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Dina's Story:

I took my first bar method class in Sept. of 2009. Prior to trying Bar Method, I had been a member at a gym near home/work and, for the past few of years, had gone off and on 2-4 times/wk with long breaks here and there. I would constantly need to motivate myself to get to the gym, like the chore it often was. I have always been fairly fit, but never very motivated to take my fitness to the next level. For example, I would get into running for a month or 2 before a vacation, and then not run again for 6 months. I did hot yoga for a couple months, but then got bored and saw no change in my body. Every class, or gym, or personal training appt I have done has ended after about 3 months.

#1 — I didn’t have health or weight issues to really worry about, so I would tell myself it wasn’t a big deal to quit. More importantly #2. — I NEVER could get motivated to continue. I am not someone who needs to lose a lot of weight, but have always wanted to be in better shape, and lose just a few pounds. I always envied those people who work out 5 days a week, or train and actually followed through with a half marathon/marathon – Not because I want to run a marathon, but because they liked something enough to want to do it every day.

I trained for one before, but never ended up doing it -Why? Because I just don't t like running that much. Or, I just didn’t really have that burning desire to run through the finish line in a triathlon. Or I just didn’t care that much. I also love the chiseled look of toned, lean muscle, but thought the opportunity for me to look like that was reserved for dancers and exercise fanatics – definitely not in my camp.

That being said, when I was frustrated in dressing room mirrors, or noticed at 31 I couldn't eat junk food like I used to. I sadly admitted to myself that I just wasn’t 'one of those people' who was committed and driven enough to change my shape, or become addicted to exercise in a good way. What has always worried me about that is that I get older every day, and I know things slow down. I haven't had kids yet – how in the heck would I motivate myself to lose baby weight, or stay healthy if I couldn't commit to doing it now?  Until Bar Method…….

It was something very different than anything I had ever done, but I loved it after my first class. As I mentioned, I belonged to a gym near work (in Seattle) so I only went to Redmond a handful of times the first couple of months. I decided in Nov. that while I never looked forward to going to the gym, and trying to motivate myself to get on machines, or do another 20 situps, I LOVED going to Bar Method. I quit my gym membership and decided to try going 3-4 times/month.

The first thing I noticed was my flexibility increase. I couldn’t turn my foot forward during stretch at the bar for the first couple weeks. I have always had very tight hamstrings, and could never touch my toes. Then, I started feeling much stronger and more flexible. Although I hadn't lost any weight, I knew I was gaining muscle, and toning. More than anything, I loved going to class. I knew it was something really good for me, I loved the energy, teachers, AND the fact that I was looking better in my clothes. I had received a few compliments that I was looking great, and I felt great.

Bev and Maika and a couple of 'classmates' said that if I really want to see changes, and challenge myself to the fullest, I should try coming 5 days per week. Keep in my that I have probably never worked out more than 15 times/month in my entire life (and that was a good month!), and now I was speeding to get to Bar Method 5 days a week, and adding an hour commute after work to get to class and back. I think they put MSG in the fans or something, because I became addicted quickly. I joined the challenge in January. I took measurements, and was so excited to actually find something I could commit to! I knew, without a doubt, that I would make it to May 1, and knew I would meet my #1 goal: Committing to, and sticking with a workout routine for more than a month or 2!!

I was not overweight when I started, and I didn’t have major expectations to lose much weight, but saw how carved Maika and Bev are, and I wanted to look like them! I started thinking about Bar Method as a long term practice – not something to quickly lose 5 pounds for a trip, or get ready for summer in a month. This was a whole different way of thinking about exercise for me. However, in the first few months, although I knew I was really building muscle, I couldn’t help but get frustrated that I wasn’t losing weight, or really seeing much change. "I'm working out more than I ever have, driving all this way, and I don’t see much change."

I guess I did have expectations for instant change. BUT after conversations with Bev and Maika, reading Burr's blog and other success stories, and understanding more about which muscles I was using and how I was improving my health, posture, sleep, attitude, etc, I realized that this is a life-long practice. I almost felt a weight lift that I didn’t have to worry about why I hadn't lost a pound – it was happening little by little, and I went from thinking "why haven’t I lost more inches" to "wow, I wonder if I will be able to do 25 full pushups by then end of 2010, and I wonder what my legs will look like a year from now". I was in a dressing room in February, and looked in the 3-way mirror, and I couldn’t believe how much the shape of my hips had changed. Wow! I had never thought about my actual shape being able to change.

By the end of April I had lost a total of 1 inch in my calves, 1 ½ inches in my thighs, ½ inch in my hips, and ½ inch in my waist. I am 5' 2 and about 122lbs, so on me, 3.5inches is a lot! I can see definition in my arms that I have never seen before. By measuring my physical success, I am able to see changes happen every month. I feel super strong.  Two of my goals at the beginning were to be able to do 20 full pushups, and go into L-shape. I have reached both goals! I don't do both every class, because it is always so challenging, that sometimes I can't do it…. I love how hard it is. You don’t plateau, if you keep pushing every class. It's all about consistency – something I have never had before.

Bar Method has changed the way I think about food, exercise, and my body/mind as a whole. People say yoga connects your body and mind, but all I can think about in a yoga class is that I'm so bored, this is not changing my body, and when is this hour and a half going to be over! Bar Method is so challenging, that I can't think about anything but that exact exercise, and my form. Because of Bar Method, I have taken an entirely new approach to how I take care of myself.

I have given up soda, and sweets (for the most part) and processed foods as best as I can. I am not extreme, but because I look at Bar Method as a long-term practice, I also want to care for my body from the inside out. I have started buying all organic foods, and eating more fruits and vegetables. I have started educating myself more about how to live a healthier lifestyle. It is so much less about what my body looks like, and all about how I feel and how I live. Of course the toning, definition and inches lost is the best side effect, but not my number 1 focus, for once! And fat is now melting off my body as each month passes. I am so glad I have pushed through the first 4-5 months, because now the physical benefits are really coming into view.

I feel so strongly about what Bar Method is about, that I want to become a teacher one day. I have NEVER thought about being a fitness instructor before, but I actually feel DRIVEN to help other people become healthier, and gain more confidence. Bar Method has given me the confidence that I will have something to lean on, to keep me in shape, and help me through the rest of my adventures in life. I also know that I am just starting this practice.

I am very excited about what it has done for my body so far, but I am so looking forward to continuing to challenge myself every week, and see what else I can do.
Bev, Maika and Luke – You guys have been SO inspiring. I cannot believe how hard you work, especially instructing. It really makes me want to work hard, because you are putting so much effort into each class. I also constantly see your bodies as inspiration for me to keep going, and keep working at it, to reach other levels, and get better. Honestly, on days when I don't want to be there, I look at you guys and think about where I could be one day, if I keep working.

Thanks for creating this challenge and helping me find something I can finally say I love, that I can do forever….I am now 'one of those people' who works-out 5 days/week, and I love it!!!

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