10.19.2010

"Turning the Pages of OK! Magazine Is My Cardio."


Do you relate to the above title? Do you arm yourself with a pile of gossip magazines to peruse while barely breaking a sweat on the elliptical machine (yet making a big show of huffing and puffing)? Chew on a Lara Bar and consider this: if you're able to truly focus on what you're reading, you're probably not working very hard.




The East coast's descent into cooler weather is no excuse to become lazy (and flabby). In fact, boosting your workout will provide the energy and endorphins you'll need to make it through a winter full of pedestrians in Annie Sez sweaters and Chico's caftans. And if you're headed to a warm and sunny destination such as Rio, well, your tight & lean figure is just a beach bonus.




Interval training refers to the method of training that employs short, concentrated bursts of higher intensity movement for a fixed period of time, followed by a return to a moderate rate of cardio. Coupled with weight training and plyometrics, this fitness method forces your body to move in unexpected ways, therefore challenging your muscles in a new fashion.




Result: a higher metabolic rate, resulting in fat & weight loss in the same, or often less, time than you're spending on that tired old Precor.




For a more in-depth explanation of interval training, read this piece from The New York Times:








See you at Ipanema Beach, fatties!




xxxo


10.08.2010

Une Écharpe : Tie One On





In the United States, the lowly scarf is often an afterthought, relegated to the bottom of the accessories closet (you DO have one of those, correct?) to be dug out once the weather turns bitter.

If you've ever purchased a scarf from a street vendor, or God-forbid referred to one as "a muffler" (See what I did there? I'm judging you!), pay close attention to the video found in the title of this post.

From a piazza in Firenze, a gentleman demonstrates how to turn una sciarpa from dowdy cold weather-accessory into sartorial glitter, taking you from domestic to international first-class.

Why remain State-side?

*Click on title to view the video demonstration.

Video courtesy of www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com