Sneak Peek at my next post...

Back in April I competed in my first fitness competition, Fitness New England at Foxwoods Casino.  The whole process was a lot of fun and was a great way to work towards achieving one of my biggest fitness goals ever!  I was able to transform my body in about three months with the help of Cathy Savage...into looking like this!

Since then, I would not say that I have let myself go....But I have not been as focused as I was during my contest prep.  Because I trained using a natural approach (no steroids or other crap like fat burners that would give me pulmonary hypertension...) it is unrealistic to keep my body looking as it did in the picture above.

Right now, I'm not as ripped as I was in the picture above...and I'm no where near where I was when I began my fitness journey in the picture below... Yikes the transformation was UNREAL!

I am thinking about doing another show as a way to stay on track for the rest of the summer.... There is going to be one in Boston in September...so that just might be the one that I start training for.

How does my training differ when I am getting ready for a competition?

I make sure my diet is spot on and I hit the gym hard (but nothing extreme).  My darling trainer/friend/other mother has drilled it into my head that your results/body are made in the kitchen.  In fact, 80% of your results are from your diet.  So if you are inconsistent and not spot on with your meals...well...you are just not going to get the results you want. 

Stay tuned to my blog for my next post to see how I am going to stay on track when I cant work out with my Savage Sisters at Cathy Savage Fitness in Norwood due to work obligations on the weekends.

Since this is a sneak peak...I'm not going to give it away where I am going... But I will give you a hint... I'm going to work out with these "Catz"

Be Well,

Maureen

Cheap Thrills

Sure living a healthy lifestyle can be expensive.  Between the gym membership, active wear/gear, yoga classes here and there....it all adds up.  But staying fit does not always mean you need to shell out major dough.  Welcome to my first Cheap Thrills feature where I find ways to stay fit without spending a dime.

I was so excited to feature these guys....The November Project....Boston's best kept cheap thrill secret.

Who are these people?  The November Project are a grassroots morning workout tribe that meets up to annihilate the stairs at Harvard Stadium (Cambridge/Wednesdays) and Summit Hill (Brookline/Fridays) while most of Boston is sleeping (630AM).  It costs nothing to work out with them and their workouts are intense.

In my sneak peek earlier this week I clued y'all in to how I am just not that into running.  It is not even a love hate relationship.  But I wanted to work on it...and thought that maybe I could consider liking it more if I did it in a group setting.

Working out with a group of people provides a sort of energy that is contagiously motivating.  I totally dig it.

I met up with the November Project folks on a hot and humid Friday morning in Coolidge Corner at the bottom of Summit Ave where it meets Beacon St.  The group was so friendly and inviting...they actually made me feel less scared with the task at hand:  Up and down Summit Ave five times within 30 minutes.

Sure, sounds like a piece of cake.  Don't be a jerk

Let me map this hill out for you.  The elevation is no joke.

The pretty purple color illustrates that this hill is kind of a big deal.  The gradient ranged from hard (~7%-8%) to nearly impossible (~15-16%).  From the bottom of the hill to the top it is only .4 miles.  Go up and down 5 times...that gets you 4 miles closer to the most glorious high-and-tight-tushy ever.

I chose this experience with an open mind;  As soon as I started I could feel the effectiveness of the hill my ass burning.  The first time up was a bit of a shock to the system.

When I got to the top of the hill, I saw this....and remembered...I know this place!! This is where my husband used to take me on hot summer nights to escape the heat smooch when we were first dating... it is an amazing view of the city.  It was the perfect reward....

After reaching the top of the hill, it was time to journey back to where we started.  Going down the hill was like a tiny gift to my calfs (they were on fiya)....and when I reached the bottom...back up I went!

I stayed close to these guys.  (hey...if a dog can do it...so can I)

I would pass folks from the November Group as I went up and down the hill.  They cheered me on...offered support...which kept me going.

I don't think that I could have done it without them....and I can't believe I am actually saying this...But I can't wait to join them again!  

The workout was intense...fun...and FREE!!

So before you belt out some lame excuse that it is too expensive to stay fit...try working out with the folks from The November Project.  Don't be intimidated by the task at hand....and live your life like a shiny red Lululemon bag:  Do something once a day that scares you.

And if it wasn't your cup of tea....try something else!

Be well,
Maureen

Where can you find me this week???


I was walking around my neighborhood the other day, and got distracted happens easily by a new store that popped up.   I was lured by the beautiful and bright running shoes, hanging fancy free in the window.  Always up for a little shopping, I stopped in the store Heartbreak Hill Running Company, appropriately named for the hill that either makes-or-breaks runners during the Boston Marathon...Heartbreak Hill.

The shoes and workout gear in the store are bright, and fancy.  It makes me want to run and update my workout attire.

I try to like running.  I really do.  But, I'm just not that into it.  It's not even a love-hate relationship.  And at times, for cardio needs...it is a necessary evil.  But I know it is a great (and affordable) way for people to stay in shape.  You can run anywhere, all you need is a decent pair of shoes and a little bit of patience.

Let's face it.  This whole "I'm not into running thing" is something I need to work on.  After thinking about why I don't particularly care for running, I can identify a few issues.

1. Its just me my self and I, stuck in my own thoughts
2. I rather sprint than run for an hour... which leads to....
3. I get bored easily, and need constant distraction

So how can I work on this?  Maybe if I run in a group setting, I might enjoy it a little more.  I might be motivated to move a little faster if I needed to keep up with a group.  I won't be stuck in my own thoughts.  I might even meet some new buddies that are into fitness...

Problem solved.  I found these folks, the November Project, a grassroots morning workout tribe that meets to annihilate the stairs at Harvard Stadium (Cambridge) and Summit Hill (Brookline) while most of Boston is sleeping (630AM).

  

Im going to join their tribe for my next fitness adventure, a.k.a Cheap Thrills (Staying fit in Boston without shelling out  a dime).  

I will report back monday... I might just develop a new love for running!

Be well, 

Maureen

Hot Child in the City

Lets face it.  We have all wanted something that Jennifer Aniston has at one point in our life.....I know you tried out the Rachel hair do'.  Or maybe you lusted after Brad.  But what about that body??? Now that's what I'm talking about 

So how can I get a tight and toned Jen worthy body on one of the hottest days of the year in Boston?  B * Tone Fitness to the rescue!  Apparently Jennifer Aniston, Katie Holmes, and Denise Richards are obsessed with the Megaformer machines that are the main attraction at this Newbury St studio.


If its good for Jen...its good for me.  So off I went to check the studio out!

The studio is open, squeaky clean, and full of the aforementioned amazing pimped out Megaformer machines and Real Ryder spin bikes (I am totally doing a post on these bikes...stay tuned).  Look Familiar?  They are a much fancier slightly more impressive version of the reformers you may have used to do pilates. 

I took Jenny's Class on Thursday.  She was so helpful and welcoming as she helped me get acquainted with the Megaformer.  I really appreciated the time she took to show me how the machine operates, the countless adjustments she made during class, and her positive energy.  She kept me motivated and made the effort to ensure I was in proper alignment so I would get the most out of each exercise and prevent injury.  

Jenny's class was fabulous!  I am totally in love with the type of workout this class provides, and my body was challenged in ways that I never imagined (sure I am fit...but this is a different type of work out and it was HARD...but in a good way).  I got my cardio on...my strength training covered, and annihilated my core.  The 45 minute class flys by...because the exercises on the Megaformer are done circuit style.  We did squats, lunges, push ups, ab work, and other crazy things throughout class (all personally modified to meet each participants fitness ability).  Truly amazing. 

So where does hot child in the city come in to the post? It was hot as balls outside I chose to go on this weeks fitness adventure on the hottest day of the year in Boston (real smart).  I was praying that the AC would be in full effect in the studio....and it was!  B* Tone Fitness was an oasis on that disgustingly hot day.  It was actually a brilliant idea to go work out, because the B * Tone Fitness was much more pleasant than my apartment.  


So get off your couch, and check out this studio...the first class is only $5.00!  Your tush (and the rest of your body) will be toned in no time!! 


Be well,
Maureen

Where am I going to show up next?

To keep things interesting, each week I will try a different type of activity.  Variety is the spice of...fitness life, as it keeps your muscles guessing and begging for more!

The other day when I was visiting my friend (and 2011 Best of Boston Make-up Artist) Tavi de la Rosa at James Joseph Salon on Newbury St....I saw a sign for a new fitness studio called B*Tone Boston.

So after getting my pretty on with Tavi, I could not help but yelp B*Tone (this fit chick is always on the prowl!).  

Apparently Jennifer Aniston, Katie Holmes, and Denise Richards are obsessed with this studio chain.  According to the website each class performs a circuit of 35 exercises and combines pilates cardio conditioning, and strength training all in one work out.  Oh yea... and all these exercises (squats, lunges, push ups, ab work) are done on a pimped out pilates reformer machine! Yikes! 

It looks as though B*Tone is an obvious choice for my next fitness adventure...If Jenn and Katie are obsessed...It is worth a try (maybe minus the zone diet, Scientology, and Tom Cruise)

Have you ever used a reformer?  Tell me about your experience!

Be well, 
Maureen  

My First Fit in Boston Adventure!

I always wanted to try out a class at Sweat and Soul Yoga (SASY), the delightfully quaint sister studio of Back Bay Yoga.  I first found out about this studio after getting the BEST spray tan EVER from my friend Brian at Dream Tan Boston.  SASY's sign caught my eye as I was doing the walk-of-spray-tan-shame to my car;  Their logo is a big fat laughing Buddha...and I thought it was very clever!

Upon further investigation, I found that SASY offered a great variety of yoga classes featuring different styles of yoga.  What got me excited about visiting this studio was their hip hop yoga class. Werd.

I tried out Caitlyn Graham's hip hop yoga class (a few teachers offer this style), and it was everything I had hoped it would be (and more!).  The class was a Vinyasa style yoga to a tasteful hip-hop blend (more pop-ish than hip hop-ish) and I found it to be surprisingly energizing and relaxing at the same time.

We opened the class with double pigeon (You had me @ the first pose.....my fav!!).  The class proceeded to become playful and energizing.  It was exactly what I needed coming off a night shift of stomping out diseases and saving lives.  My favorite part of the class was when Caitlyn let us breakout into our own flow...and to the sound of the music we busted our own move....

I absolutely adore this studio and cannot wait to come back for another visit.

Maybe you will join me?

Be well,
Maureen <3

P.S.  What is your favorite hip hop song?  Could you ever imagine it being played in a yoga class?? When I was younger I wanted to be a fly girl (from In Living Color)...Just saying!

This Week's Featured Workout:

I am headed off to Sweat and Soul Yoga's Hip Hop Yoga class.  Yoga is a great way to complement your workout routine....and I cannot think of a better way to enjoy my practice than to incorporate some great music to guide my flow!  Werd.  I will report back later:)

Be well,
Maureen