Virtual Sweat Date: new milestone, training goals, & body positivity

Hey lovelies! It’s been a minute and wanted to catch up with you on a virtual sweat date. If you’re new to my blog, a virtual sweat date is a way for me to fill you in on my life over the interwebs. Most people like catching up over coffee, but I prefer a good sweat date. Here’s what’s been going on!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIBEL MORALES

If we were on a virtual sweat date, I’d tell you…

I recently hosted my first ever silent disco yoga + glow block party in West Village. About 300 folks showed up to flow and dance the night away. It was truly one of the most intricate events I’ve ever hosted with so many moving elements including a yoga class, salsa class, and 3 live DJs to curate the dance party mix. I loved seeing the diversity of folks that showed up – in age, body type, and color. I want Fitness Ambassadors to be inclusive and approachable and it made my heart happy to see all that hard work come to fruition. I’m forever grateful for the friends that showed up to help and make it a dream come true.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIBEL MORALES

If we were on a virtual sweat date, I’d tell you…

Body positivity is a topic I’m really passionate about and I am challenging myself to embrace and love myself more. I opened up about it on my Instagram and wanted to check in with you guys. A long time ago, I read somewhere that one of the biggest regrets some women have is not appreciating their bodies and letting a hypercritical eye keep them from rocking a crop top or running in a sports bra. Have you ever looked back at an old picture and thought, “wow… I did NOT look as bad as I thought I did. Why was I so mean to my body?”

Despite being a petite 5ft 110 lbs, I definitely have my own “thing” that I’m self-conscious about and the crazy thing is, I know no one else really noticed these invisible imperfections. While I won’t sit here and tell anyone to just get over your insecurities, I am telling myself that. Over the past few weeks, I’ve done things I’ve never been comfortable doing, such as working out and doing photoshoots in a sports bra. Totally out of my comfort zone, but that’s where I need to be. I’m embracing and loving my body more than I ever have before. I’m putting in the sweat work, I’m allowing myself to indulge, and I’m living my best life – inside and out.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIBEL MORALES

If we were on a virtual sweat date, I’d tell you…

I went to Chicago in early June to host a silent disco party run + guided meditation at Lakeshore Path. The weather was absolutely perfect. I spent a few days with my friends from a Sweat Life and it was so inspiring. The last time I was in Chicago, I was definitely in a funk, but being on a trip where I was around bad ass women really did re-energize me and this trip was no different. I learned a lot about myself.

In times when I’m running circles in my head, there’s always a book that helps pull my head out of my ass and get me back on track. Nothing like fresh perspective to set ya straight. If you have time, I highly recommend taking this quiz. It’s so super short and called the Four Tendencies and it’s by Gretchin Rubin. I’m a huge fan of personality quizzes. The better you understand yourself, the better you’ll be at communicating your needs with others – in work, love, and life.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIBEL MORALES

If we were on a virtual sweat date, I’d tell you…

I recently started personal training with Ron from Oakfit and it’s been quite the journey. I started lifting heavy last summer and fell in love with the process. Fitness is no longer just about endorphins and feeling good for me. It’s definitely a way for me to relieve stress and stay healthy, but I craved having a goal – something to train toward. So I threw out some arbitrary PR (personal record) goals: 200lb deadlifts, 200 lb back squat, and 100 lb benchpress. When I shared this video, I knew I had some weaknesses in my knee and other issues as a result of ACL surgery years ago. The last few weeks of training have reinvigorated my love for training and having a professional to guide and push me to that next level is such a great feeling. Having more intentional and purposeful workouts makes the process so much more interesting and meaningful. Can’t wait to share more on that journey soon.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIBEL MORALES

If we were on a virtual sweat date, I’d tell you…

How obsessed I am with these looks from Fabletics. I really do love their leggings and they fit. I’ve always experienced a muffin top effect with leggings in general because the waistband is unforgiving. But not these! I feel so beautiful in them and confident honestly. Fabletics has a special for 2 bottoms/leggings for $24. It’s a subscription based company founded by Kate Hudson that puts together cute looks you can choose from. I’m an ambassador, but I do not get kickbacks if you sign up.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIBEL MORALES

If we were on a virtual sweat date, I’d tell you…

I remember when I never thought I would ever be able to do a handstand or a pull up or be able to run a 5K, much less lift such heavy weights. These were thoughts that were so discouraging because I didn’t believe in myself or what my body is capable of doing.  I can hold a handstand for a few seconds, I recently discovered I can do a chin up without any assistance, and I ran a 5K even though running isn’t my favorite thing in the world. I told myself, I CAN do anything. Simply, just have to try. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do?

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIBEL MORALES

If we were on a virtual sweat date, I’d tell you…

I have some really fun ideas for the blog. Deep Fried Fit has always been my creative lab, where I get to try new things, help elevate my business Fitness Ambassadors, and serves as a way to connect with you guys. I just need to get organized. My mind is going in a million different directions, but I always come back here to refocus. I’m excited to work with my friend Maribel Morales on creating on amazing content. She’s the hype man and photographer behind these incredible photos. Hope you’ll stick around to see how I take DFF to the next level.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIBEL MORALES

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