Kitten Lounge

Trendy Thursdays ~ Transitionally Fit: DB Gym Love Affair Continues

Kimmie Smith — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 21:29:02 EDT

Now that Fashion Week is over, it's awesome that my life is getting back to normal and one of those things is getting back to the gym. One of the things that I love about David Barton Gym is that it's not the typical gym. I'm a machine girl (unless you catch me at pilates or yoga) and I love that this room is so dim and lets you kind of be in your own world as you work out. Having warm hues in the room just sets a great mood and encourages you to keep pushing through the wall. Once you leave this room (although I love being here for 45 mins or so) then I love stopping by the disco ball to work (or try to) with the weights. You can't pass up a chance to see the city below as you rock out to whatever is being spun! Next stop - I have to check out a yoga class as I love having so many candles that they have an entire wall in the room flickering away!

Trendy Thursdays ~ Transitionally Fit: David Barton Gym

Kimmie Smith — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:00:00 EDT

Now many of you know that we kicked off fitness earlier this summer as apart of my press trip to Miami as I did Deadline Fitness from Gina Lombardi! Now the event has passed; however, you'll still hear of tips from Gina as we truly believe that fitness is a lifestyle. Although we had a hiatus, we are back with Transitionally Fit and right now our focus over the next month is David Barton Gym! I just became a member of the Astor place location but they have a few in the city as well as in other locations! You'll hear about my time there and also about the environment. Previously, I was a member of NYSC and not to say that it's not a nice a gym, but it's a place to go to get a workout and I find it to be functional.

As soon as I walked into this gym I was shocked I really don't know what to say about the style but it has a mix of a Carnival seductive vibe to it. There are a lot of sexy components to the gym and there is always something to look at. I love the fact that there is lower lighting as it's not comfortable for me to exercise in bright areas. In addition, I love that they have a DJ booth where he/she spins in a disco ball - very cool. With tons of equipment room, there's always a machine available. I also love that due to its location on Astor Place, you have amazing views as you look out. I'm really excited to get some exercise time in at this location and to try out their yoga room which looked so zen as there were candles everywhere! Stay tuned throughout the month of Sept on the updates about this facility.

Trendy Thursdays: Transitionally Fit ~ Deadline Fitness With Gina Lombardi

Kimmie Smith — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EDT

I'm not going to lie - as you read this, I'm lacing up my sneakers and getting ready to workout with Gina Lombardi of Deadline Fitness, Celebrity Trainer. Schick put together an amazing trip where select bloggers were flown down to South Beach to show off our fitness and of course how we stay smooth all summer long. Now I know that I have been exercising for the past month with this regimen but it's different when the person who created it is actually looking at you! Yesterday was an early start time and I always feel hectic when I'm traveling but I was ready when the car picked me up as I headed to LaGuardia Airport! Meeting the girls was definitely going to be fun and I was even more excited that I would be traveling with Aly Walansky of She Knows and Jeannine Morris of Beauty Sweet Spot! When we arrived we were greeted with a fab lunch and the Delano is as gorgeous as the pictures suggest. We got in some beach time, more drinks and of course we had a fab dinner at D Rodriguez Cuba at The Astor Hotel. Some of us continued on the fun of the night but in moderation of course ;).

But today we do the workout full on and Gina is leading us. I have enjoyed getting feedback from Gina throughout this process via Facebook whether she is encouraging me to press on with my workout or whether she's reminding me of how much sugar is in Jamba (it was only once I swear and I can say that I won't have to be reminded of how thirsty they make you after you drink them), chiding me on Bee Desserts (but they are natural and so good) or happy that I enjoyed some bevvies but once again in moderation! I have to say that since she is in LA and I'm here in NYC, she definitely cares about her clients and wants the best for them and definitely helps you in making good choices. Seeing that she is not even my trainer, I can appreciate that she kicks butt at what she does! To see her in person, I'm thinking she's 300% energy so I know that this will be good! But after the workout will be breakfast, massages and so much more. It's so funny that I rarely eat breakfast except when I travel or if there is a morning appointment that incorporates it! So I'll fill you in on the scoop when I return and let you know how it went!

Trendy Thursdays ~ Transitionally Fit: Keep it Smooth

Kimmie Smith — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EDT

As most things are in life, they're a package deal. For those of you that have been following along with me for the past month, you know that we have worked out together while doing Celebrity Trainer Gina Lombardi's, Deadline Fitness. I was approached by Schick to come down to Miami, to stay at the Delano with a number of bloggers many that are my besties to participate in a fun program! It has been a blast as focusing on my workout has allowed me to also focus in on changing up some of my eating habits, trying out new workouts, gear and so much more. When you start doing one thing, it has a trickle effect on everything else. So when the 27th hits, it's not an excuse to stop working out as you hit whatever goals you set for yourself, it's a way to be excited that you made the first or continued steps to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As you workout you see the outer effects but there are a lot of things going on on the inside that also make you feel so much better about everything!

Upon my return, we will transition from Deadline Fitness to another workout that I am excited about so don't slack now, it's just the beginning! So when you start feeling good, and trimming down, you also need to attack other elements and the Q Squad was comprised of a celebrity trainer, stylist and life coach as all of these are important when you're renewing and moving forward. But I also have to say that it's nice to do the little things or as I call it, "the beautification" Schick is providing me 2 fun kits that can be yours. Leave comments on goals you have for your fitness routine and why it's important to you and you could win one of the packs! A winner will be selected August 4th!

Trendy Thursdays ~ Transitionally Fit: In a Yoga State of Mind

Kimmie Smith — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EDT

Jasmine Perfume Oil by Simplers Botanical Company $12 - Smallflower

Yoga Mat $50 - adidas

adidas Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto Kuro Large Boston N W $244 - Zappos Couture

Functionalab Beauty Dose: Hair, Skin & Nails $33 - Bliss

The workouts continue as I'm inching closer to the completion of Deadline Fitness, by Celebrity Trainer - Gina Lombardi. I love working out and with so much going on, I had to change up a few things so I've added yoga into the mix. Since I have taken it with various instructors, I've learned about things that are perfect for me! I'm a huge fan of placing oils in the palm of my hands before I begin to do yoga. The aromatherapy element that this provides is amazing and I'm a fan of lavendar which helps me to calm down and to relax that much more. I never know where I have to go after yoga so along with the mat, I always have a bag so that I can continue to do whatever. I'm also a fan of Functionalab's supplements as I have been taking them on and off since last year. I love the beauty tonic and it's easy to take when you're on the go!

For those that are still on the fitness kick with me or have recently picked it up, continue on as I'm sure you're seeing the results and loving it. Event when I fly out on the 28th to meet up with the rest of the bloggers that participated in this challenge, continue on as it's nice to stay fit and it gives you an extra boost in your day!

Trendy Thursdays ~ Transitionally Fit: Rejuvenate & Reward

Kimmie Smith — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:38:31 EDT

Mask of Magnaminty $11 - Lush

Laura Mercier Crème Brulee Honey Bath $40 - Bloomingdale's

Carols daughter Carol's Daughter Almond Cookie Shea Souffle - 4 oz. $13 - Macy's

Molton Brown - Celestial Maracuja Sugar Polish - 300 g $60 - Beauty Habit

As you know later on this month, I will head down to Miami for a fun few days in the sun with various members from Schick (loved the lunch presentation I attended at The Standard Grill at The Standard NY to learn about the Schick Intuition Plus razors, pomegranate is in our near future and loved the results this morning), The Q Squad and fab bloggers that I'm proud to call friends! This is all apart of our commitment to Deadline Fitness, a book created based on Celebrity Stylist, Gina Lombardi's tips that allow people to intensify their workout when certain deadlines come up. Since June 28th, I've kicked up my workout activity as I not only only want to look my best in general but also for the trip and upcoming ones as well! I've been asked how do I stay motivated. Well being someone that is always running around, I love knowing that that I can focus my energy into working out to get a lot of my extra activity out. Typically, I exercise during the day so that I get off to a good start. Sometimes in a week I have that one day where I really push myself and I may get a little sore but I always have a way to reward and rejuvenate my body so that it's ready for the next day!

With a crazy schedule that will only increase, I love to not only provide treats like a smoothie but also bath products. Maybe one day in a week I take a bath or I'm a huge believer in exfoliating the face and body and of course I am a lotion freak so I love finding extra decadent lotion and pampering myself! There are times that I don't even have time to go to a spa so it's nice that you can turn your bathroom (regardless of space) into one. My workouts are a blend of what I love, items I hate but that I know targets my body and then something new that I may have picked up! For me, my workout is to maintain my good health and to increase my stamina and strength in general which is always a good thing. But although our body is a fine tuned machine, it still is our bodies and deserves to have a little TLC! Keep up the work for those that are working out on Deadline Fitness as you'll see the results the more you stay on it!

Trendy Thursdays ~Transitionally Fit: Keep it Changing

Kimmie Smith — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:45:18 EDT

So as you guys know, I'm on the Deadline Fitness workout that was created by Celebrity Trainer, Gina Lombardi. I'll be in Miami courtesy of Schick and with a few bloggers on July 28th so I took the challenge via the Q Squad to work out for 30 days in order to be ready for the trip. Although I exercise a lot and am always walking, even I get a little more intense when I know that I am hitting the beach. In addition, it comes at a time where I have a lot of trips coming up so I welcomed this challenge. I'm almost at the end of my first week and I was 128 pounds going into this and am sitting at 126 pounds. Now I'm not perfect as I probably still snack every now and again on a nibble that I shouldn't but I always make sure that whatever I'm eating or sipping I balance it out with working out a little more or eating more veggies and fruits the next day.

Working from home I have a pseudo set routine until all of a sudden I have to cover an event, story etc. Regardless of what is going on, I'm committed to working out in the morning when nothing has really started to take place. I work out with my soft weights and stability ball from 8 - 9pm. Typically I don't do a lot of weights except in these deadline situations. I have also amped up my ab workouts as that is a key area for me that I want to be better. I really think about my workout to maximize what's happening with my body. Just like I change up my routines and when I know I need to push through the last set of lunges or crunchies, I have my Beyonce tunes to get me through!

The food aspect is one that is just as important to think about! I have been eating salads all week sometimes twice a day. Now I love salads but sometimes your body screams "um hello pizza". So that's when I change it up. I have never really been a fan of watermelon and then a few weeks ago you guys saw a post on Yellow Watermelon, there is something about having new colors in your salad that make it exciting. I make a salad that has cucumbers, yellow watermelon, celery, tomato, romaine, corn, dried cranberries and a Soy Ginger Vinaigerette that's the Trader Joe's brand. On a warm day it's yummie AND when you have so many crunchy items in your salad you feel so much happier. The less amount of crunch I have, my stomach and I are not in alignment. As a treat yesterday I made sun tea as I have been drinking a lot of water. Doing things to mix it up will make you happier and will encourage you to not pig out on items that you shouldn't. As a treat (although I usually don't eat sweets but when I get intense I feel that my body appreciates this), I eat one piece of Trader Joe's Dark Choclate Mint it's vegan and it tastes yummie. The workout continues but with 2 pounds lost and noticing tighter abs I'm pretty happy!

Sippin Saturdays ~ Transitionally Fit: #SexyinMiami Playlist

Kimmie Smith — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 14:30:37 EDT

I can't believe it but it's here on Mon I kick off my work on Gina Lombardi's Deadline Fitness which will be 30 days to get ready for #sexyinMiami (love that Jeannine Morris, Aly Walansky, Amber Katz, Andrea Lavinthal, India Jewel Jackson and a few other style bloggers) courtesy of Schick! I believe that we should always be fit no matter what but there are times where you have to kick it up a notch and knowing that we'll be at the Delano for a few days this is definitely a great idea! You guys know that I'll be working out with fitness pieces from Natural Fitness (FITNESS25KS which gives you 25% off of orders over $50) and that I think you should always be dressed for the occasion! But even more important is having music - without it how can you keep pushing past the wall that sometimes happens?

Here are my top 20 songs that I will rock out on my iPod which are available on iTunes. Yes I have created a #sexyinMiami playlist and if you want to know how this all started then you need to go back to the beginning to find out more about #sexyinmiami!

WARMUP:
1. Paris is Burning, LadyHawke
2. Run This Town, Jay Z, Kanye West & Rhianna

WORKOUT:
3. Crazy, Gnarls Barkley
4. Rude Boy, Rhianna
5. 1 Thing, Amerie featuring Eve
6. Circus, Britney Spears
7. Video Phone, Beyonce featuring Lady Gaga
8. Survivor, Destiny's Child
9. Lit Up, Buckcherry
10. Alive, P.O.D.
11. Chasing Pavement, Adele
12.Paparazzi, Lady Gaga
13. Calabria 2007 Club Remix, Enur
14. Thriller, Michael Jackson
15. Take on Me, Aha
16. More Than a Woman, Aaliyah
17. American Boy, Estelle
18. Empire State of Mind, Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys

COOLDOWN:
19. You Make Me Wanna, Usher
20. Meet Me Halfway, Black Eye Peas

Sippin Saturdays ~ Transitionally Fit: The Gear

Kimmie Smith — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:40:35 EDT

I always love gathering my items together before doing any project and Deadline Fitness is no different! If you guys want to know how it all began and my involvement with Schick and how it leads to Miami then click here! Earlier this week had the pleasure of finding out more behind the book with our exclusive interview with Gina Lombardi which looks at exercising in a focused way when you have a deadline whether it's getting a part, meeting up with old friends and more.

Although I work out regularly the idea of going to Miami for this trip and then hitting my fashion calendar events have driven me to tone up! Immediately I thought about wanting to get some new items for my home gym as I love the soft weights and the stability ball and didn't have one. Thanks to Natural Fitness, not only do I have a new gym system but they're all eco-fitness products which is super important. In addition they provided a fitness code FITNESS25KS for my readers where you will receive 25% off of your $50 order as a first time user! So not only will you have fab items but you're helping the environment as they plant a tree for each purchase that is made which I think is phenom! When my soft weights arrived, they came with a great series of workouts that I could use which made me happy. At 4lbs each, I know that these will tone up my arms. With the ball, I received the pump as well as an eco DVD (you heard right and at first I thought that mine had been misplaced as it wasn't firm but flexible) - I will start playing with this today.

For those who have fab eyes - yes my workout mat is from Dickinson's as I am a huge fan of their Witch Hazel natural towelettes that I use throughout the day especially after a workout! After going to their event and receiving this mat, it has also been apart of my regimen.

Kudos to those who have responded via email that they would love to workout with me or excited to learn more about the book! This program will start for 30 days on June 28th and I will let you in on all the info! Next week, find out my goals as I am filling out the workbook to see where I currently am and where I want to be - in addition, find out about my workout music next Sat as it's an essential component to me staying in the zone!

Trendy Thursdays ~ Transitionally Fit: Exclusive Interview With Gina Lombardi

Kimmie Smith — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:38:32 EDT

As I'm typing this right now, I have pushed the hectic portions of the morning aside and am munching on a salad, bag of carrots and non sweetened green tea as I get a lot of work done. I'm definitely feeling the zen (mainly because I'm back online) but I digress! Last week (Sat to be precise) I let you guys in on a new segment coming to Kitten Lounge - Fitness! Now starting on June 28th, I will begin Deadline Fitness (if you want to catch up on what's going on start here) where I will do a workout that is meant to get me to my goal within 30 days. Although deadline fitness is all about working out within 3 months, 2 months, a month or even 2 weeks it's meant to be a lifestyle> This means, I work out all the time but maybe if I have something really huge going on I may need to intensify and that's where the deadline comes in. At the end of this workout various bloggers including myself, Jeannine Morris of Beauty Sweet Spot and Aly Walansky of She Knows will be flown out to sunny fab Miami courtesy of Schick. We will have tons of tips from the Q Squad (Gina being one of them) and I will share them with you and hope that you will work out with me! I reached out to Natural Fitness and they graciously sent me two things that I wanted to get as apart of my workout (you too can enjoy a fab discount code for your eco-fitness gear by using FITNESS25KS which gives you 25% off of orders over $50 good for one person now through 6/16/2011 - check in on Saturday to find out about what you guys will see me using in future posts). I began reading Celeb Trainer, Gina Lombardi's book - Deadline Fitness and loved it but had so many questions! Gina and I chatted earlier this week to get more info about fitness, targeted foods and more.

Gina has worked with a number of celebs and has fab client base and she understands that there are options - some love gyms and machines and others don't. In her book she has two tracks - workouts with machines and those without. Although I will use soft hand weights and a stability ball, she explains that you don't need a home gym or equipment. Many times her clients continue their work while they're traveling and living out of their hotel rooms. There are plenty of exercises that you can do to keep on track! So whether you have a lot of space or your in your studio - no excuses!

I have always been someone who works out but my intensity changes depending on whether I had a photoshoot (back in my modeling days) or when I'm hitting this season where I will be in Miami at the end of next month, going to Vegas for the fashion trade shows in Aug, then on to New York Fashion Week and culminating with my sites party for it's 3 Year Party. In times like this I increase my target areas but then certain foods change. I'm not much of a snacker and I eat pretty well but believe me I have my splurge foods (mashed potatoes) they are the first to leave my list of choices. In talking with Gina, I found out that Trader Joe's which we shop at each week as we have one near us and there are a few in the city (yippie that it is coming to Chelsea soon) has an amazing Egg White Salad! They come in various flavors - this weekend I will buy the spicy one and the one that has cheese in it. This is an excellent source of protein and is good for you! She also suggests greek yogurt that you can add crunchy high fiber fruit and nut medley cereal too. It gives you something extra to pop into it while being really good for you. As you get closer to the end of the month, you'll want to start taking out this cereal as something to eat every day and you will have it every other. Protein Powders are great to enjoy as well and are available at Whlolefoods and Trader Joe's as well. But make sure that they are 100% Whey and have no more than 2% carbs. This way you're definitely consuming what your body needs.

To cleanse or not to cleanse. Many of you know that I did the Master Cleanse with boyfriend and Food Editor on this site, Paul Belobritsky - I did not make it 7 days and getting to 3 was tough! I can see the benefits but my body couldn't do it. Gina suggested the Blueprint Cleanse as they have a number of options. After chatting with one of the reps I will actually do a 3 day cleanse of juices as I want to kick off my diet by detoxing a bit (as a side note, I do a little detox at least once a week. My version is that one day a week I drink water and have a raw veggie only diet it's a nice way to give my body some relief and yet I still enjoy eating solid foods). This will happen 3 days prior to June 28th. On the last day of the Deadline, I will do a Juice til Dinner which essentially is another round of juices for the majority of the day and then a meal. In essence, throughout the Deadline I will share the healthy foods that I will be eating to give you guys an idea of my eating habits for the next few months.

Now with all this talk of food, what happens if there is a birthday party or you have an Editor's event or something? Gina gave great points. You could just not eat when you're there. You can eat prior to going and once at your event enjoy a glass of seltzer or find items that do work for you as many events have a salad or something healthy. If that doesn't happen and you feel that you're going to eat what is there, just know that you will need to compensate (I find that I do this). If I enjoy some items that are outside of what I should be eating, I have just added more items to my workout. That could be an extra hour or extra sets of a particular routine.

In working out, you need to stick with it. Find the routines that you like as those will help you out and keep you motivated. Gina suggests to have a buddy and even though you're besties remember that it's a workout you can still chat while hitting your routines hard core. Stay strong, when you hit those slumps remember your goals and find ways to stay encouraged and you'll notice that it becomes easier to get up and out the door to stay fit. Change it up as well, sometimes ruts happen when you do the same thing. There are many yoga, dance, videos on You Tube etc that can let you sample different routines that are either free or affordable. Keep your eyes out as you just might find some fun activities that you never thought of.

The best part of working out is being able to challenge yourself and to understand what you're doing. Gina suggests that people should get a pedometer (you know the little device that counts your steps). Did you know that the minimum daily steps should be 10,000. That means from the time you get up until bedtime every step, walking up the stairs, visiting a shop etc is counted. If you haven't hit it and still haven't exercised then you know you have work to do. When you start hitting 15,000 and 18,000 steps you know you're losing. I walk all over the city I'm the girl who will walk from Penn Station to Jimmy Choo (that's 32nd and 7th ave to 62nd and Madison).

If you have questions or clarifications, email me and I'll reach out as Gina is a fab resource and a motivator. She truly cares about good health. If anyone was following my checkins on Foursquare which also go into my Facebook account, you saw I was at Jamba Juice, I hadn't had one in about a year and they had $1 Jambas for their power blends and of course I had one - this morning I received a comment from Gina "Too Much Sugar" - she was so right I now know why I stopped drinking them and yes I drank tons of water yesterday and added more to my workout today. She later followed up with "Stay STRONG on your workout" - I love it who doesn't want to be motivated? There are more tips to come and I hope this encourages you to workout, follow along with her book and to ask away!

Sippin Saturdays: Transitionally Fit ~ Kitten Lounge Gets Fit

Kimmie Smith — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EDT

So obviously some back story is needed on this! I am someone who loves to work out! You've see me work with Exhale Spa to create fitness weeks where you can enjoy their services at a super promotional rate! You've also seen me post work out with some of my girls at Physique 57 thanks to my partnership with Dove and now fitness is becoming a regular thing on the site. We're kicking it off with Schick Quattro for Women, the Q Squad and Gina Lombardi and it culminates in Miami! So last week I received an email saying that the Q Squad is a group of women who represent Fashion Stylist iennifer Rade, Fitness Guru Gina Lombardi and Life Coach Gabrielle Bernstein (whose book I read and will be on this site soon). They will be working with a few bloggers (including me) over the next month to get us into shape and then to show off our work in fabulous Miami at the end of next month! I love Miami and I feel we can always learn new ways to be fit. Schick Quattro for Women is all about looking fabulous and on their Facebook Page you can get these women's tips as well as follow along with the bloggers that are in this program as well! They believe in smooth moves that enhance women's lives beyond having touchable skins and really facilitating the entire woman - mind, body and soul.

They had me at Miami but I read Gina's book and love the idea of her deadlines as many times we know that we should exhibit good health all the time but the reality is that there are deadlines such as I need to look good in 3 months for a trip, in 2 months I'm going to my reunion, I'm meeting my boyfriend's parents in 1 month or I have to land this part and the casting is in 2 weeks. Gina lays this out in Deadline Fitness and creates activities that you can do whether you use machines or don't! I am interviewing her on Mon so if you guys have questions please feel free to post them here or to send them in so that she can let you know her thoughts!

I am doing the 1 month challenge and will be kicking off the workout on Mon June 28th for 30 days straight! I have partnered with Natural Fitness which is a premium eco-fitness line as I will do the non machine workout and wanted to get their Burst Resistant Exercise Ball as well as their Soft Hand Weights (4 lbs) which I will use in lieu of dumbells! I am definitely all about eco and I love their concept "Green Your Workout. Green Our World." which is fab since not only are their products sustainable, but for each one sold, they plant a tree. They will be working with me and I will share the successes, goals, etc as I do my 30 days! If you've always wanted a partner to exercise with or someone to chat with, now you have one - let me know next week who would like to be apart of Kitten Lounge's Squad and receive special incentive for your interest and acceptance of our mission! But once the 30 is over, I will continue on as fitness is a lifestyle and you will find out about other exciting programs that I will be working with! College students, you will definitely enjoy this especially if this is your first year heading out to your new school!

I can't wait to share, Tweet, FB and to also converse back and forth with the partners on this as well! For this segment, this will appear on Thursdays as well as Saturdays up until the trip. Once the trip takes place, we will firmly have this as a Saturday segment so that you always have a place to go to for tips, great products, etc and I'm so glad to be working with everyone involved!