Sneaking in Your Workouts

Summertime is upon us and after work the last thing many of us want to do is go for a run (hello, it’s happy hour time!). With the help of Lululemon, I have the solution! Perfectly named, the Run From Work Backpack is the perfect accessory to turn your boring commute home from the office into a workout. I live about 3 miles away from work, on a nice day it’s walkable but I also happen to work in one of the most congested parts of the city. What could be a lovely walk home turns into me pushing my way through tourists. Instead, I’ve devised a plan with my new backpack.

I’ll bring my running outfit to work, after I’m done for the day I’ll pack up just the necessities (wallet, keys, phone) and head west from my office to the West Side Highway and run up to the UWS and home.  I love that this backpack is small enough that it holds what you need but doesn’t slow down your pace. It’s equipped with double straps to keep it firm against your body. The bag is also ideal for bike riding. I took it along for a 12 mile spin around Central Park earlier this week and it didn’t leave my back sore like other bags might.

Lululemon always delivers with a healthy amount of pockets and this bag is no exception. There is even a secure spot specifically designed my iPad. I’m a fan!

Unique and Challenging Races to Try

I’ve been running very basic races in New York City, ranging in distance from 4 miles up to 13 (with a few triathlons thrown in). I’d love to broaden my horizons with different types or races. Vital Juice offers up a list of 4 out-of-the-ordinary races. If I have time this summer, I’d love to check them out!

• The Color Run (this one is a definite for me)
• Two-Day Beach Bootcamp
• The Warrior Dash
• The Great British Run

RACE DETAILS HERE.

Moving Week!

This week I’m heading south (by 3 blocks) and moving into a beautiful one bedroom right off Central Park w/ MM. It seems like just yesterday I was moving to the Upper West Side, but it’s been a year and I’m off to another apartment. Last night I picked up the keys and am happy to say that I love the apartment even more than when we signed the lease. Here are a few pictures of the empty space. I can’t wait to get in there and decorate!

The apartment has amazing detail and comes complete with a fancy shmancy chandelier.

Big double doors leading into the bedroom.

The floors are lookin’ all shiny and new. I love the intricate design.

Memorial Day In Review

This past weekend marks my first real camping trip! I headed to the Delaware Water Gap with 20 buddies to take on a couple of days of canoeing and camping. While the weather was iffy (imagine crazy downpours/thunder/lightening while on the water) it still was a great weekend. The scary weather made it a big adventure and I was proud of us for sticking out the storm and enjoying the entire experience.

I’ve always believed that I’d be AMAZING at Survivor (still waiting to be cast…) but this trip really made me re-think how great I’d be. After about 1 hour of standing in the pouring rain I was ready to cry, but I powered through and would definitely go camping again! Well, maybe glamping next time.

Giant canoe circle (photo credit: AHS)

A view of the lake ahead, guided by Red Man (photo credit: AHS)

When you have nothing else do, braid your hair! (Photo credit: Udin)

Memorial Day Weekend

Happy (almost) long weekend everyone! Tomorrow I’ll be stepping out of my comfort zone to spend the weekend camping. I’ve never really been camping before and I can’t wait! I’ll be heading to the Delaware Water Gap with 22 friends to go canoeing and camping here:

Beautiful, right?

Wish me luck!

Decorating with Bikes

I LOVE this bike decal as easy decoration for a new apartment. Perhaps not the most practical purchase for me since I’m already stressing about where two ACTUAL bikes will be stored in the new apartment…

(Source: fab.com)

I’m Moving!

So buy my stuff! Need to get rid of a few items before I head to my new apartment next week (more info on that coming soon!).

Anyone in NYC need a big mirror, chair, couch, coffee table and/or nightstand? Check it out here.

5 Easy Ways to Burn Calories with your Besties

Check out my latest article at Life2PointOh, giving you tips on how to include best-friend bonding into your fitness.

Photo Credit: lululemon athletica via Flickr.

Do you work out with your friends or do you prefer to sweat solo?

Smart Beach Snacks

I’m not beach bound for a couple of weeks but I’m bookmarking this list of healthy snacks to bring along to keep you looking trim in your bikini for when the time finally comes!

Smart Beach Snacks - Q by Equinox

New Favorite Workout + New Favorite Workout Shirt

This morning I went to my third METCON3 class at Equinox and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite gym classes (aside from Spinning of course!). The class is made up of 10 movements, done for 60 seconds each, three rounds through. There are also 3 quick exercises you do at the end of the class to give your metabolism one last burst. With the warm-up and cool-down the class lasts 55 minutes. Because each exercise lasts precisely 60 seconds, the whole class pretty much flies by.

I’ve done the class three weeks in a row with the same set of 10 exercises and in just this short amount of time I’ve seen personal improvements. Because I’ve done the same thing each week, my medicine ball push-ups have improved and I can do the exercises without needing as much of a breather during the set. I love that the class includes weights and bursts of cardio. Also, because the gym is about 15 blocks away, I add in an additional warm-up and cool-down by running to and from the gym.

It’s been very rainy in New York but I didn’t want to miss out on this awesome class because of a few rain drops. This morning I wore this Run in the Sun long sleeve shirt from Lululemon. Sure, there was no sun out, but this top is also perfect for steamy mornings. It’s lightweight enough that it keeps me dry from the light rain but doesn’t leave me sweaty before my real workout even begins. The top is perfect for sunny runs as well since it has UPF*

And how can you resist the cute ruffled butt on this shirt? Love it!

*UPF: A Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+ tells us that a fabric is ‘excellent’ at blocking the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Thick materials (like concrete) are really effective but hard to run in. We’ve engineered lightweight fabrics that still achieve the highest rating.

(Source: equinox.com)

Getting that Gym Glow

I’m really into the neon trend these days and what better place to infuse a pop of color than into your workouts. These are my top picks for shining bright through your sweat sessions:

1.Lululemon Ebb & Flow Bra, $58

2.GapFit Motion seamless racerback tank, $29.99

3.Lululemon Run in the Sun Dress, $98

4.Lululemon Tracker Short ii, $54

5. Sugoi Zap Vest, $90

6. Old Navy Sports Bra, $12.99

7. Lululemon Bliss Bag, $128

8. Asics Gel-Noosa Tri Sneaker, $120

9. Reward yourself for pushing through your workout with one of the adorable neon swimsuits available at Target, like this one from Xhilaration, $30