Rocking a Rest Day

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 I usually never take a rest day during the work-week. I typically save them for Sunday or Friday. Today, however, I felt really sore, a little tired, and realized that if I went to boxing - my workout would probably be a little weak (literally and figuratively). So, I decided to take an "active-rest" day. 

Rest Days are CRITICAL to ensuring those muscles you work so hard to tone, recover and develop stronger. Sometimes I feel guilty for a mid-week rest day. I really need to let that go. Do any of you feel that way? I'll be thanking myself tomorrow when I go to boxing and am ready to GET AFTER IT. Plus, I was able to do some laundry, write this blog post, and clean!

 I decided that a solid Yoga workout is exactly what my body needed (I even threw on my favorite Fenway Yoga t-shirt!). I YouTubed my favorite Yoga DVD, Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown: Volume 1. It has more movement than straight 'holds' and it isn't really hokey. Nothing wrong with a little hokey yoga, but, I just can't take it seriously coming out of my television. 

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 I roasted a sweet potato in the oven while I yogied it up in the living room. These potatoes rocked my world at dinner tonight. Yummmmm.

(Cut the extra virgin o/o-drizzled tater into chunks and throw on pan in the oven at 400 degrees for 40-45 minutes.)

 Tossed this chicken in some honey mustard and cayenne pepper and threw it on the grill pan.

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 Mash up the taters... they are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside - kind of like a cookie! I drizzled it with extra virgin, a tsp of Parmesan, and smashed in a chopped fried sage leaf. The chicken is drizzled with a little more honey mustard.

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 This meal is jam packed with FUEL. Especially Protein, Vitamin C, and B Vitamins.  Perfect for recovery.

While I am at it... I would like to make a request to stop using the phrase "going on a diet". Diets don't work... it's a bad word.  Fueling properly does work. If you fuel your body properly... it will thank you! (more on this to come)

Have an awesome week! xo

No Excuses, Boston!

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So, we know that HERCULES HERCULES has taken over the midwest and northeast, leaving us in blankets of snow and bitterly cold temperatures. I know it's easy to sit back and get really lazy on days like today, but, it's important to still keep up with an exercise routine. First and foremost, your health, duh. Keep your lungs and your most important muscle (your heart) strong. Next, studies prove that exercise helps significantly reduce the effects of seasonal depression. And finally, be fit all year long... there's no need to panic in April when bikini season is a month away. Be prepared now!

So, I have some REALLY GOOD NEWS for my friends in Boston, especially runners. For the 5th consecutive year, New Balance has renewed its partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and pledged to remove the snow from a 17+ mile path along the Charles River, spanning from the Museum of Science area in Cambridge to the Galen Street Bridge in Watertown. Following DCR’s normal priorities, the snow removal will be performed by the DCR within 24 hours of the completion of each storm. Be careful though, since the path runs along the river, their use of salt and sand will be limited.

 In addition to that, they will have 6 Saturday morning events where they will showcase new products, put up inspirational banners, and have giveaways! 

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Next, so I know... it might be too cold to run right now and your gym might be closed during snow emergency. What to do? Living room workouts. You don't even need weights or a mat. Try something like this:

- 20 Jumping Jacks

- 20 Squat Thrusts

- 20 Squats

- 20 Sit Ups

- 20 Lunges

- 20 Mountain Climbers

- 20 Squats again

- 1 minute plank hold

REPEAT

Or, if you have some free weights... check out this Living Room Workout I posted over a year ago:

Living Room Lift 

Last but not least, go outside and play in the snow. Help your neighbors shovel (bend at the knees, people).  Put your boots on and walk to the store. Just get moving and be careful! Below is me during Nemo last year. Janet and I borrowed snow shoes from some of her friends.

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Have a great weekend! Stay warm, my friends! xo

Best of funfitflavor, 2013

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Happy New Year, my friends! Wishing you all health, happiness, and fitness in the new year!

Safe to say that 2013 was a year of ups and downs for Bostonians. It started out a little rough, but, has ended on a very high note.  I took a look back at my most visited posts from 2013 and put together a little recap with links to each post. This year has really flown by, it was nice to take a look back and reflect on all of the moments that made it special. I hope you enjoy!

Stay warm, friends! xo