One thing I like most about Beyonce’s new Ivy Park fitness line is the prevalence of the number 4. Like Beyonce I was born on September 4th. For my fellow Virgo Queen Bey, 4 has been a significant number throughout her life and her daughter’s name Blue Ivy is a reference to the Roman numeral IV which means 4. While I’ve never met Beyonce in real life, I feel a special connection to her through our birthdays and now through this fitness line.
I want to start out by saying that I currently have no financial or branded affiliation with ClassPass. This is in no way a sponsored post. I’m simply an ordinary member who loves it and wants to share how it has made me a fitter, better and happier person. Here’s my story…
As a kid I was never one for competitive sports. I wasn’t at all athletic and as soon as I was old enough I was cut from every team. I then channeled all of the rejection and frustration I felt from sports into theater and had a blast being in three high school musicals. Since I already had a naturally slim figure in high school and throughout college, I never gave much thought to fitness. In college I tried yoga and discovered my love for group fitness. I loved how non competitive yoga was and how supportive everyone in class was no matter what your ability. It wasn’t about winning or being the best, it was just about getting your mind and body in shape.
Almost two years ago I saw that I had gained weight and I started running outside and on the treadmill. I opted for running because it was free and I could do it on my own time. However, I hated every second of it. There’s nothing more isolating than running without a destination while listening to the exact same playlist day after day. While I would always look for excuses not to run whenever I could find one, I kept doing it because I felt that I had to in order to lose weight. I soon realized that I was punishing myself for no reason and I needed to find something that I actually liked if I really wanted to be a fitter, healthier person. So I remembered my love of yoga and group fitness and signed up for ClassPass. I’m now in the best shape of my life. I take a class through ClassPass almost every day not because I feel like I have to in order to get skinny, but because there’s nothing I’d rather be doing after work or during my free time on the weekends.
About ClassPass
For those of you who aren’t familiar with ClassPass, it’s a subscription service available across tons of cities that allows you to pick up open spots in fitness classes at thousands of studios. For $130 a month you can get unlimited classes with a limit of three per studio per month. While $130 a month may seem like a lot, with classes in New York and other major cities going for $20 to $50 a class, it’s actually a steal. Unlike a gym, there are no initiation fees or year long commitments. If you travel you can use it in any of the 30+ cities available at no additional cost. Without ClassPass there’s no way I would be able to afford to workout as often and as well as I do. My Visa card and I are both thankful for the opportunity to workout everyday without the financial stress that can come with studio or gym memberships.
Variety
Another thing I love about ClassPass is the variety. One of the reasons I never worked out before was because it was boring. ClassPass provides me with a sense of discovery every time I visit a new studio. It keeps working out exciting and makes returning to your favorite studios an adventure too. Everyday is an opportunity to try something new. In a week you can do everything from yoga to pole dancing to spinning or even fencing.
Community
Whenever I visit a new studio or one of my ClassPass favorites, I always feel so welcomed into each unique community. I’ve taken close to 150 classes since I signed up for ClassPass in July and have yet to go to a studio that isn’t 100% welcoming and genuinely interested in my fitness goals. On top of the numerous studio communities I have been welcomed into, ClassPass also provides me with a vibrant community of people interested in bettering themselves through fitness. Whenever I meet another ClassPasser, we automatically start gushing about our favorite studios and classes.
Results
When I first started running and eating healthier I saw some results, but I still wasn’t completely happy with the tone and shape of my body. Now that I love the workouts I do, I’m seeing results that I never thought were possible. I lost another 20 pounds since joining and almost everyone I know has commented on how much weight I’ve lost. When you run, the only calories you’re going to burn are the ones you burned on your run. But when you do resistance training such as barre and yoga you’re building muscle which burns more and more calories for you throughout the day. Now that I’m starting to see my abs again, my muscles are burning calories all the time, not just when I workout.
However, it’s not just the physical change that has made me happy. I have so much more energy and feel so much better that I have in years. Like I said earlier, I no longer feel obligated to workout. I just love doing it and by loving my workouts I can love myself more. In a few months I’ll be turning 30 and I feel fitter and more alive than I ever did in my teens or early 20s. I’m so thankful to ClassPass for making this amazing experience possible and affordable for me. Namaste.
If you’re looking to get back in shape, here’s my advice – choose something you love and do it for you. That’s the only way you’re ever going to see the results that you want.
UPDATE: ClassPass has raised their monthly unlimited rates in New York to $190 a month for current members and $200 a month for new members. They are also offering a 10 class a month pack for $130. While price increases are never fun, I am still an unlimited ClassPass member.
* This post is not affiliated or paid for by ClassPass and tracking links are standard for all members.
Lately, my obsession with ClassPass has resulted in a significant wardrobe change. I’ve become obsessed with looks that can go from studio to street which means lots of fab brightly colored yoga pants.
I think I’m really starting to understand the appeal of basically living in workout gear. I often find myself wearing it to places like the movies or a casual dinner even if I don’t have a workout class after. Here I am going from barre to brunch in my Cory Vines Lane Print Leggings. Life is good!
We’re all familiar with the feeling of pure exhaustion. As an Aspiring Socialite, that feeling becomes inevitable when you’re constantly gallivanting from shows, meetings and parties. Luckily, this socialite has a few official yet humorous tips to stay energized in this fast paced world.
My number one go-to quick fix when I’m running around like a mad-woman is…yes… coffee. A Venti Latte from Starbucks, to be precise. Starbucks coffee is the strongest coffee I know and therefore the main brand of caffeine I resort to. However, the reason why I suggest you drink a latte is because of that small dose of protein intake. Protein is a “macronutrient”, which means that the body needs a relatively large amount of it. The body does not store protein and therefore can’t draw the nutrient from a reservoir when the body is lacking it. So it is necessary to intake protein whenever you can.
Having a balanced diet is extremely important as well. A daily balanced diet includes a combination of plenty of fruits and vegetables, starchy foods including bread, rice, potatoes and pasta and proteins including eggs, beans and dairy. You must also drink about eight glasses of water a day (that dirty-martini does not count). Don’t ever skip breakfast! This first meal is literally the fuel that gets you ready for the day. Those who eat breakfast are known to have more energy and do better at work overall. Those who skip it tend to be irritable and tired. So go ahead and have that egg sandwich with your Venti Latte.
Third, it is recommended that you take a daily multi-vitamin to keep you healthy and balanced. Vitamins, when taken overtime become stored within the body, thus your body will use the fuel from those nutrients that are already stored whenever necessary. Moreover, Magnesium is particularly important when it comes to your energy, so make sure that this is included in the multi-vitamin. Women are advised to take around 300 milligrams and 350 milligrams are recommended for men. A healthy dose of magnesium can also be found in a handful of almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, ran cereal and fish.
I am sure that you have heard of the old expression “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well, a daily dose of moringa powder, the dried and powdered leaves of the Moringa tree, keeps the doctor at bay. The powder is filled with a number of nutrients, minerals and vitamins and benefits your health entirely. Because of the dense and purest form of nutrients within this plant, the body is able to keep its energy levels up in an effective manner. In other words, sprinkle this stuff on everything.
It’s also important to stay physically active to keep those energy levels up and any stress and anger down. Doing cardio about three times a week is enough for you to feel rejuvenated and mentally stable.
Lastly, get some sleep. Turn off that phone, get under the covers and watch an episode of your favorite show one night a week, followed by at least eight hours of sleep. No one likes to feel exhausted, let alone look exhausted. Remember, the only kind of bags you should ever have are designer bags. Not those under your eyes.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, but the opinions are all my own.
The Met Gala is truly the ultimate night of fashion. It’s elegance, exclusivity and overall beauty are beyond compare. This year, however, the fashion (or should I say lack there of it) took the red carpet to a whole new level. While I absolutely loved Amal Clooney‘s red gown and Sarah Jessica Parker‘s daring headdress, when it came to Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and J.Lo’s nearly naked dresses, I couldn’t help but feel that I was looking at flesh not fashion.
I’ve always seen the perfect red carpet look as a dress that compliments the woman wearing it. While we should admire the couture gown, what we should ultimately remember is the woman who wore it. In the case of these fabulous three women, I didn’t see or remember a dress, all I saw was the woman. While their amazing bodies absolutely deserve to be flaunted and shared with the world, I wondered why they chose to wear so little at an event celebrating fashion.
According to an article I read in The Cut, this minimal wardrobe choice is part of a new trend known as the “couture body.” While wearing an expensive designer gown is still a status symbol, the couture body takes it to the next level. With all of the expensive trainers, nutritionists, doctors and luck of the draw genetics that goes into achieving a red carpet-worthy body, it’s no wonder that we’ve moved into a post fashion era where figures are the new Fendi and curves are the new Chanel. In a world where a toned physique is often a sign of a luxurious lifestyle filled with gym memberships, organic foods and deep tissue massages, it seems like the hot bod has become the ultimate status symbol. While I’m uncertain as to if this is a passing trend or a new era in fashion, it might be time to start hitting the gym twice a day.
My number one go-to quick fix when I’m running around like a mad-woman is…yes… coffee. A Venti Latte from Starbucks, to be precise. Starbucks coffee is the strongest coffee I know and therefore the main brand of caffeine I resort to. However, the reason why I suggest you drink a latte is because of that small dose of protein intake. Protein is a “macronutrient”, which means that 