fithiphealthy

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS}.

Dear Lauren,

I recently celebrated my six month "Lithe Anniversary" and wanted to share this photo with you, along with a Lithe Love Letter!  I really want to Thank You and all the amazing Lithe Instructors for such an inspiring, effective, and transformative program! 

I began Lithing in May as a way to get in shape for my wedding.  I've been doing yoga for years and love it but I wasn't getting the workout I needed to see results and tone up.  I've never considered myself a "gym person" so I was looking for a program I could get into and stick with.  Lithe has been more than I ever expected!  Not only are the workouts fun, but they leave you craving more.  It didn't take long for me to see muscles I never even knew I had!  Every week as I checked off classes in my Lithe passport, I gained a new confidence knowing that I was working so hard to reach my goal. 

I lost almost ten pounds leading up to the big day.  My arms looked well-defined and most of all I felt great.  I'm continuing to take classes and it's rewarding to know that I'm doing something so good for myself.  Lithe really is a community – of amazing, inspired women!  And I feel fortunate to be a part of it.  Thanks for creating and running such a wonderful program!  Best of luck as you continue to expand your business.  And much appreciation to you, the amazing Lithe staff, and fellow Lithers everywhere!

Jackie

Image of Lither, Jackie N. via Jackie

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

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

DEAR LITHE {LOVE LETTERS}.

Dear Lithe,

It has been two years for me living Lithe but this was my first fall challenge. It was so much fun and gave me a lot of strength for my daily life. I didn't lose a lot of weight but I definitely gained a lot of muscles. My eight year old son Lucas tells me all the time, "Mommy, you're ripped!" Now, when I go grocery shopping with my 28 pound two year old son Gio I can hold him with one arm and two grocery bags with the other without help.

The other thing I found out during fall challenge is that I can run. At this challenge I probably ran the most in my life. I don't think I've ever even noticed the fall air smells so good until our outdoor runs during this challenge. The best thing was, after the challenge runs, I was inspired to go running with my son Lucas together for the first time. We both loved it so much and plan to keep up our mom and son runs.

Finally, and to me most importantly, I am a pretty shy person but I always felt supported by everyone at Lithe, staff and students alike. Lithe has always been such a warm and welcoming place for me. Thanks so much! Love you, Lithe!!!

Love,
Nari Kim

BOOTY BOOTY BOOTY ROCKIN EVERY WHERE! {BY SAYEH!}

I Like Big Butts, and I Cannot Lie!

As much as I abhor the song, I can’t deny that Sir Mix-A-Lot was a man way ahead of his time. In 1992, long before J.Lo stepped onto the red carpet in her infamous green Versace dress and wowed the world with her assets, and single handedly ushered in the era of the booty, he was singing its praises. Literally.

And the parade of voluptuous behinds has been marching on ever since. The torch has been passed from Ms. Lopez to Beyonce to Kim Kardashian and most recently to Pippa Middleton. The entire world was captivated by her hiny when she followed her sister down the aisle in her amazing curve-hugging Alexander McQueen dress. Now, let’s be honest, how bummed (pun intended) is Kate that her sister’s BUTT stole the show at her wedding?? Kate wears the classic Grace Kelly gown, marries the prince, but her sister’s tuckus is what people are writing home about? Dayum.

If that’s not a testament to the power of the booty, perhaps the padded underwear spawned by Pippa’s derriere is. That’s right. You can buy and slip on Pippa’s rear for a mere 24 bucks! It really shows what a badonkadonk worshipping culture we’ve become. I can’t say that I’m upset about it. In fact, I couldn't’ be happier. I’ve had a giant butt since I had a butt. Seriously. My baby pictures? Giant butt.

My behind has been a running joke with my girlfriends for years. From dragging me onto the dance floor every time that god-awful song comes on and pointing at my butt whilst rapping the lyrics (now you know why I hate it so much) to nicknaming it a WMD (weapon of mass distraction), my butt has been a source of much conversation and actually some angst for me.

Buying jeans? Forget it. I envy my friends that can just shop for jeans on line. I have to devote a day to trying on stacks and stacks of different styles to find the right denim for my derriere. And form fitting dresses? Forget it. I can make anything slightly tight and demure look like I’m about to dance in the background of a music video just because of my butt! I’ve long considered my booty-blessing more of a curse, despite the fact that it’s become cool and trendy to be maximus in the gluteus.

Until recently.

Since I started lithing, my butt has finally reached it’s full potential! All of the squats and lunges and fold over seat work and the killer butt-work we do on the mat, has taken my god given asset and really shaped into something entirely new. Recently, while changing into pjs in front of my sister, she shrieked and pointed at my butt. And not for the reasons she used to (sheer shock at the size), but because she couldn’t believe how lifted and firm it’s become. She even marched me out to show my mom, at which point they both started copping a feel to confirm what they were seeing (they’re strange people). Still not over it, my sister asked me to drop trow again when our girlfriends came over (I happily obliged, duh.) Because for the first time in a long time, I’m proud of my booty. And I’m not alone. This is a Lithe Booty.

I look around the studio and see behinds every where that would make the tabloids scoff at the apple-bottomed Brit they can’t seem to get enough of. I’ve watched as a close girlfriend, and fellow Lither has gone from constantly lamenting her tiny hiny to standing in front of the mirror in awe at the booty she’s sculpted for herself from the very butt she had written off as lost cause.

I guess some would say that the easier, less sweaty solution would be to pay 24 bucks for a slip on version of someone’s else’s bum, but I say why bother when we each have our own to work with. One, that with a little help from Lithe, can be shaped and lifted into something pretty incredible. Besides, you never have to throw a Lithe booty into the wash when you’re done wearing it. Nor do you have to explain to your significant other why your butt is hanging on the lampshade. The Lithe booty is permanently attached, and won’t wear or tear over time. Viva la Lithe booty!

See you in class!

2010 Image of Lauren Boggi Goldenberg via Nic D'Amico & Philadelphia Magazine & Lither, Sayeh Hormozi in Lithe Wear via Dom

DEAR LITHE { LOVE LETTERS}.

Image of Lithe Instructor Meghan Grauzlis via Dom

PAGET'S LITHESTYLE MAKEOVER {WEEK 4}!

{So sorry that we took so long to post these final results!  Paget and I had a few busy weeks and we were unable to get together.}  

Week 4 completed!

I was very nervous about how many inches & pounds I would lose this month. I averaged at 4 classes a week before this month and with the addition on one class a week I was weary about whether my results would be significant. Fear not! The balanced diet and five classes a week have whipped me into a tauter, healthier version of myself. I notice everything fits a little looser, I have more energy when I first get out of bed in the morning and I no longer have crazy cravings mid morning and mid afternoon.

I definitely have some things I will take away from this experience. I have been given one snack a day outside of the three meals which has been my biggest fundamental takeaway. I used to eat when I was bored, I used to eat when I was upset, I used to eat when I was happy… I just basically ate all the time. Having more than one snack a day will definitely be okay as long as I make good choices, but I am making efforts to only eat when I am hungry or when my body needs it.

Chef Lauren sat down with me multiple times and was always looking to make sure I was feeling good/liking the foods and making sure that I was getting enough food. I felt supported and encouraged the entire time…. Come November when these glorious foods are offered for a meal plan I am definitely signing up!

As for the lithe guru herself, Lauren had me smiling throughout each nervous measuring meeting. My inches lost were gradual, but she always made me feel like each inch was such an accomplishment. Because it is. I was hard on myself in the beginning but I am very proud of my results and I couldn’t be happier to wake up again tomorrow and keep at it. Makeover month is over, but my life is not and my goals to reaching the healthiest me that I can be still continues; now I have more tools to work with and I am one step closer.

This week I loved Waspie w/ Bari. Bari makes me want to push myself harder every time and she makes me sweat so much. I can’t believe my first class with Melissa was in my last week this month. I can not say enough good things about Melissa. Since I started lithe, I have taken at least one class with her a week. I would organize to get out of work early to get to her classes, I would fake sick to get there, I would even flake on friends to get there. Now, Thigh High on Tuesday with Melissa had me sore until Saturday. Your muscles just don’t lie. Melissa, you are a huge reason why I love lithe so much and what keeps me coming back for more. Thank you you're incredible! Wednesday I had Waist Not with Stephanie. I had to skip out 10 minutes early, but I still love this class and can’t wait to keep taking it. My abs have to start showing up some day. I talk to them in the mirror sometimes begging them to show…. Still waiting on that. Thinny on Thursday w/ Joellyn will definitely help get those abs out from hiding! Whoa that class FLEW by! Joellyn, you make each exercise look so easy and I would kill to be half as strong as you are. Rare form on Saturday was a wonderful way to round out the week. I was very sore and I needed a good stretch. Thank you Jess!

Thank you all for your support and inspiration!

Paget xo

HOOKED ON LITHE!

PUSHING THROUGH CHANGE.

Most women come to Lithe with the desire to change their body and become the best version of themselves.  When developing new workouts, my main goal is to increase your lean muscle mass, decrease body fat in your female fat zones, keep you interested and make you happy.

We focus on increasing your lean muscle mass because that is a major catalyst in decreasing your fat. We achieve this through cardiovascular resistance training via Lithe's Cardio-Cheer-Sculpting®.  And boy, does it hurt at times.  Have you ever heard the saying, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger?”  At Lithe, most of you learn how to push through your pain and allow it to help you gain strength and earn the results that you're striving for. 

Many of you become frustrated, call your instructors crazy or stop when an exercise becomes painful – not injury pain, but the burn that occurs when you are fatiguing your muscles.  It is SO important that when you feel the burn that you “push through it” by continuing on for a few more reps.  Breathe through it, because it's at that exact moment when you're creating changes in your body.  Your metabolic state begins to increase your lean muscle and burn the fat right off your thighs. 

If you never change your diet for the better and do the same workout everyday (with the same modifications) and never push through the burn or leave your “comfort zone," you will never see change in your body. So, in light of the fall challenge, make it your goal to channel that pain and strive to get in 1 or 2 more sets, OR - hold that half plank for one more breath! 

Images of Lither, Sayeh Hormozi & Lithe Instructor Meghan Grauzlis via Dom