Diaries of a Fitness Virgin: The Beginning

I have a confession: I don’t know how to exercise. Seriously. Due to a fateful combination of my being incredibly uncoordinated and incredibly out of shape, I don’t know how to work out. And due to yet another fateful combination of ignorance (as in, “What the hell am I doing? How do you even lift a weight?”) and intimidation (as in, “Everyone at this gym is so fit and strong and I can’t even run a mile!”), I’ve never really tried that hard to learn how to work out. My roommate once tried to get me to do push-ups and I collapsed on the floor after the fourth one.

It’s not that I haven’t tried before. I’ve taken a couple yoga classes here and there. While I was studying abroad in Argentina, I signed up for one of the most expensive gyms in Buenos Aires with a few of my friends, hoping that the exorbitant price would guilt me into exercising. And it did. At first, it was a chore. My friends would have to drag me in, reminding me of all the money I had already dropped on a fancy gym membership. After a while, it actually became an enjoyable experience. I never went more than three times a week because of my class schedule, and all I ever did was run on the treadmill and do crunches, but it started to feel good.

So I figured it’s time I actually figure this whole exercise thing out, and I’m going to stick to it. It’s going to be hard: as of right now, I can’t run a mile without stopping. I can’t even run half a mile without stopping. I still don’t know how to properly lift a weight. But figuring all of that out is part of the journey.

Here’s how it’s going to work: with Kelly at my (figurative, but sometimes also literal) side, I’m going to try out various fitness classes around the city. I’ll write about my experience there: what was the atmosphere like? How was the instructor? Were they helpful? Did I feel intimidated? How did I feel afterwards?

The ultimate goal is that I find out what combination of things works for me, while also giving fellow exercise virgins an inside look at the world of NYC fitness. A few things to remember, for me and for any other exercise virgins who want to join in on the fun:

It's not all about looks
One of the most talked-about benefits of working out is its effect on your physical appearance. While that’s great, it’s not the main focus of this project. On the contrary, my main goal is to improve how I feel on the inside. I want to feel healthier stronger, and more fit; if I also end up looking healthier, stronger and more fit, that’s just an added bonus.

Everyone was a beginner once
Let’s face it: for those of us who don’t know what we’re doing, gyms and fitness classes are intimidating and, quite frankly, pretty scary. Gyms are full of mysterious-looking equipment I have no idea how to use. Exercise classes are populated by devotees who know exactly what they’re doing. But they were beginners once, too. Everyone had to start somewhere, and you shouldn’t let yourself be intimidated or feel judged in a place where people are all striving to improve themselves.

Baby steps are key... 
Like I’ve said a million times already, I can’t run a mile without stopping. Naturally, I don’t expect to be able to run a marathon a week after my first workout. It’s important to pace yourself and to set realistic goals so you don’t get burnt out or give up when you don’t immediately achieve the results you want.

...But don’t underestimate yourself
Even though it’s important to pace yourself, it’s equally important to not underestimate yourself. My biggest problem when it comes to working out is that I’ll find something that’s comfortable and I’ll be scared to push myself beyond that. But pushing yourself to do better is the entire point.

Warm Up Your Winter Skin

Freezing winter weather calls for lots of warm layers, hot drinks, and cute hats and gloves. Unfortunately another common effect of winter weather is dry, flaky skin and chapped lips. Here are some tips on how to have your best skin during – and despite – the coldest months of the year.

Hydrate from the inside out

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and your body is approximately 60% water. When you’re properly hydrated, your skin is more plump and elastic which makes it less likely to crack. 

Staying hydrated isn’t only essential for maintaining healthy skin, but also for your overall well-being. When the temperature dips below freezing, you may be tempted to reach for a hot cup of coffee or cocoa, but these beverages can actually dehydrate you since they are diuretics. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking enough water every day and by spreading out your water consumption throughout the day instead of drinking an entire day’s worth of water at once. If you consume a lot of water in a short period of time, your body and skin won’t be able to absorb it all!

Consider investing in a cool water bottle to ensure you’re always hydrated, whether you’re at the office or out for a run.

Additionally, apps like Plant Nanny (available for free download at the the App Store and Google Play) remind you to drink water throughout the day and reward you with a tiny virtual garden that grows as you stay hydrated. The app takes your height, weight, and activity level into account in order to gauge the amount of water you should be drinking each day.

Exfoliate to make way for clear skin

Exfoliating removes dry, dead skin cells from your skin’s surface and accelerates the growth of smooth, young cells in their place. Use a gentle exfoliant – like Frank Body’s Creamy Face Scrub or Lush’s Ocean Salt – once to three times a week depending on your skin type.  

Your face isn’t the only part of your body that needs to be exfoliated! When your lips are chapped, use a gentle lip product like Lush’s Lip Scrub to remove the dry skin. Ocean Salt also works wonders on dry elbows and knees.

Over-exfoliating can actually dry out your skin, so make sure not to exfoliate more than two or three times a week! Exfoliating in moderation is imperative, because it allows moisturizers to more fully penetrate your skin. Some products, like Aqua Glycolic Face Cream, will simultaneously exfoliate and moisturize.

Moisturize at least once a day

After washing or exfoliating your face, allow your skin to dry before applying a moisturizer. Make sure to use the right moisturizer for your skin type. If  you have oily or combination skin, use a light moisturizer like Yes To Carrots Day Facial Moisturizer or Glossier Priming Moisturizer, as heavier products can cause you to over-produce oil or break out. If you have dry skin, use extra-hydrating moisturizers like Clinique Moisture Surge Intense or First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.

Don’t forget about the rest of your body! Products like Yes To Carrots Hand Cream, Cetaphil’s Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion, and CeraVe Renewing Skin Lotion will keep your skin soft from your neck to your toes.

Protect your skin from sun damage

Sun damage is the last thing on anyone’s mind during the harsh winter months, but it’s important to protect your skin year-round! Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your face and any exposed areas of your body, even when the temperatures are below zero.

Monday Mantra

Reprogram your mind. Eradicate negative patterns by removing certain words from your inner monologue. Words like can't and won't will weigh you down and take you further and further away from reaching any of your goals. Fear of judgment and acceptance make us default to some of these words. The possible becomes impossible when we fuel fear. Fear can be crippling but can be minimized when you focus on the present moment. The past will cause you to identify with pain and the future will provide an unnecessary level of anxiety. Remaining focused on the present moment will allow you to nurture a better relationship with yourself because it eliminates the ego's incessant chatter in your mind.  You are listening so, when you say things like I can't or I'm not enough, you begin to create negative patterns and turn words into manifestations. 

One of my New Year's resolutions is to be kinder to myself. We place so much pressure on ourselves by trying to live up to our competitive surroundings. My mission is not to change the world externally but to change my world internally. Now, when I wake up every morning, I have a quick chat with myself. I do this before I am out of bed, check my phone or drink coffee. I let the very first few things that I hear and say be words of kindness and love. First, I give thanks for being alive and then I begin to say things like I am loved, I am kindness, I am healthy, I am whole, I am prosperity and I am enough. These are just a few examples of the things that I find useful; you can say anything that resonates deeply with you. In essence, you should be reversing all of the negative constructs that you normally say into positive ones. Once you begin to harness these positive words, you will begin to reprogram not only your mind but also your life. Anything you deeply believe becomes possible. We are always seeking to have healthier relationships with people in our lives and to fuel better communication why wouldn't the same apply to the relationship with ourselves? Join me this week on a journey to being kinder to oneself. Find the mantras that resonate with you and have them be the first words you utter every morning. As the day passes, if you find yourself removed from the present moment repeat words of love and encouragement to yourself. It will ground you and give you the extra push you need to stay focused and determined. 

xoxo

Kelly

Monday Mantra

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! The first full week of the New Year is now complete. This provides us with a great opportunity to stop and check in...Did you set unreasonable goals? Do you feel like you are struggling before you have even started or are you already surpassing the goals you set? In any event, no need to obsess whether or not your answer is the former or the latter. What you need to focus on is getting and staying on the path of accomplishing your goals. The way to do that is by setting small goals that are attainable. Small and attainable goals will keep you motivated all year long. Once you tackle a few, you will build trust within yourself knowing that you have the capacity to fuel and conquer them.

My mantra for this week is start TODAY. Set these goals and don’t wait for 2017, don’t wait for the “perfect” time before you kick-start your life. Simply, start today. That in itself is a small and attainable goal: starting. Don’t race for a finish line; instead, hang on for the ride of your life.   

Wishing you oodles of love, light and happiness this week xo

Amplify Your Leg & Butt Workout With This Little Prop

Photo by Elena Eshleman (@elenaeshlemanphotography)

It's human nature to want to "DTR" just about everything in your life including your relationship with you favorite barrista. At first, your face is familiar then, he kind of remembers how you like your coffee and before you know it, you are on a first name basis making small talk every morning.  Fitness is pretty much like any relationship, you want to see growth and progress. I must make one caveat using the cliche saying: "you must learn to walk before you can run" or something like that. It is important that you are honest with yourself and ask "Am I really ready for the next phase?" If your ego takes control then you might find yourself moving onto something that you aren't ready for and all of that effort will be fruitless because your foundation just isn't strong enough. There are tons of things I can physically do and there are so many more I am still working towards. That's the fun part! Otherwise, if I could easily do everything what would the point be? How would I ever measure growth and progress? 

Getting to the point (ugh so hard for me)... Before trying some of these moves, you should ask yourself a simple question, "how's my form?" If you are killing it at squats, getting the thighs super low and parallel to the ground and maintaining that natural curve in your spine then let's move forward. Let's add some weights or in this case, add a block into the mix. Let's keep the challenge alive! I was doing enough squats and lunges where I was getting kind of bored. I knew I needed to up the ante in order to stay committed and to see better results. So, I decided to take my yoga block and use if for something besides yoga. I placed that little sucker under my foot and it unleashed a whole new world. I couldn't walk for two days. It has officially become my best friend, a tool that lets me leverage height to add a new level of intensity and balance to recruit new muscles into the mix. I made this YouTube video showcasing a short sequence with squats and some lunge variations. You can follow it or use it as inspiration next time you are ready to take your relationship to the next level with your squat or lunge game.

My ridiculously awesome pants are Zara Terez. Use promo code: Kelly25 if you'd like to get a pair too, they have lots of other fun prints. You'll save 25% off with the code! I wore these bad boys in a Core Power Yoga class in San Diego a few weeks ago and the fabric was amazing in the heat!

Squat it out. xo Kelly

New Year, Best You!

Photo by Thomas Northcut/Photodisc / Getty Images

I hate it when people say "New Year, New You." The reason being is that I kind of take that personally! What the heck is wrong with the current me? Let's be honest, the time simply changed from one minute to the next. It went from 11:59 PM to 12:00 AM like it does every single night the other 364 days of the year. I just spent 12 months with the "old me" and I don't think she was so bad that we need to completely replace her. How about a 2.0 version? That is the rant that goes on in my head every time I hear someone say "New Year, New You." As a result, I would like to plant a new seed. How about "New Year, Better You" or we can reach for the stars together and claim "Best You."

On a very positive note, there is this crazy momentum that develops with the thought of a "New Year." What is so symbolic about the change from one year to the next and how do we take advantage of the positive energy that it cultivates? I wonder, what inspiration does it provide that we were lacking all year long? Let's harness that inspiration and have it transcend across minutes, days, months and years for as long as we can. We should be looking at each new day as a new opportunity. There's no need to wait for a new year to begin in order to make positive changes in your life. Let's make a resolution together and vow that we will take advantage of the great momentum that this new year has afforded us, but let's not have it stop at the end of January when resolutions fizzle. Let's really take each and every moment as an opportunity to create and cultivate the life we want.

I spoke to Sarah Bogdanski, a certified Life Coach, to get you some amazing tips on how to set goals and maintain them in 2016. Her info and links to her website are at the bottom of this post:

Kelly: There are no dumb questions and we are in a safe space so I will ask, what is a Life Coach?  

Sarah: A Life Coach is someone who helps others make a change, move forward, or work towards a specific goal. A life coach helps you get from where you are in your life right now, to where you want to be, and may work with you on your relationships, career, confidence, finances, health, business venture – or anything really! They can help you change your thinking, help you get un-stuck, conquer fear, and inspire you to be your very best self. They are objective and non-judgmental, support you and your goals, motivate and inspire you, hold you accountable, and cheer you on as you achieve what you want and desire.

Kelly: What made you become a Life Coach?

Sarah: A few years back I was at a turning point in my life. My life was generally good, but I wasn’t really happy. I felt stuck – because I had all these ideas of the life I envisioned, but couldn’t seem to figure out how to get there. I felt like I was on auto-pilot with my career, I wasn’t happy with my daily routine of life, and I couldn’t seem to meet the right guy. So I hired my own life coach, and got really clear on my vision of what I wanted in life. I was able to get past mental blocks in my thinking and resolve some fears and limiting beliefs that I have developed over the course of my lifetime. In this process, I felt like I discovered a pot a gold! Within months of this profound experience, my life completely changed, and everything I dreamed of became a reality. I moved to a new city into my dream apartment, fell in love with an amazing man, started to earn and save more money, and began putting the wheels in motion to get my coaching certification. It’s like all the clouds in my head had moved out of the way, and I was now so focused on moving forward toward my dreams. With this life changing experience, I realized I wanted to be that person for others, and help them create positive changes in their life and relationships too; to get off auto-pilot with their life, get un-stuck, move the clouds out of the way and create an extraordinary life they dream of! 

Kelly: What has it personally taught you?

Sarah: That we all have the wisdom within ourselves. That we are each the owners of our lives, and not victims of past circumstances. That we can create the life we envision and that we all hold the key to our own happiness and success. Lastly, that should all live life on our terms – no one else's!

Kelly: Everyone says “New Year, New You.” what are your thoughts on that? Should it be a concept of a "New You?" Or the ability to create and shift into a better you?

Sarah: In the New Year, there is a sense of renewal and starting fresh, which is a wonderful feeling to have. And with this sentiment, it’s a great time to plan how to create a better, happier you. I believe who we are in this moment is a sum of all of our experiences, thoughts, choices and emotions that have led us to this point in time. And while all of those things led us to where we are today, we always have the choice to change, pivot or accelerate at any given point. So yes – recreating yourself and shifting, even amplifying who you are in this new season, is all up to you! The beauty is, not just in the New Year, but at any moment in time, we have the ability to create a better version of ourselves.

Kelly: People tend to set resolutions in the New Year but have difficulty conquering them. Any thoughts here?

Sarah: We all have so many ideas of what we want to change or goals we want to achieve. The problem is, many times they stay in our head and never move into action. Typically this is because our thinking holds us back – whether it’s because we’re too focused on what we don’t have, we are dwelling on the past, we don’t have clarity in what exactly we want, we feel overwhelmed or have fears about making changes. 

Kelly:  If you had to boil it down what would be 3 essential tips to starting the year right?

Sarah: My 3 Essential Tips are all rooted in mindset and how this then translates into action. By focusing on your mindset first, you’ll put yourself in a strong place to move forward and achieve creating the best version of you. Here are my tips:

1. Celebrate Your Wins 
Before you start working on a better version of yourself in the New Year, be sure to acknowledge all you’ve accomplished already. Take a look back at the past year and write down all successes you already achieved and all the awesomeness that you are today. This practice will direct your thinking to a positive place. And once you’re in that positive groove with your thoughts, they will lead you to make better choices and take better action to your greatness. Be grateful for your past successes, and let those wins be your fuel to really BLAST OFF in the new year!

2. Get Clear on Your Vision 
Many times we tend to live life by what others or society expects of us. Or we stay stuck in a certain place because it’s our safety zone – like a career we’ve been in (even though we aren’t happy) because we’re climbing the ladder and feel like we’re too far ahead to make a change – or in a dead-end relationship that isn’t going anywhere but you’d rather stay in it and be miserable than start over again.  I challenge you to own your path this year. It can be hard to do, but allow yourself to get out of your own head (or stop listening to what others’ want for you) and focus on your heart and what it’s telling you. Listen deeply and decide what you truly want and desire for YOU. From there, get it out on paper. Once you write something down, it becomes much more powerful and helps the process begin to take shape.

3. Take Action & Get Support There’s no better time to creating the better version of you than right this very moment! Timing is never perfect, and to get started you just need to put one foot in front of the other. Baby steps are good! And be realistic with your goals. If you want to start going to the gym, going from 0 days a week to 5 days a week right away is extreme, and setting yourself up by biting more than you can chew typically doesn’t result in success, but failure. Instead, start slow and go once or twice a week. After you do that for a while and get into a nice groove, up it to more days. Or let’s say you want to save a certain amount of money this year. Make sure you look at your budget and be realistic with your savings each week. Come up with a do-able number – because if you overestimate you may drop off from saving after just a few weeks because it’s too much of a financial struggle. Over time, you will build toward your goal by taking realistic, smaller steps to get there. In addition, have someone support you, hold you accountable, and cheer you on in the process. Be it a friend, family member, significant other, or coach, having someone you can confide in and have as a sounding board on your journey to greatness will be just what you need to keep you on track and celebrate with you as you cross the finish line.

Kelly: What do you need to do to stick to the plan?

Sarah: Persistence. Even if you’re working hard towards your goal and there seem to be bumps in the road – don’t give up. These bumps help you grow and make you stronger each and every time you get past them. So if you’re trying to eat better, and you have a day where you aren’t sticking to plan, don’t throw your goal out the window and give up. Be kind to yourself and accept that moment, and then focus back to your vision and keep moving forward. When I was younger, my mom once told me “If you insist and you persist, you achieve and conquer.” I never forgot that message, it’s true! Little by little, those moments of persistence will guide you to conquering your goals.                             

Kelly: What area do you find people are the most challenged in? What’s your advice for getting past this?

Sarah: People are really tough on themselves. If they have a bad day or don’t achieve exactly what they wanted when they wanted it, they beat themselves up over it and feel like a failure. And when that happens, many times this is the place where people give up completely. My advice is to be kind to yourself and treat yourself with compassion. We’re all human and we all have tough moments or a bad day. If you trip along the way, be curious as to why you had that challenge and then pick back up and keep it moving. Sometimes those moments that seem the toughest are actually right before our biggest breakthroughs.

Let’s get personal:

Kelly: Printed or basic leggings? 

Sarah: Printed all the way.

Kelly: What is your favorite brand in the athleisure space?

Sarah: Right now I am digging Lululemon! They’re fun and funky and hug your body in JUST the right places.

Kelly: What is your favorite/go-to sweat session?

Sarah: Yoga and Pilates have become integral to my routine. Yoga for relaxation and stretching, Pilates for overall toning and strength (mental and physical).

Kelly: Are you a luxury lover, a backpack kind of gal or something in the middle?

Sarah: Somewhere in the middle, but I can go both ways too!

Kelly:  Donuts, cakes or cookies?

Sarah: Chocolate chip cookies with sea salt sprinkled on top!

I couldn't agree more with the advice Sarah shared. Be kind to yourself and believe that you have endless opportunities to make any enhancements to your life that you truly want to make at any point in time. 

Interested in learning more about how to work with Sarah? Click here to arrange a free coaching consult and learn about her private and group coaching programs.

About Sarah:  

Sarah Bogdanski is an NYU Certified Coach who helps individuals who are ready for positive change in their lives and relationships. She works with clients all over the country and from different walks of life. Sarah aims to help people uncover mental blocks, conquer fear, and support them in creating an action plan they are excited about. Contact Sarah for a free coaching consult. Connect with Sarah on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for her newsletter at www.sarahbogdanski.com for inspiration and tips around life and relationships, plus receive insider access to special programs and promotions.

Monday Mantra

It is now the end of another month and for those of you in the US who just celebrated Thanksgiving, it is also the end of another big holiday. This year, I was super grateful to have some contemplative down time especially in the midst of holiday madness. Thanksgiving tends to be my favorite holiday because it is not about the gifts, it is about spending time with those you care for. Christmas or gift giving holidays place such a heavy emphasis on what you "get" and in some cases that makes people focus on what they "don't have". Every holiday should be a celebration of what you do have. Anything additional that comes into your life as a result of that holiday is an added perk but should not be the focal point of the celebration. Don't get me wrong, I do love to give and get a great present but, I do not give it authority to determine the state of happiness. I plan on being happy with or without any gifts as the greatest gift that I possess is me, and that can not be bottled or boxed. It can not be contained or owned.

This Thanksgiving was kind of comical. We had a small fire in the stove. BTW, those yams are dangerous. Once you put aluminum foil on them they should be classified as a weapon. We had to do a lot of improvising as a result. My boyfriend ran out and found a dutch oven right as all the stores were closing and we ate about 4 hours behind schedule. In spite of us all getting hangry, we had each other and we knew it was only a matter of time before we could sit down and celebrate. This placed all the emphasis on the food and how grateful we were to salvage all of our hard work.

We had some new friends join us this year and one friend printed out all of these wonderful sayings and stapled them to lotto scratchy games. After she distributed them, each person went around the room and read theirs. It was a really nice thing to do. Ironically we all received ones that spoke to us on a very personal level. The below is the message that I was provided with, one that reminded me to be grateful for all moments in life, even the difficult ones as it all makes me who I am. It is nice to be grateful for the good in our lives. It is also very important to see and understand the lessons life provides us that aren't so good. I am not saying you should love or celebrate the "bad" but assess it and leverage it to further guide you on your journey. Ask yourself what it helps you uncover that maybe you were unable to see or understand before. Every experience provides a new perspective and a deeper understanding of who we are but it takes a willing soul to search for the truth in every scenario.

Wishing you a week where you are able to "see it all" and appreciate what life has to offer in every scenario. With love and gratitude, Kelly xo

I am Grateful For YOU Giveaway

Hi Friends!

I could not be more grateful for all of YOU. I am so touched by all of the love and support that I have received since I decided to launch KORE by Kelly. You all inspire me each and every single day to keep living my dreams. Without you, the struggle would have been harder and each step forward less sweet. I whole heartedly appreciate each and every one of you for reading, following and sharing. I appreciate that you give me words of kindness, with out knowing, on days I need it most. 

With that said, I am hosting my FIRST ANNUAL (which means that I am here to stay and not going anywhere) I am Grateful for YOU Giveaway!  To enter, you have to follow me on instagram (or already be following me) @KOREbyKelly and tag a friend who you are grateful for this year! YES, let's spread the love! A random winner will be sepected on Friday at 6 pm EST. The prize is $100 to one of my fave online stores inflow STYLE (who I am also grateful for).  In case you forgot, it's the online store I featured in "Be The Life Of The Party" post with the awesome pineapple pants. They have amazing brands like Saucha, Dharma Bums, GOLDSHEEP, Blue Life Fit and so many more! Please share with friends, love you, mean it.

Monday Mantra

Get out a pen and a piece of paper. Note: this is not an exercise for you to write down every material thing you would like for the holidays. Instead, begin to write every little thing you are grateful for, anything from clean drinking water to the people who fill your entire existence with light and love. I have done this exercise before as a way to be more appreciative of all of the good in my life and I honestly could not stop writing once I started. It's okay if you have a few material things on there i.e. your home or a Chanel bag but I would keep the material things limited on your list and focus on the things that can not be quantified. People, freedom, health, that all has no monetary value. It's value is so immense, it can not be measured. I know that the holidays can be a little stressful. If you are hosting, it is a lot of pressure to get everything right and to please everyone. Sometimes the idea of being with so much family all at once can also be stressful. My advice is to make this list now and read it first thing on Thursday morning to keep you grounded, to give you perspective and to start the day off right. Be grateful that you have people to share Thanksgiving with and food to eat. This is one of my favorite holidays as it is not about the presents but instead about the present moment that you share with others. Last thing, let the people on that list know that you are grateful for them. Sharing that with someone has more impact than you can imagine.

I'd like to take a moment to let you know that each and every one of you who read my blog, watch my videos and who have shown such loving support are at the top of my list this year.

Wishing you a beautiful beginning to this lovely holiday week.

With much love and gratitude,

Kelly

Monday Mantra

It has been an emotionally tough weekend for many of us. The attacks in Paris were nothing short of devastating. One can only feel sadness when facing the reality that this is the very world we live in. I continue to send love and prayers to everyone there and around the world who is in the midst of true suffering and I encourage you to take a few minutes out of your day to send loving vibrations. 

Times like this, it is truly important to kiss the ground you walk on, tell your loves how much they mean to you and rejoice for each new day that life has to offer. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes acts of terror and violence to bring us back into the present moment. It should not take tragedy for someone to have gratitude for the abundance in their life. We should be in a constant state of gratitude and presence. Each and every one of us has abundance in our lives. Open your eyes, ears and heart to the possibility of understanding what true abundance is. Look for the good in your life today and every day in order to manifest more abundance and to enjoy the life that has been gifted to you.

Sending much love and compassion to you and our brothers and sisters around the world.

xoxo

Kelly

Monday Mantra

So....

Today's post is late. Reason being is that I am getting my a&* kicked in Advanced Yoga Teacher Training. I can barely keep my eyes open these past few days and I may have PTSD when it's all done. If someone says chatturanga to me after training, I may kick them.  I know you are thinking that is very un-yogi of me but that happens when you are sleep deprived. Today's mantra is not a quote by a fancy figure, it's something that I am discovering through this experience: 

-When you set out to learn something new, you may become the subject-

Yes, I am learning amazing stuff in this training. Like really AMAZING stuff and I can't wait to be a better teacher because of it. Ironically, what I am learning the most about is myself. A lot of emotions come up when you place yourself in an unfamiliar or new environment. There is an essence of vulnerability when you seek to learn more. You must first admit to yourself that you don't know it all, something the ego needs to be reminded of daily. Being in an environment with new people and new information can set you spiraling in many directions and I welcome this unraveling. I welcome my brain to absorb new information and for my heart to uncover underlying emotions. I invite you to keep learning, about YOU. While you seek new information to keep your mind, body and spirit youthful, may it dust off the many layers that lead to you. 

Namaste.

PS new arms video is up on YouTube: KOREbyKelly Channel

Monday Mantra

So it is now November. Forget about the fact that the end of this year is nearing, let's focus on the present moment. In this moment, we have started a new month. There is something very symbolic about a new month or any new beginning. It gives us confidence to let things go and to concentrate on a new and exciting "beginning". Beginnings bring with them so much hope and optimism. We should really take advantage of each new day and treat it in the same exact fashion. If we treated every single day like January 1st or the beginning of a new month, quarter, personal situation, etc. every day of our lives would be started with hope and optimism. Every day should in fact be treated that way, it is a new beginning. It is another day that you get to open your eyes, breath and take part in the journey of life. Letting go of "yesterday" is key in accomplishing that sensation. A lot of times when I teach yoga, I say things like "okay forget that last pose we just did, it is officially in the past and no longer relevant to us" because sometimes I can feel my students getting stuck on a situation that is only a blip on the entire span of their life. Life situations should be treated as such, something no longer relevant to the present. I mean this even when it comes to the delightful things in life. Be grateful for every moment in the present (even the bad ones) and you can move forward once you have made peace with it having offered you everything that it was intended to. We need to expend energy to hold on and we only gain energy when we let go. I invite you to let go and move forward into the present moment this week. 

This post is dedicated to my God Daughter James Ella who I had the privilege of being a part of her Baptism yesterday and my dear friends Estee, Despina and Andrea who are all celebrating birthdays this week. May you treat each and every single day this year as a very new beginning. May you be untethered by the past and only optimistic for the abundance that lies with each and every day ahead. I love each and every one of you in a very special and unique way that represents your own uniqueness to those you touch every day.

Move Over Gwyneth and Tracy...

This is way better than kale, printed leggings, the 7 minute work out or kombucha. Move over Gwyneth and Tracy, there is a new POWER COUPLE in wellness, you are looking at Katie and Kelly! Nutrition meets Fitness! WOOHOO. Do I really need to explain any further how cool and important this is? A few months back I featured Katie and some work that we collaborated on over at Refinery 29 (read that post if you haven't already, it is super informative). We collaborate on awesome corporate consciousness initiatives with amazing clients who know how important it is to offer their employees wellness solutions.  We have decided to up the ante on this relationship and move to video. I know, I know, some of you may think this relationship is moving way too quickly. Don't worry, I know what I am getting myself into. I can't obsess over this enough but our initials are exactly the same so this is KF SQUARED. I really wanted to put a little "2" next to our name but it has taken me an obscene amount of time to try and figure out how to do that on SquareSpace so....I have moved on. If anyone knows how, leave me a comment on this post ;)

So we both strongly believe and I must also say it is not a personal belief but a scientifically proven one that BOTH exercise and nutrition are the key to optimal health. One CAN NOT exist without the other. And I am taking this crazy class at NYU that has opened my eyes to so many things that simply reinforce that. Healthy Body = balanced diet, cardiovascular health and strength conditioning. It is as easy as any 3 step process, I am sure you have 10 more steps in the shower alone. There will be a future post diving into all of the details BUT simply put just because you exercise does't mean you can eat crap and because you eat "clean" or "healthy" doesn't mean you don't have to exercise. Got it? Life is all about balance and when you achieve balance, it will be harmonious. Can you hear the classical music playing?

Enough words, let's have these moving images speak for themselves. I am super duper proud to present our first video collaboration living on my YouTube Channel: Pre-Workout Snack: 3 Quick and Easy Chia Puddings! . You can get to the recipe details here on Katie's blog she has a lot of good stuff on her website so check it out ONLY when you are done watching the video :) 

I truly hope you enjoy. This was created with a lot of love and sincere passion for your wellness.

xoxo

Monday Mantra

Today's Monday Mantra was inspired by a very dear friend. We were chatting last week about how sometimes all you can do is keep moving and trust that things will pan out exactly as they should and she shared this beautiful quote with me:

This quote comes from the dude who invented Zappos. I mean, I'm going to listen to this guy. He may know a thing or two...wouldn't you agree? Sometimes we OVER analyze everything. And sometimes, the answer does not exist in a book. Sometimes "answers" can only manifest in action. And sometimes that means you have to take a little risk or get out of your comfort zone. Simply put, sometimes you just need to keep it moving. And when you live life following your gut, you live it so very fully. My gut is always right and I have kicked myself plenty of times for not listening to it. So my mantra for this week is to give my brain a little break and every time I start questioning things or need to use the analytical side of my brain I am just going to DO STUFF (Nike was also on to something). So join me this week in, ACTING, act fully with your whole mind, body and soul. Let your inner intuition guide you.

Wishing you a very, very splendid week xo

Kelly

Fitness Friday: Let's Move IT!

Morning Beauties!

Let's be honest, It is the day you have been longing for since Sunday and you are about to imbibe and consume lots of naughty things to celebrate the fact that you don't have to be at work tomorrow. As a result, I am sharing a new fitness video with you today. I have a new Triple Threat: Push-Up series video live. Spend less than 5 minutes getting some cardio, push-ups and yoga stretches in. Watch, I mean DO the Plank Series first and then follow it up with this one for a more intense quickie :) If you don't have a jump rope, do jacks! No excuses.

I'm starting to warm up to this video thing, hope you are liking these. Let me know and SUBSCRIBE to my channel. I am filming some amazing nutrition & fitness ones today with Katie from ComplEAT nutrition today. They are going to be sick. xoxo

Go get'em!

Monday Mantra

Being a gal who quit her "stable" job and paycheck to pursue her passion, there are days I wake up and check where I am on the crazy barometer. Other days, I feel like I am ruling my universe but like everything in life, it ebbs and flows. I have learned that when I am very focused in the present moment, it is when I am able to seamlessly create. It all flows with out interruption. When I begin to worry about things like "how" and "when" I move 10 steps back instead of forward. It is very hard to be present but being present allows us to tap our greatest potential. I work very hard every day to be present not only in things like my meditation or yoga practice but also when a dear friend is talking to me about something, when I am preparing a meal or spending time with my family. I took an art class yesterday with my mom and boyfriend and it was SO mediative and soothing, I highly recommend activities like this (there is a picture on instagram @korebykelly).  There are little ways to stay connected and present in order to avoid the "worrying" illness that preys on all of us. Worrying is completely fruitless. It literally accomplishes nothing productive and sets off a chain of negative thoughts and feelings. This week, put the worrying aside. Leave it to the Universe. Trust that the Universe will handle it and that it is way more competent than us to figure it out considering it has been here WAY longer than us. Let's all stay present and focused and see what magic we are able to create this week.

May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be whole.

xo Kelly

My First Fitness Video is LIVE!

WOW, it is chilly on this beautiful Sunday but don't you worry,  I have the perfect means to warm you UP! My very first fitness video is LIVE on YouTube today!!! This is a massive labor of love <3 I want everyone to have the ability to enjoy KbK fitness regardless of where you are in the world. The first set of fitness videos that I am producing and releasing are based on my Triple Threat class that I developed and taught in USQ, NY this past summer. 

I call it a Triple Threat because it is 1 part Cardio, 1 part Strength and 1 part yoga in every body part segment. It is kind of like Beyonce who can sing, act and dance...ya' know?  I am producing and releasing the videos in segments so you can tailor your own playlist and tackle the body parts that you feel like tackling. The video library will be built over time so be patient, more videos will come. This first video is a plank series. In the video, I use a jump rope to pump up my heart rate however; you can switch in jumping jack, burpees, or high knees if you don't have a rope at home. 

The more love I get from you, the more videos I will make so PLEASE share these with your friends and don't forget to subscribe to my channel and give the video a thumbs up if it gives you a good burn. If you live in NYC and want to sweat it out up close and personal together, email me for personal or group training @ Kelly@KorebyKelly.com

I am so happy and feeling blessed to be on this journey together xoxo

Monday Mantra

Start with you. This morning, this new day, this new week....start with YOU. The power that you have is unimaginable. Everything that you think and feel can set waves of occurrences into motion. It is very easy to look outside and blame external factors. It is even easier to let our ego (voice in our head) take over and let us live inhibited by fear and insecurity. If you take control by expelling negative thoughts and only welcoming positive ones into your mind, you will unlock all of the abundance that lies ahead. To live a positive and happy life, you must start at the very essence of your being. You need to cultivate a positive mind in order to live in that fashion. Yes, it takes work and trust me, it takes lots of work. But, once you unlock the sensation that comes from a positive mind, you will feel as if you can conquer anything. It will become your new norm and you won't have time for the negative BS anymore. Just the way you put time into looking great before you leave the house, hitting the gym, drafting the perfect memo at work....do the same for your mind: put in the effort. Make today the start of turning your mind into a sanctuary of good vibes. Every time a negative thought comes in just say:" b%&*h don't kill my vibes" and move on.

May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be whole. 

xoxo

PS, check out yesterday's travel essential videos on YT:

Monday Mantra

SO....I'm late on this today but only because I was following the orders of this week's selected mantra: "We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us". The quote is "anonymous" but the photographer of the picture I used is from my boyfriend so, I will give credit where credit is due. The photo was taken at the top of a Citadel in Budva, Montenegro. 

I have been traveling since last week and you really forget how traveling inspires so many things within you. Yesterday, I was in the Old City of Dubrovnik and it was beyond spectacular (and the fact that certain scenes from GOT are filmed there is not a bad thing either :). This ancient city has more history than so many other places I have ever been. If its walls could talk, they would tell stories from the ancient past and even not so far past with bombings as recent as 20 years ago. After a delicious dinner in Old Town last night, we stopped to watch a band sing some cover songs (all American songs too, its weird how songs from the US are so popular abroad). There was an Asian couple waltzing in the square where the band was playing; then a Western couple began to dance too. Soon enough they all went back to their tables and the Western and Asian couples began to complement each other's dancing with physical gestures as they could not successfully communicate with words due to their distinct languages. Then the Asian man danced with the Western woman and it was beautiful. East met west last night and it was so simple and satisfying to watch. Discovering new places and being away from the prejudices and stigmas that one may be attached to quickly melt away when you are gone. Something special happens when a bunch of people from different lands come together to experience the same thing, a commonality emerges. Even if you are not traveling with all of these other people, you are sharing in this experience together. This communal experience allows so many amazing occurrences like this to take place because in spite of being behind ancient walls last night, it was obvious that many people had let their personal walls down.

My boyfriend and I have been traveling through Montenegro and Croatia and each day we have seen and experienced something so new and stimulating. My eyes welled up last night as I felt so inspired by this ancient city and grateful to be within the confines of its walls. I find that traveling is a sensation so hard to describe, to me it feels like falling in love. You feel really happy, optimistic and invincible. It reminded me to take that same perspective with me home and to try and look at the old with the same optimistic perspective. This old city stands so strong in the midst of new times, why can't I create the same experience back home? I am going to search for new even within "my old". I hope you hold on to life, anything old or unseen that lies ahead. Travel, even if it is locally or within. Don't be afraid to get lost and hold on to each and every moment, don't let life escape you.

xoxo

Kelly

Monday Mantra

Today's Monday Mantra is inspired by Viola Davis at the Emmy's last night. She said  "The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.  You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there." Viola graciously thanked women like Shonda Rhimes for redefining a leading woman. Today, I take my hat off to Viola and I would like to thank her for the amazing inspiration that she provides. I agree that the roles; even off screen, need to exist in order for people to have the opportunity. But not everyone is capable of seizing opportunity once it has been presented. Shonda could have hired someone else and who knows if their performance would have been Emmy worthy? Viola brilliantly makes characters come to life in every role she has performed. I don't know about you but her performances give me chills. You can't really thank yourself on stage (unless you're Kanye) but the truth is that Viola took opportunity and not only seized it but conquered it. I plan on taking a page from Viola's script on life and conquering every opportunity that comes my way this week. I also believe in the law of attraction so you need to conquer as much as you can in order to make it rain, that's why my mantra this week is: Opportunities Multiply As They Are Seized - Sun Tzu. 

Go get your "life Emmy" this week and conquer anything that comes your way.

xoxo Kelly