Q.Where are you two from? You both seem like true Cali girls.
A.
Karena: I’m from Indiana and Katrina’s from New Hampshire! I think it’s hard for anyone to live in California and not get a little sea salt in their hair and wear flip flops every day.

Q.How’d you two meet? What spurred Tone It Up once you became friends?
A.
Karena: We met at Equinox! I was training for a triathlon and had a shoot coming up. Katrina was a trainer and asked me for my number to train me. We realized we were neighbors and started hanging out. It was like we knew each other our whole lives. 

Almost immediately we started Tone It Up. We wanted it to be a blog where girls like us could come support one another to be fit and healthy.

Q.Is having a sexy beach body the core concept of Tone It Up?
A.
Katrina: When Karena and I first started TIU we didn’t really know what it would turn into. We wanted to promote healthy living, balance and fun, so when we started doing videos...

Makeup CAN motivate your fitness routine!

I'm expecting a lot of hater-ation on this post because most women tell me they would NOT wear makeup to the gym. But, I personally believe in putting your best face forward for fitness, whether you're at the gym, on a run or in a class. 

I'm not implying that you need to have a full face of makeup to break a sweat. I'm just sayin' that a little of the right kind of makeup goes a long way. I like the even skin tone, color and dimension that makeup gives my face. I'm no beauty queen without it, but feel like one when I'm done up!

Check out the products that we used to make the video you just watched. 

Here's the makeup we used and where you can get it:

Tinted Skin Perfector: Maybeline Dream Fresh BB Cream Sheer Tint

Eyeshadow Base/Primer: Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Eye Brow Pencil: Too Faced Brownies Browne-y

Lengthening Mascara:  Loreal Double Extend (waterproof)

Lip Stain:...

Meet the sports bra that feels light as a feather and seamless against your skin. It's from Naked Sports Gear ($42). Even more than the bra's lightweight construction, I'm loving the color transparency. You'll feel naked enough to streak through the gym! Just make sure you're covered up on the bottom to avoid a #TotalGymFail.

Women's fitness fashion is exploding with competitive players.

And it's pure nirvana for me to witness! Brands that typically weren't recognized as being fashion forward enough for style-minded women are finally getting in the game. One that I must point out is Under Armour. They've been under the radar for women for some time (unless you played a sport in high school or college and wore their team gear), but they're changing that. They're making edgier apparel that doesn't flash you back to the locker room.

I recently attended a cool Under Armour event hosted by Exhale Spa and The Glam Network at NYC's downtown Gansevoort Hotel. I was invited to preview and test out Under Armour's newest collection (which I was already privy to) and to find out more about their recently launched What's Beautiful Campaign (#WhatsBeautiful).

The best part was that I got to test out everything in a Core Fusion Bootcamp class. I must admit, I love Core Fusion DVDs but I'm...

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...

Calling all Bedazzlers! Jewel studded sweatshirts are all the rage. Buy one from J.Crew, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Stella McCartney for adidas, or better yet...MAKE YOUR OWN! Studded pullover sweatshirts are the newest way to dress up your fit look and transition to a post-fitness scene. Shoot for a sweatshirt that's athletic gray and feels worn-in already, because these sweatshirts are dry clean only.