Fitness

Any chance you'll be running this Fall?

I'm running a marathon in exactly 1 month from today. The ING NYC Marathon...heard of it? I've already started preparing for it and not just by training. For me, a marathon is all about putting together a lifestyle, a look and a strategy geared towards avoiding death at mile 17 (out of 26.2, yikes!). I want to perform at my best while finding my happy zone (a.k.a. run high). It's a balance that takes effort to find, but you won't regret it once you're out there FLYIN'! And I want to make sure that's exactly what you do--fly! So I've put together some tips for you below that relate to a range of important topics when it comes to running. There's a GIVEAWAY at the very end, too.

* Finding a race & setting the tone for your new running lifestyle *

I believe every mile you run throughout your new running lifestyle, should make you s(mile). If you just go out there and run forever you won't smile so much. It...

I'VE WORSHIPPED KATHY SMITH FOR AGES

She's one of the godmothers of fitness as I know it. She's incredible because she's kept herself in top shape throughout the years, and by no means through sacrifice. Kathy loves hiking, skiing, strength training, dancing...and eating! She can't workout without her favorite energy boosting smoothie. She truly defines "fun" healthy living, and I've always wanted to be just like her.

I've traveled across the country to work out with her (at IdeaFIT) and then begged Acacia Fitness for an interview with her. I nearly stalked Kathy Smith to bring you her story and point of view, so you better read it!

CLICK HERE FOR MY CELEBRITY SWEAT INTERVIEW WITH KATHY SMITH

Find out why perfection isn't a priority for Kathy...and why "balance" is a part of her whole fitness shtick. Even the moves in her 2 newest workout DVDs incorporate balancing. You'd be surprised how hard these exercises are!

CLICK HERE FOR MY CELEBRITY SWEAT...

Q.Kathy, women all over the world own your DVDs. How has fitness stardom affected your life?
A.

I like to think that I have the best of both worlds. I've had enough
"celebrity" to get the opportunity to meet some amazing people, from
the President  of the United States to Ken Cooper (the doctor who started the whole aerobic movement). I have met countless celebrities in all fields from Jay Leno to Deepak Chopra, Tom Cruise to Barbara Streisand.

But I'm also not so famous that it impacts my day-to-day life, so I don't have to worry too much about anonymity, and I don't feel pressure to uphold some unrealistic image, the way that some big stars might.

Q.At what point in your life did you become interested in pursuing a career in fitness?
A.
When I first moved to LA, I started taking a class called BodyDesign by Gilda. It was amazing - any given day, I'd have Barbra Streisand on one side of me in the class, and Jane Fonda on the other. But it was all...

Burnin' calories on TV and all I did was stand there.

Morning show host, Virginia Kerr is my HERO! She made my latest fitness fashion segment on the Great Day St. Louis show a breeze. They say laughter burns calories. I must've burned a couple hundred just standing there when she put on the Halo Sport headband. I cherish women like Virginia who get so excited about fitness trends they just can't wait to get their hands on it...or heads into it!

Let's dive deeper into the fitness gems you watched in the video (for more info and irresistible discounts). I know you can't tell from the pic below, but I was so excited to the point of shaking to present these on TV to you! That's what you call a true fitness junkie.

    *** Stylish workout gear with BUILT-IN fitness equipment ***

W8FIT Apparel is a line of weighted workout clothes designed specifically for women by superstar Maya Kaminsky. There are pockets in the racerback...

Where are my favorite places to workout and where do I shop for stylish fitness gear in NYC?

I get asked this question a lot by New York visitors and locals. From my experience, most out-of-towners like to check out the popular spots that have been written up or featured on tv. But what about all the great places that maintain a low profile--the fitness gems of NYC? You've got to know about these spots because there's a good chance you'll like them 5x more! Here are my favorites...

MizzFIT's TOP 5 Off The Beaten Path Fitness Finds in New York City

1. Sixth Street Pilates studio - 525 East 6th Street NYC, 212-677-5545

This pilates studio is an East Village neighborhood goodie. It's small, cozy and impossible not to get plenty of attention here. Classes here can be a bit unconventional for Pilates without feeling so far removed that you're intimidated. Definitely try the Burn, Baby, Burn! class. Co-owners Anula Maiberg...

Chicago had no idea what hit 'em when I showed up with Lady Foot Locker and Team Fashionably Fit.

Everything was calm and then BAM!

We had the people of Chicago sweatin' in style. It was fantastic! Everyone who showed up to North Riverside Mall for Lady Foot Locker's new store look launch, was in it to win it. And so was my Fashionably Fit Team (a.ka. my posse). Just imagine the A-Team rocking killer sportswear and that's pretty much us.

We put on quite a show, busting out a fitness-fashion panel, a high energy workout, a fashion show (all with yours truly) and even a celebrity appearance by Adrienne Bailon from the show Empire Girls.

It was intense commanding the attention of everyone at the mall, but it was so much fun and rewarding getting all those people to work out and care about wearing functional activewear. We even got Adrienne to work out!

Of course, I made sure everyone got their stretch on.

One of the best parts...