January 28, 2014

Motivational Tuesday

January 28, 2014/ sherri d'alessandro

Whew... it's one of those weeks... is it Tuesday already? Exhaustion is looming, but, I wanted to get out some motivation for the week. I know it can be really difficult to stay motivated during the winter months... especially this year. If you live in the Midwest or East Coast, the polar vortex is taking over and she's not so funny anymore.

Waking up to go to the gym is brutal. Eating anything but warm food feels 'cold'. Going outside for a walk or run? Forget about it. Taking all of that into consideration... you have to just deal with it, people. Myself included. Get up, get dressed (warm clothes only) and in the words of Nike... just do it.

What do you do if you're a runner? Take a class! Try something new. Hot yoga? Your body will thank you!

Craving warm food? Type "healthy soup" into Pinterest and you'll find dinner for every day over the course of the next year. Hearty soups with roasted vegetables, beans, and a lean protein are healthy and loaded with vitamins.

Don't feel like moving?... MOVING your body will get your warm... get going.

If all else fails... pin one of these quotes on your mirror:

This is one of my favorites. My dad has always said to me "Keep your head down and work hard". Best advice.

Have a great week - stay warm! xo

January 24, 2014

Friday Favs_1.24.14

January 24, 2014/ sherri d'alessandro

It's Friday, It's Friday!!! Whooo hoooo! Today is already off to a great start after a 5:30 boxing class at Peter Welch's Gym! Did any of you catch The Fighters last night? The show follows the lives of Peter Welch and local fighters trying to bring boxing back to Boston. It's on the Discovery Channel on Thursdays at 9pm.

Anyway, this week was ultra busy and I'm heading into a jam packed weekend. Just need to get through a full day of meetings... ooof. Can't wait! Hope you all have a great weekend - stay warm if you're in the polar vortex. Brrrrr.

Here are some of my favs of the week:

This article on FAT is what's up.

The Premiere Party for The Fighters last night was a lot of fun. Peter Welch opened up a new facility next door to his current place. The party was held in this new spot and it's so cool! There is a full wall-to-wall mural of fighters, a couple boxing rings, and a personal training studio. So cool.

Main (current) studio - this was the viewing of the show.

Keri Glassman is a health and fitness expert and one of my fav contributors to Women's Health Mag. She's also an expert in antioxidants. Here's the 5 things she always has in her fridge... I was pumped to see this list because these are five things I always have in MY fridge. Whoo.

I am pretty honored to be named an IDEA Fit Blogger... find other cool, fit, & healthy bloggers here.

And finally... I try to do this every day....

Have an awesome weekend! xo

January 22, 2014

Props to aerie

January 22, 2014/ sherri d'alessandro

I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times... "Every human you see in a magazine, in a commercial, or on a website is photo-shopped, so just relax." I've got to hand it to aerie... come to find out... they are now no longer re-touching their models. Tan lines, tattoos, bra-overhang (although tiny - they ARE models) -- it's all there in their #aeriereal campaign.

I'm just so impressed, aerie, Bravo... BRA-freaking-VO. I've always liked aerie as a brand. Back in my Simon days... we opened a few and I was impressed with how the models in their window posters were wearing what I would consider, cute "lingerie". It wasn't over-sexualized or seductive like other brands I know (won't mention any names).

Look at these photos... these women look INCREDIBLE. And you know what else? I'm actually pretty stoked that they used actual models instead of a variety of women and here's why: Although I love the D ove, Love Your Body campaign, the aerie campaign reveals that, yes, even models do not have photo-shop-perfect bodies. More and more studies are proving that, depressingly, young women believe that they should look like women that they see in advertisements, billboards, and magazines. Ugh.

Which brings me to my next point. Guys, we need to be really careful. We need to set a better example for young women. We have to stop saying the F-word (fat - in case you didn't know - I'd prefer the actual F-word to be honest) in front of young girls. We have to stop comparing our bodies to others. And, we have to stop picking apart all of our imperfections. Just stop.

Which brings me to my final point. I started writing this health/fitness/wellness/lifestyle blog because coworkers and friends would ask me how I eat pizza and ice cream and still stay fit. It's all about balance and being happy and eating real food and MOVING. That's it. Stay away from diets, stay away from fake food (fat-free, light, sugar-free) it's all fake. Move-Your-Body. Get to the gym, go for a walk, take up a hobby. Do something you love, every day. And finally, surround yourself with amazing people. I'll give tips and tricks and ideas on this blog for all of the above, but, you won't see a post that says "LOSE THAT ARM JIGGLE" OR "TRY THIS WORKOUT FOR 6-PACK ABS". Sorry, not happenin. Feel good, look good.