Hey Babes,

Just a few words for you today, on joy.

Joy!

There is an assumption in our culture that mistrusts ease, views happiness with suspicion, puts a premium on effort and confuses hard work with sacrifice.

I call bullshit.

One of the best takeaways from my latest Resolution Reset is that basically everyone who did it was able to find healthier eating & lifestyle habits that felt good, applicable and sustainable to them (and yes, they all look incredible!) Part of that is finding both ease and pleasure in the new habit. It is all well and good to eat only whole or raw or organic or low carb or macrobiotic or juice or whatever for awhile, but if you don't truly enjoy it/find it accessible, what's the point? Who wants to look back on a life of strife, deprivation, punishment?

Not me. I choose ease. I choose fun. And I choose joy.

I choose dance-based workouts precisely because the hour just flies by and I feel like I'm not working hard (though we totally are - one barrebabe clocks over 700 calories burned each time she takes barrerhythms!)

I choose to cook delicious healthful foods because if they are yummy and available, I will eat them before any other expensive, industry-driven plastic and corn syrup laden nonsense. I don't want to eat the machine.

It doesn't mean I don't love challenge and intensity. I do, and like hot sauce, I have some every day. But like hot sauce, my challenges add something positive, not punishing, and I am sure to be moderate to prevent burning myself twice.

Just because it's fun doesn't mean it isn't "working." I strive for accessible change, good vibes, and loving the work. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to do so and to share what I learn with you.

Oh, I also like to share my playlists. Here's the latest.

Thanks babes. That's it for now :)

With love & planks,
Annie