travel

Fit Blogger We Love: Danielle Abroad

November 10, 2011 at 3:47 pm
By Karla Walsh

Staying fit, healthy and balanced while away from home is a difficult task, which is why Danielle Abroad resonates so much with us. This passport-toting 20-something details how she balances indulgences with exercise, whether she’s near or far from familiar territory.

Here are five fun facts about the fit food blogger who offers a “nourishing glimpse” at life.

On my fit life list: I’m working towards being able to hold a handstand in yoga class, and eventually I’d like to run a half-marathon (preferably overseas).

I’m happiest when I’m: Visiting friends or family. So many people I care about live in other cities, or countries, and I love the opportunity to spend time with them and get to know the place they call home.

My biggest indulgence: Wine. I could probably do without dessert (not counting holidays) but I thoroughly enjoy the visual, aromatic and flavorful qualities of wine too much to ever give it up. Plus, it also has quite a few benefits, right?

My fitness mantra: “Just keep swimming.” I don’t actually swim all that often, but this phrase keeps me going whenever workouts get tough. It always helps me maintain optimistic perspective when my mind is telling me I can’t.

Olympic sport I’d love to try: Fencing. These days it may mostly be under-appreciated but I love the historical combination of speed, endurance, precision, flexibility and even strength. It’s a beautifully competitive dance of sorts.

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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Aloha Hawaii: My Must-Have Packing Picks!

June 9, 2011 at 11:34 am
By Jenna Autuori

I’m off to a very beachy, sporty and sure-to-be fabulous Hawaii vacation on Friday! It’s also my long-awaited honeymoon (we got married in February!)—so I’m counting down the minutes until we’re in paradise. I’ll surely miss my SoulCycle classes, hot yoga sessions and runs, but I’ll definitely be getting my burn on even while I’m away! Our agenda includes learning how to surf, going for hikes, cliff jumping, ziplining through the forest (I’ll need lots of upper body strength for that!) and running on the gorgeous beaches of Kauai and Maui.

Like all vacations, packing the right stuff is crucial—especially with weight limits and extra fees for luggage.You really have to think about what you’re putting into those bags! Here’s my packing list that will guarantee that I’m well suited for any occasion:

O’Neill Superkini

When I’m learning how to surf at the Ty Gurney Surf School in Oahu, I’ll need the right bikini that will stay in place when I get hit by waves. O’Neill has introduced their newest style, which offers twice as much stay-put protection as the standard bikini. When I first tried on this suit, it felt and looked the same as any of my other bathing suits, except the interior fabric is extra soft and made with a material called Nanofront (which will stick to me when it gets wet). I’m psyched to wear it when I try to ride those waves!

The Ty Gurney Surf School specializes in individualized lessons catered to your surfing needs, and they’ll have their work cut out for them with me! I’m scared, frightened and totally nervous to try this sport. Surfing is one of those bucket list dreams for me, something I’ve always wanted to do, but I’ve put it off because I’m pretty scared of big waves and the possibility of playing with sharks. Yes, I love scuba diving and have enjoyed this many times so I don’t know where my fear of surfing comes from. But I’m ready to tackle this challenge and cross it off of my list! When you’re in Hawaii, I thinksurfing is something you have to try. And since pro Ty Gurney himself will be teaching me how to do it, I’m feeling more confident about this. He’s been surfing as long as he could read and even won a major championship on Hawaii’s North Shore when he was seven! I’d say I’ll be in good hands. (Check back in a few weeks for an update on how I did!)

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Fit Blogger We Love: Iowa Girl Eats

May 12, 2011 at 2:43 pm
By Karla Walsh

We adore the gorgeous food photos, tempting recipes and down-to-earth attitude that Kristin shares on Iowa Girl Eats. And her philosophy of “Eat Well. Run Often. Travel Far.” is something we certainly support! Kristin recently told us about her top three go-to snacks and the song that helps her ab exercises fly by.

I’m happiest when I’m: Exploring a new city, state or country with my husband. We love to travel, and the best way to learn about a new place – and stay fit while you’re doing it – is to see it on foot.

My fave fit snack: A sliced Honeycrisp apple and sharp cheddar cheese is my ideal snack, with sliced bananas dalloped with Justin’s Maple Almond Butter or Honey Graham Clif Z Bars getting honorable mention.

My biggest indulgence: Candy. I have the sweet tooth of a 12-year old! Sour Patch Kids, Starbursts, Skittles and Sour Punch Straws—I love it all!

Most embarrassing song I’ll admit I work out to: I can’t help the fact that “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” by Def Leppard happens to have the perfect beat to do crunches to…

My fitness mantra: My favorite form of exercise is running, and whenever I feel like quitting mid-run I use a variety of techniques to keep myself going. Repeating “pain is temporary, accomplishment is forever,” or “anyone can do anything for 5 minutes!” in my head always gets me a little bit farther!

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 Vacation Location: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

April 19, 2011 at 11:53 am
By Sarah D'Angelo

Want to ski, snowboard, run, mountain bike, white water raft or practice yoga, all while being surrounded by absolutely gorgeous scenery? Head out to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I recently had the opportunity to check out what Jackson has to offer, thanks to the folks at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Hotel Terra, a LEED certified (translation: super eco-friendly) hotel located right on the mountain. While spring temps were starting to warm up back at home, I was lucky enough to be in town during the last week of ski season. I hear it’s just as incredible in the summer—with lots of sun and tons of activities to choose from, no snow needed. The highlights:

It snowed every day (550 inches this season—and it’s still snowing!). I spotted Olympic Gold medalist Hannah Teter at breakfast. Need I say more? It’s the number one reason travelers and ski pros alike hit Jackson Hole: It’s snow nirvana.

I was super excited to try my feet, and apparently my arms, legs and core—hello, burn!—at snowboarding (for the first time ever). I suited up in comfy Smartwool base layers and Eddie Bauer First Ascent outerwear, ready to hit the mountain…and had a blast! The instructors are super knowledgeable; had I not had a lesson, there’s no way I would have made it down without a few bumps and bruises.

Yoga (at altitude) was a welcome stress and soreness reliever. The yogis from Yoga Today, a website that allows members to download hundreds of virtual classes anytime, hosted a session full of centering and energizing poses.

Grand Teton National Park—a stunning sight, along with nearby Yellowstone—was still closed to all traffic due to feet and feet of snow, so instead, we headed down to the National Elk Refuge where we spotted bighorn sheep. They get right up close, munching on the grass behind you.

If you’re looking for fun, fitness and a wilderness-filled vacation, check out Jackson Hole. It’s absolutely beautiful.

Need more fit vacation ideas? We’re highlighting destinations for summer fun in our July/August issue. Keep an eye out for it in June!

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Yoga Vacation + 5 Perfect Yoga Songs

February 1, 2011 at 3:51 pm
By Bethany Gumper

Yoga + beach + live music = The perfect girlfriends’ getaway. Wanderlust Festival is coming up at The Standard Spa in Miami Beach, Florida, so get your om on from March 17 to 20.

Learn from a slew of different yoga teachers, including Cameron Shayne, founder of Budokon (that’s the yoga-meets-martial-arts practice that’s adored by celebs such as Courtney Cox and Malin Ackerman). That’s his picture — impressive, right?

In addition to poolside meditation workshops and live music performances, there will be more than 30 yoga classes offered. We’re intrigued by Christy Nones’s “Twist and Shout into Backbends, the Anusara Way.” We caught up with Nones, who teaches the popular H2OM yoga class at The Standard Spa, to get her go-to yoga playlist (it’s about 30 minutes):

“All I Need” – Air
“Calling” – Nightmares on Wax
“Indra” – Thievery Corporation
“La Femme D’Argent” – Air
“Marilyn Set Me Free” – Casino Versus Japan

The festival isn’t cheap, but you get some serious yoga bang for your buck: Rates start at $1,530 (that’s three nights/four days and includes yoga, music, lodging and access to the spa). If you share a room with two of your yoga-loving pals, it breaks down to $750 per person. For details, check out the festival’s website.

Namaste!

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