It’s almost April…We don’t know about you, but we definitely have not kept up our New Year’s Resolutions about getting into shape. BUT we do have 3 easy tips on how to get back on track!

Source: google.com via UrbanJourney on Pinterest

1. USE LITTLE REMINDERS.

• Write your resolutions where you know you’ll see it – try your calendar or daily planner!
• Put encouraging messages on your mirror. (pictures of celebrities in beach attire work well too!)
• Always leave work at 6PM? Set an alarm for 6:01 that says “GO TO THE GYM!”
• Now set an alarm for 6:03 PM that says “SERIOUSLY! GO TO THE GYM!”

2. DON’T GET BORED. We know… Going to the gym every week, doing the same exercises over and over can be very monotonous. So change it up!

• Use YouTube for an at home work out. We recommend 8 minute abs – It’s funny but tomorrow your abs will be too sore to laugh!
• Add in a Pilates group class, go for a walk around Marina Bay at sunset or even a bike ride at your favourite park.
• Make a fun playlist. Music is the perfect way to get through your day… and workout! Here’s our favourite top ten right now:
• Get a gym buddy!  Find a friend (real or imaginary) who’ll kick your butt!·
• Make it a date! Catch up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while or sweat it out with a significant other. Couples who work out together, stay together!
• Do what Carmen Electra does and work out in your heels! Who says fashion and fitness don’t mix?

3. SET WEEKLY GOALS

• No one works out 24/7 – Even Natalie Portman didn’t train all day everyday to get in shape for Black Swan.
• Be realistic. Give yourself achievable milestones.
• If you achieve what you set out to do, reward yourself – and feel good about it.

Do you have any useful tips on how to get back into shape? Share them with us!

We launched UrbanJourney.com with a desire to bring you the best of the best. We did well, but we also know we’ve just barely scratched the surface.

And that’s why we’ve been so quiet lately – we’re in the process of making sure every place we feature and every offer we bring you are from places we love. We’ve been out finding spots with the best service, food and vibes in Singapore, and soon we’ll be sharing them with you via great promotions and a brand new blog.

We’re going to introduce you to a whole new world, from the coffee shop with the CBD’s   most addictive coffee, to nights out under the Marina Bay skyline, restaurants with the best food and service in Singapore, and a bunch of weekend getaways to help you get that relaxation you crave.

So in the meantime, stay tuned to our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and blog pages – we’ll be giving you updates as to what’s happening as well as entertaining you on the way.

Thanks for your awesome support so far and see you soon.

The UrbanJourney.com Team

]]> http://urbanjourney.com/blog/2012/03/urbaninsider-what-have-we-been-up-to-at-urbanjourney-com/feed/ 1 http://urbanjourney.com/blog/2012/01/1624/ http://urbanjourney.com/blog/2012/01/1624/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:45:46 +0000 Urban Journey http://urbanjourney.com/blog/?p=1624 Continue reading →]]> GET READY FOR A BRAND NEW JOURNEY….

We’re going away for a couple of weeks – but when we come back, we’re going to help you take Singapore by storm. In the mean time, we’ll be keeping you entertained here and on Facebook.

Stay cool, see you soon.

If you have any questions for us at anytime, please feel free to drop us a line at info@urbanjourney.com.

Today’s deal is at a place that has been a lifesaver for us here at UrbanJourney.

A few months back on a Sunday night, I discovered Ayuthaya Spa on Telok Ayer Street (other locations: Pan Pac Orchard and Gallery Hotel). The smell of lemongrass wooed me in and I decided to try out their Thai Massage. Often (accurately) dubbed as “lazy man’s yoga,” this incredible massage left me both relaxed and energized – quite a different feeling from the normal Swedish massage. After that one hour session, I was hooked, and have gone back religiously week after week. This is something I recommend for those of you who are stressed out and/or tired. I’ve alternated between ending the week on Friday nights or starting fresh on Sunday evening with a massage, and all I know is I wish I could do this everyday.

I hope you enjoy the Ayuthaya experience as much as I have been.

Regards,

Raj

Co-founder of UrbanJourney.com

Good news!  Starting today, you will see many of our travel deals with 2 different pricing and payment options.  While you will always have the opportunity to pay the full amount upfront, on selected travel deals we will be giving you the option to make an initial payment that allows you to “reserve” the rate!

For example, on today’s deal at The Bell Phuket, you can pay $317 of the $1849 today and the balance upon making your reservation.  Since all of our deals are only available for a limited time, we’ve done this to allow you a bit more time to firm up your plans before spending.  Further, since today’s deal is valid until April 15th, 2012 (with some blackout dates in between – all T+C available here), there will be plenty of time to use it!

Do let us know if you have any questions on this new feature by shooting us an e-mail at Support@UrbanJourney.com.  Safe Travels!

Cheers,

Raj and Anj

We are taking you to Italy for some fine, artisan gelato. Well, not just yet… But today we are taking you, our UrbanJourney Members, to Latte e Miele to experience the next best thing right here in Singapore!

I (Anj) happened to walk into Latte e Miele recently and met June, the uber friendly owner, and we got to chatting. I got to learn all about her and her great gelato shop.  This is certainly different than any other gelato I’ve tried, and I figured out why!  All of the gelato is made fresh, EVERY single morning with no added preservatives.  There is no mixing of flavors, as is usually the case, and each of June’s batches are made in small quantities. Delicious.

If you want to come try it out, come on down to Golden Shoe Carpark for a pit stop and ’chill’ out and relax during your arduous work day.

And even when you’re busy tackling the world, you still need entertainment. With a knack for knowing what the Singaporean working woman wants, The Singapore Women’s Weekly reflects her desires, needs and interests in life. The Singapore Women’s Weekly offers stories on real women, the latest in glamour, beauty and fashion, as well as inspirational features on food and homes.

Today’s Deal is one of our favourites yet, as it combines 2 major brands that we all know and love.  The Singapore Women’s Weekly is one of SG’s top rated magazines, brought to us by the great group over at ACP Magazines. Adeva Spa is the sprawling and beautiful 9,500 square foot spa @ Paragon on Orchard Road.

We’ve combined the 2 to give you a massive discount to 2 of their prime products:
a.) A 1 year subscription to Women’s Weekly (U.P. $50.50)
b.) Their Award-Winning 60 minute Triplex Massage (U.P. $192.60)  This massage, according to Adeva Spa, “integrates three unique massage techniques – Tui Na, Shiatsu and Swedish, to relieve muscle tension and soothe aches.” It was also awarded ‘Best Anti-Aches Massage’ by Harper’s BAZAAR Spa Awards 2010.

Putting this deal together was even more fun, as it involved working with 2 groups working jointly to provide our Members with an incredible deal. Please let us know what you think of this collaboration – would you prefer to see more like it?

When in Rome, you drink espresso. When in Singapore, things don’t have to change. With the mypressi TWIST, it’s now easier than ever before to create authentic espresso and espresso-based drinks.

Working in the CBD definitely has its perks, one of my favourites (no pun intended) is the extremely strong coffee from a few of the local outlets.  As you may have seen on www.UrbanJourney.com a few weeks back, we featured our latest addiction – Jewel Coffee.  Since its opening a few weeks ago, it has been the fuel for the late nights and early mornings in the office.  On one of my last few visits, Adrian (the owner) decided to show us one of his new toys.

This badass little espresso maker is one of the cooler things I’ve seen.  It makes the coffee fix fun and easy, and is the perfect ice breaker for meetings!

Enjoy the Buzz,

Raj

We all have our reasons for exercising – whether it’s losing weight, de-stressing or simply because of that feel-good adrenaline rush. One Wellness Fitness Club understands this and caters to all your fitness needs, conducting exciting group classes, one-on-one personal training and more! With classes that teach you yoga and deep relaxation techniques, it’s easy to be healthy and happy.

It took 12 months, 8 yoga schools and countless classes – but recently I finally found the perfect place for my yoga practice.  To me, One Wellness beat out everything else I’ve tried in Singapore – the big schools, boutiques, hot classes, hotter classes, small and big groups – mainly because of one thing: their staff.

The teachers at One Wellness are some of the best I’ve practiced with, and that includes all the schools I’ve tried in New York City and across India.  Aside from their deep knowledge of yoga and it’s impact on the mind and body, what impressed me most is how much they care that each student is doing their practice right.  Their in-class instruction is amazing, and without it I would definitely be doing half my poses wrong!   Yoga is certainly a difficult challenge and for me an uphill climb, but with the help of Dev, Monika and Shivangi it has never felt like I am facing this battle alone.

See you on the mat,

Raj