Live With Fire

I first dared you to Live With Fire in March, when I tried out the Reebok DMX Sky running shoes, which were perfect for a casual runner like myself.

However, I've since learned that Reebok's "Live With Fire" message goes way beyond hot running shoes.

FitFluential and Reebok
Me & Alec of PopFitLife.com

I was invited to a women's media event for Reebok as a FitFluential Ambassador, where the Reebok team would introduce us to who Reebok is, what they've been about in the past, and what they're doing for the future.  I've gotten to know Reebok well this year, and the more I learn, the more I love.

First of all, walking into Location 5, where the event was held, attendees were shown what Reebok is about at every corner.

Quotes lined the entrance and hallways:

Even the bathroom signs represented the Reebok brand!

Love this.

After admiring the decor, we were treated to some breakfast, and later lunch.

Then we entered the main hall, where we could browse the apparel and accessories for the various categories of fitness for which Reebok designs their products.

It was all functional for the workout types, and very fashionable, street-friendly at the same time.  Lots of colors!

Training with the mannequins

I like!  The racks had even more items to browse, and, feeling the materials, I could tell these would be soft and comfortable for either lounging or sweating.

Finally, the day officially began with Matt O'Toole, Chief Marketing Officer for Reebok, introducing us to Reebok's mission and where they're headed.  Reebok has been a pioneer for years in empowering people--especially women--to seek out fitness and life experiences.  He discussed how fitness is about more than being in shape; it's about connecting with others, achieving new heights, and experiencing life.

One of the most notable aspects of his talk and the general conversation that day was that there was no talk about being fit, being strong, or looking good; those are simply biproducts of the main purpose of life: to live it.  Live with passion.  Live with fire.




"Life simply asks that you join it.  Live with fire."

Matt O'Toole also described "The Girl" that wears and defines Reebok: She works out at least 4 times/week. She does not always the same thing; her regimen is based on variety! Maybe she goes for a run one day, does crossfit another, and practices yoga the next.

No wonder I'm so drawn to Reebok!  This could easily describe me; I love a wide variety of workouts and sample many types of classes in addition to solo walks, runs, and at-home videos.  I don't stick to one and do it every day of my life.  I'll do maybe three a week, mixing up what I include based on my mood that day, my schedule, any fun classes being offered, etc.  I believe variety is the spice of life--and fitness--and Reebok seems to agree.

For that reason, Reebok teams up with fitness instructors and enthusiasts from all corners of the fitness world.

Reebok Ambassadors

On this day, the Brand Ambassadors would explain how they partnered with Reebok to help design apparel to meet the needs of the sport, and prove it in a workout.  Reebok Brand Ambassadors include  Amy Dixon, Tara Stiles, Vanessa Vassallo, Annie Sakamoto, Christmas Abbott, Alicia Keys, and more.

These fitness celebrities led us in a quick warm-up before the real workouts began.

Then, we separated into groups for more intimate introductions to each fitness category's foundational beliefs, apparel design, and workout sample.  Each ambassador would explain their category's apparel and lead a workout.

In line with "The Reebok Girl" mindset, the day had a ton of variety.  the conference's workouts included: Training (CrossFit), Yoga, Dance, Running, and Walking.  I could only attend the first day, so I participated in the first three workouts, but I hear the walks and runs on NYC's High Line were great, too!

I'll post recaps of each workout separately, but here's a video montage of the day!




You can see the variety, jam-packed into one day!  Reebok really does have something for everyone, whether you're a dedicated CrossFitter or runner, a casual yogi or dancer... Or, if you're like me, and enjoy doing a little bit of this and that -- Reebok has it ALL!  Reebok is dedicated to all aspects of fitness, of living life to the fullest and becoming your best self.

To help you get there, Reebok has all kinds of fitness apparel--clothing and footwear tailored to each type of workout. As shown in the video above, the clothes are vibrant and fun--things you might even wear outside of the gym!  I can vouch that those items we sampled for the day's workouts were incredible comfortable and wicked away sweat perfectly.  Keep an eye out for these hitting stores in July 2013.  I know I will!

Yoga or street casual! Rebel Yoga.

To also further the cause of effective training, Reebok's latest endeavor--Reebok ONE--sets out to "fuel the fire" by being the place for fitness professionals.  Reebok ONE provides them with education, discounts, resources, community, and connection, all of which helps them help you!  Reebok identifies the greatness in people and trainers that they respect, and help them do more.

Again, this goes for all categories of fitness. The goal is to stop tearing down one type or another that you don't believe is the "best," but rather to embrace the variety and realize that we can take different paths to the same place of fitness.

Reebok has also teamed up with Spotify so you can have personalized playlists created for your next workout, or even borrow playlists and songs from your favorite Reebok ambassadors!

The day concluded with dinner at Revel, where we got to talk about the workouts and clothing, and learn about the ways we are similar and different -- my new friends were from Germany, France, and Poland!  It was quite an international affair!

A beautiful way to end a fun, informative day.  

I'll be discussing each of their fitness categories and apparel sectors in blog posts to come, explaining more in depth how each workout with the brand ambassadors went!  Hint: They were awesome.

Til then, I dare you to embrace Reebok's message: 

Join life.  Live with fire!

How do YOU live with fire?  

Which apparel above will you look for this summer?

Fill up on Protein

Have you ever made yourself or ordered a giant salad, jam-packed with more vegetables than you can count?   (No? Just me, then? ;) )

Were you satisfied after?  Or were you soon looking around for something else to eat?  The fiber and water in these types of meals often fill me up immediately, but then leave me hungry and grazing just two or three hours later.  Have you experienced this, too?

This is why I started seeking out protein at every meal.  Protein tells your brain you are full, and keeps you full.  Protein also tells your body to make and retain muscle and other lean tissue, because it's made up of the amino acids your body needs to repair itself.  This is why protein consumption is often recommended for after a workout.

Other benefits?  Higher protein consumption is also linked with lower risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Of course, you can increase your protein intake by eating animal sources like fish, meat, and eggs.  Vegetarian or vegan?  Try these meat-free protein sources.   Looking beyond beans and tofu, did you know that you can get protein from vegetables, too?  Whether you're eating meat, fish, dairy, beans, nuts, or fruit, Mark's Daily Apple has a great list of dietary sources of protein and grams per serving.  Check that out for help choosing foods to fill your plate.

Today, I'm with Jonathan Bailor of the Smarter Science of Slim, when he dares you to trade carbs for protein.  Not entirely, of course, but for the most part, the Standard American Diet promotes way too many starchy carbohydrates, whereas those calories really could be going toward body-building, satiating protein.

Since I started making sure I got a significant amount of protein at every meal (aiming for 20-30 grams--an increase at the time for me), I've found that my meals satisfy for longer.  I remain satisfied, even two, three, or four hours later.  I can make it til the next mealtime without going hungry and searching for snacks.  For a while now, I've successfully increased my daily protein intake to near 90 grams/day, and still trying to climb higher. It's been an adjustment, especially after two years of pescetarianism, but I'm getting there!

Want to reap the benefits of increasing your protein intake?  I dare you to!  

Discover! Outdoor Adventures

I've dared you to go outside.  I've dared you to walk.  I've dared you to run.

Today, I combine all three.

Blue Skies

As the weather gets warmer, I've now spent infinitely more time outdoors, taking advantage of every sunny, rain-free day to walk.  Cars? Subways? Buses?  No thank you!  Save your money and move those legs!  Whether you're simply trying to get from Point A to Point B, or you have a mere five, ten, or thirty minutes to spare, I dare you to walk or jog.

Make it an adventure.  Explore!  Do not map out your route.  Ditch your Garmin.  Just go where your legs, the street lights, your gut takes you.  Not only will you benefit from the fresh air and sunlight, but you may also even discover something new!  How much do you really explore your area?  When you're driving around, do you get to appreciate the nature surrounding your home?  Might there be hidden gems you've yet to uncover?

Spring is here

During the beautiful weather of the past couple weekends, I made my way outdoors for some casual jog-walk-running action.  I didn't wear my Garmin and didn't track my mileage.  I just started running, walked when I felt like it, then ran some more.  Along the way, I discovered some cute little mini-parks that exist near my home!  Previously, I'd thought the nearest park was a good 15-20 minutes' walk away, but now I know of a few places where, if I want, I could bring a book and do some reading outdoors.  I could also just sit and listen to music, feel the sun, enjoy the breeze, get some work done,  or relax. Whatever it is, I found some nice, quiet park benches for it; I've got nearby options for the summer.

What might you discover if you set out on your own?  Dare you to find out!  

Don't plan, just go.  Let me know what you stumble upon! :) 

Read: Craving

Why do we crave food when we're not hungry?  Why do we take that sip of alcohol or puff of smoke, when we know it is detrimental to our health?  Why are we unable to say "no" to certain behaviors that leave us unhappy in the end?  And, more importantly, how can we modify our brain and behavior to overcome these compulsions and lead happier, freer lives?

These questions, and more, are answered in the brand new book CRAVING: Why We Can't Seem to Get Enough by Omar Manejwala, M.D (Hazelden Publishing, 2013).

Available on Amazon

Sure, it's got a catchy title and attention-grabbing cover, but this book is packed with science, research, and useful insights about cravings.  Manejwala defines "craving" as a "strong desire that, if unfulfilled, produces a powerful physical and mental suffering" (p. 2).  Throughout the book, this definition is shown to include food cravings, nicotine cravings, shopping cravings, OCD, and addiction to alcohol and drugs.  As Chapter 1: Craving: Why it Matters explains, cravings for these things can become very serious and really hinder and harm a person's life--and the lives of their loved ones.  For that reason, this book is not limited to a certain audience.  Anyone who either experiences or is close to someone who has experienced cravings or addictions has something to learn from this book.

I certainly thought I could learn a thing or two, so when the author and Hazelden Publishing kindly offered me a chance to read an advance copy of CRAVING, I accepted without hesitation.  He pointed out that conquering cravings is one way to become healthier, so it's a dare worth exploring.  According to the press release, some of the questions Manejwala covers in CRAVING are:

• How and why do our brains drive our behavior?
• What are the warning signs that a craving is evolving into an addiction?
• Why is craving the most difficult component of addiction to address?
• How can we change the parts of the brain that fuel our cravings?
• What are some beliefs about cravings that recent research has disproven? (For example, it's not necessarily true that we want what we can't have.)
• What simple steps can we take that can aid in the longer-term process of living without constant craving?

These questions sounded interesting, so I dove headfirst into the new book.  Read more to learn what was inside....

Lift

Dare you to LIFT!

No, I'm not talking about weights, although you should be doing that, too.  I'm talking about the smartphone app called LIFT, which helps you achieve your goals--whatever they are!

Upfront, I'd like to say that this is not a sponsored post in any way, shape, or form.  The folks at "Lift" don't know who I am, and the app is FREE for you and for me.  I just think it's a fantastic tool for ANY goals you're looking to achieve or habits you're trying to establish... whether they're in the realm of health, hobbies, work productivity, hygiene, taking time for yourself, for family, doing chores in your home... you name it!  Lift can help you do it.

First, you select what behaviors you'd like to establish.  You can choose from the many listed habits that others have committed to, or create your own.

Next, you check in!  Every time you perform an action or take a step toward your goal, you tap to check it off.  Each time you check off an item, it turns green. Yay! Instant feedback. And then, of course, you want to turn the whole screen green.  Otherwise that one little item is left on top, so you've got to finish it off:

Additionally, the Lift app keeps track of how many check-ins you've performed ("Meredith checked in for the 103rd time..."), both for each individual habit and altogether.  It tells you when you're on a STREAK (wooohoo), so you'll be more motivated to keep it up.  There's also an optional setting to receive notifications--gentle reminders that it's time to perform a certain task.  For example, I have a 10pm reminder to floss, because I like to floss before brushing my teeth at night. Makes my mouth feel extra clean! (This has been extremely effective. I've actually run out of floss.  I don't think I've ever had that problem before this year.)

For extra motivation, you can make "Friends" on Lift, commenting and giving "props" to fellow Lift-ers.  Strength in community!

I learned about the app when the folks at Greatist posted a full review.  It sounded good, so I decided to give it a try when the new year rolled in... and I have been using it since!  I admit, it's rarely 100% green like above (although I had a good streak in January), but I do always take a look throughout the day, especially before bed, to see what I have left to do.  Some of the above are things I've already been doing for a while, but others were new.  (And--I just added an exciting new one that I'll be talking about soon.  Stay tuned!)  Lift is a great way to establish a new habit!

You can change your habits at any time.  Some I've kept, but others I've removed and replaced since January, depending on what habits I'm trying to establish at the time!

So whatever new habits you're hoping to establish, Lift can help you make them routine.  Pick a just one or two habits to start and give it a try.  I dare you!

What habits would you start with?  What would you like to begin doing? What behaviors have you successfully made routine?