#FitBlogNYC is a conference hosted by Fitness Magazine that brings together bloggers, awesome brands and inspirational and influential speakers for a great day filled with fitness, learning and fun. The event was held at the Mercedes Club in Manhattan, just like last year.

We started off our rainy morning with checking in and grabbing breakfast before getting started with the seminars. Breakfast was fruit salad, vegan scones and muffins and juice from The Squeeze.

The seminars began with a welcome from Fitness Magazine’s Editor-in-chief, Betty Wong. The first speaker was Holly Rilinger, former WNBA player and fitness trainer.

She shared some tips for fitness success:

• Work out smarter – not longer. Maximize the time you have and it is possible to get a good workout in 20-30 minutes if you work hard, especially using HIIT.
• When you plan out your weekly schedule, plan your workouts like important events. You wouldn’t just skip a work meeting or interview, so why do you just skip workouts?
• Make a dreamboard. Put the things you want to achieve in front of your face to remember what you really want.
• Sleep is as important as your workout. If you are working out and not getting enough sleep, you might just be wasting your time.

Next up was Dr. Marci Goolsby, from the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. She spoke about how to stay healthy in the hardcore world of marathons, mus runs and crossfit.

• Don’t go to fast. Ease into new workout and don’t ignore aches and pains.
• Learn the different between good pain and bad pain. Soreness and DOMS are normal, but if the pain you are feeling is causing you to limp, impairing your workouts and lingers it might be an injury.
• Working out during pregnancy is great – it helps mommy and baby during delivery and recovery. If you already workout then continue, if you’re just starting, ease into the new exercises.

The final speaker before lunch was Carla Hall, host of the TV show The Chew. She was the speaker that I was most excited about hearing and she kept us all laughing and shared some great tips for following your dreams.

• You know you have found your passion when you have your ‘Aha moment’ – you are working so hard but you don’t care because you are doing what you love.
• When trying to turn your passion into your career, work with people who are already doing it. See if you actually want to do it, don’t just quit your day job and hope for the best.
• When it comes to cooking, don’t over think technique. Use spices to add variety to your meals. You can make chicken 15 different ways by using different blends of spices.
• Her cooking philosophy is to cook with love. If you’re not in a good mood, the only thing you should be making is a reservation.

After hearing all the amazing speakers, we had some time to grab lunch and meet with all the different sponsors. The sponsors included Balance Bar, Dermalogica, Eddie Bauer, Hoka One One, Luna, Oster Versa, Pure Protein, Tonalin and Tria. We got to try some delicious green smoothies and protein shakes, practice our planks with Tonalin, get awesome shoes and tops from Hoka One One and Eddie Bauer and get some skincare advice from Dermologica and Tria.

Next, we headed for lunch, which consisted of two delicious salads, a huge spread on roasted veggies, grilled chicken and apple crisp cups. It was all soo good!

After lunch, we headed back for the last panel – My Digital Brand is My Business by Laura Sykora, Anne Mauney and Bianca Jade.

Their biggest message was to be authentic. Very often, bloggers lose their voice when trying to monetize and make money off their blog. Be yourself, work with other bloggers, not against them.

After the panels were over, there was a run with Hoke One One, but I had to leave early because I had to pick up the little man. Instead I headed to the exit and picked up my goodie bag. All of the sponsors were ridiculously generous and we all left with bags filled to the brim with goodies. A huge, huge thank you to all the sponsors!

I had an amazing time catching up with blogger friends and learning from some amazing women. I can’t wait until next year!

The post Fitness Blogger Meet and Tweet: #FitBlogNYC 2014 appeared first on Frolic Through Life.

I started off the morning by meeting a bunch of fellow bloggers at Café Ole. We got to know each other in real life over some coffee before heading over to the Mercedes Club where the event was being held. The Mercedes Club is probably one of the coolest gyms in all of New York City, complete with outdoor yoga space and a swimming pool.

We were greeted in the lobby, given our super cool badges for the day and told to grab some breakfast and head out to socialize before the panels started. I grabbed a muffin and some juice headed out to enjoy the warm weather. Most of the event was held outdoors and the weather totally cooperated – it was gorgeous all day long!

The first seminar was speaker was Insider Beauty Secrets to Get You Glowing with Stila’s head makeup artist Sarah Lucero. She shared some great beauty secrets with us.

• Her beauty on the go must haves are – mist, moisturizer and mascara.
• Summer trend = power pout. Neon lipsticks!
• To look good in the heat, less is more. Match the weight of your makeup with the weight of your clothing. Get a good tinted moisturizer or BB/CC cream.
• Brows are important!

Up next was Dr. Jennifer Ashton, who is ABC News’ Senior Medical contribute with Healthy, Strong and Sexy In Your 20s, 30s and Beyond. She was incredibly insightful and I loved listening to her speak.

• Women are selfless and stoic and the stronger sex.
• Thank your body and your body will thank you
• Move, Rest, Nourish
• Life is an Olympic sport and we have to train for it.

After that was the Blogger Business Panel featuring Dana Weiss of the Possessionista, Deb Pearlman of Smitten Kitchen, Jill Hanner of JillHanner.com, and Erin Whitehead of the Fit Bottomed Girls. It was inspiring to listen to these amazing women who have made their blogs into their careers.

• Don’t blog for the money, but know your value.
• Don’t waste your time worrying about what other people are doing. Be original, it’s what makes YOU stand out!
• You don’t have to say yes to every offer you will get
• Lighting and sound are the most important aspects of YouTube

Next up was Brett Hoebel, celebrity trainer and former Biggest Loser trainer. His seminar was about the Extreme Fitness Trend and right off the bat he spoke about Crossfit, a man after my own heart! Check out what he thinks below.

Finally, Rocco Dispirito was the last speaker. He spoke about his journey to Italy to learn to cook from real Italian mommas and about how to eat good food and not gain weight.

• More Americans die from obesity than anything else
• Chefs plate food to look good, regardless of calories, so split the calories before they get to you. Ask for half to be packed up to go.
• He has a recipe for Greek yogurt whipped cream in his new book. (If that’s not incentive to buy it, I don’t know what is.)
• Make sure you purchase 100% whole grain bread. If it doesn’t say 100% it probably isn’t.

After the seminars were done, we headed in to grab some lunch and have some fun with the event sponsors, but that is a post for another day!

Have you ever been to a blogger conference? Which of the seminars would you have wanted to listen to most?

The post #FitBlogNYC 2013 – The Seminars appeared first on Frolic Through Life.