And then I met Bari.

Walking to my first Bari session, I was texting with a friend who had already been attending classes at the studio.

“So, give me the scoop on Lindsey because I’m scheduled to train with her today,” I messaged my friend M.
“Oh she’s just a bubbly, high energy, fit babe. You know, your basic nightmare,” joked M.

Ugh. I felt intimidated, scared and unprepared. I debated skipping out. I did have a million deadlines and a stack of emails waiting for me to respond to. I’m not that out of shape, I told myself. I carry a 40-pound preschooler around. I walk 60 blocks to do errands in New York City.

But I didn’t.

My friend M was right. Lindsey is a total babe- bubbly and fit with high energy. And, I have come to find out, also the world’s number one trainer. Yep. Bari workouts are tough. After some sessions, I feel like I’ve died five times. I’ve encountered a whole new level of physical pain. I feel like a grandma sometimes trying to master Bari cardio routines. I make funny faces when my muscles get tired. Some days I just want to quit. But something is happening.

It’s working. Fresh off getting re-measured, this isn’t just speculation. In the two months I’ve been doing Bari, I’ve lost 9 pounds and 18.5 inches all around my body.

The improvements extend beyond the vanity wins. I can run a mile now, or five. I know what a plank is and, surprisingly, there are cute sneakers out there. Who knew? Lindsey has pushed me, she has made me feel worthy of working out and she takes the time to figure out what is going on both mentally and physically with me so that each Bari session becomes my best. Sweating at Bari a few times a week has literally changed my life.

I plan on living in my bathing suit this summer. (Why, yes, that will be me walking down West Broadway in an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini. Hello, flat stomach!) And it’s all because of Bari and my fit, bubbly, high-energy trainer, Lindsey, who want that for me, too.