Taking time to smell the roses

With Ted at Pawsh, best dog groomers around!

Life gets so busy sometimes......and it almost starts to seem like if we haven't filled up every second of our day, then we must be doing something wrong.  For quite a while, I've been so booked up in my life, that I haven't had any sort of a "Sunday" and I'm just starting to realize that such a day might be in order.      

Today felt luxurious because I dropped Teddy (my teacup Yorkie) off to be groomed in the morning, and I had an hour an a half to shop for new work clothes in a leisurely manner.  It felt fabulous to have the time, and now I feel ready to go and make some videos for the video workout blog that's coming out soon. I'm going to try to take some pictures of the things I bought today, they are beautiful!  Super high, but comfortable shoes......

I also had a consultation for some extensions that I am getting next week (yes I have some in now) and I will be sure to post before and after pictures for you guys:)

With my boo, Teddy....at "our" consult:)  Shout out to Jana:)  She is the best!  xoxo

Jumping rope, and getting out of the gym fast.

Today I had a conversation with my sweet friend Maria.  She talked about wanting to jump rope, and was asking me for some tips after seeing a video of me doing a workout with a jumprope.  There is so much to say about jumping rope, and I will get into more detail in posts to come.....but here are some things that I think are important:

1.  It's a fast workout, that you can do (almost) anywhere.  I pack my rope when I go on vacation, or to visit my family.  When I train at the gym, I often jump for 30-60 seconds in between sets.  It's so nice to fit in a little cardio during the workout so you can be in and out...fast!

2.  It takes practice to jump rope, and it's important to be patient with yourself and know that it's not easy!  When I picked it back up a few years ago it felt so awkward!   I was tripping over the rope left and right, but with practice....I'm like a little Rocky now:)

3.  The equipment (rope) you use makes a huge difference.  If the length is off, or the quality is not great....you are making things much harder on yourself.

I'm going to break things down in future posts, and hopefully you guys will have some fun with jumping rope too.  I take mine out by the water when it's nice, or blast the music in the boxing room at the gym when it's cold.  Once you get the hang of it, it's great.  Give yourself some time to learn and I bet you will too!

Checking things off your Nightmare List.....

Every time I hit the gym, I include one or two things in my workout from my nightmare list.   My nightmare list is anything I'd really rather avoid!  A little known secret?  Many of the exercises we can't stand doing, yield the fastest ( and dare I say hottest?) results.   Many people avoid plyometrics at the gym....they are hard, like....training to be a (hot) Navy Seal hard, but guess what?  They will incinerate fat, and flatten your stomach faster than any hour long treadmill stroll, which allows you to relax, and read a fitness mag.  For sure, include things that you like doing, but think about the things that you avoid, and why?  Sprints, plyometrics, squats....... Add in one thing you don't enjoy, or makes you "look silly" and thank me later when you're on the beach......

My favorite things.....

Exercise clothes.....what can I say?  I love them!  Half of my closet is filled with capris, boy shorts....and every style of sports bra imaginable.  Putting on a great outfit to work out, is so motivating to me.  Boston has a pretty dismal selection of workout clothes, so I usually stock up when I'm in Miami at Body Up Fitness on Lincoln Road, or online at www.bodybybrazil.com and www.sandiegofit.com.  My workout apparel choices are a little more of a Miami look than Boston, but......you only live once!