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Attention Men: Where to Pick Up Chicks…

10/19/2009 in Exercise!, For Men, Midtown by Lindsay | 2 comments

The last I heard, the female to male ratio is Atlanta is 3/1.

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However, men - if you are having difficulty finding “that special someone” and you happen to be a member of L.A. Fitness, I would like to cordially invite you to my workout class (Body Works + Abs) every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m.  in Atlantic Station.  (I am a total sucker for workout classes…)

Feast your eyes.  And, you’re welcome…

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Last Wednesday, I counted roughly 38 attractive women (38!!) and a mere three men in my class.  The class is HARD, too.  It’s taught by one of the greatest L.A. Fitness instructors ever, Mike, who incorporates a lot of P90X techniques into our workout.  Anyway, the class is real-deal and it’s pretty social.  Each time I go to it, I think that it would be a prime pick-up spot for guys.  And, I regret not better hydrating before class… 

L.A. Fitness – Atlantic Station Class Schedule: http://www.lafitness.com/Pages/clubClassSchedule.aspx?clubid=384

Just sayin’.

xx, L

la_fitness

L.A. Fitness – Atlantic Station
261 19th St. Suite 1140
Atlanta, GA  30363
404.810.9015
 www.lafitness.com

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2009 Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day

10/14/2009 in Exercise!, Health, PSAs, Volunteering, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 2 comments

I am blessed with incredibly motivated and driven friends who constantly inspire me.  It seems like every day someone is accomplishing something awesome!  Over the years, as we’ve graduated from college and gotten jobs, we’ve needed to think a little outside of the box regarding our perpetual goal-setting.  For example: one of my very best girlfriends opened a very successful restaurant a couple of years ago (more on that later), a few have planned incredibly elaborate adventure vacations and a number of close friends decided to go to law school, medical school or pursue a masters degree or a Ph.D.  A few have purchased their first homes, moved abroad indefinitely, and a sprinkle are starting their own families.  Almost everyone has trained for some sort of athletic event.  Within the past few years, a number of close friends have been running marathons.  Of all that we’ve accomplished, the commitment associated with marathon running is the one that impresses me the most.  I am very, very proud of my friends.

Pre-NYC Marathon Dinner when Dara ran it in 2008

Pre-NYC Marathon Dinner When Dara Ran It (2007)

Due to high school cheerleading-related knee problems, I am unfit to ever be a marathon runner.  Sad.  However, a few years ago, I set a goal for myself.  I wanted to participate in the Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk.  It involved roughly six months of training to walk the 60-mile course, fundraising at least $2100 for breast cancer research and sleeping outside for the actual Walk (In case you don’t already know – I am not really that “into” nature…).  Anyway, it was one of the greatest goals I’ve EVER set.  I strongly recommend it to anyone interested in (1) setting a goal, (2) physical activity or (3) fundraising for a very worthy cause.

Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day (2006)

Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day (2006)

This year the Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day is the weekend of October 23 – 25.  While it is rather late to join or start training and fundraising, I strongly encourage everyone to read up a little on the Walk and attend the Closing Ceremonies at Turner Field.  The Closing Ceremonies are emotional, touching and incredibly inspiring.  It’s truly amazing to see how many survivors participate in the Walk each year and hear how much money was raised.  Mark your calendars!! 

Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day: Team Texas Ta-Tas

Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day: Team Texas Ta-Tas (2006)

P.S. Fanny packs are HOT.

Information on the 2009 Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day can be found here:
http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AT_landing 

Please donate to someone you know who is participating in the 3-Day, tell them that you are proud of them for their efforts, look up the course online and clap for the walkers as they pass by or attend Closing Ceremonies on Sunday, October 25 at Turner Field!

Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day Closing Ceremonies

Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day Closing Ceremonies (2006)

If you are an advance planner like me, you can register for the 2010 Atlanta 3-Day here: http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2010/AtlantaEvent2010?fr_id=1461&pg=entry 

breast-cancer-3-day


Good luck, walkers!  (Fingers crossed for nice weather!)

xx, L

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I don’t think it’s asking too much…

09/04/2009 in Exercise!, Random Musings, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 2 comments

…for me to request that someone starts this in Atlanta, immediately.  I don’t want - I need this now.  I just knew something was missing from my life…

Hipster Dance Class in Silver Lake (photo credit: nytimes.com)

Hipster Dance Class in Silver Lake (photo credit: nytimes.com)

Here’s the Deets:
NY TIMES:  A Los Angeles Dance Class With A Retro Dress Code
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/fashion/13fitness.html?_r=1&ref=nutrition

Here’s an Excerpt: 
“Around 11:40 a.m. every Sunday, they arrive at Foresight Studios, a rehearsal and performance space in the heart of Silver Lake, a hipster neighborhood in Los Angeles. They wear pink leg warmers, sparkly headbands and the type of tiny shorts not seen since Richard Simmons felt the burn in them in the 1980s. They are here for Sweaty Sundays, a dance class taught by Ryan Heffington, a choreographer, performance artist and designer with a soft spot for Lycra and bright pastels.  Here, members of this creative class — artists, photographers, fashion designers and screenwriters — dance off the previous night’s excesses to a soundtrack of indie rock, techno, and 1980s new wave hits. And they do it while looking fabulous in Jane Fonda leg warmers and belted leotards.  “It’s kind of an American Apparel ad come to life,” said Terence McFarland, 40, the executive director of the Los Angeles Stage Alliance, who is a regular.” 

I mean, that is so me it isn’t even funny.

Sadly, I don’t have any time to start this on my own, so I need to entrust this important undertaking to one of our awesome Q+DD readers.  I am accepting applications for awesomeness – please e-mail at thequickanddirtydirty@gmail.com :)

All you need to apply:

(1)  suggestions for warehouse or funky dance space/ location

Check out Foresight Studios, where Sweaty Sundays are held in L.A. : http://www.foresight-studios.com/  P.S. Rumor has it that Princess Brit practices there when she is in the Sunny.  Love!

(2)  some sweet moves…

Every day is Van Damme Friday!

Every day is Van Damme Friday!

(3)  80’s/ American Apparel/ hipster clothes you can flail around in for hours

Mindy & Dave are PREFECTLY attired!

Mindy and Dave are PEFFECTLY attired!

(4)  to feel nostalgic reading this:

Hipster (defined):  Listens to bands that you have never heard of. Has hairstyle that can only be described as “complicated.” (Most likely achieved by a minimum of one week not washing it.) Probably tattooed. Maybe gay. Definitely cooler than you. Reads Black Book, Nylon, and the Styles section of the New York Times. Drinks Pabst Blue Ribbon. Often. Complains. Always denies being a hipster. Hates the word. Probably living off parents money – and spends a great deal of it to look like they don’t have any. Has friends and/or self cut hair. Dyes it frequently (black, white-blonde, etc. and until scalp bleeds). Has a closet full of clothing but usually wears same three things OVER AND OVER (most likely very tight black pants, scarf, and ironic tee-shirt). Chips off nail polish artfully after $50 manicure. Addicted to coffee and cigarettes. Claims to be in a band. Rehearsals consist of choosing outfits for next show and drinking PBR. Always on the list. (www.urbandictionary.com)

(4)  moustache optional - but strongly encouraged…

Sheer awesomeness

sheer awesomeness

yessss

yessss!

And, by way of payment, I promise to be your very best friend and dance-buddy fo’ life.

Thanks in advance!

xx, L

 

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Hooah!

08/04/2009 in Exercise! by Lauren | 1 comment

Ok. Let me state the obvious: I am a weekly manicure/bi-monthly pedicure kind of girl. I use my family’s fishing trips as a ruse to lay out on a boat and I wouldn’t even consider baiting my own hook. Camping is out of the question. (Please see L+L’s political agenda for more details.) I’ve been known to slick on tinted Kiehl’s lip gloss and a single coat of mascara to go work out at La Fit and until last December or so, the only real running I did was the occasional frantic airport terminal sprint.

However, I have been gleefully waking at 5:00AM daily to go roll around in Piedmont Park and LOVING IT. Yes, friends. I am officially a member of the converted: Boot Camp.

OBCmidtown

Atlanta is a BIG Boot Camp city. I’ve heard this comment from several Atlanta newcomers and I think that is a fair assessment. I’d venture to say there are more people in the park at 5:45AM than 5:45PM.

Now, there are many camps that meet in the park, but I’m here to tell you about mine. I do Operation Boot Camp – and there are several different OBC camps that meet at the same time, all named for the location in which they meet in the park. I’m a “Charles Allen” person and probably always will be. (Although, my friend Raph is an instructor at the “Grady” camp and sometimes I consider switching as they run by singing songs. In the March camp, I swear to you I heard him leading the pack in his own version of Amy Winehouse: “They tried to make me go to Boot Camp, I said no, no, no…” Hilarious.)

Mer and the Twinks got hooked on CA because of their cult following of the leader, Joy, who is a.m.a.z.i.n.g. I can’t describe it. She’s so motivating and wonderful. (Note: I was devastated to learn that Joy was taking this month off, but Kevin, who is usually the co-leader, has stepped in for her and been absolutely phenomenal as well. I honestly don’t know who I like better. He’s a riot. He’ll bark an order and then giggle. It’s adorable.) All the instructors are fabulous, actually. They are all of slightly various ages/levels of fitness as well. Today, I just learned one of my favorites is also a personal chef! Check it out: http://www.fightsfeast.com/

Here’s the Q+DD on Operation Boot Camp:

  • It’s a 4-week program, 5 days a week (every other Wednesday and Saturday and Sunday you have off, but you must do “homework” workouts on your own)
  • We meet at 5:45 and work out till 6:45 (unless you stay for “Encouragement.” Note: To me,”Encouragement” reads “Punishment.” Really, it’s just an extra 5 minutes at the end of the workout if you were bad.
  • There are a variety of different workouts that are used, but they definitely get harder as the weeks go on. My favorites are Centipede, 20/20/20, Guts and Guns and Scavenger Hunt. Use your imagination. As far as I can tell, there are two types of workouts: field workouts (which feel like old school gym class) and running around the park workouts. I have no preference, they’re both awesome.
  • The workouts are dove-tailed with a nutritional plan. You write down your food intake in a book they give you and one of the instructors checks it every morning and makes helpful little suggestions! They will also send you daily motivational emails and recipe ideas.
  • You aren’t supposed to drink any alcohol. This is my third boot camp, and the first time I have actually gone 4 weeks with out consuming a single unit of alcohol and I’m telling you, it makes a huge difference. But if 0 units sounds absolutely unbearable (and I can understand that!) I’m also telling you there have been plenty of mornings in the past where I have been out there sweating vodka and survived. It’s just more comfortable the other way.
  • There are a LOT of OBC times and locations. It’s a nationwide company with a LOT of scheduling options. There are new camps starting almost every week! See their website for more details.
  • If you’re not a “runner,” no sweat. (Pun intended.) While there are plenty of people training for various events: 10Ks, triathlons, marathons, etc, there are also people at all levels of fitness and at the end of 1 boot camp you WILL be able to run a 5K with ease. Fact.
  • Yes, we still work out in the rain, and yes, you will work out in the mud. Yes, I have found grass in my ear at 3PM.

workoutTry OBC for FREE:
There are 2 options. You can go to a FREE workout each and every Saturday in Piedmont Park. They meet at 8:15AM right by the Willy’s/Quattro entrance off Piedmont. OR, you can go to “Bring a Friend” day which is typically the 3rd Thursday of each camp. This one is trickier, you need to have a friend in the camp so that they can alert you of this.

You guys, I LOVE it. I mean, I really do. I feel amazing, I can tell I am improving athletically, and I know I am working harder because the group mentality is very encouraging. I am getting used to the early mornings (although, I’ll tell you, I have been going to sleep in the PM which is different for me. Oh, and my new favorite question is, “What time do you go to bed?” That’s a little weird.) but honestly, I feel more balanced and centered in general.

I recommend OBC 200%. Despite the havoc it’s wreaking on my manicure.

Hooah!

xx, L

www.operationbootcamp.com

OBC

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If You Know, Then You Know

07/31/2009 in Exercise! by Lindsay | 3 comments

I mean this in a general sense, but specifically, today, I am referring to workout goddess, Tracy Anderson.  Shauna introduced me to Tracy a little over half a year ago and since then she’s become a fixture in my workout plan (not to be confused with “Kanye’s Workout Plan”).  
 
I did yoga in college, mat pilates for years, worked out with trainers, been in and out of running kicks, trained for the Breast Cancer 3-Day and regularly kickboxed at a MMA studio in Atlanta, but I have to say that I sort of wish I’d been doing Tracy’s videos all along. 
 
Here’s the Q+DD on Tracy Anderson Method:
 
Tracey was a dancer and she moved to Manhattan to study at Julliard.  Like most college kids, she gained some weight.  In an attempt to shed the poundage, she started working out hardcore, but noticed that her formerly long/ lean muscles were bulking.  Yadda yadda yadda, she designed a workout program that focuses on building long/ lean muscles without making you look like the Terminator. 
She concentrates on small muscles groups and has you workout with weights from time to time, but never more than three pounds.  She says that anything above three pounds will create extra space in your arms that will eventually turn to flab.  This may sound soft, but her workouts are challenging.
 
FYI: Tracy is a personal trainer for both Gwenyth Paltrow and Madonna and her L.A. studio is in my bestie Amy’s neighborhood!
 
I have two of Tracy’s workout DVDs and do them frequently.  :)

You can buy them on her website: http://tracyandersonmethod.com/

 
51vDxjVybhL
 
Plus, she is cute as a button and her DVDs are much more fun to workout to than my old school 8 Minute Abs or my kinda scary Jane Fonda tapes…  Just saying, I have them. 
 
xx, L
 
 
 

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I’m Having an Affair…

07/22/2009 in Exercise! by Lauren | 3 comments

…and I think it might be love! With Piedmont Park, that is. I’ve been in Boot Camp this month (www.operationbootcamp.com, more about this in a future post.) so I wake up with the park, and yesterday, I must have missed it so much I went back for yoga in the evening.

piedmontpark

It was amazing. I’m almost scared to tip everyone off, but if you become a member of Atlanta Yoga Club, you can take advantage of their outdoor yoga practice for a mere $5. (Most are held in Piedmont, but also some in John Howell Park. There are even classes in Suwanee! P.S. What is Suwanee?)

What a fantastic evening. Last night’s class was Hatha, which was perfect for my tired muscles. Heather, the instructor, was cute as a button and was able to effectively lead about 20-25 people all of varying levels with ease. I was expecting to be a little bit rusty, but it really was like riding a bike…all of the terms were somehow still tucked away in my brain somewhere… “work through your vinyasa” … “take it up to warrior II” … “twist into fish pose”… along with some new poses I’d never done before. She had a nice critical eye on the class, coming over to correct everyone as needed, which I really appreciate.

Not to get too touchy-feely on you, but it was really refreshing to do yoga outside in the fresh air with people playing with their dogs and jogging by. I was so relaxed after the 75 minute class that I think I actually fell asleep for a little bit at the end! As I walked through the park (on my way to meet my friend for dinner at Metro Fresh, hello!) It was so cute to see the scattered blankets of people everywhere in the park: couples and families having picnics, reading, snapping pictures, relaxing…it wasn’t till I got to my car when I realized I’d been grinning like a total idiot the whole walk back.

So…there you have it! Can’t wait for Thursday’s class…

xx, L

www.meetup.com/atlantayogaclub/

P.S. Today’s Groupon is $5 tickets to Dad’s Garage! http://groupon.thepoint.com/atlanta/

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Beating to our Own Drum…

07/17/2009 in Exercise!, Random Musings by Lauren | 5 comments

Y’all. I drug Lindsay to the craziest yoga class of my life last night.

Before I start to describe this adventure, I need to preface this post by telling you that I have practiced yoga on and off for the last 10 years in 3 different cities. I have been to some very atypical classes (mostly in Austin and NYC) and between those and the decades of various acting classes in which I have participated, I am no stranger to stepping outside my comfort zone and yielding to unconventional experiences. (PS Lindsay is the same way. Get her to tell you about the Kundalini class she took in Austin off South Congress…)

I say all that to say this: I think most people that know me well would tell you that I am considerably more open-minded, accepting, adventurous, maybe even quirkier than I sometimes seem on the surface.

Anyway, I blogged about the complimentary rhythmic yoga practice set to live drumming that was being held at Lululemon, so I figured I should go! Plus, I have been really slack in my yoga for the last couple of years so I thought this would be a fabulous time to get started again. Plus, I have seen the Sunday yoga classes being held at their showroom before (albeit on my way to brunch at Food 101…) and it looks amazing. I was psyched.

I got there about 15 minutes before the class started and purchased a new fancy Lululemon yoga mat from one of the a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. sales associates and made my way over to where Lindsay had staked out some real estate for us in the back of the makeshift studio. It was PACKED. By 6:30, 70 people had shown up and there was probably only room for 30. People were outside on the sidewalk, it was pandemonium! I was into it, ready to get my stretch on. At that point, the instructor informs us that we’re going to get ALL the people INTO the studio.

Truly, I was excited for the Lulu girls that the event was such a success and I have to applaud the instructor for doing the best he could to include everyone, but at that point, we’re all sitting cross-legged (touching each other…) and it was a lot more breathing and dancing and Om-ing and less downward facing dog-ing and chataranga-ing.

I am ashamed to say that what this really meant to me is not only was I missing out on my much anticipated workout, but also that the general public was breathing and dancing and Om-ing ON me and my new fancy Lulu mat. (You should know that 99% of the class was really into it, Lindsay and I were the oddballs in this situation) You know? Truth be told, I am a lot of things, but touchy-feely is just not one of them.

Needless to say, Lindsay and I were NOT teacher’s pet last night as we swayed in place instead of dancing around the room, and ab crunched as everyone was child-posing. I’m ok with this. I was ready to get out of there and get my Yoforia fix. (Pomegranate and mango with walnuts and fruit last night…I love that place.)

All-in-all, it was a little outside the box, even for me. However, I enjoyed the drumming (those guys were awesome) and the instructor did say something that I haven’t really stopped thinking about since last night. We were all chanting “Om” together and he said something to the effect of that when everyone is making sounds at once, it eventually becomes a harmony and from that harmony comes chaos, but that chaos eventually returns to harmony. And that’s exactly what happened. Sometimes the sound was deafeningly discordant and sometimes it was really beautiful. He said we constantly dance between rhythm and chaos, and that really resonated with me in a big way.

It just made me think about how busy I like to keep myself and how everything always seems to be going at once and although most of the time I feel like I’m on a fabulous trajectory, sometimes I feel like I’m furiously spinning my wheels in no direction whatsoever. It was helpful to be reminded that when I’m really feeling the chaos, at some point, everything will return to harmony.

Maybe you needed to hear that today, too.

Have a fabulous weekend and…um, Namaste!

xx, L

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Lululemon + Yoga (+ Yoforia…)

07/10/2009 in Exercise!, Highlands, Where we're Eating, Where we're Shopping by Lauren | 3 comments

…fab fab fab.

I just dashed to Lululemon to retrieve my amazing yoga pants (in which I will be living henceforth) They’ve been there for alterations since my mom and I went a few weeks ago to find her a new Pilates wardrobe. (Let me just tell you, DK is for sure the envy of all the yentas at the BJCC.) I love Lulu. My fabulous NYC and LA friends have known about the athletic line for ages, but just clued me in about 7-8 months or so ago. Anyway, enjoy. www.lululemon.com. Currently we just have a showroom here, located on North Highland, but they have all the basics and the sales girls are presh. I am telling you, their workout gear is gorgeous and flattering and extremely durable. It’s not something I’d wear to, say, Boot Camp, but certainly to LAFit (and definitely running around town afterwards!) The best part? Their bags boasting their “manifesto” on the front…so adorable/amazing/inspiring. The girls even gave me a poster version on my last visit which is currently displayed on my fridge and I have to say, it kind of makes my morning!

poster_E_red_2008

They also have a complimentary yoga class in the store every Sunday morning from 10:30 – 11:30! They rotate yoga studios, so if you’re shopping studios, attend regularly so you can get a taste of a few! Also, Thursday July 16th from 6:30 -7:30 Bill Hufschmitd, the owner and founder of Jai Shanti Yoga, will be teaching a rhythmic yoga practice set to live drumming…sounds interesting, yes?

Bonus: Yoforia is right across the street and they have a new flavor: MANGO. It’s phenom. I miss the Green Tea, but it’s an even trade in my opinion. I zipped in there after I picked up my pants and I had some with fruit and fruity pebbles…what what!
lulu

1409 Suite F, North Highland Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30306
tel: 404.249.8900

xx, L

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