Shape-ing Up With Jenna

Last Friday night I was babysitting and when the 2-year-old went to bed I started flipping through the channels (something I rarely get time to do). I came across ExerciseTV on Demand, which is just like Movies on Demand, but you can choose from a variety of workouts and fitness trends taught by top celebrity trainers and pros. (Need a butt lift? Want to practice pilates? How about some yoga? And there's even sports training sessions and dance classes to choose from.) But the coolest thing is that these videos are free, available 24 hours a day 7 days a week; they fit into any busy schedule (some are just 10 minutes long and can be easily squeezed into your morning routine before you hit the office)! This is really good news for me since I just cancelled my gym membership (the new apartment I'm moving into has a pool and a gym!) and I won't be able to take classes anymore. Now I can do sessions with my favorite trainers, like Jackie Warner from Bravo's Work Out. Plus, I've got a rewind button in case I need extra help learning a new move.

A year ago when I started writing on this blog, one of my first few entries was a report on backstage beauty with my friend Carly (our associate beauty editor)--I was intimidated by all the fashion week hype but it was so much fun being part of it. Now, a year later I got to take my boyfriend, Dino, to his first fashion show! As a finance guy, attending fashion week is not something he'd normally do, but as my guest he got to see what my industry is all about.

We went to the Baby Phat Spring 2010 show at the Roseland Ballroom--this was Kimora Lee Simmon's 11th year showing her styles--so it was guaranteed to get a good crowd. We saw a ton of celebrities (mainly hip-hop stars, Victoria Secret supermodels, and America's Next Top Model judges, like Ms. J--and Kim Kardashian, who by the way is gorgeous, tiny, and in amazing shape!), but the best part of the show was of course the runway and the club music that matched the mood of the night. For the first time ever, in all of my runway-watching experiences, I saw models who looked like everyday girls! Despite what Page Six in The New York Post is saying today, these models weren't stick thin or on the borderline of an eating disorder; these girls had curves in all the right places and toned arms and legs. Even though they're much taller than most of us, with extraordinarily long legs, they had cellulite (just like you and I) and it was the first thing you could see when they strutted their stuff in teeny-tiny bikinis (fashion works in advance..so a Fall fashion show like this one, predicts the fashion for next spring, and so on).

I was happy to see that these girls weren't the "typical" of the modeling world--maybe standards are finally changing. Or maybe we should be thankful for designers like Kimora Lee Simmons who hire models that look like healthy, but really tall, versions of ourselves.

 

I'm super annoyed. I just received a $600 bill for medical tests I had taken a few months ago! This is the first year that I'm on my own plan--I'm finally off of parents' insurance, so when something goes wrong it's my responsibility to figure it out. But a $600 bill?! What is that all about?

When I was sick a few months ago during my triathlon training, I had all sorts of blood tests taken so my doctor could figure out what was causing my extreme fatigue. Fortunately, it turned out that I was 100% healthy, but I wouldn't have known had I not gone to the doctor and had these tests taken. Apparently there was a glitch at my doctor's office and my tests were sent to a lab not covered by my insurance plan (which is why I was sent this bill)--but I guess I was supposed to know before I had blood work done where any tests needed to go. Health care reform is one of the biggest debates that President Obama is dealing with right now--and everyone my age needs to pay attention to this fight.

Over 13 million of young adults (from 18-34)--more than any other age group--live without insurance. The interesting thing is that over 56% of the uninsured young adults are full-time workers--like me! Luckily my insurance company and my doctor's office will figure out my bill, but could you imagine being one of the 13 million without insurance? $600 might only be a fraction of the cost that you'll be charged for a doctor's visit.

As you know from reading Shape, your health is a top priority; it's your life-line--and without knowing where your health stands and getting all your checkups, you're putting your body at risk. However, you can get sick and you'll need health care to be there for you. Young adults need to know what decisions are being made in Congress because it's going to affect them (and the outcome of their medical bills) in the future. Check out the Young Invincibles website at www.younginvincibles.org and fight for your own cause.

It's that time of the year again when I really want to go shopping. I can definitely overdo it sometimes and have wants, more than needs, when it comes to fashion; however, walking into work everyday and seeing the newest fall trends in Shape's fashion closet gets me hyped up to hit the stores. I have to put a limit, though, on what I spend, which is why I feel in love with these must-haves:

A faux fur vest--like ones from H&M--aren't super expensive (around $60) but the quality is still almost as nice as a designer version (plus it's animal friendly). This piece can be worn over a dress or a sweater, or with a pair of ripped jeans for a chic rocker look.

A bib necklace is perfect for wearing over my plain summer t-shirts or with a little black dress. I prefer the Forever 21 styles for only $10--you can buy three of these for the price of one at another store. They add all the glitz and glamour that even a fancy blouse can't do. Plus, any office outfit can easily transform into a sexy date night look if you put one of these on after work.

Although some people consider open-toed shoes a no-no in colder months, the bootie version is half winter half summer so it can be worn many ways. They go casually with a pair of rolled up skinny-jeans or boyfriend pants and a white tee, or they can look just as good with a mini dress and colored stockings. So far my favorite is a pair of gorgeous gray suede ones I spotted at Steve Madden for $110. (The color gray is so in right now too, especially as a nail polish!)

The new cowl-neck scarf looks like a scarf after it's been wrapped around your neck one or two times, minus the end pieces. It gives any outfit extra fall or winter warmth and it looks great over any summer item that you want to continue wearing into the next season. The one I like from Echo (only $35!) can work with jeans, a tank top, and a blazer (or even a fur vest).
 
Finally, I really like the 80's style baggy sweater, with sleeves that scrunch up and still look pretty. These sweaters aren't just taken from your boyfriend's closet (although, I plan on borrowing some of his too), because the one I'm eying--featured in our Style Diary blog--is adorned with gemstones around the collar and down the shoulder, and it's only $35! Any item this fall looks instantly dressier when it's got a little sparkle or stone embellishment and I've always been a fan of the girly stuff. Now "boyfriend clothes" and jewels go hand-in-hand.
 

For the past week I've been doing a new routine at the gym and I'm loving how I feel--all thanks to Gunnar Peterson, famous celebrity trainer (the one who got J.Lo buff for her triathlon last summer). I was ecstatic when I got an email asking if I'd like to train with him for the day--before I worked at Shape, his workouts would be the ones I'd rip from the magazine and take with me to the gym. Now, I really felt so lucky to be given this chance to meet with him--if the stars can do it I can too! (Maybe I can't afford him on a daily basis, but I can definitely pick his brain and learn as much as I can in an hour.) He gave me so many useful diet tips and a unique workout to follow targeting my trouble spots (my hamstrings and abs). This is the advice I'm loving:

 
Eat before you work out.
I mentioned that even though I'm in shape, I'd like to shed some extra pounds to give me a more toned look. Gunnar insisted I eat a big protein meal--his favorite, an egg white omelet or oatmeal--before I work out (which is something I never do, especially at 6 AM). This way I'm getting more of the daily-recommended amount of protein in the morning and burning it off right away. Too much protein too late in the day can be stored as extra body fat; which is probably a reason why I'm holding on to a few pounds.

Don't leave it all to your trainer.
A trainer can only show you how to exercise and teach you new routines to practice in the gym and at home, but you'll have to want it bad enough when he/she isn't around too. Gunnar told me that if you want to see results, you have to eat a healthy diet--every Skittle and chocolate chip cookie matters. (I think I'm finally giving up my 3PM mini York Peppermint Patty.)

Always exercise first thing in the morning.
Any interruptions in your day or unexpected plans after work sometimes get in the way of your gym schedule. I hate having to choose between seeing a movie with my friends or working out...it's always such a toss-up! So fitting in exercise before you get going is a guaranteed way to start the day off on the right foot. Also, you'll think more about what you're going to eat: if I definitely work out in the morning, then I can still go to the movies with my friends, and I'm most likely not going to have a tub of buttered popcorn.

 

Have you seen our September issue with Lauren Conrad yet? (If not, even though I work here I must say, it's a really good issue, packed with lots of fun stuff--a new makeover column, our annual beauty awards, and a feature on that handsome chef and host of TLC's Take Home Chef, Curtis Stone.) Personally, I'm also really proud of this issue--I've published my first full story, Sip Your Way Slim on page 104! I know that for some people who will read this page they may just flip through it and skim the information, or maybe--and hopefully!--cut it out and save the tips on how to drink healthier at happy hour. However, this page is like a labor of love for me; I'm sure other writers and editors can relate. I know I'm not the most accomplished writer (this page went through many rounds of edits for me to get it right) and I'm still learning how to write for a magazine (which is a lot different than writing a blog or working on a novel), but this was my first time having responsibility over my own page! I learned a lot working on it too--I sat with Sharon, our health and nutrition editor, every step of the way to figure out the how's and why's about what was being edited and what I needed to fix. And even though the process may have taken me a bit longer my first time working on a story from start to finish, when it's all said and done, and I get to flip the magazine open, I'm so proud at how it turned out. Writing about happy hour cocktails wasn't so bad either (although figuring out recipes and nutrition facts is not my forté)--the information I gathered during my research was good for me to put to practice when I go out to the bars now. I think about all those yummy strawberry margaritas I used to have and realize all my hard work in the gym was likely spoiled by just one of those drinks!

I just got back from a really interesting beauty event at J.F. Lazartigue--a company that has trichologists on staff (these are experts that are trained to treat hair problems). To better understand my hair and its condition I got a hair and scalp analysis. The specialist used this photographic microscope to take shots of my hair follicles and see what was going on on my scalp. I now know for a fact that my hair is dry and dehydrated, and needs to be moisturized with a deep conditioner once a week. I could have guessed this even before getting this analysis, but now when I head down the drugstore aisle (or even "shop" in our beauty closet) I know there are only certain types of shampoos and conditioners I should be using--the others, although they'll clean my hair and may be fun to try, they won't treat it at the same time. My favorite tip, which is important for my type of hair, and maybe for yours too: if it's humid out, don't use a moisturizing conditioner (the heavy, creamy types). Even though this is what my hair needs, the deep conditioners add water, and in the humidity this will only make it frizz out. I use this cool application, the Frizz Report, on our Shape website when I need to know which conditioner I should use that day.

What was so interesting is that the specialist talked to me about the importance of nutrition when it comes to your hair. If you're not getting enough nutrients, like iron, your hair can look limp, lack luster, and may even thin out. (She was able to see this by observing the width of the end of the hair follicle, which is the root under your head.)  I'm definitely re-inspired to eat a healthy diet and take my multivitamins!

This was one of the most intriguing events I've been to since I started working at Shape. When it comes to looking great, I've always concentrated on exfoliating, cleansing, and hydrating my skin-and seeing a dermatologist--but I never thought that my hair may need the same thing too.  I'm hoping that these products by J.F. Lazartigue, and the tips I learned during my consultation, will help my hair look, feel, and be healthier.  

Two years ago, I had just graduated college. During my four years in college my healthy habits varied. Some semesters, believe it or not, I didn't work out at all! But after seeing my closest friends go to the gym everyday--why did I stay in my room while they were working out?--I decided to just go with them. I started getting on a much better routine--interning for a magazine during the day, classes at night (college in the city does have it's advantages!) and working out when I got back to my dorm. My college fitness center stayed open until midnight, which I'm so grateful for. Before this, I would go to class, lounge around, and go out partying with my friends much too late for my own good; not to mention all the late night disco-fries and Buffalo wings we'd mindlessly munch on. But getting myself back into shape turned out to be super important for me because I may not have had the motivation after I graduated college to get in the gym. My editor in chief mentioned in her blog yesterday that exercise and eating right go hand-in-hand, and maybe if I hadn't introduced exercising into my daily routine, then I'd still be eating junk food more often than I should--and would probably be overweight and have less energy to do everything I'm doing today.

I bring this up now because when I moved into the city, exercising again was the first thing to go off my list of things to do. Just like college, moving out and onto my own in Manhattan was another new step in my life. It seems like every time I go through a big life change like this, I get easily distracted by everything else to do, and I don't take care of my own body. So it was one year ago this month when I vowed to stop this bad trend by signing up for a triathlon. With this new goal in mind, I made sure that no matter how stressful my day in the office was, I would go to the gym (only one block away, so I had no excuse!). And now a year later, not only am I in the best shape of my life, but I know that no matter what's on my plate I can carve time out of my day to work out. Not only has working out helped me look better, but I feel so much better too; I let any frustrations out during that hour in the gym so I'm refreshed and ready to go at work the next day. I really do thank my job at Shape for helping me realize how important it is to live a healthier lifestyle.

As this is the last week that my interns are here, I've given them some of the life lessons I've learned--from being one of them. I hope they take everything we taught them here at Shape back to school. Life after college is confusing and hectic, and a huge adjustment, but if you can do one thing to keep a positive mindset about the future, hopefully working out will keep you on the right track. It teaches you about commitment, dedication, and prioritizing; all things that are important in your professional life too. Exercising this past year has put balance back into my life--and all it took was taking one hour (or less) out of my day to get on a routine.

After working so hard to train for my triathlon, I'm feeling the need for a break...to an exotic isle or fabulous getaway. I'm in an I-deserve-it mood--and that's something we preach a lot at Shape: treat yourself. Working at Shape helps to fuel my vacation desires: throughout the day I always receive press releases about checking out resorts on tropical islands or visiting new lodges in mountainous regions--so these amazing vacations are always forefront on my mind. While the idea of surfing in the Caribbean is alluring, I know Dino has his heart set on Colorado. I took my first trip there (Vail) for work and one of the great things about my job is that hiking during the day, spa treatments every afternoon, and yummy (healthy) dinners at night are part of my job! Colorado was never a state on the list of places I had ever wanted to visit, but I when I got there and spent some time getting to know what the people were like (everyone's so fit and athletic), I realized how cool a place it is. Colorado in June and July is hot and gorgeous and the mountains at the Lodge at Vail offer as many outdoor activities as you can do in the wintertime--who knew? I'm not sure where I'll be going this winter; see some of my choices below.

Now that I'm not attending mandatory practices five days a week, working out can be fun again. It's not that I ever dread exercising, but I'm looking forward to doing it on my time--when and how I want. Before my triathlon I'd go to early morning spinning classes and lunchtime yoga sessions with my coworkers; but with the triathlon I didn't want to push my body too much so I scaled back on these things. Now, I'm going to go back to those rituals, but to switch it up a bit I've decided to take three new gym classes a week. So far, I've taken stretch and strengthening (I really needed it after my race..my legs were so tight!) and I've also worked out with celebrity trainer, Brett Hoebel. Brett's fitness style takes a different approach than what most trainers do; he blends Brazilian Martial Arts, kickboxing, core-training and yoga, with a focus on your abs (anything with  martial arts I love!). His one-hour session was as tough as the six-mile run of my triathlon, and I was sore for days again! The next time I was at my gym, I incorporated some of his ab routines in my workout to spice things up; but I couldn't remember them all. When Brett's DVDs are available in the Fall I'm definitely following his 45 day program (nutrition guidelines included, yay!)--I definitely think it works. Until then I'm going to make use of the classes I never get to take. Maybe I'll become a yogi or practice my dance moves in hip-hop funk offered every Tuesday night by my office. I'm totally uncoordinated, but I'm feeling triathlon withdrawal just a little bit, so it'll be fun to try something new.

Check out the pics of my coworkers and I working out with Brett!