Sugar Plum Scary

Okay, first of all I want to be applauded for my punny title.  I know, right?

Now, seriously. . .

Bad Ass Black Swan

I watched the movie "Black Swan" this weekend, and although it was an amazing movie and I couldn't wait to recommend it to everyone, I knew that my client's at the gym were going to start coming in asking for Natalie Portman's sleek physique.  I find ballet dancers to have beautiful bodies and I respect the hours of training it takes to appear like it is so easy, when I know from my limited ballet training in college it most certainly isn't.

Eating disorders and body dismorphia are common problems in the dance world, so it is no wonder there has been such a public outcry when a New York Times critic called Jennifer Ringer, the dancer playing the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker, fat.

Jennifer Ringer

When you watch her interview and see her dance, you are going to think this guy is out of his f-ing mind.  I would have wanted an apology, but that's me.  If anything, Ringer is getting the last laugh.

Working Out and Staying Cool

Although I love warm weather, I have an aversion to working out in it. I get super sweaty and I break out in heat rash behind my knees, the crooks of my elbows, and my neck! It is torture. I can't NOT workout, so I have my "go to" workouts that keep me trim, sane, and help me beat the heat. They are all based on small muscle movements, a ballet barre, resistance bands, pilates, and yoga. Similar, but different.

SQUEEZE: Created and led by Tracy Effinger, Squeeze is one of my favorite workout series. I own the original Squeeze, Squeeze Stronger, and Squeeze lower body challenge. It is a more athletic approach to small muscle movements: Tracy keeps a brisk pace throughout and doesn't spend a lot of time setting up the movements. She uses light weight and a lot of reps to tire out your muscles in a way that most heavy weight exercises can't. Her ab workout is one of the toughest around- you won't die but you'll want to!
Equipment: mat, light hand weights, a medium sized ball, a dance barre or high backed chair







THE LOTTE BERK METHOD: Lotte Berk was a famous Russian ballerina who created this pilates-esque workout that has been around since the 1950's. This version was created by Lydia Bach who opened a studio here in NYC and is similar to popular classes at Exhale (Core Fusion), Bar Method, and Physique 57. I own all four DVDs: Basic Essentials, Hip Hugger Abs, Muscle Eats Fat, and High Round Assets. Each video is about 30 minutes in length and is very instructional. Once you get past the over instruction it is a really great series and wonderful when I am short on time or don't have the energy for Squeeze.
Equipment: mat, light hand weights, a dance barre or high backed chair




FLUIDITY: I love infomercials and bought this series off of one. It came with four DVDs: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced and a Seat and Thigh video, two resistance bands, a rubber ball, and a beautiful ballet barre that sets up on it's own without being attached to a wall. I use the barre for all my ballet workouts! It was a great purchase even though it was pricey. Led by Michelle Austin, the workouts are very similar to Lotte Berk and Callanetics, but I feel they are a little more ballet inspired. I love the stretching after every move and feel these workouts made me better at my other workouts because of the control that I gained over my muscles. The ab workouts are TOUGH.
Equipment: Fluidity barre, resistance bands, rubber ball




I just bought Core Fusion Pure Abs and Arms and will be doing a separate post about it (I liked it!). All these workouts are proof that you don't have to jump around and sweat like silly to gain strength, muscle tone, and grace. I use them regularly in my rotation and find they help in all aspects of my fitness gains.

Apartment Fitness: AeroBarre

I love boxing. I love ballet. Never would I have thought to put these two forms together, but super cool former pro boxer Michael Olajide Jr. (he wears an eye patch!) and former ballet dancer Leila Fazel who both own AeroSpace NYC have put them together for their new DVD AeroBarre. And it works!

I have not taken a class at AeroSpace NYC in person so I was dieing to try it out. Never any harm in getting down in the privacy of your own apartment!

The video is SLICK. The first thing you'll notice is Michael's smooth, smokey voice leading you along on top of some really cool beats. Leila is the on screen presence, but she doesn't speak. She does wear the coolest looking alligator pattern boxing shoes. The video leads you through a series of rounds beginning with a warm up, leading into shadow boxing and basic ballet moves: First and second position plies, releves, and attitudes. Most of the shadow boxing is done with light weights. Michael recommends one pounders, but I only have three pounds. I could still do all the moves just fine.

The best part of the video is the music which is very tribal and original. And I love transitioning from graceful assemblies to punches. It is only 50 minutes long and it flew by!

Equipment: light hand weights, body bar (not 100% necessary), and a high backed chair if you don't have a body bar.

Fitness level: Beginner to Advanced. No prior boxing or ballet training is needed, and there is a quick demo at the beginning to explain technique.

Fun Level: Six Flags! (more flags, more fun right?)

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 19

I live in a five story brownstone on the third floor. During the weekdays, I am totally Natalie- full butt kicks, full rock star jumps, full double jump ropes. On the weekends, however, I am more Anita due to my downstairs neighbors! I would hate for them to hear my elephantine thuds shaking their chandeliers!



I did Level 3 of the Shred, and kept the strength moves with Natalie and kept the plyo moves with Anita. It was a tough day today because I ate movie popcorn (small, and I shared, but nevertheless) and I felt so GROSS afterwards. All bloated and puffy. The exercise actually helped me feel better, but I have made my boyfriend promise that he won't let me buy popcorn in the future even if I really want it because I always complain about feeling nauseous after I eat it.



I also did The Lotte Berk Method High Round Assets DVD. It is a combination of pilates, ballet, and Callanetics, and it is TOUGH! I thought it was going to be an easy stretching type workout. When you hold your leg out behind you at a 90 degree angle and do 30 small pulses? Not so easy.



The good news is that my high round ASSet should be on my shoulders by the holidays. :)



Hope every one's Sunday was great and onto day 20!

30 Day Shred Challenge: Day 12

I survived Halloween without any candy, so I was feeling pretty positive today. An extra hour to play with!!!

I spent my extra hour doing positive things: blogging about DietTribe and doing the Shred!

Level 2 of the Shred came a little easier today. The in and outs were far less traumatic, and I feel my shoulder girdle getting stronger. Maybe I will try to get up to those 5 pound weights on those V raises!

I rounded out my workout with Fat Burning Fusion with Ellen Barrett. This is a great standing pilates/ballet video that lasts about 45 minutes. I always feel super light and graceful when I perform the exercises, and I am not always light or graceful. Ellen Barrett is a great instructor- she is perky, cute, and informative and her cuing is really sharp. Highly recommended!

Ready for lucky number 13!