A BRUNCH, LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINING DESTINATION WITH ON-AIR CORRESPONDENT BRIELLE GALEKOVIC
A Los Angeles-based brunch and cocktail blog by Brielle Galekovic.
I can’t believe I didn’t post this back in August! Blame it on the quarantine-era brain… I hosted this segment on KTLA at the end of the summer highlighting the tie dye fashion trend that has emerged over the span of 2020 including two of my favorite brands: Onzie and Lulus. One of the segments I am most proud of!
Take a look… enjoy :)
I am the first to admit I have a hard time avoiding the temptation to indulge on the weekends. I love my brunch (that’s no question), an impeccable libation, and welcoming alllll the carbs into my tummy whether it be french fries (my ultimate fave) or a thick slab of avocado toast (I know you’re probably laughing because avocado toast isn’t that bad, but the feeling after you eat a huge piece of bread isn’t always the most comforting, haha).
Although I like to give into my cravings, I find that I am even more addicted to feeling lighter, both mentally, physically and energy-wise. Having no boundaries with food and drinks over the weekend definitely contributes to that good old bloated, fatigued feeling first thing on Monday morning.
However, through my avid years of dedicated brunching, I’ve figured out a couple methods that help me reset and feel good for the week. Here are my recs for going from brunch on the weekend to getting back to your BABE BOD.
I specifically love the Toxin Flush juice from Nekter Juice Bar. It’s made with parsley, spinach, apple, lemon, and ginger. This drink will help your body to naturally rid itself of toxins in the blood and liver. I always ask for extra ginger too! I feel like it helps to jumpstart the cleansing. I feel best when I drink this in the morning. I don’t even necessarily feel like I need a second coffee during the day (which is a miracle in itself) because it gives me a good natural boost of energy.
I am the biggest advocate for barre because it’s a super fast-paced cardio work out that also incorporates isometric movements and serious toning segments. I have been doing it for years and it has been the one thing that continuously keeps me sane! There’s nothing worse than feeling flabby, especially after overindulging and just by taking a few of these classes, you honestly feel such a difference in muscle tone and it’s soooo satisfying. I also love a good hot yoga session. You could just FEEL the toxins release and there’s nothing better than feeling that. Both are great anti-inflammatory practices and get you back into your regular long, lean and toned regime.
For the most part, I do try to stick to a plant-based diet excluding any time when I am ordering out. I find that sticking to just fruits and veggies gives me a natural energy and rejuvenation that I don’t typically get when I eat animal products. Quite frequently, when I consume anything that has animal-derived ingredients, I not only feel sluggish but I actually break out on my face. Even if you’re not 100% vegan, going a couple days without eating meat or dairy can definitely be a good switch-up and reset for the body.
I find that in a lot of ways, a healthy body stems from a healthy mind too. After the weekend concludes, I like to take some time to just be alone, go for a walk or sit somewhere quiet and peaceful and clear my mind out. It helps me to refocus my energy, set intentions for the week and turn the motivation back on.
Both are soooo cleansing and have great benefits to help rid of toxins in the body. So necessary for a hangover, too. I try to drink a ton normally, but on a Monday it really helps to get your system back into gear. I find that if I am drinking significant amounts of either on a Monday and continue through Tuesday, usually by late Tuesday or early Wednesday I am feeling back to my normal self.
Look, at the end of the day eating and drinking things you wouldn’t normally consume during the week is inevitable. You’ve got to ENJOY your life! But now that I’m in my late 20s I realize and acknowledge that I can’t just bounce back as easily as I used to at 22. But, luckily with some dedication, I (and you can too!) can feel back to normal a-sap.
The last 2 days this week have been absolutely killer in the best ways possible. I was fortunate enough to experience an incredible cause: AQUAhydrate hosted a functional-training session at F45 in West Hollywood to support Wounded Warrior Project, alongside the legendary Mark Wahlberg. Wounded Warrior Project is an initiative that Mark stands behind; it is a charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following September 11, 2001. Wounded veterans and service members include those who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after that timeframe.
Before our first work out on Wednesday, WWP had veterans attend the class as well. Specially, one incredibly strong vet with prosthetic legs spoke about his experience with and talked about how supportive the organization has been since day one of being admitted into the hospital. He spoke confidently that although he has this disability, it didn’t define his life which I felt was incredibly inspirational. The fact that he could do the work out we were about to do just as efficiently, if not even better than us was really moving.
I actually got the chance to speak with Mark along with my friend Taylor, and he explained to us why he is so passionate not only about the organization, but about the work out as well. For him, strength, motivation, dedication and supporting others is a top priority for him and every time that he works out at F45, he sees people from all walks of life gain strength, smile and continue to build each other up. He even went into detail about his own life changing trip to Afghanistan to visit troops in 2010, and how he viewed little villages from a helicopter. He went on to say how unbelievable it was and how dramatically different life is there. It was so evident that in our conversation, you could see where Mark’s passion for helping others lies. Seeing firsthand things that soldiers have to experience is something he holds close to him and takes with him every day. It was a totally unexpected conversation, and we talked about it for quite sometime.
Not only was the story eye-opening, but it was so refreshing to talk to someone in the celeb world who isn’t jaded at all; in fact, Mark is quite the complete opposite. He is so humble, personable, down-to-earth and he exudes that he is naturally just a good soul with good intentions. He went on to say that no matter your political view or religion, it’s important to recognize and honor those who have served.
We went on to do the F45 work out on Wednesday (which was filled with crazy-good cardio - no seriously, by the end of the 45 minute session I was drenched in sweat and beyond flushed, haha! but in a good way) but thankfully maintained hydration with AQUAhydrate, the ideal water for working out: it’s ultra-purified, supplemented with all natural electrolytes and trace minerals and then elevated to an alkaline pH of over 9 using electrolysis. It is this powerful synergy between alkalinity, electrolytes and minerals which fuels ultimate hydration, balance and performance.
We went to another session on Thursday morning at the Sherman Oaks location. It was awesome to see Mark again and see a whole new bunch of people (a massive group) who are so dedicated to improving themselves mentally and physically. The entire work out is truly uplifting and you get support and motivation from everyone in the room. Day 2 was a lot of lifting which I loved, and it was good we got a break from the cardio! But it still was an insanely intense work out. The great part is you can go at your own pace, and you still can get the results you desire. BTW - Mark is a b e a s t. His strength is incomparable!!! It’s evident that he is a big inspiration in the gym.
I wasn’t familiar with the F45 work out before this, but it’s safe to say now I am addicted! I am looking forward to incorporating this workout into my usual fitness and wellness routine. There’s no going back now!
Huge thanks to AQUAhydrate, Wounded Warrior Project, F45 and Mark Wahlberg for an amazing workout and for a newfound awareness of these awesome initiatives.
Last Saturday I got the opportunity to interview Pretty Little Liars' star Shay Mitchell at SHAPE Body Shop's Pop-Up event! It was a full day of 20+ pop-up, boutique fitness classes with Shay Mitchell and A-List celebrity trainers.
For the second year in a row, SHAPE Body shop brought together over 2,000 participants and fitness experts in celebration of healthy bodies for a day-long series of workout classes, nutrition and fashion activations from event sponsors and more. All proceeds from the event were donated back to SHAPE Body Shoppartner, Movemeant Foundation, which inspires young women to be confident in their bodies using fitness and movement as a body positive platform.
VIPs included Shay Mitchell (Pretty Little Liars Actress), Shaun T. (INSANITY Creator), Jen Widerstrom (“Biggest Loser” Trainer), with Lacey Stone (E!’s Revenge Body trainer) and Anna Victoria (creator of the Fit Body Guides), among others.
Shay was incredibly sweet and friendly! I was so happy and grateful I could connect with her. I asked her what her go-to work out routine is and what her favorite healthy brunch spot in LA is. Be sure to watch the video to find out her top picks!
In the spirit of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show each year, it seems like everyone gets re-motivated to tone up and get in shape. Ever wonder how the Victoria's Secret Angels really get their strong, sculpted bods? They work every single part of their body in an intense physical fitness work out called the Lagree Fitness Method, created by fitness legendary and celebrity trainer, Sebastien Lagree.
What's the Lagree Fitness Training Method you ask? It's the only method that effectively combines strength, endurance, cardio, balance, core and flexibility in one session. It's gained popularity amongst VS models Martha Hunt and Alessandria Ambrosio, as well as other celebs like Sofia Vergara, Calvin Harris and Kim Kardashian.
VS Model Alessandra Ambrosio on the Megaformer
VS Model Martha Hunt on the Megaformer
Sofia Vergara on the Megaformer
Lagree's latest equipment, the Supraformer is an insane upgrade of his previous Proformer and Megaformer creations. The intriguing machine could be compared to Total Gym equipment. However, it's not to be confused with a pilates reformer, because it's got far more complex and effective capabilities. While training, it actually adjusts so you can train at different angles, enabling you to target every inch of your body all at once.
Unlike his other equipment, the work out on the Supraformer is only 25 minutes! Too good to be true? Nope! Lagree created the machine and its intensity capabilities in order to create a full-body work out in a shorter amount of time, in contrast to traditional reformer classes that are usually between 45-55 minutes long.
Lagree believes that the body needs to exercise at a certain intensity for total muscle stimulation in order for it to make significant and noticeable changes. While the work out is intense on the muscles, it is low-impact, and is safe on the joints and tissues, unlike other strength training methods.
The Supraformer combines effective resistance, effective range of motion, effective angle, effective tempo (very slow movements), and effective duration (each movement being 60 seconds long) to create the ultimate fat shedding and body chiseling training. If that doesn't sound like a VS model's body, then I don't know what does!
I got the chance to take Lagree's Supraformer class and test my own strength! I'll admit, while I do work out 3-5 times per week, it did not really prepare me for how intense the class was! I am used to isometric, slow movement work outs from pilates and barre but I had never completed a work out that required so much concentration, balance, endurance and flexibility all at once! Within only 5 minutes, my body was immediately warm with my heart pumping. My mind was completely concentrated on making sure those movements were controlled. You feel a burn like you've never felt before! With each work out, the focus of the movements are to lengthen and strengthen those muscles with constant tension and constantly using all muscle groups.
So far, I've done 2 sessions and I could already see and feel a difference, especially in my arms and legs. I truly have never done a work out quite like the one done on the Supraformer - I really believe in it and am absolutely amazed at how effective it is in such a short period of time. After the first session about 2 weeks ago, I was pretty sore for nearly 4 days. Now that I've completed my second session just a few days ago, I'm still a bit sore but definitely less than I was. It's awesome to see results so quickly and how your body adjusts to the work out in a short amount of time - but it doesn't come easily. You need to give your all in class for your body to adapt to the changes!
It probably helped that afterwards a few other girls who took the class and I got the "Angel Treatment" at the Sofitel Hotel - we drank champagne, received massages and even got our hair done with VS bombshell inspired waves! It was nice to feel like an Angel!
Before the sweat: Jouviance Micelle Solution
Before I headed to my Supra class, I made sure to take off my make up (I am WAY more prone to breakouts if I leave my make up on while I work out) by using Jouviance's Micelle Solution. It's soap-free, is a no rinsing required 4-in-1 cleanser that refreshes, tones, removes makeup (even waterproof makeup - score!) and it hydrates the face and eye area. I just applied with a cotton pad and wiped down my face, neck and chest area to instantly cleanse my skin. It works fabulously on sensitive skin like mine. It micro-emulsifies and traps dirt so there's no need to use water. It's such a simple, non-messy and easy process that leaves my face feeling super clean, smooth and ready to sweat!
After the sweat: FRÉ Resilience Set
Following my sweat sessions, I continued my post-work out by cleansing my face with my new favorite skincare line called FRÉ, the first skincare range for women who work out! 123FRÉ is a comprehensive 3-step anti-aging treatment that creates healthy, glowing and resilient skin. This brand is also a model favorite - model Coral Simanovich and Yoga Master Talia Sutra are big fans.
The Resilience Set is powered by Argania Active Complex:
Step 1: “Protect Me” is an ultra-light SPF30 moisturizer formulated for the skin that sweats. It is water resistant and won’t sting eyes when you swear (ophthalmologist tested)
Step 2: “Purify Me” is a hydrating facial cleanser that soothes, de-stresses, hydrates and rebalances skin pH, post-workout.
Step 3: “Revive Me” is a specialized anti-aging serum that regenerates collagen and skin elasticity.
Needless to say, I'm hooked. Because the work out is so efficient and effective, it makes me want to take the classes as often as possible. As they say, strong is the new sexy. But did it ever really go out of style? With The Lagree Fitness Method, strength will radiate throughout your entire mind, body and soul. Now, everyone can #TrainLikeAnAngel with the Supraformer!
