Daybreaker DC

Dance party, anyone??

If you haven't heard of DAYBREAKER, it's an early morning dance movement that starts with a yoga or fitness class, then a full on dance + sweat party with a DJ spinning the music. DAYBREAKER is currently in 16 cities around the world and I had the opportunity to try it when they made a stop in DC.

The theme of this particular dance party was Dance Dance Resolution and it was at the U Street Music Hall. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into, but, as I'm sure you can tell by the photos, everyone was dancing, singing, laughing, and sweating. I was hooked immediately.

Our morning began with a 90s-inspired dance aerobix class with Viva Bodyroll and, you guys, it was SO much fun. We were groovin' to TLC, Mariah Carey, and all my favorite throwback tunes and I couldn't help but sing along. I wish I could start everyday trying to master the bodyroll. #FlygirlFitness

There's no right way to dance, no judgement and lots of smiles, hugs, and high fives. I'm still curious as to how many calories I burned that morning. Luckily, there were also drinks from Misfit Juicery and KIND snacks to keep everyone fueled up properly.

In the photo above, we split into two groups then danced down the line with a partner. That was one of my favorite parts of the morning for sure! It was so cool to be part of such a big group of people getting their dance on. Seriously, what better "active rest" activity is there?!

DAYBREAKER is the perfect opportunity to switch up your workout routine. You're guaranteed to have fun and work up a legit sweat which is always a good thing!

If you want to try DAYBREAKER for yourself (and I highly suggest it!), check out their events calendar for future locations, then grab some friends, maybe some funky outfits, and get ready to have the most fun sweat session ever!

Pssst - they'll be back in DC on February 25th at Penn Social! Tickets are available here!

I was given a press pass to attend, however all opinions are my own. // 

All images via Jonathan Ackaoui

My Style With JORD Watch + A Giveaway

TURTLENECK: Old Navy [similar] // FAUX FUR VEST: TJ Maxx [similar] //  

PANTS: Who What Wear // FLATS: Target [similar] // BAG: Zara //  

BEANIE: Target [similar] // NECKLACE: Old Navy // WATCH: c/o JORD //

What time is it? Time for you to upgrade your watch game!

Okay but seriously - I've never been much of a watch person. I used to go through phases of wearing one buried in bracelets (remember the #armparty?) but then it usually gathers dust and stops working.

Lately though, I feel like watches have become a much more popular accessory, and surprisingly, I don't hate it. It's about time I upgraded my watch game and, thanks to JORD Watches, I'm back to a less bare wrist and a much cuter (and easier) way to tell the time.

JORD Watches are handcrafted from wood and make the perfect statement piece. As soon as I saw the zebrawood watch from the Frankie series with a champagne face, I had to have it and let me tell you it's even better in person. I wear it mostly with black because I love the way it stands out! They have so many amazing options for both women and men, so why not #treatyoself? Need another excuse? There just may be an amazing giveaway below!!! ;)

Ready to upgrade your watch game? Enter below for an instant $25 off gift code for a watch of your choice!! Plus, one lucky winner will receive $100 off a watch of their choice!

Enter to win here!

I was gifted a watch from JORD, however all opinions are my own.

Shop: Anna Kaiser x Target Collection

Get ready for some serious workout motivation.

If you missed it over on my Instastories or Snapchat (kelllybelllly), celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser's activewear collection has hit Target stores and (like so many Target collabs) I want one of everything. Especially this mesh sweatshirt and these leggings.

Image via

The limited edition line is full of mesh (my fav), bold prints (I love), strappy sports bras (I can't get enough), and chic styles. I just love when Target does a fitness collaboration! I buy a lot of activewear at Target anyway, and this just makes it even better.

Shop my picks from the Anna Kaiser x Target collection below!

What are you favorite pieces from the collection?

Why Yoga Isn't About Fitness For Me

"Yoga is not about touching your toes, it's about what you learn on the way down."

~Judith Hanson Lasater

I've seen this quote in so many places, but never actually took the time to think about the meaning until I came across it again. You might've noticed a lack of yoga posts here the past few month..... because I haven't been practicing. It wasn't an intentional break but between work, working out, moving over a whole month and the holiday hustle and bustle, it's been put on the back burner for quite a while.

I was listening to a Yoga Talk podcast recently (highly recommend for any yogis!) and the topic for episode 40 was focused on body image and how we need to move away from the mindset that yoga is simply a good workout.

While thinking about my 2017 goals, and taking some time off from yoga, this podcast made me realize something: I don't love yoga for the workout. I admittedly used to, but my mindset has shifted the past few months.

Now, it's my heart and soul that crave yoga flows - not my muscles. I love yoga because it makes me feel emotionally balanced and in sync. When I walk out of the studio, my world and everything around me is better. I have a much better perspective on things I'm stressed about and I want that feeling to last forever. Isn't that better in the long run than sore muscles?

Just like writing my thoughts down in a journal, yoga is another way for me to express myself and stop worrying about things I can't control.

I talk all the time about how if we really do want to work out, we'll make it happen. The same applies here: whether it's a shorter at-home yoga flow or a class at my local studio, every time I step on the mat and connect more with myself, that's worth it. We all need to make more time for hobbies and doing things that make us happy, relieve stress, and feel alive, and for me, one of those is yoga. Especially when life becomes stressful, we need to find balance and channel our energy in a more positive way.

I came across this Well + Good article on the best workout according to your horoscope, and I was curious so I scrolled down to the "best workout" for a Cancer sign. I was shocked to see that it's yoga! If that isn't another sign, I don't know what is.

So, let's start the new year off right by taking time for ourselves and doing more of the things that make us happy, free, less stressed and more in tune. It's such a waste to not feel fulfilled. So, one of my 2017 goals is to practice yoga regularly and I already have a class on my calendar. I am so excited to get back into the flow (hehe) and I know I won't regret it.

How does yoga help you? What makes you feel fulfilled?


Want to see more yoga posts? More workouts? I'd love for you to fill out my quick survey and let me know what type of content you'd like to see this year on Naturally Me. Anything goes!

Click here to take the survey!!

My 2017 Goals

I don't know about you, but my 2016 rocked and I had a pretty incredible start to 2017 so I feel like this is going to be a great year for me. Even with this snowy weather, there's just something so refreshing about a new year. I always look forward to writing out my goals and starting a new life chapter.

Speaking of goals.... in my opinion, we need to move away from new year "resolutions". In my opinion, that word puts so much pressure on us. You have 12 months to learn a new language or lose those 20 pounds or else you failed. Okay - but how will you reach your end goal? We can't wake up one day and just know how to speak Italian.

In my opinion, a more effective way is to write down your overall goals, as well as the smaller (but still important) steps to get to each.

One of my goals for 2017 is to finally go skydiving but in order to do that, I need to save money (newsflash: adulting still sucks) as well as find a good place to go. I have my ultimate goal in mind - and I know what I need to do to be able to jump out of that plane. Plus, reaching each of those smaller goals will make you more motivated to get to the finish line.

My Passion Planner was so helpful in goal planning and staying organized last year so I bought another one this year. If you are like me and still use an actual planner - I highly recommend it!

I carry it with me everywhere and there are blank pages in the back so I've started to write my goals for 2017. My list keeps growing but since I don't want to completely bore you with every single one, here are some of my goals for 2017. (And no, they're not all fitness-related! ;)

1. Compete in a fitness competition

2. Attend a yoga retreat

3. Read more books

4. Take a solo vacation

5. Learn my DSLR

6. Meditate regularly

7. Save money

8. Listen to more podcasts

9. Send more snail mail

10. Volunteer at an organization to help others

11. Take a hot air balloon ride

12. Attend a fit expo

13. Attend more blog events

14. Get my personal trainer's certification

15. Journal regularly


In addition to these goals, after reading this article on setting a one-word intention for 2017, I decided to set one myself. The word I came up with is FEAR.

The reason: after writing down my top five goals for 2017 and thinking about what they have in common, I realized they are all out of my comfort zone. Like... way out of my comfort zone and that scares me. But, instead of crossing them off my list or deciding I'll never reach them, I'm using the fact that they scare me as motivation. Because nothing worth having comes easy. And when we achieve things out of our comfort zone, the real magic starts to happen.


What are your goals for 2017? Share with me in the comments!

My Style: On-the-Go Girl

Doing a little bit of a different my style post today and sharing a mini roundup of my latest outfits. Because when I'm not in workout clothing, it needs to be documented. Let's be real. (You can find more proof that I do wear real clothes here!)

It was an amazing NYE at Sequoia in Georgetown with my love! (I managed to get a few pics with him before he got in the DJ zone, hehe!) There were so many people there and everyone was having a blast.

JUMPSUIT: H&M [identical] // PUMPS: Zara [similar] //

 

Since we stayed overnight in Georgetown, New Year's Day we walked to get brunch at Thunder Burger. It was the first real meal I was able to eat since my challenge and I wanted everything on the menu. (I ended up ordering an omelet and greek yogurt/granola... yum!)

COAT: ASOS [similar] // JEANS: Express [similar] // SNEAKERS: Adidas //

It's pretty ridiculous how much I live in these black leggings. The lace detail is so cute when I'm working up a sweat or running errands. (Original post here.)

LEGGINGS: Fabletics [love these] // SNEAKERS: Nike [love this pair] //

Say hello to my new favorite watch! More details are coming soon - and maaaybe a giveaway of some sort, too. ;)

WATCH: c/o JORD // SWEATER: Aeropostale [similar *on sale!] //  
JEANS: Express [similar] //

I hope everyone has a great weekend!! I'm looking forward to relaxing and getting blog work done. Look out for new posts next week. :)

Also, if you haven't filled out my quick survey - I'd love to get your thoughts on what you guys would like to see on the blog this year! Any ideas welcome - and appreciated!

SHOP THE POST:

December Liftmas Challenge, Part 2

I can't believe we're in a new year already - which means my December Liftmas challenge has come to a close. It's so crazy to think that for a full month I was following a strict eating plan with some pretty tough workouts. I certainly am #betterforit, though, and wanted to share my final thoughts on how it went for me. (If you missed my first post about the challenge, check it out here!)

What I Learned

I wasn't really expecting this, but what I learned most wasn't how to eat better or some fun new workouts. Instead, it was the fact that I am stronger mentally than I know. Heck, we all are. The whole point of the challenge was to well, challenge myself to stick to a nutrition and training plan during a month when there are extra temptations at every turn.

Don't get me wrong, there were so many times I struggled to say no and had to literally look the other way in order to forget about the tray of sweets near me. But, my willpower was the strongest it's ever been because I told myself if I was going to do this challenge, I had to give it 100%.

During one of my last workouts, I also realized that it's important to trust the process. There will be days where you'd rather be a couch potato, or gorge on all the food, but you have to stay strong and know that each day you're one step closer to your goals. And the feeling of knowing you put every ounce of sweat in you could muster is a special feeling.

Physically, I feel great. Prior to the challenge (when my eating wasn't as strict) I would have days where I felt bloated or had a stomachache. Not one time during the challenge did I have any of those issues (with the exception of our cheat day because I ate like crap). It's pretty incredible to realize how the food we eat effects our systems - and how much of it is full of extra crap our bodies don't need and/or can't digest.

How I Feel

The program was created to lean you out and I can honestly say that it worked for me. I made a lot of progress during the month and I know that if I keep it up, I'll only see better results! However, I do feel a little lost. For a whole month, I was on a strict schedule and everything was planned out: from what and when to eat, to specific workouts, when to take a rest day, etc. I love having everything laid out, that way I can plan my meals and workouts ahead of time and stick to a schedule. (And if I have to switch my workout or meal time around one day, I still know what I need to do.)

Now What?

For these first few days of January, I've been enjoying the post-challenge foods and some rest days. There were so many things I couldn't eat for a whole month, and right now I want all the Chick Fil A, Cava Grill, ice cream and chocolate. Plus, I've had a whole bag of sugar cookie Boom Chicka Pop sitting in the pantry... taunting me. Instead, I'm eating in moderation and sorta sticking to a good eating plan, just having a cinnamon roll when I want. ;) *follow on Snap?

After contemplating where to go with my training/nutrition, I have decided to do the challenge over again while adding in weightlifting. It's been a month since I've lifted and I miss it. Ryan from Skullz and Barbells is currently writing me a revised plan and I can't wait to get started!

With the start of the new year, I'm feeling so excited for what's to come. I've been reflecting and thinking about my goals for 2017 - fitness related and beyond - and my list is growing! I'll share more on that soon! ;)

In sum, this challenge was tough but I'm so glad I did it. I not only saw physical results but, more importantly, had a huge mindset shift. I feel mentally stronger and ready to tackle a new training and fitness plan which is the perfect way to start a new year if you ask me!