The Best Workout for Killer Arms

Just yesterday morning, we were chatting with our friend Robyn about the best way to get toned arms: We both agree, nothing gives you arms to rival Michelle Obama’s like yoga. There’s something about all those chatarungas (a modified push up) and upward and downward facing dogs that builds biceps and triceps like no other exercise we’ve tried—including lifting weights (we’re talking 5-8 pounders). And you know you need those killer arms for upcoming spring break sundresses and halter tops!

If you’re new to yoga and live in NYC, a great way to lose your yoga-virginity is to head to the YogaWorks Soho this Saturday for “Get Your Dance On”. The night features DJ Dhundee at the "shoe and spectator free" dancing area. If you’re more into chilling out, lounge on a pillow and enjoy cello and dijeridoos players or sweat it out in the sauna.  HobNob wine, Divine Chocolate and Katalyst Kombucha will be served. (Just don’t drink and sauna!) Included in the $20 ticket price (for newcomers) is a free week of yoga at the studio. Already a YogaWorks members? Entry to GYDO is just $10. All proceeds go to Housing Works.



Don’t live in NYC? Try one of the YogaWorks DVDs at home.

Blueprint Cleanse Review

Yes, I was hungry. Yes, I cheated. And yes, I felt fine—better than fine even. I felt pretty damn good the entire time I was on the cleanse and now for the three days I’ve been off of it. I lost three pounds.


Those are the answers to the four questions I was asked most frequently when I told people I was doing the three day Blueprint Cleanse. For those who haven’t read Friday’s post, BPC delivers 3 days worth of juices to your home. The 6 daily juices are numbered so you know what order to drink them in and packed in adorable, individual coolers. It couldn't get any simpler.

I signed up for the program to mix things up and have a fresh start for spring, which according to the calendar (if not the actual temperature here in NYC) started that same day.


I was most definitely hungry throughout all three days—I wasn’t starving to the point I wanted to chew my own arm off, but I definitely wanted more. And on day 2, I indulged in an apple and some almonds. Day 3, I graduated to an apple, almonds and some tortilla chips. Day 3 may have been my own fault. I took my favorite Sunday morning gym class, Phys Ed (a mix of body sculpting and cardio) at Equinox. The class was probably too intense for someone who hadn’t eaten (much) solid food in over 48 hours, hence the tortilla chips. To be fair, the BPC website recommends a vacation from hardcore workouts while juicing. They do also allow cheats like celery sticks, ¼ an avocado and vegetable broth. (Tortilla chips are surprisingly not on the approved list.)


I enjoyed drinking the juices. The morning “green salad in a bottle” blend of kale, spinach, cucumber, lemon and apple was a little hard to take first thing in the morning, so on day 2 and 3 I had a cup of chamomile tea first (allowed and recommended). The pineapple mint was delicious. The spicy lemonade (a la the Master Cleanse) was the one I most feared drinking and it turned out to be surprisingly tasty. The beet carrot juice was very earthy and always made me feel fantastic. The cashew vanilla smoothie was, um, not my fave. I experimented with heating it up, adding more cinnamon and pouring it in my favorite mug, but the chunkiness was a turn off.


My energy levels were sky high the first two days. I was ultra productive and managed to not only get myself organized, but also set some goals for the coming months. I was clear headed and on fire. Day 3—post my am workout and tortilla chip snack, not so much. I was actually really sleepy after I ate solid food. I'm guessing all my blood rushed to my stomach.


Now that I’m a few days off the cleanse, I’m feeling good—above average--and eating better. My appetite is lower than usual, I’m determined to stay away from candy and white bread. Most amazingly, I’m ok without my morning cup of coffee. Caffeine has not crossed my lips since Thursday. I haven’t had a single headache and I’m not even craving it.


My advice for those considering the Blueprint Cleanse who haven't juiced before: If you haven’t juiced before, start with the one-day program. The first day was the most manageable for me. I already saw the benefits of a flatter stomach and increased energy after one day. If you opt for a 3 day or longer program, don’t beat yourself up. Even after I cheated, I still felt really good and healthy when I drank the next juice.


Any other questions? Feel free to ask!
A big thanks to all those who supported me via Twitter especially CasaNaranja, SETinNYC and ButterflyDiary!

On Our Radar: Blueprint Cleanse

Granted, it's not exactly a destination, but since we can't be in Vegas living it up at the nearest sportsbooks with all the crazed NCAA fans or in Miami for its quasi fashion week, we're mixing it up in a whole new way this weekend, with a Blueprint Juice Cleanse. After all, it is officially spring today and high time to get back into bikini shape.

The Blueprint Cleanse promises to: Boost immune systems; alleviates allergies, gives your digestive organs a rest, help with weight, reverse signs of aging and elevate mood and sex drive, among other benefits. What's not to love?

Annie starts the her 3-day "Renovation" cleanse today:

For breakfast, I'm looking forward to a salad in a glass: a blend of romaine, celery, cucumber, kale, parsley, spinach, lemon and green apple. That's followed by a pineapple mint, more green juice, spicy lemonade (a la master cleanse), carrot, apple, ginger and beet juice then finally a bedtime cashew milk smoothie for fat and protein.

The juices were handily delivered to my home Wednesday night in a portable, thermal lunch bag. Each bottle is numbered, so there's no confusing what order they go in, just in case I get delirious with the lack of solid food. (Kidding! I hope.)

I did a 48-hour juice cleanse at the New Age Health Spa a few years back. I felt pretty bad the first night, especially after a colon cleanse. I missed protein the most--as I am an avowed red meat eater. It was worth it, though: My stomach was never flatter and I did eat healthier for a few weeks afterwards.

This time around, I'm hoping the juice will help me kick my sugar and salt cravings, help with bloat, give me more energy and generally rock my world. I'm ready to shake off the winter doldrums and get ready for warm weather.

I'll post updates on Twitter throughout the weekend and a complete follow up next week. I'm already starting to regret the fries I had yesterday for lunch!

Blueprint ships their juices nationwide. It's $255 for the three day program outside of NYC and $195 in NYC.

Wish me luck!

Yoga Cures for Sore Feet and More

We pay the price for wearing great looking shoes, late nights out, and even the grind of a tough commute. While the obvious solution might be kicking back on the couch with your feet up or pouring yourself a (second) glass of wine, we have a healthier alternative:

Kathryn Budig, popular yogi at YogaWorks studios in Santa Monica, gave us simple yoga solutions for common JSG problems.

Issue #1: Are your feet sore from those four-inch Louboutins?

“Alleviate the pain of wearing high heels by ascending and descending to chair pose, balancing on the balls of the feet with the arches and heels lifting,” suggests Kathryn. “The pose will help you conquer the discomfort of this season’s soaring heel heights.”

How To Solve:
• Place the feet together and lift both arms parallel to the ground, palms facing down
• Find one point to gaze at and lift up onto the balls of the feet
• Continue to reach the heels away from the ground, creating lift in the arches
• Keep the gaze on one point, heels lifted, and begin to bend the knees
• Keep the belly gently pulling to the spine as the body descends until the bottom lands lightly on the heels
• Take five breaths without placing the heels on the ground and make a slow return back to standing
• Place heels back down

Issue #2: Tired from your taxing commute? (JSG think this would work during a long flight too!)

“Stay calm and peaceful no matter what the roads are like with alternating nostril breath work,” Kathryn recommends. “Concentrating on breathing keeps you from fidgeting and helps you relax.”

How to Solve:
• Begin with a calm pattern of breath in and out through the nose, keeping the mouth closed and relaxed
• Exhale the air out and then on an even count, inhale to the count of eight
• Once you reach eight, retain the breath for the count of eight and then exhale back with slow control through the nose in eight counts
• Repeat this 3-5 times or until the nerves are calmed

Issue #3: Do you need to detox from last night’s (or week’s) revelries?

“Perk up with a heat-inducing chair pose twist, taking the opposite elbow to the bent knee,” says Kathryn. “The pose gets the blood flowing to help flush out built-up toxins.”

How to Solve:
• Begin with the feet together
• Bend the knees, keeping the weight in your heels
• Take your hands into prayer at the heart and revolve the chest so that the left elbow lands onto the right thigh just above the knee
• Press the prayer hands together until the right elbow faces the ceiling
• Lean back to revolve the chest
• Take 5-8 breaths and switch sides

YogaWorks also has studios in LA, NYC, Orange County and San Francisco. They offer group and private classes, workshops and retreats.

Lululemon Apres-Ski Yoga

After a hard day of skiing, we could use some stretch and healing. Lululemon, our pick for the best yoga attire, is offering up free apres-ski yoga classes in their Park City and Whistler stores. Even though we tend to hit happy hour (and some hit the hot tub), our bods would be better off from an hour of yoga.

By the way, yoga pants make a great base layer: they breath, the move well while we're skiing, and they look great when we take off our ski pants. If it's particularly cold, we'll put silk underwear underneath but otherwise our yoga pants are plenty warm.

Who knew two such different sports could benefit each other so?

Free workout for your iPod

Was it your resolution to finally lose those last 5 pounds this year? Ours too (especially if we do take the dream beach vacation). But as we all know, finding time to go to the gym can be hard (just ask Oprah) and personal trainers are expensive (not sure what Oprah's excuse is on that one).

PumpOne offers a workable solution: Workouts you download to your iPod, laptop, Blackberry or cell phone. The portable personal trainer guides you through a full workout, demonstrating proper form. You can chose from a range of exercises from traditional strength training to summer body (hello!) to Pilates and yoga.

JSG sampled the Pump Away-hotel room workout, which features exercises like step ups and dead lifts that you can do anywhere. It was a far better workout than we would ever do on our own and left us feeling toned. We love that the vid suggests using a suitcase as a substitute for free weights. No wonder PumpOne is the exclusive fitness partner for Aloft Hotels, the more affordable, sister hotel to the Ws.

We enjoyed our workout so much, in fact, that we're happy to offer Pump Away hotel room workout for F-R-E-E to all of you--a $19 value. Simply enter JetSetPump at checkout. Enjoy!