FREE Workouts all Summer Long in NYC

I love summer in the city. I love that the weather is finally comfortable enough for me, someone who is always cold, to skip the subway and walk all of Manhattan, from downtown to uptown, morning to night. I love August, when tourists and locals alike leave town and suddenly the city is quiet and peaceful. Most of all, I love all the great free events that return each May. I feel so connected to my city when I'm enjoying an evening Jazz performance or yoga class in one of our public parks.

One of the best things about these summer offerings is the free outdoor group exercise classes. Offered all summer long, they are a great introduction to a new fitness activity and an opportunity for starting healthy new habits in a stress-, judgement-, and commitment-free environment, surrounded by the energy and beauty of NYC.

I love summer in the city. I love that the weather is finally comfortable enough for me, someone who is always cold, to skip the subway and walk all of Manhattan, from downtown to uptown, morning to night. I love August, when tourists and locals alike leave town and suddenly the city is quiet and peaceful. Most of all, I love all the great free events that return each May. I feel so connected to my city when I'm enjoying an evening Jazz performance or yoga class in one of our public parks.

One of the best things about these summer offerings is the free outdoor group exercise classes. Offered all summer long, they are a great introduction to a new fitness activity and an opportunity for starting healthy new habits in a stress-, judgement-, and commitment-free environment, surrounded by the energy and beauty of NYC.

Piece o' Cheesecake: A Gym Membership for Under $5 A Week!

Are you hungry for a second slice o' cake? Because I've got a bonus blog post for you this week, from my New York City-focused series, Piece o' Cheesecake. I've got a hot tip on one of my favorite things: cheap workouts! This deal may be ending soon so I couldn't wait until next week to share it with you.

I knew that Planet Fitness had partnered with one of my favorite shows, NBC's The Biggest Loser. I also knew that they had recently arrived in the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan at 158 W 27th street between 6th and 7th avenues. What I didn't know was that they offer insanely low deals on gym membership at their clubs!

Are you hungry for a second slice o' cake? Because I've got a bonus blog post for you this week, from my New York City-focused series, Piece o' Cheesecake. I've got a hot tip on one of my favorite things: cheap workouts! This deal may be ending soon so I couldn't wait until next week to share it with you.

I knew that Planet Fitness had partnered with one of my favorite shows, NBC's The Biggest Loser. I also knew that they had recently arrived in the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan at 158 W 27th street between 6th and 7th avenues. What I didn't know was that they offer insanely low deals on gym membership at their clubs!

I'm Exposing Myself! (My Shopping Cart, Anyway)

Don't you love sneaking a peek at other people's shopping carts? I do. I feel like seeing the foods a person is bringing home gives me a little taste of his life. Especially if there's an obvious trend, like all low-sodium products, all ready-to-eat foods, all organic or, let's be honest, all just plain junk (we've all seen them and I've been guilty of having a shopping cart that starts to look like this if I'm baking and purchasing goodies for a major holiday).

When we tell people we are following a vegan diet for six weeks, after their initial reaction, one of the first questions is: "So then, what do you eat?" In response to that question, I thought I'd give you all a sneak peek into our shopping cart, to see what foods we've bought in the past week or so and what we've made with those foods.

This list is the no-holds-barred, honest to goodness, compilation of what we purchased during the past 10 days. To the best of my knowledge there are no additions or subtractions. This isn't a list of what you should or shouldn't be eating. It is just our best attempt, in week one, of experimenting with a well-balanced vegan diet. Here goes...

Don't you love sneaking a peek at other people's shopping carts? I do. I feel like seeing the foods a person is bringing home gives me a little taste of his life. Especially if there's an obvious trend, like all low-sodium products, all ready-to-eat foods, all organic or, let's be honest, all just plain junk (we've all seen them and I've been guilty of having a shopping cart that starts to look like this if I'm baking and purchasing goodies for a major holiday).

When we tell people we are following a vegan diet for six weeks, after their initial reaction, one of the first questions is: "So then, what do you eat?" In response to that question, I thought I'd give you all a sneak peek into our shopping cart, to see what foods we've bought in the past week or so and what we've made with those foods.

This list is the no-holds-barred, honest to goodness, compilation of what we purchased during the past 10 days. To the best of my knowledge there are no additions or subtractions. This isn't a list of what you should or shouldn't be eating. It is just our best attempt, in week one, of experimenting with a well-balanced vegan diet. Here goes...

Piece o' Cheesecake: Run Free!

Last week we discussed The Secrets to Resolutions You Can Actually Keep. If your new year's resolution includes getting more exercise or running more, or if you are a regular runner, then this week's blog may be for you. This week features my latest post in the Piece o' Cheesecake series, New York-specific blog posts for the best in healthy eating and free, cheap & unique workouts around New York City. And today we are talking about the many free run clubs offered around Brooklyn and Manhattan (as well as nationwide). Check it out: 

Last week we discussed The Secrets to Resolutions You Can Actually Keep. If your new year's resolution includes getting more exercise or running more, or if you are a regular runner, then this week's blog may be for you. This week features my latest post in the Piece o' Cheesecake series, New York-specific blog posts for the best in healthy eating and free, cheap & unique workouts around New York City. And today we are talking about the many free run clubs offered around Brooklyn and Manhattan (as well as nationwide). Check it out: 

Piece O' Cheesecake: Who Needs a Gym Membership?!

Recently I posted about free yoga classes and other workouts in NYC. Since then, I am excited to report, I have discovered that the two NYC locations of Athleta are also offering free weekly classes and boy do they sound like fun! The Upper West Side and Upper East Side Athleta sites offer everything from yoga, Zumba, Stacy's Bootcamp, cardio sculpt and dance cardio to...Burlesque Pilates, Bellydance Fitness, and Booty Blasting! They even offer a kids yoga class. I cannot wait to try my first class.

For more information on Athleta's class offerings, check out their website here.

Athleta UWS - 216 Columbus (between 69th & 70th)
Athleta UES - 1517 3rd Avenue (between 85th & 86th)

All this fitness fun isn't reserved exclusively for New Yorkers! 

Athleta also has stores in CA, IL, MD, MA, MN, NJ, PA, TX, VA, Washington DC & in Scarsdale, NY, with several new locations coming soon.

Don't forget about the Solstice:

I learned about Athleta's free weekly classes when I decided to read more about this year's Solstice in Times Square: Athleta Mind Over Madness Yoga event coming up on Wednesday, June 20. My mom and I did Solstice Yoga in Times Square last year and had a blast. There's still time to sign up for the three of four free classes that still have availability!

Recently I posted about free yoga classes and other workouts in NYC. Since then, I am excited to report, I have discovered that the two NYC locations of Athleta are also offering free weekly classes and boy do they sound like fun! The Upper West Side and Upper East Side Athleta sites offer everything from yoga, Zumba, Stacy's Bootcamp, cardio sculpt and dance cardio to...Burlesque Pilates, Bellydance Fitness, and Booty Blasting! They even offer a kids yoga class. I cannot wait to try my first class.

For more information on Athleta's class offerings, check out their website here.

Athleta UWS - 216 Columbus (between 69th & 70th)
Athleta UES - 1517 3rd Avenue (between 85th & 86th)

All this fitness fun isn't reserved exclusively for New Yorkers! 

Athleta also has stores in CA, IL, MD, MA, MN, NJ, PA, TX, VA, Washington DC & in Scarsdale, NY, with several new locations coming soon.

Don't forget about the Solstice:

I learned about Athleta's free weekly classes when I decided to read more about this year's Solstice in Times Square: Athleta Mind Over Madness Yoga event coming up on Wednesday, June 20. My mom and I did Solstice Yoga in Times Square last year and had a blast. There's still time to sign up for the three of four free classes that still have availability!

Piece O’ Cheesecake: Yoga-curious? Try it (+ other workouts) Completely-free in NYC!

Are you interested in trying yoga but aren’t sure it’s for you, are intimidated by the studio atmosphere, don’t have a gym membership or don’t want to shell out the cash for a class? Here in NYC there are many opportunities for Yoga virgins to dabble with Downward Dog or test out their Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), especially during the Summer season! Or add spice to your regular workout routine with Tai Chi, running or dance…

Are you interested in trying yoga but aren’t sure it’s for you, are intimidated by the studio atmosphere, don’t have a gym membership or don’t want to shell out the cash for a class? Here in NYC there are many opportunities for Yoga virgins to dabble with Downward Dog or test out their Trikonasana (Triangle Pose), especially during the Summer season! Or add spice to your regular workout routine with Tai Chi, running or dance…

Piece O' Cheesecake: 99-calorie Indulgence!

A friend and mentor, Jodi Citrin Greebel, RD of Citrition, LLC, recently introduced me to a shop on Lexington Avenue, between 85th St & 86th St in Manhattan, called Little Brown. As a future Registered Dietitian who also happens to be a self-confessed hot chocolate addict, I was intrigued when I saw on the menu a 99-calorie hot chocolate prepared with 70% dark chocolate and skim milk. I am here to tell you, it's delicious and right up there with all the best decadent hot chocolates in NYC. It's even better because this Little Brown hot chocolate consumed in moderation and by itself passes as a (less than) 100-calorie snack that provides some calcium from the skim milk and some antioxidants from the dark chocolate. Enjoy!

A friend and mentor, Jodi Citrin Greebel, RD of Citrition, LLC, recently introduced me to a shop on Lexington Avenue, between 85th St & 86th St in Manhattan, called Little Brown. As a future Registered Dietitian who also happens to be a self-confessed hot chocolate addict, I was intrigued when I saw on the menu a 99-calorie hot chocolate prepared with 70% dark chocolate and skim milk. I am here to tell you, it's delicious and right up there with all the best decadent hot chocolates in NYC. It's even better because this Little Brown hot chocolate consumed in moderation and by itself passes as a (less than) 100-calorie snack that provides some calcium from the skim milk and some antioxidants from the dark chocolate. Enjoy!

Piece O' Cheesecake!

Introducing Piece O' Cheesecake!, a new series that highlights my favorites in healthy food & fitness around New York City. As a Brooklyn native who has always worked in Manhattan, my focus will be on these two boroughs but you can be sure that if I discover a new favorite thing in the Bronx, Queens or Staten Island, I will be sharing it with you here! I cannot wait to start revealing where I go for free and unique workouts or for a 99 calorie hot chocolate that is just as delicious as the more calorie-dense versions around the city. Look for posts that start with the Piece O' Cheesecake! name. I'll be sharing my first NYC food/fitness tip tomorrow!

Enjoy the Memorial Day holiday weekend! 

Image: porbital 

 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Introducing Piece O' Cheesecake!, a new series that highlights my favorites in healthy food & fitness around New York City. As a Brooklyn native who has always worked in Manhattan, my focus will be on these two boroughs but you can be sure that if I discover a new favorite thing in the Bronx, Queens or Staten Island, I will be sharing it with you here! I cannot wait to start revealing where I go for free and unique workouts or for a 99 calorie hot chocolate that is just as delicious as the more calorie-dense versions around the city. Look for posts that start with the Piece O' Cheesecake! name. I'll be sharing my first NYC food/fitness tip tomorrow!

Enjoy the Memorial Day holiday weekend! 

Image: porbital 

 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net