I felt uncomfortable with my body most of last Summer. I felt like I was always trying to squeeze into my clothes, or analyzing my outfit from every angle before I left the house. I wanted to get back to "myself" so the day after my birthday last August I decided it was time to get serious about making a change to the way I approached both my workout and my diet.

I wanted a workout I could integrate into my weekly routine that wouldn't feel like an obligation, but instead something I'd look forward to (and could incorporate into my social schedule by meeting a friend there). The Studio (MDR) combines cardio, strength, and toning into each workout--but I also loved the mental challenge of class from day one. By booking weekly classes in advance for Monday / Wednesday / Friday it carved out a minimum of an hour for "me" each day, and the 4-count pace of the Lagree method made me slow down and focus no matter how hectic my day had been. Keeping a regular schedule allowed for the (amazing) instructors at (MDR) to see my progress, and give me the encouragement to try a move without a previous modification. It really became a lifestyle for me--balancing work (running my own business), workouts, and a healthy diet finally began to sync together.

After a few weeks of attending class regularly, I started to feel my clothes fitting better (especially around my stomach and hips) along with my strength and endurance during class increasing, which was great motivation! I wasn't modifying as many moves, and was even taking some of the advanced options. The greatest thing about The Studio (MDR) is no matter how far you come to reach your goal, you can always enhance your class with advanced modifications and a slower pace.