Ragnar DC: Why you should add this race to your fall calendar

Are you looking for new roads to cover in the DC area? How about 200-ish miles worth of road? Don’t worry, you won’t have to cover all that mileage alone. With Ragnar Washington, D.C., you’ll join a team of 12 and together you'll tackle the course, Cumberl

Hydration tips for humid DC summers

Sweaty summer months can wreak havoc on your hydration levels, but they don't have to. Here's what you need to know about healthy summer H2O habits and how to stay on track.Find the right bottle for your needs: Having water on hand should be a no-brainer,

Your guide to biking in D.C.

This summer, combine sightseeing, socializing and your workout. If you're looking for a new hobby that will allow you to experience D.C. in a fresh new way, consider road biking, an excellent opportunity to cover extensive mileage while burning serious cal

Cycling in a rooftop pool with a sunset view...sign me up!

Who wants to be stuck in a dark cycling room for a workout on a beautiful summer evening? Not me! I want to be in the pool on the rooftop of the Embassy Row Hotel with an amazing view of the city, taking an aqua cycling class. If you too want to be on the

Beat the heat this summer with this protective gear

Despite the summer heat and the sun rays beating down on you, you did it. You got outside and managed to finish your long run, no matter how hard the humidity tried to slow you down. And D.C. folks know just how intense that humidity can be. Getting your w

Where & what local nutritionists eat when they eat out

We all have to eat out occasionally. Whether it be grabbing a quick lunch on the go or heading out to a restaurant with family and friends, eating out is almost unavoidable. If you are trying to eat healthy, eating out may seem like a death sentence, but i

I ate only what a health coach told me to for 30 days

I used to live my life dieting. I would try every diet under the sun and then after that diet was over I would go back to eating the crap I was eating before. It was a constant dieting cycle and it was a problem. In the last 30 days I have completely made

The workout that will make you sweat, sweat till you can't sweat no more

You know those workouts that you hear about, but haven't tried yet because you are a little scared? Well, that was me with SweatBox. I heard the rumors on the street that it was the hardest thing ever and someone once told me they had puke buckets in class

Gym bag essentials to get you from the locker room to the office

Busy D.C. schedules leave little time to spare. Often the only time you can squeeze a workout in is early in the morning, right before you’re headed to work. And those precious early morning moments might mean you have to get ready for work at the gym. Wit

FitReserve spices up the workout game with D.C. launch

Say goodbye to the days of having a gym membership to one specific gym, and say hello to adding variety into your daily workout routine. There are so many awesome gyms in the DMV, so why do we have to commit to just one? Well, you don't! FitReserve, which

Getting Fit in the City: Exercises you can do anywhere

Free workout + Awesome View = WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

How to banish the Sunday Scaries & start your week strong

When your weekend is winding down, keep your spirits high. The best way to start off a healthy week is to rid yourself of the Sunday Scaries and face the week with positivity. If Sunday's leave with you with a mix of misery, anxiety, and a serious longing

Caps fans prepare to #RockTheRed in round two of playoffs

We've got to hand it to the Washington Capitals -- they are marketing geniuses. Last season, they hosted a fan rally with Mayor Muriel Bowser -- who declared April 14 day officially Rock the Red day to commemorate the first game of the playoff run, owner T

I tried a home health test and here is what I found out...

As a busy working woman I often struggle to fit everything into my schedule in a timely manner (like waiting till the last day of the month to get my car inspected). And unless I’m physically maimed I find it way too easy to put off those non-essential do

Kitten yoga is the purr-fect way to unwind

Find your zen with cats.

Meet the littlest Caps fan who will be #RockingTheRed tonight!

Meet Mary Elizabeth York Allen, the Caps newest (and possibly cutest!) fan!

I'm only going to eat what a health coach tells me to for 30 days

I love food. Unhealthy food and healthy food -- more so unhealthy food...What can I say, I'm human. And if you have read some of my posts on DC Refined, you have probably realized that I like to try out new workouts, diets, and try to live a healthy lifest

How going in a -130 degree chamber could help your body...

To most people being in a -130 degree chamber like structure for three minutes doesn't sound so appealing, but if you have some muscle aches and pains, inflammation in your body or even some extra pounds you want to shed, maybe you should think again.Whole

7 reasons you should try a tri this summer

Experiencing a workout rut and tired of that same old running route? It’s time to mix things up with a new challenge that’s going to keep you on your toes, will vary your workouts and will take your motivation sky high. Sound appealing? Consider signing up

Where to learn how to play a new sport this spring

Have you ever wished you could ride gracefully on a horse while hitting a tiny ball, or swing a tennis racket at the perfect angle to get that point? Well, wish no more! We have gathered a list of places in the DMV and beyond that will teach you how to rid

Spring Refresh: Workout gear trends & must have pieces

One sure-fire way to find extra motivation to workout? Fresh workout gear. While a cute new top or the hottest leggings won’t ensure you’ll hit your half marathon personal best, the better you feel during your workout, the harder you’ll want to work to con

How many calories you ACTUALLY burn in a workout according to a Fitbit

We have all seen the catchy headlines claiming you'll, burn 1,000 calories an hour with this simple workout! But is it true? How many calories do you actually burn in those trendy boutique fitness classes? I decided to put some group fitness classes in the

DC Rollergirls skate into their 2017 season

These are probably the coolest women in D.C.

Man set to run Rock n' Roll marathon after being hit by stolen car in D.C.

November 4, 2013 started like any other day for Nicholas Nguyen -- he went to work, went home, and went out for his evening run. I was not always a runner. I only started running when I moved to D.C. for work and didn't know many people. Running allowed me

Who knew getting wrapped like a mummy could be so relaxing!

There are so many trendy ways to stay healthy these days. Whether it be juicing, souping and juicing (it's a thing), floating in a tank or wrapping yourself up like a mummy, everyone has a different approach to health -- and thank you to all the health nut

18 nutritionist approved packaged snacks

D.C. is the 9th healthiest city in America

It seems like everyone is a health-nut these days. Eating right and exercise have become the norm; gone are the days of pizza and beers for dinner! Well, most days...Wallethub conducted an in-depth analysis of the Healthiest Cities in America for 2017, and

Learn how to play the addictive game of Squash at Squash on Fire

When I think of squash, I think of spaghetti and butternut, or even squashing a bug. Maybe I have been living under a rock, but I had no idea there was a sport called Squash, or that it's an amazing workout! When I heard about Squash I knew I had to try it

5 pantry staples for a healthy home

A major trick to easy home cooking is to a have a well-stocked pantry at the ready. With key healthy ingredients always on hand, you’ll avoid last minute trips to the grocery store and desperate take out orders when you could be whipping up a homemade heal

7 strategies for winter race training

Despite the dropping temperatures, if you've signed up for a race in the early part of 2017, you've got to get out and train. As long as you’re strategic and keep your safety in mind, you can still get in those training runs and get to the start line prepp

How to recommit to your 2017 resolutions

On January 1 you probably felt very motivated about your long list of resolutions. Whatever your resolutions were, it's been a month, and maybe you've lost that drive. Don't worry, if you let your dedication slide in the first month of 2017, it's not too l

Beat the cold! 5 places to stay active while staying indoors

Anyone who lives in the DMV, knows the weather is like riding a roller coaster. One day the high is 70 and the next day it’s cold and icy. So where do you go when you want to get off the couch and do something active and have fun?Golf The perfect place to

Washingtonians ditch their heels for hockey skates and broomball

The Washington Capitals may have discovered their next big star last night… and she’s wearing heels! With temperatures near 70 degrees outside, more than 250 members of the Scarlet Caps, the team’s women’s fan club, filed into the Kettler Capitals Iceplex

5 best pieces of workout equipment for home workouts

Was your New Year's Resolution to work out more, but you don't have the time or the money to buy a gym membership? Don't let that stop you from being fit in 2017! I teamed up with health and nutrition coach and personal trainer, Emily Newman to find out th

Redskins dads: Meet the kids behind the players

5 tips to help keep those pesky New Year's Resolutions

We have all set a New Year's Resolution at some point in our life, whether it be to lose weight, eat less sugar or save money, they all seem to disappear after a few months... or let's be real honest a few weeks. But why is that? Maybe our goals aren't att

My favorite workouts I tried in 2016

I love working out -- It's my me time. I wake up early, get to the gym by 6:30 a.m. and take an hour out of my day to not think about anything else. When I joined the DC Refined team, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to combine my passion for fitness

Tips for staying fit & sane over the holidays from SoulCycle's Sunny Mae

The holidays are a stressful time, especially for those who are trying to stick to a strict diet or fitness routine. Family, friends, food, parties all get thrown into the mix and before you know it you've eaten a whole box of cookies, your three drinks in

How a first time skier conquered her fear and tackled the Massanutten slopes

I’m willing to blame my discomfort in the snow on a lifetime in California.Except for a glorious 5-minute sprinkling of flakes that melted a foot off the ground when I was 8 and attempting to tube down some slush a few years later, I’d managed to avoid sno

5 tips to stay healthy through the holidays

With a holiday party every weekend, family gatherings and a New Years bash in sight, the last couple of weeks of December might seem like the perfect time to give up on balance and just eat that extra piece of pie. While it's totally acceptable to indulge

30 Day Challenge: I think I've gone MAD for MADabolic

My 30-days at MADabolic have come to an end and I find myself choosing to walk on my hands instead of my feet, lifting very heavy things just to put them down, and jogging everywhere instead of walking. Okay, just kidding, but I feel so much stronger than

Last minute healthy holiday gift guide (Plus special deals!)

Maybe you waited until the last minute to get all of your giftings in order, but don't worry, you can still pull together thoughtful gifts that your health and fitness-loving friends and family will be obsessed with (no rush shipping or mall visits require

The Nats warm up their fans at Winterfest

Runners 'Jingle all the Way' to the 5k finish line

MADabolic: Halfway through my 30-day challenge

Remember when I first wrote about MADabolic, before I started this 30-day challenge and I said that slide boards would be your worst enemy? Well, scratch that because now I think that the assault bikes are my new worst enemy, actually I know that for a fac

Holiday themed races that will have you jingling all the way

Just because the cold weather has settled in and old man winter is right around the corner doesn't mean those running shoes have to gather dust. There are still plenty of ways to log those miles by participating in a fun holiday-themed run! Here are seven

Bring the Caps into your home with the 2017 Caps Canine Calendar

It's no secret that here at DC Refined we love, love, love pets! And we really love anything that helps adoptable animals find their forever homes! Oh, and we don't mind photos of handsome men with really cute dogs either. So when we find something that co

15th annual Thanksgiving Day Trot for Hunger

Spoiler alert: You can actually eat on the Grateful Juice cleanse

If you are hungry, eat! This is what I was told by Grateful Juice owner, Kimberley Landini, and that I did. I ate while on a juice cleanse and still reaped all the benefits, if not more, from the process than someone who doesn't eat while juicing. Have you

The 5 best Spotify playlists to listen to while workin' on your fitness

If you are anything like me, music is what helps you get motivated and through a long run or hard workout. I hate having to switch the song in the middle of a workout, so finding a good playlist is basically a necessity prior to hitting the gym. If you hav

The Beginning: 30-days of MADabolic

Okay, so this 30-day-challenge thing is something we've taken a liking to at DC Refined if you can tell. My 30-day hot yoga challenge ended and about a week later I started up at MADabolic in Arlington, Va. So first I will introduce you to what MADabolic i

Simone Biles and squad come to D.C. for Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics

30 Day Hot Yoga Challenge: I came, I saw, I conquered!

I have completed my 30-day hot yoga challenge at Mind the Mat Del Ray, which basically turned into a hot pilates challenge because I fell in love with hot pilates in the process. I will start off by saying if you can do a headstand without practice or go f

ROWViGOR: The D.C. area's first ever rowing gym

You've probably seen a rowing machine in the corner of a gym with dust slowly gathering on it because nobody ever uses it or maybe people are just scared of using it. I was the person who never used the rowers because I felt like I never had the correct fo

24 hours of Solidcore-- we promise it's not as scary as it sounds

Raise your hand if you remember how you celebrated your third birthday? Well, we guarantee Solidcore will! For their third anniversary, the full-body workout -- which counts Michelle Obama as a fan -- is hosting 24 continuous hours of classes. Beginning at

The 41st annual Marine Corps Marathon in photos

We are halfway through our hot yoga challenge and still loving it

I have found a new obsession and it goes by the name of Hot Pilates! I know what you are probably thinking, but this is a Hot Yoga challenge, and I know I know, but one of the rules of my challenge was that I could take any HOT class offered at Mind the Ma

Ways to workout in D.C. without a gym membership

There are so many benefits of living in D.C, great restaurants, nightlife, and it's just so darn beautiful. Some downsides include the cost of living and the extreme amount of money gyms want you to pay for a membership. So maybe you have decided to save m

If you haven't run these 5 D.C. races, add them to your bucket list now

If you love exploration via races, sure you can go the destination route and get out of town, but you can also stay close to home for exciting race opportunities. The D.C. area hosts a variety of races, from 5ks to marathons, road races to trail races, cit

Pompoms and waterproof eyeliner: Getting game-day ready with the First Ladies of Football

Two Caps players embracing clean eating to prolong their careers

It’s a little after noon in a small, but pleasant locker room in Arlington. The Washington Capitals have just completed their morning practice. Thirty-one-year-old Jay Beagle emerges from a meeting guzzling down what appears to be a purple homemade liquid

Rivalry game: The Redskins beat the birds and fans love it

7 spooktacular Halloween themed races around the DMV

Halloween is such a fun holiday - You get to dress up in a cool costume and eat enough candy to feed a small village.So before you consume all that sugar, get your heart rate up by participating in one of these fun Halloween themed races...then you can fee

Fight Diabetes with this adrenaline-filled festival at FedExField

We get it, being healthy isn’t always fun. Treadmills can be boring, eating broccoli gets repetitive and weightlifting is intimidating. What if we told you that for one day, being healthy would also mean having a blast -- and raising money for diabetes edu

The Beginning: Can I survive 30 days of hot yoga?

Some people hate yoga and some people love it. I don't like regular yoga, but I LOVE hot yoga! I have always found it very hard to sit still in a regular yoga class, but when it comes to hot yoga, I have no problem. I guess you could call me a true hot yog

Dog-friendly fitness: Tips for running with your four-legged friend

If you’re a runner with an energetic pup, it’s a no-brainer to invite your furry friend along as you log your miles. It’s a win-win; you and your dog get fresh air and exercise while spending time together. You’ll burn calories and your dog will be exhaust

What you can accomplish in 30 days with ClassPass

In 30 days I have kickboxed, bellied up to the barre (no, not the fun kind) and spun so hard I thought my legs would fall off. I've grunted through countless iterations of high-intensity interval training and would be fine if I never saw another kettlebell

4 simple tricks to amp up your running routine

The extreme summer heat has finally abated, and let's all say hello to fall! If summer humidity kept you on the treadmill for the last few months, now is the time to switch it up. Fall, with its crisp and breezy temperatures, is the ideal season to log you

Into the Hogs’ Pen: Game day at One Loudoun

The Washington Redskins were facing another make-or-break situation Sunday as they traveled to MetLife Stadium to square off against the then-undefeated New York Giants.We ventured into the Lions' Den Hogs' Pen, at Hail & Hog, the Redskins-themed eatery th

Matbox, the knock-out workout that will have you begging for a nap

You know how annoying it is when celebrities are asked what they do to keep their phenomenal figures and they nonchalantly answer Oh you know, just yoga and pilates a few times a week and we never really believe them? Or maybe that's just me? Well, it cert

The Redskins are back to "Fight for old D.C."

The First Ladies of Football take the field

Two Flywheel instructors spill the beans on life and being fit

Do you ever wonder where your favorite Flywheel instructor eats, shops, and plays in D.C.? Or how they keep their perfect physiques while also living a normal life (we all need the occasional cocktail)? We caught up with two of Flywheel's City Center instr

Tips for a successful destination race

Destination races are a perfect way to explore a new city, run a totally new-to-you route and to bring a little exercise and challenge into a vacation. There are a bunch of stellar race options just a quick drive from Washington, D.C., like the Philadelphi

Redskins Cheerleaders unveil the 2016-2017 swimsuit calendar

Do you have what it takes to get MAD(abolic)?

Welcome to a world where slide boards are your worst enemy and skiing indoors is a thing. Welcome to MADabolic, an intense interval training workout designed entirely around work-to-rest ratios.MADabolic will officially open in Arlington on Monday, Septemb

How to become a morning (workout) person

Living in a bustling city like D.C., if you don't get your workout done first thing in the morning, there's a good chance it won't happen at all. Late nights at work, last minute happy-hour invitations or general end-of-the-day exhaustion can keep you from

Redskins Homecoming: 10 questions with golden boy Vernon Davis

It’s a homecoming with all the makings of a Hollywood movie: man works hard, climbs to the top of his profession, achieves a lifelong dream and comes home a hero. But such is real life for new Washington Redskins tight end, Vernon Davis.Long before he beca

It's time to try defying gravity ... with aerial yoga

“Welcome to Cirque du Soleil auditions!” Susan Park, the owner of Spark Yoga Studio, cheerfully greets her novice students perched in hammocks awaiting the Sunday afternoon Aerial Yoga Basics class. She’s kidding, of course, but this acrobatic yoga practic

Katie Ledecky throws the first pitch at Nationals vs. Orioles

A beginner's guide to rock climbing with Earth Treks Crystal City

For most of us, we have that one sport, that one activity that we wish we were the type of person who participated. It embodies something we want to be, but just haven't found the courage yet. For me, that was definitely rock climbing. I would see walls in

Weight loss surgery ruined my teeth, but for me, it was worth it

I thought it was a nice picture. My wife and I were wrapped in each other’s arms while enjoying a night out together. It was hard for either of us to contain our enthusiasm, so why fight smiling ear to ear?Eager to share our fun with everyone, she posted t

How the Cirque du Soleil Kurios cast gets in shape for showtime

5 easy and healthy beachside snacks

You spent the last few months eating right and working out, ready to feel confident at the beach. But what happens when hunger strikes in the sand? No need to ditch your healthy habits, even when in the midst of an oceanside getaway. With plenty of beach o

30 days of Solidcore: Surviving and Thriving

The last time we chatted, I think it was pretty obvious I had drank the Solidcore kool-aid. I was not shy about the fact that I was addicted -- and nothing has changed. I finished my month-long experiment (three times weekly for one month) with the workout

(Almost) 20 questions with Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan

The dog days of summer are currently baking the DMV. The unrelenting heat and humidity make breathing a difficult chore. And the fair-skinned among us are paying a steep price for not slathering on a thick layer of the highest SPF available.Yet, for footba

What day 1 looks like inside Redskins training camp

What I learned while doing the Whole30

I have completed my Whole30 and I am down nine pounds, I feel amazing, and my energy levels are through the roof! At the beginning of this journey, I didn't think the end would ever come. I was counting down the days and obsessing over meals, now I natural

The Citi Open tennis tournament in photos

What are your favorite Redskins doing this off-season?

Walking your way to weight loss, with a history lesson on the side

Almost seven years ago, I lost 265 pounds by walking at least five miles a day. There was a lot more that went into it, but those steps essentially became my sole purpose in life. Pavement was pounded rain or shine along a stretch of the Custis Trail in Ar

Whole30 Week 4: My favorite recipes

I have 13 more days in my Whole30 and I am not lying when I say that I can see the outlining of my abs and I am feeling wonderful!Today I am going to share with you my favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes, as well as some healthy snacks because le

Whole30 Week 3: Prepare, prepare, prepare!

Today is the first day of the third week of my Whole30.I can't believe that I survived this long without a big slice of pizza! So far I have avoided hot dogs at a Nationals game, hamburgers and macaroni salad on the Fourth of July, cake on my dad's birthd

What happens if you take Solidcore three times a week for one month?

Solidcore. In the past, the name alone was enough to strike fear into my heart and leave me cowering in the corner consoling myself with chocolate. So why on earth would I volunteer for torture and agree to take Solidcore classes three times a week for one

Surviving the 4th of July on the Whole30

It is officially day eight of my Whole30 journey.I guess it was not the smartest decision for me to start my Whole30 right before the 4th of July weekend! It was a struggle, to say the least... no hotdogs, no hamburgers, no cocktails and no corn on the co

See some of tennis' best at the 2016 Citi Open

The Citi Open is breaking the rules of tennis tournaments.Okay, not really. But it's definitely not the typical stuffy event often associated with tennis.Founded by Donald Dell in 1969, it soon became (and continues to be) the only tournament in the world