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.

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!

So, instead of saying nothing and waiting for my next class, I’ll say this: sometimes, being part of a team, whether as a couple, a colleague or a family member, trumps being leader of the pack.

Here are a few shots of what I’ve been up to lately and don’t worry, the sweat-meets-shrink session is still happening. Stay tuned.

Not a bad way to toast the bday, no?

I’ve been live Tweeting and Instagramming from our fall fashion and shopping events. This is a branding statement which I firmly stand behind.

And, a busy schedule means squeezing in my favorites right in the neighborhood: FlyWheel’s Chelsea studio and late night strolls on The High Line’s newly-opened section 3.

More soon!

And, tell me: how do you juggle work, life, fitness and family?

Plus, stay tuned for a slew of new studio and product reviews.  I’ll be sweating it out nearly every day over the next few weeks, all for me (and you).

Cooling off with a watermelon ice pop by La Newyorkina during a Friends of The High Line tour.

Nathan’s hot dog at Yankees Stadium (Jeter!).

Prosecco with liqueur-infused People’s Pops–BEST summer cocktail ever…enjoy one (or two) yourself at Loopy Doopy (yes, that’s the bar’s actual name) downtown.

THE most amazing lobster roll (at The North Fork Table & Inn Lunch Truck) and freshly-picked heirloom tomatoes from a local farm stand.

And, my favorite ice cream cone (so far) from Gott’s Roadside in San Francisco.

Show me your summer #foodporn pics too!

CAN’T LIVE WITH
The rent.
The rat race.
The dating scene.
51^st Street stop on the 6/E trains.
Starbucks and 7-Eleven on every corner.

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT
The view.

The cute dogs of Chelsea & the West Village.

The Flatiron fitness scene.
Artichoke Pizza
Hudson River Park
Nail salons and bodegas open 24/7 on every corner.

Which leads me to the question that I always come back to in conversation with both myself and others: “Where else would I go??” My family is here, my friends are here, my blog is based here.

I’m exactly a month out from my birthday, a time when I typically come down with a mild to medium case of birthday blues. But, this year, I’m just saying no. Why?

Well, for one thing, I’m a fighter. I was born a preemie, so I pretty much had no choice, beginning with my actual birthday. I embrace the fact that if you look up, you’ll see better. And, if you look down, you’ll find worse. Plus, you never know what happens in other people’s lives behind closed doors. So, I take everything from elevator chit chat to social media posts with a grain of salt. In other words, I try my best to be content with the good things in life that are real, here and now.

So, with a new baby in our family, a hunky boyfriend by my side and having just seen Katy Perry’s amazingly inspirational show at Barclays, I’m riding that ever-elusive happiness wave all the way through to the end.

To toast 20+ years of friendship, we recently flew west for the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon. It was a beautiful course, with only a few hills, from a winery to the Sonoma city square. Fueled by rosé wine, fresh food and hearty laughs, check out our 13.1 under the warm summer sun.

Our favorite wineries were Jordan in Healdsburg and Scribe in Sonoma. (In these photos, we are the embodiment of R&R.)

Warming up before dawn at Domaine Carneros in Napa. Hello, beautiful.

Peace, love and running at the start. I wore a New Balance tank and compression tights by Opedix, to reduce lactic acid build-up and resulting soreness the next day. Highly recommend.

And, my FitBit Flex! (It tracks everything from steps and calories to sleep cycle, for those of us who are super curious to see how things measure up–or, just need a little motivation.)

My time?  1 hour, 58 minutes.

So, here’s a toast to power in numbers. And, the power of one.

Compression tights (c/o Opedix); FitBit Flex (c/o Women’s Health Magazine & Target). #fitbitflex
All thoughts/assessments are my own.

In between outdoor training runs, I’ve been mixing things up with charity workouts, like last week’s Body Space Fitness “Sweat for Yellow” bootcamp to benefit LIVESTRONG.

Exciting out-of-studio classes also abound from Manhattan and Brooklyn to the FITiST Collective in East Hampton.  I just got sweaty with Cyc at a sunset ride.

Hosted on the terrace of the always-chic Gramercy Park Hotel as part of their #cycsummershare series, we enjoyed watermelon shots before class and Juice Press shooters afterward.

How’s that for happy hour?!

I was styled in Nike, Under Armour and Adidas by SIX:02. There’s nothing like some hot fitness fashion to really crank up the heat.

Today, I fly out to the west coast for the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon. I’m so excited for our trip, which has been in the works for a year. My friends and I will be hanging out with the crew from Clif/LUNA Bar at the company’s San Francisco HQ, touring and tasting at some of the most beautiful vineyards in Napa and Sonoma and snapping a few photos along the way.

Stay tuned for more from the race: #willrunforwine