Get Out of the Gym

Unfortunately, I spend approximately 60 hours per week sitting inside under fluorescent lights. Therefore, come Friday at 5pm all I want to do is spend hours outside. As you’ve seen in previous posts, we find numerous ways to get our weekly dose of Vitamin D.

Weekend trips out of the city that are VERY activeIMG_2944

Reading or playing around in Central Park with friends

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Drinking and eating outside

and last but not least, breaking a sweat outside! I prefer to participate in outdoor runs, boot camps, and yoga classes all weekend long versus    stepping foot in a gym.

Therefore, I was excited when NYC fitness diva, Jes, Fit Chick in the City                      invited her readers to a free Fit Chick Boot Camp in Central Park this morning. The instructions were clear: bring nothing except yourself and a bottle of water, show up at 9:30, and get ready for a sweatastic workout!

I met the lovely ladies in Columbus Circle before venturing into the park. Luckily, weather was on our side as it was sunny and hot by 9:30.

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For the next hour, Jes took the five of us through a great workout in the shade and SUN of Central Park. We were inspired by the Intensati   workout taking place a few steps away and the fighting ninjas filming below us. Okay, maybe the ninjas just made us laugh. But, regardless, what I loved about this workout is that the entire time we were working out we were also enjoying our surroundings.

Jes kept us in a small area of the park but used everything around us as props including bridges, steps, park benches, and the grass. The workout consisted of more squats and lunges than I think I’ve ever done, some great pushup action on the bench, plank reaches, side steps, dips, step ups, and running. Thank you for organizing this Jes and being so generous. We all had a blast meeting other readers and bloggers (hi ladies!!) while also breaking a sweat and lunging our way to a body like Jes’.

After an hour of outdoor boot camp I was craving three things: –

-Vita Coco

-A pool

-A strapless workout top as I got some wicked tan lines today

Luckily 2 of the 3 took place at my next stop, Equinox. The Columbus Circle location features a 25 yard pool equipped with pull bouys, goggles, and kickboards.

Today, I returned to the pool. I have a love/hate relationship with the pool because I know it’s good for me and I love what it does to my body but I hate and dread it because it’s so hard. It had been 4 months since I stepped in a pool and was ready to conquer my fears! 25 laps and 625 yds later my time was cut short due to some crazy Iron Men that decided they owned the pool. Oh well. I finished happy and excited for my next swim. I’d like to include at least 1-2 swim workouts per week as my back continues to mend. It’s a great cardio activity and is impact free.

 

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The rest of the afternoon was spent with Rebecca on the rooftop of her gym, Club H! What a great day it’s been thus far! Now it’s off to dinner with Melissa and Frank.

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Eggland’s Best Foodie Night in NYC

Last night I had the great opportunity to participate in Eggland’s Best Seasonal Foodie Event at the Institute of Culinary Education. The evening was filled with delicious seasonal food, cooking lessons from  chef Erica Wides, and lots of pictures.

DSC_0003 IMG_3180 The Eggland’s Best staff was so welcoming and sweet! In addition, they all know how to throw a party. Just from the smiles, bubbly conversation, and laughter you could hear how much fun we were all having throughout the night.

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While we all mingled, there were three different passed appetizers.

DSC_0006 This was by far the most amazing appetizer! It was “egg sushi” or Japanese egg “tamago yaki” maki rolls with shrimp and edamame puree.

Mini baked  truffle egg custards. I found these akward to eat and way too fishy.

The final appetizer was a rostini with Serrano ham, smoked pimenton-deviled egg and roasted red pepper. I didn’t try this one but I saw many others try it and go back for seconds. Therefore, it must have been a winner.

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After the cocktail hour, chef Erica Wide spoke to us about the evenings menu, importance of fresh vegetables, and next steps. Our menu for the evening was as follows:

Eggland’s Best Event Menu

First Course

         Warm salad of asparagus, radishes, morels, baby carrots and sugar snap peas, with slivers of duck prosciutto, toasted walnuts, and a white wine-poached egg, with champagne vinaigrette

Entrée

         Crab and lobster ravioli, with fresh peas, fennel, leeks, golden beets, saffron and chives in a lobster broth with prosecco sabayon (like a hollandaise, but lighter and foamier)

Dessert

         Individual lemon pudding soufflés with mixed berries and rhubarb coulis

         Assorted meringue cookies petit fours

The most exciting part was that we were going to prepare each of these courses.

IMG_3211All smiles with Missy! DSC_0013 DSC_0014 DSC_0018 DSC_0019  I agree with Missy’s comment about the picture below. Why is she holding the sharp knife? 🙂 I had a blast with Megan, Amie, and Missy last night!IMG_3182 IMG_3185 IMG_3187 IMG_3189 IMG_3198 IMG_3200 IMG_3201 IMG_3204 IMG_3207

Healthy Happier Bear

After at least an hour of socializing and cooking, it was time for a few great Q&A session, dining, and more socializing.

Our first course was the warm salad which was also my favorite dish of the evening. I would love to recreate this at home for Bo. He’d love it!

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Our main course was crab and lobster ravioli. I actually only ate one of these as they were a bit heavy for my taste. However, most people finished their serving and raved about them.

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Thank you Eggland’s Best and Weber Chadwick for an amazing event! As always, I had a wonderful time learning and socializing in a great environment!

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Hump Day Eats

Sorry this post didn’t make it up last night but by the time I got home from the Eggland’s Best event last night I was one tired gal! Yesterday I felt like the Energizer bunny. I just kept going, going, and going!

Over the past week, I have made a concerted effort to track and photograph all of my food. While I may not always post them on the blog, it has kept my accountable of what I’m eating. One of the reasons for this change is that my running is on hold due to my back injury. I was fearful of gaining weight with decreased workout intensity. The second reason for this change is my re-commitment to Weight Watchers.

This morning I gained positive affirmation that accountability works!

I was down 3.6 lbs at Weight Watchers this morning!

Wahoo! I think the two biggest things that made the difference were diligent tracking and routine. Last weekend and this past weekend I made Sunday trips to Whole Foods in order to ensure I had all the ingredients necessary for healthy meals during the day AND in the evening. Unfortunately, this means that you’ll most likely be seeing similar pictures day in day out.

Now, for the Hump Day Eats! 🙂

Breakfast

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The usual suspects included Venti Unsweetened Iced Green Tea (0 pts), 1/2 c 0% Fage (1 pt),  1/2 c fresh blueberries (0 pts) , and Weight Watchers Oatmeal (2 pts).

Lunch

Bo and I normally make a large meal on Sunday to ensure that there are leftovers for lunches and dinners. This week was no exception as I actually enjoyed quinoa salad and green bean salad through Wednesday!

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Dinner

Tonight’s dinner was compliments of Eggland’s Best though it was actually prepared by the bloggers in attendance. This was a wonderful event that I will recap thoroughly this evening when I have time to do it the appropriate justice.

But, until then, here is a preview!

Salad

Main Course

Dessert

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