Last year I began my first year of college, my first year away from home. I no longer had a regular schedule, a job, or parents making my meals for me. I didn't get on a bus or in my car and go to school from seven to two; I didn't even have class until ten. I didn't go to work at four or five anymore. Most importantly, I didn't have my mom asking me to go for a run or walk with her on the nights I didn't have work.

I was considered enough of an adult to form my own routine that involved going to class, making friends, studying, eating, staying in shape, doing co-curriculars, and sleeping. Forming a routine is extremely hard, especially when you don't know what time of day you function best. I knew I had time before class in the mornings and time after class in the afternoons.

I tried night time runs in the riverwalk which were amazing, but I wasn't fully into it. I looked at the gym, but it was so crowded in the evenings! I decided to try getting up before classes and go to the gym. It was worth a try to get up early and go to the gym as it opened.

I walked in, swiped my card, and figured out what to do for the next hour. I didn't know how to use any of the machines, and I wasn't too keen on learning. Running on a treadmill was worse than running on the riverwalk obviously, so I steered clear of that. I went into the fitness room with some weights, and I did reps of moves I found on Pinterest. I added in some push-ups, crunches, and basic pilates moves. I wasn't happy, though. I was never sore, I wasn't feeling better after workouts, and I never saw changes.

I was fighting myself to get out of bed in the morning. I had silent arguments with myself over working out. It wasn't going to be a good workout, it wasn't going to get me anywhere, I was going to make a fool of myself. These were only some of the things I told myself as I jumped out of bed, got dressed, and walked to the dreaded gym at seven in the morning. I continued trying different things, and I just wasn't happy. I still had a few other things to try including POP! Pilates. I was frustrated and ready to give up, so I said screw it and decided to try POP! Pilates.

I sucked it up and decided to follow a free calendar that Cassey Ho, aka Blogilates, releases every month. I had already known about Blogilates and the calendars. I knew some of her workouts, I was already subscribed to her Youtube channel, and I even had her beginner's calendar printed back home. I never made it through the beginner's calendar, so I didn't think I was strong enough to even attempt the regular monthly calendars. I tried anyways.

I went all out. I took before pictures, got her app and paid $0.99 to have access to the videos and calendar in one place, and I went to McNiff every morning to do the workouts. By every morning I mean Monday through Friday; I was bad and didn't do much on the weekends.

Each day focused on a different part of the body (arms, abs, legs, thighs, butt, etc.), and there were five or six videos for each day. The workout in total was 55 minutes, give or take on some days.

Monday through Friday I would arrive at McNiff as soon as it opened, I would go into the fitness room, and I'd begin my workout. I turned on the videos and did exactly as Blogilates did. Okay, I did a lot of modifications and took a few rests, but I didn't stop.

I was finally excited to go to the gym every morning, I was feeling a change in my body, and I was even eating healthier! I loved following the calendar and feeling the change. It was great, and it was contagious. I wanted to spread the word to everyone, and I wanted everyone to experience what POP can do. It made me want to open a fitness studio and teach POP to as many people as possible.

POP changed my life, and I couldn't be more grateful for it because it's my true passion in life. It's contagious, and it makes me feel wonderful each and every day.