Motivation Monday #1 Blogilates

I've decided to start a new mini series all about the people who inspire me to get fit and healthy.

First up in this series is the amazing Cassey Ho.

Cassey is a pilates instructor who runs her own blog, Blogilates, which she posts everything about healthy living, from cute workout outfits to great recipes like macaroons, which I have tried and this is a great substitute for the real thing. 

She also has a YouTube channel with over 100 free workout videos, which are something I have started doing a few times a week and really enjoy.

I find Casseys videos very inspiring and motivating, Cassey stands there with a huge smile on her face talking about random stuff which you just have to laugh at or you will cry with the pain.

My favourite series of workouts at the minute are her Victoria's Secrets workouts, she even has one called bombshell beauty so I think the title shows that she is up for having a bit of fun.

Cassey also has a second YouTube channel, BlogilatesTV where she talks more about food, answers health and fitness questions, vlogs and posts about her personal challenges. 

I love watching this channel too because it is so informative!

A bit silly, but another reason I love Cassey is because she is so feminine.

She has her own range of gym bags which are all pretty and girly, she also likes to wear cute clothes when working out because she talks about how if you look good you feel good and want to work out even harder. The best bit though, is that she has amazing nails too (I know, bit odd for me to notice) but considering she lifts weights her hands are still in lovely condition and she often matches her nail colour to her gym outfit, and even loves a bit of nail art, something I can definitely get on board with!

OK I think that is enough of me declaring my love for Cassey Ho and Blogilates, but seriously if you are looking for great free pilates based workouts check her out, she seems so warm and friendly, and she is in amazing shape which inspires me want to work out harder so I can eventually look like that too.

Let me know if you have any inspiring people you think I should check out!

Today I went to pilates

That title sounds pretty underwhelming, which is kind of how I left feeling the class.

I'm just not sure it did anything. There was about 5 minutes of intense ab pain, but that was about it. Tomorrow I probably won't be able to move, but right now I really don't feel like I worked out at all.

The class was also a lot different to how I imagined it. Having never done a pilates class before, I wasn't sure what to expect, but after a quick look on YouTube it seemed to be a lot of core work, like constant sit ups, planks, v sits etc. This class didn't seem to have a lot of repetition, it was more static, or very slowly moving positions, which I thought was meant to be what you did in yoga? The instructor had a pretty amazing core and brilliant balance though so that was encouraging.

It doesn't help that the class was only 45 minutes long because the instructor was late, if I had paid for the class I would be pissed! Well its included in my membership so I do pay for it, but you know what I mean, I hope.

I also tried yoga for the first time on Sunday, which I definitely preferred.

The class finished at 9, so I did a full day of work then went to the gym. I feel pretty virtuous right now, I have earned this low fat diet meal, and the full fat cheese I have smothered it in.

I'll keep yoga and pilates up for a while and keep you updated on any improvement/pain, apparently these classes are great for building long lean muscles. That sounds nice. A lot better then short squat muscles.