Grab some wash cloths and get ready for a shaking, burning, full body workout right at home (or in your hotel bathroom…speaking from experience here people).
ROLLERCOASTER RIDE TO MY WHY…
I have officially typed about 5 half sentences, stopped, backspaced, and now here I am. I simply do not know where to begin explaining my relationship with food/diets/fitness. I grew up watching my mom try every diet under the sun. As I entered junior high and my brother graduated high school, she was one diet away from getting lap band surgery. Thankfully, she did not have to go down that road. She joined a program where she learned to eat nutritious foods in healthy portions. For whatever reason, this program just clicked for her. She also began walking the stairs at my dads office, about 80 flights! She worked hard and proved to our family and most importantly, herself that she could do it. She lost about 75 pounds. As her daughter, it was sweet to see her excited about trying on sizes she was finally proud of, shopping in stores she otherwise couldn’t. I think this is where the diet culture began for me, watching it my entire childhood. My family slowly went from eating frosted flakes or ice cream as bedtime snacks to withholding all together or eating a protein bar instead.
In 2011, I competed in my first pageant with a swimsuit portion. For the first time in my life I began a ‘diet.’ I was bringing my lunch to high school and packing healthy snacks. I not only had dance team practices but I also joined a gym, because I thought that was the thing you had to do. I had a few personal training sessions, took some cycling classes, and tried the dreaded elliptical for the first time, I was a junior in high school. To my surprise I won Miss Nebraska Teen USA and the swimsuit competition. To prepare for Miss Teen USA, I had a sponsor who provided workout plans and a very strict diet plan (not particularly tailored for me as an individual). I can still recite it to you today…that’s how dedicated I became at just 16-years-old. I didn’t know flexibility or substitution were an option. No one told me I didn’t have to follow it, or if they did, I didn’t hear it because I knew it had been provided for me in order for me to succeed. Nearing the pageant, I surpassed dedicated to the point of obsession. For example, if I ate 15 instead of my allotted 12 almonds, I would fall asleep thinking about those three almonds. I got to Miss Teen USA wanting to win. I had plans to graduate early in order to commit to being Miss Teen USA. No surprise, I didn’t win - I didn’t even place. The dream I had transformed my life for (unnecessarily because I was already a happy, healthy, physically active teenager) was no longer possible. Just like that, it was over. I had never faced a large disappointment before, I didn’t know how, so I simply didn’t. I coved up my subconscious hurt with big smiles and binge eating. A few months after the pageant, and many added pounds later (isn’t it annoying when you restrict yourself then try to go back to how you used to eat, your body no longer responds how it used to??) my mother asked me what was wrong. Sometimes those closest to us know us even better than ourselves. Teenage Sarah Rose didn’t realize she was struggling. After this realization I regained control of my eating and tried to figure out how to ‘maintain.’
Fast forward a few years, I always dreamt of competing at Miss USA as Miss Nebraska USA and knew that I must have a healthy relationship with food and fitness before that day came. In college, I also wanted to have a strong established group of friends prior to competing. Heck, I also wanted to be a typical college student - we all know most social gatherings are around food or drinks. I competed in Miss Nebraska USA for the first time my junior year of college. I was already teaching Lagree Fitness, a reformer pilates class, and loved taking classes at a new cycling studio in town. I did not pause my social life, nor did I change my workouts or diet until about a week prior, I also got my dress the week of the pageant (you could say I knew it was a trial run). But you know what, I felt confident in my body on that stage and was proud I did not completely restrict myself.
Two years later, I knew I wanted to fulfill my dream to Nebraska at Miss USA. I had met the man I wanted to marry and knew I would need a full-time job soon. Therefore, I had to try to accomplish my dream while I still could. I found workouts that worked for my body (shout out to John Benton Model Fitness) that did not bulk my muscular arms or quads. I committed to these workouts before or after my Child Life Internship clinical rotations during the week. I switched up what I ate, meal prepped nutrient dense items I actually enjoyed, and wow - that is when I won! I had fun with the process and in the outcome.
It has not been not a simple journey for me. Remember, our bodies are all unique, so one black and white plan cannot work for everyone. My biggest advice for others seeking a healthier lifestyle or to ‘lose weight’ is to find what healthful foods you truly like, plan portions, and mix in some super fun workouts! Your journey will not be the same as mine, but I hope this message can be an encouragement to you that is it not easy for everyone - no matter how picture perfect bodies may appear on our Instagram explorer pages.
Favorite Summer Workouts
It’s hard for me to go to a gym (especially underground, New Yorkers) during a beautiful summer day. I feel like I’m wasting a joyful sunshiny day if I can’t see it. Anyone else? That’s why I try to get creative to stay fit in the summer while appreciating the beauty of the season. I’ve compiled some ideas for myself and you. Head over to my Instagram, @sarahrosesummers to let me know which idea is best for your routine!
1. Run your local trail or park.
Set by Beyond Yoga from Bollare.
2. Find yourself soaking up the sun by the water? Hop in the deep end to tread water and swim laps - your childhood self will love you for it…and I promise it’s probably not that easy anymore.
3. Grab your yoga mat, pack up your cutest gym bag with water, hydrate, some ankle weights, and to head to your local park for some Pilates-inspired stationary exercises. (check out my IG TV for inspo). Don’t forget to bring your favorite book to relax after your workout.
4. Set up a circuit workout in your driveway - alternate sprints or use a jump rope for cardio, hand weights for squat to shoulder press or alternating punches. Get creative while staying close to home yet soaking up the summer sun.
Rumble
Have you ever felt intimidated walking into a workout class? A new store? Your first day at a new job? This feeling, deep in your stomach is how I thought I would feel my first time walking into Rumble, but I didn’t! I thought I would feel and look out of place as a small bubbly blonde girl in a badass underground NYC boxing gym. When I walked in I almost felt like I belonged, but even better than that - nobody cared! I didn’t feel like all eyes were on me at all, I blended right in while everyone else was focused on themselves. So if you need the push and little reminder that the world doesn’t revolve around you, no one cares about your workout, if you ‘look’ like you fit in, if it’s your first or 200th class, this is your reminder to go workout however you enjoy, for you.
Since my first time at Rumble, I now enter with confidence. Whether I had a crappy day and am ready to release frustration on the bag, a day lacking motivation and I can hardly get myself to show up, or if I’ve had a great day and am pumped - I always feel better after a class.
Ps: their showers and Dry Bar products are an extra plus.
Obe Fitness
Get a workout in on your lunch break, right after class, before the little ones wake up in the morning, or…anytime because they’re only 28 minutes! You can live stream classes with real NYC instructors. But if you missed a class or if you want to retake your favorite, you can catch them on replay.
Just for you, receive 30% off your first month with code: sarahrosesummers.
Fit Despite The Flights...
Traveling? It seems like a part of my job description this year. However, another part of my job is to represent the USA at Miss Universe. Therefore, I have to stay fit despite my wonky schedule and frequent travels.
While traveling as Miss USA, I am most often fully booked from early in the morning to late at night, sometimes with a break midday. I have to utilize any break I have, in order to use my mornings to get ready and then sleep when my day is over. My secret: don’t bother with a hotel gym (plus, some of my hotels this year haven’t even had gyms). Pack ankle weights and a jump rope. Too simple? Embrace it. Use ankle weights for donkey kicks, clams, inner thigh raises, fire hydrants, inverted v’s, standing glute pulses, and more for your lower body. Then, hold them for upper body exercises like tricep extensions, bicep curls, back flies, tricep kick backs, chest flies, etc. Alternate weighted exercises with 1-2 minute jump rope and vue-wah-lah! Toning and cardio all without the hassle of a gym or ample time.
No excuses - order yours and get going!
305 Fitness
Have you found your thing? Something that can brighten your day no matter how rainy it is, or what bad news you received, or just lethargic you’re feeling? Not another person, something you can do? In NYC, I quickly found my thing. 305 fitness is a group fitness studio unlike any other. They teach cardio dance classes to high-energy timely songs. Oh, and they have a live DJ! I was hesitant to go to my first class, I am no hip-hop dancer, but once I got inside and realized that men and women of all shapes and sizes were all twerking and sweating it out together - I was into it! On slow lonely days in the city I know if I can make myself get to 305, I’ll be leaving smiling at everyone on the sidewalk or on the subway! It is also the best place to bring friends! Two of my girlfriends and MUO staff go with me most frequently but I have also drug along all of my best friends who have visited me - the southern Christian bell, the one who never works out, the lanky uncoordinated one, and the ballerina - they all loved it too once they broke out of their shells!
1. Find your thing because we all have those days when we need a little pick-me-up.
2. If you’re in NYC, LA, Boston, or DC, try 305 Fitness with a friend. I promise you won’t regret it!