So can you go from this:
to this?
The answer is yes! How so you may wonder? It’s all in how you workout. I love lifting heavy weights because I feel so strong.
In an effort to mix things up, I am now doing a Barre rotation. What the heck is barre? Think graceful ballerina moves like plies and pirouettes. It’s what dancers do to get that long lean look. Okay, so I will never get a long lean look since I’m only 5’3″, but it’s fun to try.
It’s good to mix things up in your life. Do the opposite of what you have been doing. Take a ballet class! Be radical, have dinner food for breakfast! Have breakfast food for dinner! Every time you do something unexpected, your brain creates new neural pathways. It’s great for creativity.
What can you do to be contrary?
P.S. And no, I will NOT be posting a picture of yours truly doing barre. This is why I’m doing it at 4 am in the privacy of my basement.
Muscle Man photo is courtesy of JD Hancock’s Flickr Photostream, under Creative Commons Licensing.
Ballerina photo is courtesy of MK Dooley’s Flickr Photostream, under Creative Commons Licensing.
Nancy Loderick's Blog 
Our Life In 3D
February 12, 2014
Nancy, what is a Barre rotation workout? Nice job at getting up that early to workout. My body would argue with that idea!
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Nancy Loderick
February 12, 2014
Hi,
Barre workouts use ballet moves, like plies and squats, to work your muscles. The kicker is that you move very slowly and move only an inch at a time. Torture! (but in a good way)
Nancy
P.S. One good thing about getting up so early is that I am still half asleep when I start working out, so I kind of ‘miss’ part of the workout. 😉
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colormusing
February 12, 2014
I so agree about mixing things up: in you diet, wardrobe, workout plan, etc. For places that I drive to regularly, I try to find alternate routes, then go a different way each time– I don’t like feeling that I’m doing something a particular way simply out of habit. It’s good to have awareness of what we’re doing!
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Nancy Loderick
February 12, 2014
Hi,
I, too, love finding alternate routes. Except since I have no good sense of direction, I end up getting lost. But, it’s all part of the journey. 🙂
Nancy
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Professor VJ Duke
February 12, 2014
The professor would like a picture, Nancy! Dadblameit. I lift weights too. And I’m trying to get flexible.
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Nancy Loderick
February 12, 2014
Hey Professor,
Just look at the ballerina in my post and there’s your picture (okay, well not really. . .)
YouTube has lots of good videos for stretching and yoga you know.
Nancy
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Professor VJ Duke
February 12, 2014
😆 Well, the guy is me.
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Nancy Loderick
February 13, 2014
Hey Professor,
So you are a man of many talents – brains and brawn . 🙂
Nancy
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CBurns
February 13, 2014
I love this! We get to be ballerinas! Woo hoo 🙂 Also I’m one to get bored of things. Thanks for your post !
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Nancy Loderick
February 13, 2014
Hi,
Yes, even if the ballerina thing is totally in our minds. 🙂
N
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sf
February 13, 2014
My sis has been wanting to join a barre class too. We’ll probably go for it after we ever finally get our butts to a swimming class. Good for you for going for it and for being a weightlifter too! You’re a champ, Nancy!
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Nancy Loderick
February 14, 2014
Hey SF!
If you do manage to try a barre class, I’d love to hear how you like it. I understand the live classes are a lot tougher than videos. Plus, it’s good to go to a live class so the instructor can correct your form.
Nancy
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Ralph
February 14, 2014
Hi Nancy 😀
Tutu…….a train is coming !! Wow. A weightlifting ballerina. That must be a new Olympic sport !! Does Mr Ken participate….loose shirt and tights ? 😉 Happy Valentine’s Day !! Ralph xox 😀
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Nancy Loderick
February 17, 2014
Dear friend Ralph,
If dear Mr. Ken participated in this new-fangled ballet workout, you would hear the laughter all the way in Spain! 🙂
A very Happy Valentine’s Day to you too! (albeit a few days late. . .)
Nancy
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Ralph
February 17, 2014
That would make a great post though, wouldn’t it Nancy ? Use your persuasive powers my friend 😉
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fiftyis50
February 16, 2014
I think I’ll experiment with doing something in a different manner than my normal routine for 30 days. Not the same thing for 30 days, but something different every day. I wonder if I will be more creative at the end of 30 days? I will let you know.
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Nancy Loderick
February 17, 2014
Hi,
I love that idea! The analytical side of me loves the idea of doing different things for a period of time and then checking to see the results.
Keep me posted! 😉
Nancy
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fiftyis50
February 25, 2014
Hi Nancy, You must get started on this project. Not certain that it is spurring my creativity. Just experimenting with a daily “doing the opposite” and already I have found a few things that I am hanging on to. My favorite, making my daughters lunch box the moment I get out of bed rather than being the last thing that happens before scrambling out the door could be the best so far! Thanks for the inspiration!
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Nancy Loderick
February 25, 2014
Hi,
Thanks for the update. It is time for me to get started on this too! 🙂
Nancy
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