For anyone suffering from a case of the Friday-the-13th jitters or just looking for some light-hearted fun on a hot summer day, I hope this offers the shot of positive energy you’re looking for. I apologize ahead of time that this post could be considered one for the ladies.

I’m still coming down from my high after seeing “Magic Mike” earlier this week with one of my best gal pals, Elisa. (You may remember her from my trip to Jamaica earlier this year.) Our latest adventure may not have included a swim-up bar or palm trees, but we certainly enjoyed 110 minutes of great scenery.

I feel compelled to mention I feel totally justified writing about the non-strenuous activity of seeing a movie for my fitness blog for two reasons:

1. I often write about the importance of taking a break from reality to keep your mental health in check.
2. The stars of this particular movie take the term physical fitness to a whole new level!

Okay, so it was sheer, giddy fun watching Channing Tatum dance and strip to Genuwine’s “Pony” and Matthew McConaughey making sleazy look good with his buff bod and cowboy moves.

Fantasy aside, I have to tell you, I was truly blown away by the strength these actors gained for their performances. Between the high intensity training, weight lifting and core work needed to sculpt those killer abs and do crazy things like a push-up immediately followed by a jump and roll over one of their fellow dancers on the stage, I know prepping for this movie was no picnic. (Some of their moves seriously made burpees look easy!)

I’ve read countless articles about their two-a-day, three-hour workouts and the cleaner than clean diets they followed to get those chizzled chests and glorious glutes. I know, they’re celebrities, they have trainers and they make millions, but as a moviegoer – and certified fitness professional –  I can say “Nice job!”  To all you fitness enthusiasts and professional competitors who work that hard on a regular basis and don’t make mad money , I say “AMAZING job!”

So, if you want to be wowed by the amazing feats of some super physically fit bodies, or if you just want to escape reality for a couple of hours, grab a gal pal, a sweet treat and enjoy the eye candy on the big screen. (Also, go ahead and download “Pony” by Ginuwine and “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) by Big & Rich for some motivation for your workouts after the movie is over.)

So, here’s to the already-talked-about sequel, Broadway musical (click here if you don’t believe me!) and in the more immediate future, to a weekend filled with plenty of chances to escape so we can all have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!