I’m starting a new little monthly series on the blog called The #StressFreeFitness Roundup. It’s basically going to be a way for me to bring back a form of my old Life Lately and Friday Favorites series, just together in one post. I won’t be recapping every little thing like I used to, but I do want to get in the habit of sharing some highlights from each month… especially if I think you guys would benefit from them.
Here we go!
January: Fitness
ClassPass
ClassPass recently put their memberships on sale for 50% off, so I decided to rejoin… but only for three months. I was able to purchase five classes per month at $32 per month, which was too good of a deal to pass up. I originally stopped my CP membership last year because it felt too stressful to schedule and get to so many classes around my strength training schedule, but I thought that even if I only take advantage of two classes a month this time around, the sale would be worth it. Plus, a bunch of my gym friends also joined, so it’s been fun taking some classes all together again. I just can’t stick with ClassPass for the long haul because there are too many factors to think about when it comes to getting the workouts in, and that’s just not how I roll anymore.
However, I do want to tell you guys about some of the studios and instructors I’ve checked out:
- BFX: Sara’s Saturday 9:15am Fusion class is half on the bikes, half off. I love the combination of the two, and I really enjoy using the TRX and sandbags!
- Inner Strength: My go to hot yoga spot! Adam is my favorite instructor, and I leave feeling so good every single time.
- GymIt: This is right down the street from me, and my friend Monique teaches a class called Bags and Beats there. It’s so fun to box to the beat, and Monique brings a ton of energy of course.
- Brick: This is a CrossFit box located in the Financial District, but they offer a class called B|X. Holy endurance. Lots of conditioning, explosive work, strength, etc. This class seriously kicks my butt. I’m pretty slow, but I remind myself that this is not my main form of training, so I can’t expect to be good at it!
Bigness Project
I am SUPER excited because last week I purchased Jen Sinkler and Kourtney Thomas’ new hypertrophy program, The Bigness Project. It’s been quite some time since I’ve followed a structured workout program, so I’m looking forward to being on a plan again once I start it up. This one focuses on muscle size, and I’m excited to see what my body is capable of! I plan to start next week, and I’ll be posting some progress pictures for the first time ever (already feels vulnerable and off brand for me haha), so keep your eyes out for those. Bring on the gains! P.S. Check out this video if you want some freaking amazing Bigness Project inspiration. How empowering, yes?!
Me and my friend Liz having a lifting date!
Learn to Lift
I am just LOVING my Learn to Lift classes. Right now I’m teaching two versions: one intro class for women who simply want to learn how to confidently navigate the weight room and learn how to safely perform bigger lifts like squats, deadlifts, etc. And I’m also teaching a 2.0 version of the class for those who have graduated from the intro session but still want a small group training atmosphere. It’s so thrilling to see these ladies build their confidence in the weight room week after week!
Leisure Walks
I’ve been really making a point to go on more leisure walks and add more walking to my day-to-day. It helps me clear my brain and feel more refreshed and productive if I just allow myself the time to go! Plus it’s a great and inexpensive way to spend time with my husband or catch up with friends.
Fitness Events
Glute Camp
This crew totally made my night when they worked their butts off during my Glute Camp event at Janji… literally! Can’t wait to be back in this space on Wednesday 2/15 for a post Valentine’s Day Sweat Your Heart Out event. Sign up here!
Winter Sweat and Shop
And this crew made my Saturday morning when they showed up at Eddie Bauer in Legacy Place bright and early for some high intensity interval training followed by a private shopping event. My die hards. 🙂 Next event at Legacy Place is on Sunday 2/19! Sign up here.
January: Food
Restaurants
Last week, Tim and I were invited to check out Verts Mediterranean Grill in Downtown Crossing. For anyone who works or lives downtown, keep Verts in mind if you are looking for a nutritious grab and go type spot. The way you order reminded us of Chipotle, but with WAY better options. Everything is inspired by Mediterranean flavors and made fresh in house daily. First you choose your base (quinoa bowl, salad greens, rice bowl, or pita), then your protein (beef and lamb, chicken, falafel, turkey and mushroom meatballs, or braised pork), then your toppings (cuke and tomato, carrot slaw, cabbage slaw, chickpeas, lettuce, pickled red onions, pickled jalapenos, etc.), and then your sauce to top it all off (hummus, tzatziki, spicy cilantro, eggplant dip, etc.). I loved the variety, and my falafel bowl was super tasty.
Earlier in the month, Tim and I also were invited to check out the new Paleo menu at Burton’s Grill in Burlington. Burton’s is focusing on making sure that their customers know they can customize any order per dietary preferences and/or restrictions, even if somethings isn’t on the menu. I love this because I feel like often times my clients struggle with “not being able to order anything” when focusing on nutrition while out to eat. I always tell them that they DO have a choice and can ask for anything to be customized, so it’s refreshing to see a restaurant really pushing this message. You guys know that I don’t do diets, and I never do all or nothing, but I do tend to eat Paleo-ish about 80% of the time. The Paleo section had a lot of delicious sounding options, cocktails included, and I really enjoyed both my burger and the shrimp appetizer. We were actually so inspired by the shrimp that we recreated a version of it at home this week, and our recipe will be included in my next round of Master Your Meal Prep (coming again March 7th).
Great happy hour spot! We met our friends Slesh and Will there for $1 oysters and drinks a couple of Fridays ago and had a great time just relaxing and chatting at the bar. This cucumber cocktail, called “The Great Experiment, was totally up my alley: gin, mint, lemon, orange, cucumber, and with a hint of cayenne. YUM. Paired with the water because alternating between cocktails/water is one of my go to strategies when out to eat that keeps me in check!
This is one of my faaaaaavorite spots, and my friend Steph and I had a fun Saturday night there recently. Margaritas, chips and guac, and a couple of small plates! #NoDeprivation. Their coconut margarita is unreal. Can’t wait to check out their new location in the Seaport once Seaport Sweat picks back up again!
Foodie Finds
I guess I should call this one a foodie reminder since I technically discovered these bars last year but recently re-discovered them! I tend to shy away from many of the store-bought granola bars out there because many are chock-full of refined sugars or ingredients that I can’t pronounce, but these Eat Your Coffee bars are made of organic and fair trade coffee and actually have a pretty clean ingredient list. They are made of real food like dates, oats, dark chocolate, brown rice syrup, cashews, chia seeds, etc. they are also 100% organic, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free… and they taste good too. You guys know I’m all about my food tasting good!
Foodie Events
Cooking Like a Chef
Finally, my favorite moment last month was the cooking class that Tim and I took together at Formaggio Kitchen! I got Tim tickets to the class for Christmas, and we learned so many new and helpful tips to bring home with us. Local foodie friends, if you haven’t checked out Formaggio Kitchen before, you must go. They have a couple of store locations, as well as an annex for their cooking classes and events.
January: Products
So many fun things in January’s Must Have Box that PopSugar sent me! My favorite is the Manduka eQua Mat Towel. It’s slip resistant, which is perfect for taking hot yoga. I’m glad to have another yoga towel because I feel like I am CONSTANTLY washing mine. I also really just love the May Designs desk calendar notecards and the Sourcebooks Instant Happy Notes. I think I’m a sucker for cute office and desk supplies? If you want to get a fun delivery every month, you can get $5 off your first Must Have box with code SHOP5… it never expires!
January: Reading and Watching
Books
My client Edra gave me the book Mindset by Carol Dweck for Christmas, which was super sweet of her. I’m finding that not only is the book helping me with my own mindset, but it’s giving me some good material to use with my coaching gals too.
Tim bought me The Love and Lemons Cookbook for Christmas, and I am obsessed with it! It’s broken down by ingredient, not by type of meal, which I love, love, LOVE. I’ve been playing around with some of the recipes from the book and really enjoying them. It’s also really cool to see a lot of what I talk about in terms of making your food taste GOOD (ahem, seasoning!!!) showcased in here.
Articles and Blog Posts
- Do You Even Self Care || How are you taking care of YOU?
- Why Cravings Happen and What We Can Do About Them || My girl Lauren breaks down six different reasons why you might be experiencing food cravings + your plan of attack when any of them happen.
- Why the Pause Button Mentality is Ruining Your Health and Fitness || I love this. Don’t forget about the power of right now and learning the skills to navigate uncomfortable situations.
- You Don’t Need Permission to Be Yourself || Give yourself permission to be whatever the eff you want to be.
- Let’s Talk About the C Word || The word is not what you think! But my friend Steph is spot on here. Some kindness to ourselves goes a long freaking way.
TV
I started watching This is Us, and I am totally addicted. And I am totally crying over almost every episode. I posted a picture of my blotchy eyes on my Instagram story and asked if I’d be continuing to cry, and soooo many of you wrote back to me YES! At least we’re all crying together?
Let’s chat! What were some of your favorites in January? What are you looking forward to in February?
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Disclaimer: From time to time, my monthly roundup posts may contain sponsored content, affiliate links, or showcase free products/services I’ve been sent as a local influencer. Sponsored/affiliate content will always be disclosed appropriately. Please know that I am never required or paid to feature the freebies I receive, and I only share the stuff that I genuinely think my readers will enjoy learning more about.
This is Us is the best show on TV-every episode leaves me sobbing! I have been hooked since the first episode!! I really wish we had more healthier type eating places around us, it’s all chains and fast food.
what a fun roundup! And thanks for including my class- always loveeee having you girls join in on the fun! Also, i read that pause button article a few weeks ago and loved it!