It makes me cringe a little to talk about losing weight and exercise here. I’d rather just confess my constant chocolate consumption and move on. But my people need me to be healthy and I’ve found something I like that works. So I must share it with you. Even if it makes me squirmy.
First, I have PCOS. Which means that besides having 7 kids in 7 years (and yes, I totally count my paper pregnancy as a hardship on my body as well), I had the extra challenge of the PCOS inhibiting my ability to lose weight. But since I had Finn, with my fabulous husband to support me, I managed to lose 25 pounds.
I went to the endocrinologist after losing the first 10 pounds and was pretty bummed to hear my bloodwork was not looking good and I was slipping closer and closer to pre-diabetes stage. He encouraged exercise and I tried not to snort/cry in his face.
After we settled in from the move, I gritted my teeth and gave it a try. I determined that my introverted self could give up my afternoon “room time” while the babies slept if I could just be allowed to exercise in peace. So I went to the basement with my laptop and bounced and sweated my way through cardio aerobics online while the kids played with knives upstairs. (Not really. They did their math. Mostly.)
Working out is stupid.
It was ok. But I was always miserable before, during, and after. Not something I was excited to do again. I stuck it out but kept searching for some other alternative. And then I found Barre3.
It’s a blend of yoga, pilates, and ballet. I love yoga and ballet, so that sounded promising. I tried a free class and discovered that even though I wasn’t jumping around like a mad woman, I was sweating profusely.
Huh.
I tried it another day. Ow. My legs shook and wobbled and I fussed and cussed at the computer screen. But when I was done, I felt surprisingly… calm. Not stressed and miserable like before.
For 15 bucks a month, I could work out in my own bedroom (which we all know is my happy place) and feel very zen and happy afterward. SCORE.
Barre3 online makes it pretty easy to fit in a work-out, which is perfect for a busy mama like me. I have access to a wide variety of videos of different lengths. On a good day, I’ll knock out a 60 minute workout. If I know I don’t have a lot of time, I can opt for a 30 minute work-out and then later that night, I can tack on a 10 minute ab workout.
Every now and then, when my afternoons are so full I can’t exercise, I’ll squeeze in three or four 10 minute work-outs at random times during my day. A lot of the videos can be done in whatever clothes I’m wearing while standing at the kitchen counter, I just choose one of the “Standing Slim” videos.
The videos are beautifully shot, the instructors are fully dressed, and nobody is mean or yelling at me (no matter how much I yell at the instructors on my iPad.) Exercise is soothing (once I’m finished.) I get all Zen-Mama.
Working out is fun!
I don’t know if it’s the yoga or the nice instructors, but if my kids interrupt me to ask a math question, I don’t growl in frustration like I used to. I can pause my video, add 8 + 4, and go back to cussing in my head about the number of carousel lifts I’m doing. If my kids wander in to watch, I let them join me as long as they’re quiet. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen a 3 year old try to do the diamond lifts.
The results? I’ve only been using Barre3 for a few months but after 2 c-sections and countless babies, I am beginning to discover my abs again. Transverse abdominals? I might have found them. My waist is trimmer, my posture is better, the whole package is more pulled together like I want it to be.
My sisters have tried it as well and agree that they feel lovely after a work-out, rather than ragey. The goal is to give you strong, lean muscles, not bulky hulk muscles.
I like feeling ladylike after a work-out.
But this isn’t just girly stuff. I convinced Andrew to try a 10-minute ab work-out and he turned red and grunted a lot during it. On nights when he doesn’t do his weight work, he’ll let me pick a ten-minute ab work-out for him because it improves his posture and weight-lifting form so much.
About a month ago, I went back to the endocrinologist. He was blown away by my lab results. The PCOS was all but invisible and he said I had reversed the onset of diabetes by several years.
Yay, God! Yay, exercise! Yay for Barre3!
Tips & Hints for Barre3:
- I have a theory that the 30 or 40 minute work-outs seem more intense than the 60 because they’re squeezing so much work into a shorter amount of time. Both are equally effective and will leave you nice and sore. But not so sore that you want to weep.
- Listen closely to the instructors when they talk about “neutral posture” and how to hold your core. Doing that properly made all the difference in the difficulty and effectiveness of the workouts. And they aren’t kidding: the better you get, the harder it gets. But I haven’t quit. Matter of fact, I work out four times a week and the whole household knows when I haven’t done my workout.
- Warning: C-section mamas – My scar hurt pretty bad after a work-out at first while I broke down the scar tissue and strengthened those poor muscles, but you’ll love the results.
- The ball. You don’t HAVE to have it. I used one of the kids’ deflated soccer balls for awhile. But when I realized I liked the work-outs, I spent the 12 bucks to get a lovely squishy ball. And, oh, it makes the core work heavenly. I love the support it gives my low back and how much it adds to the overall experience.
- Barre3 loves and understands mamas. They even have an entire work-out dedicated to “bouncing back.” It’s taught by a mom who has twins, so she understands the whole twin belly thing. That work-out happens to be free through the end of the month, so now’s your chance to try it out.
My sister wants to keep this for herself. I love you all more than she does.
When I told the nice people at Barre3 I was writing this review, they offered to send me a ball for one of you. (And my sister is very bitter I didn’t just give it straight to her, so you should all feel blessed I decided to offer a giveaway.)
Leave a comment telling me how you squeeze in your exercise or what your biggest challenge is. I’ll pick a winner on Friday night.
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p.s. Nobody paid me or sponsored this giveaway. All opinions are entirely my own.
My biggest challenge…time! But you have inspired me to check it out!
I try to get on the elliptical in the evenings. Or go for a walk with a friend. But I don’t do either as often as I should and this sounds like it could be a great option for me!
I don’t! That’s the problem!! I’m a homeschooling mom of 6 (8 years down to 16 mo old twins) and I know I need to exercise, I just haven’t found a way to make it happen. But this, this sounds wonderful!
Right now I walk or swim, but being 35 weeks pregnant my motivation(energy) has started to wane.
My biggest challenge is the decision to work out or sleep during the toddler’s naptime 🙂
I get my exercise in with a group of ladies at church. We get the kiddos dropped off at school and then gather with all our littles in the church gym. We do Zumba and toning classes all while trying not to trip over a small child. I love the camaraderie!
This sounds awesome! I have been looking for a good workout that is flexible and not too expensive, and this may be it! 🙂
I work out twice a week in the mornings with a trainer, try to walk once a week, and play tennis once a week. Sometimes I also get an aerobics class in. And sometimes I go a couple of weeks doing absolutely nothing! 🙂
Delurking to say thanks for a) the inspiration and b) the link! This looks really cool! I have 6 month old twins and some diastasis recti, and lots of squishiness where I used to have muscle. I’ve been walking for exercise, but now it’s time to kick it up a notch. I will definitely give this a try!
I try to do YouTube videos when I can. I have 3 kids 3 and under, so… Yeah, I think that’s my biggest challenge right now 🙂
I workout late at night. People warn me that working out will keep me from falling asleep, but I find that I sleep better after a good workout.
I like the sound of this program, would love to win the ball to go with it! I don’t work out. I think about doing it but that’s as far as I get. :/ My challenge is my over zealous devotion to my BED, it doesn’t want me to get out of it in the morning early!
I think you mentioned Barre3 on Facebook not long ago and I promptly went and signed up. Even six months pregnant my body has had major changes and I have had an easier time carrying this baby than I did the other two! Most of the videos I only have to make minor modifications to be able to do almost everything even with the big ole belly!
This looks promising! I have the hardest time doing videos at home because I lose interest and I hate being yelled at by tv instructors!! My biggest challenge in working out right now is the weather in England. My three year old does not enjoy the parent child area at the gym so ideally, we’d just walk/jog our neighborhood but the weather here….well, it’s not great. We’re headed to AL in a month, though!!
I have to get up before the household awakes to squeeze in a workout. Biggest challenge, recurring back and leg pain from recent car accident. I will be checking this out as an option to my standard 40 min on the treadmill.
I don’t exercise, but this sounds like something I would love!
I squeeze my workouts in by taking the kids with me on my run, baby in the stroller and the big kids on the bike.
This sounds like something that would help with my back issues. Thank you for offering.
biggest challenge: Space and time! My kiddos get up SOOO early it’s hard for me to wake up before them. And being pregnant makes exercising at night HARD! I seriously need to get to it though!!
I would love to try this. After 5 c-sections, I’m not sure there’s any hope for my abs!
My biggest challenge right now is that we’re in the middle of an international move, living in rental houses and relatives’ houses for the next couple of months. The kids are less settled than usual, so trying to get time to myself is a real challenge!
Motivation is my biggest challenge! I am 14 weeks pregnant with my third and I have been doing prenatal workout videos when I feel like it… which means I have only done it several times since I got pregnant. 🙂
Get it done early in the mornings.
I squeeze in my exercise before my hubby leaves for work in the morning. My biggest challenge to weightloss is finding the time to make separate meals for the kids, hubby, and then for me.
My biggest challenge is working out with the kids around. I often joke that I shouldn’t feel MORE stressed after exercising – but that is the case. I have tried random exercise videos from the library but hate them. I love the sound of having many videos to choose from and the Pilates, yoga, ballet blend! Thank you for sharing with us!!
Making the time to exercise is the hardest. I try to do it during naptime and when I don’t, I let all three kids watch a tv show while I work out. I love working out first thing in the morning but that makes our mornings a lot harder. I do the elliptical machine mostly and some a Jillian michaels video (I love the workouts). My biggest problem is over eating. I really need to improve my posture, so I’m going to try the Barre3. Thanks for the recommendation.
I’ve learned to motivate myself to exercise by setting up nexflix streaming to the basement tv to watch while I run on the treadmill. If I want to see my shows I know it means I need to get up early! It works for me.
I exercise in spurts, a few really good weeks and then months of nothing. My biggest challenge is time and motivation. I’m extremely immature and if the workout isn’t fun, I don’t want to do it. I’ll be checking this out. Thanks!
I don’t squeeze in exercise. I justify it with, “I chase after these kids all day! I’m active!” But I don’t think that counts. 🙂 my biggest obstacle? The 15-month-old who still. Doesn’t. Sleep. I am so tired! But this sounds doable. I am going to try it!!
I have a gym membership. Does that count? Maybe it would be better if I went. 🙂 I love the yogalates class there and plan to start back in tomorrow (they don’t offer it on Tuesdays or I totally would have gone).
My biggest challenge is time. I had four kids in five years, youngest being only 6 months old. But, I know if I started working out I would have so much more energy.
My biggest challenge is time, and two small children! I don’t feel like I can make time for exercise when there is a house to be cleaned, food to be cooked, children to be read to /played with, and when am I going to get a shower? : )
Hey congrats on finding a workout you enjoy! I mostly walk the kids around in a double jogging stroller and try to stop and do some push-ups or squats every half mile or so. But if I delay too long they want out and once they are out its pretty much over haha! I really enjoy outside “bootcamps” but those are a too intense now because I’m pregnant again. (and i kinda took a four month workout break from nov-feb…mistake) I used to do those very early in the morning before kids were up and trey had work. Now I’m going to yoga but would love an at home nap-time option.
I try to walk in the evenings. I did nap time workouts for awhile but it just made me grumpy to spend my recharge time sweating! Barre3 might be a great solution, will try it for sure.
I workout at the crazy hour of 5:00 a.m. That is the only time I know I can get it done. I have a nice library of Exercise DVD’s that I rotate through so I don’t get bored.
Oh excitement! My 15 year old daughter is a ballet dancer with a rock hard strong but beautifully lean and feminine body. I took Pilates at her studio for a year and almost died from the intensity of the work that happened while lying motionless on the ground. I’ve been wanting to try Barre3 for a while. I’m a triathlete and just finished a half Ironman in March but landed myself in physical therapy with a run injury. My therapist told me I need more butt, core and thigh muscles. So off I go to check out Barre3. 🙂
I just (re!)started using my Jillian dvds in the evenings after my daughter is in bed. But I spend the whole time worrying that all my jumping around is too loud for my downstairs neighbor. 🙁 I can’t wait to try out the free trial video and see if this is better for me and my neightbor!
I’ve been jogging but I’m really tired of it and have been wanting to mix things up a bit. Looking forward to trying the free workout!
I’d love to try this! I’m really trying to get into shape with exercise and eating right.
You know I’m intrigued. I’m a class girl. Zumba is my jam right now, because I love to dance. But my core? She’s always looking for more. So I’d love to give this a try. (And I might, even if I don’t win the ball.)
I haven’t been this excited to try a workout in a long time. Thanks for posting this!
I walk a couple miles several times a week.
I go on walks and use the elliptical several times a week, but I *totally* need to do better about it! I have chronic pain and it seems like a good exercise option that wouldn’t increase pain (except in the good way)! 🙂
Well, I too think exercise is stupid & ridiculous…however, I really value good health & lately I’ve been talking to my hubby about low-impact ways for me to get fit. I don’t need to lose weight but I could stand to tighten up! I’d love to win & give it a go! Thanks for the giveaway!
I just had my fourth baby a month ago, after having been on exercise restrictions since January due to some pregnancy complications. So I’m really out of shape, not bouncing back as well as before, and trying to fit in some sort of activity between nursing, homeschooling, laundry, and trying to work part time from home. I would LOVE to win the Barre3 ball, because the workouts sound doable and I like that they come in different lengths! I plan to try it for a month anyway to see how it goes. Thanks for the detailed review!
Time is definitely my biggest challenge!!!
time! I have NO time to myself. and when I do have a minute to sit, shower, or be alone- I wanna read or “relax” by walking away from the crazies.
Right now I’m making myself exercise because all I really want to do is sleep or throw up (yay for first trimester yuckies). I’m trying to exercise while the kids watch a short video before “rest” time. Looking at the Barre3 prenatal, I think these would work great to rotate with my other exercise.
Currently, I’m 38 weeks pregnant with number four and just the thought of getting up off the couch is workout enough. 🙂 But I have in the past walked and used jazzercise, which I liked but thought too rough on nursing mommas.
I’m working on losing the baby weight from baby #5. I try to do the elliptical and count the walking I do at work (I’m a nurse) as exercise too. My biggest challenge is fitting it in on a regular basis. I also really need to get more toned. This workout sounds great…I’ll have to check it out.
I try to workout in the mornings before the baby gets up…it doesn’t always happen though. If that fails, I give up some of my quiet afternoon time too. What would I do without those hours?!
This sounds great.
Lately I’ve been exercising in the mid-morning while my husband teaches the kids their math lessons (don’t hate me). I do have the 3 year old with me while I work out, so it’s not always easy.
I’m lifting weights three times a week and would like to add some nice cardio to the mix.
Hmmm yeah, I don’t really exercise these days. My challenge is laziness. But back before having my daughter I looooved Pilates, so this sounds great!
Having a hard time getting any exercise lately- but I do love a good run. I have tried all kinds of things but feel like nothing really sticks when trying to juggle the house and the kids. I have heard awesome things about Barre and want to give it a try. We are adopting twin girls who should be home very soon from Africa and I know during the attachment phase, while we are cocooning, I will need to find exercises I can do at home. THanks for the recommendation for the website.
I work out 4-5 days a week, usually during our afternoon “quiet time.” My lovely husband bought me an ellipse that I use often and I have just found the Nike Training App for my phone…LOVE those workouts!
I have a 5 yr old, 4 yr old, 2 yr old and 8 month old and finding a good time to exercise is always a challenge. We do school at home also… so they are always here with me. The more I try to exercise the better they are getting at trying to keep themselves occupied somewhere other than under me and I try really hard to not knock anyone out if they do accidentally trail into the room. This program looks awesome. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
I would like to work out, but I just have a lot of excuses. I used to have a ball, but a munchkin wondered what would happen if it was poked with a wooden skewer and I have yet to replace it.
My biggest challenge is my natural laziness 🙂 This I am drawn to because it has different length segments, sometimes if I just do one 10 minute workout I feel so good that I do another! I would love to be able to do workouts that fit together and that don’t make me feel like a woman using a mans workout video!
Can I be honest and say I hate working out? I always love how I feel afterward, but just can’t seem to motivate myself. So I guess that’s my biggest challenge – getting my rear in gear! This looks intriguing, though! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I haven’t gotten back to exercising yet since the baby, but I’m trying to try desperately to add it back in. My routine was a simple walk in the neighborhood – but early and before the kids are up. A little hard with one still waking up in the night or trying to time it around a feed in the morning. Maybe I”ll try your Barre3 – especially if I win the ball. ; )
Walks after dinner, but looking for more!! Need more!! Love yoga, this might be a great fit!
Usually workout before lunch. My challenge is being consistent in working certain areas of the body.
I had worked out hard and ate really healthy for 3 months and lost 15 lbs and was ecstatic to not feel embarrassed to wear a bathing suit…but that was almost a year ago and I got lazy with working out, had a bad childcare experience at my gym, and started eating unhealthy again. I would love to win this and get started again working toward getting healthy. Thanks for the giveaway! Sorry to your sister!
I love barre3 too! I’ve been doing it for about 6 months and have had a similar response – its just such a nice, calm workout, but still very intense and effective. I just wanted to note that I’ve on my third ball because my toddler really wanted to bite it (its lovely and squishy and just so tempting to bite apparently). I discovered on a forum that the barre3 ball is a fitball mini, which you can also get easily on amazon (frequently for a bit cheaper). And also, keep it away from your bitey kids. 🙂
I’m just trying to get back to an exercise routine after baby #5…I try to walk on the treadmill right while listening to TED talks, right after I put the middle 3 to bed a couple times per week. I’d love to try something new to keep me inspired and this looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
I play tennis!
Thank you for telling me about this! I got excited & went ahead and signed up for the 28 to Great, which includes a ball. So I don’t need the giveaway ball. Just wanted to say thanks…it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for!
I try and work out while hubby gets the kids ready for bed. Usually on our elliptical. But I tried this free Barre3 workout- wow. REALLy liked it AND it really wooed my core without killing my hip/low back issue I have!!
Ok, you sold me on this. I completely agree that “paper pregnancy” is hard on your body just like actual pregnancy. I’ve not exercised much at all lately and I feel it. I signed up to try this! Thanks for the recommendation! Now I just need a ball. 🙂
Exercise and I hate each other. But I like the way you described this! I’d like to give it a try.
I also give up my afternoon quiet time…at least a good chunk of it! I’m currently maintaining some work I did with Debbie Siebers’ Slim in 6 program. I was JUST talking to my husband about what I could try different that wouldn’t be a ton of money. I’d love to try this workout and win the ball!
My biggest exercise challenge? I have 5 kids 9 years and under, a husband who is deployed to the Middle East, and I would rather SLEEP!
I’m going to check this out, it sound great.
I try to exercise in the morning with my kids running around, or go for a run in the evening when my DH gets home… the hardest part for me is actually DOING it… I dread starting but am relieved when I actually finish 🙂
I am a runner at heart, but time constraints with 4 littles and hubby’s job make it difficult sometimes. So, I am looking for another workout option, as well. Tanks for posting about Barre3. I’d never heard of it but am quite intrigued now.
I prefer to exercise early in the morning. I’m currently training for a 5K and hating every minute or it!
I need something like this! My youngest of 3 is turning 3 and I still have not figured out when I can fit in exercise…
Exercise? Never heard of it. But after this baby, and the C-section scar heals… I’m interested in the Barre3. (And it’s all your fault.)
Lora Lynn, What type of ab work do they do? The reason that I ask is that I have diastasis quite badly from my 6 pregnancies. Supposedly traditional abwork is not good for this, but I haven’t really found an alternative. I thank you for admitting that you have hated exercise. I hate it too. 🙂
Dovey – It’s not a lot of crunches. It’s very deep core work. A lot of it is on a ball, which I think helps you pull the muscles in like you’re supposed to. It’s supposed to be really good for moms with diastasis. I’m seeing real progress.
Thank you! I’m going to try the free workout. I also appreciate the fact that there are 10 minute workouts. Sometimes that’s all I have.
Ok, it took me a month of mulling it over but I just signed up. I love, and I mean LOVE, my hot yoga class but it’s nearly impossible for me to get TO the studio during summer. And I kept thinking about this post and it seemed like a good compromise. Plus, I get a whole month for what I pay for ONE hot yoga class. This is sounding better and better! Maybe I’ll just put my laptop in the garage and I can do hot Barre 3. LOL! 🙂
Long time lurker here, just popping in to say that I read this post quite a long while ago and promptly looked up Barre3, as you described so perfectly my HATE of exercise videos (the jumping! the yelling! the bikini bras!). Anyway, Barre3 has totally changed my exercise life and other parts of my life as well. I love it – I feel better, look a wee bit better, and make it through the day of a homeschooling mama that much better. Thank you so much for posting about it. And thank you for your blog at large. Always brings a smile and some insight. Cheers!
Oh, I’m so thrilled to hear it!!!! *fist bump*