Fitness/Workout Reviews: Pilates!

Now this is a classic! At least for me. 

I remember first finding out about Pilates when I was a teenager in 6th form (Yay British school system!). My friends were telling my about Windsor Pilates, and we were all making copies of this one friend's VHS (yup, VHS) and doing the at home workouts. At the time, I didn't think much of it. I was young and had been working out for years (as a dancer). I had really great core strength and flexibility, so I found the exercises manageable and followed the program consistently for a short time. However I never stuck with it.

Years later I decided to give Pilates another shot, and boy was it a different experience... 

What to expect: 

Pilates is an intense core workout that is practiced by approximately 11 million people.  It is a full body workout that incorporates strength and flexibility, with most of the focus on the core. I personally feel like many group fitness classes only pay minimal attention to the core, so this workout    would be very different from most others. This is not a cardio class. The class uses body weight and a combination or large and small movements to strengthen and tone the muscles in your core, while improving flexibility and balance. There are different levels of difficulty in Pilates classes, and as you continue to go consistently you can begin to attend more advanced classes. 

Pilates classes come in different formats. Some classes do not use any equipment, while others use a Pilates reformer, or more common equipment like fitness balls and resistance bands. The routines are slow and simple, and though some of the moves seem complex, the classes are generally easy to follow.

What you will need:

Nothing! 

These classes will provide you with everything you need. You simply need to show up with your workout clothes (similar to what you would wear to yoga) and sneakers. Some people opt to do the classes in socks or on bare feet, it's a personal preference. 

Pros: 

1. Does not require any special gear.
2. Basic Pilates classes are offered at many gyms, and is not an expensive series of classes (relatively). 
3. A workout that focuses on and tones the abs, which could be a great addition to any fitness routine. 
4. Offered at different levels of difficulty for the enthusiast. 

Cons: 

1. More specialized Pilates studios that offer reformer classes can be pricey. 
2. More of a maintenance and toning workout than one I would suggest for weight loss. 

Summary

This class would make a great addition to any workout routine. If you're looking to challenge your abs a little more, and get a nice flat and tones stomach, I would say that these classes are definitely ones you want to look into. 

Enjoy. Be Healthy. Be Happy

Balanced Living: Meal Prepping Is My LIFE!!!

So... if you don't follow my Instagram (@yaniquesgt) you should, because I regularly post pictures like these! 

I have been meal prepping consistently for over a year now and I honestly can't remember what I did before! I simply do not have the time or the desire to cook every day and do a bunch of dishes every day either. Just having that task waiting for me when I get home is enough to move me to stop somewhere to pick up food on my way home... I know you know what I mean. 

I started meal prepping because I wanted to eat out less often so I could eat healthier and spend less money on food. Now, my reasons are endless and I've listed a few of them below. 

Reason 1: It saves money! 

I can buy groceries for an entire week with the money I would spend on one day of eating out. 

Reason 2: It's just healthier. 

It's always up to you what ingredients end up in your food that you prep yourself, so if you want to be healthy, then make healthy dishes.

Reason 3: Who likes washing dishes? 

I love the fact that I only cook once a week. This means that I break out the pots, pans, and pyrex once a week and only have to wash them once. This is great for me because dishes have got to be the worst chore ever.

Reason 4: I'm a busy person.

I simply do not have the time or the energy to cook every single day, and I know I'm not the only one.

Reason 5: It's so convenient. 

Some may argue that cooking doesn't take that much time, but it's so convenient to just reach into the fridge and grab a meal, than to decide what to make and then prepare it. This is especially helpful for meals that you take to work or elsewhere, you grab and go!

Reason 6: Why not try something fancy? 

You only cook once a week anyway, why not try that super fancy 200 ingredient dish you saw in that magazine? Go out with you planned shopping list, get your ingredients in bulk, make food for the entire week, the feast like a King... EVERY DAY!

Reason 7: It doesn't mean you have to eat the same thing every day...

Meal prepping for the week means preparing all your food at once, it doesn't mean you have to make one thing. If you are the type of person who likes variety throughout the week, then prepare two or three options! It can be from changing the vegetable or the grain, to making completely different dishes. Either way, reasons 1 - 6 still apply.

Reason 8: Didn't these pictures look delicious?

I know it's not a real reason but come on! You have to be hungry for some meal prep right now!

Enjoy. Be Healthy. Be Happy

My Recent Favorite Beauty Products!

I made a little video about my most favoritest of all favorite beauty products for the past few months.

Makeup, haircare, and skincare! 

Enjoy!

Fitness/Workout Reviews: Crossfit!

Let the Craziness begin!

I recently read an article where crossfit was called the 'Scientology of workouts' and that is just dripping with honesty. I mean seriously, of all the workout formats that have a large and dedicated following, how many are often compared to a religion or a cult?....

Now I've heard about crossfit for years but never really knew anything about it other than it was intense and expensive. So of course, when a Groupon became available for an 85% discount on 2 months of unlimited crossfit I jumped on that! I bought the deal, contacted the gym, and showed up for my first class with no clue about what was going to happen...

Now I'm not going to go into every detail of my experience or the actual workouts we did, but if you're going to start this type of workout there's a few things you should know. These are all based on my experience of course, and some things may have been specific to the gym I attended, but here goes...

What to Expect: 

Most of the workouts center around strength. There is some cardio involved, we did lots of running every workout and box jumps definitely get the heart rate up, but the majority of the workout focuses on building and toning muscle. The equipment used in cross fit is a mixture of more familiar pieces like barbells and pull-up bars (do they have a name?), and some less conventional equipment such as kettle bells, ropes, and boxes.

I found the workouts to be extremely chaotic! I love order, and I found the idea posting a WOD (workout of the day) on a chalk board, setting a timer, and saying GO, to be the weirdest setup for a group fitness class. Not to mention that I was completely annoyed by their OBSESSION with what is (IMO) the worst exercise move ever invented! The Burpee... even that word is gross.

Now with that said, I didn't completely hate it. I found the atmosphere to be competitive yet welcoming, encouraging, and friendly. The workouts are difficult to get through ( I thought I was going to die!), but when you see your progress and feel yourself getting stronger and faster it is amazing. The classes are never boring because the workouts change all the time and you go at your own pace. 

What will you need? 

I would definitely suggest weight lifting gloves from day one. Apart from gloves, all other necessary equipment will be provided at the gym. Wear regular workout clothes, and definitely wear appropriate workout shoes, and bring water... lots of water. Also, as with every workout, you should carb-up before you go to the gym so that your body has the fuel it needs to get through it. 

Pros: 

1. Fun and exciting, with a great atmosphere. 
2. Effective for weightless, and well and toning and building muscle. 
3. Full body workouts. 
4. Not heavy on technique, so easy for beginners to learn. 

Cons: 

1. Memberships at these gyms are very expensive, some are in the area of $100 a month!
2. There is not enough focus on proper workout technique in these classes. 
3. Due to the format of the workouts, they can be overwhelmingly chaotic.
4. Too many BURPEES!!! ( burpees are from Hades and need to be stopped!)

Summary

Crossfit is trendy, crossfit is expensive, cross fit is addictive. 

If none of these things bother you, then it is format that offers a full body workout that could lead to improvements for persons from any fitness level. 

Enjoy. Be Healthy. Be Happy