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Motivation is a funny thing. We can find it in the most obscure places. Sometimes we can’t find it at all. But when we get right down to it – all the motivation we need is already inside us. We just need to let it out.

Enter the Apogee Challenge – a dig deep competition of the willing. On the first of each month, participants can register at either our Bedford Hills or White Plains location to take part – All you have to do is sign in and exercise 28 days out of the month.

Easy right? Well for a little extra motivation, (not that you need it) participants who complete the challenge can even win a $200 Whole Foods Gift Certificate just for sticking it out.

Aside from the obvious physical benefits, consistent exercise can also reduce stress, increase creativity and brain function, allow for better relaxation and build self-confidence. So, if you’re looking to step up to the challenge, here are some easy ways to stay motivated:

Have a Goal – No matter how big or small, having a goal will help keep you focused. This can be done both in a daily goal and a monthly objective.

Surround Yourself with Motivated Peers – you know the saying, “Birds of a feather . . .” well, the same holds true for motivation. By surrounding yourself with positive energy and a little healthy competition, you’ll be creating a better environment to reach your goals.

Reward Yourself – Don’t be afraid to indulge after reaching one of your objectives. After all, that’s one of the perks!

Continue to Challenge Yourself – As you move on, you’ll find certain things you love and some that you’ve even mastered. Great! Now move on and face the next challenge. Keep your body, mind and energy fresh.

Now it’s time to step up to the Apogee Challenge. And, if you think it’s not for you, we want to challenge you to create a mini competition of your own. Set a goal and go for it! Only ours has a $200 Whole Foods Gift Certificate. Either way, you’re on your way.

It can be hard to maintain a healthy diet. Counting calories, deciphering ingredients – it can all get overwhelming. Well, forget that. We want to share one of the most basic ways to determine a healthy meal – just use your eyes.

See, the natural pigments that give foods like fruits and vegetables their color also have beneficial nutritional properties. By including foods in a variety of colors, you can add nutrition and vitality to any meal. We want you to literally eat a rainbow every day!

Side note: We’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day so eating a nutritional rainbow and posting a picture below or to our Facebook and Twitter page by March 22 may very well lead you to a pot of gold – a 3-day guest pass. See below for details.

So why is it important to eat a rainbow and not just your favorite fruit or veggie? Well, a study in the medical journal, Nutrition states that the variety of vitamins and antioxidants absorbed from a range of sources can, even in small amounts, provide greater health benefits than consuming only a few types of vegetables in large quantities. Here are some good places to start:

Red. Colored by lycopene, red foods like cherries, beets, grapefruit, watermelon and even red potatoes and wine help reduce risk of several types of cancer, including prostate cancer.

Orange. Colored by carotenoids, foods like mangos, persimmons, apricots, yellow apples and sweet corn are vital to healthy eye sight and may reduce the risk of heart related diseases.

Green foods are colored by chlorophyll and lutein. Honeydew melon, onions, limes, kiwi and avocado can all help protect against cancer, fight cataracts and reduce the risk of birth defects due to the high amounts of folate often found in green veggies.

Blue foods like plums, eggplant, juneberries and raisins are colored by the pigment anthocyanin which is a powerful antioxidant helping to protect cells against damage and improve memory all while fighting against strokes and many forms of cancer.

So, now that you know the benefits – why not show us what ya’ got? We want to see pictures of your favorite, colorful meals. Post pictures and recipes below or on Facebook and Twitter, join the conversation by liking us and participate to win prizes. This time we’re giving out a free 3-day guest pass. The contest ends March 22, 2011 so be sure to get your picture entries in soon!

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent – A time when many look to cut extravagance and sacrifice a vice or two in the process. But today is different. It’s Mardi Gras and that means anything goes.

Ahh, Fat Tuesday. One last shot of indulgence just before we resolve to forgo some of our most cherished pleasures. Today, many will venture out in the spirit of Mardi Gras by celebrating at home or with friends in traditional New Orleans fashion. And that can only mean one thing – fried food, drinks and more food. But have no fear – we’re here to let you know you can still take a dip into indulgence and come through the other side unscathed and with balanced nutrition intact.

First things first – don’t be afraid to treat yourself. While it can be tough to make it through a party eating the right foods, it’s even harder going through a party not eating at all! Take a small serving of your favorite dish, recite the mantra “Everything in Moderation” and enjoy yourself. Happiness is a vital key to a healthy lifestyle.

Now, with that out of the way – make sure to eat your salads and greens first. Leafy greens are packed with fiber which can truly make you feel full while providing a great source of nutrients. Research even indicates that those who eat a salad before a meal cut up to 20% off their overall calorie intake.

When you’re done with your greens, try grabbing a dish you know contains protein. Proteins will fill you up and keep you blood sugars level – this will come in handy later on when that King Cake is staring you in the face. Time-honored New Orleans recipes are packed with protein if you know where to look. These include red beans and rice, shrimp gumbo and Creole chicken. Trust us – you’ll be cutting the calories but not the flavor with these options.

Last, but not least – hydrate. Water will help keep you full as well as aid in the digestion process. Having a cold drink in hand will also prevent you from grabbing a fizzy, sugary one. If you’re looking to celebrate with a few cocktails, try alternating a mixed drink with water every other glass. Again, moderation is key here and be responsible. And, let’s face it – we could all use a little more water throughout the day.

With these tips in mind, you’ll be wondering why they even call it Fat Tuesday at all. And if you’re cooking at home, check out some of these great recipes we found for a Mardi Gras with a healthy twist:

Blackened Salmon Sandwich, Fried Green Tomatoes and Diabetes Friendly King Cake

Most importantly, have fun, be safe and enjoy. Happy Mardi Gras, everybody!

APOGEE Anniversary Facebook Contest
Prizes Every Week, plus One Grand Prize!

March is the one-year anniversary of APOGEE White Plains and we’re planning a month-long celebration. It’s also been one year since we started bringing you wellness information from APOGEE instructors and staff on this blog.

And this blog is where our anniversary celebration starts. Twice a week we’ll be posting a question in this blog space and on our Facebook and Twitter accounts: 10 questions in all. The answers can be found somewhere in our blog entries—just hit the “older entries” arrow at the bottom of each blog post or use the “Categories” or “Archives” lists on the right to delve into the blog history to find your answer.

Post your answer on our Facebook page as a comment. There is more than one answer to each question, so be sure to post an answer even if someone else has already submitted one.

Daily Prizes: We’ll draw one winner from all of the answers posted to each question–prizes include skincare products from the APOGEE line and clothing from the APOGEE Shop.

Weekly Prizes: At the end of each week, we’ll draw one winner from all of the entries posted that week—prizes include massage sessions, nutrition and life coaching consultations, private Pilates and fitness sessions and café and retail credit.

Grand Prize: Our Grand Prize is a three-month APOGEE membership! We’ll draw one Grand Prize winner from all of the entries from the month on March 31.

The more questions you answer, the more chances you have to win!

Enjoy the Zen-like beauty of the Hudson River this Saturday and next with Kayoga, a mix of kayaking and yoga, hosted by APOGEE and Hudson River Recreation. No experience necessary—beginner kayakers and yogis are welcome. The trip will start with kayaking instruction, and the guides will continue to teach on the water. The 3-hour tour will take a leisurely paddle around Half Moon Bay and include a relaxing yoga session with APOGEE instructor Noel Clarke on the beach overlooking Half Moon Bay.

The tours start at Croton Point Park and are offered two Saturdays in September—Sept. 19 and 26—from 9 am to noon. Exclusive APOGEE price: $69 (save $10)! Click here to RSVP for a tour.