Snow Shred

Woke up to a few flakes in NYC today! Not sure if it’s enough to actually carve the mountains, but I always like to find ways to motivate and move, no matter what the conditions— snow or sun. One of my fave ways to mix up my activities in the winter and have an outdoor adventure is by hitting the slopes and shredding some calories. Whether I take to the snowy hills of central park, or head out for a day trip to a local upstate mountain, layering-up and having fun with fitness makes leading a healthy lifestyle possible.
When I’m buckled into my board and carving down a run, I’m working major muscles in my butt, thighs and core. Every part of my body is engaged when I’m focusing on turning, jumping and controlling my speed to the bottom of the hill. It’s the perfect mix of cardio, and strengthening, while having a blast.

And after all that high-energy exertion, I need to hydrate and refuel— fast. But, I don’t want to sip on sugary sweets and pile on unwanted calories. So, I’ve partnered with Vitamin Water Zero  to test out a few new flavors that will keep me satisfied, and quench my thirst without unwanted calories. It’s got a bit more of a kick that plain water, but it’s still refreshing, with a twist!

If you can’t make it to the mountain here’s some cool cardio and strength training moves that get your legs glutes and core toned as you would on the board!

• Start with one minute of walking to get your blood flowing and body moving.
  Stop and gently stretch, but don’t overdo it since your body isn’t totally warmed up yet.
• Slowly bend at the waist with a flat back, flex one leg out in front, and reach down to grab your toes, gently stretching your calf and hamstrings. Hold each side for 20 seconds.
• Stand up and lower to a squat position. Your legs should be in a right angle (ankle under knee). Back upright and make sure your butt is not sticking out. Squat jump in a 180-degree turn now facing the opposite direction. Repeat 20-30 x’s
• Do 30 jumping jacks to get the heart rate up. Repeat 3 x’s
• Step forward into a high lunge to get your legs fired up. Raise arms over head, keep your back straight and tall and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat other side. Do 4 x’s each side.
• Move into walking lunges and get a little extra toning in your legs. Do 2 sets of 10
• Stand holding the back of a chair with one hand. Place your feet in a V position, heels pressed together and toes about 4 inches apart. Bend knees and lift heels a few inches off the floor. Then, lower your hips until you feel your quads working. Pulse up and down. 20-25 pulses up and down. Do 3 to 4 sets.
• Work abs and core by lying on the ground on right side, propped up on right forearm- shoulder directly over elbow, left hand on hip. Lift hips off ground until your body forms a straight line from head to feet into side forearm plank. Then raise left leg about 6 inches higher. Or Keep legs together to make it a bit easier. Lower left leg, then lower hips to ground. Do 5 reps each side.
• Lie faceup on ground, legs together and extended and hands lightly touching ears, elbows bent out to sides. Crunch up, bringing head and shoulders off ground, as you lift legs straight up. Lower legs as far as you can toward ground without arching back or touching your feet to the ground, then lift them all the way up again. Do 10 to 15 reps.
• Stretch out your legs again with moves from the start of the workout and walk it out for a few  minutes at the end of your sweat sesh.

That should keep you busy for a while! Get out there and get moving, girls!

XOXO,
NYC