Margo Donohue

Brooklyn Fit Chick News: Book Vs. Movie Podcast, Top Songs of 2015 and Piriformis Syndrome 14

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Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes End of 2015 Special!

 Book vs Movie Podcast Episodes: “The Devil Wears Prada” & “Fried Green Tomatoes”

Call-Outs for Top Songs of 2015

Advice for Piriformis Syndrome

brooklynfitnesschickBIKE_0701

 

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

Simply cannot believe 2015 is coming to a close and while I am trying to make sense of a year which had far more “lows” than “highs” I wanted to take the time to say ‘”thank you.”  Thanks to every single one of my readers who check out my Blog and make comments. It is SO appreciated.

I discovered my voice while working on “Brooklyn Fit Chick.com” four years ago and have made some of the greatest friends in the whole world in the Blogosphere. I am looking forward to all of the new lessons you have to teach me in 2016 and hope I can make a positive impact in your life as well.

If nothing else—I promise to make you giggle from time to time!

As I get my last few posts written for 2015 allow me the chance to talk about a few news & notes going through my brain right now.

Book Vs Movie Podcast News:

Margo Porras of She’s Nacho Mama’s Blog and I co-host the “Book Vs. Movie” podcast (that you can subscribe to via iTunes at this link) and this past year we really kicked serious butt with the downloads. (As Homer Simpson would say—woo hoo!) And believe me when I tell you that hardly anyone I personally know (except for my mother) listens to us so that is pretty damn cool!

Our two top episodes so far are Gone Girl and The Outsiders. If you have any suggestions for us on your favorite book to movie adaptations, leave a comment below and/or at our Facebook Page. (We are always looking for ideas!)

In the meantime, here are our last two episodes talking about The Devil Wears Prada and Fried Green Tomatoes. (Our next one will be Waiting to Exhale and will come out in early January.)

devil

 

images

 

Top Songs for 2015:

Many of you know already that I am a fitness instructor with a passion for putting together the “just right” playlist for each class. I feel as if it is my chance each hour to not only enable good health for a fellow human being but to also get to be a DJ with a captive audience. (I have some control issues to work out…)

My students know that if they want to treat me to a present at the holidays an iTunes gift card will do nicely. I post my personal playlists on this Blog as frequently as I can plus I create them for Fit Bottomed Girls with special themes ranging “Madonna vs. Lady Gaga” to Halloween.

This week I plan to post my picks for the top songs of 2015 and am curious which ones would be on your list? What new tunes did you really dig this year? Here is my handful to start:

  • “I Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd
  • “Hotline Bling” by Drake
  • “The Wolf” by Mumford & Sons
  • “Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay
  • “Ship to Wreck” by Florence & The Machine

Let me know your picks for 2015 in the comments below!

Piriformis Trouble:

Last month I told you all that I was having hamstring issues from all of my years of cycling. Unfortunately it looks as if it is a little worse than that. In fact, my symptoms are indicating that I have Piriformis Syndrome which is (if I can be a little crude here) a pain in my butt. This occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses on your sciatic nerve causing a radiating pain down the leg.

It hurts when I sit or lie down for too long and getting out of bed in the morning (if I forget to sleep on a heating pad) is a chore.

Ibuprofen and my BelleCore Body Buffer are my new best friends.  I have been instructed to foam roll as often as a I can and to sit and roll on two lacrosse balls to undo that knot in my muscle twice per day. Icing it down helps a bit as well but every time I see wooden or metal chair my inside my inner voice says “oh sh*t!”

It makes me a bit grumpy to be slowed down in any way but I know that if I do things correctly now it will pay off in the long run. My question for y ’all is if any of you have been through this can you give me your best advice?  I am eager to try just about anything at this point. Thank you in advance!

Oh well, that’s it for me today.  I will be back soon with magazine reviews, playlists, reviews and so much more. I hope you have a wonderful last week of 2015!

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

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Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes: Wahlburgers, New Balance Gear & Rodney Yee in Central Park! 20

by • exercise, Fit Bottom Girls, fitness • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes:

 “Book vs Movie” Podcast Episode “Jaws” & “Jurassic Park”

The Coney Island Wahlburgers

Plus: My Fun Times as a Fit Bottomed Girl Checking Out New Balance Gear &

Taking in Some Yoga with Rodney Yee (!!)

Just me and thousands of my fellow New Yorkers doing yoga in the park

Just me and thousands of my fellow New Yorkers doing yoga in the park

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

Oh where oh where does the time go?  I don’t know about you but my August this year was very, very busy with work, teaching and a week-long visit from my mom (yay!) I had a wonderful time and as I type this post it is Labor Day which is one of those signpost holidays that signifies that summer will soon leave us.

Instead of being sad about letting my second favorite season (after autumn, of course) leave us until next year—I want to talk about some of the fun things I have been up to and am eager to hear how your summer has been unfolding. (Comment below!)

So, let’s get to it!

Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes:

Book Vs Movie Podcast News: Margo Porras of She’s Nacho Mama’s Blog and I co-host the “Book Vs. Movie” podcast (that you can subscribe to via iTunes at this link) and we have just released two new episodes since we last “spoke.” First we uncover the 70’s classic Jaws (yes, it was a book first) and then we talked about Jurassic Park. I have embedded them below if you are interested in checking them out. Margo and I are planning out our fall schedule so if you have suggestions for us—mention them below in the comments!

 

Mom & I Meet a Wahlberg and it Was Wicked Fun: It’s been ages since my mother and I had some bonding time that didn’t include my family or siblings so I was thrilled when she decided to take an impromptu visit to New York. We had an amazing time including a visit to the Freedom Tower, taking in the latest production of The King and I (which is off the hook amazing,) strolled along the NYC Highline (which has a HUGE Lego exhibit) and finishing things off with a visit to Coney Island. (We really took the town!)

As luck would have it Mom and I arrived on the opening day of the Coney Island “Wahlburgers” which thrilled me to bits since I am a fan of the Wahlburgers Reality Show on A&E and love to try out a new burger joint when they pop up in my borough. Even though they had some kinks to work out with getting the burgers out in a timely fashion (the line went out the door!) it was still fun to watch Paul Wahlberg come out and greet fans. He is the brother of two famous Wahlbergs (actors Donnie and Mark) and the hardworking dude was so focused on his business that we saw him actually going out to clean the windows of the establishment (no slacker, he.)

If you are in Coney Island I say check them out and NOT Nathan’s Famous hot dog joint which has been around forever and is an institution but the quality I am sad to say has greatly declined over the years.

Here are some of our favorite moments from her visit. (And if you don’t already, follow me on Instagram at “BrooklynFitChick” and I will follow you back!)

 

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The Highline #nyc #highlinenyc

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Metropolitan Museum of Art #nyc #museum #newyork #summer

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Fit Bottomed Girls Articles: I am a proud NYC team member of the Fit Bottomed Girls which means I get invited to some nifty events from time to time. Recently I was given the opportunity to see the New Balance Spring & Fall 2016 collection for women and let’s just say I am swooning for some of these items. See them for yourself!

 

Did you know that New Balance hosts Girls Night Out events around the country? Basically, it’s a chance to work with a local fitness star and then socialize with your new fitness BFFs and I am definitely checking that out as soon as I can. Have you ever been to one?

And just to make you a little jealous of me—check out this wicked cute goodie bag I got from the event that was filled with New Balance gear—score!

 

Lolë White Tour: OMG—this was just about my favorite event I have attended in Central Park. Canadian yoga gear company Lolë is hosting events in both the U.S. and Canada wherein thousands of participants clad in all-white gear (to symbolize peace) practice yoga with top instructors in a show of togetherness and tranquility.

Now—anyone who knows me will tell you I am usually clad in dark colors as I feel with my size and complexion it is more flattering for me.

However, Lolë offered journalists their gear to wear to the event so off I went and you can see some of the amazing footage at this link from the event.

The best part? In one of the segments of the evening practice I was taught by yoga master Rodney Yee who is just about one of my favorites of all time. His Yoga for Beginners DVD is one of my “go-to” workouts when my hip flexors are really tight. I have a few images from that event as well.

 

Do you have a favorite yoga DVD?

That’s all for me this week. I will be back soon with magazine reviews, playlists, reviews and so much more. Let’s collectively say “goodbye” to summer and look forward to all of what Fall will bring us!

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Playlist: 50-Minute Intervals with Matthew Sweet, Gaga, Taylor Swift & More 26

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BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

“Girlfriend” Ride (50 Minutes)

Matthew Sweet

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

Today’s playlist was inspired after I heard Matthew Sweet’s Girlfriend on the radio last week and my brain went “ahhhh” from happiness. I decided it would be the perfect warm-up song and created a 50-minute interval ride for indoor cycling that will work for any of your cardio needs. Hope you like it!

Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always.

  • Girlfriend: Matthew Sweet

From the opening guitar riff right through all of the cool drum fills-this song seriously kicks butt and makes me want to work harder. Love, love, love, deeply love this song.

 

  • Pump It: The Black Eyed Peas

For all of you Pulp Fiction fans—the music “bed” here is Dick Dale’s Misirlou which gives it a retro cool kind of sound.

 

  • Can’t Hold Us: Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis

I love the consistent beat here and it always gets the class powered up to take it up a notch. (The video is a little strange but I kind of like it anyway.)

 

  • A Sky Full of Stars: Coldplay

The music and orchestration here are so lush and wonderful that I had to find out who produced it. Guess what? It’s co-produced by my favorite Swedish DJ Avicii!

 

  • Fly: Sugar Ray featuring Super Cat

It is basically impossible to NOT sing along to this tune from Sugar Ray which always reminds me of summer. Plus, I really do just want to fly.

 

  • Gold Guns Girls: Metric

Being the American superfan of this band brings a tremendous responsibility on my part where I must include them as often as possible in my playlists. You’re welcome!

 

  • Safe and Sound: Capital Cities

I like my bouncy fun dance pop tunes and this one fits the bill nicely.

 

  • Americano: Lady Gaga

Where did Lady Gaga go? I mean that seriously because I am happiest when she records pop tunes like this that have an edge.  Gaga, please come back when you are done touring with Tony Bennett!

(Also–can someone please find me the original video which included a cameo by Norman Reedus? Thanks!)

 

  • Style: Taylor Swift

This is my new favorite song and represents the first time Taylor Swift has been included in one of my playlists. Hello Taylor!

 

  • Hella Good No Doubt

I have an image from my friend’s wedding over ten years ago where they played this song at her reception and her grandparents boogied to Hella Good. (So much fun and the bass here is excellent!)

 

  • Shut Up and Dance: Walk the Moon

Every time I hear this song it reminds me so much of the kind of songs that would appear on 80s movie soundtracks. That’s meant to be a compliment.

 

  • Stars: Moby

This song is great for climbing or using the incline on the treadmill. Plus it features tons of stars including Corey Feldman whom Margo P. and talk about on our podcast here at this iTunes link.

 

  • Unknown Legend: Neil Young

 

This is my favorite song off of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon album and features background vocals (on the original album) from Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor and Nicolette Larson so it generally just rules.

That’s it for me this time. Now go out there get your workout mojo on!

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

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Brooklyn Fit Chick News” Strong Fitness Magazine, Fit Bottomed Girls Playlist & Book Vs Movie 37

by • exercise, Fit Bottom Girls, Strong Fitness Magazine • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes:

Strong Fitness Magazine!

“Book vs Movie” Podcast News: The “Dad” in Field of Dreams Tweeted Us!

Fit Bottomed Girls Features: Tips for Your First Personal Training Session & a Classic Rock Playlist

Camille Leblanc-Bazinet photographed by Paul Buceta

Camille Leblanc-Bazinet photographed by Paul Buceta

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

How hot is it by you? Today we are sweltering in NYC which is not helping my outdoor workout schedule but I am going to soldier on because that is what a fit chick does, oui?

Today I am going to talk about a few fun things and check in with you at the same time because I am in need of real motivation and advice from y ’all.

My workouts have been so “meh’ lately and I have not followed up on some of my goals for the year including increasing my flexibility and learning how to do a box jump. When my father passed away two months ago I have felt so much sadness that I am letting my health suffer. Not sleeping well and not really pushing myself to work harder. Have any of you experienced this kind of deep lack of motivation? Any advice you can give me?  I would love a fresh perspective on my fitness rut. Thanks in advance!

Now on to more fun things:

First I want to introduce to you all Strong Fitness Magazine which is the best glossy magazine devoted to women who really lift & workout. Their latest cover is up above and features Canadian CrossFit athlete Camille Leblanc-Bazinet looking mighty fierce both there an inside the magazine talking about her workout regimen.

Also in the July/August issue which I just received (as a courtesy from Editor in Chief Kirstyn Brown)

  • These yummy bacon recipes!
  • A feature on surfer Paige Alms
  • And a super tough core workout from Rita Catolino that you are going to have to check out for yourself! (Page 27)

As I said—this is a magazine for women who are serious about upping their PR game so if you are looking for “Flat Abs in Five Minutes” or come nonsense diet article you will not find it here. The pages are gorgeous and they feature top notch workouts. The only drawback is that it is a Canadian publication so you may have to go to Barnes & Noble or one of those fancy magazine shops to find it.

OR— you can order it digitally here!

In the meantime you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google Plus

Check them out and let me know what you think of Strong Fitness!

Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes:

Book Vs Movie Podcast News: Margo Porras of She’s Nacho Mama’s Blog co-host the “Book Vs. Movie” podcast (that you can subscribe to via iTunes at this link) recorded our Field of Dreams episode last and we have been getting amazing feedback on it. In fact, Dwier Brown who played Ray’s dad (swoon!) even reached out to us on Twitter!

(Well—we kind of reached out to him and he politely responded but STILL!) You can follow him @dwierbrown and he also has a website www.dwierbrown.com.

Here is a photo of Dwier for your eyeball-seeking pleasure (you’re welcome!)

KCDB

With our next episode we are going back to the 1950s with Stand By Me from Stephen King (also known as the novella The Body)

Margo and I are also planning our next few episodes so if there are any books & movies you want us to cover—feel free to comment below!

Fit Bottomed Girls Articles: As many of you know I am a proud “Fit Bottomed Girl” and contribute occasionally to the site with interviews, event recaps, playlists, et cetera. This past week I had two (count ‘em two!) featured on the site–What to Expect from Your First Personal Training Session and my top picks for a Classic Rock Workout Playlist.

The former will help gym newbies and the latter will inspire you so much you will want to lighter and hang out at a coliseum. Rock on!

That’s all for me this week. I will be back soon with magazine reviews, playlists, reviews and so much more. Stay in touch!

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

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Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes: @BlogHer @TerryBikes @TapGenes @FitBottomedGirls 31

by • Fit Bottom Girls, Gear Reviews • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes

BlogHer 15 NYC Dates Announced

Fit Bottomed Girls “Tips for Your First Kettlebell Class,” My Terry Bikes Spring Picks,

P!nk Handles Mean Tweeters, Tapgenes.com Talks Eating Disorders

 Plus: Book Vs Movie” Podcast The Outsiders!

 brooklynfitnesschickBIKE_0701

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

How are you all doing today? It’s a brand new week and though I feel a wee bit short of my personal fitness goals (I may have slacked on my foam rolling a bit…) but this warmer & sunny weather has put an extra spring in my step. Doesn’t seeing the sun out nice and bright in the sky improve your outlook? It sure does mine and with that I am resolving to get back to foam rolling and stretching every night not only it makes me feel better but it also helps me perform better as a teacher.

So now that I am saying it OUT LOUD—it will have to get done! If it kills me I am going to increase my flexibility and strength. You are all my witnesses! Now that THAT is out of the way—let’s go through my weekly news & notes. (And for those 3 of you miss my Vlog—next week I promise to deliver with a cool, new giveaway. Pinky swear!)

Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes

Tips from the Pros on “Kettlebells for Beginners”

If there is one strength-building piece of equipment that really helps to build muscle while also providing an excellent cardio workout it’s the kettlebell. For Fit Bottomed Girls I wrote “Tips for Your First Kettlebell Class” so I would know how to use mine better when working out on my own.

Do you use kettlebells? What is your favorite advice for newbies?

Terry Bikes Spring Gear:

Some of you may know that I am a BIG FAN of Terry Bikes and somehow got the gumption last year to approach them as their first brand ambassador. Luckily they said yes so I get to try out their latest gear and let you know what you need to add to your next bike ride. In this post for them I picked my favorite spring items from their catalog. Enjoy!

BlogHer 15 Conference Set for NYC:

Have you heard the news? BlogHer will be back in NYC July 16-18 for their “Experts Among Us” BlogHer 15 Conference. I know I will be there but if you want more details check out this link to see who will be speaking there. (They always manage to get GREAT special guests at BlogHer events!)

BlogHer & SheKnows are also teaming up for a road show (I was invited to the Brooklyn event last week and had a blast!) If you live anywhere near the following markets—you should absolutely go (it’s free!)
April 24: Atlanta, Georgia – 5:00 p.m.
May 3: Chicago, Illinois – 5:00 p.m.
May 8: San Francisco, California – 6:00 p.m.
May 9: Boston, Massachusetts – 4:00 p.m.

To RSVP for one of these great parties, email Marketing@SheKnows.com

Body Shaming of P!nk:

I don’t know if you heard of this story but one of my favorite singers, P!nk, attended an event this past weekend looking totally beautiful. Well because we live in an internet age there has to be a body-shaming wave headed by mean-spirited trolls tried to make her life miserable. Well if you know anything about P!nk you know that she is non-nonsense and expertly handled all of the mean tweets thrown her way. Do you think we will EVER live in a world without trolls?

How I Learned to Love Eating:

I really loved this article from Tapgenes.com talking about recovery from eating disorders. Tapgenes.com interviewed two amazing women who talk about the toll it took on their bodies and how they have successfully deal with their individual disorders. This is a definite must-read!

Book Vs Movie Podcast:

Margo Porras of Shes Nacho Mama’s Blog and I talked about The Outsiders in our newest episode of our podcast “Book Vs. Movie” and had a fabulous time doing it. You can check us out in the player below and in case you are wondering what will be the subject of our next episode—get ready for us to dissect The Stepford Wives! Woot Woot!

That’s all I have for today—keep checking back for news, reviews and playlists aplenty! Thanks as always for dropping by!

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

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