As a FitFluential Ambassador, I’ve been selected to participate in Under Armour’s What’s Beautiful Campaign. This post is sponsored by Under Armour and FitFluential. What’s Beautiful is a competition to redefine the female athlete. To me, that means choosing foods that nourish, make me strong and give me energy.

What is healthy eating? How do you eat for energy? Before working with me, so many of my clients are under the impression that one cookie or a few too many margaritas is cause for ruin. Let me tell you a little secret. It’s not.

We make progress, not perfection.

There’s no need to fly off the rails or beat yourself up for an indulgence here and there. Making healthy choices is a mindset and has nothing to do with willpower. I explain in this video.

Here’s where you come in:

1. Anyone can join in on this campaign and I’d love to have you sign up, declare a goal and create your page.

Click here to do that now. 

2. Follow me so we can support each other. I’ll follow you back.

Find my page here. 

3. Everyone competes as individuals but you can join as many teams as you’d like to help you reach your goals.

Join my Team, Eat for Energy!

Under Armour provides challenge prompts to keep you going and motivated along the way. Creating a video like the one I did here is the first challenge so get started!

If you’ve joined the campaign, leave a comment here, share your goal with me and leave a link to your page so we can all follow and support each other!

There are cool prizes involved for the winners like a retreat to Costa Rica with Under Armour so give this your ALL!

Under Armour What’s Beautiful Campaign: Forward Progress #IWILL #Whatsbeautiful is a post from: Where I Need to Be

Starting my own blog has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. In the beginning, I didn’t know a lot about blogging. It was more of a creative outlet for me and a place to share information on my journey to becoming a health coach. I started my blog out of pure passion and that passion is what keeps me going today. As my business and blog have evolved, I’ve become more interested in blogging as a business which is what inspired me to set goals this year to attend blogging conferences, like Bloggy Boot Camp. I was fortunate to get a generous sponsorship from NUX USA that made it possible to attend.

In fact, last week I was blessed to be able to attend not one, but two blog conferences. I thought about re-capping them both, but then I read this post by MizFit Online, Are Bloggers Cliquey, and decided to switch directions, because this very topic had been on my mind all weekend. And it goes far beyond blogging to women, in general.

Both conferences were out of this world and I loved loved loved being a part of them both.

But when it came to networking and meeting new people, I had two very different experiences.

At one, I experienced groups of bloggers who were unapproachable. For the sake of example, someone I consider a friend in real life who has a popular blog and is friends with other bloggers was stand offish and didn’t make an effort to introduce me to her friends. It was hurtful. I still met some awesome women that day, but I felt like an outsider.

It’s not just among bloggers where I’ve experienced this. Shockingly, it happens at dinner parties and other events too.

At Bloggy Boot Camp, the connections flowed like wine. And yes, there was wine, but of course that’s not why. Seating was assigned and rotated throughout the day. Everyone was friendly and open to meeting new people. The conference organizers went out of their way to foster a positive, supportive energy. There were no cliques that I noticed. It was networking-made-easy. I left with handfuls of new connections and pages full of blogging knowledge.

This isn’t high school, it’s life

I’ve never been the kind of person who wants to be part of one group over another- not even in high school. If anything, I was a little introverted and nerdy. I would rather study to get good grades and get into the college of my choice than drink or smoke to fit in. That was me.

And this is me: I don’t want to be exclusive or fake, just myself. I have friends from every corner of my life from my sorority alumnae group to my entrepreneurship group. My friendships are built from deep connections and I value quality over quantity. I surround myself with supportive, friendly and trustworthy women whom I feel good being around. Above all, I’m always open to meeting new people and I’m proud of this.

As women, as bloggers, as entrepreneurs, as professionals, we have to support each other.

Not just our BFFs.

Of course, everyone is busy, everyone has close friends. I get that.

But if you open your arms and your hearts to new connections, you’ll be surprised at who you meet. I strongly believe that what you give to the world will come back.

All that said, I can’t wait to go to more conferences! It’s one of the best ways to develop your blog and grow your network. Next up: I’ll be speaking at Healthy Living Summit in September and I’m super excited about it.

What do you think? Have you had similar experiences? What are your favorite blogging conferences?

Bloggy Boot Camp is Networking Made Easy is a post from: Where I Need to Be

As a FitFluential Ambassador, I’ve been selected to participate in Under Armour’s What’s Beautiful Campaign. This post is sponsored by Under Armour and FitFluential. What’s Beautiful is a competition to redefine the female athlete.

Watch the video to learn more about the campaign and the goal I’ve selected.

Here’s where you come in:

1. Anyone can join in on this campaign and I’d love to have you sign up, declare a goal and create your page.

Click here to do that now. 

2. Follow me so we can support each other. I’ll follow you back.

Find my page here. 

3. Everyone competes as individuals but you can join as many teams as you’d like to help you reach your goals.

Join my Team, Eat for Energy!

Under Armour provides challenge prompts to keep you going and motivated along the way. Creating a video like the one I did here is the first challenge so get started!

If you’ve joined the campaign, leave a comment here, share your goal with me and leave a link to your page so we can all follow and support each other!

There are cool prizes involved for the winners like a retreat to Costa Rica with Under Armour so give this your ALL!

Under Armour What’s Beautiful Campaign: Declare Your Goal #IWILL #Whatsbeautiful is a post from: Where I Need to Be

How many times have you wanted to wear a cute headband to keep your hair out of your face during a workout or yoga class or just during the hottest days of summer but it either slipped off or or gave you a pressure headache? 

I have handfuls of headbands I never wear because of one of those two problems until I discovered Violet Love Headbands.

I met Violet Love’s founder and designer, Rebecca Michaels (check out her clothing line too, which I’m also a big fan of), and the rest of her sweet, LA-based team at their booth at the Yoga Journal Conference. I fell in love with the bright, gorgeous, head-turning patterns. When I tried a headband on, I was sold on its comfort. It fit like a glove and in my yoga classes, it doesn’t budge.

Violet Love Headbands are:

• Made in L.A.
• Multi-width, adjust to wear them according to your own unique style
• Non-slip and won’t cause a headache
• Washable and fade resistant
• Performance styles are also extremely absorbent

I’m such a fan that I’ve giving away one of these three headbands to three lucky readers.

All you have to do for a chance to win is:

1. Like Marissa’s Well-being and Health and Violet Love Brands on Facebook

2. Follow Me and Violet Love Headbands on Twitter

3. Tweet this: #Iwantowin the @Violet_Love #giveaway from @MarissaVicario

4. Leave a comment below telling me which headband you’d choose and how you’ll rock it this summer

The winner will be announced on Friday!

Violet Love Headbands Giveaway is a post from: Where I Need to Be

I’ve been traveling and away from my normal NYC routine for 12 days, simultaneously training for the Reebok Spartan Race. Before I left, I knew I was going to be tempted to rely on running as a workout (it’s free and you can do it almost anywhere).

But I’ve been freelancing a lot of articles about high intensity interval training and I’m well aware that straight cardio won’t help me reach my goals or condition me for the Spartan. So I planned ahead to do some interval workouts.

Sometimes getting out of your routine can be the best thing. The past 12 days are proof it has been for me. My workouts are challenging, efficient, sweaty and leaving me sore.

I love trendy fitness studios as much as the next girl but I’m a firm believer in fitness anywhere and on a budget.

So much so that I have a stash of fitness equipment that travels with me and a Fitness on a Budget pin board I can access from my phone.

Here’s what I brought for this trip:

• jump rope
• resistance bands (12 and 15 lbs.)
• spike ball (pictured above in purple)

Using this equipment and my own body weight, I’ve been creative with workouts from my pin board, Spartan WODs and some Cross Fit inspired workouts my personal trainer, Cindy, left to me. Even my runs have included speed work, hill work and resistance intervals. Oh, and I also snuck a purebarre class in because I love it.

Here are a couple of my favorite work outs (I’ve adjusted these to my own fitness level where necessary):

What are some of your go-to workouts for traveling? 

Traveling and Training is a post from: Where I Need to Be

On Saturday, May 11, SELF Magazine will return to Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield for its signature health, fitness, and wellness festival, Workout in the Park.

This is one event I look forward to every year!

Originally launched as a transformative, total-body experience for women, Workout in the Park now welcomes thousands across the country to an event that brings the pages of SELF to life with a day of invigorating exercise, beauty consultations, nutritional know-how, style tips, and exclusive freebies and giveaways. 

In honor of this year’s 20^th anniversary, I’ve teamed up with SELF Magazine to offer one lucky reader a chance to win an exclusive Reebok Prize Package, which includes:

• a pair of Reebok SubLite Training Shoes ($75 value)
• a pair of tickets to Workout in the Park in New York (for you and a friend)
• a branded Workout in the Park tote bag
• a branded Workout in the Park t-shirt

Keep reading for how you can win this prize package!

WHAT:   SELF MAGAZINE’S WORKOUT IN THE PARK

WHERE:   Central Park (Rumsey Playfield)

WHO:   SELF Magazine and thousands of women seeking their best summer selves

• Special Celebrity Host: Shay Mitchell, star of ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars: Shay will share her fitness tips on how to shape your body, improve self-esteem and look great for summer!

• Special Guest Appearance: Bethenny Frankel, founder of Skinnygirl Daily: Join Bethenny for a bit of health, happiness and nutrition; she’ll be hanging out with fans and maybe even joining in on a few yoga moves!

• Special Guest Emcee: Danielle Monaro of Z100: Danielle will bring her amazing energy to the event, giving the scoop on what’s happening at WIP throughout the day.

WHEN:   Saturday, May 11, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; rain or shine

HOW TO WIN: 

1. Follow Self on Facebook and Twitter

2. Follow Marissa’s Well-being and Health on Facebook and Twitter

3. Copy and paste this Tweet

Enter for a chance to win a Reebok Prize Package and 2 tix to #WorkoutInthePark from @SelfMagazine & @MarissaVicario http://bit.ly/16Q5L8v

4. Leave a comment below with your Twitter handle and your favorite outdoor workout

The winner will be selected at random this Thursday, May 9 at Noon ET. 

SELF Workout In the Park Giveaway is a post from: Where I Need to Be

Apps can be a great way to stay on track with your health and wellness goals. Inspired by a viewer question, here, I share five of my favorite free apps and why I love them.

What apps do you use to encourage healthy habits? 

Also, in case you missed it last week, I’m offering a limited number of free 30 minute Your Body, Your Life strategy sessions to help you get on track with your health and wellness goals once and for all. Email me to schedule yours. 

Tuesday Tip: 5 Favorite Health & Wellness Apps is a post from: Where I Need to Be

You’ve probably heard of “stress eating,” chowing down on comfort food to manage stress, and you may even do it yourself once in awhile. While I don’t recommend stress eating to deal with emotions, there are actually some healthy ways to manage stress with food.

Last night, I was on the Chelsea Krost Show to talk about which foods, when eaten as part of a healthy diet, can help you de-stress.

Click here to watch the show. My segment starts around 16:53.

So what are these foods that can help manage stress?

Dark Chocolate, almonds and tahini contain magnesium, a natural stress reliever.

Sea Vegetables contain Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, also called the “anti-stress vitamin”

Broccoli, oranges and avocado contain folic acid which plays a role in nerve function to lower stress levels

Bananas are rich in potassium which regulates blood pressure

Chia Seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids, essential for cognitive function – a clear, focused mind can help with handling stress in a healthy way

For more, watch the segment here. 

De-stress WITH Food: The Chelsea Krost Show is a post from: Where I Need to Be

While walking through Whole Foods one Saturday, I tasted a sample of almond butter with cacao nibs, hemp seeds and honey. I thought, “I can do better than that,” and this superfoods recipe was born.

Watch the video to see how easy it is to make.

It’s a little crunchy, a little salty, a little sweet and a lot nutritious. Spread it on sprouted grain or gluten free bread, add to smoothies or  eat it with an apple.

Tell me in the comments, what would you add to this recipe? 

Tuesday Tip: Make This Healthy Snack {Superfoods Recipe} is a post from: Where I Need to Be

It’s true I love clothes, shoes and boutique fitness classes. But as a business owner, I’m extra careful with how I spend my money.

When I left my full-time office job, I scrutinized my once exorbitant spending habits and realized I needed to cut back to get ahead. Clothes, shoes and classes all had to go.

Truthfully, if you’re a fitness fanatic like me living in a big city, staying in tip top shape can be costly. After a year, I’ve managed to find the best ways to stay fit on a budget.

• Deals are a Do: I scour deal sites like Gilt City, Living Social and Groupon for low prices on class packages. I’ve scored classes at Pure Barre, Barry’s Bootcamp and Bikram Yoga Herald Square this way. Most deals are for first-time students only so be sure to read the fine print.

• First-time Free: If it’s your first time taking class, some studios offer a free class and/or a low introductory rate on your first class package. For example, Chaise23 has a 3 for $33 special and Bikram Yoga Herald Square offers a weekly unlimited package for $45 and a monthly unlimited for $95 for first time customers.

• Partner Up: If you have a blog, work in the wellness space or have a prominent social media presence, some studios may be open to offering free or discounted classes in exchange for promotion on your site and within your community. Terms and conditions will vary with the studio. Explore this option only if you’ve developed an authentic relationship and it feels right to ask.

• Get Outside: With nicer weather here to stay (hopefully), get outside and take in some fresh air. Explore new running trails and bike paths and put park benches to use for strength and resistance training. Use the free Charity Miles app to challenge yourself with distance and raise  money for a charity of your choice while biking, running or walking.

• Pin and Win: Search Pinterest for indoor and outdoor strength and cardio workouts that can stand alone or be paired with a complementary workout. Check out my Fitness on a Budget pin board to get started.

Remember, with any kind of workout or exericse, to see see results, you have to be consistent. So find an activity or activities you love and stick with it!

What about you? How do you stay fit without blowing your budget? Leave a comment to let me know!

Fitness on a Budget is a post from: Where I Need to Be