fithiphealthy

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS}. 25 Apr 2013

Dear Lauren:

There I was.  New to Philadelphia and not knowing a soul until a cooking class changed my life.  It was there that I met my now good friend Amy and one night over drinks, she flexed her impressive bicep and exclaimed: "you've GOT to try Lithe Method!"

I was reluctant but I took a 101.  The next day, I literally couldn't walk but I was hooked. I decided to take a step back and start with Lithe Immersion and immediately loved the workout, but more than that, I loved the community.  I still remember the way several ladies gave me a spontaneous hug in the RH locker room when I shyly announced I was a newbie and had just taken my first regular class.  I loved how amazing the instructors were; so friendly, strong, and best of all for me, so curvy!  Bari became my guru, Carrie's Spirit was my ultimate stress reliever, Melissa's kicks would always make my jaw drop, Liz G.'s Skinny Mini was my Sunday necessity and just like that, Lithe was part of my life.  I went from barely being able to make it through the first set of ten lunges at the bar, to making it through all three sets and still having energy to keep going. 

I love the relationships I've made through the workout and the camaraderie we all share after finishing an exceptionally hard class.  My non-Lither friends would shake their heads as I moved around personal and work commitments to get my Lithe Passport stamps and after I scheduled a trip based on the December challenge.  Exercise had always been something fleeting for me but Lithe became a necessity and the RH studio became my second home.  My body's changed, but so has my outlook on life.  Before Lithe, ketchup was a vegetable and now, I make my own breakfast quinoa, make smoothies in my own Vitamix and am always eager to try Lithe's latest juices and lunches.  The fit.hip.healthy lifestyle has made my time in Philadelphia truly special and I know I'll take the lessons I've learned with me.

In the 2+ years since I started Lithing, I've seen Lithe and its community grow and I couldn't be happier.  I remember when Gerri, Kim and Elizabeth started and now I count them as some of my favorite and most inspiring instructors.  I've also seen how EVERY new instructor brings their own uniqueness, talent and passion to Lithe and how each makes class an extraordinary experience.  Even though I know I'll be back in Philly for visits and will make trips to Lithe's NYC studio, I am truly going to miss all of the amazing women (and Fran) I got to see on a regular basis.

Lauren, your community and your workout sustained me through my years in Philly and I'll always be grateful. Until next time, I will always remain your faithful, Lither,

Theresa

LITHE (AND LAUREN) ON GO RECESS! 9 Apr 2013

Read all about Lithe and Lauren on GoRecess!

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS}. 2 Apr 2013

Lauren, two years ago my friend, Liz G. told me how "fun" Lithe was and I joined, barely getting through the Immersion. I never understood how Lithe could be "fun." It was so hard, but I kept going back.  I just recently began taking classes that I previously thought were "too hard for me."  I've fallen in LOVE with Action Figure, Peeled, and the newest trifecta of perfection... Rock Steady!!!!!! Danielle is such an amazing teacher at that class! It was as Liz had always promised, sheer FUN!

It's official Lauren. I'm canceling my stupid Comcast cable so that I can afford Lithe and eat healthier. Nothing can be as rewarding as Lithe. Thank you Liz. Thank you Danielle. Thank you Lauren.  I'm Lithing through a bad breakup right now and I couldn't get through it without Lithe. It's the best!  D.J

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS}. 26 Mar 2013

Hi Lauren,

I have been hoping to run into you between the Rittenhouse and Olde City studios but our paths haven't crossed. I have to tell you how I've come to recently realize the importance of the Lithe Breathing. I will admit, it must have been the hardest concept for me to wrap my mind around when I first started Lithe over a year ago. The method of breathing, and the importance of the pursed lips, and inhalation weren't very natural to me - and I imagine, others may have the same sentiment. We breathe every day, but not in such a pattern that requires such thought and purpose.

After taking a few 101 courses, I felt I had the knack of everything and off I went, happily immersing myself in all of the classes I could take. Honestly, I found myself more focused on making sure I tucked enough, and checking out my rear in the mirror as evidence of my tucking. (Praying each time that my booty would magically look more toned, lifted and smaller.) Tucking aside I also had to worry about my lunges - always checking to make sure my knees weren't over my toes. And I can't forget stiletto - I still find myself more often than not erring on the side of flat footed routines than stiletto, in an effort to retain proper form. Wide second? Please - let's not even talk about how my knees just love to turn in - I blame it on my lack of flexibility in my hips and overly tight hip-flexors.

OK - so where does that leave me? It leaves with the one constant through all of Lithe Method: the Lithe Breathing. In the beginning I wasn't doing it often enough, on cue, or strong enough. Why? Because I was focused on too many other things (a few of them mentioned above). Slowly over time my confidence grew and I knew my lunges and tucks were better, so much that I didn't need to obsess about checking my form all the time - in that same moment, I realized that I had slacked on my breathing.

Over the past few months I made it a goal to push through every routine as hard as a could, with the best form I could maintain and regardless of anything else going on around me - STICK WITH THE BREATHING!

I swear - it has made a huge difference on my abdomen and strength. I feel abdominal muscles - all over!! I know they are there because I can literally move my fingers around and pick them out as if I had a "clear as day" pack of abs. Unfortunately, I have some "fluff" as I affectionately call it (aka fat) overlaying them, but that is besides the point.

The point is the breathing truly does force you to contract and stretch your abs, working them throughout the entire class. It's easy to let your abs just go along for the ride and remain unengaged - but there are no benefits to that. The benefits to the pursed lips (and occasional spit on the mirrors): rocking abs, without doing 100 crunches every morning and night.

It's incredible and I can't emphasize enough how important it is for other Lithers to get on the band wagon and purse those lips! I used to be self conscious about being the only one in my area of the studio making noise while breathing, but heck - there is no looking back! I love knowing what is hiding under my "fluff"! :) 

XO, AC

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS}. 5 Mar 2013

Dear Lauren,

I would like to share my Lithe story with you as my journey sadly will be coming to an end when I move to Los Angeles this upcoming weekend.  I started Lithing in March 2010 after my friend who was visiting from NYC for the weekend suggested that we try Lithe.  We were unable to go together because she did not have time to complete the Immersion course, but I was so intrigued by what I had read online that I decided to try it out for myself.  Three years later, I can honestly say that Lithe has changed my life.  I was never an athlete or a dancer, and although I had joined various gyms over the years and stayed committed for a few months at a time, I always felt bored and would quit cold turkey.  The variety and quality of classes at Lithe is unparalleled, and the instructors keep me motivated and push me through each class.

I have to admit that my initial hope was simply to lose some extra weight.  I figured that I would try something new and, if it happened to work out, I would stop once I had reached my goal.  I had always viewed working out as a chore, but I knew as soon as I started Lithing that this time would be different.  It did take me awhile to get used to working out several days a week, and the first year was tough.  Although I noticed an improvement in my strength and energy level, I was not losing any weight because I had not changed my poor eating habits.  My turning point came one weekend in February 2011 when some of my husband's friends from California came to visit us in Philly.  We must have stopped by every cheesesteak shop in town, and by the end of the weekend, I had an epiphany and decided it was time to make a serious change.

I started what I like to call a "raw" foods diet and made all around more healthy food choices (including Lithe Foods which became my new obsession).  In addition, I committed to Lithing 5 to 7 days a week, every week (my record is 18 days in a row!).  I lost 20 pounds in about 4 months and have a newfound love and appreciation for working out and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  I never look at Lithe as something that I have to do.  Instead, I find myself changing my schedule just so that I can fit in a workout every day if possible.  I truly enjoy going to class.  Sure, there are the days when I have had to "late cancel" because I have just not felt up to it, but I never allow myself two days in a row of "not feeling like it" days that are within my control. 

I got married this past July, and I truly felt like I was in the best shape of my life for the happiest day of my life.  My husband moved here from LA a few years ago, but I have lived in Philly my entire life.  I keep telling everyone that aside from my family and friends, the thing that I will miss the most about Philly is Lithe and everything that goes along with it.  I have tried similar workouts and barre classes every time we are on the West Coast, but nothing compares.  I hope to find something that I will come to love, but one thing that Lithe has taught me is the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Thank you for creating such an amazing workout.

I will definitely be back during my visits home.  Hopefully you are considering bringing Lithe to the West Coast sooner rather than later, and I will be eagerly waiting at the front door on opening day. 

Michelle

Image of Lither Michelle C. on her wedding day via Michelle

LITHE BRIDE! 29 Jan 2013

Dear Lithe, 

Although I write this letter as a Lithe Bride, I have to say, I didn't start coming to Lithe with the idea of "shedding for the wedding." Instead, I found Lithe through a friend who like me, had put on weight during grad school. I had just finished my dissertation defense and after a halfhearted attempt to get back into my spinning and yoga routine, I felt stalled and uninspired. I decided to put my gym membership on hold and use Lithe Method as a sort of temporary boot camp to whip me into shape. I could barely walk after my first class, but little by little, the classes became more manageable. Plus, I was having fun! Dancing! Cheering! Jumping! One month went by and I thought, "Hmmm...I'll just freeze my gym membership one more month." Then two months went by, then three. All of a sudden I was faced with canceling my gym membership for good. The decision was simple and I never looked back. 

Once Sean (my very lovely now-husband) proposed, everyone started asking me what I would be doing to "get into wedding shape." I honestly did two things: cut out some of my more ridiculous food choices (think Haribo gummies) and Lithed. Easy! I ended up having to get my dress taken in a few times, but thankfully my seamstress was a family friend! Needless to say, I felt absolutely amazing on my wedding day. Who knew it was possible to feel curvy and svelte at the same time? And not to mention - strong! Family who had traveled from across the pond couldn't believe my transformation.The best part? I didn't starve myself or get into a routine that I couldn't maintain post-wedding. Lithe helped me get into the best shape of my life, but also gave me the tools I needed to stay that way. One of those tools included an incredible support system, not only the instructors, but also some awesome fellow-Lithers who I now consider great friends. What better Saturday morning exercise motivator is there than breakfast and a good chat afterward?

Thank you Lauren and all the wonderful instructors (a special shout-out to Gerri who always goes above and beyond!) for encouraging, helping, and inspiring me along the way. I am truly grateful! This 6AMer is here to stay! 

Övgü Kaynak  

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS} 22 Jan 2013

Dear Lithe,

I have two loves in my life: my husband, Rich, AND you! (OK, ok... I have others too, but there's no need to divulge everything.)

Where do I begin my love confession? You hooked me in February 2012 with a LivingSocial deal. How does a money conscious, wedding-planning gal say no to an offer like that? My then roommate and I were literally floored by the two intro Lithe 101 classes and couldn't believe the muscles that were worked in the mix of three other classes we tried afterwards. Fast forward to the fall (through months of inactivity due to an unfortunate injury) - I happened across the FitHipHealthy Facebook post about the Lithe 10 Series. Just a few months away from our wedding (12.28.12), it was indeed a splurge, but I needed that boost of healthy eating, fitness and something for me. Happily reserving the last spot in the series, I couldn't wait for it to begin.

October's Lithe 10 Series changed everything about how I viewed fitness and healthy living. Training for the Philly Half Marathon but having growing doubts that years of believing "running and spin" were the only ways to trim that fat, I was ready to dive into four weeks of Lithe. Always being the girl with some extra "meat" growing up - aka "fluff" as I affectionately call it, I was shocked when Lauren took our measurements during our last 10 series class. Somehow, someway, Lithe had trimmed, toned and transformed my fluff into a more "lithe" me - 9 inches lost in the 4 weeks of the Lithe 10 series! This was something running and spinning classes had never accomplished. And trust me, I was eating a very healthy portion of everything on the meal plan. (Yes, ladies, I eat like there's no tomorrow. You can ask my husband and blame the Italian genes in me.)

What did these 9 inches result in? A new me ... a bride-to-be who felt healthier, younger, fitter, sexier and more excited about each day. I went from a dress size 12 to a dress size 6, and still have my beautiful curves. And it gets better - if being told you lost more inches (2"+) in the two weeks that passed between your first and second dress fitting isn't a true testament to the transformation of Lithe on the body, then I am not sure what else can convince you that Lithe is truly AMAZING.

Unfortunately, and fortunately, there is a twist to this story - my transformation resulted in a bride's worst nightmare and a complete 180 three weeks before our wedding as I realized the wedding dress I purchased in April 2012 was no longer the right dress for me. My seamstress continued to alter the dress to fit my ever shrinking waist and hips, but I continued to drown in the gown. All the glowing, happiness, and liveliness that was typically "me" was being swallowed up by the dress and I began to dread walking down the isle in dress - I no longer felt like me in the dress, or recognized the person looking back at me in the mirror.

My mind kept going back to a different dress (one I also tried on in April). I loved it but at the time felt too "curvy" to wear it. It was the dress I never forgot and I realized I had to make a very difficult decision - a decision that broke a lot of hearts in my family (especially for those who helped pay for my original wedding dress). A few sleepless nights, and many tears later - with the support of my now husband and two very close friends, we made the drive to the other bridal shop. Moments later, I found myself twirling in THE DRESS and crying pure tears of happiness and joy.

Although I said yes to the dress twice, the most important thing is that on our wedding day I married the man of my dreams and felt wholly happy and myself. I wore the dress that was meant for me, the dress that made me feel like the most beautiful bride there could be and couldn't stop smiling all day.

Thank you Lithe for helping me achieve a feeling of pure beauty, strength and confidence that shines from my eyes every day. I've never had this feeling before, and I know I owe it to you. I continue to live the FitHipHealthy mantra - eating healthy, thinking healthy, and participating in classes at Lithe three days a week. I look forward to being a Lither for life and cannot say enough how grateful I am for finding a new true love: Lithe.

~ Amanda Carlock Burns

Images via John Barone Photography

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS} 3 Jan 2013

Dear Lithe,

Today (January 2) is my 1 year anniversary at Lithe. If I look back a year ago, it's amazing how far I have come. I had been working as a nurse for a little over a year, with crazy hours and had 0 motivation to go to the gym after a 12 hour shift- even though the gym in my building is mere steps from my unit. I would pass it by everyday and continue on to my apartment happily. Around the holidays, my best friend told me about this Rue La La special at this place called the Lithe Method that she was buying and I should look into it- it sounded different. By the time I got around to it, the Rue La La was over but my interest was not. I signed up for January Immersion- it miraculously worked out with my work schedule- even some nights going to Immersion only to go home and shower to be at work at 11 pm.

Now, for me, the girl who hadn't been to a gym in who knows how long, Immersion was tough. I never thought I would get see-saw right, i hated liberty, sumo, and curtsy, but i stuck with it. My parents were in shock- I spent the next few months trying out new classes and sticking with my commitment.

Fast forward a year- I still keep crazy hours as a nurse, am in school part time, and am busier than ever. But, Lithe keeps me grounded. When my mom asks me "What about Lithe has made you continue to work out?" My answer- it's fun. It's the first and only workout where I know I will never be bored, I will always have good music to keep me going, and without a doubt, some of the most energetic and motivating instructors. I look forward to trying new classes, am still afraid of some of the originals (Hot Legs is my enemy), and have plenty more to learn. But my body has changed- i've lost pounds, inches, and am more "toned." I still don't have the best stamina and can't always get through Brooke's A-List Abs barre series, but I keep trying. I look forward to Lithe before or after class, before or after work, and even on my days off.

So thank you Lithe, Lauren, and all the instructors. You have absolutely changed my outlook on working out, have helped me change my body, and have made getting through a difficult year that much easier.

Alexa

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS} 13 Dec 2012

I have worked as a Nurse Practitioner in Plastic Surgery, a field I absolutely love, for the past 7 years. Although my field is primarily reconstructive I also work with many cosmetic patients. I have seen the toll that pregnancy can take on the body and how difficult it is to correct, even with advance surgical techniques. In the past four years I have been blessed with two wonderful daughters. I have also had two medically complicated pregnancies, two c-sections and two years of nursing (I am actually pumping as I type this). My body had become almost unrecognizable and as much as I dreaded looking in the mirror, taking time to do something about it became less of a priority than taking care of an infant and a toddler, working and struggling to remain sane on obscenely limited amounts of sleep.

I first heard of Lithe through Living Social. It seemed interesting so I signed up. It took me awhile to get to my first class but once I did I was hooked! It has been a real struggle to fit in the time to make it to class three times a week. At first I was so intimidated by the bodies of the others in the class, they were so lean, so...Lithe! I spent much of my first classes staring at others and thinking about how far I had to go.

Recently I noticed a change. I spend class watching myself in the mirror rather than being envious of everyone else. My body is far from perfect, but it is most certainly stronger, leaner, tighter. I notice the change in the mirror and so does my husband. I am thrilled that others are starting to take notice too! I am a work in progress and for the first time in years I am starting to feel like myself again. I know lithe is not a miracle worker, I don't expect it to lift my breasts back up to where they belong, but I do believe that there is something really special about this program! It is changing my body slowly and surely and I could not be more thrilled. 

Rachel Arnold McKenna

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS} 9 Nov 2012

Dear Lithe,

I’ve just finished my last Lithe 10 class, and need to officially proclaim my love for everything Lithe, from classes to foods to blogs. After Lithe 10, I am stronger, down 7 inches, and much more aware of healthy eating habits. Most importantly, I feel lithe and fabulous!

Back in July, my friends and I put ourselves on our own fitness contest (a la Google docs) to get our health and bodies in line. I lost a few pounds, but knew I could do more. Lithe 10 was the uphill challenge I really needed.

The FitHipHealthy motto has progressively become my own since I started lithing in Spring 2011. I gradually increased my weekly class intake, started trying Lithe Foods, and now make more lithe decisions from snacks to biking to the studios. I think it's time for a Body Booster!

A few years ago, I would never have listed physical exercise as a hobby or bought tofu, but Lithe brought everything together for me with the FitHipHealthy brand and I enjoy everything about it. I read the blog daily and also respect Lithe as a business. I aspire to be a successful entrepreneur like you Lauren!

Thank you, Lithe, for being fun, versatile and effective. My life in Philadelphia would not be the same without you.

Love,

Alysea