WHEW. What a whirlwind yesterday was! At 4:45 a.m., I woke up and got ready for the Fitness Blogger Meet & Tweet (#FitBlogNYC). Forty-five minutes later, Cait and I were in the car jamming out to the 90′s Pandora station and sipping our java.
Black Starbucks Blonde Roast
Naturally, I came prepared with fruit and pre-packed chocolate protein pudding oats for the road. Cait got an immense kick out of me making my oats in the passenger’s seat. There are pictures of me prepping the oats to prove it but they’re on Cait’s camera and will probably never be shown. Ha. 
Chocolate protein pudding oats = happiness
The car ride was awesome…until the last 40 – 45 minutes. We both had to pee so badly – and when I say “so badly,” I mean we were getting horrific cramps and literally jumping in our seats. I was breathing in an out, heavily, like a pregnant woman, and Cait was screaming, “We’re on a mission, people. MOVE!” to every driver in our way. It was pretty hysterical. I also made a quick check-in video which you can watch here (that was pre-pee emergency). After parking the car and walking a good mile, we arrived at FITNESS Magazine headquarters!
Fitness Blogger Meet & Tweet
We walked into a gigantic room that was filled with bloggers, vendors, and a distinct energy of pure excitement. To my immediate right was the check-in table, with a giant poster of the latest issue of FITNESS! Cait and I grabbed our name tags and took a second to decide what to do first!
FITNESS Magazine Check-In Table
The People
Words cannot express how amazing it was to personally meet my fellow FitFluential ambassadors! After reading so many of their blogs, it was so great to be able to put their names, faces, and words together. Please note that it was about 1,000% humidity, so excuse my hair. It was kind of a travesty but I was too happy to care!
Kelly Olexa & I
When our eyes met (true love, baby), the first words that came out of Kelly Olexa’s mouth were, “Oh my god, I love you! You changed my life!” Um, I’m sorry? I believe it was you who changed my life, but it’s fine. Anywho, to my sheer pleasure and surprise, I inspired Kelly to use hummus as her salad dressing. Welp, that rocks. Glad to be of service! Kelly is exactly what I imagined her to be: hysterical, genuine, bubbly, and all sorts of wonderful. I love you, Aunt Kelly!
Me, Julie, and Cait
I’ve been reading Julie’s blog for the past three years, and it was such a treat to meet her. She is the real deal, so down-to-earth, and beautiful inside and out!
Samantha Pepi & I
Samantha Pepi, senior promotions manager for New Media Strategies, was a superstar coordinator for this event. She and I were in contact for weeks leading up the event, and she helped everything to run so smoothly. Thank you, Sam!
Cait, Katie, and I
Katie and I could have hugged and talked forever. It was like clock work when we met – talk, hug, talk, hug. She is the exact same as her blogging personality. Katie has this light of positivity and love surrounding her at all times. Her presence is magnetic!
Cait, Me, Natasha, and Jill
Ladies who lunch together…smile together? I’m not sure where I was going with that. Anyways, I dined with Cait, Natasha Attal, social media manager for Physique 57 (!!!), and Jill Hanner. I kind of have a girl crush on Jill. When we met, we couldn’t stop talking, which is always a good thing. Wish we didn’t live so far from each other!
Cait, Me, and Meredith
Meredith and I have been Twitter buddies for a few months now, so meeting her in person was a welcomed moment! She is so beautiful and her skin is practically perfect in every way (Mary Poppins, anyone?). Look at that glow!
Carla and I
Carla’s blog is one of my favorites to read. She is a truly gifted writer which I really admire, as someone who will soon have a degree in journalism. She writes from the heart and is equally captivating in person. I adore you, Carla!
Me and Mia Hamm!
Yes…that is Mia Hamm! THE Mia Hamm. As in, the soccer legend Mia Hamm. She rules; and signed a mini soccer ball for me! Enough said.
Lunch was delicious and served buffet style. I snagged some fresh fruit salad (times 2!) and a generous helping of farro with arugula and fresh peaches, tossed in a hazelnut vinaigrette. It was to die for.
My favorite of the seven information sessions was definitely the panel on How to Turn Your Blog into a Business. Carla, Kelly, Julie, and Tina gave some great tips for bloggers who are looking to make it their full-time job. Julie and Carla fielded my question on breaking into freelance writing, which I really appreciated. It is something I’m so interested in but, admittedly, am little intimidated to dip my toes into. They gave me an extra boost of confidence, though, and got me excited for the future!
Four star panel at FitBlogNYC!
The Vendors
OH. MY. GOSH. The swag. We were spoiled rotten with incredible gifts. I arrived with one bag and left with…four.
Swag attack!
We were graciously gifted with some amazing eyewear from the wonderful people at Oakley. I bonded with the ladies and got a new pair of their OVERTIME active wear sunglasses. I love these sunglasses because they are padded on the nose, so you can work up a sweat without having to worry about your sunglasses falling off. Pretty genius, huh?
Me and the Oakley ladies! Love them!
Me and Cait rockin' our Oakley shades!
The Reebok table was DECKED out with their line of RealFlex Transition sneakers, designed to help your feet move and flex as you train. They are incredibly comfortable and super cute!
Reebok shoes galore!
Reebok gear!
This Sonia Kashuk bag makes my heart sing. It’s called the “TRIBAL” cosmetic bag, which is so fitting with the pattern! I’m in love.
Tribal Sonia Kashuk cosmetic bag
And now for the goodies inside of it! …
Issue of FITNESS, element YOGA DVD, "Drop Dead Healthy"
CAMELBAK water bottle, Schick HYRDO Silk razor
Sweaty Bands and Dogeared necklace!
How beautiful is this “whispers” necklace from Dogeared? I love the cross and the note written beneath the necklace.
Whispers necklace by Dogeared
Hand n Hand Soaps
NMS yoga mat
After the event, I demolished an unpictured snack pack of original Mary’s Gone Crackers (my all-time favorite!). We also got a bunch of other food-related goodies, 90 percent of which were not vegan. So, I figured, why not host a giveaway? Right? Right.
You have a chance to win the following: Sun-Maid raisins, a Nature Valley Oats ‘n Honey granola bar, a chocolate peanut butter PURE PROTEIN bar, a sample of Lipton Tea & Honey packets, a box of Fiber One Chocolate Fudge Brownies, and a box of Fiber One Chocolate Chip Cookies! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Nothing specific. Just comment! Entries will close Sunday at 6:00 p.m. I will announce the winner next Monday, May 14!
Thank you so much to FITNESS Magazine for hosting such an amazing event, to FitFluential for inviting me to come along, and to all of the sponsors. It was truly an unforgettable experience!
Stay lovely,
Heather
P.S. – Part two comes tomorrow: The Tone It Up Meet & Greet and one of the best dinners of my life!
Wow, looks amazing! We’re you in the Fitness offices at all? I used to work for the parent company of Fitness at Family Circle! I miss the offices
Oh and where did you drive in from?
I have that Dogeared Whispers Necklace and wear it everyday- Its my favorite!
Damn girl! So jealous! Look at all the stuff you got! SO glad you had fun and I cannot wait to hear about the meet and greet with Tone it Up!!!
Love ya and miss you already!
Looks like you guys had an amazing day! Oakley sunglasses are super cute and the reekbok trainers, loving the pink. All snacks should be vegan it would make life so much easier (oh and wheat free
)
What a fun event!!! I’m so jealous of the swag! I bought a dog-eared string necklace years ago on vacation in Seattle and can’t find them anywhere!!! I love their cute messages.
So incredibly jealous of your #swag !! Can’t wait to read the TIU post
that sounds like so much fun, i’m so jealous of all that awesome swag you got!! i would love to win the snacks!
So many great bloggers were there! Wish I could have went, maybe next time. Looks like you had a blast, even with the super early wakeup call
I love that bag by Sonia Kashuk!! Hope they sell it online!
PHEW! What a great event! It was fabulous meeting you! I can not wait to use all our awesome swag!
Wow, what a fun event! I’m glad you had such a great time! I’ve gotta admit, I’m super jealous of your Reeboks with your name on the box all waiting for you…I have a fast-developing fitness shoe problem, eek! And now you have me craving farro…
Love your recap of yesterday’s event. It was so nice to finally meet you! Let’s lunch (and exercise) together again soon..Hopefully next time you come to NY you can take one of our Physique 57 classes.
Talk soon,
Natasha
can i have those chocolate fiber one cookies:-)
Nummnumnum. I would love to have any of these products!
i am super jealous of this event!!!
I love your outfit! It looks like you had a blast!!!!!
Wow! Looks like an awesome event, you look gorgeous!!
Oh my goodness, I am SO insanely jealous that you got to go to this event. It looks like it was amazing, and I just lived vicariously through this post!
Looks like a blast! #Jealous
looks like an awesome event and an awesome swag bag!!
Your lunch looks amazing! my stomach is jealous!
I would love to win something xx
What a great event! So glad you had the opportunity to attend – sounds like you had a great time!
What a fun day with a bunch of fun people! Thank you for sharing your experience and a few of your goodies!
Great post- love those cool bright Reeboks! Thanks for sharing some treats with your readers!
That looks like so much fun! I’d love to be able to go to something like this one day.
This event looks like so much fun! I just linked to your from Julie’s blog and I wanted to say that I love your outlook! You ladies look like you had an awesome time at this event, and I’m jealous that I was not there! Haha!
you met so many awesome people! jealous!!
Looks like you two had a blast!! I had so much fun following along via twitter and can’t wait to hear how tomorrow goes!
Love the Sonia bag – it is gorgeous! Sounds like you had a great time in NYC!
Wow it looks like you had a great time! I hope one day I’ll have an opportunity to meet all these inspiring people and more!
Love this recap, I follow do many of these blogs!
Looks so awesome!! And the swag is awesome
Curious to hear your thoughts on those sneakers!! They kind of fascinate me I’m dying to know what it feels like to wear them!
oh how fun!!! wish we could have been there, such a great group of ladies right there!!!
It’s so cool you got to meet Mia Hamm!
I’ve been a fitness blog junkie for about six months now. And I stumble upon you’re blog about six weeks ago and it’s been in my daily blogroll ever since! I love your blog, it’s real and so fun to read!
Now I need to try hummus on my salad.
What an amazing experience! (& I’m a little jealous!)
I’m so glad you had such a great time Heather!
omg. that cosmetic bag is amazing. i want it!
)
this totally is something i want to do next year.. that’s my goal
you are amazing.. and your hair looked just fine!
and give me those shoes..kay thanks hahah
I’m a new follower and so jealous of your last few days of meeting all those wonderful ladies! (and of all your fun prizes, big score for you!) I LOVE that necklace!
Aww Heather you’re too sweet! It was SUCH a pleasure finally meeting you, too, and hope we get the chance again soon. Glad you made the trip down, and so early in the morning! You and Cait are troopers, for sure. Thanks for the detailed recap of a fantastic day! Stay in touch
Love that you meet K&K, they are amazing ladies! What a great bag of swag.
AMAZING giveaway! Fingers crossed…
Just came across your blog today and am LOVING it
Really great and motivational.
Wish I lived on the East coast so I could have attended such a great event… with such great goodies. Nice of you to offer what you can’t eat as a fun giveaway!
Great post! I found your blog from a ToneItUp! Facebook post…I’ll definitely be back to read some more…bookmarked!
I am on a mission to find that Sonia Kashuk bag!! I have that necklace btw and get tons of compliments on it! You’ll love it
I am always amazed by the number of powerful, intuitive bloogers on the internet! Everyday I continue to discover someone on their own walk of life. Is it not interesting that today, unlike the past, we can join together much easier, much closer, thanks to the communicating and universal power of the world wide internet? Shocking, once you wrap your mind’s eye around it.
I am always amazed by the number of powerful, intuitive bloogers on the internet! Everyday I continue to discover someone on their own walk of life. Is it not interesting that today, unlike the past, we can join together much easier, much closer, thanks to the communicating and universal power of the world wide internet? Shocking, once you wrap your mind’s eye around it.
I have to look for that Dogeared necklace online- so cute!
OMG girl. What an amazing day. I loved reading your recap and can’t wait to write mine, but we all know I’m a slowpoke so good thing everyone can read yours in the mean time
I love you!!
Oh,that all looks like a blast! I want to meet my FF and blogging friends in real so much!
This giveaway can’t completely console me, but I still want it!
Your time looked magical!
I’m so jealous of all of the loot you guys got! It looked like such a fun event
You are an inspiration.
Thanks for the giveaway.
WOW! It looks like you had such a fun day! I am jealous! Those shoes are so cute!
Sounds like you had a great time at the event! I would love to take the delicious swag off your hands…
the new fiber ones look so yummy! it looks like u had a great time!
[...] but this band definitely IS MY THING. Heather got Sweaty Bands in her bag but I didn’t get any in mine, and after hearing I’ve always wanted to try them [...]
[...] 14, 2012 by Heather After a whirlwind of a week last week, I must admit that it’s a little bittersweet getting back into the swing [...]
Wasn’t that the most fun day ever. I met so many great people and the swag was unbelievable! I didn’t get the dogeared necklace, it is very pretty! I am loving your blog! I have to get my recap post up today!