ashleyd /

So Fresh and So Clean, Clean

“Ain’t nobody dope as me I’m dressed so fresh so clean
(So fresh and so clean clean)
Don’t you think I’m so sexy I’m dressed so fresh so clean
(So fresh and so clean clean)
Ain’t nobody dope as me I’m dressed so fresh so clean
(So fresh and so clean clean)
I love when you stare at me I’m dressed so fresh so clean
(So fresh and so clean clean)” – Outkast So Fresh, So Clean

It has taken three months to get accustomed to showering at Equinox and then heading straight to work, but as Outkast would say, these days people are complimenting me because i’m “so fresh and so clean clean.”  If you’ve been reading my blog from the beginning, you know that Bo and I joined Equinox in January to bust out of our honeymoon/holiday workout rut. This was exciting, BUT this also meant that everyday i’d have to shower and get ready at Equinox versus the comfort of my own apartment.

How does one do this without looking like a wrinkled, rushed mess? As I was showering for Easter Sunday at Equinox I realized that it would probably be helpful to share some of the tips and habits I have learned after 3 months of morning workouts. The picture below was taken 45 minutes after ending Sunday’s spin class at Equinox. I think it’s safe to say I’m slowly mastering it!  

Wear Your Work Clothes to the Gym: If you wear your work clothes to the gym then you don’t have to worry about looking like a wrinkled mess. Bo and I each wear our suits/work clothes to the gym in the morning and then hang it in our locker when we arrive. This insures that you don’t leave any integral pieces at home such as a bra, tie, belt, etc.

Keep a few basics in your gym bag: I keep a spare pair of underwear, socks, barrettes, and rubber bands, in a zipper section of my Lululemon gym bag. I hate when I get to the gym and can’t find a rubberband  for my workout.

Bring your own toiletries. You know the products that work best with your skin, hair, and face. Why would make life more difficult by relying on your gym’s sketchy all in one body wash/shampoo/conditioner if you know your hair requires a moisturizing shampoo? Why would you trust this same soap to remove the grime of your workout if you know you have sensitive skin? You can find almost ANY product in a small size which makes it convenient to take to the gym. Bo and I each have a Ziplock bag which holds our razor, shampoo, conditioner, and face wash. Even though Equinox stocks their bathrooms with amazing Kiehl’s products I still bring my own face wash and conditioner. I use their body wash and shampoo but see a difference in my hair and the final product if I use what I know. If you’re having a hard time finding a small size of your favorite product hop over to Sephora’s Beauty to Go site or think of investing in some mini plastic containers to carry your product. Nalgene Travel Bottle Kit - Medium

Make sure your gym beauty routine includes the KISS principle My makeup bag for the gym is basic but it gets the job done QUICKLY each morning. I use lots of makeup that multitasks. The makeup worn in the picture above is as follows:

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer: This provides a smooth, moisturized base with a hint of color.

Bare Minerals Mineral Veil: I put this on over the moisturizer for a finished look. This also helps stop the shine and sweat that can sometime continue after a hard workout or during the hot blow dry session. I use the mini on the go version at the gym and in my purse since it keeps powder from spilling all over and takes up less room.

Covergirl Smoky Shadow Blast: This great tool allows you to line and fill in your eyelid with vibrant color!

Covergirl Lash Blast Length this product in black adds enough darkness to my eyelashes that it looks like i’ve taken the time to get dolled up while also adding a bit to the edge of my eyes to give a liner effect

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips This great gloss adds a rich coat of color while also moisturizing and plumping lips.

Brit Sheer Eau de Toilette Roll-on

Brit Sheer EDT Rollerball: Nothing makes you smell fresher than your favorite fragrance. Most perfumes are available at Ulta and Sephora in a handy travel spray or rollerball. These won’t leak in your purse or take up space. In addition, the mini size allows you to try a new scent without investing too much money since most are under $30!

Keep your toiletries, makeup, and lock in your bag at all times! It’s easy to take items out of your bag at work or when you get home but it’s hard to remember them at 5am when you’re half asleep. Therefore, I spent the few extra dollars to buy duplicates of some items. It may seem like a pain to buy an extra foundation or frizz crème but what happens the day you forget it in your other purse or in the bathroom? Trust me, you don’t want to be messy and stressed before that big 8am meeting!

Thanks to everyone for the great business card suggestions! I spent some time at Zazzle today and produced this beauty.

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(I’ve cut off half to protect my privacy but you get the idea.)

I also purchased the domain www.healthyhappierbear.com today. I’m going to work on transitioning over the next week or two but will keep you posted. I’m excited about all the positive change taking place.

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ashleyd /

Trampolines Aren’t Just for Kids: Urban Rebounding w/J.B. Berns

Last month, I became a member of the women’s organization Step Up. This Thursday night they had a wonderful Passport to Health event revolving around they keys to a balanced lifestyle. The event featured two main portions, the first half focused on meditation and inspiration lead by Gabrielle Bernestein while the second half focused on physical balance as presented by JB Berns. 

JB Berns was absolutely hilarious as he explained how he started Urban Rebounding. Urban Rebounding, for those of you who are not aware, is a high energy and high intensity trampoline workout that gets your heart pumping without putting stress on your joints. JB Berns developed the hour long low-impact workout over 20 years ago while recovering from a martial arts injury.Now this very successful and popular workout is in over 5,000 gyms worldwide including Crunch and Equinox. There are over 30 benefits to Urban Rebounding many of which are anti-aging. These include the following just to name a few:
-boosts red blood cells
-improves coordination
-improves balance
-improves circulation
-enhances digestion and elimination process

In addition to the great benefits of bouncing for an hour, the class also makes you smile! JB’s class, which is held each Tuesday evening at his “home” Equinox location in NYC, 63rd and Lexington, is filled with energy and fun. Each class revolves around an amazing playlist featuring hip hop, rap, and club mixes that keep the beat and bounce going strong. He leads each class with support, guidance, and a coach mentality. After a brief warm-up of gentle bouncing and stretching, the next 45 minutes are spent making your heart rate climb by jumping on your trampoline while holding light sandbags performing 10 interval workout sets. JB does a great job leading the class and ensuring everyone understands the concept, basic movement, and isn’t embarrassed about looking a bit silly. The basic jump is hands on hips with a slight bend in the knee while PUSHING DOWN with your feet so you perform a very short jump. The point is NOT to jump as high as you can. Throughout the class this one jump is adjusted to turn into jumping jacks, turns, include arm motions, and even squats. After the 45 minutes of intervals, the class ends with a quick ab and tricep workout followed by a cool-down.

I really enjoyed this class and was happy to have the opportunity to enjoy it for the second time this week. In fact, Lauren and I have discussed making it a weekly habit. There is something about jumping on your own personal trampoline for an hour surrounded by 50 other smiling women that just helps release the work week stress and leave you wanting more!Click here for an amusing video of JB Berns and Urban Rebounding on the Martha Stewart show! HAHA

Be sure to check out the Urban Rebounding site to find your closest available class. If you’re in NYC and interested in trying his class on Tuesday nights at 63rd and Lex please let me know as I have 2 free Equinox passes i’d love someone to use!


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A day filled with surprises!

Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone is having a great hump day and hopefully enjoying better weather than New York City. I don’t know what it is about rain but it just makes me want to lay in bed all day and read. My gal Lilveggiepatch talked about it today in her post and I couldn’t agree more! Does rain make you want to stay in bed? I will say, my comfy Hunter wellies do improve the rainy day outlook since I don’t have to worry about keeping my feet dry.
This morning started bright and early as Bo and signed up for a crazy challenge at Equinox. Our favorite spin instructor, Dave M, who we enjoy every Monday morning was teaching a special endurance spin class today in honor of February and Heart Health month. Bo and I only started spinning seriously seven weeks ago and since then have enjoyed our Monday and Tuesday spin classes each week. Two weeks ago we invested in padded spin shorts and cycling shoes which have made all the difference. Cycling is intended to not only use a down force on the pedal, but an upward pulling force as well. Clip-in spinning shoes allow this motion. For spinning, this uses muscles you would not regularly use without the upstroke. More muscles used means more weight lose due to more calories burned. I have definitely felt a difference in my calf muscles since investing in shoes.

Dave M’s Monday class focuses on an hour workout that will leave you begging for 23 hours of recovery while Candace’s Tuesday class focuses on proper form and interval training. Today’s class promised the following:
This 75 minute spin class is a rigorous workout specifically designed to improve endurance, cardiovascular health, and aerobic capacity while building muscle, improving strength, and reducing fat. Interval based, emphasis on proper cycling form and technique.

Bo and I were both hesitant about the class but excited for the challenge. Could two spinning newbies make it through the entire class or would we have to leave early and give in to defeat? Challenges like this are what often help me realize my potential and how far i’ve come over the past few years. During high school and college I never participated in any intramural sports or activities where I feared I wouldn’t succeed. I always feared failure or what people may think. It is amazing how my confidence has increased over the past few years as i’ve realized that I will never gain anything without trying and that most people are too focused on their own workout during a class to worry about my mistakes or inabilities.
The class was definitely a challenge and tough from minute 1 all the way through 75. Dave included a long hill at the start and the middle while the in between was speed workouts, red/light greenlight, and hill killers with negative splits. Woah! My bike shorts, socks, and tank were soaked by the end of class! But, Bo and I not only made it through the entire class, but I even became the girl who pedaled so hard that she ripped off the pedal! I was mortified but Dave M and the rest of the class were totally impressed. During our last speed interval at level 6 I was going all out when boom my left foot comes flying out due to the fact that the entire pedal came off the bike. Luckily I wasn’t injured but it definitely gave everyone in the class a good laugh. 🙂 I’m sure i’ll never live this down. Bo and I were definitely surprised that by the end of the class we were one of the people requesting that this class be a weekly addition to the Equinox class menu.
I was definitely starving by the time I reached the office. Instead of my normal oats, I opted for protein oats hoping that the added protein would hold me over longer. This morning’s mix was 1/2 c blueberries, 1/2 portion whey protein, 1 pack Natures Path No Sugar Added oats, cinnamon, a dash of salt, and water. It was delicious and held me over until my late lunch meeting. I also find that drinking tea throughout the morning helps satiate my need to snack or chew consantly.
This afternoon I was happily surprised to find out that I won Missy’s The Lite Choice giveaway! There are 15 locations in New York City so hopefully Bo and I can finally try their yogurt this weekend. The Lite Choice prides itself with it’s 100% all-natural soft-serve which is made from fresh ingredients. Similar to other options it is low fat and low calorie. But, the great party is that there aren’t any hidden additions like corn syrup and preservatives. Frozen yogurt that I can feel good eating?! I can’t wait!
Tonight I was pleasantly surprised to hear that I had two packages waiting for me at the front desk. One package is from Jay Robb and the other is from Angela’s awesome Glow Bakery bakery. I’m taking my first pack of Jay Robb to work tomorrow so i’ll review that and my first Glo Bar tomorrow night.
I had plans to join some other gals for a Core Fusion class tomorrow night but now no one can make it. I can’t decide whether I should go on my own or run since I haven’t run since Saturday’s long run.

Today’s Workout Song of the Day: Kings of Leon Use Somebody



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