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Earned, Not Given: Anytime Fitness Annual Conference

September 18, 2012

Inspiration. Motivation. Education. Bleeding Purple.

Those are the words that come to mind when I think about this past weekend. I spent the weekend photographing, talking, dancing, crying, and laughing with my fellow Anytime Fitness family. As I reflect on the weekend, I realize how fast it went by and how tired I am now as a result.

We (Lee and I) woke up at 4:30 am to be at our 6:30 flight! I was so exhausted that I slept on the plane (something I rarely am able to do). After landing, her awesome mom and dad picked us up and drove us to Chicago…where we hung out all day, walking Chicago’s Loop.

After getting settled in at the hotel, we spent the evening watching funny videos, listening to the “State of the Franchise,” and laughing at jugglers. With an early morning Friday, I called it a night.

I woke early Friday morning to photograph the morning Bootcamp workout. It was an intense session, lead by none other than Shannon Fable with the Bodyworkz team. Everyone was having fun while sweating their guts out. Plus, one of the Anytime Fitness Trainers, April Calderon, set the World Record for number of pushups done on 3 medicine balls IN FRONT OF THE BEAN! What a true inspiration. She showed the world that if you put your mind to something, you can do anything.

Friday was very busy with a speaker from the Ritz Carlton and a marketing and branding session.

The 80s party brought out the best in our Franchise. We showed that we not only can we do something as silly as dressing up “80’s style”… we will do it, do it together, and do it in style. We stick together and that is why we are so successful. People showed up in Ninja costumes, Mario and Luigi… plus a ton more!

The true inspiration came on Saturday. We awarded 3 of my favorite bloggers the 2i awards (2 inspire). Meet Annie, Meghann, and Cassie.

From Left: Annie (@MamaDweeb), Meghann (@MealsandMiles), and Cassie (@BackToHerRoots)

Annie

Annie is from Kansas and received the 2i award because of her amazing abilities during the #SurviveOn35 challenge. She made a grocery budget of $109 dollars look commendable for a family of FIVE! With exceptional planning and care, she was a co-winner of the challenge! She writes about family, food, fashion, and more on her blog Mamma Dweeb. She encouraged hundreds, that eating healthy on a budget doesn’t have to be expensive!

Meghann

Meghann is from Florida and received the 2i award because of her unforgettable efforts in the #SurviveOn35 challenge. She constructed creative and healthy meals while documenting every cost for her readers. She illustrated the true meaning of eating healthy on a budget. She blogs at Meals and Miles. She is also an ultra-marathoner, amateur photographer, and globetrotter. She is constantly supporting her blog readers to live healthy lives through education and motivation.

Cassie

Our first 2i award is from Indiana and received the 2i award because of her ability to put her whole heart and soul into the Anytime Health community, her motivational writing, and her health. She writes about food and fitness on her blog, Back to her Roots, where sheencourages people to live a healthy lifestyle through clean eating habits and exercise. She consistently brings outstanding content to the Anytime Health blog with encouraging and attention-grabbing content.

On top of that Saturday night was spewing with inspiration with four incredible member success stories that didn’t just involve losing weight or dress size but included a limbless woman, bullied kid, husband showing love by getting healthy, and a woman who had just lost her way. These people were just people trying to make themselves better…little do they know how they will impact anyone who watches their success videos. I was to the point of full on tears watching these videos!

This conference was my second. Nonetheless, it was the best. Even with exhaustion looming over me, I was still moved and excited to get to work and continue to move our brand towards awesomeness!

How to Build a Wardrobe You’ll Actually Use

September 17, 2012

Have you ever walked into your closet to find that you don’t want to wear anything in it? I have that problem most days, not because a lack of choices but because a lack of pieces I love. I am very excited to share with you my new process for purchasing needed pieces for my wardrobe. I have also included a free printable that will help get you on the right path. When using this process, you’ll be able to hone in on blending needs and wants.

Closet Inventory + Audit

Your first task is to get into your closet and assess the situation. It’s time to look at what you like wearing, gravitate towards in the dark hours of the early morning and what you pass by every time. If you haven’t worn that piece in six months, then…it’s maybe time to send it to Goodwill.

Now that you have a good idea of what you have, go through the checklist below to figure out your shopping list.

click to download printable

Find Your Favorite Store

Now go to the mall (not to necessarily buy anything) but to find your store. Everyone should have a store…a store they rely on to have their favorite pieces (a jean store, a top store) but also clothes that fit them well. My favorite stores are as follows:

  • Limited: Work clothes
  • Target: Classic pieces
  • Loft: Relaxing clothes
  • J.Crew: For drooling

What is your favorite go-to store?

Basics vs. Trend

Now that you have found your store(s), it’s time to get shopping. You’ll want to figure out what trends you want to embody this year. But no matter what trend you will need the basics (outlined in the closet inventory).

  • Plain Cotton Tees (navy, black, grey, white)
  • Comfortable (but elegant) dark wash jeans
  • A scarf (or a bunch)
  • A knock-out, perfect fitting blazer (if you work in an office.)
  • Work dress (for those meetings where you want to hit a “homerun”)

If you have those covered, then you can get some fun pieces that stand out and are trending.

Accessorize

I am not a huge accessories fan since the Nickel Debacle of 2012, but I can imagine that everyone else still loves jewelry…and why shouldn’t I help you out there, just because I can’t buy most of it (snarky, much)?

Shoes
I am not a shoe girl but I love boots. Come fall, I can’t wait to bust them out. They are both comfortable and fashionable! You don’t have to spend crazy amounts of money either (if you don’t want). Target has some really good options available.

Jewelry/Bags
It’s quite obvious that what was carried on the runway will not be carried down the driveway (at least not at my house). While I can’t afford the Jil Sander clutch seen at Milan fashion week, I can get some of these cute do-dads.
Fall Accessories

Mix and Match

You now have a perfect wardrobe, now it’s time to play dress up. Find unique ways to use your new pieces in with the old in a fashionable way.

  • Layer classic pieces with trendy items for a unique twist.
  • Wear solid colors mixed with printed scarves.
  • Incorporate more layers into your clothing. Think button up + sweater or blouse + blazer.

It’s about quality over quantity. Remember, when shopping, if you take your time to find the right pieces for your style and body, and your wardrobe (and you) will be happy!

photo credit: jamelah via photo pin cc

Creating a Visual Vacation Packing List

September 12, 2012

I don’t know about you but seeing my clothes lying on my bed before leaving on vacation, it usually looks like I am packing too much. If you want to stop doing that, and really who doesn’t, try creating a visual checklist.

My Chicago Packing List

I have the luxury of using photoshop but you don’t need fancy design software to get this look. Check out polyvore. This website has access to all the clothes you need (and the ones you don’t) to represent you wardrobe!

Step One: Figure Out What You Want to Wear

This is the first for a reason. Using polyvore or your closet, you first need an idea of what you want to wear! Find out:

  • Weather
  • Type of Travel
  • Length of Stay
  • Walking/ Non-Walking

After you know the answers to these questions, you’ll know more about what you CAN pack rather than what you WANT to pack. Don’t expect to bring your killer heels on a business trip where you will be walking several blocks between meetings.

Step Two: Organize by Outfit | Day | Type

Everyone has their own organizational style. Personally I mix and match on vacation, so I organize by type with outfits in mind. I recommend you figure out how you see things.

Step Three: Profit

Now that you are prepared, you are less likely to

a) forget anything

b) get a pulled muscle because your bag is too heavy

 

How do you pack for vacation?

Reflections from Camp Van Vac

September 8, 2012

Sitting and listening to the breeze, waves, loons, and laughter are just what I was hoping for when I reflecting on our trip to Ely. This past labor day weekend, Breon, Sen and I traveled to Ely to spend our long weekend “camping.”

I use the word camping lightly because we were in a cabin. Cabin 11 to be exact! A very very rustic cabin. No sink, no bathroom, concrete floors, etc. you can see just how rustic it was by watching the video.

Saturday

Upon our arrival, I was so excited to see how gorgeous the view was from the cabin. Through the windows, there was a beautiful panoramic view of Lake Burntside. It was just breathtaking.

We grabbed a canoe and tested our abilities, we felt comfortable…more on that later.

Sunday

A long awaited trip to Pebble spa on Sunday morning. Breon bought me a spa package that included foot soak, sinus and head massage, and 60-minute massage. What an awesome boyfriend…I mean come on! 🙂

We spent some more time in Ely before heading back to camp to go fishing/canoeing.

After getting Sen comfortable in the canoe, we put the rest of the gear into the canoe. We heard a few warnings from folks leaving.

“Oh, its windy out there. I turned around!”

“You two will have a time of it getting back.”

But we ventured out anyways. We crossed the big lake with ease…it wasn’t until we came to a cove the we realized there was some serious “windage”.

We tried to keep the nose in the waves but it was just one second of unbalance and we went in. The canoe, sen, and us in the water. After finding that we were all okay, we pulled the canoe onto a random dock and waited.

We were a little nervous heading back. But with good communication, we made it back just fine. But we didn’t fish.

Monday

A fun and relaxing day with a walk, swimming, drive up echo trail, and a mini hike in the boundary waters. During the mini-hike we found a really cool mushroom that we were both enthralled over. I think Breon’s photo is the best (seen below)! After a nap, Breon made delicious chicken, potatoes and soup.

(c) Breon Nagy 2012

Tuesday

Having to leave Tuesday, we spent the morning getting ready. Then we ate at the Taste of Ely. Delicious breakfast in our tummy we went to the Wolf Center. Alas, those silly wolves were napping or so I believe in my mind. Next time, we’ll see ’em!

It was a wonderful trip and just what I needed. I love being near the water and being a couple of steps from it made the trip that much better. Reading, listening, looking, swimming, canoeing (tipping), laughing, relaxing, warming by the fire, and all I hoped. Camp Van Vac…we’ll be back.