Broke & Chic got to sit down with another wonderful Beauty Director participating in the “Look Good…Feel Better” event at Saks Fifth Avenue! To learn more about this wonderful event click here.
This time it was Alyssa Hertzig of SHAPE magazine! Not only does Alyssa hold an awesome title at a great magazine, she’s also a blogger! To keep up to date with this fashion and beauty fanatic, check out her awesome blog: The Sparkly Life!
Broke & Chic: What’s your best advice for staying fit on a budget?
Alyssa: Get outside! Walking, running, hiking-it’s all free. Also, I make it a point to rarely take cabs and walk as much as I can-it adds up! Plus, don’t discount workout DVDs. For $10 to $20 (less than the price of a single class in NYC), you can get a great workout without ever leaving your apartment.
B&C: What are your top three favorite healthy NYC restaurants?
Alyssa: Pure Food & Wine is probably my top pick. Everything there is so delicious and inventive that you don’t even notice that it’s all healthy, much less raw. Ella Café in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is near my house, so it’s a go-to when we want delivery, but don’t want all the fat and grease. Their food is totally organic and really yummy. For a healthier lunch option, I’ll head to Chop’t. You can definitely get in trouble in those make-your-own-salad places, but it’s not hard to do it right. When I want to stay on the healthy side, I’ll skip the cheese and get olive oil and balsamic vinegar instead of a pre-made dressing.
B&C: CrossFit is getting very popular. Are you a fan and do you think it’s worth the money?
Alyssa: It’s funny you ask that, because my husband is a huge CrossFit fan! He has been doing it for the last year and it has completely transformed his body. I tried it for awhile as well, but it’s a little too hard-core for me. Plus, I like cheese and pasta way too much to stick to the Paleo diet that CrossFit recommends!
Photo Credit: CrossFit 818
B&C: What’s your favorite type of workout? Zumba, yoga, running…?
Alyssa: I’ve really fallen in love with Spinning. I go to SoulCycle in New York City, and it’s great! The music is awesome, the teachers are motivating, and even though it’s only 45 minutes, you get an unbelievable workout.
B&C: What advice do you give those who have never really worked out before and want to do a complete lifestyle change? Where do they begin so they don’t give up after day one?
Alyssa: Set a very specific goal. Do you want to look amazing for a high school reunion in November? Do you want to rock a bikini by Memorial Day? Having an actual goal in mind versus something as abstract as “I want to lose weight” or “I want to look better,” can make a huge difference. This way you’re working towards something concrete, so you’ll have to do concrete things to reach that goal.
For example. I’ve never worked out so hard or ate as well as I did during the months leading up to my wedding. Knowing that I was going to be standing in front of 100+ people (and immortalized in photos!) on a specific date was what I really needed to get in shape.
B&C: What are your favorite budget friendly beauty products?
Alyssa: There are so many good ones! I definitely use a ton of drugstore stuff. A few favorites: Olay Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion SPF 50 (I’m a stickler for SPF moisturizer every day and this one feels super light), Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara (makes my lashes noticeably longer and doesn’t get clumpy), Sonia Kashuk makeup brushes (they are an unbelievable value-amazing, high-end quality for a very affordable price), Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips (so, so easy to apply-I especially love the patterned ones), Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes (gentle but they get rid of everything)–I could go on and on!
B&C: What workout gear do you think is worth the splurge?
Alyssa: I’m one of those people who needs all of the motivation I can get when it comes to working out, so if a fancy pair of pants or a cute top is going to make you more likely to hit the gym, then I’d say that’s worth the splurge. One kind of fancy workout-thing that I really swear by? Lululemon headbands. I don’t know what they put in there to make them so good, but they stay put, they don’t give you a headache, and they keep your hair from looking crazy. I love them!
B&C: What’s a cosmetic you think is okay to wear to the gym?
Alyssa: I’ll admit to occasionally applying a little concealer under my eyes or over a zit before I head to the gym. You certainly don’t want a full-face of makeup or anything that’s going to look raccoon-y (that’s why mascara’s a no-no), but I’m not above hiding a pimple.
B&C: Why were you interested in being a part of LGFB Beauty Editors Day?
Alyssa: LGFB is an amazing organization and I’m thrilled to do anything I can to help them out. Plus, I’m really excited to meet the readers! It’s going to be a really fun day.
B&C: What do you think is special/unique about this particular event?
Alyssa: It’s a great opportunity to ask an editor absolutely anything you have on your mind, plus you get a mini-makeover, a gift bag (I’ve seen the one we’re doing at Clinique-it’s awesome), and you help out a fabulous charity for only $30. What’s not to love?
Meet Alyssa yourself at Beauty Editors Day! If you’re unable to attend but want to hear more about Alyssa, make sure you check out her wonderful blog – The Sparkly Life!
Read More: “Fall Tips And Trends With Leah Wyar of Cosmopolitan“
