Samantha Shelton

Run to Fight Tumors…In Your Underwear!

January 28, 2013 at 2:31 pm
By Samantha Shelton

Sometimes, heading out for a typical run can be, well, boring. When you’re doing the same thing day in and day out, a punch of excitement helps spice things up. And we say there’s no better way to heat up a race than to strip down to your skivvies!

Bear with us, we swear it’s a good idea. If streaking 1.5 miles down the street in your underwear sounds a smidge too extreme for you, maybe the fact that this run helps fight tumors will convince you. Cupid’s Undie Run, the world’s largest organized underwear run, takes place every year to raise funds for The Children’s Tumor Foundation and Neurofibromatosis.

Never heard of neurofibromatosis? It’s a genetic disorder that disrupts cell growth in the nervous system and can lead to deafness, blindness, learning disabilities and chronic pain, according to Mayo Clinic. Most who have the disorder are diagnosed at a young age, but unfortunately there’s still no cure.

If that still isn’t enough to persuade you, maybe the starry-eyed love theme will push you to click “register” on that computer screen. After all, it isn’t called Cupid’s Undie Run for no reason – celebrate Valentine’s Day a few days early, and bring a loved one in on the fun. Single but ready to mingle? We think this could be the perfect fun run -  you never know what tumor-fighting hunk you might find there!

Ready to sign up (we are!)? Find a location near you here. And if there isn’t one near you and you still want to strip down and run, we recommend checking out the Santa Speedo Run or Undie Dash later this year!

More from FITNESS:

Run, Walk, Get Fit for a Cause

4 Charity Races on Our Bucket List

Fit for a Cause: Real Women Who Are Changing the World

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Music Monday: Taylor Swift’s Top Tunes

January 28, 2013 at 9:51 am
By Samantha Shelton

A good bee-bopping song tossed into our workout mix every now and then is a great pick-me-up; something catchy that will undoubtedly end up stuck in our heads for the rest of the day, if not the entire week. T-Swift is one young artist who fills this playlist gap quite well – we have to admit, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is great for holding a 9-minute mile. And since Swift is sitting pretty at the top of the iTunes chart with her grungier hit, “I Knew You Were Trouble” (check out the video), it’s time to highlight some of our favorite hits from the star. She may be constantly switching beaus, but it makes for great music. Pop those headphones in and get ready to head bob your way to the gym. Go ahead and sing a little, too – we won’t tell.

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Jackie Warner Shares Resolution Success Secrets & Which Celeb She Wants To Train!

January 23, 2013 at 9:57 am
By Samantha Shelton

One of the perks of working at FITNESS is getting the opportunity to workout with celebrity trainers. So when we heard Jackie Warner had partnered with Wisk and wanted to personally hand us a sweat-dripping, butt-kicking workout, we just couldn’t say no. After 30 minutes of nonstop circuits that left our thighs burning and core shaking, we took a breather to get the inside scoop from the star.

First of all, what a great workout! And we didn’t use any weights.  If you only had 10 minutes and no equipment, what would be your quick routine?

I love to do a yard workout, something outside. I would tell you to sprint 50 paces, jump down and do sprawls. Here’s how you do it:

• Start in a standing position. Lower your hands to the ground and quickly jump back into push-up position.
• Shift your hips to the ground, then return to pushup position.
• Jump back to standing position.

So that’s a sprawl; it’s the name of my training technique. Do 15 of those in a row, then sprint 50 paces and repeat. Complete four sets – you could likely do that in about five minutes, and it’s really intense. So if you want to go for 10 minutes, do eight sets.

Why would you say that’s such an intense workout?

The sprinting is getting your legs in place and the sprawls are getting your upper body and core in place. Your whole body is being worked in a short amount of time.

For those who are just starting to workout, what tips do you have to help ease themselves into the gym?

You shouldn’t ease yourself into the gym if it isn’t something you like. Don’t force a type of training on yourself that you do not like because you will fail long-term. Go to Google and find something you’ve always secretly wanted to do. There’s a wealth of information and classes out there, as well as trainers, that will find that one thing you like to do, whether it be mat Pilates, bootcamp, Spinning, or Muay Thai. There’s so much out there. So find the thing you secretly want to do and do that.

What advice do you have for those who struggle with morning workouts?

I prefer morning workouts, but we all have an internal strength clock. It’s a biological thing; we’re all built with it and it’s a unique clock that allows us to be stronger through time periods throughout the day. Some of us are stronger first thing in the morning, some mid-morning and others in the afternoon or evening. You need to experiment with it to find out what’s best for you and try to workout within that time. For me, my strength clock is between 9am and noon.

So don’t feel bad if you’re not working out first thing in the morning?

No, absolutely not. The good thing about working out in the morning is that you’re burning all throughout the day, which is fantastic. And you release a lot of hormones in the brain, which can give you more of a balance throughout the day. But if it’s not for you, then it’s not for you.

Keep reading to find out which celebs she’s loved working with, and who she would love to train in the future!

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Staffers Spill: What We Learned From CrossFit

January 18, 2013 at 4:04 pm
By Samantha Shelton

This week the FITNESS crew took a little midday field trip. In lieu of a lunch break, we headed over to Reebok on 5th Ave to hit up their CrossFit box!

By now, many of you know about CrossFit and how it works – or you’ve at least heard about it. And like you, many of the staffers had learned about the craze that has taken the world by storm, but hadn’t tried it for themselves. Since that just isn’t acceptable, we banded together to get down and dirty with those who know the sport like the back of their hand.

After a refresher crash course on how to properly perform an air squat, box jump, burpee and ring row, it was time to move! Our trainers, Megan and Bobby, split our crew of 15 into five teams of three and asked us to create names. The winners?

• Blue-Eyed B*tches
• Team ACK
• Fit Wits
• Brunette Bruisers
• Blonde Ambition

Before we knew it, the clock was running and as a team we all worked to complete 1 minute each of:

• Box Jumps
• Ring Rows & Planks (one teammate rows for 20 seconds while the other two plank, then switch!)
• Sit-ups (high-five your teammates at the top!)
• Burpees & Ball Slams (one teammate performs a ball slam while the other two burpee, then switch!)
• Air Squats

Repeat 3 times for a total of 15 minutes, squeezing in as many reps as you possibly can while maintaining proper form. Talk about a speedy workout! Each team kept track of their reps throughout the circuit, and then added the scores after three rounds for the grand total to determine the winner. With 613 reps, Blue-Eyed B*tches came out on top!

Keep reading to find out what the staffers learned about their hardcore quickie workout!

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Music Monday: Top Tunes From Your Favorite Artists

January 7, 2013 at 5:30 pm
By Samantha Shelton

Last Monday, we presented you with the most-searched songs of 2012. But that’s not enough for your music-loving ears, is it? Although 2012 may be fading away, the hottest artists are still dominating our playlists. So with a little more help from our friends over at Yahoo!, we dug up the top searched artists of the year. With that as our inspiration, how could we not have a new playlist just begging for a new dose of sweat? Check it out below, then let us know which of these artists songs you love the most!

Now you tell us: Who was your favorite artist of 2012?

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Fit Blogger We Love: Sweet Tater

January 4, 2013 at 9:18 am
By Samantha Shelton

If we ever got the chance to meet Katie Levans, or should we say Tater, from Sweet Tater in person, we can only imagine it would be full of smiles, laughs and quickly segue into a blissful hot yoga session. The instructor and nutritionist draws us in with her yummy meal posts and makes us laugh with her weekly “Caturday” blurbs.

Since we likely won’t get to hang anytime soon though (darn!), we’ll take the next best thing: Katie is starring on one of our favorite guilty-pleasure TV shows: season 17 of The Bachelor. Gunning for Sean Lowe’s heart, we’ll cozy up on the couch while she tries to win the coveted rose week after week from the blonde heartthrob. If he doesn’t immediately fall in love with her beautiful curly hair like we did, then the bachelor definitely will once he sees her bust out some yoga poses, right?

Regardless, we wanted to get to know a bit more about the yogi with great taste. Check out some of her favorite things, and keep reading for a super yummy recipe!

My favorite way to work out: I practice hot yoga every day, but prefer to separate that from the concept of “working out” because it’s so much more than that. When I strictly want to work my body, I head to FlyBarre. It’s 60 minutes of low-weight, high-rep intervals that tone and tighten all over. If you’re looking to shed inches (not necessarily pounds), this is hands-down the most effective workout I’ve ever done.

I’m happiest when I’m: Cooking. I guess when most people are stressed out or short on time, they order takeout. I crack open a cookbook and all of my cares seem to melt away. There’s something so therapeutic about chopping, dicing and dreaming up new dishes.

My fave fit snack: If I could buy Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds by the barrel, I would. I usually prefer not to eat immediately before or after a hot yoga class, but almonds fuel me with healthy fat and protein without leaving me feeling full or unsettled.

My “I Did It” moment: When I finished my 200-hour yoga teacher training and Master of Science in Nutrition in the same week. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t wise to work on both simultaneously. I was mentally and physically burned out and, by the end, had hit a major breaking point. Once I was done, the sense of accomplishment overshadowed anything else, but I can’t say I’d do it all again.

My gym bag must-have: Suave Dry Shampoo. When I’m teaching back-to-back classes or have to run straight from the studio to an appointment, dry shampoo saves me the hassle of washing and air-drying my long, unruly curly hair. People are always telling me I smell so clean. But oh, if only they knew!

For a fun, hearty recipe sure to warm you up during these cold winter months, check out Katie’s Vegan Chili below – the dish comes straight from mom!

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Music Monday: The Top Tunes of 2012

December 31, 2012 at 9:44 am
By Samantha Shelton

Here at FITNESS, we like to play music. A lot. It’s not uncommon to see editors working away at their desks with headphones plugged in, jamming to the latest beats. And every Monday, you know you’ll find a new playlist on The Fit Stop.

So for the last Monday in 2012, let’s have a final jam session to launch us into the new year on a high note. With a little help from our friends at Yahoo!, we present to you the most-searched songs of the year -  we gotta admit, you guys have great taste.

Now you tell us: What was your favorite song of the year?

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Fit Blogger We Love: Running Bun

December 20, 2012 at 5:17 pm
By Samantha Shelton

The first time we found Ashley at Running Bun and clicked over to her “About Me” page, we fell in love. When a girl lists “spandex” as the first item in a list of favorite things, we’ve found a girl after our own hearts. From her inner monologue during races to the detailed class reviews she shares, we can’t get enough of the witty runner. And the fact that she figured out the perfect solution for girls with super long and thick hair? Genius.

Read on to find out what else she can’t live without and which mantra she sweats by – it’s OK, we added it to our motivational boards, too.

5 things I can’t live without: My dogs, leggings, coffee, Bruce Springsteen concerts and vegetables.

Most embarrassing song I’ll admit I work out to: I don’t think it’s embarrassing, but others have suggested it be deleted off of my iPod: “Can’t Be Tamed,” by Miley Cyrus.

My “I Did It” moment: Finishing 33 miles at the Ragnar Adirondacks Relay in September 2012. I had just come back from a foot injury, and finishing that type of distance gave me the confidence to pick up and continue to train for my fall marathon! After the NYC Marathon was cancelled, I ran the Richmond Marathon a week later and ended up with a new PR (personal record)!

My fitness mantra: “The body achieves what the mind believes!” A great friend told me this and I will never stop repeating it to myself when I am having a hard time getting through a workout or a run!

My motivation comes from: Wanting to run faster. There is nothing like training and racing your a** off. I feel so accomplished when I reach a goal and am able to set and work toward a new one!

Do you have a favorite fit blogger you want us to highlight? Leave a comment below or email blog@fitnessmagazine.com

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Fit Blogger We Love: The Concrete Runner

December 13, 2012 at 8:30 am
By Samantha Shelton

When we sign up for running races, we’re usually just happy to be outside, soaking in the weather and enjoying the camaraderie among all the happy-to-be-there runners. But for Kristen, there’s a little bit more to it: this girl actually wins races! We can’t help but be in awe when we click over to The Concrete Runner and soak in her different experiences, especially now that she’s balancing life as an athlete and new mom (and OK, we admit it: we can’t stop looking at the photos of her adorable daughter). Who knows, maybe some of her speedy secrets will rub off on us?

My favorite way to workout: I love to run! It’s always the best part of my day and keeps my stress levels down (for the most part).

My biggest indulgence: Frozen custard or ice cream – I eat ice cream for dessert almost every night. It helps curb my craving so I don’t overdo it!

My “I Did It” moment: Winning my first 5K. I’ve never worked so hard or raced smarter than I did that race. It was one of the best moments of my life!

My biggest motivator: My daughter. I want to be a healthy role model as she grows up, and I hope that someday she’ll want to run with me!

Olympic sport I’d love to try: Gymnastics! I’ve always loved tumbling, but was told I would be too tall for gymnastics. I wish I was as athletic as Olympic gymnasts are!

Do you have a favorite fit blogger you want us to highlight? Leave a comment below or email blog@fitnessmagazine.com

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Hot Topic Tuesday: Would You Take An At-Home HIV Test?

November 27, 2012 at 11:58 am
By Samantha Shelton

Throughout the years, there has been a stigma in the U.S. about HIV – it’s one of those diseases that most people hesitate to discuss, even though 1.2 million Americans have been diagnosed, and 50,000 new infections arise each year. That all changed in the 90s, when basketball star Magic Johnson publicly announced that he had contracted the life-threatening virus. For a while, people began publicly discussing the subject and learning about safe sex and prevention methods.

Unfortunately, 20 years later, many people still don’t get tested for fear of judgment in a public setting. But Johnson wouldn’t be, well, magical, if he didn’t step into the spotlight and fight for more awareness and alternate early detection methods. “If there’s a rally or someone needs my help in the fight against HIV and AIDS, I’m going to be there,” Johnson said at a recent press event. And that’s exactly what he did. Now on the market nationwide from OraSure Technologies is OraQuick, the first in-home HIV test. In the comfort of your own home, you can use an oral swab and know in 20 minutes whether or not strands of HIV-1 and -2 are detected.

“The reason I’m standing here, 21 years after I found out I have HIV, is because of early detection,” says Johnson. “A lot of people don’t want to go to their doctors or an HIV/AIDS clinic. Now we’ve taken that excuse away from them. I think it’s going to help drive more people to know their status and ultimately, that’s what we want.”

While we think this could definitely impact the number of people who are getting tested in a positive way, we have to wonder what happens if the test comes back positive? Without a doctor sitting next to them, will they have the comfort and education they need when hit with life-altering news?

Fortunately, an information packet and 24/7 hotline number is included in every test kit, which includes what next steps people should take if they found out they’re positive.

Johnson also notes that consistently taking his medication and having a stable fitness routine is his “secret sauce” for living out a long, healthy life despite his diagnosis. And since we’re big basketball fans over at FITNESS, we grabbed a few minutes of his time to find out more about his daily routine.

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