Awesome Fitness Day and Gala Party Under the Stars in the Hamptons #WHHamptons @womenshealthmag

When I received an invitation from Rodale Inc. on behalf of Women’s Health Magazine to attend two awesome events in Montauk and the Hamptons on August 1, 2015, I quickly rearranged my plans so I could go!

The day event, called the “Well-thy Home” sponsored by Women’s Health Magazine in partnership with Domino Magazines was at the Magazine’s VP’s home in Montauk.  It featured top instructors, such as Mandy Ingber, celebrity yoga instructor and Heidi Powell, celebrity trainer and star of ABC’s Extreme Weightloss.  There were also culinary presentations by chef Greg Frey, a delicious (and healthy) lunch planned by Mr. Frey along with chef Dave Martin, as well as an enlightening nutrition discussion by celeb nutritionist Keri Glassman.  There was also a presentation by multi-talented James Houston on MindSpaceDesign which certainly raised my awareness on many levels. There was also plenty of food and Owl’s Brew Tea beverages.

Second, was a gala evening cocktail party, the annual star-studded “Party Under the Stars” event at the Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club.

If all that wasn’t enough, Women’s Health Magazine arranged transportation for those traveling from New York City.  We were greeted by Women’s Health Magazine staff – all lovely, personable and knowledgable. The bus left midtown at 7 a.m., arriving in Montauk in time for the start of the first class, a rooftop yoga class, at 10 am.

We arrived at the Montauk property – let me say this – it was gorgeous! It wasn’t merely a house, it was a compound.  As we were walking up, the first thing I noticed were all these people on the roof.  I soon found out that was where Mandy Ingber would be teaching the yoga class.

The first floor is where materials were set up about the Well-Thy Home project, the charity FEED, among other things. I really enjoyed talking with the other guests and learning about their backgrounds as journalists, public relations, fashion, health, etc.

Up to the rooftop!  Wow, what a perfect place to take a yoga class!  The sky and open space all around us.  The instructor Mandy Ingber was great (and she didn’t make me feel like a yoga reject!).

Next was a Bikini Booty Mission class taught by the amazing Heidi Powell on the lawn. She had us pair up in groups of two, where one person would do one exercise and the other another exercise, and then they’d switch.  The drills sounded easy, but they were really tough.  Having a partner made it seem easier and even fun.  There I said it. Fun.

I had the chance to speak with Heidi later.  She really is lovely and very knowledgable about health and exercise.

We also heard about nutrition and cleansing from Keri Glassman and cooking with herbs by Jeff Dawson and were treated to a healthy lunch prepared by chefs Greg Frey and Dave Martin.

The final speaker of the event was James Houston – his talk was motivational – seemingly about the simple topic of de-cluttering, but it was more about living one’s life well.  About sorting through, and removing the negative and keeping track of your own destiny.  In fact, if there was a theme to the day, I’d say it was about inspiration and being positive.  Every speaker, every class, was inspirational in its own way.

Then it was back on the bus.  The NYC group was taken to the Atlantic Hotel in Shinnecock Hills and given 4 rooms (about 7 people per room) to shower and get ready for the evening’s festivities. I was skeptical, but in it’s own Big Chill way, 7 strangers together in a room somehow made it work.  My only regret was that we didn’t have more time to relax at the hotel.

We reassembled at the hotel parking lot at 6:15 p.m. for the drive to Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Clulb.   The event was everything it promised to be and more. Interesting people, cocktails, charity silent auction, a beautiful sunset, the ocean,  DJ, music…

Our bus left at 10 p.m. for the trip back to New York City.  The party was still going strong, and I had that ying-yang feeling about wanting to stay longer vs. being ready to leave.

The next morning, I opened the gift bag that had been given to us at the day event.  Wow, it was chock full of products I can’t wait to try!

And so ends a post about a spectacular day in my life.  I am so lucky.  I can’t thank Women’s Health Magazine enough for this experience.  The lessons learned will stay with me.

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