January 2016 - Alter Ego Imaging

Ways to work out when you’re totally bored with all the usual stuff

in General by Jennifer January 26, 2016 0 comments

I don’t know about you, but I despise aerobics classes. They aren’t fun, and I find myself comparing my body (and my heavy breathing) to everyone around me. But, I do like getting some exercise, and building strength. Besides the endorphin rush, I love that it helps me feel in control of my body.

I am always in search of new ways to work out that are fun, but don’t really feel like work. I’m not one of those chicks who gets up at 5 am to run a mile. Never going to happen.

Over the last few years I’ve tried a couple of different things that I really enjoyed, and I thought they would appeal to you too.

Pole fitness. That’s right, a fitness class that centers around a stripper pole. It’s WAY harder than you expect. If you’re like me and your upper body strength has drastically decreased with age, you’ll find this an especially challenging work out. From floor work, to spins all the way to inversions (stuff where you go upside down) this work out has it all. It’s a major core workout, but you’ll learn some pretty cool moves in the process. FYI, it’s a little addicting. I bought my own pole for at home not long after I started taking classes.
Burlesque dance classes. You got it; it’s sexy dancing in heels and awesome outfits, but it’s hard work too. I haven’t actually tried this one yet, but I plan on enrolling in the first class that fits my schedule!
Trampoline aerobics. Did you know that those places with wall to wall trampolines for kids often have and adult aerobic class a couple times a week? I’ve only tried this one once, but it was super fun. Your legs will scream at you the next day though, so be prepared for lots of ibuprofen. Since it’s on a trampoline it’s easy on your joints, and it brings out the kid in you again.

I hope you’ll give one of these a try, and who knows, maybe we’ll end up in class together!

Why absolutely nothing is wrong with your body

in General by Jennifer January 19, 2016 0 comments

January always seems to be the time where most of the world declares they need to lose weight. Sometimes that means we start out on some crazy diet. Hopefully for most of us it means resolving to make better choices. While that is a great thing for our overall health, we tend to focus more on how our bodies look. We scrutinize all of our perceived “flaws” and usually end up feeling worse about ourselves.

There is nothing wrong with your body. Women come in all shapes and sizes, and they are all beautiful and sexy. If we all looked the same, life would be so incredibly boring.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m guilty of this January self-loathing too. But what I need to remind myself, and you do too, is that it’s natural to gain a few pounds as the weather cools down, and it’s natural to drop those few pounds when it warms back up. People in general are more active in the summer than in the winter.

Here’s what I know for sure: I see all different kinds of women, and no matter what their body shape or style is, their boudoir images are always fantastic. And it has nothing to do with Photoshop! (I don’t change anyone’s body in Photoshop anyway.) It’s because they are embracing themselves, loving themselves, and enjoying the process. That inner beauty shines through in their images, and nothing else really matters.

Why I am no longer satisfied with “the norm”, and what I’m doing about it.

in General by Jennifer January 12, 2016 0 comments

It’s a new year, which for me means it’s time to re-evaluate where I am, what I want and how I intend to get there. I’ve had a lot of changes in my personal life in the last year, the main one being that I decided to end my marriage, a relationship that had lasted 20 years. Regardless of your feelings about divorce and marriage, there comes a time in every woman’s life when you find yourself unhappy and off track, and you have to make a major change of some kind.

The biggest change I’m making this year: I’m no longer accepting anything just because it’s what everyone else does. Lots of people are unhappy for a myriad of reasons, and they choose to stay that way because they fear the unknown or because it’s too much work. I refuse to live my life by default. I truly believe that we all have the power to change our circumstances, and it’s all about mindset.

I choose to believe I am capable, beautiful, and worth it. I choose to believe that I can have anything I want in this world, and I choose to believe that you can too.

They say that a rising tide raises all ships, and I believe that to be true. My mission here at Alter Ego Imaging is to provide a fun, safe environment for you to connect with and embrace your inner self, and to have an emotional and empowering experience that transcends the physical. It’s in the service of that mission, that I invite you to get to know me better, and grow with me this new year.