Howdy,

Happy Friday friends! I hope you've had a wonderful week. First of all, I want to to thank everyone for their sweet comments of support and encouragement regarding my announcement about my new Barre & Pilates continuing education workshops. I really appreciate it more than you know!

It's been another great week here at the George household. I love reflecting on all of the happy (and this week, not so happy but still cute) moments from the week with Friday Favorites!

MarchMatness

I am having a blast participating in MarchMatness with Belle. It's fun to practice moves I may not do every day and I love seeing everyone's pictures from around the world doing Jo's classic exercises! If you want to join in on the MarchMatness fun, check out this post for the details!




 Plantain Bread

I came across a recipe for plantain bread on facebook yesterday via Purelytwins.com and I had to give it a try! It's grain free, gluten free, dairy free, paleo, and oh so easy. Simply blend half a plantain with 2 eggs and 1/2 tsp. coconut oil then bake in a pie pan at 350 for 15 minutes. It tastes like a cross between banana bread and a crepe. I ate it plain, but it would be delicious as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or served in place of toast with breakfast. I will definitely be making it again very very soon! If you've never checked out PurelyTwins blog, it's a must! They have amazing recipes!


Belle's Dramatic Expressions

Of course, I never want Belle to be upset but I must admit her angry faces can be pretty funny. She was having an extra fussy day yesterday, and any little thing seemed to make her mad. Sometimes, to keep from losing your mind, you just have to laugh. Here's to hoping she is in a better mood today!


Baby Kisses

On a positive note, Belle isn't stingy with the slobbery baby kisses! She comes at you full force with an open mouth and drool dripping off her chin when you're least expecting it. She can rub drool all over me anytime she wants as long as she keeps the kisses coming!


Sunshine

source

Although we technically had a "snow day" yesterday (some schools were shut down and a lot of places had a delayed start), we actually got to see the sun for the first time in over a week yesterday afternoon. It was still freezing, but I was starting to think the sun had disappeared completely!

I'm off to do a little early morning cleaning before Belle wakes up! I hope you all have a fabulous Friday and a great weekend!

What was your favorite moment from the week?

In health,

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Hi Friends,

I have some big and very exciting news to share with you today. If you know me, or read this blog often, you know I LOVE teaching Barre and Pilates classes. I truly believe in the power of these formats to change your body, mind, and life, and I can't get enough of the amazing students that attend my classes! It also amazes me, how people can benefit from Barre & Pilates throughout all walks of life. Trust me, if I can teach 10 classes a week 9 months pregnant, these formats can be modified to benefit everyone!

What you might not know, is that my other passion is mentoring new instructors. Becoming a fitness instructor completely changed my life, and I love helping others find their passion for teaching as well. I began my teaching career at Texas A&M University and was lucky enough to have some of the most amazing mentors around. Our boss, DeAun Woosley, always made sure we got the best of the best when it came to continuing education and encouraged us to continually work to improve our teaching skills.

The wonderful instructors I began my teaching career with at Texas A&M!

A few months ago, I decided to combine my love of Barre and Pilates with my passion for teaching other instructors to create five continuing education workshops. Through these five workshops, I hope to help other instructors either dive into the world of Barre and Pilates for the first time or take their current classes to the next level with new choreography and a fresh approach on teaching!

Each of these workshops are approved for ACE and AFAA continuing education credits. Additionally, every course is equipped with unique class blueprints to help you take what you learn and effectively create fun and balanced classes you are ready to teach in no time!


Cardio Barre For Group Fitness Instructors - 5 AFAA/.5 ACE CEU's

Barre Fundamentals - 3 AFAA/.3 ACE CEU's

Power Up Your Barre Class - 2 AFAA/.2 ACE CEU's

Pilates Fundamentals For Group Fitness Instructors - 5 AFAA/.5 ACE CEU's

Pilates - Pump Up The Beat - 2 AFAA/.2 ACE CEU's

For full workshop descriptions, please visit my Fitness Continuing Education page. I can't even begin to describe how excited I am to go out and spread the Barre & Pilates message. These methods have changed my life and my body for the better, and I believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience them.

With that being said, if you would like more information on attending a course or hosting a workshop at your facility, please feel free to email me at LaurenEGeorge@gmail.com. I do private (just for your in house staff), or public (open to community registration) workshops and love working with gyms, studios, YMCA's, and campus recreation centers of all sizes!

Thank you for helping me spread the word about my endeavor, and maybe I will see some of you in a workshop soon!

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Howdy!

I hope you're Tuesday is treating you well so far. Minestarted off sweaty a fabulous with a 6 AM Pilates Mat class, 7 AM Barre Express class, and 9 AM Barre class. I had such a great crew this morning and we had a blast getting sweaty and foggy up the windows. Well, at least I know I did. Hopefully, they did as well! I would be lying if I didn't tell you I was pooped after three back to back classes. An awesome playlist is the most essential element for teaching when you are a bit tired or really any early morning class if you ask me. Music can make all the difference in the world when it comes to a great class!

If you were to ask my students what my favorite song is, they would tell you that I have a new favorite every week!  Totally true! I just love discovering new songs and coming up with choreography to match. I've had people ask me in the past if music is really that important for a good class, and the answer is always YES! There are so many proven benefits to working out with music, and when it comes down to it, it's just MORE FUN!

• Synchronization of movements - According to Dr. Carl Foster, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin, “You can go all the way back to rowers on the Roman Galleys. The guy is sitting there beating on his drum and he drives the basic rhythm of the rowing. Part of that is coordination – you want the rowers to row together – but part of it is that people will naturally follow a tempo. It’s just something about the way our brains work.” There isn 't a fitness instructor out there who doesn't love when the whole class is moving together in unison. It just brings such an energy to the class!
• Provide a positive distraction from exercise induced discomfort. We all know a great song can make or break us when our legs are shaking and our quadriceps are burning! 
• Music makes exercise more enjoyable - Professor Costas Karageorghis, Ph.D., from London’s Brunel University School of Sport and Education states, “[Music] can reduce the perception of effort significantly and increase endurance by as much as 15 percent.” I was using David Guetta's "Hey Mama" song in my barre class recently, and it was literally one of the hardest sets I've done in a while, but I just LOVED  that stinkin' song so I actually looked forward to it every class. 
• Helps students “get in the zone” or let go of outside distractions and focus on the moment. You've all been in class when your jam comes on and you think to yourself, "I am totally about to kill it right now." Your eyes start to focus, your head may bob to the beat, and you take it to that next level. Katy Perry "Black Horse" anyone! That song does it for me every time! 
• Improves mood - When it comes right down to it, and great song can just make you smile. Maybe it reminds you of a happy memory, you love to sing along with it, or it just makes you want to dance. Regardless, when a great song comes on, you just can't help but work a little harder. 

In unrelated Annabelle news, baby girl is finally learning how to hold her own bottle. Kara, our wonderful babysitter at ToddPilates, snapped this picture for me during class today. What a big girl!


I hope you all have an amazing rest of your Tuesday! Stay warm!

What is your favorite song on your workout playlist right now? 

In health,

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Happy Monday!

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I saw this quote early this morning and thought it was a great reminder. I am a firm believer in the fact that you get out what you put in, especially when it comes to exercise! If you want something you have to work for it plain and simple.


I received some great feedback from the Barre video I posted on Tuesday, so I thought I would keep the ball rolling and share another short clip with you guys today. This segment alternates between 1st and 4th position and really focuses on the front of your thighs. As always, take every exercise at your own pace and consult with your doctor before beginning any new exercise program. If you can't see the video on your smart phone or tablet, you can visit my YouTube channel. I hope you enjoy!



Apparently, "Good" was my word of the day this morning. I learn something new about my teaching style every time I do one of these clips. It's a great learning experience for me too!

Want to join me for a full barre workout? Check out this hour long Cardio Barre Fusion video or head over to my "Workout Video" page.



I hope you all have a great rest of your day!

If you're an instructor, do you ever film yourself teaching to self evaluate?

In health,

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Happy Workout Wednesday,

For most workout Wednesdays, I post a workout, a new playlist, or a workout video, but today, I want to talk about WHY I workout. Of course we workout to look and feel good, but is that all? No, way! I could think of about a million reasons I workout and why I love to teach exercises classes, but I decided to narrow it down to my top 35 (ok, so I didn't narrow it down that much). 

I Workout To.....

Stay strong

Set a good example for my daughter

Feel like a GLADIATOR IN SPANDEX (corny Scandal reference, but true)

Have an excuse to whoop and holler in public (my students know what I'm talking about)

Hang out with amazing friends

Look good for my husband (just being honest)

Thank my body for all it does for me

Revert back to my cheerleading days

Feel good about myself

Work off some steam

Sweat like a pig, and like it

Dance to hip hop music like I'm at a high school dance, and not care who's watching (all my high school friends are laughing to themselves right now) 

Empower others

Empower myself

Build muscle

Burn calories

Make myself smile --> the kind that creeps into your eyes because you're that happy

Have an excuse to sing along with my favorite songs

Bob my head to the music and have half the class do it with me

Spend 10, 20, 30, or 60 minutes just thinking about one thing (my workout) and not my to do list

Escape reality

Embrace my body 

Make myself huff and puff for air

Feel my legs and arms shaking after a hard workout

Experience how rewarding a hot shower can be after a run in the cold

Relieve stress

Reward myself for my hard work as an employee, mom, and wife

Encourage others

Meet new people

Try new things

Learn things I didn't know about myself

Push my limits

Stay healthy

Increase my brain power

Love myself!

There you have it! The top 35 reasons I workout and love every second of it (most of the time)! If you came to the blog today hoping for a new workout, make sure you check out the great lower body barre workout I posted yesterday or my workout page for tons of ideas!

Linking up for Workout Wednesday and Wild Workout Wednesday!

Your turn! Why do you workout?

In health,

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Hi Everyone,

I hope your week is off to a great start! I have had a lot of people ask if I have any barre or Pilates videos available online so they can see what I'm always going on and on about. :)  I decided to try to start posting more short Barre and Pilates video segments here on the blog. They can be used for quick workouts, or maybe they will give my fellow instructors some fun choreography ideas. I know I am always on the lookout for creative and effective things to do in class. I also have a few videos posted on my YouTube Channel and at ToddPilate's OnDemand.

Anyways, here is my first Barre Breakdown video installment. Today, I filmed one of the cardio segments from my current barre class. The main exercise in this video is the curtsy lunge. I hope you like it!

Curtsy lunges can be a lot on your knees at the beginning, so modify your range of motion as you see fit. This workout is prenatal friendly, but my mommies be especially careful with your turnout since you have a lot of extra relaxin in your body. If you are on your smartphone and cant see the video, you can click here to watch it on YouTube



I'm linking up with Sara, at Lake Shore Runner, for Tried It Tuesday!

Would you guys like to see more videos like this? 

Anything else you would like to see videos of?

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

In health,

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Happy Workout Wednesday!

Where has this week gone? It seems to be flying by a little faster than normal. Last week, I shared a roundup of some of my favorite workouts, and this week, I want to roundup a few of my favorite motivational mantras. Between a baby, work, a husband, and trying to stay sane, I can definitely admit to struggling with workout motivation from time to time. Sometimes, I really just want to go get back in bed after Belle's 5:30 AM feeding instead of working out, but I try to remind myself of how great I will feel afterwards. I also find that keeping positive quotes around me about health, fitness, and life in general helps keep me on the right track. They are like little kicks in the behind when I feel like skipping a workout or when my exhaustion turns into a bad mood. Here are a few of my favorites!

Remember we are in control of how we treat our bodies and our attitudes! I hope one of these quotes resonates with you and maybe puts a little extra sunshine in your day.

Linking up for Workout Wednesday and Wild Workout Wednesday!


What is your favorite motivational quote or mantra?

In health,

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11 Facts About Me:

1. I am the oldest of 6 kids and completely live up to the Type A, over controlling, Mama bear oldest child stereo type! Just ask my younger siblings. :)
2. I am 110% obsessed with the mountains. Give me mountain trails over the beach any day. If I could live somewhere with a mountain out my back door and no neighbors anywhere around, I would be one happy camper (not that I'm anti-social, but nothing makes me happier than a great nature view and plenty of trails to explore).
3. Following up on #2, my favorite thing to do is go on a hike or walk with friends. 
4. I love visiting new places and will take experiences of material things every time. 
5. Jason's Deli is my favorite restaurant. Yep, you read that right, nothing fancy for this girl. A salad bar and some free chocolate and vanilla swirled frozen yogurt make me a happy as a lark. 
6. I am probably the biggest light weight in the world. Two glasses of wine, and someone better drive me home and tuck me in bed. 
7. Since graduating college 4.5 years ago, I've lived in 5 different houses, 4 cities, and 2 states. 
8. Unless I'm at the lake, pool, or beach, I HATE extremely hot weather (not so good for a girl who lives in Texas). 
9. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and I would probably eat it for every meal of the day if I could. Well I guess I could, but it probably wouldn't be the most nutritious choice. 
10. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for five years this May, and he is the absolute love of my life. Thanks for putting up with me for 11 years E! :) 
11. If I could choose one word to describe me, it would be "mom," because nothing in this entire world brings me more joy than being Annabelle's mom. Everyone tell you that you never truly understand how much you can love someone until you have a child, and that is definitely the truth. 

DeAun in the white jacket with just a few of her girls at Dallas Mania.

In health,

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Happy Monday Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and an amazing Valentine's Day! We partied hard at the George household! Ok, maybe not exactly "hard," but we definitely had fun! It was a fantastic day from start to finish.

Belle gave me an early Valentine's present by sleeping until 5:30 AM before she requested her first feeding. After I fed her, I squeezed in a quick garage workout and shower. Then I started swiffering the floor expecting her to wake up at any second, but she didn't. She slept for so long I got to sweep, mop, and clean the bathrooms (doesn't sound all that glamorous, but I was so thankful she slept long enough for me to get it all done)!

After spending the morning with Annabelle and E (and enjoying the gluten free muffins E surprised me with), I head to the studio for our special Valentine's Day class. Todd had the great idea to do a love song extravaganza class to celebrate Valentine's Day. Each instructor taught 2-3 songs choreographed to our favorite love songs. Of course, I had to go with upbeat songs, so I chose:

"Living For Love," by Madonna
"When Love Takes Over (feat Kelly Rowland)," by David Guetta
"What I did for Love (feat Emeli Sande)," by David Guetta

You can find these songs and check out my full playlists on my playlists page.

The class was an absolute blast! All of the instructors did great and our class brought their A Game with a ton of energy. After class, there was an after party at Water 2 Wine with wine, snacks, and lots of great company. Below, is my recently graduated trainee, Katie, and she absolutely kicked butt in class. I am so proud of what an amazing instructor she has become. Watch out Pilates world, Katie is coming for you!


Crazy socks and leg warmers called for ridiculous poses of course! Throw back to our cheerleading days.


After class, I headed home to find my sweet tiny human dressed to the 9's in Valentine's Day apparel. The weather was so amazing, we had to take a family walk. She was all smiles the whole time.


She loves to sport Dad's hat anytime he will share. I have to admit, I think it looks even better on her than on E.


After our walk, she showed off her gymnastics skills to all of our neighbors. She cracks up uncontrollably anytime E tosses her in the air. Even when she is at her fussiest, this will usually stop the crying.


And of course, she is still mesmerized by her toes.


After dinner, we decided to take a stroll on the brand new boardwalk that just opened at Lady Bird Lake. It was a gorgeous night, and there was hardly a soul on the boardwalk. It was so nice to just be able to walk and chat while taking in the views. We probably walked for over an hour, and it was just perfect.


The views of the skyline from the boardwalk were absolutely amazing. I love how all of the lights reflect off of the water. If you live in Austin, you have to go check it out at night.


No date night is complete without dessert, so before heading home, we stopped by Central Market for my favorite gelato. It was delicious as always. We hung out there for awhile to soak in a bit more quality time before heading home. It was the perfect ending to the perfect Valentine's Day!

We took E's mom to Wildwood Bakehouse for brunch on Sunday (I am getting so spoiled by all the brunch I've been eating lately), and then spent the rest of the day doing laundry, running errands, doing work from home (both of us), and hanging out with Belle. Nothing too crazy, but nice all the same. Linking up with the wonderful Biana at B Loved Boston for this weekend recap!

I hope you all got to spend time this weekend with those you love!

What did you do this weekend?

Favorite upbeat love song?

In health,

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