You guys (this is Sara)…I have found my exercise spirit animal, and it is Pure Barre North Raleigh.

I have been having the hardest time getting myself motivated to work out again! My stylist and buddy Natalie was doing my hair the other day and telling me the key to life is getting up at 5am and going to workout at a class and getting it done…having the rest of the day ahead of you.  At the time it sounded like crazy talk! This is Sara from the future…Natalie!!! You were so right! #lifechanger

The girls at Samuel Cole Salon have been going to classes and Pure Barre specifially forever and I finally got begrudgingly persuaded into going.  I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this but classes were my worst nightmare.  I found the thought of them soooo incredibly intimidating!  I talked myself into a tizzy over this last year of fitness and wellness that classes weren’t for me.  They were for experienced, fit girls.

I convinced myself the instructors would yell at you and I would fall or cry or break my leg and knock myself out and lose all my front teeth or fly off an exercise ball and take out a row of old ladies!?!  What a silly girl I am.  So when Sandra had to unexpectedly leave town just as I was getting my healthy groove back AND Jenny was out of town for the Bee Wedding I had several realizations.  #1 I am completely dependent on Sandra!  It is such an amazing and challenging workout and I was in such a bad place for so long that I convinced myself that the once a week with her was enough.  So when I got my shit back together I decided to start seeing Sandra twice a week #accountabilityiskey We made it through one week before she had a family emergency. #loveyouandyourfamilysandy I was feeling so connected again, I had to find a way to keep going! #2 I need a buddy, I am codependent as hell! #3 I hate wearing shoes…especially sneakers. #4 The world has a wonderful way of presenting you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it.

So reality came crashing down that I would be solo in the exercise game last week and I thought, Sara you better steel yourself up for this!  Lauren, my next door neighbor at work and the love of my life,

said you should try Pure Barre.  I’ll help you sign up!  She walked me to the computer, we found a time together and it was a 6am class last Wednesday.  Everything felt very fate.  I worried about waking up, being on time, would I die…all the normal stuff!  But we got there and Grogan was there too!!!  I was feeling the love and support and it helped me feel comfortable and excited!  Claire was our teacher and it was go go go from word go!

After lots of air humping, pulsing, bending and lets of tiny, controlled movements and music blasting, an hour flew by!   Claire was so nice and encouraging and helped me understand how to do things!

An hour flew by and I survived!  Grogan really pushed me to sign up for an unlimited month!  So I did and she helped me download the app and I started signing up for so many classes.  They have a 40 classes in 60 days and I want to see if I can do it!  So, Grogan and I went back on Friday…at 6am!  Today we had Kim!  She was so challenging and supportive!

Haaaa!!!  Look at that couch love!  Her class was an ass kicker for sure!  Then I did something I NEVER thought I would do…I went by myself on Sunday and met the sweetest, most lovely little Paige!

She gave me tips on how to do some things that I can’t physically do yet differently so I still get a good workout…I love modifications!  I set myself up and everything and survived solo workouts!

Then I made it to number 4…reunited with Grogan on Monday!

So early, so ugly! Today was with Christina!  She had a great energy and again was super encouraging!

You guyyyys!!!!  I’m in love with this place and this lifestyle! Getting up early and going to bed early feels great.  I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m doing something, it’s booked, it’s in my calendar, and I don’t have to wear shoes!!!!!!!!!!  I already feel better in my adorable new bathing suits from MonifC! I love this one piece and fringe fatkini!

I was oh so wrong about classes.  The instructors have been amazing, this class style is so challenging and different.  They are small classes and everyone is friendly.  It’s so hard you don’t have the energy to see what everyone else is doing.  And the warm up is the same.  So the first day I felt like I couldn’t do anything and now I already feel like I am more capable…how motivating is that!?  To the girls at work…I love you guys so much I could cry.  Thank you for the support and encouragement and the glowing positivity!  I really needed you and y’all were at the right place in the right time in my life!Love times a milly.  Second, thank you Pure Barre North Raleigh…this has been life changing and such a happy edition to my life!!!  Thank you to every single instructor and I can’t wait to meet everyone and for us to all fall in love.  My goals is to hit 40 classes and to be able to eventual plank on my toes!  Love isn’t a strong enough word!  Sign up today, conquer your fears…its feels incredible! Here is some closing PB inspiration!

In other news I went on a thousand dates while my meatball was gone! My bff’er K Tizzle came to town and we Zested it up!

#alltheangles

Then I reconnected with my old partner in crime Lauren!  We hadn’t seen each other in ages and I was giddy and nervous for our date…hahah!!!  Lauren is the living embodiment of adorable

and down for anything!  WE met at Coquette and I had the duck…it was gross.

We laughed and caught up on everything…i love reminiscing!

I literally didn’t want the night to end…Love you Lauren, can’t wait to do it again!

On the work front… my adorable sister and her kids came in to the salon!

We got the hot new summer products in from Oribe…could not be more obsessed!

This showed up in my Facebook time hop thing!

This was from Oribe’s La Fama in Miami 2 years ago…this was very motivating!  Love these people!

Then a super inspiring stylist, Katie Manselle started at the salon!  This woman is incredibly talented and such a gem!  I love our growing family!

And finally…my meatball came home and we have been bonding our asses off!  We are finally both in the same place in so many ways in the longest time!

 

Then, the cherry on the paleo PIE (get it Reuben?! winky face)…Reuben Carranza, President at Luxury Brand Partners and  Group President of R+Co and v76 came back to the salon on Monday to give us all an inspiring class on branding!  Reuben is the self proclaimed third meatball and we wouldn’t have it any other way.  You may remember him from such posts last year as Two Meatballs: Is There a Cloud 10?!?!?  We fell  in love with this mogul from moment one…I mean look at us!?

 

 

 

I came in early to help set up for class

and when we saw each other it felt like a slow mo run in the airport!  Reuben has a glow to him, a calm energy and a power!  He is enigmatic and so engaging.

He looked great and said that he had started his own journey to health and lost 25 pounds since we last saw one another. Wahoooooo!  This powerful, pop culture loving and busy man has been so supportive of this meatball adventure and we are so grateful and humbled! #lbpfamily He reached out to us today!

Haaaaa!!!  But class and I’m guessing that you are sensing a theme with this post…was so inspiring and thought provoking and relevant and buzzy with good vibes and hilarious imagery!

Look at this man go!

 

I learned so much about how to remove myself from negativity and exploring what my reputation is!  Reuben, I literally can’t wait to see you again in Miami.  You are a treasure and we are so lucky to know you.

 

I feel like the universe has come together to put all the right people and support in place to help Jenny and I find the way again.  And you guys, we are so thankful for each and every one of you who help us along the way.  We will pay it forward.  We love you all.  I’ll be at the beach next week and then we will see y’all at weigh in!  XOXO,  I miss you guys already!

 

#whycantidoadeadface!?