Sunday I had the pleasure of attending the Wellness by the Water Retreat at Le Meridien hotel in Central Square.  It was such a FUN day.  I knew it would be, considering it was a day full of fitness and wellness related activities!  I also knew I would have so much fun with Ashley and Monique, two of my favorite fitness friends who also attended the event.

The entire event was organized by Kendall Covitz and Celeste Platt, who very clearly feel so passionately about health and wellness.  They did an amazing job planning the day and keeping the schedule on track.  I obviously arrived with plenty of time to spare, so I caught up with the girls while we waited for bootcamp to start.  Ashley and I got a kick out of our matching yoga mats AND water bottles.  Unplanned!  We are so cool.

Kendall and Celeste kicked off the day with some introductions, and then we got moving!

Celeste warmed us all up and took us through a thirty minute bootcamp class.

[Photo via Wellness by the Water Retreat Boston]

We did lunges, burpees, planks, partner work, and lots of my favorite moves.

[Photo via Kendall Covitz on Instagram]

[Photo via Kendall Covitz on Instagram]

After bootcamp, we divvied up into three groups and rotated between three different fitness sessions:  Barre with Tessa Hollyn Taub, Pilates with Daniel Cohen, and Tai Chi with Julio Salado.  I had to laugh because Julio is actually one of the healthy living coordinators at the Oak Square Y, and I had no idea he was teaching at the event.  Here are some pics:

[Photo via Celeste Platt on Instagram]

[Photo via Celeste Platt on Instagram]

[Photo via Kendall Covitz on Instagram]

My favorite of the three classes was the barre class!  It was tough, and my legs were feeling it.

After the morning sessions, we broke for lunch.  I didn’t think lunch was anything too special, but it hit the spot after our workouts.  I was starving.

During lunch, Kendall shared some of her personal tips for feeling great this summer.  I can’t wait to try her recipe for cashew cheese as a way to cut out some dairy intake.

After lunch, we walked through the Expo area where there were a few companies sharing information about their products.  Eventbrite had a make your own “britemix” station.  I was just psyched for the jar because I’m lame they’re so cute.

There was also a fitness photo booth, courtesy of Lucie Wicker Photography.  Whoever says fitness can’t be fun clearly doesn’t know what they are talking about!

After lunch we went through a series of 20 minute breakout sessions in smaller groups.  First up for me was a sports massage by the folks at Bodywaves.  It was only 20 minutes long, but the massage therapist I had was awesome.  Within a few seconds of touching my back, he asked if I have experienced any pain in my shoulder or neck area.  Um, yes.  He said my pectoralis minor muscle is extremely tight, causing the pain I’ve felt on and off for the past couple of months.  How do they DO that?!

[Photo via Celeste Platt on Instagram]

Next up was personal organizing with Allison Webber.  I really wish someone had told me that being a personal organizer was a job back in the day.  I would be SO GOOD at it.  During this session Allison talked a lot about how having an organized space can really help you feel mentally well.  It’s so true!

[Photo via Celeste Platt on Instagram]

After organizing, I headed over to skin health with representatives from MZ Skincare.  We talked a lot about SPF and they shared some fun recipes that can change the way your skin looks and feels.  I really enjoyed this one!

My least favorite session was next, financial health with a representative from John Hancock.  I know finances are important, but I just wasn’t into it on Sunday.

One of my favorite sessions though was the CrossFit workout with Sarah Loomis, a personal trainer at the new LA Sports Club in Chestnut Hill.  I immediately recognized her from the Needham Health & Wellness fair I attended a few months ago with Dawn.  Since we had been working out throughout the day, we did an abbreviated version of this CrossFit workout:

Loved the concept of EMOM (every minute on the minute).  Might bring something similar to the Y this week!  I think I really do want to try CrossFit, it’s just a matter of when would I fit it into my schedule.  There was something about having that clock ticking right in front of me that was so motivating.  After the workout, we sampled some paleo friendly food prepared by personal chef Ashley Rose Archibald.  Kale chips and some granola type thing.  We also drank some fruit infused water that was refreshing after getting our heart rates up!

Finally, the last break out session was acupuncture with a representative from Synergy Acupuncture.  I get a little weird about needles, so I was nervous to try in front of the others in my session, but I am definitely intrigued.  People swear by it for pain relief and pain management.  Have any of you tried it before?

Finally, we ended the day with 30 minutes of light yoga and stretching with Kendall.  You could tell she was just in the moment teaching our last class of the day!

[Photo via Celeste Platt on Instagram]

I left the event feeling so relaxed, rejuvenated, and happy having spent the day in my happy place.  A huge thank you (again) to Kendall and Celeste for all the hard work they put into planning such a fab day for all of us!

Have you ever been to a wellness retreat, conference, or getaway?