fithiphealthy

LITHE'S ULTRA SUPPORT PERFORMANCE BRA!

I've been living in Lithe's Ultra Support Performance Bra.  I'm talking seriously supportive and super comfy (thanks to double layering and cross-back straps) whether you're on the mat, watching a movie or going to dinner.  I took some shots of Lithe Instructors, Elizabeth Howe (testing size Medium) and Elizabeth Galbally (testing size Large). 

We all agree that this one holds 'em up at the barre, the bands and during the most intense, bounce-heavy CCS sequences and Hot-Stepper.  It's more than a sports bra and it's handmade locally right here in Philly. $75 On-line ordering will be available soon!  

Images of Lithe Instructors, Elizabeth Howe & Elizabeth Galbally at Lithe Old City via Lauren

LITHE LOVE.

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS}.

 

Dear Lithe,

I always get a little teary-eyed when January turns into February. I remember Feburary 2009 and how I decided to spend a month focusing on getting healthy.

As I planned the project, I thought it meant I would work out nonstop, barely eat, and just drop pounds and pounds of fat and then go on with my life.

When I thought about loosing weight, I believed that it was okay for me to hate my body. I believed that it was okay for everyone else to hate my body and me. I was just one big ball of hate towards my body and I thought that was how I was supposed to see myself.

I signed up for the Lithe immersion.

I thought it was just to lose weight.

Instead, three years later, I have found myself.

It is never okay to hate my body, or expect my body to be hated. It could weigh 1000 pounds and still would deserve respect and love.

It's not about the numbers on the scale.

It's not about the size of the jeans.

Instead, I learned it is about lunging through a workout.

It's about smiling even on tough days.

It's knowing that health is really a super long marathon.

So, three years, thousands of crunches, lunges, sumos, learning to run, and completing races later, I am happy and Lithestrong.

Right now, I am in the middle of a job search and I know deep in my heart that the confidence and support I gained through Lithe will carry me through any challenge.

Lithe is amazing. Not because I lost a lot of weight.  Not because I kept off most of the weight. Not because its totally cool and hip.

Lithe is amazing because it is a space that is positive without being preachy.  It's shows a new way forward as long as you show up and work hard.

 

So, again, as I enter a new year of being healthy, I am thankful to be able to pause and send a love letter to Lithe. 

Hope to see you all in the studio on my next visit.

Melissa B

BUT I THOUGHT I WAS TAKING HIGH MINI?

We now have over 40 different Lithe classes (and new ones are unveiled all the time). Our variety is what makes Lithe unique and special, and is the key in challenging your bodies and new and different ways…but it is also what requires us to change classes from time to time.

Lithe classes are always subject to change, but we thought we’d give you a little information about why they change…and how to roll with it.

Why do classes change? Usually a class changes because an instructor is, on short notice, unable to teach their normal class. As committed as our instructors are to Lithe, sickness, car break-downs, family emergencies, and unexpected work or school issues are all guaranteed to come up from time to time. When an instructor has to miss their class, we do everything we can to avoid cancelling classes, and seek out another instructor to jump in as a substitute. That’s where the variety of classes becomes a challenge: it is impossible for all 20+ Lithe instructors (except Lauren) to know all 40+ classes. While our first choice is always to sub in an instructor who knows the regularly scheduled class, that isn’t always an option.

Why that class…? Once we have determined that we need to change a class, we take a look at our options and try to come as close to the original class as possible. There aren’t any exact duplicates, but we do our best to keep the class similar in emphasis and cardio level.

Making the best out of it… We know it’s disappointing to discover that the Armistice class you look forward to all week is now Wings. But as long as you go into the class prepared to give it your best, you’re still going to get a true Lithe workout. Just think of it as a little enforced variety: those muscles that are adapting to your workout are going to be surprised into working harder (and garnering more results).Beyond that, sometimes you’ll find yourself forced into a class you’ve been intimidated by, only to discover you actually like it.

Image of Lithe Instructor, Cheri Tolin via Dom

 

LITHE GIVEAWAY FRIDAY!

Happy Friday!  It's your chance to be the third to win a LitheStyle Makeover!  One amazing, body-transforming month of Lithe Method fitness and lean, local & seasonal Lithe Foods. Perfect for a Lithe newbie or veteran ($1,000 value)! 

For a chance to win, please visit our Facebook page, "Like us" and then tell us why YOU should be our winner at the post.  A winner will be chosen on Monday, January 30th and the winner will be announced on Tuesday, January 31st!  Good luck! 

Image of Lithe Instructors using Lithe's Higher Power Band System® & Instructor, Liz Galbally applying Thinny® bands via Dom

DEAR LITHE { LOVE LETTERS}.

I decided to do the Fall Challenge to challenge myself.  I've been a Lither for less than a year.  When I registered for Immersion, I took a couple 101 classes before because I figured it would help me know what I was in for. It was hard but invigorating, more than I had expected from hearing about it.  I have friends who swore Lithe was amazing (Bela Shehu and Danielle Rossi).  Well, they looked amazing so I figured, why not? I've done gyms for years, Yoga, some Pilates, martial arts (Tae Kwon Do), I cycle and hike - I've basically been a fit woman . . . but, I have ALWAYS hated my legs. Actually the feeling is beyond hate, I am ashamed of my legs.  I have not worn a pair of shorts since I was 13 years old, swimsuits were the same. I went through my adult life hating summer because I hated my body. I never had experiences sharing a summer house with people because it would have meant I could not hide behind clothes. I would actually feel envy seeing women in shorts or short skirts because I could not imagine how it must be to have the freedom to do that.  Not just the "perfect-bodied" girls, I would even be jealous of the girls with all their rolls hanging out in glory in clothes far too small and giving us way too much to see.  I wished I could feel so free.

So 30 Days.  It was butt-busting. I will admit that at least 2 out of the 5 days a week that  I needed to Lithe to meet the challenge I felt, I can't do it today. Or I don't want to do it. Or I'm too tired.  Or who cares?  I will still have the same ugly legs. But I told my husband, my family and my friends I would complete this.  I got HUGE encouragement. With my rescue inhaler always at my side to save me from an acute asthma attack, I did it. I showed up.  The funny thing is I loved every minute of it, even the minutes I hated when my body felt pushed too far.  Thank doG for the voices of all the instructors who chimed in, as if divine intervention, to say, "You are almost there, last set". And I would realize I was there, the last set.  And I would feel shocked and amazed and so damn proud.

My husband has been a great supporter.  In the beginning of my Lithe experience, he would say, "Oh, you look 10% Lither"! I was so excited I'd try to explain Skinny Jeans or Thinny. He didn't totally get it but he listened to me. Then he saw me change.  Not just my body, but my entire attitude.  When we went away for 6 weeks during the summer, I was trying to do Lithe exercises on my own (believe me, it is NOT the same!). But I was holding stiletto in 2nd on a floating dock on a river in St. John's, New Brunswick Canada.  That's when I realized I am a member of the "Cult of Lithe". Since our return in September, I went to a class the day after our trip and haven't stopped.  After completing the challenge, my husband said, "Babe, you are 24.8% Lither"!

I have muscles and cuts in my body I am so proud of.  I almost feel like I should name each new cut after Lithe instructors.

What is truly amazing is that I have two extruding discs in the top of my C-Spine from a traumatic cycling accident that have caused relentless pain for years.  Since I have Lithed, I no longer have to seek acupuncture and therapeutic massage treatment for this injury. I also have chronic asthma and my lungs have become stronger. Hot Stepper was probably the hardest class for me because of the breathing. I've never been at the front of the pack but I make it. This challenge has been a benefit to my health in more ways than I can explain.

I entertained a huge house full of people for Thanksgiving. I still had to finish my challenge. The night before Thanksgiving, a shelf collapsed on the door of my fridge sending glass shattering, I was barefoot. A vein on my foot was punctured and would not stop bleeding. I was up until 4 a.m. getting the wound to stop. The last two days of the challenge I did it with foot injuries (also got embedded glass on the bottom of one foot). Yep, I kept my socks on and Hot Stepper was grueling for me.

The best part of Thanksgiving is that I wore a short skirt as I hosted. No, not hooch short, but above the knees which is a freedom for me that is hard to describe. I wore a black pleated skirt with tights, heels and a great blouse.  My husband loved it. All through the day and night, I remembered to relax my shoulders, tuck, stay in my stilettos and breathe. I felt beautiful.  I loved my legs that night and the way they worked (bleeding toe and all) to deliver food, happiness and love to my family and friends.  There wasn't a point that I wanted to hide my body - I actually did not think about it.  I felt confident. That spells F-R-E-E-D-O-M. Yes, I was cheerleading that!

So, I am thankful for the Fall Challenge. The part that will make you all laugh is my husband said, "When does Winter Challenge start?"! He saw how much it changed me.

So, can 30 days change a person? Yes. Yesterday I purchased a black sequined short skirt (even shorter!) for New Year's Eve. I'll still wear it with tights but it is progress and I will wear it with a new-found freedom and you better believe, I will look LITHE!

Thank You Lauren - you have touched so many women's lives.

Hugs to you all - I made it!

Heather Steiner

LITHE'S STUDENT DISCOUNT.

 

Are you truly a Full Time Philadelphia student?  We'll be paying extra attention from now on.  Read our policy:  

STUDENT DISCOUNT POLICY & PRICING:
We offer a 10% discount on classes for all full-time students with a valid, up-to-date student ID.  Your student ID MUST have a date on it – if your ID does not have a date, you will need a letter from your Advising office, on official school letterhead, confirming your current status as a full-time student.  All Student ID's must be presented to and cleared by our Manager.  Lithe's Student Discount cannot be used with specials, or other previously discounted rates.

Image of Lithe's Philadelphia Studio Manager Johanna Goode via Dom

LETS GET IT STARTED!

Construction is about to begin!  This is going to be one big, beautiful studio.

Image via Lauren's iPhone

 

LITHE ON 6 ABC!

   

Awesome as usual! Thanks to Krista and her Barlesque class at Lithe Old City and Instructors, Carrie and Melissa for speaking and demo'ing on my behalf!

JANUARY SCHEDULES!

Download OldCity January

Download Rittenhouse January

Download LibertiesWalk January