health

PowerICE / New Recipe

05.07.2014

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great, active weekend! (A little late I know, but this week has been flying by for me.) I spent the weekend training for the new Nike Store opening on Union Street in San Francisco. The new store will open in 2 weeks, and I’m super excited to be partnering with them for all of the festivities! Were hoping to make a huge impact when bringing Nike to the Marina, including many NTC (Nike training club) workouts, run clubs, and they will also have many fun events going on in the store. More to come soon!

(The trainers kicked our butts during an NTC workout!)

I also spent Saturday hanging with my family and wanted to share this tuna recipe my mom came up with. I’m usually not a huge fan of tuna, I find it pretty boring. But I am hooked with her new concoction. Its actually super easy, just mix all of the ingredients in a bowl and enjoy. 🙂

Ingredients:

tuna
red peppers
artichokes
pepperoncini
garbanzo beans
olives
feta cheese
olive oil
lemon juice

So delish, I even packed it again for lunch with my fave veggie at the moment, green beans. 🙂

On another note, I want to thank the PowerICE team for sending me some samples to try! Have you heard of PowerICE? I actually havent until they reached out to me. They are delicious flavored frozen electrolyte bars, perfect for post run recovery. We have had some hot days here in SF and they hit the spot after one of my long runs.

“Staying hydrated begins before athletic activity begins and continues throughout the exercise. Importantly, hydration must also persist once you are done with your activity. The electrolytes in each PowerICE bar help the body replenish essential nutrients like sodium and potassium. And its frozen state means each PowerICE bar can actually lower your core body temperature, keeping you cool before, during and after your activity.”

Here is some nutritional info:

Thank you PowerICE team!

Keep up with PowerICE: Website / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Pinterest

Why do you workout?

05.01.2014

Why do you workout?

I get asked this question all the time. People seem to notice my dedication and wonder why I do it. Honestly, there are so many reasons I don’t even know where to begin to explain. I’m sure we all have different thoughts on this. Maybe its to achieve your “dream body”. Maybe to get in shape for the big day or to get healthy for your whole life? Maybe it’s to feel comfortable and confident in your own skin?

I was actually thinking about this in the shower the other day. Aside from the many reasons, one really stood out. There are so many things in this world that we have no control of, but one thing we do. We have full and total control over our bodies. (Besides diseases like cancer- you suck!) I know what you’re thinking…control freak? But seriously, we have full control of what we eat, how we take care of our hygiene, and how we treat our body. No one forced you to eat a big mac, or eat some chicken and broccoli for that matter. But this is why I workout. To have full control of my body and to see the amazing results of all the hard work and dedication. I workout to be the absolute best I can be inside and out. To be a healthy, glowing, strong women. Your body is a reflection of your lifestyle. So why not treat it well!

The amount of endorphin’s after a workout doesn’t hurt either. Do you ever get that feeling that you just have to get to the gym to complete your day, or better yet feel better after a stressful day? I’m one of those people who walk out of the gym with a whole new attitude and smile on my face. I don’t know what I would do without this lifestyle! Exercise doesn’t get in the way of life, it adds to it.

So it’s your turn. Why do YOU workout? Please do share in the comments!

Don’t forget to enter the Thermos filtration bottle giveaway!

Thanks for reading!!

Amanda Latona Booty Workout

04.18.2014

First of all, I’m a huge fan of Amanda Latona. Secondly, I have always had a teeny tiny butt my whole life and have been working so incredibly hard for that “Amanda Latona booty”. I recently tried this workout which I read in Oxygen on my flight home a few days ago. I had no intention of posting the full workout, but WOW am I sore. No wonder she’s called the “Booty queen”. My legs and glutes have never been this sore in my life. The “I can barely walk, I look crippled” type of sore. But, it hurts so good and had to share with you guys!

Here’s what I did:

Hack Squat 4×10
Walking dumbell kickback lunge superset with dumbell step-up 3×12 each leg
Bulgarian dumbell split squat 4×10 each leg
Barbell hip thrust 4×12
Cable abductor superset with cable kickback 3×12

*In between each set do 12-15 jump squats (if you want to be carried out of the gym)

If you aren’t sure of what each exercise looks like, search on bodybuilding.com for pictures and how-to’s.

I dare you…try this workout and let me know what you think! Remember, if your not sore you didnt work hard enough. Push yourself and see the changes start to happen! I have FINALLY been able to grow my glutes, with a little determination, passion and drive. Lift heavy weights, eat, eat, eat and drink tons of water. Watch your body change. If I can do it, so can you.

Fitfluential Plank Challenge: #FFAprilAbs

04.02.2014

Hi there!

If you follow my Facebook or Instagram you may have heard, but I am so happy to announce that I am a new member of Fitfluential. Fitfluential is an amazing group of people who share a large passion for health and fitness. With that said, I have a lot of fun things coming up in the near future!

So what about a plank challenge for April?!

Fitfluential is teaming up with Puma for an April Abs challenge to plank each day this month. To join the challenge, just use the hashtag: #FFAprilAbs. Make sure you post daily on Instagram and Twitter to be entered to win one of two sets of PUMA Soundchuck Portable Speakers*.

Planks are the perfect way to end a workout! I love that extra ab push once finished with training whatever muscle group I’m working on that day. So who’s ready to to PLANK?!

For official rules and downloadable calendar, visit the Fitfluential blog: here

Also, don’t forget to enter the Designer Whey Giveaway!

Now I’m off to Paris to run the Marathon de Paris…EEK! So nervous and excited. I’ll be instagraming a whole lot while I’m there, so be sure to follow me: @fitnessandthecity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your encouragement and well wishes. 🙂

Designer Whey Product Review & Giveaway

03.27.2014

Sponsored Post/Product Review: Although this post is sponsored by Designer Whey, all opinions are my own.

Hey guys! I had the opportunity to try some new product which I wanted to share with you all. I have dabbled in all sorts of protein powders but have yet to find a favorite. Designer whey is definitely at the top of my list, along with Optimum Nutrition and Cellucor. Here is what I tried from Designer Whey:

French Vanilla powder: (mixed with almond milk) This is my favorite. It’s not too thick and the vanilla flavoring is super tasty. Each scoop is 100 calories and 18 grams of protein. Most other powders are more calories, and also more protein content, but this is a great lighter shake. If you are in the “cutting phase” or lower calories fit into your macros, this is the way to go. Still has enough protein, but only at 100 cals.

Gourmet Chocolate powder: Same 100 cals/18g protein. The chocolate isnt over powering, but a subtle flavor. Also very light. The powder mixes better than any other whey powders I’ve tried.

Luscious strawberry powder: I’m not a big strawberry fan, but this wasn’t too bad. I definitely recommend mixing all with milk as they are lighter shakes and are much more filling with milk rather than water.

Also a huge fan of the ready to drink shakes. Same calorie and protein content as the powder. I love the fact that I can just throw them in my bag and go. For someone who’s always on the go like myself, this is ideal.

Triple Chocolate crunch and peanut butter crunch protein bars: These are both equally delish. Not bad on the calorie front, at about 160 calories per bar. These are much healthier than others I’ve seen on the market. Such a yummy replacement for a chocolate bar or piece of candy. I will be buying these again.

So why drink whey?

With so much information and so many different protein sources, it can be hard to determine what is accurate and what you should take.

It all starts with you. Your body has different needs for different situations. With a regular, well-balanced diet, you are already getting a good amount of protein from many of the foods you eat. But with our multitasking, hectic schedules, and workouts, your body needs additional protein to recover and, depending on your workouts, build muscle.

That’s where whey comes in:
• Whey is pure so your body quickly absorbs it for maximum post-workout recovery and nutrition.
• Whey is a “complete” lean protein with the right balance of amino acids and protein to help your immune system. (source)

Whey is a VERY important factor when trying to reach any fitness goal. Whey is a powerful muscle builder, and also aids in weight loss. It’s one of the first supplements you should consider when starting a muscle-building or fat-loss goal. Here is a great article if you’d like to read more about the benefits of whey.

Another really cool thing about Designer Whey is that they have a long list of protein recipes on their website. You know me, I love trying new protein recipes. Protein powder isnt just for drinking these days, but can be put in pretty much any recipe!

Designer Whey was gracious enough to give away 5 cans of protein powder to a lucky Fitness & the City reader!

To enter the giveaway please complete the following:

Follow Designer Whey on Instagram: @designer_whey
Follow Fitness & the City on Instagram: @fitnessandthecity
Tweet about the giveaway and tag @designerwhey and @jennapardini
Leave a comment letting me know that you have completed the above and if you were to win, which flavors you would like to try.

Winner will be announced April 14th.

Good luck!

Keep up with Designer Whey: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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