As I progressed in my pregnancy I found that I did not suffer the same ailments of which my other friends complained. I did not retain water, I did not lose my strength, and I was pleased to notice that from what used to be my waist up - I looked exactly the same. All of this was of course attributed to Bar Method, but it didn't really start to pay dividends until I was in labor and delivery.

When it was time to push, the nurse arranged me in what was basically "low curl". Muscle memory kicked it, my core tightened, and in two pushes-taking approximately 30 seconds, my baby was out. He came so fast that the entire delivery team had not yet arrived. The nurse couldn't believe it because it was my first baby, but being the good Bar Method Jehovah's Witness that I am, I pointed to my bar socks (which I was coincidentally wearing) and gave credit where it was due.

All this is, of course, to say thank you. There is little doubt that I could have delivered as quickly as I did had I not the core strength from regular class attendance.  And as all this was only nine days ago, I am hoping the road to recovery will be equally as sunny!

I’ve always considered myself as an advanced exerciser.  I started with the Firm 18 years ago and had amazing results.  It truly got me into fitness!  After 10 years, I started to get bored with the Firm and moved onto Cathe workouts.   My focus then was heavier weights more intense workouts.

I had no problems getting back into shape after my 1st and 2nd pregnancies.  I was 33 when I started having kids and had my boys 18 months apart.  I always got compliments on how great I looked.  I was the 40 year old mother, of two, that looked better in a swimsuit at the pool than most teenagers.  Well, things changed! 

I got pregnant with my third child at 40.  I continued to exercise 6 days a week for a 1 hour a day.  I kept lifting heavy and I was doing step and kickboxing tapes for my cardio.  I ate very healthy and only needed to lose 5 pounds after the delivery of my 3rd child.  I thought I had everything figured out.  I just knew I would be back in my bikini in 6 months.  I didn’t happen!

Gradually over three years, I started to get:  flabby thighs, bat wings, a bra roll, muffin top, turkey neck, cellulite, slumped posture, and also chest crevices (wrinkles).  I was doing my so called advanced workouts (Collage Video ratings) six days a week and I looked horrible.  I was desperate!   I couldn’t believe what had happened to me over the last 3 years, despite all of my hard work. 

I tried to lift heavier weights, I thought if I left heavier, my muscles will get bigger and I will look better.  I was so wrong!  I purchased a BeachBody exercise program called Chalene Extreme.  I did the program to the “t” for 5 months.  Nothing happened!  I just could not get my figure back.  It seemed the harder I tried the worse things got. I even could match the instructor pound for pound (which has been typical for me throughout my fitness life). 

Well 8 months ago I read about the Bar Method on the Video Fitness Website.   I decided I would give it a try.  I can tell you that I would have never tried this type of workout before.  I never was a Yoga or Pilates fan either.  There was no way I thought I could have gotten a good workout without decent sized weights.  But, I was desperate and I was willing to try something new.  Who knew that this was going to be something that I really enjoy and look forward to doing.

Money was tight, so I decided to get the Fat Free and Designer Sculpting workouts through my local library.  I was hooked immediately.  I am extremely picky about instructors and I instantly clicked with Burr’s instruction.   After a month, I purchased the newest videos which I have been faithfully doing 3-4 times a week these last 7 months.  I still mix in an old Firm, and/or Step tape 1-2 days a week.  (old habits are hard to break).  I do not lift heavy anymore and I purchased 3 full sized mirrors so that I can really watch my form.

Now 8 months later my body is starting to look more like its old self.  What changed?  My focus, posture, and I stretch now (I used to “blow this off “ after working out).  Also, I discovered that I had Diastasis.  It looked like I had a football sticking out of my abs when I did ab work.  I have read about a method (Tupler) to help repair this situation.  The Bar Method has also helped with this too!   My split has been reduced from 4 fingers to 2 and I will continue to work on this.  I just wish that just once I would have heard about this special situation in one of my 100+ workout videos/DVDs and/or even in a fitness class at a gym (I’ve taken 100’s of classes).  I can’t believe this is never brought up by an instructor!  It really needs to be addressed!

As a home exerciser, it is really easy to get in a rut go and just go through the motions and not really put you mind in the workout.  I feel that it is not the amount of weight but the mental focus/concentration and putting your body in the correct form.   That pelvic tilt is so important.  I now know how to engage my abs!  You are the only instructor out there that really gets into the nuts and bolts of good spinal alignment.  This is the key to looking good and doing your best, it’s not all about how heavy you are lifting.   My muscles could care a less how much I was lifting. I wish more people were aware of how important spinal alignment and good form is when working out.  Lifting heavy + poor posture/form = bad results. 

Your Blogs have been extremely helpful too.  I would love to see a book with those topics but with more pictures/examples describing each blog topic.  I just want to say thank you for rehabbing my 45 year old body to be the best it can be.  I will be purchasing every DVD that you put out in the future! — Amy Arensberg