My Interview with DanceFIT Studio!

This month I started managing the social media for DanceFIT Studio!  I am so excited to be a part of this amazing company.  On top of working full time, being a mama to 2 crazy kiddos, all of my DanceFIT classes, and tacking on a few extra hours during my off-hours to have fun with this new social media adventure, I am going to be one busy woman- it is such an amazing opportunity...I am thrilled!  

Check out my interview with DanceFIT Studio owner, Gina Fay, here! 

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Then, share with all your friends! 

We <3 Social Media, can you tell! 

Me and C outside DanceFIT Studio in Brookline, MA 

Team "I Am Fit"

6 weeks
6 days a week of fitness
6 fruits & veggies a day
6 team members
6FIT

My 4th 6FIT has come to a close.  This session was really great- I pushed myself harder than I have in past 6FITs and truly made a lifestyle change.  I averaged 8-10 classes per week, got active with my family on the weekends, tried new recipes and new foods that I wouldn't have before and overall can tell that my body has changed and I am a lot stronger and leaner.  I have not taken official weight and measurements yet, but weight loss was not an ultimate goal for me this session.  Getting stronger was.

Going into this 6FIT, I had some goals for myself.  You can read about them here.

How did I do?

• Well, I stretched A LOT.  I also learned about an amazing product called a foam roller.  I am obsessed with it.  It's like having a massage therapist in your home at all times.  I highly suggest you get one and use it all the time!  
• Disconnecting was another major goal.  I wanted to turn my phone/computer/ipad/tv off an hour before I went to bed.  I didn't accomplish this, but I did learn to disconnect when I got home from work in order to spend quality timer with my kids (read more about that here). 
• Get out and run! I love Spring time 6FITs.  The weather is just starting to get nice, the temperatures are perfect for running, the flowers are blooming and everyone is gearing up for an active spring and summer.  This is New England, however, and we basically went from winter to summer in a matter of 2 weeks.  Still, it wasn't too bad and I was able to get some quality runs, hikes and beach exercise in with my family.  
• Did I get organized?  No, not at all.  My big plan was to take the time on Sunday and prepare for the week.  I failed miserably at this.  Starting back at work, keeping up with the family and having busy weekend took over life and I had to give in on something.  So, lunches weren't packed and my laundry sits unfolded for days.  Such is life.  

I wanted to share a few things with you that I have found helpful after past 6FIT's to keep me on track.  

Support:  Having support from fellow 6FITTERs, family and friends who love fitness as much as you do is crucial to keeping up with the 6FIT lifestyle.  I wish I could do it by myself, but I can't- I always fall off the wagon.  I am going to rely on you guys to keep me in check and I hope you rely on me too.  I would encourage you to become friends with other 6FIT members on facebook if you haven't done so already.  Surround yourselves with friends and family who like to be active on the weekends or after work.  Go for a walk, run, bike ride together.  Take the kids out in the stroller before bed (it will help them sleep better which is a plus)! Whatever you do...keep moving! 

Apps:  MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper, MapMyRun, DanceFIT Studio App are my favorites.  

With MyFitnessPal, you can track your meals, strength exercises, cardio, water intake and weight loss progress.  You can connect with friends who have it and send/receive encouragement along the way.  

RunKeeper and MapMyRun are similar.  They track miles, calories burned, distance, speed, etc.  You can also connect with friends who have the app and offer words of encouragement.  

Check what classes are being offered at DanceFIT Studio both virtually and in the studio daily with the DanceFIT app!  There is one available for both Iphone and Android.  It is awesome! 

If you're a yogi, Lululemon developed a new app for Iphone (not sure about Android though) called the OM Finder.  Plug in your zip code and it will bring up all the yoga classes that day in your area.  It's great for on the go and travelling.  

Blogs. In our wrap up seminar last night we talked about following blogs for inspiration! I love fitness blogs! A lot have Facebook pages and if you like the page, you can get daily fitness routines, recipes, etc.  

Here are some of my favorites: 

FitSugar - This is probably my favorite blog.  Everything from great ab workouts, cardio workouts, trouble area workouts, recipes and fitness inspiration and motivation.  Love this blog.  I follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest too! 

100 Days of Real Food:  This blog is dedicated to eating clean and also to feeding your kids clean.  There are great recipes and really good ideas for kids lunches. 

Sarah Fit - Boston based Youtuber turned fitness expert.  She has great fitness tips, workouts on Youtube and advice on new fitness products.  

Shape and Fitness Magazine on Facebook and Twitter.  Get daily workouts and recipes by "liking" their pages.  I get a lot of recipes from them and also great fitness tips.  

Move Sweat Love with Ali - Like Ali's Facebook Page for motivational tips and fitness advice.  She teaches pilates, piloxing, zumba and many other classes around Boston including at DanceFIT Studio! 

Social Media is a great took for staying inspired to be fit and healthy.  I recommend following blogs, and following fitness loving friends on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  Speaking of Pinterest, DanceFIT Studio has and AMAZING Pinterest page that you should definitely check out! 

Going into the summer, I have some personal goals that I want to achieve.

1.  Keep up my water intake.  At least 70oz per day. 
2. Eat clean 80% of the time.  I am a huge 80/20 advocate and believe that not depriving yourself is important in achieving your healthy lifestyle goals.  
3. Cardio 4 times per week and strength 3 times per week.  I will do this with a combination of DanceFIT Studio virtual classes (there are really great classes coming up in June at perfect times for busy people like all of us!) and outdoor activity - Swimming, stairs, hills and running.  I am signed up for my classes for the month of June and will continue my 6-8 classes per week routine throughout the summer! 
4. Commit to charting via MyFitnessPal for a month (short term goal).  

I need to give a huge, giant thank you to Gina Fay who is the creator of this amazing 6FIT experience.  I have said it so many times before, but her dream and creation have put me on the path to a healthy life again and I am just so grateful.  It is because of Gina and DanceFIT that I have made friends who inspire me every day.  They help to motivate me and lift me up after a hard day.  They commiserate with my after a sleepless night, or challenging day at work.  I am so thankful that I am able to share this experience with my sister who live in NYC.  Even though we live in different states, having a common goal we are able to push each other to make the right choices when it comes to living a healthy life.  I am so happy I had the opportunity to blog for DanceFIT Studio.  Turns out that I really enjoy blogging and will continue to do so even though 6FIT is over.  

The other virtual instructors (Alissa, Maeve, Kari, Laura and Nicole )at DanceFIT worked insanely hard during this (and every other one) 6FIT and added a lot of classes to their schedules to meet the demands of us Virtual FITTERs!  You guys are amazing and so are your classes! 

The entire team of 6FIT were so amazing this session.  There was SO MUCH motivation from everyone, which to me is the key to 6FIT success.  I know we were broken up into teams, but I felt connected to all of you and felt that we did this together.  Team Orange, Purple, Green, Yellow and Red - We are Team I Am Fit!  

This is hanging in my office at work and I thought it was appropriate.  You should all be so proud of everything you've accomplished!  

There will be another 6FIT in the fall!  I encourage all of you to join in the amazing 6FIT adventure and try out a class or two at DanceFIT in the meantime!  

How DanceFIT Studio Changed My Life...No, I'm Not Being Dramatic

Hello Friends!

Well, here I am blogging about my amazing experience with DanceFIT Studio.  I know, I know I talk about this studio all the time.  How can I not?  It has literally changed my life.  I am so excited to be the new Spokesmodel for this spring's Remote 6FIT program!  We start April 21st-- I hope you will join me!  This means, of course that you will be hearing a lot more from me this spring :)

Let me just give a brief (or knowing me, not so brief) background about myself:  I grew up west of Boston, went to college in Boston and lived/worked in the city for my whole 20's.  As far as fitness goes, I walked everywhere and had a membership to a gym that I paid $50 a month for and never went.  I did a lot of yoyo dieting, and at those times I would pick up running or hit the gym hard for a couple weeks and that was it.  I met my husband when we were both living in South Boston, got married and "settled in"... ie: we ate a lot, we drank a lot, we didn't exercise.  When I got pregnant with my daughter, I was careful about what I ate - organic everything, not too many sweets, etc.  I didn't, however do any sort of exercise.  When Caoimhe was about 10 months old I FINALLY decided enough was enough...it's time to get moving.  I saw a Daily Candy deal for Virtual DanceFIT Studio classes and I was sold.  I started taking classes a few nights a week, huffing and puffing in my dining room while my husband encouraged me from the next room.  I kept going, I kept getting stronger...I was hooked!  A year and a half later, 2 babies and countless classes I am about to embark on my 4th 6FIT.  I thought I knew a lot about healthy eating - less calories, less fat, more veggies.  I was terribly wrong.  6FIT has taught me that I don't even need to count calories.  All I need to do is eat 6 serving of fruits and veggies a day (the more veggies, the better), eat whole grains, stay away from processed foods, eat real food, cook and bake yourself, eat less meat- the less feet, the better :) Drink water, drink water, drink water!  Remember the 80/20 rule.  Do not deprive yourself. Last, but not least- SLEEP.  Having a 2 year old who is a terrible sleeper and a 6 month old who wants to hang with Mommy at 2AM is not conducive to much sleep, but I try really hard!  

Some things that have changed in my food regiment since I first started at DanceFIT and since my first 6FIT...

• I eat breakfast every day.
• I start my day off by filling my water bottle and trying to drink 24oz before 10AM
• I eat/drink very little dairy 
• I eat roasted veggies instead of french fries 
• I eat kale.  A lot of it
• I do not drink soda, juice or flavored water
• I drink green and purple smoothies.  So does my 2 year old.  
• I cook for my family from scratch (on most nights...)
• When we get takeout, which is usually once a week, I get a salad and then load up that salad with more mixed greens.  I aim for 3 cups of mixed greens in every salad. 
• I could go vegetarian if I wanted to, but I choose not to because then I would be making 3 meals a night. 
• I have a slice of cake or a cookie or ice cream if I want to.  I am able to do this without going overboard because of the way I eat the other 80% of the time.   

I have some goals for myself entering into my 4th 6FIT.  Here we go...

• GET OUTSIDE! It's spring and I have no excuse. 
• Disconnect.  I will admit, I am obsessed with being connected to technology at all times.  I literally fall asleep checking Facebook, Twitter, Email, Instagram or texting.  I am going to put my phone (and computer and iPad) away at least 1 hour before I go to bed.  My daughter isn't allowed to play on the iPad or our phones before bed, why should I?
• Get Organized.  I have always been a very organized person.  Until I had kids and everything just unraveled.  With any luck, I will be starting a new full time job at some point during this 6FIT session and I will need to have weekly lunches and dinners planned to a T if I ever want to have any sort of balance between work and life.  This is going to be a huge struggle for me.  I will need some help and encouragement (tips are much appreciated)!
• Stretch.  For some reason certain parts of my body refuse to be flexible.  I am working hard at stretches, and I am going to make it a major focus this spring.  

My fitness regiment has gone from practically nonexistent to working out at least 6 times a week, but often it is more.  I look forward to attending Virtual classes with friends I have made through DanceFIT.  Not only do they offer me encouragement, but they are all genuinely nice, down to earth people.  Speaking of nice people...the DanceFIT instructors are amazing.  They never judge, they always encourage and motivate, they never criticize, but offer suggestions on better posture, better form, etc.  They strive to make you better and stronger. You CAN do that last burpee!

My Virtual "studio" is the spare bedroom.  It is filled with toys, laundry that needs to be folded, poor lighting and an unflattering mirror that I am forced to watch myself workout in front of.  But, it's private and I can workout in peace (as much peace as you can get with 2 kids).  My "barre" is a dresser and I do tricep dips on the edge of the bed.  I have 2 mats, 2lb weights, a resistance band, some snazzy barre shoes, my water bottle and my computer, of course.

Lately, my days have been filled with full time mommy duties, full time job hunting/interviewing, hanging with my hubby and focusing on my health and wellness. In the little spare time that I do have, I love to party plan and I love photography. Although I love to travel... I am a homebody.  I love to be with my family.  Movie and a glass of wine at home?  Perfect!

So, in closing I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful people I have met through my DanceFIT experience over the past year and 1/2.  They have taught me not to judge- myself or others, they have taught me that we are not dieting, we are getting stronger and healthier, they have taught me that it's OK to have a bad day, and it's OK to let other people know.  They offer words of encouragement and motivation to help me stay committed to a workout later that night...when 8:30PM seems so far away, I know that there are 8 other people who will be sweating it out with me.  Just 10 more plies? It's OK, my friends legs are shaking just as much as mine!

6FIT Success with DanceFIT Studio

Many of you have heard me talk about DanceFIT Studio on my Facebook updates, Twitter feed, word of mouth, etc.  I know, I know...I don't shut up about it.  For good reason though.  DanceFIT has literally changed my life.

I started taking Virtual DanceFIT classes via Skype over a year ago after I bought a Daily Candy Promotion.  It was completely out of my comfort zone...classes that is.  I have 100% uncoordinated and always have been.  I figured taking a class via Skype wouldn't be so bad...no one but the instructor could see me and hopefully she wouldn't laugh too hard if I fell on my ass trying to channel my inner ballerina.  When I signed on for my first class, the wonderful owner of DanceFIT Studio and Boston's #1 Barre Instructor, Gina Fay welcomed me and was seriously encouraging and motivating the entire class.  I was hooked.  A few months later, I decided enough was enough...I needed to get serious about dropping the baby weight and signed up for my first (of 3) 6FIT through DanceFIT:  6 weeks of clean eating, daily exercise, sleep and water.  Duh.  I lost 5 pounds and multiple inches.  I was so excited!  Bye Bye, baby weight!

Yesterday marked the completion of my 3rd 6FIT!  My baby boy is 5 months old and I made a commitment  to myself early on to get my body moving and healthy after he was born.  I am so excited to share that in the past 6 weeks, I lost 5 additional pounds and 11 total inches from my body!  More importantly, I feel SO MUCH BETTER about myself and my body.  At this stage after having my daughter, I felt like crap and was feeling pretty depressed about myself- in a complete rut.

Even though this was my 3rd go with 6FIT (the second time I was pregnant with the little guy), I learned even more valuable health and fitness information.  I tried and realized i LOVED certain foods and committed to more exercise than I ever thought I could possibly do - a) because I have 2 kids and who has the time? and b) because I didn't think I had the energy or the stamina.

I have to give a shout out to the hubby here...without his support, I wouldn't have been able to take so many night classes, double headers, etc.  He knows I am easily distracted and was more than happy to spend some time bonding with and feeding the baby after our 2 year old went to bed so I could take sometimes 2 hours of classes- almost every night of the week.  He encouraged me when I was having a "fat day" and reminded me of where I was at this point after Caoimhe was born.  Although he refused kale, spaghetti squash and roasted veggies, he didn't put up a fuss when I served fish and veggie filled stirfry (as long as it had some meat in it).

Here are a few major food accomplishments I achieved through 6FIT this session:

• Tofu- Who knew?  My sister gave me the easiest recipe of all.  Slice the drained tofu thin, douse it in tobasco and grill it! 6 minutes on each side.  Delish!  I literally NEVER thought I could enjoy tofu- believe me, I have tried! 
• Brussel Sprouts- Hello lovely- where have you been all my life!  Now, to be fair, I have tried these before and ehhh not a huge fan, but I have discovered roasting them!  My new favorite comfort food. toss them in olive oil, pepper and cayenne pepper (i also cut up sweet potato, parsnips and a potato) and bake for 40 minutes on 400.  Amazing.  
• KALE! I have tried and tried and tried again to stomach kale.  But to no avail.  At the beginning of 6FIT I was asked what my least favorite food is...Kale.  The obvious answer.  for the past 6 weeks I have eaten 3 cups of kale AT LEAST  6 times a week.  I sautee it and serve with eggs for breakfast most days, but I have also used it in smoothies (which my daughter loves too-  shhh don't tell her there's kale in there).  
• Vegetarian Love- really, who needs all that meat when there's roasted veggies, spaghetti squash, delicious salmon and quinoa?  Not me!  However, as I mentioned before...the hubby needs meat content in his dinners, so while we will stick to two legged friends and friends with fins, we will still have meat at dinner...I don't want to be making 3 different meals every night.  
• Dairy Free-  This is the biggest one for me.  During Dairy Free week, I realized that i was less blah, bloated and blah...especially when I incorporated it back into my diet the following week.  The little guy also had a healthier tummy which is good for everyone.  I didn't realize how many dairy substitutes  there were out there.  I was at Whole Paycheck the other day and there is an entire freezer full of dairy free ice cream.  So that basically had me sold right there.  

Probably the best part (for me anyway) about 6FIT is the motivation.  Motivation, not only from my team, but from everyone who is taking part in 6FIT, including our instructors.  I have said this before, but the DanceFIT community is like no other.  I have had the honor of befriending some amazing people who motivate me and inspire me on a daily basis.  The motivation continues after a 6FIT session is over.  We all have a passion for health and fitness and it has totally brought us together as a fun little 6FIT cult! Haha.  I owe so much to all of them.  

This post is getting entirely too long, but wanted to squeeze in a tidbit about my Virtual DanceFIT classes that I talk so much about.  They are AMAZING!  I am able to workout after the babies go to bed, in my own home, in a class filled with other people like me AND I get to work out with my sister who lives in NYC.  What could be better?  If I need to tend to a child, I go, if I sign up for a class mid morning and have a crying baby or a two year old climbing all over me, that is fine...just hit mute on Skype and away we go! I get my daily workout in either way and always leave class with jello legs and burning arms and abs.  ALWAYS. 

This session might be over, but I am already signed up for 9 (I think) classes, including 2 double headers!  I am going to make a conscious effort to keep my momentum going until the next 6FIT starts.  

6FIT is not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.  Are you up for the challenge?