Fit Fashion Friday: Fancy Hats & Fitness

Happy Derby Weekend All!

I will be honest in saying I've never paid any attention to horse races until last year. Even now, by paying attention, I really mean; I have a clue on when they are and that they involve drinking cocktails, gambling and my favorite - fancy hats!

As far as gambling goes: I tried it last year at Preakness in Baltimore, lost $2.00 and was all set. It is a big part of the "thrill of the sport" for those that are into it. The whole ordeal is a spectacle, there are people from ALL walks of life who do the races up from one extreme to another. From cut off's and corn dogs in the infield (where we were), to fancy hats and hors d'oeuvres in the suites (where we were dressed for). It's quite a culture!

The horses are beautiful, with awesome names and the Jockey's are pretty amazing too. There had to be a distinct connection and trust between the two of them to do what they do, and I think how that works is really cool. 

This weekend kicks off the Triple Crown, which is basically the 3 big horse races; Kentucky Derby, Preakness & The Belmont. That is 3 events you can go to, watch and participate in festivities for while wearing a fancy, floppy hat. 

Per my recommendation, please do so!

Especially do so for me, since I am in crunch time training mode for my half marathon, which happens to be on the same day as The Preakness this year. Oh, and during Derby Day tomorrow, I will be lifting and doing a hill workout. OYE.

The Triple Crown is not a total bust for me though, thanks to my favorite Yoga spot/ Activewear line. Zweetsport is hosting a "Let's Get Down & Derby" event tonight with specials on yoga packages, clothing and it is rumored that I will get to have my first mint julep! I'm excited.

How are you kicking off the Triple Crown! Show me your fancy hats & fitness fun!

I am about an hour to my first mint julep and exactly 16 days til my first half marathon! Much to do on this #FitFashionFriday !

It Tastes Like a Milkshake

And I'm sold. It's the inner fat kid in me.

Something that is clean and healthy but tastes like something we usually have to save for our "cheat days" is the best thing ever. Finding gems like these remind us that it really isn't "that hard" to do this whole living and eating well thing.

Good news, I found another one! 

This recipe for a Green Vanilla Almond Post Workout Shake from Shape.com, claimed to taste just like vanilla milkshake. So I decided it would be appropriate to try for breakfast, naturally. 

I modified the recipe due to the fact that I wasn't having it after a workout and I didn't have some of the ingredients. My version turned out DELICIOUS, so I can only imagine how tasty the original is.

(I am a big advocate for subbing out or trying different ingredients in clean recipes. Don't discount a recipe because it has something in it you don't like or have immediately accessible. Sub it out, change up the recipe a bit and get creative. You'd be surprised what you can make work! Thats 50% the fun of clean eating...you know what the other 50% is right? - EATING!!)

Here is my version:

• 1 cup of Vanilla or Original Almond Milk (Sweetened/Unsweetened=your preference)
• 1 banana
• 2 Tbsp. of almond butter
• 1 Tsp. of vanilla extract.
• 2 cups of baby spinach
• Add a scoop of protein powder if after workout
• 2-3 Ice Cubes

Blend, enjoy and be ready to be full for awhile!

The key to living a successful life...

Someone to whom I looked up to, in whom I believed in, and for whom I had a great deal of respect  once told a defeated team about the key to living a successful life: associations.

Most of us would hear that and immediately think of, "It's all about who you know," networking and strictly career things. The relationships you form throughout your professional career can and usually do determine its course, but this advice went deeper than that. A successful career, while  certainly a contributing factor, does not equate to a successful life. This role model of mine, who had huge career success himself, gave significant weight to those relationships out of the professional sphere.  He deemed the most important association to be the person with whom you fall in love and share your life.

Recently, I have been continuously inspired by those people with whom I'm associated. Some I am closer to than others, but overall I keep finding myself impressed with an endeavor someone I know is taking on. This got me thinking back to the advice above and how I am living proof of it - how I know many people who are also living proof of it. 

I thought back to the times throughout my 24.5-year life where I felt successful, and the times I did not. Even when I knew I was not doing  so well as I wanted in my career, relationships, health, etc., I did a pretty good job of convincing myself I was happy, simply because there has never been a time in my life where I've had the bad outweigh the good, and for that I am grateful. That being said, the direct correlation between the better than good, and not so good times and the relationships in which I was involved at the time is pretty spot on.

Whether it was someone I was dating, friends with, or someone I merely worked with – his or her negativity, insecurities or overall complacency with mediocrity, brought me down. At the time I was both conscious and unconscious of this effect certain people were having on me.

I'm not sure of the exact sequence of events that has brought me to where I am now - to where I am honestly impressed and overwhelmed by the motivation of and from my associations. I'm sure that, along the line, cutting ties with some people, simple distance from others and growing closer to different people have played roles. Additionally, some of my own jolts may have helped me change my perspective on the value of my relationships and associations.  

Being surrounded by, and allowing myself to be inspired by, the individuals around me makes me feel extremely grateful. It drives me and the positive impact is has made in my life has been HUGE. 

I used to hear of someone doing something like running a marathon, getting into a challenging program or position or inventing something new and say, "That's crazy." I'd even say/think, "You're going to have no life," and I'm pretty mad at myself that I did. My reaction now to hearing things like this is different: "Wow! What made you want to do that? Good for you!" I never meant to be cynical or doubtful toward others’ "crazy" feats, but being completely open and intrigued by them makes a world of difference in your perspective on the feats in yours.

Associate yourself with people who blow your mind with their goals and accomplishments: mental, physical, career, personal and life endeavors. Let those associations drive you to think of things you can and want to do that might just be a little "crazy." For some of us that can be as small as a 5k or as big as a backpacking trip around the world. Embrace your own challenges as well as other people’s, and associate yourself with those who support and embrace yours. 

I believe in doing everything we can to make our own lives "successful." Our associations are the most important part, and we are blessed enough to control them, and reap the benefits of doing so. 

For just some of my associations, check my INSPIRED BY page on here.

Fit Fashion Friday: Funny

I think it's important to not take ourselves, and others too seriously.

Life isn't a joke, but there are certainly times to be silly, smile and laugh. Working out is a pretty critical thing for us because it affects our health and overall well being. Just because it's important does not mean it can't be fun, funny or light hearted. 

This brings me to this weeks #FitFashionFriday topic, putting a little "funny" in your workout wardrobe. What I mean here, is to have a couple pieces that make you smirk when you put them on to go workout. Something that you know people might look twice at or just that you get a kick out of. It can be a funny saying on a T-Shirt or a tank top, or something like a Sox Hat at a gym in NYC. Anything that makes you feel witty, clever and most of all happy! 

Here is my own favorite "Funny" addition to my workout wardrobe. Aly bought it for me and has one of her own. Matching "Funny" makes it that much better, and it's a great way to motivate a friend to get to the gym with a shirt like this...

Sites like zazzle.com & cafepress will let you customize pieces as well! 
Get creative and get a little "Funny" into your workout wardrobe!

Show me your #TooFitFunny workout wear!

"You Can't Go From Zero To Hero"

Felix Baumgartner used these words to describe his and his team's approach to the Red Bull Stratos Project - the mission to  "transcend human limits." With a world record freefall jump of 128,100 feet in which he broke the speed of sound, Felix and his team did precisely that.

Still a little high from my (measly in comparison) first tandem skydive at 10,000 feet,  I was excited to check out a lecture from the top dogs on the Red Bull Stratos team at the National Air & Space Museum here in D.C. Kait and I went with a bunch of cool skydiving guys (Nick and his friends) and checked out the museum’s exhibit beforehand. Everything about this exhibit is awesome. Click here for the Red Bull Stratos site and if you haven't seen the video of the jump, watch here. It is one of the coolest things in our lifetime.

I tried to get Kait to ask him out during the Q&A.  She was too bashful, and well,
he has a pretty lady back in Austria. 

During the lecture, we heard from both Felix himself, who I must say is rather studly, and the topdogs of his team. Joe Kittinger, who held the original record of freefalling to Earth from 102,800 feet in 1960 was Felix's "wingman" throughout the project as  "Capcom" (Capsule communications). I thought this was pretty amazing - one superhero building another to beat his record. Instructing him and encouraging him through every step, with seemingly no doubt that it was going to be a success, Joe was literally in Felix's ear during the record breaking jump. 

Nick & Meeting Joe Kittinger Post Lecture. Felix, saluting before his 128,100ft jump. Following his jump in 1960, Joe spoke of the mass interest there was in breaking his record, how he heard from people who just wanted to "do it once," and that he respectfully declined all of them. The reason for his refusal was everyone’s lack of understanding of the true gravity of the feat and the intense preparation involved. Felix was ready for that, and he spoke about overcoming various obstacles even before beginning the series of jumps that lead to the finale. Staying in his suit for long periods of time and working with/depending on a team were challenges he and the team overcame before he even stepped into the capsule. Needless to say, if anyone on the Red Bull Stratos team had the "Zero to Hero" attitude, the mission would've been a bust. When Felix said that he knew he could not go from "Zero to Hero," I thought about how this relates to our own health and fitness. There are instant benefits from exercise and eating well, such as more energy and a happier/feel-good mood. Also, you will probably surprise yourself with the amount of exercises you can do well pretty quickly (Muscle memory is a wonderful thing.). However, actual change in your body (especially as drastically as we'd like) takes time and usually a decent amount.  Do not get discouraged; do not get frustrated;  and accept the fact that "patience is a virtue" with your fitness. Extremes, quick fixes, and fad diets/workouts will NOT do the trick (I have tried, foolishly.) and are likely not safe or healthy. There is no magic; you must eat well and exercise to improve your fitness and change your body; and you must do it consistently. This is easier to work into your life than you think. Also, it takes 21 days to form a habit and 21 days to break a habit.

Back to the different levels of "zero" and "hero" and extremes. If you don't exercise regularly, don't throw yourself into a crazy boot camp class or  try  to run ten miles. You can push your fitness limits, but don't blur the definition of those limits - or even worse, ignore them. Get with a trainer (one session even) for an evaluation, and ask for suggestions. There are plenty of classes with modifications and workouts you can do as a beginner! Attempting exercises/diets that are too extreme will have you pissed off, frustrated and likely hurt. That being said, if you work out regularly and aren't seeing the results you want, it's time to step it up. Change up your workouts, and do different types of exercises so your body doesn't get used to what you're doing. In both cases, challenge yourself, and appreciate the process.

I didn't appreciate the process until I was put out of commission for a little over a month due to a surgery. No working out, nothing. I was in pretty good shape before the surgery, and my first time back to the gym I couldn't even do a push up. I fell over trying to do simple squats and was a bit horrified to find my new "zero." My "hero" was getting back to where I was before the surgery, and then in even better shape. That took, and continues to take, much longer than I realized.

We should share the same attitude toward our health and fitness goals as Felix did for his jump from the edge of space. "You can't go from zero to hero."

Okay,  great. Now that you've read this, no one will be eating only lettuce, doing twoadays for a week and then complaining that you're "STILL not in shape," right? 

If so, mission accomplished.

Fit Fashion Friday: #BostonTooFit

On Monday morning, thousands of runners will take to the starting line at the Boston Marathon. This year's Boston Marathon and the runners participating, stand for more than ever before. Every year, on the third Monday in April, people from all over the world watch, run and feel the special, unique energy of the Boston Marathon. Regardless of the senseless and horrible events of last year, April 21st will not lack any of what makes this day so special for Massachusetts and the world. 

Today's #FitFashionFriday is dedicated to Boston, my Bostonians, The Marathon on Monday, the runners and supporters. 

Show your Beantown love and support for The Marathon Monday - #BostonTooFit 

#BostonStrong - One Year Later

To put into words my feelings on the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings is nearly impossible.

What I know I will never be at a loss of words for, is my love for my home city, the Bean. There is simply no where like it. The history, the people, the attitude and yes, the accent hold a very special, and very solid place in my heart.



Needless to say, last years attack hit home, hard, wicked hard. And the anniversary today does also. It is one of those things that you know is coming, but even still, can hit you like a tractor trailer truck. Prayers, and more prayers for the victims and their families.

Although it is beyond me to pinpoint the right words for today, I was able to pin point my top 3 #BostonStrong quotes/instances. All of these occurred in the days following the Marathon Bombing and they speak to the heart, fire and tenacity of Boston.

• Adam's Sandler's tweet - "Boston is probably the only major city that if you fuck with them, they will shut down the whole city, stop everything and find you."

• Bostonian's Sing National Anthem at the Bruins Game 4/17

• Big Papi, saying what every single Bostonian on earth was thinking.

Another thing I can say is this: anytime you are feeling "lazy" and whining "I don't want to go to the gym" or "I really don't want to run right now." Shut up. Be grateful to even have the option of working out, running or even walking. Let that gratitude compel you to take NOTHING for granted, especially you're health and body. Do an extra set of push ups, run an extra mile or lift a little more for the people who can't. 

When something kick's you down, get up and kick it's ass. That is Too Fit & #BostonStrong

So much love to Boston.