Posts Tagged ‘health’

Finding the Fun in Fitness with Reebok

[Glow in the dark yoga!]

Last week I was invited to the 2013 Reebok Women’s Lifestyle and Fitness event here in New York City. Reebok, fitness, fun exercise workshops… You know I didn’t have to think twice about what my RSVP would be.

Reebok supplied us with sneakers, tanks, bras, tees, and tights and I got to spend two days trying out all of their gear while mingling with some of the most passionate and inspiring group of fitness writers, athletes, and bloggers. We all had a blast participating in yoga, running, CrossFit, and dance workouts together. In other words, it was two full days of bliss.

Hungry Running Recap: Every Day is a Vacation, And I’m Taking a Long One

[image via Someecards.com]

I’ll start with the bad news first. And don’t worry, when I say “I’m taking a long vacation,” I don’t mean from blogging. I mean from running. Not because I want to, but because I have to.

Unfortunately I’ve sustained myself another nice little injury. Last year it was my left hamstring. Now it’s my right hip flexor. It could be a labral tear (let’s pray not!), or it could just be a groin strain. Either way, I need to rest. Probably for at least three weeks. (Kill me now!)

The pain in my right hip started just after I ran the Fitness Magazine Half-Marathon. Three days after the race I went out for an 11-mile run and unfortunately that was just too much, too soon. After that I rested for about a week until I felt OK again. But even though I felt OK on my first run back, there were still some small twinges of pain, a sign that I wasn’t fully recovered. Stubbornly (just like last time), I chose to ignore that, simply because I love to run, and now, as a result, I can’t. Oh the irony.

Is it really healthy? PB2

PB2. I have been wondering about this low-calorie, powdered peanut butter substitute for months. One of my favorite fitness bloggers, Savannah (Muffin-topless.com) talks about it all of the time. She swears by it and uses it in many of her healthy dessert recipes.

But knowing what I do about most packaged foods, I just couldn’t fathom how a powdered version of peanut butter could meet my clean eating nutrition standards. I imagined it to include a handful of artificial additives. I thought, “Sure, it boasts fewer calories than traditional peanut butter, but at what cost to the nutritional value of the food? How many added ingredients does the company use to replace what’s missing?”

“Why don’t you go eat a burger?” On Being Teased for Eating Healthy

What’s the deal with criticizing healthy eaters? Or anyone eating any type of food for that matter.

Last night I made a plate full of veggies and lentils for dinner. As I sat down to eat, my roommate came home and started to cook her own dinner, similar to mine, with lots of veggies. We were talking and she started telling me about how on Thursdays, when she has class from 6-9 PM, she usually eats her last meal of the day during class. She said, “Yesterday I was eating in class. I made some kind of vegetable dish, and the girl who sits next to me said, ‘Wow, it seems like you eat really healthy.’” My roommate continued on to say that she hadn’t been sure how to respond.

Now, I guess this girl’s comment was more of an observation than a criticism, but still, what would be an appropriate reaction? “Yes, I do. Why thank you,” might be an acceptable response, but I know when things like this are said to me (it happens on an almost daily basis since so many of my meals are eaten on-the-go), it’s sometimes hard to refrain from saying something more like, “Yeah, SO WHAT?!”

Why is fitness important to you? Win a $25 Target Gift Card! {Closed}

[Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.]

Why is fitness important to me?

No, really. I’m still sort of asking myself this question out loud right now. I’ve been asking it over and over again trying to figure out the answer. When I first started to think about it, I wasn’t sure. I was kind of like, “because it just is”. You know? Health is important. I want to be healthy. It’s as simple as that, right? Well, yeah I guess. This is all true. But that’s not a good enough answer for me. So, I kept thinking and I started to dig a little bit deeper.

I Tried a New Exercise: AntiGravity Yoga Round 2

Last month, I tried AntiGravity yoga at Studio Anya with The Holding Space for the very first time. To start off easy, I took a “restorative” class, which had a calm and relaxed vibe.

Last week, I went back to studio Anya for my second shot at Antigravity Yoga , this time to give the Flying Fitness class a try. My reaction to round 2? How fun! Again, I got to swing around and hang upside own in the hammocks, not being able to help feeling like a little kid on a swing set.

Summertime Slim-down Boot Camp Week 8

You did it! You’re halfway there. Week 7 is over and now we’re midway through our 14-week boot camp. Way to go! (Virtual high five!) If you’ve made it this far, there’s nothing that can stop you now.

Is it healthy? Hint Water

I’m weird. I really don’t ever crave flavored drinks like sodas or juices the way that many people do.

I know some people who would rather die of thirst than drink regular, plain, boring water. OK, I’m totally exaggerating with with the “die of thirst” thing. But seriously, I know some people who hate water a lot. Which is really not a good thing, since you know, we need it to survive.

Hydration plays a huge role in our health, and making sure to drink enough water on a daily basis has a long list of health benefits, including an increase in metabolism, clearer, healthier skin, and improved digestion.

Unfortunately, many people who feel they need a little flavor or fizz in their beverages turn to juices and sodas that are filled with an excess amount of refined sugars and artificial flavors, often without even realizing what they’re really consuming. After all, many food packages are quite misleading and every brand wants you to think that they’re product is healthy and nutritious, even when it may be anything but.

So, could Hint Water, (a product pointed out to me by a lovely Hungry Reader) which is self described as “pure, naturally flavored water,” be a healthy hydration alternative for health-conscious consumers who need a flavored fix?

Hungry Running Recap: So, I’m running a half marathon next weekend!

That’s right. Next weekend. Me. 13 miles. I decided last night that I wanted to do it. I’ve been debating about the More/Fitness Magazine Half-Marathon for months now. Every time I open the latest issue of Fitness Magazine and see the ad for it I’m like, “Yeah! I really want to do that!” but for some reason I just never signed up. Well, now I did! And I’m so ready to run.

This year is the race’s 10th anniversary, it takes place in Central Park, and it’s one of the largest all-women’s half-marathons in the country. Ummmm, sweet! Sounds like a good time to me.

So, crazy me. Signing up for 13-mile races two weeks before their start. Good thing I’ve been running a lot lately! In fact, I’ve been running so much that I’ve hardly had any time to write about it. I’ll make up for some of that now.

What’s in a Bulu Box?

From now on, just call me a Bulugan.

No, not a hooligan. I am not a disruptive bully. I said, BULUgan.

Because I am now a Bulu Box Brand ambassador!

Bulu Box is a fun new way to learn about and sample health products like vitamins, protein powders, herbal teas and energy supplements. Bulu works with a TON of health-minded brands so you never know just what you might get in your next Bulu Box!

How it Works:

There are three different Bulu Box subscription options. One box costs $10 and you can order a single-month, three-month ($30), six-month ($60), or yearly ($110) subscription. So, if you opted for the three month subscription, you would get a new Bulu Box delivered to your door every month for the next three months. I don’t know about you, but having a box full of health and fitness goodies appear in my mailbox monthly would make me feel like it was my birthday ALL OF THE TIME. Which, I think we can all agree would be a pretty awesome feeling.

Also, every box you order earns you “Rewards Points.” 50 reward points equals $5 and you can use those points to purchase full-size items of the samples that you love from your Bulu Box. Sweet deal!

AND, Bulu Box recently created Bulu Box Weight Loss, which is a second option (priced the same) designed for Bulugans with weight loss goals. LOVE IT!

My first box is on it’s way as I type this and you know I’m SO excited to pretend it’s my birthday, open it up, find out what’s inside, and then share all of my thoughts with you guys. In fact, since many of you come to me with weight loss questions, I opted for the weight loss box (even though I’m not currently trying to lose weight), so that I can sample the products and give you an inside scoop on which items I think are most useful. I’ll be reviewing all the products from each new Bulu Box that I receive in a video blog each month!

I think that Bulu Box is great tool for staying motivated to lead a fit and healthy lifestyle, which is why I agreed to become a brand ambassador. The best part about my job is being able to help you all stay excited and inspired to lead a healthy, active life. (Seriously! I’m not just saying that.) Also, I want all of you to be able to feel like it’s your birthday all of the time. So, if you think Bulu Box sounds fun (it is!) and you’d like to try it out (you should!) you can use the Coupon Code BULUGAN992 to receive $10 off your first Bulu Box Subscription. That means, you can get your first whole Bulu Box for FREE or save $10 on any of the monthly subscriptions!

Just use my brand ambassador link below, and order away!

http://www.bulubox.com?acc=43ec517d68b6edd3015b3edc9a11367b

Use the Coupon Code BULUGAN992 to receive $10 off!