Health & Wellness

Why I Should Be a Super(Role)Model for 4all

5 Comments / Health & Wellness /

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When Kathy over at Boston Sports Woman let me in on this blogger contest over at 4all by jofit, I was immediately in. 4all is all about performing your ultimate best without sacrificing your looks i.e. running that 5K in style rather than hidden away in your boyfriend’s old T shirt (with pit stains, gew). And now I have the chance to score a spot on the Team 4all roster as a Brand Ambassador. Really, could a gal be more excited?

OK, let’s get to it. Here is the writing prompt: “Tell us why you should have a spot on our roster. What or who inspired you to start a fitness/sports routine and how are you planning to gain power in the New Year?”

Let’s see. While I have a blog called “Healthy Chicks,” I wasn’t always a healthy chick myself. Growing up in a family who loves to eat (and cook) I never worried an ounce about my diet and pretty much ate whatever I wanted. I also didn’t really have any sort of fitness routine…at all. Sure, I swam on the summer swim team and dabbled in rec basketball, but I never really found my niche.

Come … Read More!

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Treadmill Woes Plus Gotta-Have-It Grilled Cheese

14 Comments / Food & Recipes, Health & Wellness /

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Ever since I started training for my half marathon, it seems Mother Nature is not on my side. Blizzards and wintery mixes make running outside more like an obstacle course gone wrong than an enjoyable exercise. Since I hate the treadmill so damn much, I even ran outside last weekend when I knew I shouldn’t have. I was dodging three-feet piles of snow, jumping over icy paths and slipping my way along the sidewalk. Not exactly safe, to say the least.

The fact of the matter is I hate the treadmill that much. I hate it so much that I texted my dad after my awful workout complaining to him just how much I hated it. He said, “Yup, the treadmill is hard. No adrenaline.” Exactly, I thought to myself. He also told me to check out “the gym dudes” for a distraction (hehe). However, as much as I hate it, I am making it a goal for myself to let go of all that hatred and attempt to embrace the evil little machine. So yesterday I went to the gym with a positive attitude ready to tackle my three-mile treadmill run. While it still was … Read More!

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The Road to My First Half Marathon

12 Comments / Health & Wellness /

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So if you’ve been reading my blog for the past few weeks, you’ve probably seen me mention that I’m training for a half marathon…that is my first half marathon ever. To this date, the farthest I’ve ran is a 10K back in September. But now I am taking it a step further, and am in the midst of training for the More /Fitness Women’s Half Marathon on April 3 in Central Park, NYC! 

I wasn’t really planning on signing of for a half marathon; it just sorta happened. A friend of mine (thanks Pao!) posted the link on my Facebook wall, and at first I thought “HA, that’s crazy,” and went on with my day. Then I clicked on the link for shits ‘n’ giggles and immediately felt inspired. An all women’s race? Sponsored by More Magazine and Fitness Magazine? Right then and there I knew I had to do it. 

I just dove right in, so I wouldn’t have time to look back. I ripped the band-aide off, entered my credit card number and did it. Sometimes in life, that’s the best way to get things done! I also convinced a few other friends … Read More!

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Time to Tone the Tush!

1 Comment / Health & Wellness /

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Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all have butts like that? I try not to compare myself to other women, but I gotta be honest: I’d die for her butt! Since I’ve finally gotten over caring about my weight, calories and number on the scale, my newest focus is toning the bod…most importantly the butt and the thighs. I’m happy with my stomach and my arms have some nice toneage, but butt/thighs/legs have always been my “trouble spots.” Hey, we all want to look good in boy shorts after all, right? If you’re looking to tone that cute lil booty of yours as well, check out these links I found surfing the web for fab toning workouts for the gluteus. Enjoy and let me know how it goes! 

Do … Read More!

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The Journey to My Happy Weight Sans Dieting

15 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

The other day when I was home spending time with the family, I decided to step on the scale for old time’s sake. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I had lost a whopping 10 pounds from what I was a year and a half ago when I graduated college…by not even trying. I looked up at my dad and said “Wow, why do you think I’m the most fit I’ve ever been in my life? What do you think it is?” He agreed that I indeed looked different, in shape…and glowing. “I know what it is,” he said smirking. “You’re happier and less stressed and in loooooooveeeee,” he said, mocking me.

While I’m most definitely not in love, I have to say he’s right: I am extremely happy lately for a number of reasons. It’s like all of the sudden things in my life are starting to make sense and fall together.

Then this morning I had another big ‘wow’ moment. I slipped on a pair of skinny jeans that haven’t fit me in quite some time, and they slid right on. I felt good, real good.

This is awesome. I don’t have to count calories, watch what I … Read More!

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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

13 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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As you can tell from the title of my post, today I will be talking about all of my favorite things. However, I now also have that song from  the classic The Sound of Music stuck in my head (and I’m sorry if you now do as well). Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…OK I’ll stop now. Those most definitely are not a few of my favorite things. I hate cats. But I do have a BUNCH of my very own favorite things and that’s what I’d like to share with you today. Enjoy!

My Favorite Perfume: Asteria by Marina de Bourbon – not only is it in a pretty purple bottle, but I fell in love with the scent the very first day I discovered it. It’s feminine, sexy and sweet all at the same time. 

My Favorite Lip Balm: C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Lip Balm, Bath & Body Works – this one is easy as it’s actually called “My Favorite Lip Balm.” My sister got it for me as part of a Christmas gift last year, and I’ve been in love with it ever since. It makes my lips perfectly smooth and shiny, … Read More!

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Make Your New Year Resolutions About YOU (Not Your Waist Line)

3 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

I know the good ol’ New Year’s resolution post is a little late on my end, but bear with me. I can assure you my  post will be a little different than the usual magazine article on how to drop 20 pounds by 2012, while also quitting smoking and being a “better person” at the same time. No. If you know me and my blog, that’s not what I’m about. 

It’s only been three days since the New Year, and I’m already tired of hearing people’s impossible/ridiculous/unhealthy resolutions. “Lose 20 pounds in two months”…”Stop biting my nails”…”Be a nicer person…” “Go to the gym more”…”Eat healthier”. While these are all wonderful, wonderful resolutions I’m worried they don’t stand for what they mean. Lose 20 pounds is going to result in anorexia or a letdown when you realize you can’t nor is it healthy to lose that much weight in so little time. If you’ve bitten your nails your entire life, and have attempted this resolution every other year, why go at something you aren’t serious about nor really believe you can change? Be a nicer person is so vague. What are you going to do? Say thank you a little … Read More!

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Happy New Year’s Eve: My 2010 Obsessions

7 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

Happy New Year’s Eve all my lovely readers! Since it’s the very last day of 2010, I thought I would do a little recap of the year noting all my obsessions of 2010. Here goes…

*red lipstick 

*brunette hair (ta ta for now blonde)

*finding great deals through websites like Restaurant.com & CoupMe. 

*coffee with a splash of soy milk…every morning

*dating & going on cute/romantic/silly dates (it’s oh so fun!)

*hot yoga (finally tried it & gotta say I loved it)

*Chobani yogurt (um, is this even a question?)

*running (this year I ran at least six 5Ks and ran my first ever 10K, go ME!)

*blogging…every day (it’s an addiction)

*leggings with sweater dresses

*brown leather boots

*getting 99% of my grocery shopping done at Trader Joe’s

*browsing the Internet for fun things & sweet buys

*VictoriasSecret.com 

*Instant Happy Notes Sticky Notes 

*My new found love for Pheonix, MGMT, & Kings of Leon 

* Blasting “Dog Days are Over” by Florence + The Machine and instantly feeling happier

*Cappuccinos in the North End

*Thai Food particularly Pad Thai from King and I 

*The city of Boston

*Following your dreams & not what other people expect of … Read More!

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The 10-10-10 Workout

3 Comments / Health & Wellness /

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Well, since there are only two days left of 2010, I thought this 10-10-10 workout I did this morning was only fitting, and I just had to share it with all my favorite readers. While it may have only been 30 minutes of exercise, I feel wonderful and extra “glowing” today. Follow this 10-minute increment routine if you’re one to get bored easily and are also pressed for time. Enjoy!

Step 1: 10 minutes of intense cardio – on a bike, swimming, on the treadmill, on the elliptical SPRINTING hard so you’re dripping in sweat. You want to make this step quick ‘n’ sweaty. 

Step 2: 10 minutes of strength training/weights: I started with an interval routine I absolutely LOVE which goes like this: 10 step-up lunges, 10 lat pull-downs, 20 sit ups on an exercise ball; repeat three times with no rest in between. After my fave interval routine, I did three sets of 10 dumbbell swings with a 15 pound dumbbell. For the rest of my 10 minutes, I did various abs exercises including crunches and side bends. 

Step 3: RELAXATION – this is my “cool down” meditation segment. Do 10 minutes of yoga, … Read More!

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That Law of Attraction is Pretty Legit

10 Comments / Health & Wellness /

The other day when I was getting dressed for Christmas dinner, I heard my mom screaming from the kitchen “You’ve got mail! Rachel what is this?” I quickly ran over to see what this mystery mail could be. Once she handed the tiny postcard over to me, I knew exactly what it was. Last year on New Year’s Eve (almost exactly a year ago), my sister, a good friend and I went to First Night in Boston. For those of you who don’t know, it’s a ginormous festival of arts and community in Boston that takes place every New Year’s Eve. 

Anyway, while we were there, we filled out these postcards with our wishes for the year written down. We then addressed them to our respective homes, handed them in and quite frankly forgot about them for nearly 365 days. That is until that very same postcard was sitting in my hand once again on Christmas night. At first, I laughed. And then within seconds my laughs turned to disbelief, shock, and surprise. Nearly all of my “wishes” had come true…in just a year. 

Here, I share to you my wishes for 2010: 

1. To still be living in a … Read More!

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