Victoria Secret Bralettes.

Now for a limited time Victoria Secret Pink is have a sale on these special little sports bras called Bralettes. I have to say these are the most comfortable sports bra I have EVER worn. They are amazingly soft and they aren't so tight they cut off our circulation. I absolutely love to just lounge around the house in them, sleep in them, and do yoga in them. In fact, when I do yoga all I wear is a VS Bralette and VS Yoga Pants. These babies are so comfy that I forget I'm even wearing a bra! They are $16.50 a piece and as of right now they are 2 for $24. There are many ways to wear them. One way is to even layer the under a cute tank top to allow a little bit of the patter on the bra to peak out (This may sound trashy but its absolutely adorable). Another awesome thing is, the back part of the straps unhook so you can criss-cross them for when you wear razor back tanks. Its another reason to fall in love with them! There are nine different colors and patterns: plain black, grey leopard, white, purple, blue leopard, green, yellow, pink, and pink leopard print. I own the yellow, purple, blue leopard, and pink leopard ones. If there was one item that you could buy from Victoria Secret I would say to go for these bralettes, they are HOT right now and flying off the shelves! I believe the sizes either go up to Large or Extra Large. So hurry and buy yours now! Check em' out here!

Gorgeous Post-Workout Hair

I can't go one day without going to the gym. Some days, even when I'm extremely busy, I'll still go and have a sweat session at the gym. I have some awesome tips for ways to get fresh without having to redo your hair. When I'm really tight on time I like to put my hair in a shower cap or tie it back and just wash my body. The reason is, I have pretty long hair and it takes quite some time to blow dry it. I have a few awesome products and tips that I like to use after I workout to tidy my appearance. At the beginning of your workout, put your hair in a bun that you wrap around itself (like a ballerina bun) instead of a pony tail. This will help prevent those nasty hair tie bumps. If your hair won't stay in this style the whole time your at the gym try using a fabric scrunchy rather than a regular hair tie. Once your finished with your workout head into the gym bathrooms. If there is a blow dryer available (or even a hand dryer), flip your head upside down so that way your roots of your hair are exposed, then blast it with the cold setting on the blow dryer until your hair is dry. Once you flip your hair over it should have a bit more life than before. Now, use a dry shampoo, a few good brands are Pssssst, Fredric Fekkai, or Ojon. You can find these at either Target or Sephora. Lift your hair at the roots and spray where it greasy or dull looking, then allow it to dry for a few seconds. After it dries, finger fluff your hair to give it a bit more volume. Lastly, set your hair with hairspray to get the finishing look. Hair spray will make it look glossy and fresh.

You Ate It, Negate It!

Now I got this idea from Shape Magazine. I thought it would be a great thing to post on my blog every once and a while to remind people how many calories certain treats really are and what would would have to do to burn it off! So today I thought, since its Summer and all, that I would list a few things that may be at a Summer BBQ.

One Serving of Chocolate Ice Cream (1/2 Cup)

Calories: 143

Total Fat: 7g

Carbs: 18g

Protein: 2g

How To Burn It Off: Going on a leisure bike ride (under 10 mph) for 40 minutes.

One Serving of Lays Potato Chips (1 oz)

Calories: 150

Total Fat: 10g

Carbs: 15g

Protein: 2g

How To Burn If Off: Kick Boxing for 18 minutes

One Cup of Home Made Potato Salad

Calories: 358

Total Fat: 20g

Carbs: 27g

Protein: 6g

How To Burn If Off: Playing a game of Soccer for 55 minutes

You Can Spin It!

I'm really into staying in shape and eating healthy. I love trying new things and challenging my fitness level! I know that there are many people out there that are trying to get into shape but get bored with the same old routine on the elliptical or are scared at the thought of running; I know that I used to be that way! I actually suffer from allergy induced asthma meaning, that when a normal person's allergies act up and they get itchy watery eyes or a runny nose, I get the feeling of a tight and heavy chest. It feels as if I had an elephant sitting on my chest and I need to take super deep breaths in order to breathe properly. The only way I was able to relieve the feeling temporary was to take puffs from my inhaler, which I absolutely hated. My inhaler made me feel jittery and like I couldn't sit still. One day I turned toward exercise just to see if it would help, and it sort of did. Granite, it didn't work on the first day I exercised, but I promised myself to stick with it for at least a month to see if there would be any results. The first full fledged cardio activity I got into was Spinning. Spinning is indoor cycling class that is usually held at a gym. Its great during those hot Summers when you don't want to exercise outdoors! When I first started it I was terrified that I wasn't going to be able to keep up because I felt as if it were only people that were in shape were going to the classes. Luckily, that was not the case, Spinning is a great workout that is low impact on your joints and you can take it at your own level. I've been doing Spin (and other workouts) at the gym for over 2 years now and I absolutely love it! My lungs have become a lot stronger and things that I never imagined doing before I am now able to do it. I don't even need my inhaler anymore because of my strength now. I highly recommend finding a gym near you that offers Spin classes. You can visit this website and get a free pass to take a class! All you have to do is type your zip code in the box at the top of the page. Then a list of gyms near you that hold the classes will pop up. Look for an icon on the side that says "Free Pass," that means that you can take this class for free once. Click the icon and print out your free pass. Then grab your gym gear and your good to go!

How To Get Fabulous Flat Abs!

This has been a very popular question that people all around the world want the answer to. Its pretty simple, and I'm not just saying that. Its a few simple lifestyle changes. Such as working out more often, limiting sugar, and eating flat belly friendly foods! I will try to make this into a series so that I focus on one part of the body each post (i.e. legs, arms, etc). Now first, onto the exercise!

Exercising;

Tons of people have made the mistake of assuming that the only way to get a flat tummy its to do hundreds and hundreds of crunches. Well, that is part of it but not all of it. You actually have to do Cardio along with all the crunches! Yeah, you heard me! The reason why is when you get your heart rate up that speeds up the fat burning process, which leads to burning belly fat and fat other places! Have a sweat session also will slightly increase your metabolism leading you to burn fat all throughout the day more than you usually would. See how Cardio is an important factor? So, try to keep a steady Cardio plan to do along with the exercises I'm about to explain. Cardio includes anything that gets your heart pumping! It could be dancing (Zumba!), swimming, running, cycling, power walking, or hiking! (Of course there's always more than those options too!) Now FINALLY, on to my ab workouts! The only equipment you need is a Yoga Mat which is optional and 3-8 pound dumbbells! P.S "A" is the beginning pose and "B" is the ending pose.

 A)                                                                          

 

B)

3 Count Leg Lowers 10 Repetitions- Place your hands lightly behind your head and raise your head only off of the pat. Lower legs down in three counts then in one count pull them back to the beginning pose without using momentum.

3 Count Leg Lifts 10 Repetitions- This is the same as the exercise above accept reversed. So starting down ("B" would be the beginning pose now) and raise your legs in three counts then in one count lower them back into the beginning pose.

Bicycle 30 Seconds (Fast or Slow)- Place your hands gently behind your head. Then pull one knee into your chest while extending the other leg. Twist toward the knee that's into your chest. Its as if you were trying to touch your shoulder to your knee while keeping your arms extended, so you can't see them when you look straight forward. Then switch and pull the other leg in and twist the other way.

A)                                                                        

B)

 

Dead Bug 12 Repetitions- Start with arms crossed over your chest and your knees lifted at a 90 degree angle (Picture "A"). Then extend your legs out as if you were trying to touch something far away with your feet. (Picture "B")

Crunches With Knees Down 20 Repetitions- This is just your basic crunch. Place your hands lightly behind your head without interlacing the fingers. Then try to lift your shoulders off of your mat. When doing this exercise try not to have your chin to your chest or you chin to the ceiling. Also, avoid pulling on the neck.

Crunches With Knees Up 20 Repetitions- Same crunch as the exercise above but while holding your knees at a 90 degree angle.

Crunches With Legs Up 20 Repetitions- Once again, same exercise as the "Crunch with Knees Down" but you have your legs extended in the air. 

Ankle Touchers 20 Repetitions- Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet out far enough that you can't touch your ankles just lying there. Lift your shoulders off of the mat. Then extend and lift your arms along side of you. Try to lean to one side and touch your ankle. (When you do it right, you should feel a very tight feeling in your side, this is working your Obliques which are your side abs.) Once you lean to once side, reach toward the other side and touch the other ankle. Once on each side is considered once. So you would reach right then left and that'd be considered one.

Ankle Reaches With Weights 20 Repetition- This is similar to the "Ankle Touches" but your standing. It targets the same area of the abs. First, stand up straight with your legs at hip distance. With your arms down at your sides holding 3-8 pound dumbbells. Reach down once side of your body and then come back to center. Then reach to the opposite side. Once again, doing one on each side is considered one. 

Oblique Crunches 20 Repetitions Each Side- Lie flat on your back and extend one arm to the side and place the other behind your head. The side that the arm is extended on that leg will cross over your other legs knee. So if you have your left arm extended you will cross your left leg over your right knee. Raise up like you are trying to touch your shoulder to your knee but keeping your arms the way they arm. Then switch and do the opposite side. 

Eating Right:

Another huge role in the process to getting flat abs is eating healthy. If you try to cut out at least one bad thing a day it gets you one step closer to that amazing stomach you've always dreamed of! 

What To Eat/Drink:

Fruits and Veggies

Whole Grain or Wheat Bread (Instead of White!)

Almonds (Natural fat fighters!)

Yogurt

Veggie Soup

Salmon and Halibut

Green Tea (Its a natural fat burner!) 

TONS AND TONS AND TONS OF WATER! (I can't stress this enough that you need to drink tons of water!)

These foods/drinks are proven to be great for a flat belly! Just make sure you watch your serving sizes, accept for the fruits and veggies you can have as many of those as you want!

What Not To Eat/Drink:

Foods that are high in bad fat, unhealthy carbs, and sugar.

Soda

Its pretty easy to tell what you should and shouldn't eat. If you just start looking at the nutritional value you'll learn that not everything is flat belly friendly. 

Tips:

When doing the exercises above and just whenever you remember to, pull your belly button into your stomach. That means always keep your abs tightened.

Sometimes when you feel hungry, your aren't actually hungry. Your body just gets confused with thirst. So before you start cooking up a meal. Drink a glass of water and see if that helps.

Blast fun music when working out, it'll make it go a lot faster.

Don't feel guilty if you splurge a bit on a fattening food or something, there's always the next day to fix it.

Keep a log of all your progress, its motivating and keeps you going toward your goal! Also, set a designated time to workout, it'll help you keep on track!

This is an actual picture of me and I wanted to put this in here to show you that it is possible! I'm proof and I actually practice what I preach! If you work hard enough you can get to your goals!

Wanna Start Yoga???

Recently, Yoga has been the new fitness buzz. Everyone talks about it celebrities, health networks, doctors, etc. If you have been interested in trying Yoga but have been procrastinating or just don't know how to get started, videos may be your best option! I have been practicing Yoga for about three years now. The way I first got started was through Gaiam Fitness Videos. This brought out my passion for Yoga. I find that even after having the worst day ever it can make me happy. It has been know to reduce stress, lengthen and sculpt muscles, stretch your body, and make you happier. Not to mention that it has great affects on your skin as well! Your almost always glowing after you practice it! The video that I first used to get into Yoga was called Quick Start Yoga For Weight Loss. The instructors name was Suzanne Deason and she is basically the Yoga Guru for the Gaiam website. She is very easy to follow, takes everything slow for beginners, and has a very soothing voice. When she explains each pose she gives examples that relate to every day life you so can understand it more thoroughly. She takes you through a series of poses that promote weight loss with healthy eating. I found that this video really gave me a jump start to becoming fit, I believe that if I hadn't started out with this video to begin with I wouldn't be as fit as I am today. The video contains two easy to follow videos, one is the weight loss program and the second one is an easy stretching/meditation sequence. The Meditation sequence is perfect for waking up in the morning or winding down at night. There is a guarantee on the website that if you do not like the dvd you can return it within a certain amount of days. But, I'm positive that you won't be sorry when you purchase this video. For equipment, all you need is a simple yoga mat, a yoga strap, and a yoga brick. You can all purchase these on the Gaiam website as well. I hope that this review will get you dying to try Yoga! If you enjoy learning about Yoga and want me to blog more about it or make up Yoga Workouts, make sure you comment below! Oh and don't forget, when practicing Yoga drink plenty of water (out of a re-usable water bottle of course, to save the planet! (:)! P.S There are two different covers for the dvd so make sure you double check the name!

Are you trying to eat healthier?

A lot of New Year's resolutions to eat healthier or diet have probably already been broken, but don't worry there is still time to save it! I have found some great ways to get yourself out of a craving. All you have to do is distract yourself! It has helped me win over the TOUGHEST cravings like a hot fudge cookie sundae or a brownie!

Having a craving??? To get rid of it try...

Going on a bike ride
Taking a bath
Looking at a fitness magazine
Workout
Taking your dog for a walk(Fido will really appreciate it! (:)
Watching a movie
Looking at at Victoria Secret Swim Suits online
Brew a cup of tea
Drink a glass of water (sometimes when you feel hungry you really aren't your just thirsty, your body can get those too confused sometimes)
Turn up your music and start dancing like crazy
Go Swimming
Do your nails
Think of something gross about what your wanting to eat (Then it'll gross you out and you won't eat it)

Just think of anything to keep you distracted and sure enough you'll forget about your craving! Another thing I like to do is think of how bad I'll feel after I eat it and if its really worth it and if your STILL craving it then just go ahead and have a piece of the dang thing, but just make it a small serving.

My Own Personal Workout.

Hey everyone I've decided to do a post on my workout routine. This workout is very effective and each movement is designed by a professional. I just put a bunch that I like all together. Now some may be a bit weird and you may not know what they are but I put definitions down at the bottom. Also if you don't know what some of them are feel free to comment or email me about it (: The equipment I use is a yoga mat and 2 pound weights.

Work Out

Warm-up
Lunges 12 repetitions 2 sets w/ weights per side
Leg Lifts 3 sets of 20
Crunches 3 sets of 20
Side Crunches 25 each side
Bicycle Slow 30 seconds
Reverse Crunch and Regular Crunch 20 repetitions
Boxer Crunch 20 Repetitions
Opposite Elbow with Opposite Leg 15 each side
Bicep Curls 2 sets of 20 repetitions
Tricep extensions 2 sets of 20 repetitions
Bicep Throws 2 sets of 20
Down Dog-Plank-Chaturanga 5-7 repetitions
Clam Thighs 15 repetitions
Hamstring Butt Curls 20 repetitions each side
Booty Crunch 20 repetitions each side
Booty Lift 20 repetitions each side
Gut Buster 3 sets of 20
Pilates 100
Curl ups 12 times 2 sets
Roll-up 4 each side
Plank 30 seconds

Definitions-

Reverse Crunch With Regular Crunch- Hip lift while crunching up

Boxer Crunch- Lean back then go back to center and punch left, then repeat and punch right.

Clam Thighs- Lie down on side, bend and stack legs. Hold parallel to leg on floor and open and close.

Hamstring Butt Curls- Stand on all fours with hands under shoulders and knees under hips. Life up
one leg straight. Then lift to a 90 degree angle and lower back to straight. Repeat on left side

Booty Crunch- Lift one leg parallel to ground. Then try to reach as high as you can. Repeat on other side.

Booty Lift- Raise on leg so its at a 90 degree angle. Then tighten abs and lift as high as you can. Repeat on other side.

Some of these exercises are pilates and yoga stances (:
I also when I have more time like to do other yoga and pilates videos

Board With Your Exercise?

I have a solution! Just about 4 days ago I found out how to use On Demand wit Cox Digital Cable. Now for all you that do not know what On Demand is, is its a menu that you can access (if you have cox) that has stuff such as shows, work outs, and movies that you can catch whenever you want. Now there is some stuff that you have to pay for (such as movies) but certain tv shows and workouts are free. The workouts that I have been using every day are located in the FreeZone category. Once you click that you go to ExerciseTv. Then there are over 20 different exercises you can do for free! They adds new ones every month so you won't get bored. I like to try a new one everyday. There are so many different ones, you'll be bound to find on you love. There is dancing, cardio, yoga, pilates, strength training, and there is even workouts that are specifically designed to work one area. They have exercises from 10 minutes to one hour.

Pilates with Ana Caban

I workout at least once a day, I love the feeling right after I do. It makes me feel energized and happy with my body. I've recently been into yoga and pilates. One of my favorite pilates instructors is Ana Caban, she's amazing! I have her DVD on pilates called Quick Start Pilates for Weight Loss. Not only is there a workout to either lose or maintain weight, there is also a workout to do in the morning to make you feel energized. Now for all you people out there that don't know what pilates is, its a combination between actual workouts and yoga. Its effective but yet calming. Its probably one of my favorite ways to workout! (Next to the wii fit of course ! (:) The workout I do most on this DVD is the 30-minute weight loss program. It tones all over your body. You use thigh, butt, abs, and much more! You definitely will feel the burn the next day, in a good way though! A few examples of the moves she shows are the pilates 100, the roll-up, and hip circles. Its the best bang for your buck! It costs fifteen dollars, and you can buy it at places like Target or even your book store! Expect more reviews about Ana Caban! (:

Deep breathing&relaxation!

Hello everyone. Today I tried a few new exercises. I tried yoga, core rhythms, and an exercise ball. I feel so refreshed! For yoga I got a video, mat, and 2 yoga bricks. The video was very relaxing and gave me an idea of how to stretch. If you go to a Target or Walmart and go to the sports section you can look and find a kit. The brand I recommend is Gaiam. Click here! The exercise ball I got came from Target and was only 9 dollars! Thats a great deal compared to 25 dollars. This exercise ball came with a hand pump and simple workouts to do. The core rhythms was a lot of fun. It is a fast paced dancing that tones your body at the same time. It mostly targets your abs, chest, and legs. I had a blast doing this on because it made my heart rate go up and I had fun. The music they use in the video also has a great beat to it. The instructors are very easy to watch and understand. Here is a website for it! I hope this puts you all in the exercising mood! Have a energy pumped day!