Monthly Archives: July 2012
Friday Flashback
Extending the holiday into chill time at one of my favorite places on Earth – Jones Beach
As I decided to turn the holiday falling in the middle of the week extended time off from the daily grind, I’m keeping vacation mode going on the blog front, too!
I’ll be back in full force next week, but for now, I wanted to leave you with some links to a few past posts that I hope you’ll find helpful if you’re taking your 4th of July fun right through the weekend. Here are some timely reminders on how a little moderation can go a long way when it comes to keeping on track with your health and fitness goals.
Laura’s Lo-Cal Cocktail Options
Happy Friday, happy weekend and happy trails as you head out to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
Smart Summer Sizzle
Happy Birthday, USA!
Nothing screams summer holiday celebration quite like a BBQ. Whether you’re firing up your own grill or the guest at a backyard, beach or poolside party, the good news is there are ways to enjoy the food and fun and not hate yourself tomorrow.
Here’s my list of simple tips to help you sail through this year’s 4th of July bash, and any other party that pops up this summer:
- Get Moving! A 7:30 am holiday workout has become part of my prep for one of my best friend’s annual 4th of July pool party. Riding the endorphin rush all the way to the party keeps me from negating my hard work by heading straight for the heavy foods. If I do go a little overboard (and I admit, I usually do), it helps knowing I burned some serious pre-splurge calories. However, if you’re the type who’ll use a pre-party workout as a license to go hog wild, adding some time to tomorrow’s workout may be a safer bet.
- Do NOT arrive hungry! This rule applies to any party at any time of the year, along with happy hour or a late dinner out. Eat as you normally would before heading to the party. Make an effort to have several servings of fruits and veggies in case there aren’t many to choose from among the burgers,hot dogs and mayo-rich salads. If you find your stomach is rumbling as you’re headed out the door, grab a piece of fruit or serving of almonds for the trip.
- Bring Some Healthy Grub! Be the health-conscious guest who shows up carrying veggie crudite with hummus or a fruit salad with non-fat Greek yogurt as a dip. If you’re great in the kitchen (unlike me!) you can even do something creative like scoop out the inside of a watermelon and then use the shell as a bowl for the fruit salad. For a dessert, why not bring a tray of individual servings of red and blue jello as non-alcoholic shots? Speaking of booze, don’t be shy about bringing lo-cal margarita mix or bottles of seltzer and diet sodas, including tonic water, to mix with vodka, gin or rum.
- Follow the Every-Other-Drink Rule! This is one of my favorite tricks for any social event. Have a beer, glass of wine or cocktail and then for your second beverage, switch to water or another non-alcoholic non-sugary option. Then if you go on to beverage number three, you can go back to your libation of choice and continue from there. Having a plastic cup filled with something in your hand also helps shrug off the peer pressure when friends say, “oh come on, have another one!”
At the end of the day, if you end up having that second hot dog or realize you’re the one who ate half the plate of seven-layer dip, don’t sweat it. Sometimes you have to be a little bad to get back to being good.
So for today, have fun celebrating our nation’s independence and whatever you do, please remember to designate a driver. That’s the best way to ensure you and yours will get home safely and face tomorrow with a renewed spirit to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
Oh What a Night!
Ready to get “Movin’ for a Cure”!
I really only need two words to sum up my Friday night: Zumbathon® rocked!
The energy that filled the Roseland Ballroom was palpable the moment Ebonny and I walked through the doors and were greeted by fellow Zumba lovers wearing sparklers in their hair. (Of course, I had to buy a sparkler!) By the way, Ebonny is the fabulous fitness friend who introduced me to this amazing phenomenon last year. I was so glad we could participate in this event together! An added bonus was catching up with another Zumba pal, Michelle, whom I hadn’t seen since my Basic Instructor licensing workshop. After snapping some photos and downing some water, it was time to get moving with Zumba® Fitness and Team Fox in the fight against Parkinson’s Disease!
As soon as Michael Jackson’s “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” started blaring from the speakers, I knew I was in for a booty-shaking good time! With our heart rates elevated and muscles warmed up, Zumba superstars Tanya Beardsley and Gina Grant took the stage and led us through the energizing Zumba mash-up of Merengue, Salsa, Cumbia and Reggaeton. (I was lucky enough to have Tanya as my instructor for the licensing workshop back in January!) As the two hours flew by to the feel-g00d sounds of songs like “Caliente” by Daddy Yankee, I sweat more than I have from any workout in recent memory – and I never stopped smiling.
WIth Zumbalicious friends Ebonny & Michelle
Just like the classes I’ve taken, this event featured Zumba lovers of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels. While I certainly couldn’t nail all the moves Tanya and Gina busted out with ease, and despite my turning in the wrong direction at least a half-dozen times, I never felt self-conscious. Why? Because Zumba isn’t about mastering each and every step. It’s about enjoying the moment and letting the music move you. Fueled by a constant flow of positive energy, you get all the benefits of exercise and an extra dose of fun.
One of the Zumba mantras Tanya had us repeat over and over again during our training workshop was this: “Leave your ego at the door.” If you’re someone who shys away from going to the gym because you’re self-conscious and you dislike the idea of “traditional” exercise programs, give Zumba a try.
Of course, the added bonus of this particular feel-good event was knowing the proceeds would help the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s aggressive search for a cure for a disease that affects more than one million people in the United States. Beth Hochstein, the force behind this Zumbathon, is one of them.
At the age of 36, the podiatrist and foot surgeon was diagnosed with young-onset PD. She retired from her career and after finding Zumba helped her reduce her symptoms, she became a licensed instructor. As a Team Fox member, she’s raised more than $60,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation – and that was before Friday night’s Zumbathon! It was exhilarating to be a part of something to help in the ongoing fight against the progressive and chronic disease of the nervous system.
Superstars Tanya Beardsley & Gina Grant were amazing!
The final takeaway from this night was it made me realize I really want to start teaching! With some more practice and dedication, I hope that some time in the not-so-distant future I’ll have another way to help others on their journey to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!
lauralovesfitness 