OMG Ladies: Are you aware of how close summer is? Time to get that body ready for the beach and your cute bikinis! My secret weapon to staying in shape is called Jenny from My Body Toning and she is finally back in Zurich after a break. I used to be a couch potato before I started to work out with Jenny, simply because she is a highly motivating and challenging trainer who changed the way that I look and to my surprise made me discover that I do enjoy sports.
If you are in Zurich, you can join me in the best bootcamp in town now: From the 4th of June to the 14th of July, My Body Toning is organizing a bootcamp in the Seefeld with a mix of Pilates, Barre and Functional Exercises that will tone your body and improve your posture. You can lose some kilos which you gained during the cold season while having fun with the girls, indoors and out.
Tuesday & Thursday 7.30 to 8.15 pm & Saturday 9
to 10 am. Book the complete six weeks (18 sessions
for CHF 490) or pick single sessions (CHF 29).
There are only ten spots available, so sign up fast. with writing an E-Mail to jenny(at)mybodytoning.com
The Ladies Bootcamp is gonna happen here: My Body Toning, Feldeggstrasse 4, 8008 Zürich
It was exactly one year ago when I experienced a sudden need for change: I felt that my lifestyle could be improved and it was time to take better care of myself. Long hours for my job at a branding agency and on top being model, photoshop wizard and girl for everything for my blog had left his marks.
I didn’t feel as fit as I wished, even if I never had issues with overweight. A glass of champagne at endless blogger events, compensation of stress through chocolate and my main exercise being a few steps to the bus were just not the best I could do for my future. Besides, as a fashion girl, it just matters to me that I fit into all crazy dresses and they look good on me.
Before I had a concrete plan, the plan found me: My blogger friend Jesca Li released a post, about her experience with a program at Atlas Transformation in Zurich that combines one-to-one EMS personal training (electrical muscle stimulation), a metabolism cure and weekly semi-personal training group sessions (once or twice per week training with 3-8 attendees). What convinced me was the proof in form of her before and after pictures: The difference is just remarkable and I thought if she could do this, I could too. Before I had second-thoughts I booked my first appointment.
When I arrived at the gym which is at a very central location very close to Bellevue I was positively surprised: Atlas Transformation turned out to be nothing like the gyms I’ve known, but a small and sophisticated studio that makes you feel comfortable whenever you step in. My trainer Jenny and I had a lovely chat about my goals and right from the beginning I felt in good hands and still love her encouraging and positive way.
I started with EMS and the Barre Fusion class, both once a week. In the beginning, the training was very challenging for me: I never did a plank before and my coordination was just a disaster. But the newly found motivation kept me going and it also helped to get in touch with the girls from my group training to exchange experiences. I love the EMS training because of its effectivity: The electrical impulses target muscle reactions while you train and that’s what makes a short 30 minutes feel like an hour of regular workout. I usually do the EMS during my lunch break. That they have amazing plant-based healthy snacks such as a delicious acai bowl is very handy then.
During the personal training sessions, Jenny is always generous with inspiration, as an example, it was her who made me fall in love with smoothies and say goodbye to alcohol almost completely. All she needed was to tell me once: No pressure, no sinister words of warning, just motivation! Being a vegetarian since I was fourteen I also decided to go fully plant-based and it was extremely helpful that a wholesome plant-based diet is part of the Atlas Transformation philosophy.
It didn’t take long until I saw results and that hooked me up for more. I kept my curves but my body changed and I even fit into the clothes I used to wear when I was 17, omg! And indeed my metabolic age went from 22 to 19, I dropped my weight by 5 kg, decreased my body and visceral fat with keeping my muscle weight at the same time. I reached my finetuning goals for my shape, gained posture improvement and increased my body awareness through this training combination.
But the probably most surprising part of my change is that I started to enjoy exercise. I didn’t want to admit it in the first place because I carefully built the image of being the pale fashion girl who despised sports, but now it’s time to get rid of that old me: New me feels better, healthier and happier and you just can’t keep her from going!
And here comes my before and after picture, just unretouched and without tricking with perspectives and clothing:
Get 20% discount on an EMS and/or semi-personal training package with the code SaraIsInLoveWith. Book online
Valid for 10 or 20 sessions Personal Express Experience 30 min and 10 or 20 sessions Personal Training Groups packages till 31.7.2018.
Yes, it’s time to get into the mood for Christmas, think about gifts and decoration and get ready! Don’t you spot cookies and tinsel in all shops?
In Zurich, Christmastime means Swarovski-Time: Probably the city’s most famous festive attraction is the sparkling tree by the Austrian jewellery label. For many years it has been in the historical hall of the main station to charm pedestrians and Christmas market visitors alike. The fantastic tree, which is decorated with 6500 to 7000 ornaments, will be there for the 20th time. There are other Swarovski trees in cities such as Moscow, Milano, and Dubai, but Zurich was first. How cool is that?
Year after year I am one of the many people standing in front of the tree with big eyes (and hopefully a mulled wine in my hands). The first time when I saw it as a teenager I was very impressed because it’s unlike any other Christmas tree. I had to think of a giant crystal sculpture from a fairy tale. Since then seeing the tree became a ritual, and I can’t imagine Christmas in Zurich without this tree.
Don’t miss the lightning event! It will take place on the 23rd of November, 19 o’clock. I’d be so happy to see some of you guys there. Until 23rd of December, there will be a daily light show from five till the market closes. If you are not in a festive mood yet, I bet a visit there will change this right now. Ho ho ho!
Oh Zurich, you are a place of people dressed the same. Very often you give me the impression there must be an obligatorily gray uniform every citizen has to wear. Because my heart craves for individuality with every breath, this makes me sad. I blame part of it on the shops selling all the same.
Fortunately, there are exceptions: A few days ago I was invited to an event by Jo Brauer, one of the very few fashion stores in this city that goes a different way. They celebrated their location at the Europaallee and a new business software called Paymash, ideal for start-ups and online shops.
Going to Jo Brauer is like love at first sight: If you enter the shop, you instantly feel welcome and almost like at home (it’s just tidier and without the not so nice but necessary things every flat contains). I could spend hours here, admiring the golden vases, stylish boots, fluffy fake fur coats and trendy sunglasses. Brands I adore from all over the world found their home here: Minkpink, Quay Eyeware, Bloomingville and Selected Femme are a few of them, just to drop names.
Jo Brauer was founded by Dusanka Simic, the Sophia Amoruso of Switzerland. Born in Croatia, Dusanka started a business here selling vintage clothes from home a few years ago. Meanwhile, she opened a few pop-up stores and shops until she arrived at her new big jewel at the Europaallee. Dusanka is always on the hunt for the newest and coolest labels, and you can feel her love for the items she sells and her ambition. What she created is a shop unlike any other in Zurich, a true paradise for the searcher of the extraordinary.
Of course, I didn’t leave without a big bag, and maybe you already spotted on Instagram how my home turned a little bit more golden with Jo Brauer. I can recommend this shop; it’s a wonderful place to treat yourself and (hint!!!!) as well the perfect place to find some presents (cause Christmas is coming closer).
Visit Jo Brauer here and don’t forget to like them on Facebook.
Marta: Not just a store, but a cosy place with a lot to discover.
Fashion, jewellery, illustration, accessories (and they listen to good music)
Sparkling earrings from NinaBee
Clothes by Claudia Nabholz, Illustration from Things by JOLLA
Amazing ice cream illustrations by Things by Jolla: The best thing this summer for sure!
Enchanted by the big selection of pretty earrings
You will also find a lot of pretty little things like this temporary tattoos
Part of the area for men on the right side with a lovely rocking chair
Perfect decoration for your home: Framed black and white illustrations
Shopping in Zurich: Boring you think? If you follow the main shopping mile you must have the impression that this city is just home of big major chains and no creative shops. But there is hope: You just have to search a little bit and you will find hidden gems. Such as Marta, a shop that opened recently and is already one of my favourite places in this city. It’s not just a shop, it’s a place that unites fashion, home decor, art and accessories, a place run by three creative women.
Jewellery designer NinaBee, illustrator Andrea Raemy (Things by JOLLA) and fashion designer Claudia Nabholz made their dream come true, when they opened their store together. If you enter the place, you are always greeted in a very warm way and you can really feel the passion and love of this three women for what they do.
Every piece they sell is either made by them or very carefully selected. Huge hand drawn illustrations on the walls and golden tree branches used as cloth hangers are part of the decoration of the shop and make you feel like you are in an enchanted forest. In this lovely atmosphere, it’s a pleasure to shop for jewellery, pretty silk shirts, the newest summer dresses and unusual things for your home. You will leave Marta with a smile on your face, new inspiration in your heart and happily come back.
Visit Marta’s page here and follow them on Facebook.
Address: Marta, Martastrasse 114, 8003 Zurich, Switzerland
