Protecting your positive thoughts, and attitude....

My friend always makes me laugh hysterically.......enchante!!!!!!!!

When I walk into the gym in the morning, or shall I say breeze in......I'm usually very focused.  It's the first thing I do (after eating breakfast, walking the dogs, and writing my blog) and I don't do anything before my workout to compromise it....for example phone calls, emails, or making small talk in the locker room.  Usually I am very short on time, and I need to get my workout done to make sure that I can get the whole thing in......but I also try to avoid anyone, and anything who could possibly throw off my mood.  There are one or two women in my locker room who are very motivated like I am, and they are always great to say hello to, but there are quite a few, who are clearly mood downers, and every time I make the mistake of taking off my headphones, they complain about the weather, or that they are at the gym at all, or question me about "always being at the gym".  I'm actually at the gym for no more than an hour three times a week, so I'm not clear about where they get the always....but either way...I've learned to just keep my headphones in place, and to say hello in passing.  It's okay to protect your personal time and space, and to have a little bit of time all to yourself.  I need to be in a certain mood to have a great workout, and to be honest.....I don't particularly want to hear someone complain....so I don't!  There's plenty of time for that....after I train!

Stay healthy and gorgeous!

Megan

Tennis.....and Pho Pasteur.....

Yummmmmmm, and suuuuuuper spicy!  Love that!

Such a great Sunday yesterday with Mr. Model and Mr. Chestnut.....I met up with Mr. Model to play some tennis (okay, to hit around....I'm not quite up to speed with playing yet, but I will get there!) managed to weight train in the morning, and still have enough energy to play for an hour and a half.  After, we went for some yummy Vietnamese food at Pho Pasteur in Chinatown.....I made it healthy by ordering fresh rolls, and a spicy soup, in which I asked for extra veggies instead of noodles......and added shrimp for protein....yummy, and so healthy:)

Here's a little tennis video I made........going to take my video editing class tonight, hope I get better fast!

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=latindancer0#p/u/0/yET7fsE_JkI

Stay gorgeous and healthy!

Megan

The every other day diet.....

On my way out for sushi on my "off day" :)

There is a concept which weight lifters have been using for years (calorie cycling) which as of late, I have heard of as "dieting every other day"  I think I would actually call it: Two days on, and one day off......although I suppose you could truly do every other day if you wanted to.  Here is the idea:  If you are looking to lose weight, you find out the number of calories you would need per day to lose.  Say that number is 1700 for me.  3 days of 1700 calories would be 5100 calories all together.  To do this diet, all you have to do it manage to hit this total number over the course of three  days.  For example day 1: 1200+ day 2 1200 = 2400.  This leaves 2700 for total calories allowed on day three.....Basically, I think this concept works out well for a number of reasons....it allows for going out socially, and not being quite as strict, tricking your body so that it doesn't know what to expect for a caloric intake, and also breaking uo the sheer monotony of dieting.....which can really wear on you day in and day out.  It makes it so much more manageable to diet for a day or two, instead of indefinitely!

Stay gorgeous and healthy!

Megan

Changing up your routine....

Do you do the same thing day in and day out at the gym?  If you do.....change it at least once a month.  First of all, if I did that....I would be bored beyond belief.  I start a new workout routine every month, so that I hit my muscles in a different way, and don't get bored with too much repetition.  If you've been training for a while, you should be able to do some single limbed exercises, which will challenge your body, and even out strength imbalances as the stronger side of your body will no longer be able to compensate for the weaker side.

By the end of a month working with one plan, I am usually very ready to switch into something different.   Having something written down that I am supposed to complete keeps me from walking around aimlessly at the gym.....try it:)

Stay gorgeous and healthy!

Megan

Weekend in Miami....Delano, Mynt, Casa Tua.....fun:)

Me and Miss Maine

This past Saturday I flew into Miami right after work, and spent the weekend there with some friends.  Saturday night, I rushed out after trying to "work the miracle" (get pretty.......) in my room at the Delano, then meet up for some sushi with the group.  One of my friends...Miss NH had broken her toe earlier that day, but being the NH girl that she is, she rallied....and threw on a Leger dress and a set of 4 inch heels, and we went on to Mynt where we had a fantastic table, and danced all night.

My girls:)

I can't even tell you how much I love making a visit to Mynt whenever I'm in Miami, it's always an amazing time.  Here's a video that I put together of us "mynting" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCHKfLPppb4&feature=player_embedded In true Miami style I didn't walk into my hotel room until 4am.......but the night was so worth it!

Fueling up to workout at David Barton.....

Sunday Morning I met up with my friend Miss Maine, and we went to Cafe Bustello for some double espresso shots (sooooooo tired from being on a crazy sleep schedule.....then off to work out at the David Barton Gym, which is at the Gansevoort hotel.  The gym is huge, and built out like an impressive nightclub.  It was a little funny to work out there though, because they keep it very dark....it made me want to go back to sleep.  Who am I kidding......everything made me want to sleep that day, I was exhausted!

We had dinner at Asia De Cuba on Sunday night at the Mondrian, it was amazing, and the conversation and company was even better:)

Tuesday Miss NH and I lounged by the pool after a morning of breakfast and coffee.

Poolside at the Delano

 I love the Delano pool, it's so relaxing and elegant.....and the perfect place to have some catch up time.  Miss NH had to leave that evening to go back to work, but my friend Mr. Miami (whom I have known for years) picked me up at the Delano, and we went to Casa Tua for a great dinner.....I'm not going to lie.....when I got home from dinner, I still raided the mini bar for chocolate.  I'm so happy to be home and back to eating my healthy food that I'm used to.....I love all that stuff, but only for a few days!

Great trip, and very productive, but so thrilled to be back in my own home again.   I'm just leaving for the gym now....

Stay gorgeous and healthy!

Megan

Hair Stiletto....my dream hair!!!

The girls of Hair Stiletto:)

by the way....check out the video I made to go with this blog, it's rough...bear with me! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16FnZvJc6Uk&feature=channel

First of all, let me just tell you…..I love me some long hair!  When I was in college, on a whim, I got a pixie cut one day (never, never, oh please never ever…..cut your hair right after a breakup!) and I have never felt so blah and totally not sexy in my life.  I felt like I was invisible once I no longer had my pretty, long hair, and realized that wearing hair in a ponytail, is actually quite different than having short hair.  I felt like just staying in my house from 22 to 23….ughhhh, why go out?  It took me a long time to grow my hair back out, and had I known about Hair Stiletto I could have saved myself soooooo much time.  Hmmmm, hindsight really is 20/20 isn't it???!??

Okay, so you may or may not have seen my last blog about Hair Stiletto extensions, but I was more than thrilled with my extensions as soon as I got them, and I wanted to follow up with a more thorough account of my experience with them, as I have now been through the entire process….application……wearing them for ten weeks, removal, and getting another set put in.  I have had so many different types ... braided, glue, on a weft with a strain adhesive which kept the extensions in place, and none of them looked (or felt) as natural as these.  One of the biggest issues that I encountered with other brands  was the quality.  I actually have very nice hair (that's mine, all mine….haha) and all of the previous extension hair that I used felt over processed, dull, and extremely prone to tangling.  It's really disappointing to pay a large sum of money to have put in that's very long, but which you spend 20 minutes a day trying to remove knots!  When I went in to have Jana Rago put in my Hair Stiletto extensions, the hair was already out, and as I ran my hands over it, it was silky and smooth, just like my own hair.  It's 100 percent human hair, origination in India, and processed in Italy.  The bonds are 100 percent organic, and consist of Keratin and other naturally binding proteins.

I have long hair anyway, but I decided to get Hair Stiletto so that I could have that extra three or four inches of hair that my hair just never seems to grow, I've been trying to grow it for a few years, and for whatever reason, it just won't.  Extensions can be good for so many reasons, some people just want them for a special occasion, like a wedding or graduation, or to add length and thickness.  They are also a fantastic way to put in highlights without actually coloring your hair.  By the way, for those of you who don't know, I'm a hair stylist myself (well colorist actually, and a very good one at that:) and I still go to Jana (who works in a different salon) to get my extensions, because I love how she does it, and I am very selective when it comes to doing anything to my hair.  After all, my hair needs to look it's best so that my clients have confidence that I will make their hair it's very best.  Since I started wearing the Hair Stiletto, my clients have been asking me if I still have extensions in, because the four colors which Jana so artfully chose for my hair, blend in imperceptibly.

I loved the Hair Stiletto so much as soon as Jana put them in for me, it was a fairly quick process, in which she attached tiny clusters of extensions to clusters of my own, natural hair.  We sat and chatted, and Nikki Stalling (Who is the Hair Stiletto distributor) stopped in during the process, and of course I asked her if I could make a short video with my flip video so I could use it for my blog after.  I love sharing all things which pertain to beauty, after all…..the more tricks the better right?  After all the hair was in, Jana cut the extensions to match my own hair (using a razor) and left quite a bit of beautiful length.  I seriously couldn't stop looking in the mirror and smiling after she put them in, I know….I know……but I just loved them!  Over the next ten weeks, I got more compliments than I have ever had on my hair.  I wore them for a photo shoot, wavy to the beach…..very versatile! I will say, that if you are going to get extensions, you need to treat them kindly!  Gently brush and detangle them, keep slippery conditioners and products off the bonds so that they don't loosen and slide out, and sleep with hair in a loose braid or pony so that you don't pull the hair while you toss and turn.  Take care of them……and they will last.  That said, the day came where I needed a new set of Hair Stiletto….you just know when it's time for a new set, they last and last….then…back to the salon.  

I was a little curious as to what to expect when I got out the extensions, but it was very easy.  Jana only had to use remover on one, which is a mixture of Aloe, Alcohol, and water.  She gently, and precisely clipped out the rest.  After they were out I surveyed the condition of my own hair…minus extensions…….and it looked great, and healthy.  No damage!  I think that Jana's careful application, the quality of the hair, and the fact that I maintained my extensions very gently all were factors in this.  She did a small trim of my hair, then we repeated the entire process with a new set.  I was actually surprised how quickly the entire process went by, I guess the fact that Jana is so entertaining and fun to talk to makes a huge difference.  I love Hair Stiletto because they give me the hair that I've always wanted….but never seemed to get.  They are very natural, gentle, and look amazzzzzzing!  All I can say is that I am officially a superfine, and I wanted to share this info with anyone who is thinking out getting extensions, as I feel like I wasted sooooo much money trying other brands.  Well, I write this blog from my airplane seat on the way to Miami…I'm taking my Hair Stiletto out to party!

Stay gorgeous and healthy!  xoxo

Megan

Waiting until the time is right......

I've noticed an alarming trend, and that's waiting for the time to be right....guess what?  The stars just never seem to be in just the right spot, and the temperature in the water will NEVER be just right to dive in.  Sometimes the only way to really get what you want is to go for it.....and fix the other variables later.  Strangely enough, sometimes the best things seem to come out of making a decision....that didn't seem perfect at the time....but you just make it work.

Years ago, when I was attending college in New Hampshire....I decided that I wanted to go to school in Italy for a year. Instead of staying in NH, and then going to Italy, I thought I might as well transfer to school in Boston, then take off for art school in Italy.  Moving to Boston was by no means the "perfect thing" to do.  I transferred last minute, found an apartment two weeks before school started, and moved to a new city with my yellow lab, and knowing absolutely no one.  Needless to say I made it work......it was a bit hectic for a while.....but it happened, and my life was never the same after.   That said, I never did make it to Italy, other things happened instead.....but I can't imagine how different my life would be if I hadn't been willing to take a chance.

The time will never be right, but if you're open.......you can make it happen.

Stay healthy and gorgeous!

Megan

"trying something"

I'm getting ready for the Miss Bikini America competition here.   I said I would do it, and three weeks later, here I am....competing in Vegas

Over the years.....one thing that has been true again and again, is that when someone says "I'll try to do that" it means they have already left a little escape plan in their mind, that  doing something isn't an absolute MUST,  and if they fail.....well.....no big deal.  Ok, so this mindset is a big, red flag to me that someone isn't fully committed to what they really need to do to make something happen.  If you had a talk with a boyfriend and he said he would "try not to cheat on you"...well, I hope that you would have the sense to "Never let him tie up your phone line again.....after all, one never knows when an important call might be coming in....."  Basically, if you are really going to do something, you better be able to say it (to yourself, and everyone else, with belief and authority.   What you say you'll do......you do......

My first attempt at editing videos with my Macbook!

So may I just say that I love my Macbook?  I'm completely floored by how easy to use Imovie is!  I have been working on getting my site together, complete with an exercise blog, and beauty tip shorts.....but the "editor" I was working with.....never did the work he was supposed to do, he totally flaked!  So anyway, I decided to do it myself:)  It's going to take some practice to get good at editing, but I had fun with it, and I have only taken two classes so far:)  Here is my first edit:)  It's me practicing and playing in the Volleypalooza finals....    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4CQh44DCHA  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4CQh44DCHA

Yay!  I can't wait to edit all of my exercise videos!!!!

Volleypalooza .....playing for BBB ( Bless by Bless)

Sunday was such a fun day.......I got an invite to play on Bless's team (Bless By Bless Angels) at Volleypalooza.......a super fun event created by Bobby Dimarzo of Scene Magazine.  I haven't played Volleyball in years, and by years I mean since gym class in middle school, and even then I'm pretty certain that my gym teacher yelled at me a lot for how terrible I was.  That said, nothing was going to stop me from having a good time in the sun, and trying something new......so of course.....I said yes!    My dream neighbor Mr. Italy was kind enough to show me some Volleyball basics (with a football) the morning of the event.  We practiced in the hallway of our building, and let's just say the neighbors on the wall that I directed the volleyball into are probably not exactly thrilled with me right now:)


Such a great time, we practiced before the game (of course I was in 4 inch heels....so me!), had a great cabana to watch all the action, and won our first round.  The second round however, was brutal.....we played against a team of 20-25 year old six foot tall car valets....all male....who obviously did nothing but play volleyball, all the time.  They crushed us......whatever, our uniforms were wayyyyyy cuter!

I love trying new things and meeting new people, even if I have no idea of what I'm doing.  I'd rather make a fool of myself than miss out on the opportunity to make some new friends, and have fun!

Stay gorgeous and healthy!

Megan

One glass of wine ruins my workout!

So the other night I went out with my friends to the W hotel and thought.....one glass of wine, actually half a glass (i got a white wine spritzer....so it's half soda water, half white wine) couldn't hurt.....but for me....it did!  I suffered through my workout the next morning, and felt like it was a mini hangover!  Yuck, I really don't like that feeling!  No more wine the night before I train, the feeling that I get the next day isn't really worth it!:)

Stay healthy and gorgeous!

Megan

First workout on the new plan yesterday.....:)

So Bret Contreras (the Glute man.....I love that!!) gave me my new workout plan sooooo fast after I sent him my detailed answers to his questions about my fitness goals and experience.  The plan looks amazing, 3 days of total body lifting and no cardio!  I love it!  He wants me to watch my leanness through my diet, which is the best way in my opinion, and frees up even more time for me to be productive doing other things.  I'm in constant email communication with him so I can report how much I'm lifting etc.....this is going to be fun!

Stay gorgeous and healthy!  Megan

Miami......

So long overdue......I'm going to Miami and I can't wait!  Beaches, bikinis, my favorite girls..........yay!!!! It's by far my favorite place to be.........  Time to pack:)

Online training by Bret Contreras "the glute guy"

Okay, so I am super excited this morning!  Ever since I realized that weight training is like Botox for your butt......and trust me....it really is!  I have been on a mission, because c'mon, who doesn't want a perfect butt?  Let's be real it's an accomplishment in itself:)

I just did a shoot with Paul Buceta two weeks ago, and so I have given myself two weeks to let my body rest a bit (although I was still active with tennis, and walking my dogs etc) but now I'm ready to get back into the gym, and on a lifting plan.  I personally love to do my lifting on my own, some people prefer to always work with a trainer, but for me, I like to have an expert write me a plan, so I have something to follow, and then I can go to the gym with a solid workout, which will work on the things I need.....but it leaves me independent, and flexible, able to come and go as I please.  I've never depended on a lifting partner either, because in my experience, it's hard to find someone with the same availability, who is also as dedicated as I am.

Anyway, you may or may not know, but some experts in the fitness industry are willing (if they think you will be a good fit for their training) to work with you on an online basis.  I contacted Bret, and we are going to be working together on a training plan, and I can't wait.  He's known in the business as the Glute Guy.....so watch out!   This is going to be amazing!  I'm happy already, but there is always room for improvement!  By the way, check out this blog he wrote about glutes  http://bretcontreras.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/megan-foxs-butt/ ......he talks about how gorgeous he thought Megan Fox was, until he saw her butt (or lack of it) don't underestimate the power of a perfect backside:)

Comment this and tell me your favorite glute exercise.....do you think glute training is important?

Tennis anyone?

Tennis is fun......and so are the cute outfits!

Growing up, I played just about any sport you can think of.  I'm not saying that I was the best at any of these sports, but I have always been a fan of trying new things.  When I was 17, I picked up tennis.....took some lessons, and even played on my high school tennis team....no, our tennis team wasn't amazing (talent wise) but it was terribly fun to have the chance to play and learn.

I've played a little since then, but not enough to progress by any means.....and this year I've decided to pick it back up, because it's one of those sports that you can play forever....and it's fun and social.  Yesterday I hit the ball around a little with a few friends, and it was sooooo fun, and also nice to know that I still remembered some of what I learned sooooo many years ago.  I bought an adorable Barbie pink (of course) tennis skirt at the Nike store, but decided to wait on buying a new racquet etc.....at this point it's been so long since I've played that I really have no idea of what I want or need.  I tend to be that person that gets so excited to start a new athletic endeavor that I buy everything right away.....and wind up with much more than I need.

I had a lovely day with Mr. Model and Mr. Chestnut, and got much more of a workout than I expected......all of those quick sprints really add up!  Afterwards we went for Thai food, and in the spirit of staying healthy I had some fresh spring rolls, and a chicken Satay appetizer.  Mr. Model drove me home, and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow....literally!

Stay gorgeous and healthy:)

Megan

If you feel great about yourself, do you really even bother to judge someone else?

In my life, I've noticed a startling trend (with myself) the better I feel about me, the less likely I am to say anything detrimental about anyone else.  Have you ever seen someone whom you really admire as a beautiful person on the inside, lash out about what someone is wearing, or how they look?  I doubt it... I remember when I was in high school, getting teased (and no, it really wasn't funny to me) by certain kids, and looking back, I'm sure that was the only way they felt secure, and better about themselves.  Lashing out against someone else in a silly, judgemental way only makes you look less than wonderful.  Just my thought for the day:)

stay gorgeous and healthy,

Megan

It could be worse.......

So here is something that I don't share all the time, and maybe it makes me less qualified on how to be healthy....or maybe it actually qualifies me more?  Every once in a while, when things are really tough in my life (yes, bad things happen to me too) I have a very strange relationship with food.  On the outside, you wouldn't know it looking at me, but I have been known to overeat, and I mean really overeat.....it  probably seems funny when I say that, because I'm so little etc, but trust me, it's not a funny habit.  There are times that I overeat because something is sooooo good (which I'm fine with) and other times where I overeat because I'm filling myself up after I have been on an emotional roller coaster.  I did this once this week, and almost did it again........I had the cupcakes in my grocery bag, and I was almost home (it was an awful lot of cupcakes btw) and I threw them away......I was so close to my house, and I knew that they would be sooooooooo good for a few minutes, then I would feel so bad, so I had one....and that was it.  For me, it's always a huge accomplishment to stay in shape, because food means so many things to me, it's not a simple relationship where I just pack my healthy lunches and it's easy......I have to untangle the emotions I have surrounding the food, and go from there.....

Anyway, it could have been so much worse, and I reigned myself in, because overeating really isn't a comfort, it's a punishment, and today I woke up feeling good, and light, and I'm going out for a walk with my doggies:)

stay gorgeous and healthy,

Megan