As part of our Fitness Friday, we interviewed Flywheel instructor extraordinaire Brie Hollingsworth to see how this hot mama keeps up her routine, got her body back post baby AND how she survives the holidays. Flywheel has a killer Flybarre challenge in January. So plan now to tone up post holidays!
Tell us your post-baby-body secrets! As the Mom of two daughters, how have you been able to bounce back so quickly?
Honestly, my best post-baby bod secrets begin with a solid pre-baby routine. As someone who has consistently pursued a high level of activity throughout her life, once I became pregnant, not much changed. Of course as my belly grew, so did the ways in which I would modify my exercise. However, I’m a very big advocate for maintaining your level of fitness, whatever level that is, throughout your pregnancy. Listen to your doctor of course, but trust your body. It’s incredible the level of safe activity you can pursue throughout those 9 months. I strongly believe the only way my body was able to successfully bounce back after delivering each bouncy bundle was because of the condition I was in prior to pregnancy. I believe it also facilitated 2 healthy, natural births. I’m so very grateful I had two healthy pregnancies that allowed me to continue a strong exercise regimen that set the stage for regaining my pre-baby body. In truth, my body now is probably the best it’s ever been. Following 2 children. Say wha??? Crazy, I know. However, this is where I strongly credit Flywheel and FlyBarre, particularly. It’s redefined my body and has changed my entire form. It’s been a steady transition of course, as my daughters are now ages 4 and 6. Feeling strong, looking strong, and being a healthy, active role model to my girls means everything to me.
Favorite activity to do with your girls around Charlotte? I love trees. Can I say that? Honestly, the trees here still make pause. They are spectacular. The lush woods, the dense forests… it takes my breath away. Growing up in a more desert terrain, trees like these are not part of the scene. My girls love to take long hikes and go exploring in any one of the larger parks that are offered here in Charlotte. That’s definitely our favorite activity. The feeling of getting lost, being alone on a trail with only the silence of the trees- love it.
One thing about yourself that most people don’t know? One thing most people don’t know about me is that I’m an avid traveler. I’ve been fortunate to live and travel internationally over the years to a number of wicked spots throughout the world. As a mommy now, the challenge of carting 2 little ones around certainly curbs your ability to crash at any random ghetto hostel. However, I do believe in instilling the desire to see the world as much as possible. They’ve been fortunate to travel quite a bit already, including spending time in Australia where my husband is from, as well as routinely travel cross country to spend time home in Cali. They’ve actually become really fantastic travelers already. Getting out there, seeing the world, experiencing new environments and appreciating how other cultures live and thrive is a definite message I want to resonate with them as they continue to grow.
Favorite holiday treat? (Do Flybarre instructors even splurge on holidays?) Those closest to me know I have a slight affinity for some things one might deem as “junk food”. Okay, okay, I do love my caffeine in the delicious form of a coke. And I believe our entire team splurges at times, because we are real, and simply enjoy food! However, we are all so dedicated to our fitness regimens, that fueling our bodies well is an endless pursuit. Ultimately, I think it boils down to the classic approach of making good choices most of the time, but allowing ourselves to sometimes enjoy the sweets or the carbs or the sugar that make you happy once it hits your tongue.
The one thing that I always enjoy around the holidays is a delicious homemade soft bread roll recipe that was a staple for me every Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s a family recipe I learned as a child that has now become a wonderful holiday tradition that I share with my girls. Making bread from scratch is a delicious process. The smell of yeast is magic! There are so many small steps that are involved and it takes most of the day. The girls love diving in and getting their hands all up in that dough. It’s like clay you can eat! While time consuming and a bit messy, the reward of fresh homemade bread is like nothing else.
Okay, people. Enjoy the holidays. Live and soak them up. And then come back to the barre. Our next FlyBarre Challenge starts in January. We all know New Year’s resolutions will be in full force. However, I will say this challenge sets the stage as laying the foundation for truly a life changing routine that you will carry long past other many resolutions that die or simply fade away. It is 6 weeks to change not only your body, but your entire exercise routine in how you gain strength, definition, tone and flexibility. I think most of us need a defined goal to work towards. 6 weeks is just that. It’s intense, no lie. 4 classes a week. You need to be committed and determined in order to complete it. However, for those that do, the changes are remarkable. More importantly, the desire to continue on long after the challenge has concluded, maintains. I’ve been so fortunate to be a team leader for girls who have shown such incredible drive and focus during the challenge. Then, they continue, and routinely kick ass each and every week to only get stronger, leaner and meaner. Our clients are the best out there. Our Flywheel community is the most supportive and committed group I’ve ever seen. I’m one year in as being an instructor myself and I’ve never felt more inspired to grow and to continue to support our clients in reaching their fitness goals. Happy 2014, everyone! Now let’s gear up to dominate 2015!
Thanks for chatting with us, Brie! Find out more about Flywheel Charlotte and book at class on their web site.
