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Find Calm in the Busiest City: Summer Solstice in Times Square This Friday

Written on June 19, 2013 at 9:47 am , by

Slow down, city hustle and bustle! Focus on your breath with Tao Porchon-Lynch, Drisana Carey and more this Friday. (Photo courtesy of Athleta)

Pigeons in Times Square are nothing new, but releasing tension in your hips and glutes with pigeon pose? Well, now we’re talking. For those in the New York area, be sure to kick off your summer with Athleta’s “Mind Over Madness” Friday yoga fest in celebration of the longest day of the year. From 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., thousands of yogis of all ages and skill levels will gather for Solstice in Time Square to salute the sun for free. Om, what!? As the president of Times Square Alliance and co-founder of the event Tom Tompkins said, “Solstice is an experiment in balance: The sun standing still in the sky on the longest day of the year, and thousands of yogis standing still, and being still, in the middle of  the world’s busiest crossroad. It’s a metaphor for calming the mind amidst the madness of modern life.”

Sign up now (seriously, spots fill up fast) to end your week peacefully and restored in one of the five outdoor classes on Broadway Plazas. The first 1,200 pre-registered participants to arrive for each class will receive Athleta goodies and a chance to win giveaways in the yoga village. Good news for you non-New Yorkers, too: 40 store locations nationwide will also be commemorating, offering classes free of cost. Regardless, be sure to follow @Athleta on Instagram – and us at @FitnessMagazine -  to participate in their “Seize the Solstice” contest and tag your photos with #SeizetheSolstice and #SolsticeTSq for prize packages. We’ll be there bright and early and hope to see you, too! To grab a mat and learn more, check out the Times Square Alliance website.

Fit Links: 7 Diet Tips To Drop Pounds and a Weekend Workout

Written on June 14, 2013 at 5:21 pm , by

One of the seven healthy eating ideas: serve up a satisfying salad once a day. (Photo by Peter Ardito)

This week’s fit links from around the web:

 

Top 5 Golf Tips From U.S. Open Coach Sean Cochran

Written on June 14, 2013 at 1:34 pm , by

Time to freshen up those golf skills. (Photo courtesy of American Express)

Written by Chloe Metzger, editorial intern

With the 2013 U.S. Open tournament in full swing (pun intended), everyone seems to be coming down with golf-fever. Whether you’re a practiced pro or an experimental beginner, a little fine-tuning from a professional trainer is never a bad idea. So we chatted with Sean Cochran, a golf fitness coach at the U.S. Open, who gave us the top five tips every golfer should remember.

1. Master your swing. As with all sports, you have to put in the work if you want to reap the rewards. “The body is the foundation needed to execute the swing,” says Cochran. “In order to have the opportunity to perform all the movements of that skill, your body has to have certain levels of joint mobility, flexibility, and strength.” Without that foundation, Cochran says most players develop hard-to-break bad habits from the get-go.

2. Firm up. What’s one of the most important factors in doing well? Core strength. “I see the majority of physical limitations in the amateur player in their core strength,” Cochran explains, which he says includes abs, obliques, lower back, glutes and hamstrings. “I like everything from planks to medicine ball exercises.” He also says thoracic spine mobility is key. Translation: It’s “the area of the spine located in between the shoulder blades. That’s what allows your torso, or upper body, to rotate in a golf swing.”

3. Work it out. With flexibility being so crucial to the sport, Cochran recommends using a foam roller to loosen up tense and tight areas. Here’s why we love it for post-workout recovery.

4. Fuel yourself. It’s no secret that nutrition is a major component in any athlete’s success. “If you have a race car and you put bad gas in it, it’s not going to perform well,” says Cochran. “It’s the same thing for the body; you have to provide good nutrition for it to be at its best.” His fave foods for the pros? “Complex carbs and good fats, like avocados and olive oil.”

5. Be consistent. “Honestly, it really comes down to consistency on all aspects,” Cochran says. “You need consistent instruction, consistent practice on what your coach wants you to work on, a consistent schedule of practice and playing, and consistent fitness exercises. In golf, consistency is key.”

Although Cochran recommends getting instruction to improve your game, we know it’s not always possible to make it out it out to a private lesson. So if you need some quick tips while on the green, download the PGA TOURCaddie app to get virtual help on the course and off. The GPS app comes loaded with over 500,000 mapped holes, a library of pro-tips and lessons, instant videos from instructors, and detailed scoring and stats. Best of all? It’s free for iPhones! (Don’t worry Droid lovers, your version will be released soon.)

More from FITNESS:

Gone Golfing!

Life Lessons From Golf Great Annika Sorenstam

Flat Abs Fast: The Core-Strengthening Workout

Wow Dad This Year with Fun & Fit Father’s Day Gifts

Written on June 14, 2013 at 10:03 am , by

We think Dad would like this gift. (Photo courtesy of Sam Adams)

Written by Chloe Metzger, editorial intern

Father’s Day is only a few days away…do you know what you’re getting the special man in your life? If not, no sweat. We’ve got you covered.

For the Fitness Fanatic: Fitbit Flex

Finally, give your dad the gift he’s actually always wanted: sleep. Fitbit’s new Flex Wireless Activity & Sleep Wristband will help him maximize his ZZZs by monitoring his nightly sleep schedule for interruptions and silently vibrating in the morning to wake him. Best of all, he can log workouts, sync stats to his phone and challenge friends online. ($99.95; Fitbit.com)

For the Golfer: Garmin Approach S3 Golf Watch

Usually find dad on the golf course? Get him the latest innovation in snazzy golf accessories. This GPS watch comes packed with features, including access to over 27,000 worldwide courses, customizable distances and yardage points, score cards, and a function we love most: an odometer! ($349.99, Garmin.com; Get free shipping on all orders over $100, now through June 30th! Checkout code: ShipFREE)

For the Beer Man: Samuel Adams Beer Lover’s Box

Craft beer savants will delight in this surprising—yet totally tasty—beer and chocolate combo from the makers at TCHO chocolates. The Love of Beer chocolate gift box contains 12 PureNotes Dark “Chocolatey” bars that have been expertly paired with Samuel Adams Boston Lager for a truly unique taste. ($16.95, TCHO.com; beer not included)

For the Kitchen Dweller: Claude Cookbook and Tablet Companion

Too many cook(book)s in the kitchen? Not with this nifty little dude. Claude is designed to hold up cookbooks, magazines and—for the modern-day kitchen whiz—tablets, so dear ole’ dad can whip up his trademark dishes, worry-free. (Need healthy recipes this Sunday? We’ve got you covered!) ($34.99, Amazon.com)

For the Runner-at-Heart: Zazzle Pop Art Tie

Put a crafty spin on a classic Father’s Day gift with this silky running tie. We love the little running-man print, but if you’re not crazy about it, you can customize the tie with your own photos, patterns and colors. It’s as close to handmade as you can get, without the glue and Popsicle sticks! ($38.50, Zazzle.com)

Now You Tell Us: What’s the best Father’s Day gift you’ve ever given?

Save Lives and Look Stylish on World Blood Donor Day

Written on June 13, 2013 at 2:52 pm , by

Forget boring bandaids. (Photo courtesy of Nexcare gives)

Written by Chloe Metzger, editorial intern

We like to think that each and every one of you exercises regularly, eats five servings of fruits and veggies daily, and gets adequate amounts of sleep at night (right?!). But how many of you regularly donate blood? Maybe not quite as many.

During the summer months, the nation’s blood supply often dips dangerously low as vacation and travel plans soar. So in celebration of tomorrow’s World Blood Donor Day, Nexcare give has partnered with the American Red Cross spokesperson and actress Soleil Moon Frye to launch a season-inspired collection of Nexcare give bandages, reminding you that “it’s always in season to give blood.” This week only, anyone who donates blood at participating American Red Cross locations can score free samples of the bandage collection, and of course, save a few lives at the same time.

Not a bad way to end the week, huh?

To find a blood center near you, check out the Nexcare give Facebook page and donate ASAP. Just this one time, your workout can wait.

More from FITNESS:

Hot Topic Tuesday: Are You An Organ Donor?

Will Walking Help Lower My Blood Pressure?

How to Eat for a Healthy Heart

LUNA Wants to Feed Your Strength—And Your Office!

Written on June 13, 2013 at 11:13 am , by

3pm snack time never looked so sweet. (Photo courtesy of LUNA)

Written by Chloe Metzger, editorial intern

Let’s face it—breakroom vending machines are notorious fat traps. Between the sugar-laden granola bars and bags of not-so-innocent trail mix, seemingly healthy snacks can derail your diet before noon. But LUNA, the makers of some of our fave nutrition bars, wants to revamp mid-day munchies with their new “Feed Your Strength…at Work!” contest.

For the past year, LUNA has been striving to debunk common diet misconceptions and those crazy health fads we’ve all seen floating around Facebook. Now they’re tackling workplace wellness—which, we’ll admit, can get pretty inconsistent as schedules get more hectic—through healthy eating campaigns, FAQ webisodes, and, of course, contests!

The “Feed Your Strength…at Work!” prize is pretty sweet—a vending machine stocked with six-months worth of LUNA bars for your office, and six consultations with expert dieticians. (Truth: we’re kind of jealous we can’t partake.) To enter, head over to LUNA’s Facebook page and post a photo of you and your coworkers making healthy changes in your workplace. (Our FITNESS staffers recently rocked a 10k together!) The contest ends June30th, so bust out those get-fit photos stat!

Now You Tell Us: What healthy snacks do you have on hand in the office?

Win An Autographed Ball From Beach Volleyball Pro Kerri Walsh Jennings!

Written on June 11, 2013 at 3:31 pm , by

Pro Walsh Jennings busts her butt for that killer physique. (Photo courtesy of AVP)

Written by Chloe Metzger, editorial intern

Olympic beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings is no stranger to pressure, but this time the mom-of-three is putting the heat on herself: “My post-pregnancy body needs a lot of work right now. I’m just starting to rebuild my foundation.” Walsh Jennings, who is gearing up for the seven-city AVP (Association of Volleyball Professional) Tour, stopped by the FITNESS office to chat with our uber-excited editors about pregnancy, Pilates and the secrets to her fit physique (spoiler: a ton of hard work). Bonus: YOU could win an autographed ball from the superstar herself!

You welcomed your third child, Scout Margery, to the world just two months ago. Other than a lack of time, how has motherhood changed your exercise routine?

It’s made me more focused, for sure. I used to have plenty of time during the day to take care of myself and get my workouts in, but now it’s get in, get done, get out. When I was pregnant, I stayed really fit so that I could hit the ground running, especially with the AVP Tour coming back this summer. It’s a big objective of mine to come back and kick everyone’s butt, so I needed to start pretty fit. I’m building a strength foundation, trying to stay really flexible, and then working to get my agility back. It’s very humbling every day—but really fun, too!

So what were your workouts like during pregnancy? How’d you  stay in such great shape?

I played volleyball, lifted three times a week, did Pilates twice a week, and then did other random workouts. I’m really lucky in that I can mix up my workouts a lot, and I have really nice trainers who help me think outside the box. I keep my body guessing—I think that’s huge.

That’s definitely a lot! Anything in particular you love to boost your flexibility?

I do Pilates twice a week. I’m a firm believer in it—I think everyone in the world should be doing Pilates, especially people who are pregnant or post-partum. It’s a beautiful way to get your core back and your body awareness back. Flexibility is a function of strength, and I need to be flexible on the court, so that’s a huge priority. You need to tackle every base.

Which moves do you swear by for toning your tummy, especially post-pregnancy?

Everything Pilates! It’s all about the deeper ab muscles. I work on the big Plyo Ball a lot. I’m also really into windshield wipers. I think that anything with twists is really good, not only for your spine and your obliques, but for your entire abdominal structure.

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Get Heart Healthy with Subway’s Savvy Dietician

Written on June 11, 2013 at 1:57 pm , by

Heart-healthy options are poppin’ up all over the Subway menu. (Photo courtesy of Subway.com)

Written by Chloe Metzger, editorial intern

It’s no secret that Subway is known for being one of the healthiest fast-food options in the industry (who could forget Jared’s larger-than-life weight loss?). But as of last year, it’s also the first of its kind to receive the stamp of approval by the American Heart Association. So what does that mean for you? More nutritious (and tasty!) bang for your buck.

In fact, Subway recently got 16 AHA-approved meals on its menu. To bring you expert nutritional know-how for your crazy-busy summer, we chatted with Subway’s Corporate Dietician of 13 years, Lanette Kovachi, RD. She knows it can get difficult to stay on track while on-the-go, and facing a variety of fast-food choices is no joke. “When it comes to eating out, people get overly hungry and end up choosing a restaurant where they’re not going to get good options,” Kovachi explains. “They’re in dire-hunger mode, and they just go for that indulgent sandwich or meal, or they eat too many portions.” The trick, she says, is not letting yourself become too ravenous. When that happens, “your body takes over and craves more calories and fat.”

But when you’re on the brink of an I’ll-eat-absolutely-anything-right-now-level of hunger, limiting portions and staying satisfied is easier said than done. To keep from succumbing to the pitfalls of dining out, curb your cravings by eating fresh fruit right before chowing down. Kovachi recommends snacking on apples: “They fill you up and take off the edge.” It’s no surprise, then, that apple slices are a staple item on Subway’s menu. “It’s not exciting,” she admits, “but they’re quick to grab and cost-friendly.”

Of course, we can’t always find a Subway when we’re on the road and hunger pangs strike. Then, it’s all about moderation: “When you order out, just try to think about what’s a sensible portion,” Kovachi suggests. “Even if you’re feeling really hungry, know that ordering half of what you really want is still going to satisfy your cravings.”

More From FITNESS:

Size Matters: Your Guide to Healthy Portions

Healthy Travel Diet: The Best Food to Eat on the Road

The Flat-Belly Foods Diet

Brett Hoebel From ‘The Biggest Loser’ Now Teaching at Flywheel – And We Got His First Playlist!

Written on June 7, 2013 at 2:05 pm , by

Ever dream about hanging with a celebrity trainer every week while you get your sweat on? Now you can – just head to Flywheel Sports and look for Brett Hoebel on the schedule (you watched – in awe, we’re sure – his capoeira skills on season 11 of The Biggest Loser). He’ll be teaching at their Los Angeles studios, and making guest appearances in New York City. We scored seats in his debut ride at Flywheel’s Flatiron studio, and couldn’t stop raving about his crazy beats on our walk back to the office. But you know we’re not the type of girls to keep those tunes all to ourselves, so of course we nabbed the playlist before we left. Now get on a bike, blast each song and prepare for a serious dose of sweat.

The Health Initiative Close to Vanessa Williams’ Heart

Written on June 7, 2013 at 11:17 am , by

The diet tip Vanessa swears by: Don’t keep unhealthy options in your house. “You’re going to torture yourself!”

As an actress, singer, dancer, author, model and mother, Vanessa Williams puts a triple-threat to shame. No wonder she looks so darn good at 50! Since being crowned the first African American to be crowned Miss America back in 1983, Vanessa has conquered television (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives and 666 Park Avenue, to name a few) and the big screen. Most recently, she returned to the Broadway stage in “The Trip to Bountiful.” But a busy life of fame and fortune doesn’t stand in Vanessa’s way for one of her biggest passion projects: spreading heart health awareness. With loved ones affected by heart disease, she turned to Bayer and WomenHeart to make a difference. We sat down with the starlet to learn more about how a simple handbag item can save lives and—of course—found out her age defying secrets. Read on for the full interview.

What inspired you to connect with Bayer aspirin in this whole initiative of the Handbags and Hearts?

I’ve been involved with heart issues for probably 10 years now. My grandmother died at 28 of a heart attack, my other grandmother died at 64 of a heart attack and so I’ve always been pretty vocal about women’s health issues—especially heart disease. They approached me about starting the campaign for Handbags and Hearts to increase the awareness of the correlation, being the number one killer for women, but also to have people—especially women—carry aspirin in their handbags, their purse, their pocketbooks. That’s important. And also to have women know that our symptoms are different than men’s. We want to drive people to the website so they can see what the symptoms are, be aware of them. Obviously if there is an issue, the first thing they need to do is call 911, but go in their bag and grab an aspirin because it’s shown that it helps to reduce further damage to the heart once a heart attack actually happens to you. It helps save lives. It’s been a fantastic partnership with WomenHeart and Bayer. Every person that pledges and every woman that goes online to pledge at the site, they’re going to donate up to $200,000.

Besides aspirin, how do you personally boost your heart health?

Cardio—I work out all the time. I mix it up, whether its treadmill at my house, or riding bikes. Recently, I’ve been doing in LA a gym called Body Theory, and there’s a class called “Drench.” You are literally drenched by the time you finish it! It’s an hour and a half of pure cardio and weights, which is fantastic and I’m obsessed with. In NY, I do at Westchester MMA a heavy bag fit class, which is everything from jumping rope to a lot of boot camp exercises. But then you tape up your hands—you do wraps—put your boxing gloves on and you fight a heavy bag, one of those big six-foot bags. You do combinations of that—kicks and punches. I like to mix it up.

So staying fit as a busy mother on four, killing it on Broadway…that must be really tough. How do you keep up with fitness and healthy food on-the-go?

You make time for it. Sometimes, you can’t. If you cant make it to the gym, try to get on a treadmill. If you cant get into the gym or to a treadmill, try walking. Try to do something for at least (for me) 45 minutes to an hour in a day, just to feel energized, and feel like my body is woken up, that I’ve felt all the endorphins, then start my day. And I like to work out in the morning—I can’t do afternoon or evening workouts. I need to do it in the morning. Get it done, start my day, feel the adrenaline. But you have to make time. Same thing with food. You have to make an effort. My biggest tip is to not have anything that I don’t want to eat in my house. It’s one thing when you know there are cookies that are calling your name and you know that every time you walk by the cupboard, they’re there and you’re battling with yourself—should I open it, should I not, should I have one…you’re going to torture yourself. So don’t have them in your house. As soon as, if I get a basket or gift bag filled with something delicious that I know I don’t want to wipe out the entire thing, I’ll bring it to the cast and say, “Put it on the green room table, enjoy!” I’ll have one and walk out of the room so I don’t have to wrestle with should I or should I not. Because food is good! It’s easy to make healthy choices, too. Living in this country, there are so many opportunities for anything, anything online, for sure. I fast, I do juice cleanses maybe three times a year. I’ve done BluePrint for probably five years. But that’s always great to kind of reboot your system, especially if you feel sluggish or a bit toxic like after holidays—you just want to clean yourself out and start fresh.

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