NYC Deal: $20 for Five Yoga Classes at Sankalpah, Courtesy of The Luxury Spot

Since we all know I'm a yoga addict, you know if I see an amazing deal on classes or anything gear-related, I'm going to let you know about it. Well, my girls over at The Luxury Spot are running an amazing deal with one of my favorite studios, Sankalpah, here in NYC: $20 for five of their Quick Fix yoga classes. That's 75% of their normal $16 per class rate and you get FIVE of them.

For those not familiar with Quick Fix, it's an Open-level class condensed into 60 minutes that's designed to bring any student to their own personal best. The classes at Sankalpah are nourishing and intelligent (no mind-numbing sun salutation series or robotic commands) and they're intimate: only 25 students per class. Best of all, they're always offered around lunch or after work so it's easier to find time in your super busy schedule to take them.

Oh, and if you're thinking about trying yoga, I would offer a guess that you probably won't find a better introductory deal anywhere. If bodies like Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz won't convince you of yoga's benefits, I'm not sure what will.

Take advantage of the deal by simply heading to http://www.theluxuryspot.com/deals/. Then do your downward-facing dog until your heart is content.

Thanks for the tip, Luxury Spot ladies!

Obsession of the Day: Core Fusion at Exhale Spa

  Photo courtesy of Marie Claire

Ok, so let's be honest here: I am ready to wear a two-piece bathing suit again. Can I get a witness and an "Amen" from the choir?

Look, I'm like all of you out there struggling to find time to work out, keep your waist tight, and make sure that things stay fit and trim. I made myself a promise that I wouldn't spend another summer hiding under layers, feeling badly about myself. Which is why I started doing Core Fusion at exhale pretty regularly. It gets results and it gets results FAST.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I used to work for the spa a long time ago, so I'm beyond familiar with the efficacy of this exercise class. Co-creators Fred De Vito and Elisabeth Halfpapp have created a class that merges yoga, gyrotonics, ballet, isometrics and active isolated stretching into a workout that gets you long, lean and strong in a way that is unparalled in any other workout I've ever done. The movements are small but powerful, breaking muscle down in a way so that when it reshapes it gives you a body you can't begin to imagine. This is where those Hollywood bodies come from, ladies and gentlemen, and I'm betting it can get me back into a two-piece bathing suit come July 4th weekend.

exhale has multiple locations across the country in Northern and Southern California, Boston, New York, Chicago, Dallas and Miami so head to their website and check out a class (then stay for a mind-blowing spa therapy - Body Enlightening is not to be believed). If you're not near a location but want to give it a try, pick up one of their DVDs or tune into FitTv to catch Fred and Elisabeth for a thirty-minute workout.

Long, lean and hot: that's my whole mantra for summer because mama needs to go on a date or two. All blogging and no play makes me a lumpy, frumpy, not-so-fabulous girl....and I don't plan on being anything BUT fabulous due to these intense, results-producing workouts.

Core Fusion Classes ($30 per class or inquire about class series and memberships), available at exhale spas nationwide.

The Drop-A-Dress-Size Fitness Diaries: Core Fusion, Here We Come

Many of you are following along as my fellow online fashion and beauty writers do our best to adhere to our New Year's Resolution to get fit and smoking hot this year. I, being the overachiever in the group, decided to up the ante and try to lose a dress size before New York Fashion starts on 2/11/10. Well, you've seen us hit Physique 57 so it only makes sense that we try the ultimate total body class, Core Fusion.

Created by Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp, the Mind Body Programming team behind the now legendary Exhale Spa, this is the class you want to take to get a Hollywood body in a safe way. Think long, lean muscles with a supple body and increased core strength and flexibility. The class is a mixture of ballet barre work, yoga, gyrotonics and active isolated stretching that uses low weight and high reps to break muscle down in a certain way so it reshapes itself as a longer, leaner fat-burning machine. Think Kim Cattrall and Julia Roberts bodies as examples.

At an invitation from Fred DeVito himself, Felicia Sullivan, Dina Fierro from eye4style, Anne Fritz from The Jet Set Girls and a few of our PR friends headed to the Soho studio in Manhattan to get our workout on. Co-creator Elisabeth was also on hand to correct form and remind me that if it felt easy at certain instances, I wasn't doing it correctly. One hour later, we emerged from the class way tougher than we were when we walked in. The video above is a recap of our experience mere minutes after the class was over. See how sweaty we are? We worked it, folks, no doubt about it. This class is tough but it's AMAZING.

Look, the bottom line is this: losing weight and getting (and staying) in shape is not easy. There's no magic bullet and no way around the hard work. If you want a workout that will give you an amazing body, then I would definitely encourage you to head to Exhale's website and check out a class at a location near you. Exhale's mind body programming and spa therapies are meant to focus on the whole body. Yoga, massage, nutrition - it's all there and the best in the industry are there to help you.

As for me and my money? I'm going back again on Saturday for yoga with my beloved instructor, Exhale's Sebastian White, and I'm definitely heading back for Core Fusion again on a regular basis. In the spirit of full disclosure I used to work for Exhale so I know how good this class is. It gave me the best body of my entire life and last night's class reminded me why. Phone a counselor because I'm officially re-addicted to this amazing class.

Hi, my name is Kristin and I'm a Core Fusion addict. (Hi, Kristin!)

Countdown to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: The Equinox Dress Size Challenge

They say that Christmas only comes once a year but for me it actually arrives three times. Obviously, it comes on December 25th but twice a year the tents come out and I start making my list and checking it twice. Those times are February and September and if you haven't guessed it already, it's New York Fashion Week.

While I'm coordinating show invitations, a contributing writing staff (all of whom you will meet soon) and the myriad of details that come with attending The Big Show, I made a decision right before the holidays that I wanted to add one more badge of honor to receiving my press pass (thanks, IMG!): I have to drop one dress size before Fashion Week.

I've already had people make comments regarding this personal challenge about the fashion industry and trying to get "model skinny" and I feel I should clarify that this is no different than someone wanting to look good for a wedding, a high school reunion or any other big event. Mine just happens to be Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. I'm doing it for myself. I'm basically down an Olsen twin from my maximum weight of 241 lbs and, honestly, it's just time to take off the rest of it. I have no illusions that I'll lose all the remaining weight in the next three weeks but having started a couple of weeks ago, I think one dress size is completely doable.

How am I doing it? Diet and exercise. There are no magic bullets and I knew I needed some help, which is why I went to the good people of Equinox Fitness and signed up for a membership.

You want to know why I shell out money for a premium fitness facility? In my opinion, I want to make sure that every time I work out, I'm going to look forward to it. When I walk into my gym, I'm automatically the Happiest Member on Earth. Amazing classes, instructors who are deeply focused on results as well as safety and form, state-of-the-art machines (including a pool that has a resistance lane that simulates open current water for triathlon training), and that's just the beginning. The Spa, the amazing instructors (Kristin McGee and Mardi Sykes teach at my facility - amazing) and personal trainers that are just as cute as they are effective (Taraji is the guy who will eventually show up in photos making me feel the burn).

So, I'll be documenting my experiences to drop this dress size by posting a diet and exercise diary daily and hopefully if you need a little bit of inspiration to get cute for an event you'll find it humorous and get some good ideas from it. Because this time when I walk into the Tents, I want to look as fierce as I feel. I want to have a total package look that says, "I'm the Editor of this fabulous site, people. Recognize."

Eco-Chic Fashion: Alo Athletic Apparel

I have to say, I've got enough guilt that I'm trying to work off from holiday indulgences without worrying about my workout gear adding to the Earth's climate change issues. Luckily, I don't have to worry about that and I'm passing my little solution onto you: meet Alo Sportswear.

When I say eco-chic fashion, this is a company that truly puts the planet first. All the exceedingly stylish workout gear is made from planet friendly materials like bamboo, which is one of our planet's most sustainable materials as well as a material that naturally wicks moisture away from the body and has antimicrobial, hypoallergenic and breathable properties without the addition of chemicals or additives. Other materials used are modal and organic cotton. Again, all earth-friendly yoga and Pilates gear that delivers on looks and planet-lovin' style. Can't beat it.

The company also puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to its own carbon footprint. From  a headquarters that uses solar power to a hybrid company car and offering organic food and beverage options to their employees, Alo is a company that truly walks the walk and has stylish goods to show for it.

The outfit shown is my new favorite way to get into Downward-Facing Dog. It's a Seamless Stripe Tank ($48) combines with these sleek and fabulous Blocked Waist Pant ($58). They have many styles available, include men's fashion so check them out.

A healthy body and a healthy planet? Sounds like a win-win to me.


FTC Full Disclosure: Samples received for review

NYFW: Getting Down to Fashion Weight

If you're going out for cocktails or dinner anywhere in Manhattan at a spot frequented by fashion and beauty media, socialites, buyers or anyone associated with Fashion Week, you'll hear almost all of us talking about the fact that we're on diets. Specifically, the "Fashion Week Diet". Is it a regular program? No. Is there a book with a diet and exercise regimen. Not really.

The "diet" is very simple, really: do whatever it takes to look your absolute best for the tents, the parties and the amazing clothing you will wear. Think of it as the prom, a first date and swimsuit season all rolled into one.



As someone who is now down 72 lbs (and it was no easy feat, let me tell you), I am determined to do this the right way, which is with diet and exercise. Since I have absolutely no time for the gym, I rent workout DVDs from Netflix and do one a day (sometimes two if I have the time). I'm also on The Fresh Diet (the way Sheri Shepard lost all that weight on The View), which is an amazing diet delivery service that drops three meals and two snacks on my doorstep every morning so I don't have to think about what I'm eating. The diet is teaching me all sorts of things about eating, from proper portion size to the fact that really healthy food can taste AMAZING! The dishes are really delicious: today's menu is as follows:

Breakfast: Spinich & Feta Cheese Egg Bake with Fresh Papaya
Snack: Charred Lamb Loin on Whole Wheat Crostini with Oven Roasted Tomato
Lunch: Tofu Caesar Salad with Romaine Lettuce, Sun-Dried Tomato, European Cucumber and Caesar Dressing
Dinner: Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Lemon Pepper and Garlic Sauce with Roasted Sweet Potato and Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
Dessert: Cherry Vanilla Cheese Cake

The best thing about The Fresh Diet (other than home delivery and absolutely delicious food)? When you sign up for the service, you log into an account and give your food preferences (I don't like condiments like mayo and ketchup, so those aren't in the foods delivered). It's like having a private chef that controls your calorie intake and makes smart food decisions when you just don't have the time or, like me, don't know how to eat properly. They currently deliver in South Florida, Chicago, NY Tri-State area, Southern California, Boston and Philadelphia so if you're in any of these areas and you want to lose weight in a healthy manner while eating delicious food, contact them today.

So, as I race to the finish to get into the gorgeous vintage dress and some pretty fabulous clothes for Fashion Week, my diet and exercise plan will consist of more than a deep breath at meals and a cigarette for dessert. I'm already down 7 lbs so it's definitely working!

See you at the tents, slimmer and fashion-ready!

#NYFW