabetes was just getting the best of him.  It was heartbreaking.  But he went very peacefully and is no longer uncomfortable.

I already miss his cuddles, his purring, his mischievous ways that he had most of his life, his toughness and most of all his cute little face.  

Howie:  2003 - 2019.  Goodbye sweet boy.  

February Reads (7)

One star = did not like it at all

Two stars = eh, it was okay

Three stars =  liked it

Four stars = really, really liked it

Five stars = absolutely loved it

1-Star (0)

2-Star (0)

3-Star (4)

***102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers (Non-Fiction, J. Dwyer)

An INCREDIBLY difficult read.  This book literally takes you minute-by-minute about what was happening inside the towers, from the time the first plane hit to the time the second tower fell.  This was written using accounts from survivors, desperate phone calls from those who were stuck, and phone calls from family members to their loved ones.  It was heartbreaking, and honestly I’m not sure what compelled me to pick it up. 

***Power of Habit (Non-Fiction, C. Duhigg)

This book was up and down for me.  Parts of it were completely fascinating and super helpful, but other parts seemed to drag on and on and it felt somewhat disjointed and all over the place.  But I am glad I read it.

***Counting by 7’s (Fiction, H. Sloan)

I feel like I’ve read so many versions of this story.  Young Reader: genius-awkward-preteen girl whose adoptive parents get killed in a car accident and she has to find her way through grief and accept the fact that her fate is in someone else’s hands.  Don’t get me wrong, it was a nice read, I just feel like it’s been done over and over again.

***Bury Your Dead (Fiction, L. Penny)

Not my favorite, but not bad.  After all, it’s Louise Penny.

4-Star (3)

****Dry (Fiction, N. Shusterman)

A YA novel about what happens to society when there is a ‘tap-out’ (aka extreme drought).  Murder.  Martial law.  Lies.  Deceit.  All for a few drops of water to survive.  Part of this book were slow, especially in the middle, but the last 50 pages or so were amazing. 

****An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good (Fiction,  H. Tursten)

This was filed in the ‘Mystery’ section at Barnes & Noble, but it is not a mystery book.  We know who the serial killer is:  88-year-old Maud.  Maud sees a problem that directly affects her, and she solves it.  By killing people.  I would like to say it’s not as dark as it sounds, but it totally is ha ha.  Although it’s not as gruesome as other crime/mystery novels I’ve read (and it’s a ‘light’ read if that makes any sense at all).  And the book itself is completely adorable, it’s this tiny little hardback book.  A very quick read.

****The Essex Serpent (Fiction, S. Perry)

4.5.  This book was incredibly slow (and I listened to the audio version, which was phenomenal), but the beautiful writing, intriguing plot, interesting characters and atmospheric tone made up for the slowness.  It’s dark, somewhat Gothic, very creepy (but not scary) and kind of right up my alley.  I loved it.   

5-Star (0)

Total Books Read: 7 (5 fiction, 2 non-fiction)

DNF (Did Not Finish) :

Orchid & the Wasp (couldn’t get into it)

Dressmaker of Khair Khana (couldn’t get into it)