Being injured is no fun.  It usually means you’re not able to do to the things you most often do to stay fit.  I haven’t been able to run or cycle since December.

Since my injury, it’s been hard to be strong in mind and body.  I’ve been using Pilates, Core Balance Water Therapy and heated vinyasa yoga to help strengthen my core muscles to aid in getting my mind and body strong again.

A few weeks ago, I went to the Shape Magazine/Oakley Women’s VIP Progression Session and Ambassador Search Event in San Diego and learned some new ways to stay fit and healthy (even while injured) from some of the current Oakley Ambassadors.

First, we got a chance to do a Bombshell Bootcamp with Cari and Carrie from Houston, Texas.  I didn’t plan on being in the front row and modifying every move but these powerhouse chicks didn’t seem to mind.  We definitely broke a sweat and were warmed up.

After working up a sweat, I got to meet a fellow Registered Dietitian, Marni Sumbal.  Marni is not only an RD but she’s a triathlete (5X IronMan finisher!), coach and vegetarian.  It made me happy to see another vertically challenged, East Coast RD who shared my philosophy about scales (throw them away).  Marni is strong and smart – a fabulous combination!

Later, we got the chance to do some yoga with Lacey Calvert.  It took me about 5 minutes to realize that Lacey was trained by Core Power Yoga (a hot vinyasa studio chain I recently discovered – a CA equivalent of my favorite, Prana Power Yoga in NYC).  Yoga has been my “go-to” exercise modality for many years and Lacey made the crowd laugh while practicing which I find an amazing feat.

San Diego is a gorgeous part of California and Oakley was very generous with a day’s worth of fitness, fun and goodies – the “on-the-spot silkscreen shirt” above from Ink + Cotton was definitely my favorite takeaway!

Me with Chef Monica of MoniMeals.com

I may not have won the Oakley Ambassadorship but it was a pleasure to be invited.

I was glad that I got the chance to do a few things on this trip:

– Drive a long distance by myself (yes, I only drove a dozen times in my life before moving to California)

– Spend quality time with a childhood friend at her house in San Diego and meet a few new people like Monica of MoniMeals.com

– Make the Oakley panel laugh when I told them the tagline of my blog (sorry Duranies, other people chuckle when I mention I write about Duran Duran in addition to fitness, food and family)

– I also learned that even while injured that I’m strong!

Disclosure:  I received an invitation and gift bag from Oakley Women and Shape Magazine for this event but was not financially compensated/asked/influenced to write this post.  All opinions and words are my own.