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!
