In celebration of our wedding last Sunday, we were featured in The New York Times. My takeaway from our very chance meeting…and the twelve years prior that I spent dating online? Never give up. And, always wear a cute workout outfit. :)

Here’s our story.

Photo by Sarah Merians.

How did I do it? Firstly, my diet. Anyone who knows anything about fitness and nutrition will agree that most of how we look and how we feel depends on what we eat (70-80%). My homework over the past few weeks has been really looking at what I’m consuming at meals and as snacks and doing my best to incorporate protein, carbs and fat every single time. “Good” fat in the form of nuts, avocado and olive oil are essential to keeping us feeling satiated, full and far away from chips, cookies or whatever we each run to under siege by a massive snack attack (for me, it’s ice cream and frozen yogurt). Remember this: good fat is most definitely your friend.

Changes that I’ve made thus far: 

• Swapping Fage 0% greek yogurt for 2% at breakfast (there was literally zero fat in my breakfast)
• Eating a handful of mixed nuts with fresh fruit as a mid-morning snack
• Making sure that my salads start with a spinach base, which offers a higher nutrient density per calorie vs. romaine lettuce or mixed greens
• Stocking up on Quest Bars, which are much higher in protein than most others, as an afternoon snack at my desk when fresh foods aren’t readily available (I highly recommend the S’mores flavor!)
• Mixing more protein into my meals, overall, in the form of lean chicken and meat

Secondly, there’s my workouts. I’ve become much more acquainted than ever with the kettlebell. My weekly BSF sessions incorporate a mix of kettlebell training, free weights, TRX bands and core work like the body saw, which is basically a moving plank. Every third session, there’s tabata, a mix of high intensity bursts and small periods of rest, for 4 minutes per block.  It feels like torture (in a good way, kind of)…and, it’s up next. I’ve also bumped up my indoor cycling from once to twice per week. And, that’s that.

People are surprised when I say that my wedding is taking place next April and I’m already well into my training.  But, I’m a perfectionist, I’m my own worst critic–and I care very deeply about my dress, which is the most fashion-y, fun and flirty gown that I could have ever imagined.  I know that I won’t be completely happy unless I’m happy with how I look.  So that means giving myself time to succeed without starvation or insane exercise. And, I’m totally on the way. 

Here’s to being the best version of ourselves–whatever that means to you–today, tomorrow and every day thereafter.

The optimal workday lunch at my desk: spinach salad with grilled chicken, avocado, sprouts, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, chick peas, carrots, cucumbers and broccoli.

Kettle bell training: this mama is 40 pounds! 

Seated squat to shoulders to chest press with a pair of 20-pound free weights.

Celebrating 3 down.

This past weekend, we took a timeout and traveled to Cape Cod to celebrate our friends Jenna and Dan’s wedding. From biking the Shining Sea Highway to strolling the sidewalks in small, sleepy towns, it was the perfect place to relax and recharge.  Plus, Lilly Pulitzer galore!

Here, a few photos from our sporty seaside fun.

Now back in the city, I’ve set my workout routine into motion. I’m psyched to be training with Kelvin Gary and his team at Body Space Fitness. After having written a blog post about Kelvin’s real-life, science-driven methodology and his 14th Street studio, I’ve always felt that it would be the ultimate place to get in shape for what will be a very special day. I’ve committed myself to looking and feeling my best. In fact, I’m striving to see six-pack abs for the first time in my life. When I walk down the aisle, I’ll be 36 and my wedding day is a moment that I always hoped would arrive, though there were points along the way that I wasn’t so sure.

They say that, in New York, you’re always looking for a job, a guy or an apartment. Over the years, I’ve searched for all, often at the same time. The funny thing is that while I was out there trying to find those things, I also found myself.

Can’t wait to share more from my weekly workouts with you.

Featured image on homepage by Marc Jacobson Photography.

As a NYC Fit Week ambassador, I’ll be helping to kick things off at The Fhitting Room next Monday at 7 a.m. (because, seriously, who needs coffee when you have Emily?!).  There are still a few spots left, so, I’d love to see you there.  And, check out the full schedule including cult favorites like Brooklyn Bodyburn, intenSati and 3o5 Fitness.

Once you’ve selected your favorites, use code StrengthSole10 to receive 10% off all NYC Fit Week classes.  Enjoy and thanks for your support!

Class experience and head-to-toe look provided by SIX:02.
(Reebok pineapple pants are also available at select SIX:02 stores, find yours here.)
As always, all thoughts/opinions expressed are my own.

High intensity training is what it’s all about at The Fhitting Room. That means 50 fast-paced minutes of moves that rely primarily on body weight (burpees, jumping jacks, lunges and squats) and standard equipment (kettlebells, medicine balls, rowers and TRX), combined to create a Functional High Intensity Mix (FHIX). Our class was a fairly balanced blend of women and men (guys were definitely well-represented, for a group fitness class in Manhattan) and with an instructor-to-client ratio of 12:1, we found extra help where we needed it–and minimal opportunity to “rest” while no one was watching. Here’s a look around the gorgeous studio, plus a shot of Emily, Bianca and me celebrating a job well done.

Curious to try it out?  Book a class at The Fhitting Room’s Flatiron or original Upper East Side studio (first-time students receive 2 classes for the price of 1 – $35).  Then, come back here and let me know what you think!

Featured image c/o The Fhitting Room.

Weighing in at 3 pounds, the GoRoll is the first portable, lockable and water-resistant foam roller. For those of you who have read my blog for a while, you know that the benefits of foam rolling are many: loosening and lengthening muscles, reducing soreness after a workout and boosting range of motion.

GoRoll’s six-foot stretch strap allows you to wear it like a backpack or over your shoulder, so it’s easy to grab your foam roller, yoga mat, phone, keys and cosmetics case, and, walk hands-free to the gym or outdoor boot camp. Once you’re there, just lock GoRoll wherever there’s a fixed bench or pole, so that no one walks off with it, and it’ll be there waiting for you to roll out at the end of your workout. With GoRoll, there aren’t any excuses for not foam rolling before and after you sweat. It hurts so good!

Product provided by GoRoll; The WarrioR style is featured in this post. Buy online or at Mid-City Gym, 345 West 42nd Street, NYC.

The catch? You can book four classes at any given studio from the 1st to the 31st.  So, if you’re a die-hard cyclist and prefer Peloton, once you’ve redeemed four classes there, you’ll have to spin elsewhere.  But, for those of us who seek out something new, it’s an effective way to sample a range of activities at in-demand studios like Mile High Run Club, Nalini Method, The P.E. Club and Xtend Barre.

I used FitReserve to try a range of classes that were new to me, like cycling at CLAY in Union Square and Core Fusion at Exhale Gansevoort. I tend to work out in the morning vs. evening, so, I had little trouble booking at my ideal start time, another common gripe among passport holders. My take? Try it. You might like it. Log on here to learn more.

And, because we New Yorkers are always up for a collective community-based challenge, it should come as no surprise that 100 tickets to Union Square’s Sweat Fest sold out in just nine minutes! The neighborhood’s first annual celebration of fitness kicked off with a party at JackRabbit Sports and featured classes led by instructors like Andia Winslow at Athleta and KGBody’s Katherine Greiner at Bandier.  

Here, a few photos from the fun and stay tuned for more spring festival updates: Sweaty Saturday on Saturday, March 21 and NYC Fit Week from May 11-16.

While STRENGTH+Sole was being refreshed behind-the-scenes over these past few weeks, I’ve been checking out sweat-inducing studios, cool classes and new gear to share with you. From Union Square’s first Sweat Fest to CLAY Cycling and Core Fusion, booked via multi-studio membership program FitReserve NYC, I’ve been fending off the deep freeze by working up a sweat. 

And, now, here it is: the best version of STRENGTH+Sole yet…for now! The new and improved nav bar will help you find exactly what you’re looking for, from fitness reviews to fashion posts. I hope that the big, beautiful images will bring you closer to my favorite things and inside these featured studios–inspiring you to log on and sign up.

So, here’s to a little self-improvement…and the official start of spring, coming soon.

I’d love your thoughts on the re-designed site.  

Thank you to SIX:02 for partnering on this post.  Top: Nike, Leggings: Nike (similar here), Sneakers: ASICS.

SIX:02 offers clothes, footwear & accessories to fit your body, activity and style; you’ll find brands like Under Armour, Nike, adidas, Asics, Reebok, Mizuno and Brooks. My personal #SIX02Moment is cycling at 7 a.m. before the “official” work day begins. What’s yours?

From the bottom of the deepest lunge that I could ever do, a huge shout-out to Rachel Loeb Graphic Design for our new look.  Not only does Rachel wake up at 5 a.m. every morning to work out (how’s that for dedication?), she’s got a killer sense of web style and an unparalleled eye for all of the techie details.  Connect with her here.

Photography by Shante Carlan.

Thanks, as always, for reading–see you back here again in early March.
And, until then, follow me @fitgirlrachel!