Recently in Fitness Category

Anyone who watches Oprah or reads weeklies on a regular basis has probably heard (but not dared to check-out), Sheila Kelley's S Factor. Well ladies and gents, two Friday nights ago I ventured over to S Factor's NYC location for an intro two-hour pole dancing class ($40 or 8-week series of two-hour classes for $480 or 1 hour pole classes for $45). Everyone from Teri Hatcher to Kate Hudson are fans of the work-out class that is all about female empowerment. The lights are dim, there are no mirrors, no men are allowed, and the instructors are all about positive reinforcement. The class starts out with some stretches and yoga-type poses and about 3/4 of the 2-hour period is spend on the floor getting comfortable with your body and with the sexy poses you are being taught (everyone wears their hair down). Being that I work-out on a regular basis I wouldn't consider the majority of the intro class much of a workout, but it was so much fun (especially if you take this class with friends), and it's a real confidence booster. They sell 6-inch stripper heels (not the official term, but you can imagine what they look like...), which you can put on as you're taught the stripper walk and then while you learn some basic pole moves. The pole moves are where the real work-out comes in -- dammmn is all I can say! I have a new found respect for strippers because pole dancing takes some serious strength and flexibility! But again there's no judgment; the instructors are super-sweet and really get you to feel comfortable in doing things you never thought you would!   

Fretting about food and weight is a daily struggle -- the gym is no fun (even if TV sets are built-into the exercise equipment as I've unfortunately learned), and Ciao Bella gelato just never stops screaming my name. Thankfully I'm not in a position where I have to shed pounds because maintaining the weight I want is difficult enough -- even gaining two or three pounds is enough to make me feel self-conscious especially around all the tanned bikini-clad bodies I see around me in the Hamptons. I'm always open to tips (just re-watched Oprah's Best Life Week: Falling off the Wagon). We all know it comes down to balanced eating and exercise, but what I liked about the suggestions given by Brett Hoebel, celebrity trainer and REV ABS DVD creator (he is best known for working with Victoria's Secret models Doutzen Kroes and Karolina Kurkova, along with celebs like America Ferrara, Emmy Rossum, Veronica Webb), is that he takes into consideration lifestyle (we all have things we can and can't easily give-up. For me it's alcohol that I can and sugar that I can't). See some of his tips below!

Diet

• If you don't want to cut out the alcohol completely, try switching to less caloric drink options: light beer, drinks on the rocks, and club soda instead of tonic or sugary mixers
• Try to stay away from, what Brett calls the "White Devils" during your summer parties: sugar, flour, rice, milk, and salt. Instead use agave, a natural sweetner, whole grain rolls, brown rice salads, and Celtic sea salt as a seasoning.
• For long, hot days eat fresh whole fruit for energy instead of drinking fruit juice. Even make smoothies using Almond Milk and fresh fruit! 

Exercise

• When all you want to do is hit the beach, it's still important to get your workouts in. Brett has developed shorter workouts that combine strength training with anaerobic-interval training. Check-out his suggested Tri-Set after the jump!
  

Famed Fitness Guru Tracy Anderson (Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow are devotees) now has 10 minute webisodes you can download for $10 each online. All proceeds benefit the orphans of Malawai. I guess when you train her Madg-esty you have to take on her causes as your own. It is a good cause, though, so we'll plug it. I'm downloading all three and plan to look like this by the end of summer (with help from twice weekly Kickboxing session with Master Ron at Cooper Fitness Center plus Pilates with Tammy!). Will take photos of my progress-- want to join me and compare notes?

At Tracy Anderson Connect Shop here.

Want to give that sagging skin a lift? Resistance training is your answer. Two to three days of resistance training can increase your muscle mass and help to get rid of the sag. You don't have to lift like a body builder or spend hours in the gym.

Keep your weights low and do 12-15 repetitions to get a nice lean look. 8-10 exercises should only take you 20 -30 minutes once you get it down. Yoga and Pilates can also be a form of resistance training. Get with a personal trainer if necessary and get into a routine. Say goodbye to sagging skin and hello to a lean tone body!

For more fitness and health information visit www.thefitdivas.com.

So many us can't dedicate a continuous 30 minutes for a workout 4-5 times a week.  That's ok because if you can dedicate three ten minute workouts in your day you are getting the same benefits.  It's all about how many calories did you burn at the end of the day.  So, if you did it altogether or spread it out, it doesn't matter.  Here are some suggestions:

 

• Set your alarm ten minutes earlier than normal (sounds better than 30 minutes doesn't it?). Get up and run your stairs, jump rope even if you don't own one, or jog in place while you watch the early morning news.
• During lunch time get up and take a brisk walk around or through your office building or put the kids in the stroller and head for a nice walk to the park.
• At night take ten minutes and do some lunges, sit ups, squats, push ups, etc.

 

Our lives are busy, but that doesn't mean we can't get our workouts in.  We need it for our health and sanity.  So find those ten minutes in your day to do something quick.  Your body will thank you for it.

 

For more great fitness and nutrition information from Fit Diva Lara go to thefitdivas.com!

By Fit Diva Lara

Brushing our teeth for two minutes can seem like an eternity in this fast pace world, but if we incorporate some sliding lunges with it, we get a little more out of those two minutes.  Sliding lunges are great especially if you've been doing the same old lunges over and over again.  Beauty Snob Tina does this regularly with me and just LOVES them (YEA right!).

 

• First off you need to be standing straight on a slick surface such as a hardwood or tiled floor.
• Place a small towel under right foot.  Pull in your abdominals and with a slight bend in the right knee slide the leg back behind you ending in a lunge position with your left knee at a 90 degree angle.  Now here comes the hard part, slide the towel back to your starting position. 
• Do this for one minute while you brush the right side or your teeth and then switch to the left leg and left side of your teeth.

 

For more Fit Diva tips go to www.thefitdivas.com

Strike A Pose- VOGUE!

 

How much does Vogue magazine weigh?  It's got to be at least 10 pounds.  I know it takes me about two hours to go through and that time could be used to burn a few calories.  What a great resistance to do some crunches with.  Grab your Vogue, hit the floor, read the latest fashion trends, and get nice tight abs while you're at it.  Remember these tips while crunching.

 

• Lay on your back with your knees up and feet flat on the floor.  To make it more intense, raise your legs straight up in the air, but make sure this doesn't bother your back.
• Put one hand behind your head and the other holding the magazine straight out in front of you.  Using this resistance in this position, you're changing your center of gravity and putting more demand on your abdominals.
• Crunch up focusing on tightening your abdominals and reaching the magazine towards your knees or feet (if legs are straight in the air).  Read a few lines (holding the crunch) and then come down very slowly counting to five before reaching the floor again and don't release those abdominals.  Keep them tight even when you hit the floor.
• Repeat 15-30 times or whatever you can do.

 

Guest Blog by Fit Diva Lara For more great Fit Diva tips and information go to www.thefitdivas.com.

Introducing our newest contributor- Lara the Fit Diva! Lara Price is the Beauty Snob's personal trainer (how do you think I stuff my self in to those little dresses?) and I've asked her to join our team with tips and tricks to staying fit! Lara will also answer any fitness questions you may have so leave them in comments! By the way, Lara used to train the US Olympic Volley Ball team so trust me when I say she is one lean mean machine! Lara has her own fitness blog TheFitDivas.com-- click here and check it out!


How long does it take to blow dry your hair, 5 or 10 minutes? Take this time and turn it into an opportunity to tone up that lower body by performing squats while blowing and styling your hair. Who doesn't want buns that a quarter could bounce off of, so for you busy "I don't have time to go to the gym," ladies here is your chance. Remember these tips when performing a squat.
• Keep your weight on your heels, buns back and knees behind your toes when coming down.
• Only come down as far to where you are comfortable, but never let your buns get lower then your knees.
• When coming up, be sure to push from your heels. Don't let your heels rise and don't push from your toes.
• Do as many as you can (15-20) and then repeat.

Great hair and legs, who could ask for more!?!?!?