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SAYEH'S LIVING LITHE!

Tight End

What you need: Gloves!
Props: Lithe’s Higher Power Band System (Pom Handles), Tall Box (from Hipster)
Clothing Considerations: Long pants (You place the pom handles around your ankles at one point.)
Sweat Factor: Imagine you are standing on a corner on a rainy day, and a giant SUV plows through a puddle near you, and mercilessly splashes you without so much as slowing down. Now, do that 10 times...and you might be close.

Growing up in Texas, I was a pretty big football fan. The Dallas Cowboys were winning Super Bowls, and I was going to my high school football games every Friday night. I fancied myself pretty knowledgeable about the sport. But, as the years have passed, I’ve become almost completely disconnected from what’s happening in the NFL. Eagles fans heckle me about another embarrassing Cowboys loss (as if they can talk, oooh buurrrrn), and I just shrug my shoulders because I haven’t the slightest clue what they’re talking about.

But in recent weeks, a phenomenon has swept the nation, and has brought football back into the forefront of my mind. Two words: Tim. Tebow. This man has single-handedly brought prayer back into public schools. Kids everywhere are having Tebow flash mobs--meaning they all take a knee simultaneously in some predetermined location, and feign ardent prayer. (Somebody oughta tell these kids that Rodin’s Thinker has been sportin this pose a century before Timmy hit the scene! DUH kids.) PRAYING flash mobs? Hopefully the trend will hit Philly soon, where the very mention of the term flash mob has shopkeepers and restaurant owners on South Street reaching for their baseball bats.

For those of you whose Facebook news feeds haven’t been inundated by Tebow-related attempts at comedy, Tim Tebow is the quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Extremely open about his religious beliefs, he is given to taking a knee on the field during games to say a quick prayer. Inevitably, it seems that despite his poor performance throughout these games, once he prays--things turn around and the Broncos come back and win in dramatic fashion. Case in point, last weekend when the Broncos ousted the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the playoffs. Tebow miraculously threw an 80-yard touch down pass to bring the score to 29-23 in overtime. The real crazy part? He threw for 316 yards that game. 3:16, Tebow’s favorite bible verse, which he often writes into the shoe polish under his eyes. Go fig.

And it’s because of all this Tebow mania that I almost fell to a knee to say my own prayer in Tight End last week. I was in so much pain that I almost pulled the girl off the box next to mine to make her kneel and chant with me: Dear God, make me a bird so I can fly fah. Fah fah away from here. Tight End is KILLER. Imagine that Weightless, Hipster and Sweet Cheeks got busy and made a little Lithe baby. That would be Tight End.

You begin the class by grabbing onto the pom handles and doing a cardio sequence similar to the fun, dance-cheer series in Weightless. The dance moves themselves are different, but super fun, and equally intense. Then, once your heart rate is pounding and your sweat is forming into little beads all over your body, you incorporate the tall box. Using the bands for support, you do a quad and glute-murdering series of squats, lunges and kicks.

Once you’re legs are giving way, and you’re considering consulting your lord above for support, you get down and go straight into another high octane cardio series. Once you can shake your rump no more, you get back on the box for some inverted work--a la Sweet Cheeks. Here you place the pom handle around your ankle and use the resistance to tap and lift your leg in a zillion different directions. The real crazy part? Lauren kept telling us that she was merely introducing us to Tight End basics--that soon the class will attempt to actually murder us with a lot more moves on the box, and a more ramped-up dance series during the cardio segments.

Tight End is a must-take for anyone looking to kick it up a notch and get their serious sweat on. And when you’re legs are quivering and the sweat is dripping off the end of your nose, just channel your inner Tebow, have faith...and believe. And hey, if you need to say a quick prayer to get through it, go for it. It’s working for the Broncos!

See you in class!

Image of Lither, Sayeh Hormozi in Lithe's Mojo Vented Top & Leather Leggings and Lithe Instructor, Melissa Weinberg wearing Lithe's Attitude Pants via Dom

TIGHT-END!

Reboot your booty with our Pom bands, Ultra Lithe Tall Box and heavy weights! This fanny-firming workout lifts your bum, banishes back bulge and minimizes muffin top. Plus, the exclusive CCS sequence melts fat, lifts a pancake posterior and makes panty lines go ‘poof’ within 4-10 sessions.

Image of Lithe Instructor, Melissa Weinberg wearing Lithe's Attitude Pants via Dom

BE LITHE.

Do you know that the literal definition of Lithe means bending and flexing with ease?  Stretching is one of the most overlooked components of our classes.  It lengthens muscles, relaxes you, improves your overall range of motion and really decreases your risk of injury.  Our workouts are so intense and It doesn't happen often, but I cringe when Lithers walk out on our final moments of stretching during class.  Want to get inspired to stretch more?  Try Lithe's Thinny®, Melt or Rare Form® and reap the benefits! 

Image of Lithe Instructors, Bari Rosenthal & Gerri Trooskin via Dom

GET TO STEPPIN' {RE-POST}!

Welcome to Lithe's Fall Challenge!  We're so excited to have so many people in our Hotstepper classes during such a beautiful time of year.  I know that some of you are a little nervous about taking the class.  I think that the most common misconception and fear that I hear is, "I'm not a runner, I don't think I can do it." No fear...Hotstepper is not a running class-it never has been and never will be (you can go run on your own time).  Comparing running to Lithe/Hotstepper is like comparing highway driving to city driving.  They are two totally different animals and two very different workouts.

For those of you who aren't familiar, our Hotstepper class is our outdoor class that integrates our cardio interval training, upper body and barre work into a 3 mile, weighted workout.  You'll be walking, jogging, skipping and using the natural envoirnment around you.  If there are steps, you'll probably use them.  If you see grass, you'll be doing your push-ups on it. 

IT'S such a wonderful experience.  If I had to put my finger on what the “it” is, I’d say it’s the experience of connecting to the natural world around you. The process of connecting mentally and physically to nature is so wonderful.  Clear your head and set the trail on fire.  I'm excited for Hotstepper and thrilled that so many of you are up for the challenge.  It's so refreshing.  Enjoy!

Illustration via Garance Dore.  Images of Lithe Instructor, Tiffany Nork via Dominic Episcopo & fall running image via Lululemon. 

SAYEH'S LOSSES.

Check out Sayeh's "before" images and follow her journey over the past 6 months!  I'll be posting more images over the next few weeks! 

Image of Sayeh wearing Lithe Wear's 'Leather' Leggings, Performance Bra and Rhythm Tee via Dominic Episcopo.  Hair & Makeup via Dawn Troccoli Episcopo

WEIGHTLESS!

 

This is a 'lightweight' workout that packs a heavy weight punch against those extra pounds.  One hour of Lithe's Cardio-Cheer-Sculpting with Lithe's Pom bands at the barre will leave you lean all over and on 'top' of the world. 

Image of Lithe Instructor Cheri Tolin wearing Lithe's 30 Reps Leggings via Dominic Episcopo

UNPLUGGED.

 

Just like strength and flexibility, outdoor fitness is an acquired skill.  Many of you will begin the Fall Challenge today and take Hot-stepper and Walk-Star this month.  Try to relax, and use these classes as an opportunity to connect with your surroundings and activate your senses.  Go Lithe! 

Images of Lauren Boggi, Lithe Escape Jamaica.  Lithers Allison L. & Joellyn D. on our Lithe Escape beach Hotstepper in Grenada.

SAYEH'S LIVING LITHE!

 

Cowgirl

What you need: Nothing! Just yourself!
Props: Hula Hoop!
Clothing Considerations: Whatever you’re comfortable in
Sweat Factor: You work up a sweat in this class for sure, but you you could make an appearance somewhere if necessary.

If you’ve been reading any of my blog posts at all--even just 1--then you know that I’m from Texas. You know that I love all things Texas (let’s pretend Rick Perry doesn’t exist) including ranch dressing, fried foods, thick drawls and friendly people. And despite living here for 3 years--and LOVING it--I consider myself a Texadelphian. A hybrid of things I love from both of my favorite places.

Usually, my friends just shake their heads when I start yet another sentence with, “In Texas...” or “Well back home...” but now it seems that I may be redeemed as the rest of the country or at least Bravo TV has caught on to how great my home state is. With shows like Most Eligible Dallas (Matt and Courtney finally freakin kissed. Thank GOD. It was about dang time. At one point, I felt compelled to find a random neighbor to make out with me just to ease the damn sexual tension left in my living room by those two idiots!) A-List Dallas (real housewives, but with balls (gay men). I haven’t watched yet, but it’s already a regular on The Soup so you know it’s fantastic.) Even Top Chef is going to be in Texas this season (bring on the stereotypes Padma!). And OPI has recently done a Tex-tastic line of nail polish including colors like San-TAN-tonio and Do You Think I’m Texy?

So if there was ever a time to try Lithe’s Cowgirl, it’s now! You will be so trendy. The class is divided up into 4 Hula Hooping sections--that last about 5 minutes each--and alternates between intense sculpting series using the hoop in a less conventional way. For example, you hold it straight out in front of you, and squeeze super tight (try to make it into an oval) while you do standing lunges and wide second work.

Here’s a tip! The Hula-Hooping portions of the class require an open mind. Don’t let yourself get frustrated easily if you aren’t a pro right away. I, for one, was NEVER a good Hula Hooper growing up, so I was sure that class was going to be impossible for me, but after a few gos, I got the hang of it.

Lauren doesn’t just let you get away with a normal hip swivel, of course, so be prepared to mix it up. You will jump while you’re swaying your hips and do mini squats while you try and keep your hoop up around your waist. (As a close friend of mine aptly described the class, it feels and looks kinda like you’re getting electrocuted while having a seizure.) Even still, I had a fantastic time! And that’s the thing to keep in mind: Cowgirl is FUN! So although your feet may be sore from dropping your hoop on them so many times, and perhaps you can’t stop staring at Lauren’s serene face as she sways without interruption while Hula Hoops crash to the ground all around her, you will have a really great time and burn some major calories too.

So, just like the great state of Texas, I can’t recommend Cowgirl enough. I mean, no one’s saying you’ve got to run out and buy a pair of cowboy boots to help you jump onto the Lone Star State bandwagon (although, who doesn’t need a great pair of cowboy boots??), but you can at least get a taste of southern goodness with an amazing Cowgirl workout.

Next week, we’ll get to take a peek into my Lithe photo shoot! Eeeek!

See you in class! 

Image of Lithe Instructor Melissa Weinberg via Dom.

SAYEH'S LIVING LITHE!

So although the Lithe Passport is officially over, there have been a couple of classes added to the schedule that were not available at the time we began our tour through the MindBody scheduler together. It’s actually one of the things that makes Lithe so unique and compelling: it’s always transforming and evolving. Whether it’s something entirely new, like the upcoming coaster class that I can’t wait to take, or an old favorite that’s been out of rotation for a while, you never have an opportunity to even consider getting comfortable in a routine. So really, never put your passport away. There will always be a new destination to visit, or revisit if you haven’t been in a while.

Melt

What you need: Nothing! Just yourself!
Props: 3 or 5lb weights. Small yellow ball.
Clothing Considerations: Whatever you’re comfortable in
Sweat Factor: Barely there.

Melting is a pretty amazing thing. Whether it’s a kiss that makes your knees go wobbly, or sitting on an incredibly comfortable couch after a long day on your feet, there’s nothing like the feeling of melting. Just the word itself evokes sensations of completely relaxing and letting go (and that Modern English song).

Recently, in Floored, Lauren asked us to put our feet on top of the blue ball--and to imagine that they were two pieces of cheese melting over it--and I couldn’t help but laugh to myself at the thought. (I then went to Sketch Burger over the weekend, and drew a picture of feet melting over a burger with the construction paper and crayons they give you while you wait for your food. It was incredible. I dubbed it the Lithe Burger. As if I needed to give my friends another reason to worry about my Lithe obsession.)

So given my love for all things that melt--ice cream, your heart when it sees a little puppy’s tiny baby face--it’s no surprise that Melt the class is one of my all time favorites that Lithe has to offer. Taught by Tif, a veteran Lithe instructor and licensed massage therapist, Melt is a MUST for anyone that feels that they carry the stress and tension of daily life in their neck, shoulders and back. (Is there anyone who doesn’t?)

Melt combines the tension release of a massage with the great workout of any other Lithe class. Think Floored--and how challenging it is--and add in a tiny yellow ball that you place strategically on your body where your muscles are super tight (under your neck, where your shoulder meets the top of your chest). You then roll around on this ball and feel the fascia (connective tissue) slowly release. Then you find a spot that’s particularly tight, and you just let your entire body melt over that small yellow miracle of rubber and plastic. Tif then comes around and helps you get deeper into that stretch with her magical, healing hands.

You leave melt feeling one hundred percent looser, more relaxed and with sore sore abs. So, if you are noticing that your shoulders are hiked all the way up to your ears while you’re working out at the barre, or that you’re starting to practically hunch over your keyboard at work, throw Melt into your rotation once a week, and you’ll be amazed at the difference in how you feel.

Tif will definitely stop the world and Melt with you! Take advantage while it’s on the schedule. I know I will!

Next up? Cowgirl! 

Images of Lithe Instructor Tiffany Nork & Lauren Boggi Goldenberg via Dom

SAYEH'S LIVING LITHE!

Lithe Passport. 61 days. 32 classes. My trip has already begun.

A-List Abs

What you need: Nothing! Just yourself!
Props: 3 or 5lb weights. Blue Ball.
Clothing Considerations: Whatever you’re comfortable in
Sweat Factor: Minimal. Children will not point at you on your way home after this one.

According to Wikipedia.com, the celebrity categorizing term  “A-List” (yes, there’s a Wikipedia page devoted to this) alludes to the most bankable major movie stars in the Hollywood film industry. Apparently, in 1997, an entertainment journalist named James Ulmer came up with a 100 point rating system to quantify a star’s production value. The score is based on “their historical box office success, versatility, professional demeanor, and ability and willingness to travel and promote movies.” The highest scores end up on the A-list. (Who knew!)

(On a completely unrelated note, when I typed Wikipedia into my web browser, my history indicated that I have recently looked up the Space Jam soundtrack, the Judicial Act of 1789, tempeh, and elections in Afghanistan. So amazing what you learn about yourself through the Internet. Who needs soul searching, when you have web history!)

Even more interesting than the requirements for the A-list are the qualifications for the B and C lists, which are reserved for the lower scoring celebs. B-list actors are teen icons and all those less-popular-than-A-list stars, while C-listers are those actors that you’ve seen in a lot of stuff, but can never remember their names. C-list people are the reason why IMDB exists. How many times have you looked up David Morse, for example? Great actor, but you’re always snapping your fingers trying to remember what ELSE he was in. (It’s Green Mile, you’re thinking of btw.)

And finally, my favorite category: the D-list. Made famous by that quirky red-head everyone loves to hate, Kathy Griffin, this list is for personalities that appear on game show panels and reality television. Contestants like Jake Pavelka (on the wings of love!) from shows like The Bachelor are a perfect example. But the celeb caste system isn’t set in stone. With the right exposure and endorsement deals, D-listers like Kim Kardashian can ascend the ranks and become high demand A-list personalities.

But no matter where these stars fall in the alphabetical celebrity strata, they usually have one thing in common: incredible abs. (Seriously. Have you seen Kathy Griffith’s bod?? Granted, she’s had enough plastic surgery to open her own Tupperware factory. But still!) So in my personal quest to emulate the D-listers I hate to love (Courtney from Most Eligible Dallas, I’m talking to you!) I decided to aim high and take A-list Abs.

This class is killer. For the first half, you lay on the mat doing your normal ab prep kicked up several notches with killer rotations, crunches, leg extensions, tucks, squeezes...the works! Then the class gets even more challenging when you take it to the barre. Instead of standing up-right and working your legs like we normally do, you take a seat against the wall, and use your abs to raise your legs up off the floor--to do things that are basically impossible. Swinging your legs in a giant circle will leave you wincing in pain and trembling with an intense ab and leg shake. Or as Paget said in her blog this week, you may just end up laughing. Because really. What else can you do?

Things continue to ramp up when you lay down facing the bar, and hook your legs underneath, while using your abs to lift yourself up towards your ankles. Yeah, it’s nuts. But, with enough practice, you could certainly get yourself the kind of mid section that’s worthy of a little A-list exposure. Even if it’s only on a D-list show. Hey! If Nancy Grace can dance with the stars, you can do anything! (Just don’t let your nip slip!)

Short Shorts

What you need: Nothing! Just yourself!
Props: Step 3 or 5lb weights, Gliders (large purple coasters)
Clothing Considerations: Whatever you’re comfortable in.
Sweat Factor: Also not crazy sweaty. Just a light mist.

I don’t wear shorts. Let alone short shorts! I haven’t since high school. I have really short legs, and I just have a complex when it comes to shorts. Especially jean ones (jorts). In college, all over campus, everyone was rocking the tiniest pair of cut-off of Hollister jorts they could possibly squeeze into, and I hung out on the sidelines in...Jams basically.

I just refused to participate in the trend. Sayeh Hormozi don’t sport jorts*.

*Although a close friend recently pointed out that nowadays shorts come in all sorts of material. Not just denim. Apparently, they come in lovely fabrics, like linen. So, I’m thiiiiinking about rethinking my no shorts policy. We’ll see.

BUT, for those of you who DO wear shorts, jorts or otherwise, God bless ya, and Short Shorts is the class for you! Aside from putting the theme song to a Nair commercial in your head the entire time, this class will really get your gams in gear!

The first part of the class is spent on the mat, doing your ab prep work, except with these giant purple coasters placed strategically under your feet, so you can slide your legs around on the wood floor, while doing things like bicep curls for example. The much dreaded push-up series is also made more challenging. Every time you go down for a rep, you also slide your legs into a V--and then back together again when you lift up. Very similar to Hot Legs, where you slide around in the black socks.

This class kept me on my toes by keeping everything interesting. It was all of our familiar barre and mat work, using a very unfamiliar (to me) prop. It really worked the inside of my thighs like no other class or prop has so far. I highly recommend it for a fun departure from the norm. You’ll be looking like Daisy Duke in no time. Or at least leave humming the 69 Boyz classic of the same name.

Next Up? A Lithe Passport wrap-up!

See you in class! 

Image of Lither Alison Lubert & Lithe Instructor Alum, Elizabeth Sturgis via Dom