The Perfect Formula for Summer Fitness; Part 4, Friends

FRIENDS: As an intern living at home, I have quickly learned that there is nothing more valuable than friends. While nothing beats a wholesome and lighthearted family dinner, a surplus of family time tends to call for some friendship bonding, especially when Monday night dinners include the crazy cat lady from next door. Unlike the Friends cast, I do not have a regular hotspot hangout, like The Central Perk, so, if I want to hang out with my gal pals, like Rachel Greene and Phoebe Buffay, I must arrange plans.

Typical plans involve preliminary searches of Yelp.com’s latest restaurant ratings or how many thumbs up Ebert and Roeper gave Owen Wilson’s recent comedy. Very rarely do my activity suggestions include sports, unless of course  it involves cheering at a Brave’s Game or jumping in the pool for a quick swim, after a day of tanning.

However, there is a great way to get involved in sports and still fulfill my summer plans of soaking up the sun with friends by my side. By joining a local sports league, I have the ability to get a great exercise outdoors and still find out all the latest makeups and breakups in my gal pal group. As an added bonus, I have the opportunity to make more friends through a sports league, so that the next time my dad does something embarrassing at a family function; I have a larger group to text blast.

No matter one’s age or physical acumen, sports can certainly make your life healthier and happier. Aside from health benefits, sports can also improve talents in the work place. By polishing one’s hand-eye coordination, teamwork and sportsmanship, sports can produce valuable skills that can be enforced and implemented into daily tasks at the office. Not to mention, sports easily reduces stress to clear one’s mind. And of course, as always, sports are an excellent exercise. They are good for your heart, muscles and even your breathing!

These leagues are just as easy to find as movie show times! Using a multitude of sports league websites, interested individuals can seek out these opportunities and get involved! So, next time that crazy cat lady neighbor of yours comes over for a Monday night dinner, you can easily say, “While I’d love to stay and talk about fur balls and pet food, I have to meet up with some friends for a recreational kickball game!”

Summer Kisses,
The Brand Management Intern, Ariel

The Pefect Forumla for Summer Fitness: Part 3, Free

FREE: The work day has ended and is time to get in my car and let loose belting out show tunes and oldies, as “The Perfect Formula for Summer Fitness” recommends. On my drive home, I may want to make a few stops. Everything from the dry cleaners to the grocery store may be on my list, but one thing that definitely has not made the schedule is working out.

Many excuses can defend the working out question complex. One may ask, “Hey, do you want to go to this great kickboxing class later or a run on the treadmill?” My mind is yelling, “What are you crazy?” However, this answer is not an appropriate response. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to; “I broke my leg recently, you just can’t tell, “Sting is in town for one night only” and “I’ve been waiting all week to watch The Bachelor.”

Saying, “I don’t know if it is worth the money” is an unacceptable excuse. Today, gyms offer everything from five day trial passes to two week trial passes. These no strings attached free-trial memberships allow first time users to experience all the gym has to offer for that allotted time period. By offering this coupon, potential members can see if a gym membership would be worth their time and money in the future.

Hypothetically, one could really utilize these free memberships all summer long. Just in Smyrna alone, there are over ten gyms. Imagine all of the free gym days that one could accrue just by stopping in a variety of gyms on their way home.

Now don’t get me wrong, these trial passes are not guaranteed to give you Suzanne Somer’s Flex Belt Abdominals or Dirk Nowitzki’s championship upper biceps, but they will truly get you on the right path to a healthier and more fit lifestyle. And who knows, perhaps you will find a new passion for working out.

Summer Kisses,
The Brand Management Intern, Ariel

The Perfect Formula for Summer Fitness: Part 2, Fun

FUN: Whether you are “Driving your Chevy to the levee” or “Getting your kicks on route 66”, everyone has to get to work somehow.

After fueling up on a quick breakfast of fiber and protein, like step number one of “The Perfect Formula to Summer Fitness” recommends, it is time to hop into my car and drive to work. While this may be a typical long and grueling drive in the Atlanta traffic, it is in fact the best time to have fun and let loose.

It’s time to turn up the radio and sing to everything from Lady Gaga to The Rolling Stones. The driver’s seat is now my stage and my morning coffee cup may not be the highest quality microphone, but it surely suffices. Although, I intend to get a few looks when I roll down the window and belt Celine Dion’s, “My Heart Will Go On,” the health benefits singing provides are far worth the stares.

Each morning, I am sure to walk into work happier, as singing elevates one’s mood. I have more energy, an improved memory, and an increased concentration all from my Grammy award winning performance that just happened to take place on I-75 south. For those that are seeking lower blood pressure or relief from asthma, singing can be a great exercise to facilitate these health needs. In addition, the oxygen intake is a fantastic way to stay healthy, look younger and tone one’s facial muscles. Now, we all know the secret to Justin Bieber’s fresh look, singing of course!

So, as Just Bieber would harmonize, “Never Say Never” to being too embarrassed of a highway concert. Whether, it is Madison Square Garden worthy or just shower time worthy, either way singing provides an excellent jumpstart to one’s morning.

Summer Kisses,
The Brand Management Intern, Ariel

The Perfect Formula for Summer Fitness: Part 1, Food

Summer may not officially begin for a few more weeks, but Ariel’s summer fitness formula has! As promised, the first official component of the perfect summer formula has arrived. Food.

FOOD: Food and Fitness? How can it be remotely possible that food can lead to fitness? Especially when my late night food runs continually seem to pose the age-old question, “Do you want fries with that shake?”

My typical work week involves early mornings and quite a bit of scrambling. From jumping in the shower to getting dressed and organizing my day, there is little leeway time for extra activities, including breakfast. How can I possibly catch the latest celebrity scandal on Good Morning America, if instead of scrambling for my belongings, I have to scramble eggs?

While who was voted off last night’s episode of American Idol is very serious business, eating breakfast is quite essential to maintaining a healthy body weight. Just a quick breakfast can lead to healthier dietary decisions and hold over hunger until lunchtime.  Plus, breakfast provides essential nutrients and vitamins giving one the energy for their workday.

As the summer sun rises with a glaring hot orange color, so may The Krispy Kreme sign, but a breakfast of fiber and protein is where it’s at. Grabbing a yogurt and topping it off with granola or fruit may be a tasty treat, or perhaps you want to get all Rachel Rae and prepare an omelet, either way eating a healthy breakfast is the first variable to my perfect formula for summer fitness.

A little breakfast in the morning certainly gives me a little extra incentive to finally answer, “Yes, I do want fries with that shake.”

Summer Kisses,
The Brand Management Intern, Ariel

The Perfect Formula for Summer Fitness

Ariel, an Intern, gives her tips to a successful summer:

Summer has arrived. The weekend forecast predicts it is time to whip out the bathing suits, lay by the pool and of course eat tons of ice cream!  But, the real question is how to snack on my favorite chips, sip on my favorite fountain soda and still be ready for that beach weekend family photo.

Like any other employed person’s workweek, my weekdays are busy and my weekends crave relaxation. In order to ensure the most important components of my summer are fulfilled; ending my work days with reality television marathons and spending my weekends in the sun, I had to create the perfect summer formula for fitness. While this quick weekly mathematical calculation may not be full proof, it will surely be a hoot, and hey laughing is a great exercise!

So, follow along as I equate the ideal way to spend summer.

My perfect formula for summer fitness involves only the most important things food, fun, free, friends and floaties.

Summer Kisses,
The Brand Management Intern,
Ariel