Staying Fit in Sin City

I love living in Las Vegas! The lights, the glamour. The overindulgence.

It's a fabulous city, but isn't exactly a place synonymous with healthy. Being a local for several years now, I have learned a few ways to make your visit to the Las Vegas Strip a bit healthier.

Walk. Everywhere.

Skip the taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts. Instead slip on a pair of comfy shoes and walk, walk, walk. No better way to see the Strip and really experience Las Vegas (a.k.a. people watch) than on your feet. If you're a step counter, you'll quickly see that number skyrocket.

Be forewarned that while some of the casinos seem relatively close together on the map, they are deceivingly far apart. I definitely recommend good walking shoes.

Run the Strip.

This is one of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas! I live about a mile from the Strip and run it at least every couple months. I love it because it also incorporates a lot of stairs with all the pedestrian bridges, so I feel like I get an even better workout.

If you do this, I recommend going early in the morning. 6AM is the sweet spot, but I wouldn't go much later than 8 or 9, or you'll be dealing with large crowds. It's about 4 miles from the Stratosphere to Mandalay Bay, so you could easily get in any distance up to 8 miles. If you're looking for an even longer run, take it all the way downtown. It's about 6.5 miles from the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign to the Fremont Street Experience.

Make your visit to Las Vegas a bit healthier with these tips from @EnjoytheCourse.

Do a Stairs Workout.

There are a LOT of pedestrian bridges along the Strip to help the flow of traffic. They make for a nice and convenient workout, too. Here's my favorite stairs workout at the Wynn / Fashion Show Mall. It goes up and down escalators and stairs and crosses a bridge over the Strip.

Again, I'd recommend doing this early in the morning. Not staying in this part of the Strip? I'm sure you could come up with a similar workout using any of the other many pedestrian bridges.

Go for a Hike.

You could do an Indoor Hike at the Aria (after you've clicked to their site, hit the + symbol at the bottom of the fitness section to see all their fitness services). I've never done this but it sounds fun. This is not just a simple walk through the resort. It's a guided tour of the Aria's art collection as well. Your guide also throws in push-ups, squats, and other fun exercises. You will definitely get in a good sweat, according to this review in the Review-Journal. A little spendy for this girl, this indoor hike/tour of the Aria costs about $50, but I believe it also gets you access to the spa.

There are numerous excellent hikes off the Strip as well. The most popular is probably Red Rock National Conservation Area, which is gorgeous and only $7 per vehicle entrance fee. Of course, you'd likely need to rent a car, taxi, Uber, or Lyft, since it's about half an hour from the Strip. There are so many more places to hike as well, but all would require transportation off the Strip.

Take a Fitness Class.

Most of the resorts have a Spa and/or Fitness Center that offers a variety of fitness classes. You could do Dolphin Yoga ($50) at the Mirage or learn to pole dance at Stripper 101 ($39.99-$149.99) at Planet Hollywood.

We all know that staying fit is more than just exercise. What's the saying? You can't outrun a bad diet.

Well, Vegas has you covered in this respect, too. Many restaurants on the Strip have healthier options. Just peek at the menu before deciding which restaurant to dine at. If you don't see something that meets your needs, move along to one that does.

YES! You CAN eat healthy while visiting Fabulous Las Vegas! Check out these healthy gems that @EnjoytheCourse found.

I don't actually eat out that often, but I did a search for healthy eating in Las Vegas and found these gems.

The Juice Standard, in the Cosmopolitan. If you're into the juice craze, this is THE place to go on the Strip. Maybe even if you're not. 😉 They have juices, nut milks, & smoothies. Cocktails. Salads/wraps, toasts, & other snacks.
Harvest by Roy Ellamar, at the Bellagio. Only open for dinner, this is Farm to Table goodness. Everything sounds so good. Some options, of course, are healthier than others.
Mon Ami Gabi, in Paris. This came up on a few different lists of healthy options. I think mostly due to the variety of seafood.
Bruxie, at The Park. Their menu is filled with lots of decadence, but their killer salads look divine!
Nordstrom's Marketplace Cafe, in the Fashion Show Mall. Lots of delicious options! Plus their menu shows calories for each item, so you know what you're getting into.
Vegenation, Downtown. I threw in one off-the-Strip option, but still tourist-friendly. 😊 This is one I really need to try! They are 100% plant-based and support local farms. Win-win.

Ok. Now, I'm officially HUNGRY!
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While you're in Fabulous Las Vegas, be sure to also check out Vegas.com for great deals on hotels, shows, tours, and more!

Fun fact: In June it will be 5 years since I came to Las Vegas on vacation and never left! That's just crazy to me because it seems like just yesterday. Of course, most people do make it back home after a trip to Sin City. 😉

Have you ever been to Las Vegas?
What's your favorite tip for staying fit while traveling?

I'm linking up with Angela for Sunday Fitness & Food.

Hello, Las Vegas. Introducing... ClassPass

I first heard of ClassPass a few months ago and was bummed that it wasn't yet in my city, so I was beyond excited when they contacted me to help promote the launch here in Las Vegas!

In case you haven't heard of ClassPass before today, here's the skinny.

For one monthly price, you can take unlimited classes at various studios. What a great alternative to a regular gym membership! You could build a workout routine full of variety by visiting studios of all types like barre, yoga, pilates, indoor cycling, bootcamps, martial arts, or strength training!

I can't wait to try out some new studios. I'm generally a solo workout girl, but taking a class now and again can be fun, and the flexibility of ClassPass makes it even better!

There is a limit of 3 classes/studio each month, but if you discover a favorite, just wait for the next month to start and you can visit that studio once again! Plus with so many studios available, I don't think you'll have any worries about running out of classes to take.

For those of you not in Vegas, ClassPass is also available in these other cities. NYC, Boston, San Francisco, LA, Chicago, Washington DC, Seattle, San Diego, Portland, Dallas, Austin, Miami, Denver, Philly, Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbus, Houston, Minneapolis, Phoenix.

You can use it in ANY city. Perfect if you travel a lot.

If you're interested in getting your own ClassPass, here's a link for you to skip the wait list and sign up today!

Membership does automatically renew, but there is no annual or long-term commitment. You can also put your account on-hold for $19/month, which still allows you to take 1 class per month.

The thing I love about ClassPass the most is the flexibility! I received a complimentary month subscription, so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram as I explore new studios in Las Vegas! 
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Fun Fitness Survey

I was browsing through the drafts of posts I never completed and found this fun fitness survey from July 2013. I can't remember where it originated, but I thought it would be fun to fill out now!

1. What did you eat for breakfast? Leftover white rice with a vanilla protein shake, cinnamon, and raisins warmed up in the microwave. Also, a banana.

2. How much water do you drink a day? Not enough. :(

3. What is your current favorite workout? Running's my favorite, but you all know that. :)

4. How many calories do you eat a day? No idea. Not a calorie counter.

5. What are your favorite healthy snacks? Carrot sticks and hummus.

6. What do you usually eat for lunch? Leftovers.

7. What is your favorite body part to strength train? Strength training is my weakness. Not sure I have a favorite body part.

8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train? Same answer as #7.

9. What are your “bad” food cravings? I have a MAJOR sweet tooth. :-(

10. Do you take vitamins or supplements? Nope.

11. How often do you eat out? Not very often. Maybe a couple times a month.

12. Who is your biggest supporter? My husband, of course!

13. Do you have a gym membership? No. I prefer working out at home.

14. How many hours of sleep do you get a night? Generally around 7ish.

15. Do you have a “cheat”day? Every day is a cheat day. lol.

16. Do you drink alcohol? I mean, not excessively.

17. Do you have a workout buddy? I'm mostly a solo girl, but sometimes Jeff will workout with me, and I have a few local running friends that I sometimes get together with for a run.

18. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle? Idk. More energy?

19. What was the last healthy thing you did? Yoga this morning.

Feel free to play along. Answer in the comments or on your blog.
Do you ever come back to drafts years later?
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Staying Fit While Traveling

Good morning! It's FRIDAY!

And I think that summer is officially HERE! I know most people think of Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial start to summer, but I think more when school is out - even though I'm no longer in school.

With summer, comes travel. At least I like to pretend. :) We don't really have too many travel plans on the agenda the year, but a girl can dream.

And be prepared.

March will be EPIC!

Ok. Maybe not epic, but it's definitely off to a STRONG start! I woke up early this morning to pick up some produce and bread from Bountiful Baskets and head straight to a fitness class at Unleashed Body & Mind.

The class was a freebie as part of #YelpsFitClub going on in Vegas in March. The class may have been free, but it was definitely a killer.

You know it's a good workout when your legs feel like jello at the end. (@ Unleashed Body & Mind) on #Yelp http://t.co/VlAaIsV5rw
— Clarinda (@EnjoytheCourse) March 1, 2014

With jello legs, I headed straight home, soaked in the hot tub, watched a movie, and took a nap. Yeah. I totally skipped my run, but I'll just go tomorrow instead. :)

Here are a couple of photos from after the class.

All sweaty after class

A general idea of what we did in class

And a short peek at the studio. It looks pretty well equipped for any kind of class or to work out on your own.



You can read my full review of Unleashed over on Yelp, but I really enjoyed the class, the instructor, and the studio in general. I'd definitely recommend it and hope to go again sometime.

This morning, I did have a friend from work join me, which probably made the class even better! It was loads of fun to have her at the class, and next Saturday, we'll be doing a class at SurfSet, which seems fun but INTENSE as well. Can't wait!

How did you kick off March?
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Three Things Thursday - 2/19

Even with a sick day on Monday, this week seems to really be dragging. Maybe because I'm still sick?? It's been a little slow at work, which I'm counting as a blessing, because I know it never lasts very long.

I've got 3 really exciting things to share with you today.

1. Lora over at Crazy Running Girl chose me to be one of the 50 Faces of Fitness!


How awesome is that?! Head over to her blog to read a little more about ME. LOL. And check out the other Faces of Fitness.

Fitness Friday 1/31 - February's Plan

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

I, for one, am really happy it's Friday and also very tired of these super long weeks that drag on and on and on.

Enough negativity!

It's the last day of January, and if you read yesterday's post, you know I'm pretty happy with how January ended. I'm feeling good about my goals so far this year. Yay! January was a bit lackluster with the Fitness arena, so I'm definitely going to kick it up a notch in February.

I've got a half marathon and Ragnar Zion coming up in April, and I really want to train well for them. Ragnar Zion is the week immediately following my half, and since trail running is not my forte, I've decided to try and follow the Ragnar Intermediate Training Guide.

Training will start on Monday!!

The plan starts with just 3 runs/week and increases to 5/week. It also includes Active Rest days and Cross Training. For February, I plan on doing my Strong Stride DVD on the Active Rest days and doing yoga on the Cross Training days. I've also thrown in some arm days. Oh, and added more yoga to the weekends. Sundays are technically REST days, but there may be some yoga on some of those days as well.

I spent WAY too much time trying to put together a little calendar to share with you. I couldn't really get an image together that I love, so I'm just embedding a Google calendar for now. If you're reading this 1/31, just click the arrow to advance the calendar to February. :-)



I'm excited for this plan, and hope that I can stick to it!

Training plans are usually difficult for me, but I really want to be consistent with this training, so fingers crossed!!

What are your fitness plans for February?
Any big races on your horizon?
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I'm linking up Jill for Fitness Fridays. Go check it out!

Shine Fitness

A few weeks ago, Wicked Creative PR contacted one my local blogging friends with an opportunity to try out Shine Alternative Fitness. I was beyond excited to check it out!

With classes from Aerial Arts and Antigravity Yoga to Pole Fitness and Xtreme Boxing (plus lots more), it was hard to choose just one class.

I finally decided on Antigravity Yoga.

Description from their website:
Combines traditional yoga poses, aerial arts, calisthenics, pilates and dance while promoting agility, flexibility and muscular strength. Using a silk hammock as a soft trapeze for resistance and support, participants are suspended in the air for a full-body workout without the stress of holding and balancing challenging yoga poses.

Both nervous and excited, I entered the studio ready to fly.

Turns out a lot of other people had the same idea as me. :) With 10-12 students, the class was near to capacity - and nearly all of us were trying Antigravity Yoga for the very first time.

Suwasit, our instructor, was awesome! He started the class with a brief introduction to Antigravity Yoga - who invented it, where it was used, etc. Of course, I don't remember any of that. Only that the hammocks can sustain 1,000 lbs of weight. Phew!

Due to the large number of newbies, the class moved really slowly because Suwasit had to stop by most everyone to offer assistance and spotting. I, for one, had to hold inversions a bit longer than comfortable at times because I was too scared I would hurt myself getting out of the pose. O.o

Since there was so much spotting and the class was real slow, I feel like it was kind of a teaser class. It would have been nice to have fewer students an additional instructor to help with the spotting. Of course, that would be difficult to plan for.

I'd love to go back again and experience a real class. It ended up not being nearly as intense as I'd imagined - which I'm not complaining about at all today. :-)

This workout definitely works your core and ass - two things I'm always working on, of course. Plus, it's super fun to push yourself in ways that are unlike any other fitness class.

Vampire pose

I stayed a few minutes after class to get the pictures you see in this post. Suwasit was very kind to help me get into the poses again, take some pictures, and then help me get back out. He really was great and helped all us newbies feel comfortable.

Everyone I met at Shine was super friendly. I talked with Sunni for a few minutes after class. She was working the front desk, but she's also one of the dance instructors there and has been at Shine from the beginning. She seems to love working there. She apologized for it being so busy when I came in that I had to wait a few minutes. No apologies necessary! I think it's a great sign for Shine, which has only been open for about a year and a half.

With such variety of class offerings, there is certainly something for anyone looking to spicy up their workouts. You can register online for classes or just drop-in. They also have packages you can buy, but the most fun is that they offer private events. I told my boss we should have a team building event there! She just laughed, of course.

If you live in Vegas or are just here for the weekend, I'd definitely recommend Shine if you want to workout in a completely unique way.

Thanks again to Wicked Creative and Shine Fitness for the opportunity to try Antigravity Yoga for free.

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Measuring Fitness Progress

I'm super tired after my less than stellar 7-mile run this afternoon. I kind of just want to crawl into bed, so I'm doing this post a little different. I've set the timer for 5 minutes.

Today, Fitness Cheerleader asks us how we measure our fitness progress. Simply put? I don't.

I appreciate looking in the mirror and seeing muscle definition I hadn't seen in awhile ever. I like it when the number on the scale goes down. I love having additional energy in the long run. obviously not after a tough 7-miler.

There are lots of ways to measure progress - weight, muscle definition, appetite, measurements (BMI, fat%, etc etc). I just don't choose to do them. Too much effort.

Unfortunately, I'm relatively lazy. It's a wonder I get out there and am as fit as I am.

How do you measure your fitness progress?
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Routines

I used to be much more of a routine person. It's true. I like things and life to be organized and in order.

I don't know if it's because I've been out of work for awhile.
Or because I'm getting older.
Or because my husband keeps some unusual hours.

But, I'm becoming less and less routine-dependent. I've become a bit more spontaneous and go-with-the-flow.

Today, Fitness Cheerleader asks us about our pre and post workout routines. As you can imagine, I don't really have much of what I call a routine when it comes to this.

If I'm going for a run,

• I map my route
• Fill my water bottle or CamelBack
   
• Make sure I've got what I need - earphones, snack, sweat rag, etc
• Walk to the major intersection (about 1/4 mile) as a warm-up

If I'm working out at home,

• I decide on a workout (video, list of exercises, workout routine on my phone, etc)
• Grab a sweat rag and my 1L water bottle
• Get to it

Like I said, there's really not much to it. I should probably do more, but I don't.

After I've finished running or working out, I fight the urge record my activity on Dailymile. Sometimes, I'll take the time to stretch. Shower. Resume whatever activity I was either doing before working out or need  to do now that I'm finished.

Are you a routine person? What are you pre and post workout routines?

Are you on DailyMile?

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Cardio vs Weights

I'll admit it.

I'm way more of a cardio junkie than a weights junkie.

I like to be outside - running or hiking or biking
I like to feel the wind on my face.
I like to see the beauty around me.
I like to smell the flowers and trees.

It's much more difficult to get those experiences being a weights junkie.

I want to be strong.
I want to be fit.

I know strength training is essential for achieving that.
Still, I always end up doing weights very grudgingly.

Which do you prefer? Cardio or weights?
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