• Try before you buy. Major chains like LA Fitness, Gold’s, 24 Hour Fitness offer one- or two-week trial passes; even if it’s not advertised, ask for one–and sometimes, they’ll match competitor’s trial offers. (Sidenote: Even with major chains, individual locations might owned by franchisees so there’s more room to negotiate than you might think!). You can get crafty by “trying” 3-4 places over the next month and pay nothing till February.
• Know what you’re looking for. You’re more likely to go to a gym that fits your lifestyle and personality. First, don’t choose someplace that’s more than 10 min from your house or office– you won’t go! Think about: Do you need someplace w multiple locations? Childcare? A great pool? Also, test a gym during the hours you’ll actually go. Ask in-the-know friends/colleagues what the “vibe” is like at certain area gyms (where’s the great “singles” gym?). Take a few classes to evaluate if the teachers are up to par. These are lifestyle factors to consider when gym shopping.
• Take advantage of promos. Ask about special promotions, but first check your employee benefits because a big way to save is through corporate and group rates that aren’t always advertised. Existing members should look into whether their gym offers a refer-a-friend program, which can shave $10 or more off monthly dues, or get you a free personal training session/free month. (And if they don’t offer one, try to negotiate it!) Also, family or married couple discounts are easy ways to shave hundreds of dollars off gym fees — and get initiation fees waived.
• Don’t get locked in. This is how most people lose their money: you get the lowest “monthly rate” by pre-paying for a year or more. Don’t do it! Always choose month-to-month memberships—with, say, a 30-day cancellation policy. Nothing is a bargain if you don’t show up.
• Get a special deal online. You may have the best of intentions, but statistically most “resolution” folks quit by March! So, set yourself up for success by signing up for a month-long boot camp or short-term deal on sites like groupon.com and halfoffdepot.com. My gym, for example, was just on halfoffdepot.com the other day offering for $45 one month of gym usage plus 4 personal training sessions (usual cost: $330)! Often there are major deals for limited-term gym memberships, or a finite number of pilates/yoga/dance classes—which is just what most people need to get a jump start on healthy living–without committing major bucks.

Today, I know that when I hop on the treadmill and run my three miles that there is a good possibility that I’m going to be slower, winded, and tired.  The important part is if I’m to get back on track (and I am) and continue my gym schedule is to not get disappointed, lazy, or defeated.  During the course of those five days off I was bopping around enjoying the festivities and the sales deals, however this is no excuse for me not to make a half hour time slot to get to the gym for a run or practice my freebie leg routine.

With another holiday break coming up for Christmas, I can learn a few lessons from my Thanksgiving break to make sure my gym schedule doesn’t disintegrate yet again.  Looking back on my five day stretch of minimal responsibility, I realized how much more I slept in.  On top of that, I slept in not because I had been out excessively late or because I had overly exerted myself the previous day but instead because I just simply could.  There was no real reason for me to sleep in late and cutting into valuable morning time that I could have spent in the gym jump starting my energy for the day.  Even on Thanksgiving, my gym held earlier hours so that I could have made it in and had a decent workout even before I had to leave for my family’s home.  For my next break, I’ll set my alarm to get up as usual and use the time normally used to get ready for work to get into the gym.

As a native San Diegan, I’m a big baby about cold weather.  The moment it gets below 73 degrees I start to wear my big comfy socks walking around my house (you know the ones that have the rubber pads just like when you were seven).  On these days all I want is to cuddle up watch movies or like this past Thanksgiving break, finish watching my Mad Men season.  I can honestly say that normally I do not watch a lot of television or sit around so a little break wasn’t such a bad idea.  However, when hour two rolled around and I’m still sitting in the exact same spot, having not moving a single muscle and wondering why I am still cold, it wouldn’t have hurt if I had got up and did some squats or crunches while posted in front of Mr. Donald Draper.

Christmas Break Game Plan:

• Set my alarm for my normal time; there is no reason to waste a perfectly good day off all day in bed when a quick workout at the gym can make the biggest difference in energy levels for the rest of the day.
• If I do stay out late, make sure I don’t sleep more than 7-8 hours.  This will only make me groggy and less apt to getting myself up for the gym.
• Lazy time shouldn’t go past couple of hours otherwise I need to get moving with at-home gym moves like squats, crunches, lunges, and triceps dips.
• Don’t overeat; I don’t want to work out even harder on my day off!
• When I’m out and about (e.g., running errands or meeting up with friends), try parking decently away from the location so that I have to walk.  Plan accordingly though because I don’t want to be late and make my friends wait!
• Important:  I won’t get upset at myself if I slip up and indulge a little.

–Cassandra Altmann

Let’s first look at the calendar of events:

Event # 1- December 3^rd – Boyfriend’s Boss’ Holiday Party

Event # 2 – December 10^th – My Company’s Holiday Party

Event # 3 – December 11^th- Coworker’s Costume Holiday Party/Potluck

(What social calendar progress I am making… I said yes to all three!)

The first event is taking place at the boss’ house and there is a possibility of being outside on a cooler evening.  In contrast, my work’s holiday party is going be a cocktail party indoors and although no one of the same crowd (other than my boyfriend and me) will be attending both, I couldn’t possibly wear the same thing!  The third party is a costume party where attendees are two dress up as anything relating to Christmas i.e. ornaments, famous characters, traditional Christmas food, etc.  It goes without saying that it is going to take some creativity, so it’s good that I’m planning now.  On top of that, I am to bring a dish and a present for the gift exchange.  Sheesh!  Being a social butterfly takes planning especially if I don’t want to be too stressed to enjoy myself, not to mention be appropriately stylish.

Dress for Success Plan:

Event # 1 – Since this is somewhat of a casual scene I could pull off wearing jean but better yet, why not my newly tailored skinny pants?  Paired with a light sweater in a festive color and my new pashmina (a recent gift from my boss!) would give me plenty of style and still keep me comfortable and warm outside.  Plus wearing pieces I already own will allow me to stay on budget and save my clothes budget for Event # 2 and 3.  What is great about this outfit is that I can wear flats or dress it up with heels depending on how “dressy” my boyfriend attire is.

Event # 2 – An evening of cocktails and fashion savvy professionals would be the perfect occasion for a little black dress with a little sparkle.  With Black Friday coming up and a shopping date already planned with a friend, this will be the perfect opportunity to get a dress without breaking the bank and maybe have enough for a new pair of shoes, too.

Event # 3 – I was so excited to be invited to a coworker’s party.  I’m really starting feel a part of the team and now it seems that I’ve been successful in making some friends too.  Despite this being a creative and friendly engagement, I want to make sure I still make an excellent impression on my host and attendees.  The great thing is that confidence won’t be a problem since everyone is required to wear a goofy costume.  That being said, I’ve been thinking up ideas that are still unique and creative but will still be comfortable throughout the evening.  To cut costs and rather than rent a costume that someone else may already have, I’ll make the majority of the costume myself and buy the embellishments on discount!

With three upcoming parties and plenty of networking opportunities at each of them, I’ve been extra motivated not to get sucked into gaining holiday weight but still enjoy myself.  I’ve been doing great at meeting my four times a week gym goal (okay, you caught me; last week I could only make it three times).  A huge step in my progress happened when I solicited the help of a trainer to show me how to use a new machine at the gym.  Much like a scared animal, I had been circumventing the machine’s area fully aware of its potential to step up my gym routine, but had no clue how to use it.

The result of speaking up and asking was that I ended up getting my own mini training session—for free!  He showed me not only how to use the machine properly but how using it in conjunction with another set of machines would really help me target strengthening and leaning out my legs.  While it didn’t hurt to ask the trainer how to use the machine, even after a short twenty minute session with the trainer, my legs were so sore the next two days! Gym tip: Pick a machine you’ve never used at your gym and ask a trainer how to properly use the machine in your workout.

–Cassandra Altman

Unfortunately after running a 5k, flushed face and sweaty, I didn’t feel as though I would make the greatest first impression to any new contacts.  I did get introduced to several local law enforcement officials!

Not to worry, where the 5k lacked, I picked up the slack later at my department’s largest team-building event of the year in Pasadena.  Working at a branch location of the company, I don’t have many opportunities to be seen and seek out the “big wigs” of the organization. Up to this point, the majority of contact with the senior staff has been a once-a-week phone call to my mentor at the Los Angeles office.  At the team-building event I had the opportunity to put a face with the voice and meet several other individuals including the VP of marketing, several directors, as well as our company president.  On top of getting to finally meet the individuals who I had heard so much about, it became very clear that my boss had already laid the foundation for my introduction.   I couldn’t be more excited by my boss sharing her enthusiasm about having me as a new addition to her team.  She went as far as to announce it in front of the entire event and personally walk me up to the president during the mixer.  The president charged me with the task of becoming San Diego’s team leader.  Now to keep my name on their mind and in front of them.

With all this progress I thought it was about time I reward myself with a little wardrobe CPR.  The biggest challenges when dressing for work has been that the company is a fashion forward organization so being professional and fashionable are equally important.  On top of that, I walk to work which means I switch from flats to heals.  I tailor all my pants as every polished woman should, however my boot-cut slacks are tailored well more my quite tall heals.   During the warmer months, it hadn’t been such a problem because I would wear skirts and dresses primarily so I didn’t have to worry about my hems dragging on the concrete on the way to work.  Thankfully as a result of our fashionista dress code, black tailored skinny legged slacks are the best pants option.  I bought black, charcoal, and khaki pairs at Express and tailored them to my ankles to work with both pumps and flats.  I can wear them with numerous blouses in my closet and pair with a tailored jacket and look equally polished and stylish.  I also picked up some new tights both in plain black and trendier options such as argyle to turn those summer skirts and frocks in to fashionable fall wear.  After all, with all my hard work at the gym, I still want to be able to show off my legs!

–Cassandra Altmann

In the past, I hadn’t been the hugest fan of group classes but this was a new gym, a new start, and it was worth a shot to try.  I figured if I found a few classes that I liked, I could schedule around them and then pop in another couple of times at the gym to add up to my four times a week goal.  My mid-section was always a top priority of mine, however as of late I have really wanted to work-out my legs and get nice lean thoroughbred legs to take me places.  I picked up the month’s class schedule from the front desk and highlighted accordingly.  This is how my week went:

Monday: Butt Blaster, 5:30 – 6:30 PM

The description for this class wasn’t kidding; I had plenty trouble getting out of bed the next morning.  It was a rude, yet much needed awakening that those two months without real physical exertion had led to the near-paralysis I felt after an hour of fast-paced squats and lunges.  Perhaps I had been overzealous starting off so strong but despite hobbling down the halls of my work with my inner-thighs ablaze, I felt motivated.  The last hour of work seemed to go by even faster.  When I got home to cook dinner, perhaps it was the thought of wasting a hard workout, but I even chose to take the extra time and fix a healthy dinner instead of a quick fix.

Tuesday: Beginning Yoga, 12:30 – 1:30 PM

I had done some yoga before but if the intermediate to advanced yoga was going to be anything like the Butt Blaster class I decided that maybe I shouldn’t be so confident in my flexibility.  If I am going to lean out my legs like I want to, I need to get better at stretching!

On Wednesday, the second day after Butt Blaster, my muscles were sorer than the first.  As much as I hated the idea of another low-key day I just couldn’t see my lower body taking any more hits and I would have to skip the Chiseled class that I had planned on attending.  I did manage to go to the gym for some self-instructed upper-body weight training to even it all out.  Unfortunately, that was the last time I made into the gym that week.  My whole body ached and doing anything beyond walking when I felt that way seemed as though it may be detrimental more than helpful.  I decided that going full force out the gate may not have been the best route to start a gym regimen and instead building up and taking one challenge at a time will help me maintain my four times a week goal.

The verdict: One gym visit short of goal this week.  Next week, aiming for four visits!

-- Cassandra Altmann

• Handful of raw nuts, like cashews, walnuts, or almonds
• 1 cup dry, crunchy bran cereal with some raisins or dried cranberries
• Drinkable yogurt, like Dannon Frusion
• Sliced apple or banana with a bit of peanut butter
• A hearty nutrition bar from brands like Think, Odwalla, Kashi, or Clif
• 4 or 6 oz yogurt (try the Greek style!) or cottage cheese, with cinnamon
• Low-fat mozzarella string cheese (yes, just like the kind you ate in second grade)
• Small bowl of oatmeal
• Sliced veggies such as carrots, cucumber, or red pepper
• 2 oz of dried fruit, such as dried apples, mangoes or plums
• 1 cup edamame
• 1 oz pkg Flat Earth Baked Veggie Chips Farmland Cheddar (borderline junk food, but cures your jones for something salty/crunchy!)

• Do pick a gym that is super clean and has up-to-date equipment. Bonus points for amenities in the locker room, like free razors and nice lotion.

• Do test out the gym before you sign anything. Legit places offer at least one free workout; many offer free two-week memberships or a few trial group fitness classes. (And if it’s not advertised, ask for it anyway).

• Do ask around to friends, colleagues, or acquaintances about what are the best gyms in the neighborhood. Usually people that have lived in the area for a while know where the gems are and can break down what groups of people go where (e.g., stockbrokers are Gym X, stay-at-home moms are at Gym Y).

• Do look for a gym that has adequate facilities for how you like to work out. If you love to swim, make sure there’s a great pool. If you love fitness classes, make sure the studio and teachers are up to par.

• Don’t break the bank. Your monthly gym membership shouldn’t be anymore than, say, you would allow yourself to spend on a great date night top. Depending on your budget, that could be $29, or $150. Also, take advantage of discounts. Many spots offer student or summer memberships for lower fees.

• Don’t pick a place that’s too far from your house and/or office, depending on when you tend to work out. If it takes more than 15 minutes to get there, you know you’re not going.

• Don’t get suckered. If the salesperson pressures you to buy, look elsewhere.

It seems there’s a different study every week saying what works best to battle the bulge.  But on days it’s a major struggle to work out, you’ll try anything, right? Here are seven interesting findings that just might make your next trip to the gym a bit easier.

Sip a cup of joe beforehand. Numerous studies have shown that exercisers who downed the equivalent caffeine amount of at least one cup of coffee had substantially less muscle pain during their workout.

Work out with a friend. It makes the time go by faster, gives you an “appointment” that’s harder to break, and you’ll probably work out longer. You won’t, however, work as hard. A survey in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise by lead author Genevieve Dunton, Ph.D., M.P.H. found that you push yourself more when you’re alone.

Pump up the ipod. A Brunel University study found that carefully selected upbeat music (think Madonna, Red Hot Chilli Peppers) increased exercisers’ endurance by 15 percent–and helped them feel more pleasure from working out.

Try interval training. You’ll burn more fat in way less time. One study found that cyclists who rode a bike for 20 minutes alternating between eight second sprints and 12 second “slow periods” lost more fat than those who trucked along for 40 minutes at a steady pace.

Pop a breath mint. Peppermint helps lift both your mood and your performance . A study at West Virginia’s Wheeling Jesuit University found that basketball players who sniffed peppermint had measurable improvement in speed, alertness, strength, and overall performance.

Do it in the morning. It might not be easy to get out of bed, but it’s easier to stick with the program. Studies have shown that morning worker-outers are more consistent.

Learn your fitness “color.” If you’re having trouble with motivation, check out The 8 Colors of Fitness. The author mapped the MBTI personality test onto fitness preferences. For example, if you’re a Red, you crave spontenaeity and fast-paced workouts, while Greens prefer to get their exercise through everyday activities, preferably outdoors (e.g., hiking, gardening). Take the test here.

The other day at Pilates class, the lady to my left, the lady to my right, and me each sported a pair of thick-soled, bright-colored plastic slip-ons. “How long have you had yours?” asked one. “Do they work?” asked the teacher. These aren’t Crocs we’re all wearing. They’re FitFlops.

You’ve probably seen or heard of them by now– these “biomechanically engineered” sandals that promise benefits from improved posture and leg muscle tone to reduced cellulite. Something maybe you didn’t know is that the flops are the brainchild of Go-Getter Girl Marcia Kilgore, who founded Bliss Spas… and sold it to LVMH for a reported $30 million. It’s safe to say this gal is a marketing genius.

So, do FitFlops actually work? The website does feature some positive study results from “The Centre for Human Performance” and scores of testimonials.

My unscientific analysis: I think the actual Pilates classes are doing much more for leg toning in my life than the shoes I wear to and from the gym! However, having worn mine for many months, FitFlops are extremely comfy and tons more supportive than the average Havania-flat flip flop. They can be worn all day running errands, hitting up the mall, etc., without arch or ankle discomfort. That’s something.

One little quibble with the shoes: Can’t they make them just a *wee bit* cuter?!

Some days you have time to pack a Ziploc of fresh veggies or raw nuts for a mid-afternoon snack. But other times, you’re grabbing something on the go– and that something is ideally tasty, crunchy, and oh yeah, healthy too.  Over Fourth of July weekend, two Go-Getter Girl friends introduced me to Sabra hummus “To Go” packs– which might just be the perfect summer snack.  It’s a little self-contained package of creamy, tangy hummus (available in classic, roasted red pepper, or garlic flavors), plus a handful-size serving of crispy pretzel chips. And, since the pretzels and hummus are sealed separately, you can choose to opt out of the crisps and enjoy the hummus as a dip for things like (naturally) freshly cut veggies. 

Available at many grocery stores and markets, check Sabra’s website for locations near you.