Let'g Get Physical - article in Welum.com

http://welum.com/article/lets-get-physical/

Let's get physical and keep those new year's resolutions! 

Making a new year's resolution is a fabulous way to make a positive change in your life, whether it's drinking less, saving money, waking up earlier, or going to the gym.  Unfortunately, according to US News, about 80% of new year's resolutions fail by February.

If you want to be in the top 20%, listen to experts like Malia Frey.  She is listed as one of the top 10 weight loss influencers, and is the expert for verywell.com and the owner of The Daily Diet Tip.  She recommends setting simple attainable and measurable goals. For example:

• I commit to taking a new exercise class this evening for one hour.
• I commit to eating fruit instead of baked goods when I’m craving sweets.
• I commit to completing three 10-minute walking sessions throughout the day.
• I commit to reaching within 100 calories of my daily weight loss calorie target.
• I commit to burning 300 extra calories today, as measured by my Fitbit.

Physical therapist, Ming Chew, suggests losing weight very slowly with intermittent fasting.  It is easy to get lean without going on a crazy diet.  Basically, you have a set window of time where you get all your calories in and then fast the rest of the day.   So, in a 24-hour period, you fast for 17 hours and have an 8-hour window to have your meals.  You can skip breakfast and then have an early lunch at 11:00 am and then eat dinner before 7:00 pm, with no eating or snacking past 8:00 pm.  

Why does it work?  When you fast, insulin levels go down significantly, and this facilitates fat burning.  Your cells initiate important cellular repair processes, and human growth hormone increases.  Short-term fasting actually increases your metabolic rate by 3.6-14%, helping you burn even more calories, including that stubborn belly fat.

There are so many ways you can maintain your new year's resolutions.  So what are you waiting for? Let's all get physical this year, and look good while you're at it with these great fashions too.

Credits:

Models -Naoumie Ekiko @naoumie, Becca Blaise, @becca_blaise, Q Models @qmodels
Photography - Becky Yee @beckyyeephoto
Stylist - Angelina Vivace, Ennis Inc. @angelinavivace
Hair and Makeup - Chris Newberg, Wilhelmina @clnewburg
Production Coordinator - Katia Lawson @katialawson
Location  - Belleon Gym
Retouching - Around Digital Media
Special Thanks - Jeff Bell

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Next to Naked

 I believe in always leaving something up to the imagination.  As much as I love nudes there is something about being partially covered that is so much more enticing.  Something that makes me want to see more than what the photograph is showing.

Butterfly mask by Bijoux Indiscrets

This concept was the inspiration for this beauty story I shot for GoBeauty, a danish magazine.  The nude lip story showcases barely there matt beige lips to silvery kissed nudes and chestnut That was the inspiration for this editorial I shot for GoBeauty in #Denmark - nude lip colors from barely there beige to silvery skin tones and chestnut rose.  

Shot on the rooftop of my studio in downtown nyc - I LOVED the laser cut vinyl masks made by Bijoux Indiscrets. 

Staff list
Model - Olesia Ainsimovich, Wilhelmina Models
Photography - Becky Yee
Makeup - Gabriella Tipsa Brun
Production:  Around Digital Media
Special thanks to Blush Intimates

MAINTAINING MOTIVATION

Kaelin wears Under Armour Women - photo by Becky Yee

I recently recommended a personal trainer for a friend and then she blurted out, "I want to drop 17 pounds in 1 month."  The previous week I witnessed the same person drink so much the bartender cut her off and then after midnight binge eat 2 vegetarian crepes slathered with butter and cheese.  Anything is possible but when you go from sedentary to gung ho you can get burned ou pretty fast and may lose your dedication to living a healthy and stylish life.  Below I share some really easy things to help keep your motivation for working out.

Set realistic goals
Goals are good but baby steps.  You have to learn how to walk before you can run so know yourself.  Just start going to the gym once a week for 30min-hour.  If you want to just go slowly on the treadmill and do a few free wights fine.  I like to do a 3 day workout not an overall body workout. I do chesk and back, arms and shoulders and leg day.  I used to hate cardio but slowly added in 1 run a week.  Yo can also set a health and diet goals too. I like to drink cocktails.  It my vice so I try and set small little milestones that are fairly easy to maintain.  For example, I will drink only 2 nights a week as opposed to almost every night, or I will drink a glass of water after every cocktail.  These are all attainable goals.  The more you set the realistic goal the easier it is to maintain.

Choose a fun workout
There are so many different ways to stay fit and exercise these days.  Its easier to continue to do something that you enjoy doing and brings you joy.  I found myself waking up in the middle of winter before dawn and meeting my friend at 6:00am so we can run over the Brooklyn Bridge.  I loved to watch the sunrise lighting up the nyc skyline in a crisp golden glow.  It was dark, freezing cold, but i had so much fun and enjoyed it so much I would bounce up out of bed ready to go.

Sunrise on Brooklyn Bridge in Winter - iphone photo by Becky Yee

Add Variety
Try different things to keep it fresh and exciting.  Do you like dancing take a zumba class. Do you prefer solitary alone time, put on your favorite podcast or playlist and hit the weight machines.  Need someone to bark orders at you and kick your butt go to a boot camp class.  Wanna be a beast go to cross fit and get motivated looking at all the hard bodies in class.  Besides running and weight lifting one of my other favorite workouts is Kendo.  Its full contact Japanese style fencing.  I have done Kendo for over 20 years and I find it surprisingly relaxing.  You look like Darth Vader, in fact a lot of the Jedi stuff is based on Kendo, Its loud, you get to scream, hit people over the head and its a lot of fun in a sort of hardcore way.  I find that my head is super clear and focused.  I feel grounded and as I mentioned before peaceful and calm after practice. So feel free to try different workouts, a martial arts class, kick boxing, yoga, spinning, try and mix it up.

Workout with a friend
For some reason when a friend is waiting for me at the gym, you better believe I grab my gym bag and get my butt on time to the gym.  Even if you don't have friends that are in to working out there are meetup groups online communities.  Many running stores do organized runs like Jack Rabbits in NYC.   Working out can be social and fun and when you have the support its easier to plan your workouts and get nutrition info and advice on gear and classes.  So grab your bestie and hit the gym!

Track your progress
It may seem a little strange at first to keep a fitness journal but its encouraging to see how you have grown and developed in your fitness routine.  I encourage everyone to keep a fitness journal. 2 and 1/2 years ago I hated cardio and could barely run 2 miles.  Now I am training for my first marathon and can run 13-14 miles without that much stress.  I am a slow runner so my goals are just to get the miles in not worry about my time. I use the app Map My Run by Under Armour to track my distance and pace and then write it all down in my journal along with what I ate. You would be surprised how just a little more effort and exercise can create a noticeable change in your body over time.  Taking photos never hurt either.  I have a before working out regularly shot of my butt.  It wasn't pretty and I do not show it to anyone but when I look now, my butt got more toned and I like it that way so that is a huge motivation to continue working out.

So be consistent and keep up your motivation.  If you have any comments on this post or questions pease post below.  I would love to hear from you.  Being fit and healthy never goes out of style! 

Fitness Is The New Black - article in Welum.com

With all of my free time (haha) I am also a contributor to Welum.com its a super cool online magazine and they also publish an art coffee book with the best of the articles they feature on the web.

http://welum.com/article/fitness-new-black/

Fitness is the latest social trend and fitness fashion is the latest in meet and greet clothing. It seems like only yesterday the tradition of going to bars and eating in restaurants a la "Sex and the City" influenced droves of young women in New York City to brandish their Manolos and spend all their free time laughing over cosmos with friends at the trendiest restaurants. But that seems like a hazy booze-filled distant past. Innovations in health and wellness have influenced young women to trade in their luxury heels for a pair of brightly colored Under Armour sneakers and Lululemon leggings, then meet their favorite gal pals for a Brooklyn Body Burn class followed by a raw pressed juice.

Brooklyn Body Burn uses the Lagree Fitness™ method that uses muscle-toning principles of Pilates and adds elements of cardio. They use a M3S MegaFormer™ which encourages you to use maximum exertion with minimal stress on joints and your spine.

Other innovations in fitness and gyms which have contributed to fitness' rise in popularity  is David Barton's new gym TMPL.  Trendy New Yorkers, who loved to stand in line at the latest club and gyrate their hips to pumping music with strobe lights and smoke machines, now gravitate to this 40,000- square foot mecca of fitness, technology and innovative training and classes.

When I arrived at TMPL, a woman said to me, "Welcome to the happiest place on earth".  Then she led me past a plush velvet lounge to the lockers, but I felt like a VIP being escorted to my table with bottle service. I took their Holy Water class, exclusively at TMPL.  It's a class where you do the entire workout on a floating exercise mat in a salt water pool.  It engages your core on a deep level because you need to keep your balance on the board or you get baptized in the water. The pool room has pink and blue lights meant for a dance club and there's even a live DJ mixing music.  

Working out at TMPL was just as much fun as going to a night club.  I felt like staying there all night after work and chatted and talked with trainers and other "worshippers".  It was the new "in" place to be.

Social gatherings have been transformed, and the clothes and shoes one socializes in has been too.  At a recent visit to boutique spinning studio, Byklyn (pronounced bike-lyn),  I spoke with NY model Ruthie Hanan, who said, "I use Class Pass and love to check out new classes and different fitness studios with my sister and friends.  That's how I found Byklyn".

Byklyn is just one of many boutique fitness studios that are popping up all over the city and becoming the "in" social place to gather.  Owner Amy Glosser said, "Even though we are just steps away from the Barclay's Center, this studio has a small community vibe. I am from a small town and I try and create that atmosphere here.  People meet here and get to know one another, chat and become friends. It's really great."

If you want to hang out with your friends hit the gym and be like other trendy New Yorkers;  if you want to see hot guys and gals, don't go to traditional places like a bar or night club, go to the gym. Experience people in workout clothes instead of dress clothes.

And if you want more stylish and healthy living stories, go to my new blog called "Fitness is the New Black"  because being fit and healthy never goes out of style.  Check it out at www.Fitnessisthenewblack.com.

Photography & Article by Becky Yee

STAFF CREDITS

Models Dakota Moore & Ashley Adelberg, Q Models
Photography by Becky Yee
Stylist Jamez Eli
Make-up Julissa Lopez
Hair Jamez Eli
Production Coordinator Ty Austin
Production & Retouching by Around Digital Media
Special Thanks to Belleon Gym, Just Chill Drinks, Beeganbites, Exotic Bars 

CLOTHING CREDITS

FEATURED IMAGE
DAKOTA WEARS INFINITY UNITARD FROM LIQUIDO ACTIVE, ACCESSORIES/FAUX FUR FROM JAMEZ ELI, SHOES TRAFFIC

IMAGE 1
ASHLEY (MODEL ON THE LEFT) WEARS MINA JACKET FROM LIME AND VINE, TANGERINE VITALITY BRA FROM LIQUIDO, ACCESSORIES FROM JAMEZ ELI, SHOES ALDO

Dakota (model on the right) wears Milan Jacket from Lime and Vine, Red Tear Drop Bra from Liquido Active, Accessories from Jamez Eli, Shoes Call It Spring

Zero Ginger - Just Chill Drinks
Rings and weights courtesy of Belleon Body Gym NYC

IMAGE 2
DAKOTA (MODEL ON THE LEFT) WEARS ORA TOP FROM LIME AND VINE, RBX BOYLEGS PERFORMANCE UNDERWEAR, METALLIC BAG FROM QUILTED KOALA, SHOES CALL IT SPRING

Ashley (model on the right) wears Overnight Pants from Jamez Eli, bag from NYC Subway Line, Accessories/Faux Fur from Jamez Eli.

IMAGE 3
ASHLEY WEARS FUCHSIA MOVEMENT BRA TOP FROM LIQUIDO ACTIVE, DIAMOND LEGGINGS FROM WERKSHOP, ACCESSORIES FROM JAMEZ ELI.

IMAGE 4
DAKOTA WEARS RED STRAP BACK BRA TOP FROM LIQUIDO ACTIVE, CIRCUS GIRL LEGGINGS FROMWERKSHOP, CHOKER/ACCESSORIES FROM JAMEZ ELI, SHOES CALL IT SPRING

IMAGE 5
ASHLEY WEARS TABBY ROMPER FROM JAMEZ ELI, CHOKER/BELT/BAG  FROM JAMEZ ELI, SHOES ALDO

Pink Boxing Gloves Courtesy of Belleon Body Gym NYC

Rings courtesy of Belleon Body Gym NYC

MAGE 6
DAKOTA WEARS BLACK UNITARD FROM LIQUIDO ACTIVE, CHOKER/ACCESSORIES FROM JAMEZ ELI, SHOES CALL IT SPRING

How I learned to love running.

My friend Attica posted on her facebook page, "Who wants to do the Tough Mudder with me?"  I had no idea what the Tough Mudder was but I did see another friend post something on her wall where she said " I am one Tough Mudder"  So i replied back immediately "I'm in".  

I had no idea what the Tough Mudder was.  I didn't even google it, or do any research.  I just wanted to hang out with my friend who I had met in Tokyo when we were both living there.  Years have gone by and its hard keeping in touch with everyone so I thought, why not.  

So I rode my bike from Chinatown to the arc in Prospect Park.  I have to admit, I hated running.  I hated doing cardio.  I am the grip it and rip it type of person.  I like weight training, I love doing pull-ups but I would make a stink face when I looked at all the cardio bunnies in the gym.  But there I was getting ready to start my Tough Mudder training with a run!  

Attica the one who roped us all in to do the Tough Mudder said, "I want to hang out with my friends and see everyone but every time we get together we are either going for a drink or grabbing dinner.  I wanted an excuse to see my friends where we weren't drinking or eating, so I thought why don't we do this."

So there we were at 10am on a warm Sunday morning in August.   We started our training with a 2 mile run.  We all probably ran the slowest 2 miles ever.  Not sure but a 18-20 min mile.  None of use could even run continuously and we had to stop several times along the way.  But it was a start.

To my surprise I felt great.  I wound up looking forward to our weekly Sunday morning run with friends.  Instead of going drinking on a Saturday night or drinking a bottle of wine over dinner,  I found myself drinking plenty of liquids getting to bed early and waking up sprinting on my bike over to prospect park. I felt great after the runs and the rest of my week went so smoothly too.  I had tons of energy and just felt alive.  

At the end of October I was in Chicago speaking at the DIY Musicians Conference teaching musicians how to take better photos.  It was my 2nd night of deep dish pizza and I felt horrible. The women sitting across from me said she is going for a run the following morning.  She was training for a half marathon and I asked if I could join her.  

We ran along the waterfront in Chicago and it was beautiful. I got to know this singer songwriter from north east better, we stopped and took touristy photos along the way and to my utter disbelieve we ran 8-9 miles with no problem.  We had only been training once a week and in less than 3 months I was able to enjoy a long run?  What? Have i just become a runner?  OMG I couldn't believe that I actually enjoy running!  

I am externally grateful to my friend Attica for introducing me to the Tough Mudders.  I have since ran 2 and will probably run a few more and I may even do a Spartan Beast?  I also I decided to run my first marathon on the great wall of china!  More on this later but please subscribe to my newsletters and post any comments or feedback.  I would love to hear from you! Namaste.

What's a fitness blog doing on a photographer's website?

I know it may seem a bit odd to have a fitness blog on a photographers website but it seemed perfectly natural for me.  I've been a professional photographer for over 15 years and I love shooting lingerie, swimwear and nudes so basically people showing a lot of skin. So the world of fitness seemed like the next place to go with people showing off their bodies.  

We all want to look good in that bikini or negligee so of course we get our butts to the gym, spinning class or yoga.  Personally I also love to live an active life and want to encourage everyone to do the same.  I get bored doing the same things at the gym.  I need some spark to keep me inspired.   So that is why I created this blog, for motivation! 

So who is this blog for?  If you are looking for some extreme way to drop 50 pounds in a month this is not the blog for you.  But if you want to be introduced to some cool fitness experts giving great tips, basic nutrition stuff we should all know but don't really, check out some cool new classes and fun new trends then this blog is for you.  

I think of myself as a middle of the roader in terms of fitness.  I like fitness.   I love doing pull-ups.   I am active and work out every week but I have to admit that every now and then I enjoy drinking cocktails with my friends, chugging a beer and even indulging in a chocolate triple mousse cake.  I don't enjoy counting calories or weighing out my protein.  I will leave that to the weight loss experts.   I even find myself overwhelmed by work and traveling for photoshoots and sometimes I don't go to the gym for 3 weeks.

Its so easy to fall of the wagon and not make time for working out and taking care of your health.  But as I have read and believe in, if we don't make time for our health now then we will be forced to make time later when we are sick. Hopefully this blog will be that little bird in your ear go check out that new boxing class with your friend or inspire you to run while its snowing out (I'll be writing a post about this one!). 

Look forward to hearing from you so please sign up for my newsletter and stay in touch.  Remember a fit and healthy lifestyle is always in style!