Sunday, July 23, 2017

Workout Tank Tutorial + Pure Barre Love


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I don't think I've talked about it on here much or at all, but over the last few years (post-college) I have been working hard to cultivate a lot of healthy habits. This ranges from sleep quality + quantity to nutrition to water intake, but my favorite is absolutely my newfound love of fitness. 

Let me take a few steps back: a few years ago, I knew nothing about working out. I would dabble in jogging and yoga or pilates videos, but nothing stuck because I never enjoyed any of it, and I could never get myself to work through that initial soreness that comes from working out the first time. And then I graduated, and got an office job, and realized I had to find a way to move intentionally, because the majority of my day was spent sitting on a computer. So a few months into my job, I joined a gym through work and went with a friend to a Zumba class. I loved it. We went back, often, and went to all sorts of other classes: the kind where you do burpees, jump up and down from steps, and try not to throw up. And - man, I didn't love the burpees, but I had realized that group fitness was 100% my thing.

This led me to sign up for a Pure Barre class with another friend, in March of last year. At that point, I had lost weight, gained muscle, and felt pretty good about my fitness capabilities. I figured I'd be able to handle a barre class, no sweat. 

I was so wrong. There was a LOT of sweat. It was really, really hard. My muscles were shaking like Jell-o Jigglers, and I was so confused about what to do for many parts of class, and it was really painful in a really great way. I immediately signed up for a month package, mostly because I just wanted to get better at this crazy class. Additionally, everyone at the studio was kind, friendly, and it was the best workout atmosphere I had ever experienced. I couldn't get enough!

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4 months of Pure Barre, comparison photos.

And now, almost a year and a half later, I am more obsessed than ever. I go every day. At 6 A.M. I never thought I would be that kind of person. But I am so much healthier, happier, and energetic for it. It makes me a nicer person. I've made amazing friends there, and I look forward all day long to the class the next morning. And to be perfectly straight forward, the results help keep me going. The changes in my muscles are so fun to watch, and I love knowing I'm strong enough to do most anything I need to. Almost 300 classes in and no signs of stopping!

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January 2017 > June 2017, Pure Barre nearly every day. 

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December 2014 > May 2017
 So now that I have gushed about barre long enough to totally lose y'all, let's get to the meat and potatoes of this post. I do a lot of workout laundry, and I have even been wearing things out. I want to endeavor to make more of my workout wardrobe, because that stuff is expensive. I also want to share more tutorials with you all, so this seemed like a perfect opportunity to dive in.

I made this out of an old t-shirt that was a little too stretched out and pilled for daily wear, but would be completely acceptable for working out in. This took me, even with filming, less than an hour to put together. It has been years since I have done a t-shirt reconstruction, but I think I might have to get back into it. The results are so gratifying, and it is so quick to do! Plus - it's FREE.

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girl workout tanktop diy tshirt reconstruction fitness inspo fitspo inspiration sewing handmade recon workout gear clothing cutout back racerback topknot pure barre before and after beforeandafter gains muscle building bicep tricep lats tutorial how to instructions how to sew howtosew

So check out the video, and let me know if you make one! Also feel free to let me know if there is anything you'd like to see me make a tutorial for. Now that I'm not planning a wedding, I have a lot more time to rediscover all my other hobbies!


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7 comments:

  1. Congratulations on discovering your exercise jam :) I think that's key for everyone because just like everything else in life nothing is a one size fits all :) I switched from yoga to pilates 7 years ago (I'm 62) and discovered much to my surprise that I LOVE pilates. I certainly knew of it years ago but not enough to be tempted to try it then I did and was instantly in love :) I now do a combination of Yamuna Ball rolling (which I also highly recommend particularly for those in the "aging" category :) ) and pilates. I swim lengths 3 times a week as well. I have exercise to thank for sure for my flexibility, strength and mind sharpness (sewing has been fabulous for mind sharpness too! ) :) Loved your tutorial on converting a regular Tee - there are SO many of these in thrift shops - even grabbing a couple of men's XL or even XXL will provide you with plenty of knit to make these Tees in any size.

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    1. You're totally right, it really is key to enjoy it! That's so fantastic that you discovered your love of pilates - I think sometimes we have to discover these things at just the right point in our lives for it to work for us. I never could have imagined I would have enjoyed exercise this much before, and now I can't imagine going back. And yes, it's pretty awesome how well both exercise and sewing work to improve mental flexibility! :)

      Thanks for the awesome comment! :)

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  2. What a cute idea, looking forward to your next creation thanks for sharing.

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  3. Great tutorial, Addie! Nice job on the filming, great explanations, too! XXOO :)

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    1. <3 Thank you! Would you guess that the go-pro was taped to my vacuum handle?! :)

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  4. An excess of exercise will result to more slow lifting weights and may very well prompt injury. So pick a program that requires work, yet not to the point of depleting your vitality. https://www.quibblo.com/story/DPcC-Y9f/Sei-ein-erfolgreicher-Sportspieler

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