Titika Style Of Living

Lunch Break Done Right.

Pictured:  @Malaiwong in our Monique Crop Top  It's summer and even though many of us still have to head to the office each day, it doesn't mean we can’t enjoy this time of year.  Hit a patio or head outside for a picnic and enjoy some of our favourite low cal summer cocktails!   MONDAY : Heading back to the work week can be hard, but we have just the thing to help get you through your Monday. Try a  Skinny Paloma at lunch; all you need is fresh grapefruit juice, tequila and a splash of lime. it’s really that simple and since pink or red grapefruit will offer plenty of sweetness there's no need to add any sweetener. SKINNY PALOMA Yields: 2 Description Low cal twist on a classic, freshly juiced grapefruit, tequila, lime juice and sparkling water. Ingredients 12 ounces fresh grapefruit juice (2-3 pink or red grapefruits, juiced) 3 ounces tequila (white) 2 teaspoons lime juice Ice Grapefruit flavoured sparkling water (optional) Pink Himalayan Sea salt (for the rim) Directions Add 1 shot of tequila, 6 ounces of grapefruit juice, 1 teaspoon of lime juice and ice to each glass. Stir to combine, add a splash of sparkling water (if using) and garnish with a lime wedge. Nutrition Serving Size: 1        Calories: 179         Sugar: 19g        Fat: 0g       Carbohydrates: 19g        Fiber: 0g        Protein: 1g  Source: https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/skinny-paloma-no-sugar-added/    TUESDAY:  Our next skinny summertime cocktail is a Skinny Coconut Margarita.  Perfect on a hot summer evening after a work day that never seemed to end. #tipsytuesday, haha we’re just kidding! SKINNY COCONUT MARGARITA Yields: 2 Description Tropical spin on a timeless favourite; made with lite coconut milk, coconut water, tequila blanco and triple sec. Ingredients 3 ounces lite coconut milk (from the can) 3 ounces tequila Blanco 1 1/2 ounces of triple sec 8 ounces coconut water Fresh lime wedge, to serve Directions In a shaker, combine the coconut milk, tequila blanco, triple sec and coconut water. Shake until combined. pour into cocktail glasses with ice. serve with a lime wedge. Notes make ahead of time, such as a pitcher (just double or triple) the recipe, then serve over ice when it’s ready to drink! Nutrition Serving Size: 1        Calories: 237         Sugar: 15g        Fat: 2g       Carbohydrates: 19g        Fiber: 41g        Protein: 0g Source: http://withsaltandwit.com/skinny-coconut-margarita/    WEDNESDAY:  To help you get over the midweek hump, try out this fruity summer staple.  The Skinny Sparkling Blueberry Mojito is sure to get some spring back in your step. This easy cocktail is made with a simple homemade blueberry syrup and sparkling water. SKINNY SPARKLING BLUEBERRY MOJITO Yields: 4 Description Fruity, minty and super refreshing. This drink  will help you make it through your week. Ingredients ½ cup baking stevia (recommended - Truvia simple syrup) 1 cup water 2 heaping cups frozen blueberries 6 ounces white rum handful of mint leaves 2 cups sparkling water or Lime La Croix Directions In a small saucepan, add baking stevia, 1 cup water and the frozen blueberries. bring to a boil, then reduce and let cook for 10 minutes. as it cooks, mash the blueberries with a fork or spoon to breakdown. Once cooked down a bit, add contents to a blender  or use hand held blender and puree until smooth. add to container and let cool for a few hours, or until ready to serve. Can also be placed in freezer for 10 - 15 minutes to get cold but don’t let it freeze! When ready to serve, add a few mint leave and 1 ½ ounces of rum to a highball glass with ice. add 2 ounces of blueberry simple syrup. Top with sparkling water and serve immediately. Garnish with mint and extra blueberries, if desired. Notes The syrup in this blueberry mojito is so easy to make and prepare ahead of time! Nutrition Serving Size: 1        Calories: 138        Sugar: 7g        Fat: 1g       Carbohydrates: 34g        Fiber: 2g        Protein: 0g Source: http://withsaltandwit.com/skinny-sparkling-blueberry-mojito/   THURSDAY:  Throwing it back for #TBT, our cocktail of the day is an oldy but a goody . The mint Julep is a Southern classic which dates as far back as the eighteen hundreds and is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. MINT JULEP Yields: 1 Description The official drink of the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports”. Ingredients Leaves from 5-6 mint sprigs 2 packets of Stevia sweetener 3 ounces bourbon whiskey 2 cup crushed ice Mint sprigs for garnish Directions Combined mint and stevia in a julep cup or tin cocktail shaker. Grind the mixture with a few turns of the wrist using a muddler or wooden spoon, until you small a strong mint aroma. Add bourbon and half ice. churn with a stirrer until cup gets frosty. Top with additional pile of ice and a whole bunch of mint. serve with a short straw so you’ll get a nose full of mint with every sip. Notes Any other form of ice will not create the same effect, so take the effort to make crushed ice fi you don’t already have it.  Wrap ice cubes in a  kitchen towel and smash with a hammer until you have a nice mound of snow. Nutrition Serving Size: 1        Calories: 196        Sugar: 2g        Fat: 0g       Carbohydrates: 1g        Fiber: 1g        Protein: 0g Source: https://dailyburn.com/life/recipes/healthy-mint-julep-recipe/   FRIDAY:  It's Friday! Time to kick off your shoes and enjoy your weekend.  This Watermelon Champagne cocktail by "That’s So Michelle" will surely getting you into those weekend vibes. WATERMELON CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL   Yields: 1 Description Watermelon and Champagne cocktail is a as simple as it sounds. It’s the perfect summer time drink that is tasty and healthy. Ingredients ½ cup Champagne ½ cup Watermelon juice splash of lime Directions Slice and puree watermelon in a food processor or blender. Using a fine mesh strainer push the watermelon puree through with a spoon and make sure all of the seeds are removed.  Add ½ cup of watermelon juice to a wine glass. add splash of lime. top with champagne (something not to sweet). let the bubbly settle and top it off again. Serve and drink right away. Nutrition Serving Size: 1        Calories: 100        Sugar: 4g        Fat: 0g       Carbohydrates: 6g        Fiber: 1g        Protein: 1g Source: http://thatssomichelle.com/2014/06/100-calorie-watermelon-and-champagne.html

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Lunch Break Done Right.

7 Health, Fitness & Wellness Podcasts We Can’t Stop Listening too!

Pictured:  Kourtney Bra and  Kourtney Shorts  1  Ali on the Run Show The Ali on the Run Show is hosted by Ali Feller, a freelance writer, editor; runner and blogger. She speaks to everyday runners, professional athletes, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders that she finds interesting and inspiring. Ali effectively digs into her guests’ decisions, their successes, and their failures in order to guide and inform her listeners. Listen Here:  Ali On The Run Show    2  The Goop Podcast Food for thought ...Gwyneth Paltrow’s The Goop Podcast offers interesting conversations with leading thinkers, culture changers and industry disruptors.  Each week's episodes dive into new and interesting topics which will truly engage listeners.  We were hooked since the premier episode featuring Gwyneth X Oprah chatting about living their best lives. Listen Here: The Goop Podcast   3  Lady Lovin’ Lady Lovin’  is our source for GIRL POWER. The three hosts Jilly Hendrix, Greta Titelman, and Lo Bosworth chat about a variety of topics including relationships, sex, wellness, and business. Lady Lovin’ is all about inspiring women to stay true to who they are. It helps women understand to fully appreciate and love themselves. We love listening in to the gossip, laughing along and sharing in the memories with these three fantastic women! Listen Here: Lady Loving'   4  The Jillian Michaels Show We love The Jillian Michaels Show for its inspirational, entertaining and informative episodes on health and happiness.  The combination of Jillian’s energizing relationship with co-host Janice, paired with the trainer’s “tough love” approach, will keep you wanting more.  With new episodes weekly, you're sure to stay focused and fit. Listen Here: The Jillian Michaels Show   5  Almost 30 Krista Williams + Lindsey Simcik are fun and down to earth in their podcast series, Almost 30.  The show covers a variety of topics from health, wellness, entrepreneurship, self-development, humour, and (most importantly) honesty. Bringing on the coolest guests in a variety of industries including nutritionists, trainers, boss business women & men, life coaches, comedians, actors, models, healers, spiritual gurus keeps each episode interesting. You will feel as if you’re hanging out with these ladies instead of being at work. Listen Here: Almost 30   6  Couch to 5K The Couch to 5K series is a great objective-based training postcast with a program that will have you feeling fit and more energized. The podcast's coaches run through low, moderate, and occasionally high-impact interval run drills, all set to high energy music to keep you motivated.  Listen Here: Couch to 5K   7  Twenty-minute yoga sessions from Yoga Download Retreat and de-stress with these 20-minute guided yoga sessions. Each session will help you relax, restore, center and balance your cluttered mind or tired body. With 95-episodes available, there's plenty to choose from. Longer instalments are available on the Yoga Download website and you can also try our their Yoga Today Video Podcast.  Listen Here: Twenty Minute Yoga Sessions From Yoga Download

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7 Health, Fitness & Wellness Podcasts We Can’t Stop Listening too!

TITIKAXME | Margaux Brissiaud

An accomplished Pole dancer, an aspiring designer who has a master degree from the renowned Istituto Marangoni, in Milan, Italy; and to top it off, speaks 6 languages. Margaux is not your typical overachiever. She is a relentless dreamer and in this blog, she shares her story and journey to chase her dream to become a successful fashion designer.    You have quite an interesting background. Can you tell us more? I was born in Brazil, but raised by my adoptive French family in London, UK. Thanks to my dad’s job, I grew up travelling the world including Singapore and New York. I later did my BA at McGill, (Montreal, Canada) and my Master Degree in Fashion Design at Istituto Marangoni (Milan, Italy). Aye... I know... I was born under a lucky star! When did you decide and how did you find your calling to become a fashion designer? I accidentally discovered a costume course when I was at McGill. This class was the discovery of my life! I adored the subject and the teacher, Catherine Bradley. I never felt so passionate about something. Post McGill, I wanted to become a costume designer, but my parents convinced me to go into Fashion instead. I am glad I went into Fashion Design as I discovered my calling for activewear. Featured: Adelaide Graphic Medium Impact Bra What does it take if someone is interested in getting into fashion design? It takes a lot of believing in you. There will always be people who are amazing at it, even better than you.  You need to find your strengths and focus on that.               What is your typical day like? I pole every morning and I focus on fashion research in the afternoon. I recently re-located from Canada to Switzerland. I am looking for a designer role in Europe or Brazil in the meantime. Featured: Equal Short Sleeve Top  What is your favorite healthy recipe? I am a lazy cook, even though I will challenge myself from time to time. For a healthy recipe, I will go with eggs and avocado on top of a salad.               Secret indulgence? I cannot live without chocolate! I love Lindt’s 70% Crunchy Cacao in Canada;  or in Switzerland, Villars Pur Chocolat Suisse Black with almonds!           Why did you start pole dancing? I always loved to dance.  I heard pole is a great blend of gymnastics, contortion and dance style of your choice! I tried for the 1st time in 2012 and have been hooked since. I love pole so much that I am now an instructor to share the sports with others.             Favorite music when working out? I love Spotify and am always discovering new beats. I love their playlists under the workout category.                           What is the biggest satisfaction you get from being a trainer? I definitely love seeing my students achieve things they thought not possible!  I also love seeing their confidence and dance attitude grow day by day. Creating choreography is also one of my passions. I love doing that for my classes. How do you see yourself in 5 years? This is a tough question. I don’t know where I will be in 5 years and it will be hard to say where I will work. One thing for certain, I will remain in fashion design and hopefully in sportswear. I see myself still competing or teaching in pole dance since I love the sports so much. Who inspires you? Anastasia Sokolova! She is a self taught Ukrainian Pole dancer who founded her own pole dance school and pole dance brand in Ukraine after winning Ukraine Got Talent. She travels the world and shares her passion with other fellow pole lovers through workshops and classes. She manages to balance work and her passion so well. To me, she is such a great example of a successful female entrepreneur.             What is the one quote that keeps you going? I know it’s cheesy, but “Try to reach for the moon and if you miss it you will end up among the stars.”  If you have not become a designer, what would you be? An athlete. Featured: Constance Graphic Hoodie

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TITIKAXME | Margaux Brissiaud

TITIKAXME | Jessica Maiato

Jessica Maiato, an aspiring, talented 23 year old Choreographer, Dancer, and Creative Artist is our featured Titika Girl for this month. Hard work and sweat aside, it takes a lot of discipline to be where she is at now. In this blog, Jessica shares her journey in choreography and how she balances work and play into a versatile. active. life. Featured: Eve Medium Impact Bra When did you start to dance and what genres of dance do you do? I started dancing when I was about 4 years old. My lovely mother tricked me into attending a ballet class. The passion was planted in me ever since. I have trained in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Jazzfunk, Dancehall, and Contemporary. Currently, my two favorite styles to work with are Jazz-Funk and Contemporary. How did you find your calling to become a Choreographer? I was always creative from a very young age.  At school, I was always the designated person to make up dance routines for all the class mates. It just fell right into my lap – and it was something I was extremely comfortable doing. As I grew up, I continued to further my knowledge so that I could have the ability to create even more. What does it take if someone is interested to get into this business? That’s a great question. You need to have a great amount of dedication even just for any dancers in general. Everything comes with practice. Just like any other sports, dance is not easy! To keep yourself physically ready and inspired, you have to train consistently. There will be multiple times you feel like giving up. But I have seen through my own eyes – If you persevere, there will always be progress and improvements.  You also have to have “tough skin”. As an artist, you have to understand that everyone is always going to have an opinion of his or her own on your work- no matter how great it is. You have to be very careful not to let the opinion of others hinder your creative process. What is your favorite healthy recipe? I have to say I LOVE my smoothies! Always on the go, I rarely have time to make breakfast – but that doesn’t mean I skip it! Currently my go to is my peanut butter banana smoothie! Super easy to make: 1 banana, 1-tablespoon peanut butter and 3 cups of almond milk. A good friend of mine Jon Mango - who is an Online Fitness Coach suggested this to me, and it has been my morning routine ever since! Secret indulgence? CHOCOLATE. The sad part is, this isn’t even a secret…I always have a backup chocolate bar in case of emergencies! Favorite music when working out? A lot of people make fun of me for this…but I actually don’t work out to super high-energy music. I usually play Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Russ, H.E.R, or other similar artists. I just feel it puts my mind at ease, and helps to clear my thoughts so I can focus on my workout. Featured: Simone II Crop Legging What is the biggest satisfaction you get from being a dance instructor for younger children? I think the best part about teaching in general is being able to experience and see the progress that my students make. There is no better feeling then seeing a young dancer bursting with joy because they have finally achieved something they have been working on. Being the teacher responsible for sharing that knowledge with them is truly rewarding and heartwarming.  What was the most rewarding occasion you recall from your career? As I am still very young, and only just beginning this journey – the most rewarding occasion would have to be choreographing a solo piece that was very near and dear to my heart. It was a very personal piece to me. Being comfortable enough to share something from my life, and seeing my student execute it on stage was very fulfilling.  How do you see yourself in 5 years? In 5 years I definitely see myself expanding my Entertainment Company. Being able to provide dancers with consistent work, and creating on a daily basis.  Who inspires you and how do you inspire your students?  My biggest inspirations are my friends, and choreographers within the dance community. Currently, two dancers who inspire me are a brother-duo I have known for years. Flow XS- they teach, choreograph, and perform. If you get a chance, please check them out! They are young creative artists – as are most of my friends that I look to for constant inspiration. It is extremely important to surround yourself with people that inspire you in any way. What is the one quote that keeps you going? “Take failure gracefully, and success peacefully.” – Loginus Fernandes  If you have not become a choreographer, what would you be? I can’t even imagine dance not being present in my life, to be honest. If I absolutely have to choose…maybe the film industry. I love being behind the scenes and experiencing the process it takes to create a finished product! You can check out Jessica's work here on her YouTube Channel!  

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TITIKAXME | Jessica Maiato

TITIKAXME | SIMONA MARGINE

  Simona Margine, founder of WellfitbySim, has been a fitness trainer for 7 years and has gained quite a following with her no-nonsense approach to fitness training and nutrition. Her devotion to every client is evident- “The best part about training with Simona is that you can count on her 100% to be there, not flake on you, and push your body to do things you didn't know it could do!” Simona has been a long time Titika ambassador. In this blog, she shares her journey and the inside out to become a fitness trainer.   Tron Leggings When did you decide and how did you find your calling to become a personal trainer? Oddly enough, growing up I never played any sports. It wasn’t until high school that I discovered my passion for fitness and health. First year high school we had to enrol in a gym class and I remember dreading it – just the thought of playing sports with other kids made me nervous. I ended up taking gym class every year though and in grade 11 I took a liking to my gym teacher who basically took me under her wing and paved my way into the physical education world. She was so passionate and knowledgeable. She was so intriguing to me! What does it take if someone is interested to get into this business? HARD WORK! It takes dedication, motivation and empathy. Being a fitness trainer isn’t as easy as some might make it seem. For starters, trainers work long hours. To be a GOOD trainer you must be knowledgeable enough to feel confident in helping clients that may be injured or possess a physical ailment. You must be willing to provide moral and mental support to your clients every day. You have to empathize with them and show true compassion.  Robin Short Sleeve Tee What is your typical day like? When you’re a trainer, every day is different and can change at any moment. My typical day starts at 5:30am. I have a quick bite then I’m off to my morning clients, usually 3-4 in a row depending on the given day. I might have some hours off in the late morning or early afternoon, during which I go to the gym myself. Then I come home, make lunch and then get ready for my evening clients usually 4/5pm-9pm. When the day is busy, I don’t get much time off. Like I said, LONG hours. What is your favourite healthy recipe? Right now I’m obsessed with this pumpkin chilli I’ve been making! It’s perfect for the colder weather and just such a great and easy way to get in all your nutrients. I have this great recipe and more listed on my blog www.wellfitbysim.com/blog Secret indulgence? Chocolate!! That said, I have done a pretty good job training myself to enjoy dark chocolate in the last few months. Dark chocolate has much less sugar and it actually has some antioxidants, which can help combat that enter our bodies Favourite music when working out? I listen to a variety of music but during workouts I love listening to either hip-hop or electronic music – depends on my mood that day and/or what I’m working on. For example, heavy weights usually = rap/hip hop Can you think of someone interesting/famous you have met during training? I’ve had the chance to meet some famous people because I used to be a fitness coach at the Ritz Carlton, mostly athletes. I have met hockey legend Sidney Crosby and basketball players such as Amar'e Stoudemire and Paul Millsap, as well as WBFF Diva Karina Marin.   Drew Static Bra What is the biggest satisfaction you get from being a trainer? My biggest satisfaction as a trainer is definitely seeing my client’s progressions, no matter how big or small. I deal with a lot of injury rehab clients so it is the biggest thrill when they are pain free – it’s the best feeling for me, ironically! How do you see yourself in 5 years? In 5 years I would like to own my own fitness facility where I could foster an environment where people look forward to coming to see knowledgeable professionals whose sole desires are to make a difference in someone’s life through health and fitness. Who inspires you?  I’m inspired each and every day. It’s wonderful! But I definitely have some fitness gurus I look up to like Stuart McGill who is the world’s leading back pain expert and Katy Hearn who is a celebrity Instagram trainer. She opened up her own amazing gym by the time she was 25 years old. What is the one quote that keeps you going? I love the quote: “There is no can not, there is a try or do not try” I always tell my clients that they cannot tell me whether or not they can do something until they give it a shot. Most of the time they find that they can actually do it! If you have not become a trainer, what would you be? I probably would have been doing something in the fashion industry. Fashion is my second passion. I used to design clothes when I was in high school and then in university. I worked for a fashion blog for a bit and even did some styling for music artists. It was fun! https://www.instagram.com/wellfitbysim/ Major Medium Impact Bra    

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TITIKAXME | SIMONA MARGINE

International Women's Day

In honour of International Women’s Day, we are shining the light on ladies that possess incredible strength and resilience while uplifting and supporting women around them. This movement started on social media highlighting our #TitikaGirls and asking women to tag the most admirable women in their lives. This Women’s Day we want to set precedent to unite women and collectively celebrate each other. With recent media drawing to light hidden narratives, the strength and courage women are displaying to stand up and speak up is incredibly admirable. Now more than ever, there is a calling for support from women everywhere. May we always choose to empower and support women in the pursuit of change. Let’s face it, historically speaking nothing can bring change like the rally of united voices. We have chosen to further celebrate three women we admire greatly by sharing their journeys of overcoming barriers and blazing their own trails in the pursuit of their passions. We think they’re awesome and we know you will too! #PressForProgress. Bonita Chan Bonita is a kind hearted hard-working entrepreneur living in the quaint scenic town of Deep River Ontario. During a hectic time in Bonita’s life she chose to search for something beyond her career and committed to a Yoga Teacher Training that would feed her courage, clarity, and enlightenment. After setting on this journey Bonita decided she wanted to work for herself and pursue the new-found passion that changed her life for the better. With no connections, experiences, or investments Bonita started up her company Traveling Mat Yoga in a new community without knowing a single soul aside from her partner’s family. Bonita is a perfect example of a woman who knew what she wanted and took charge of her life in the pursuit of her goals. Not to mention a woman who has found a passion in elevating those to find inner peace and celebrate themselves through the art of yoga. Words for #WD2018: "May we continue to raise awareness for women's rights through support, love and collaboration. We are all changemakers that can continue to contribute to a day like today where women's voices and achievements are celebrated because of our collective efforts to push each other forward"- Bonita Instagram: @traveling.mat www.travelingmat.com   Mariela Burkett Mariela is a coach, personal trainer, fitness professional, athlete, cancer survivor, and mother of two. She has worked in the fitness industry 11+ years and cites her profession for helping her kick cancer’s A$$! Mariela is a fierce individual who doesn’t take herself too seriously and has fought the odds and won while working continuously to give back to those searching for a cure. She is not only dedicated to helping women become the healthiest version of themselves but also to providing financial support for cancer patients and their families by hosting annual and semi-annual “Survivor Boot Camps”. Burkett is a prime example of someone who doesn’t see defeat as an option and greets each day with a grateful heart, beaming confidence, and an “own it” mentality. Words for #WD2018: "Be You! You are smart. You are beautiful. Stop comparing yourself to others. Rock the sh*t out of anything you wear or do. Stay authentic" - @mariela.fit Instagram: @mariela.fit https://m.akaraisin.com/15271/participant/3745639   Simona Simona is a driven entrepreneur and the woman behind WellFit. She has been working in the fitness industry for over 6 years and cites her driving force as the success of others by motivating clients to break free of their comfort zones and achieve optimal results. Simona is an example of a woman who relentlessly works to support and help women reach their goals while acting as a role model for all to be comfortable in their own skin and not let anything hold you back from achieving your goals. Breaking stigmas that have been surrounding women, especially regarding body image and fitness is something Simona feels passionate about and works hard to shift paradigms proving to women that strong is the new beautiful. Simona aims to empower women through her profession allowing them to change their lifestyles and take charge of their health. Words for #WD2018: "As a fitness trainer, it is my goal to empower women through exercise by eradicating stigmas associated with women lifting weights. We need to shift away from the paradigm that lifting weights will make women bulky. Lifting weights makes us strong and strong is the new beautiful!" - @wellfitbysim Instagram: @wellfitbysim www.wellfitbysim.com’ This #WD2018 let’s celebrate courage and greatness in every woman in the world as we stand united and push each other forward. We’ve shed light on a few of the amazing women we admire. Now it’s your turn - who do you look up to? Happy International Women’s Day!

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International Women's Day

Top 5 Fitness Apps

Top 5 Fitness Apps The hardest part about making a lifestyle change is knowing where to start—and better yet how. Have you ever got to the gym and wasted more time thinking about what to do next than you did getting your sweat on? One solutions that’s become extremely popular is downloading a fitness app. It’s a simple, cost-effective alternative to hiring a personal trainer and its completely mobile. Whenever you need it it’s there! We’ve done the work for you testing out a variety of apps and compiling a versatile list to satisfy all your fitness needs, whether you are into Zumba, yoga, strength training, or are one of those people who enjoy burpees. Check out our top picks to help keep your fitness game strong all year long. Baden Reflective Running Top Heart Mesh Cut-Out Legging Aaptiv- FREE Aaptiv lets you workout when you want, where you want, the way you want with unlimited access to audio-based fitness classes led by certified personal trainers. With over 2,500 workouts you can choose from a variety of activities including running, elliptical, rowing, strength training, stretching, yoga, and more. Did we mention each workout is music driven with the perfect rhythm to match your workout and keep you motivated? This app even works without WIFI allowing users to download classes and listen offline. Download Now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aaptiv-1-audio-fitness-app/id869058995?mt=8   Lora Performance Legging Bandidos High Impact Bra Seconds- FREE This app is for all the HIIT training, Tabata, or CrossFit lovers out there! Seconds is an advanced interval timer with a voice prompt at the end of each session that keeps motivated and prevents you from sprawling out on the floor after each interval. With versatile features Seconds allows you to choose from ready to use templates or create a completely custom interval timer. No workout is complete without the right music which is why Seconds allows you to play music while the app is running and assign certain songs to certain timers to really get you in the mood. Download Now: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/seconds-pro-interval-timer/id363978811?mt=8   Qinetic- FREE Qinetic is an interactive app that provides live/on demand fitness videos with some of the most well-known faces in the industry. This app provides a wide spectrum of classes from yoga, strength training, dance fitness, nutrition, and much more. Qinetic also provides the option to sync with your Apple Watch to track your progress and connect with a community. These fun upbeat classes range anywhere from 5 min to 1 hour and are a great way to follow along and learn some new exercises to incorporate into your workout routine. Download Now: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/qinetic/id1070337323?mt=8   Freeletics- FREE This app is focused on body weight exercises, perfect for those at home workouts or if you’re trying to build up your strength and perfect your push up position. Freeletics Bodyweight is the most effective fitness program that requires nothing but yourself using your body as the only tool. Train anywhere anytime and at any level with more than 900 workout variations that cover all muscle groups for better and faster results. This app requires users to undergo a fitness test before they start to ensure users are challenged in their customized weekly workout plan. Another unique feature to the Freeletics app is its 2x2 mode that provides workouts to fit in a 2-meter x 2-meter space so you can get fit without leaving your apartment! Download Now: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/freeletics-bodyweight/id654810212?mt=8 Sweat- 7 day free trial- in app purchase subscription $19.99 per month Sweat is an app that comes with the largest female fitness community! Creators Kayla Itsines, Sjana Elise Earp, and Kelsey Wells are dedicated to helping women live their best life through health and fitness. This means giving women the confidence, strength and happiness they need to achieve their goals. Sweat allows users to choose from programs such as high intensity plyometric workouts using minimal space and equipment, yoga for improved strength, flexibility and posture, and lastly, post pregnancy resistance workouts designed to increase core strength and improve posture in new moms. Each of these workouts are just 28 minutes and can be done from the comfort of your own home. Sweat also provides the option of a nutrition program allowing users to choose from daily meal plans and recipes customized to certain diet goals, needs, and preferences. Download Now: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sweat-kayla-itsines-fitness/id1049234587?mt=8 There you have it, download these versatile apps for some extra motivation to make 2018 your most active year yet. Mono Performance Cut-Out Shirt

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Top 5 Fitness Apps

TITIKAXME Bonita Chan

Quaint and scenic, the Town of Deep River was mentioned in the movie Mulholland Drive where Betty (played by Naomi Watts), the young actress struggling to cope in Hollywood says, "I just came here from Deep River, Ontario, and now I'm in this ... dream place. You can imagine how I feel." Located along the Ottawa River, the peaceful town is also where the founder of Traveling Mat Yoga, Bonita Chan, resides. A city turned valley girl, Bonita has spent the majority of her life in Hong Kong and Toronto until an opportunity came up to move to the beautiful town. We had the pleasure to speaking to Bonita who shares her journey to become a yoga instructor and more importantly, how she helps her students to shed layers of negativity to reconnect with one’s inner self. Why did you pick yoga amongst other sports? I turned to Yoga at a hectic juncture in my life. I was searching for something beyond my career and I knew that the commitment towards a Yoga Teacher Training Program would feed me the courage, clarity, and enlightenment that I was seeking.  Shown in image: Violet Impact Bra, Lustre Training Legging When did you decide and how did you find your calling to become a yoga instructor? In the midst of our relocation to Deep River, I saw the move as an opportunity to do something novel and courageous. I had a desire to create something from the heart. My vision for Traveling Mat Yoga was clear; I wanted to help feed others exactly what Yoga feeds me. It is about delivering a guiding light to you no matter where you are. Being a graduate of psychology, how do you leverage your knowledge to enhance yoga teaching and experience? Psychology and Yoga go hand in hand. It is about being aware of your inner being. Yoga is a powerful tool and I leverage my practices as a method of empowerment. It is about teaching each one of my students that we all have the power to control how our body moves, what our mind thinks, and how our heart feels. As a graduate of psychology, I am always trying to find meaningful ways to support and facilitate transformation and personal growth in people. As such, I personally feel there is no method more rewarding than yoga. In my classes, you will find that I challenge my students physically and mentally. I encourage the connection and focused harmony of mind, body, and spirit, living our each present moment to its fullest as we discover ourselves on the mat. My students are encouraged to cultivate self-discovery and self-love. Collectively, we step on our mats, we turn inward, and honor our inner spirits. Discovering our own authentic movements by following the rhythm of our breath. Individually, we shed layers of expectations, ego, and judgments, as we each dive into the process of reuniting with our true selves - who have been waiting to emerge.     Shown in image: Drew Static Light Impact Bra, Cole B Legging What is your biggest gain of starting Traveling Mat Yoga? One of the most rewarding things about my business is the ability to cultivate a sense of community and philanthropy. From hosting fundraisers to providing free community yoga programming; I am so fortunate to have the support of the community to stand by me in giving back. And this is only the beginning! I now have a group of incredible women that volunteer in furthering my not-for-profit projects. What has starting your own business taught you? Starting Traveling Mat Yoga has taught me that anything is possible if you believe in your mission and commit to it. I started this journey with no connections, experiences, or investments. I started my business in a new community; I did not know a single soul aside from my partner’s family members. I went from an empty Yoga room with no students to working with the municipality on a range of programming. Amazingly, Traveling Mat Yoga even connected me with a professional opportunity at a leading nuclear science and technology organization! I am proud of what Traveling Mat Yoga represents; the possibilities are endless if you faithfully commit to your craft! What does it take if someone is interested to get into this business? My three C's! Courage, compassion, and commitment.  Courage: The courage to start! It all starts somewhere, community pools, churches, clubs, wherever. The courage to starts means being positive, being open, and being vulnerable. Start now, don't look back! Compassion, to me, is when we all meet as equals on our mats. The ability to befriend each other, no matter what, is a major component in guiding individuals, groups, and teams in their Yoga and Mindfulness practice. Commitment to your craft. Understand that consistency, competition, and attention to detail will help you succeed. There will be challenging experiences in your journey and you must stay committed throughout for results. What is your favorite healthy recipe? Butternut Squash Pasta! A vegan recipe that is so satisfying! Secret indulgence? Fried Chicken from Bar Fancy in Toronto!!!!!! How do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself leveraging Traveling Mat Yoga as a philanthropic platform that gives back to the communities that it operates in. What is the one quote that keeps you going? “When in doubt, do the right thing”-by me If you have not become a trainer, what would you be? A Philanthropist! I strive to become a leader in my community and I am proud to say that I have begun my philanthropic journey with Traveling Mat Yoga. Instagram- @traveling.matFacebook- traveling Mat Yoga    

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TITIKAXME Bonita Chan