Posted by Lee Crabb on Wed, Jan 27, 2010 @ 07:36 AM
Before starting our own blog here at BHAC, there was lots of research on the current blogs out there and what they talk about, how they keep readers interested and where they get their inspiration....
Food blogs are always top of our list. We love reading people's daily meals, workouts, dinners out, etc. This is especially cool when the bloggers are from Boston and we can find new restaurants/stores/workouts that are right in the neighborhood!
Some bloggers that are worth checking up on when you are procrastinating at your desk or killing time on the T with your Blackberry:
Carrots 'N' Cake: Homegirl makes wicked good meals, eats out at some of my favorite restaurants, attends awesome Blogger events and always makes time to fit in her workouts at some of Boston's gyms.
We Are Not Martha: These two are hysterical and so creative in the kitchen! They make kick ass recipes that look delicious and healthy! They also take pictures of every step when they cook (we love that).
The Salted Cod: He is out of Brooklyn, and not the healthiest but you know what? Everything looks so tasty-we like to dream that we could eat like that every day and stay skinny. Mmmmmm this one is for when you just want to see how the other side eats!
Oh She Glows: Not blogging from Boston but she was born in Newton so close enough. She eats mostly vegan but makes Oh She Glows Bars that even the biggest carnivore would mow down. Oh yeah and we love that she bakes them all by herself and mixes every order by hand!
The Fitnessista: We. Love. Gina. Seriously, she is a personal trainer, group exercise instructor, motivator to thousands on her blog and eats a mostly "raw" diet- and most importantly, she makes it look good!
So there you have it, some of our favorite food blogs from Boston and beyond. Whether you are looking for a Boston gym, restaurant, running path or more, check these out to get started. This should give you enough reading material to get through at least a few days at your desk...
Posted by Lee Crabb on Thu, Jan 21, 2010 @ 09:45 AM
With such a terrible tragedy in a country that was already in desperate need of help, we are all looking around wondering how to help and what to do. The American Red Cross has helped tremendously with all of our help and we want to make their contribution even bigger.
So far, the American Red Cross has:
- Pledged $127,000,000 to assist the Haitian earthquake relief effort.
- Made available all of the relief supplies from its warehouse in Panama which would provide for basic needs for approximately 5,000 families.
- Deploying a disaster management specialist to Haiti, and has additional disaster specialists on standby if needed.
- Working with the Haitian Red Cross, which is expected to lead the Red Cross response to the earthquake.
- Working with American Red Cross staff on the ground in Haiti, who are working to obtain more information on the situation.
- Sent 100 cots from the Massachusetts Bay Chapter with Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to Haiti for relief assistance.
The Beacon Hill Athletic Clubsare trying to help any way they can with the Haitian Earthquake relief efforts. Stop in to any of our eight locations to make a donation now on behalf of the American Red Cross.
We are taking checks made out to the American Red Cross or cash donations. Thanks so much for doing your part to help.
For more information on how to help or other locations to donate, check out their website.
Posted by Lee Crabb on Tue, Dec 08, 2009 @ 07:14 AM
As many of you have probably heard, we are growing! Put the big boy shoes on and come check out our newest (and most awesome) new adventure. We are opening the Combat Sports International Training Facility in our North Station club. This is the area's first and only fully equipped MMA training facility attached to a great network of healthclubs.
Not only will you get a kickass workout with some of MMA's best trainers but then you can take full advantage of our 8 clubs around the city as well! We will have a full schedule of classes at this training facility like boxing, pilates, spinning, wrestling, muay thai, and more! This is a serious challenge but if you are truly ready to change your body--this is what it's going to take. (Note: homegirl has boxed before and it is the BEST way to get that aggression out and burn those calories you ate away last night at the same time)
Opening January 2010, call 617.720.2422 for any questions! Or hit up the blog for more info!
Posted by Lee Crabb on Tue, Nov 24, 2009 @ 08:56 AM
I know what you are thinking, "I am going to eat my face off this weekend and then hit the gym HARD until Christmas". Pretty much the definition of binge eating, and it won't be as easy as you think to lose those L-Bs that you are about to gain.
Now, don't get me wrong, Thanksgiving is definitely about the food and I wouldn't want you to insult your Grandmother by not enjoying some stuffing at the table this year. Just keep things to a reasonable amount. As Kate Moss once said, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." OK she caught a lot of heat for that line but it makes sense on some levels. Here's a quick little plan to keep you feeling good through Temptation Thursday this year:
Wednesday: Run. Inside or out for as long as you can (not really but make it a good amount of time). You are busy finishing up work and traveling home, so just put in 30-40 minutes of good running/fast walking and you will feel a lot better about not skipping out.
Thursday: If you can make time in the AM, bring your parent's dog out for a brisk walk or throw the football around with your cousins for an hour. Get outside because it's not often that we get 50 degrees on Thanksgiving and we should be thankful for that. Have a healthy breakfast after wards, (oatmeal and fresh fruit would be perfect) and that way you won't be starving to over-indulge once the turkey plops down in front of you. Once that happens, you can eat it, whatever it is, take some of everything but don't overdo it- you still have to get over Friday Free-for-all with the leftovers.
Friday: Make time for a real workout. Either hit the treadmill in the basement or go get a free day pass at a local gym. This will make you feel so much better. Friday night you can have yourself a big turkey sandwich without feeling like crap.
After those couple days, hopefully life will get back to normal and you can get back on your daily workout schedule. Now would be a good time to add in a power yoga or kickboxing class to really get your butt in gear before the New Year.
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Posted by Lee Crabb on Thu, Nov 19, 2009 @ 12:37 PM
I absolutely cannot think of a better idea than including a hot stone massage into my gym routine. Oh, actually, it would be better if it directly followed a kick-ass personal training session. Ta-da! We did it here at the Beacon Hill Athletic Club, aka, your favorite neighborhood health club that just happens to have a day spa inside!
For a limited time only you can get this crazy duo for only $100. (Valued at $150, offer ends on 12/24/09) Talk about a perfect Christmas gift or just a sweet treat for yourself.
The Hot Stone Soothing Back Treatment will be done by Lisa Kahan from Total Skin Care II. With over 15 years of skincare experience, Lisa is amazing and guarantees that you will leave feeling totally relaxed and rejuvenated.
The Personal Training session is with Ryan Dando, certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He uses his crazy fitness knowledge and lovable people skills to help his clients meet their goals every day, no matter what they might be.
Personally, I can't wait to sweat it out and then be able to relax. Bring it on!
Ryan Dando, C.P.T. Lisa Kahan, Senior Aesthetician
Posted by Lee Crabb on Thu, Nov 12, 2009 @ 10:31 AM
Every magazine right now has a "foolproof" way to keep off those holiday pounds. Most of them are pretty common sense, yet not easy to follow. Here are a few ideas (not just for the holidays but for life in general) about how to kick off some weight or maintain what you have if you're happy with it.
--First things first, everyone has to drink more H2O. I know it's a pain some days but just do it, think about every beer you consumed on Friday night....then drink that many waters today. Old rule of thumb that will always stick: If you feel hungry, drink a water first and wait 10 minutes. Chances are you won't be as ravenous afterwards.
--A wicked easy and healthy way to drop some lbs and to stay full all morning is a breakfast shake (notice how I said breakfast instead of protein). We aren't talking Muscle Milks or PumpIt drinks here people. We are thinking more along the lines of yogurt, fresh fruit, flaxseed, peanut butter, etc. You can throw in basically anything that looks good to you that morning. Make sure to try to keep it under or around 300 calories but add in good sources of protein and you will be full until lunchtime. One that I enjoy (and feel free to subsitute/add any fruits you want):
Banana Milkshake:
1 Banana, sliced
1 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Handful of ice
Blend and enjoy!
--Last (and possibly easiest and most fun) would be to find a class at one of the best Boston health clubs (mainly BHAC but we try not to pimp it too much) and put that class on your schedule each week. The more interesting, out-of-the-box and new it is, the better! Some of our favorites:
CardioBoxing at Beacon Hill Athletic Clubs in North Station
Zumba in the Morning at Boston Center for Adult Education
Running Clubs at Social Boston Sports
Helixing at Revolution Fitness Boston
This winter- you will lose weight, don't sweat it
Posted by Lee Crabb on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 @ 09:12 AM
Let's think about this for a second, how many of us always have weight on the mind? Can I make it to the gym today? Did I just eat my emotions in that pint of ice cream? Are these jeans seriously too tight again? Is Thanksgiving going to ruin my weight-loss plan? Can I put on 10 lbs of muscle before I show off my chest for Halloween?
We all think about it, one way or another. (or if not, we should) It is hard to eat completely healthy every day and make it into the gym between work and social commitments. We hear ya. This is just a few tips to keep you on track and make it a little more "doable" around the holidays to stay healthy.
First things first, who doesn't love a good Autumn recipe? Something simple that may require a quick trip to the farmer's market would do us all a little good this Fall.
A few of our favorite healthy (but quite filling) recipes right now:
Banana Walnut Bread- perfect for a Sunday snack with some coffee
Pasta w/ Butternut Squash and Sage-comfort food that won't add cushion to your waistline
Mexican Braised Pork w/ Pumpkin- a good one to impress the in-laws
Pear Muffins w/ Ginger-Vanilla Glaze- no explanation needed. These are SO GOOD
Now with these delicious meals every day- the only thing you need to add is a good SWEAT. Our suggestion is to commit to a class each week. Make it a fun one and you will make yourself go each week. Come to our of our Brighton gyms and try the Cardio funk- you will learn a complete music video dance by the end of class! (our other suggestions are Pilates, Zumba, Triple Threat, Power Yoga Boston, etc.) That's one day that you know you will make it to the gym. Now pick 2 or 3 more days to work up a sweat and there ya go!
Bring on the turkey- you will be ready for it!
Posted by Lee Crabb on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 @ 06:37 AM
A showcase into one of our male trainers here at the Brighton Center gym. Eric Grogan is an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Specialist who also holds NPTI Trainer and Nutritional Consultant certifications.
Any time of the day you can find this guy kicking someone's butt in the back corner of the weight room. His victims range from BC students to downtown lawyers to rugby players and anyone in between. Whether you're looking to lose baby weight, gain muscle for a competition, train for a race or just keep a general healthy fitness level, this guy has got you covered.
An inside look at his training session, with female football player and Boston Militia team member, Emily Weinberg.
Posted by Lee Crabb on Wed, Oct 14, 2009 @ 08:44 AM
OK, who watches it every Tuesday night and then gets totally motivated for a wicked hard workout Wednesday morning? You know what show I'm talking about. The Biggest Loser. If Jillian and Bob can't get you excited about working out then I don't know who can. In the words of my good friend Regina, "Those people who get yelled at until they throw up are soooo lucky!"
Having to order out every meal for a week? Some people's dreams are another person's nightmare. They all still managed to lose weight last week and lets give them a round of applause for that. This week, poor Shay had a little trouble jumping up on the block but girlfriend -- just do it already!! Liz, after losing 35lbs so far passed out a little on the treadmill but who doesn't? Just kidding, eat a banana though and get back on track!
As you can tell, we love Jillian's attitude on The Biggest Loser but it's what the contestants lose that really gets us. There was not a dry eye in the house last season when they showed Ronald and Michael before and after. Here they are below, I mean who ever thought?!
Keep it up NBC, we think this show is awesome, and totally changes lives for these people!
Posted by Lee Crabb on Mon, Oct 05, 2009 @ 08:40 AM
American College of Sports Medicine certified Personal Trainer, former college athlete and health club manager. All of this, combined with being a 24-year-old, healthy, active Bostonian- you would think that I could handle a kickboxing class one night a week. Spinning, power yoga, pilates, muscle/abs, you name it and I have taken it. I can assure you that none of these compare to Kickboxing on Mondays at 6:45PM at our Brighton Center location with David Lopes as the instructor.
Ask anyone who has taken this class (which is the majority of our members and residents in Brighton between the ages of 21 and 35) and they will tell you that it is an hour of ass-kicking. The next day you will feel like you did an entire workout of just abs when you wake up, but don't worry it turns into arm and leg soreness around 11AM and by the next night your whole body feels like it got seriously rocked. In a good way.
Definitely the best workout I get all week, who will I see at class tonight?