October is always such a busy month! With Boston Fashion Week, a billion blog events, holiday prep, and my new job, working out took a backseat for a little while. What better way to get back in the workout groove than with a Sunday sweat at Soul Cycle? I went out to Chestnut Hill Square last week with my friend Heather for our first Soul Cycle ride and it was totally not what I expected!

Photo by Heather Bourgeois

Soul Cycle classes are high energy, extremely motivating, and ride a fine line between workout obsessed and cult status. It sort of felt like going to church; the instructor was preaching about overcoming internal demons, riders were rocking back and forth in unison, chanting when prompted. It delivers an experience unlike any other cycling studio, and I can see why people are so devout! 

I also took advantage of a free one week membership with my Pruferred Card at the Prudential Boston Sports Club to temporarily facilitate me getting back on track. With the variety of classes available and an open equipment area, it's pretty easy to find time to get in a workout. Since I usually go to barre or cycling classes, I was able to focus on strengthening my arms with their machines and weights as well as getting in an occasional mile on the treadmill. Earlier this week I tried out one of their boot camp classes, and boy was that a challenge! It felt pretty good to complete the class despite my struggling along the way. I really felt the instructor could have been more helpful, though. She could have cared less that I was new to the class and did not help me with form or direction at all.


On the healthy eating front I'm happy to report things are going well. I had an immense craving for a cheese burger the other day. Instead of heading to Burger King I went to Star Market and picked up a pound of ground beef and buns. The fixins for that easily turned into Taco Salad the next day, and soft tacos the next. 

It's totally unlike me, but I have been on an epic salad kick lately. Typically when I'm on the go I'll grab at P-3 pack at CVS or grab a quesadilla or burrito at Qdoba but salads are totally speaking to me these days. While I love making Taco Salad at home (taco meat on a bed of lettuce, loaded with cheese, salsa, and tortilla chips), I've also been frequenting locally sourced eateries B.Good and Sweetgreen. After our Soul Cycle class Heather and I headed to Sweetgreen for my favorite salad ever; the Spizy Sabzi (pictured above). Loaded with quinoa, greens, raw beets, and sriracha it was just what I needed to refuel for a day of shopping in the square. 

Never been to Sweetgreen? Now is your chance! Chestnut Hill Square and I are teaming up to give one reader a hearty, healthy lunch for two at Sweetgreen in Chestnut Hill Square! Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway How have the shorter Fall days and busy back to school schedules affected your workouts and eating habits? What are you doing to get back on track?


This post and giveaway was sponsored by Chestnut Hill Square. All opinions expressed are my own; I'm not sure if Soul Cycle really is a cult. Thanks for supporting those who support Style-Wire.com.