The Graffiti Run

If you haven't done a Graffiti Run yet, go here and sign up! We had heard it was a lot of fun, but it was so early, we were skeptical how just running through some paint would be fun. But boy oh boy is it amazing!

It's a pretty simple concept, you start running and throughout the course there are color stations where people blast you with powdered paint! (Keep your mouth closed!) When the actual race is over there are booths with freebies and  food! We even signed up for a different run while we were there and got a discount!

The group before and after :)

Ladies before and after! They give you color run sunglasses, I recommend wearing them! 

Right after the race, we wanted some more color! Little did we know this was still just the beginning!

It just got progressively more colorful! We had so much fun! After we finished the race we participated in the color throw... where BUCKETS of paint were brought in and everyone just threw it around. it was pretty great!  Sign up, its fun and its good exercise! 

Team Grilled Cheese!

Have you done a run like this? I loved it! Also, if you have suggestions for other fun runs please share! 

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YogaWorks

Get ready to get excited about Yoga!

I was luck enough to walk by Yogaworks in Hollywood and I am so excited to share this amazing deal with you!

So... here it goes! Yogaworks is a fabulous yoga studio with world renown instructors, multiple class options, showers, towel service and best of all a membership fee!

Why is a membership fee the best... let me explain. One thing that makes taking classes a bit difficult is that each class usually ranges from $16-$30 each. If you want to take a few classes a week, that adds up really quickly! With Yogaworks, you pay a monthly membership fee and you can take as many of their classes as you want! You could literally do yoga all day long and! Do a yoga marathon if you want!

Their moto is that yoga is for everyone and they want to support your personal growth, well-being and fulfillment by offering the highest quality yoga programs for people of all ages and all walks of life!


This isn't your generic yoga class offered at your local gym. Nope, not even close! Here are just a few of the classes we are excited about, but you can check out the full list of classes they offer here.

We are very excited for a bar class! Who doesn't like pretending to be a ballerina and working out at the same time!

I love me some Pilates, so I will be taking that class any chance I get! And... I have been dying to try TRX! I have heard great things and have not had a chance to take a class!

My favorite part..  they are all about keeping it light and believe laughter is the best medicine and one of the keys to a happy, healthy balanced brand of success!  I couldn't agree more!

Here is the REALLY good stuff! If you sign up before July 15th you get a special new member rate! No initiation fee and a set rate of $85 a month for unlimited classes and access to all the great amenities Yogaworks has to offer!

Did I mention they will also have changing rooms with showers, towel service and I'm hearing something about complimentary tea! I am extra excited about the chance to shower and go to work after taking a class! Usually you have to go to a big corporate gym or a really expensive boutique gym for that! I'm also pretty pumped about tea!

If you sign up please let them know we sent you!

Pilates at Home!

Fun fact... We met at an amazing pilates class and pilates is still one of our favorite workouts! 

Bailey even went as far as getting a reformer to use at home, which Mahaley likes to take advantage of whenever possible!

However, as mentioned in the finance section, we are not the best with our money. But Bailey rationalized that one machine will cut down the cost of expensive classes every week! Most of you probably won't have a pilates machine at home, so we wanted to show you how to do some of the workouts on your own (or with a friend preferably!)

Today we will show you a basic 3 step arm workout! Get those arms and shoulders ready for tank tops and bikinis! 

Arms #1

Arms # 2

Arms #3

There you have it! 3 simple arm exercises to get you started, or to add to your workout routine! 

Bubble Run

Over Memorial Day weekend, I did the Bubble Run 5k! If you are unfamiliar with the Bubble Run, you might want to hurry and sign up for one near you! Because as they advertise, it is "Good Clean Run." We all know running is not fun for everyone, but it is pretty good for you, so why not make it fun! Anytime working out can be enjoyable, outside and a bit different, sign me up!

We got there a bit late so we had to stand in line, but it went quickly! Unfortunately, they ran out of t-shirts. Super sad because we didn't get ours, but they said they would mail them to us, so hopefully they show up soon!

I got my number and I was ready to go!  I think I got a lucky number  :)

Here we are right before the race started nice and clean! These things never start on time because there are thousands of people. Its all good though, it gives plenty of time for photos!

The starting line was full of bubbles! Bubbles up to your belly button and bubbles in the air! Also, if you are in the middle, chances are, bubbles will rain down all over you! There were a lot of kids at this race and I was pretty sure at least one would get lost inside the bubbles.

People and bubbles everywhere! 

The bubbles stick to everything! It is pretty awesome! The poor children in strollers were swallowed up! It was hilarious! 

As you continue to run you get nice bubble break! You run, walk, jump, and practically swim though the bubbles! They coat you pretty good and after just the first colored set, your shirt starts to get fun!

Just try to keep it our of your eyes! I did that bit of research for you... it doesn't feel too great. 

It's raining yellow bubbles!

I think Aaron is having a good time! The blue bubbles were intense!

I swear I'm in there somewhere!

And of course the finish line is more bubbles! And If that isn't enough for you, the "after party" has more bubbles! A DJ and food trucks wait for you after the finish line! A full on bubble party!

Well we did it and had a blast! Our clothes were extra special  by the end! Also, our skin was tinted 4 different colors! If the wicket witch of the west and I both reached for the same cup of coffee, you wouldn't know who's hand was who's!

We had a blast! And you are in luck! The Los Angeles Bubble run was just one of the many bubble runs happening around the country!  There are plenty of opportunities for bubbles where ever you live!

Take a look at all the other locations you can run in bubbles! Check out the website and register soon! The runs sell out quickly! If you don't see anything close to you, have no fear, go here and request a bubble run in your city! 

Here are our Before and After comparisons! I think we did alright! The color came out of our clothes very easily. It did take quite a bit of extra scrubbing to get off my skin! My poor feet were tinted green for a day! 

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WundaBar Pilates

WundaBar is an amazing new Pilates workout studio. What makes it so special? The WundaReformer - it is unlike any other Pilates reformer I've used. It has all the classics of the Pilates reformer, but includes the Pilates chair, jump board, and a ballet barre.

The WundaReformer, small class sizes (only up to 10), and incredible trainers makes for one heck of a workout. Muscles you did not even know you had will be so sore.

I cannot recommend this place enough, and I hope they branch out beyond the Los Angeles area so everyone can benefit from WundaBar.

If you are in the LA area, your first class is FREE! Sign up and get ready for some butt kicking. They have packages and special deals all the time, which definitely makes it more affordable. This workout is worth every penny.

All photos courtesy of www.wundabar.com

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Horseback Riding

I have been riding horses since before I could walk. Seriously, my mom would put me in one of those baby back pack things and take me with her when she would go riding.

Anyhoo, I am lucky enough to have my horse out here in California with me. Going for a ride is probably the best escape after a stressful work day. Recently, I started taking jumping lessons again. I hadn't jumped since I was in high-school, so the first two lessons back resulted in my having trouble walking the next day! Boy oh boy were my legs sore! But, Now I'm finally back at it and LOVING it! (still sore every time, but loving it!) If you have ever ridden, or would like to get into it, do it! Its never to late to start! Plus its a great workout! Its crazy the muscles you will find sore after a good lesson. Your legs, butt, abs and back will thank you!

Here I am riding Sarafan! I adore him, he is such a great horse and apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks so! 

Sarafan is an ex-racehorse who won over 6 million dollar when he was racing! Since he "retired" he was also Tobey Macguire's main horse in the movie Seabiscuit!  Yup, he's a movie star! When I started riding him I think I was more star struck than I was seeing any other human celebrity. 

What a handsome boy!

Now, obviously you wouldn't need to start out jumping, and there are many options for beginners. You can even keep your eye open for Groupon or LivingSocial deals to try it out!

If you are interested in learning to ride, or are looking for a workout that doesn't involve the gym or a class full of pretty models to work out next to, look up your local equestrian center and go for a lesson! 

leave us a comment and we will send you some more specific info to get you started!

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Yoga Shelter

I am the opposite of a true "yoga go-er" - I have a hard time relaxing, am always on the move, and love my workouts to be intense. That being said, one of my best friends and I are workout buddies, and always try new places via Groupon or Living Social. We had just used up our "Pop Physique" classes when a new Groupon came up for "Yoga Shelter." They were offering 10 classes for $20. How could you resist a yoga class for $2? I was slightly unexcited, because I had tried other yoga studios before and always found their classes under stimulating.

That all changed when I started going to Yoga Shelter. They have three different class options - slow flow, yoga rocks, and fusion. Slow Flow is a slower class, with longer poses and more focus on the breath. Yoga Rocks is higher energy, with more flow sequences. Fusion is a combination of the two. I love them all, but Yoga Rocks is my favorite.

Yoga Shelter, in my opinion, does yoga the right way. You are encouraged to go at your own pace, and modify poses if you need to (for those of us who aren't regular yoga go-ers!), and the music is amazing. I am not a huge fan of meditation music - I need something upbeat that will keep me awake! They have a great upbeat music selection, and don't take themselves too seriously. It's so much fun, and has made me see yoga in a new way. Yoga Shelter has definitely made me more "zen" and appreciate the art of relaxing. I am officially a yoga lover - something I never thought I would say!

They have one location in LA - Studio City - and the rest of their studios are in Michigan. So, if you live in Michigan, it's your lucky day!

Also, your first week at the studio is free!

http://www.yogashelter.com/

I may still be at a "day 1" mat, but I love it! 

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Pop Physique

Recently, I purchased a Groupon for a new workout near me called Pop Physique. The workout is excellent, and combines Pilates, ballet, and light weight workouts that make a series of strengthening, isometrics, core shaping, and stretches. It is truly unique and a must try. They have locations all over California, and recently opened studios in Florida and Baltimore. I know it's a matter of time before they hit other areas.

I bought a Groupon for 5 classes at $30, so keep an eye out for another Groupon or Living Social deal! I know one will be coming.

Normally, their classes are $20 per class, but they have a new client special for $100 unlimited for a month. They recently ran a special for 5 classes for $45 (which I just bought!). So if you get a chance to try their classes, be sure to give them your email.

Also, they have DVD's!! Three DVD's, which multiple instructors at Pop have told me are really great. If you don't live in the LA area, this would be a great option for you!

I highly recommend checking out Groupon or Living Social for workout deals near you. I use them all the time, and it provides an incredibly affordable way to try new work outs. Plus, you never get bored!

Pop DVD's!

http://www.popphysique.com/




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Hollywood Half Marathon (with 10K/5K option)

Last year I did Run For Your Lives! A zombie infested 5k obstacle course. I had never had so much fun but decided that I needed to be in better shape for the next one!

FYI:  Zombie Apocalypse RULE # 1: CARDIO

The plan to stay in shape and prepare... Run at least one 5k a month in 2013.

So far the group of us who have committed to the cause have done pretty good keeping to the plan. We even went over an above and did our very first 10k!  For a second we considered the half marathon but figured baby steps would be a good idea. And thank god! We were not prepared, we didn't train, and tater-tots were the main course of our pre-race dinner. We also forgot the part where you need safety pins to put your bib on... We were tired...

The race started at 6:00am in Hollywood! That meant we needed to be there around 5:30! That meant we needed to leave home by 5:15! That meant we had to wake up at 4:30! (WHAT THE HELL WERE WE THINKING... is what we were thinking during all of this)

But we pushed through we jumped in the line and we started to run (jog, it was more of a jog). The first  mile was cake, mile two was a little rough but when we passed mile 3 we knew we had made it half way! For some reason the rest of it just happened and we weren't tired.

Most of the races we do are fun runs with themes. This is the first time there has been an exciting finish line. As soon as we turned the corner and saw the finish line, people lining the streets were cheering and something happened. Our legs started moving on their own. Seriously, they just started going and all I could imagine was the cartoon legs that bring up dust and spin leaving skid marks! It was pretty awesome, I highly recommend doing a race just for that feeling. I think thats where the "runners high" comes from because you finish and can't quite understand what just happened.

We finished in 1 hour 14 minutes, which isn't awesome, but we had a bathroom break for the small bladder of the group and took our time. We also were not competitive about it. But next time, watch out  because it's serious now!

Here's a before and after shot! Our goal was to survive it, which we did and then some! It's pretty awesome the things you can accomplish when you take the first step to just try it. 

Now we are looking for another run... any suggestions??

 Sign up for next year's hollywood half marathon!



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