Tag: work out

FREE Outdoor Fitness Classes in Boston

That’s right, FREE! The summer is going by quickly, so don’t let these opportunities pass you by.

Yoga on the Boston Common:

yoga

Come to Frog Pond on Tuesday nights (6:00-7:15 p.m.) for a FREE expert-led yoga class (power vinyasa flow). Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats and blocks, and all ages and levels are welcome. For more information, read here. Classes run every week June 4 – August 27.

Healthy, Fit, & Fun at the Esplanade:

The Esplanade Association is hosting FREE Healthy, Fit, & Fun classes this summer (through August 30). All abilities and ages are welcome to participate. For more information, read here. See schedule below:

  • Mondays: 2.5 mile Community Power Walk (meet at the Hatch Shell at 6:00pm)
  • Tuesdays: Zumba (meet at the Hatch Shell at 6:00pm)
  • Wednesdays: Sunset Yoga (meet at Fiedler Field at 6 p.m) & Run Club (3, 5, & 8 mile options, meet in front of Marathon Sports Boston, 671 Boylston St., at 6:30 p.m. warm-up begins at 6 p.m.)
  • Thursdays: CrossFit (meet at Fiedler Field at 6 p.m)
  • Fridays: Boot Camp (meet at Fiedler Field at 7 a.m.)

Hope to see you there!

– Kelly

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Gym Rat

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Gym rat

Exercise has never been my strong suit. While I go through spurts of motivation every now and then, for the most part, it is difficult for me to motivate myself to work out. I am no personal trainer. And now that it’s warm outside (and inside, thanks to the lack of AC) the last thing I want to do is work up a sweat.

So I joined a gym. A temperature controlled paradise with group fitness classes, towel service, and an outdoor pool. Maybe all of the amenities will lure me into going frequently? At least it’s worked for the past week or so. When I work out alone, it is far too easy for me to call it quits early. But in a group fitness class, I can’t just quit in front of everyone. So I keep going, and end up pushing myself to have a tough yet rewarding work out. And best of all, at only a 5 minute walk from my apartment, the location of the gym is hard to beat.

I know what you’re thinking. This sounds expensive. And I’m not gonna lie, the payment stings. But physical activity is the component of my health that has always needed the most help, so it only makes sense that it’s where I choose to invest. Wish me luck!

How do you stay motivated to exercise? Do you belong to a gym?

– Kelly

Exercising when traveling: A new way to experience the city

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soulcycle

As a food and nutrition professional, one of my favorite ways to explore cities when I travel is through the cuisine. However, sometimes my travels have a tendency to transform into an all-out food fest, where many of my planned activities revolve around eating out. Not a healthy mindset.

However, on a recent trip, I met someone with a different approach. This person told me that she was taking a yoga class in the city, and that whenever she travels, she tries to take a fitness class. Now, I don’t exactly have the greatest fitness routine to begin with, but nonetheless, the idea struck me. I decided that moving forward; this is a practice that I want to adopt. So I did!

This past weekend, I trekked down to New York City for the Summer Fancy Food show (a trade show for food professionals). Knowing that eating was going to be a big component of my trip, I decided supplement my trip with a fitness class. Naturally, I chose SoulCycle.

I first heard of SoulCycle on a Regis & Kelly episode a few years ago. Since then, it has continued to gain hype from many of my favorite NYC based bloggers. Although I’m not an experienced cyclist, the class was completely rewarding. Hard work, great music, and even better attitudes. Also, whoever thought of holding a fitness class by candlelight, rather than unforgiving fluorescent lights, was a genius. Genius!

Not only is taking a fitness class in a new city a great way to maintain healthy habits when traveling, it is also a great way to break up the monotony of routine exercise. I found myself actually looking forward to the fitness class, because it was new and exciting to me. And now I can’t wait for my next trip!

How do you stay in shape while traveling? Have you tried SoulCycle?

– Kelly

Winter Exercise on a Budget + Tips for Morning Workouts

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I have never really been one to look forward to exercise. I’ve never been good at competitive sports, and sweating just isn’t my thing. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate the benefits of exercise. By my senior year of college, I was a regular at group fitness classes (dubbed “Texercise”), I went on semi-regular jogs, and I even took a cardiovascular and weight training PE class for credit.

Flash forward one year later…

Boston weather

Not exactly fitness inducing weather. While I have been able to go for some scenic jogs around my new city, and even participate in a 5K, winter in Boston isn’t calling me outdoors. So what’s a girl to do? The group fitness classes that I grew to love (okay, like) in Austin are an option, albeit, a pricey one. And on top of working 4 days a week and taking graduate courses, I don’t have the luxury to pick from a variety of classes like I did in college. My only workout options are before work, after work (only on non class days), and weekends.

Enter these guys…

Winter Exercise on a budget

I decided to give work out DVDs a try before work. The workouts I choose last between 35-45 minutes. It’s enough time to work up a sweat  and lift my mood, without wearing me out so much that I am tired throughout the day. The purpose is to energize me at work and to start my morning in a healthy frame of mind. The yoga DVD (Jillian Michaels, 2nd from top) is great for small spaces (see below), and doesn’t require any additional weights. The top DVD has a kickboxing segment that I really enjoy, even though it is a bit of a tight squeeze in my small room. I like workout DVDs because they are an inexpensive way to get guided fitness training, without the hassle of transportation to and from classes, or having to work around a busy schedule.

Winter Exercise on a budget

This is my setup. I usually work out barefoot, as a small gesture of kindness towards whoever lives below me.  Morning exercise is new to me, so here are my tips to make it work:

  1. Go to bed on time. If I am ever tempted to turn off the alarm and go back to sleep, it is not because I am bored by my workout, it is because I am tired. Aim for 7-8 hours each night for optimal performance.
  2. Don’t make it optional. Decide that you are going to workout, and then follow through. Don’t leave it up to the condition of whether or not you will feel like it. Don’t give yourself a choice to stay in bed. Turning on my bedside lamp when my alarm goes off is a signal to myself to get moving.
  3. Prepare the night before. Before you go to bed, clear out your workout space and set out your DVD and a water bottle. It also helps to sleep in your workout clothes. I sleep in a sports bra, T shirt, and Nike shorts each night, so that I am ready to get moving in the morning.

How to exercise in the winter, on a budget AND tips for morning workouts

Also, just in case you were wondering, I eat breakfast AFTER my workout because 1) multiple studies (here and here) have shown that exercising on an empty stomach burns more fat, and 2) I’m not doing anything that requires an intense amount of fuel or endurance. I will say that this approach is not for everyone, particularly not endurance athletes. For more on sports nutrition, I highly recommend Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook.

What are your secrets to a successful fitness routine? Are you a morning warrior, or do you prefer a different time of day? Also, if you know of any good YouTube workout routines, or other fitness DVDs suitable for small spaces, do tell!

-Kelly