Tip Tuesday :: 7 Stretches that will take you from tired to bright-eyed :: Total Beauty

7 STRETCHES THAT WILL TAKE YOU FROM TIRED TO BRIGHT-EYED

Hi Everyone - Happy Tuesday! it's always a good idea to start your day off by stretching - here is a really good article on 7 stretches that will take you from tired to bright-eyed in no time.

Why is it that we torture ourselves by hitting "snooze" multiple times every, single, day?

Does it really make us feel more awake after we get those measly 10 additional minutes of sleep? And are we actually even sleeping quality sleep when we know that darn beep, beep, beep … is going to go off at any second? We think no.


That's why we're here to suggest a new approach. Why not take these 10 precious minutes and do something more productive with them, something like a quick, easy yoga routine -- a perfect stretching workout for women -- that will help you look and feel great every day.

We sat down with Kimberly Fowler, owner of YAS Fitness Centers and author of "The No Om Zone" and asked her to create a mini yoga series that would help wake you up, put pep in your step and sharpen your mind. This combination of moves will get your body going by working out kinks, getting your blood flowing and it'll give you precious time for yourself -- to help you set your intentions for the day.

The best part is, you don't need a mat, snazzy workout clothes or anything. Just you, the floor and these poses that you'll aim to hold for 45 seconds to one minute each.

So are you ready to try this -- tomorrow? We are. It's sure to be much less annoying to our partners who may not have the same affinity for that darn snooze button.

See the yoga stretching moves that'll kick off your day -- now.


TO See the stretches/exercises to start your day, click the original article HERE

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Tip Tuesday :: 4 tips for faking Bright eyes :: Total Beauty

Hi Everyone! I know it's been awhile since my last "Tip Tuesday" and the past few tip tuesday's were on fitness, so I wanted this one to be about beauty! I picked this from this awesome website total beauty to share with all of you! :)

Four Tips for faking bright eyes

Tip 1: Apply cold cucumber slices 

I know, I know. You've heard this a million times before, but that'sbecause it works. Place a single slice of cold cucumber over each eye; then relax (with your head propped up on a pillow) for 15 minutes, trying very hard not to fall back to sleep. The cooling, soothing properties of this green veggie help to de-puff swollen eyes. Timesaving trick: Keep a baggy of pre-sliced cucumber in your freezer. 

Tip 2: Camouflage 

Apply three dots of a hydrating eye cream below each eye, then blend into the surrounding area (careful not to encroach on your lashline or your mascara will smudge all day). Opt for a product with light-reflective pigments or brightening ingredients to make eyes appear even larger, luminous, and all-around fresher. (Try Olay Total Effects Line & Dark Circle Minimizing Brush, $21.99.) 

See the 4 tips for faking bright eyes HERE

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Motivational Monday

I Know for those that have been super relaxed over the weekend, it's hard to get back into the Monday grind... but I thought it'd be great to start today off with something motivational. 

So as the picture states, If you change nothing, nothing will change. When I first started my blog I had just started working out.. prior to that - I had always complained about my weight. I was super unhappy with how overweight I was after having my 2nd baby. I looked at family pictures and just wanted to scratch my face out of them. 

It wasn't until I had seen this picture circulate (many times now , on numerous websites) and seen many quotes stating the same thing.. that it hit me.. if i keep complaining about how much i dislike my body and keep eating the same junk.. nothing will change..

it was then when I really wanted to change - I wanted to change for myself. I wanted to be a good role model for my kids :) and my inspiration was my husband. this is what kicked me into high gear! you can't complain about not being happy if you do not do something. whether it be with your diet, body image, happiness at home - if you don't change, nothing will change. 

so i hope this motivates you to do something.. anything :) Happy Monday

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Review :: 'Featured on Pursebuzz.com' :: Milani Baked Bronzer in Soleil

Item: Milani Baked Bronzer in "05 Soleil"

Price: $9.00-$12.00 + tax depending where it's purchased

Where to Buy: Target, CVS, Ulta

Pros: 

• Long-Lasting 
• Can be worn alone (no blusher needed)
• very blendable
• Buildable
• good amount of product
• great for variety of skin tones

For the complete review with Pictures and details, please visit the official review - Located HERE

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Gym Session :: 09/27/2011

My BFF Jayline had invited to take me and my two daughters (and her two daughters) out for lunch for a late bday present (so sweet of her!) and of course if there's food involved - i'm there! lol


So we decided that it'd be best to work out first, so we decided to meet up at the gym and bring the girls to the kids club. I showed her the ropes on working out with weights as she normally did not do that.


We worked out Chest/Back and did one calve exercise. Here is what I did today.:

Back:

- Cable Rows

60lbsx5

60lbsx5
60lbsx5
60lbsx5
60lbsx5

- Lat pull down machine

50lbsx8

50lbsx8
50lbsx8

- High Hammer Rows (alternating)

25lbsx12 

25lbsx12 

25lbsx12 

Chest:

- Bench Press (flat)

45lbsx5

45lbsx5

45lbsx5

45lbsx5

45lbsx5

- Incline Dumbbell Press

17.5lbsx8

17.5lbsx8
17.5lbsx8

- Pec Flys

10lbsx10

10lbsx10

10lbsx10

Calves:

- Seated Calf raises

25lbsx8

25lbsx8
25lbsx8


After our workout, we had to have lunch because we were all starving (mind you i did have a protein shake prior to our workout, but guess baby was still so hungry). I decided to get the garlic fettuccine which was o-m-g delish. probably not the best choice of food for me, but hey - you only live once :) plus i rarely eat out anymore, so it was a nice treat to have.


Afterwards, we stopped by the mall which was where the restaurant we ate at was located.. went to MAC to test out the new matchmaster foundation, which i was colormatched to 2.0 (i'm normally NC25).. but i didn't buy it, wanted to read more reviews before really settling on that foundation. 


Stopped by sephora afterwards to redeem my birthday gift for VIB members. the gift was a bottle of the philosophy birthday cake shower gel, smells just like birthday cake - a real treat!  afterwards had to leave because it was my oldest daughter's back to school night.. so picked up my hubby and went.. i'm so proud of my Big girl :) 


i'm a happy preggo tonight :) i've got midterms tomorrow.. must.. sleep :D 

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My Review was on the front page of Beautylish.com

just noticed that my review was on the front page of beautylish.com! :) okay i KNOW it's not a big deal lol - but i always get excited when i see things like that!  see if you can spot my little avatar..


and if you aren't following me on beautylish, please do so www.beautylish.com/myfitbeauty

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What Motivates me to stay/get Fit

I know that some of you that follow my blog, have seen my posts in the past of my husband's workout videos.. but I really am so proud of him! He truly does inspire me and a lot of others to stay fit.


He recently joined an online body transformation competition and i wanted to share with all of you his progress so far.


the picture on the left was taken on 08/28/2011 and the picture on the right was taken little less than a month later at 09/21/2011. you can see how he has leaned out and is totally getting shredded :)

One of our two squat racks in our garage. :) we recently just moved 

both of them together on the other side. :) picture to come soon.

Yes that is my Mitsubishi Lancer Evolotion X :P

If you guys didn't know - my husband was the main reason why I started working out back in January 2010. I had always complained that I was fat, I hated my clothes because they didn't fit.. but yet I never wanted to do anything about my weight. I was your typical average person that wanted the easy way out (ie: diet pills, starvation diets).. but My husband truly was the one who opened my eyes! 


Just to give you a little background on My AWESOME husband. he had dislocated his ankle in 2008 and it was so bad it did not heal properly as the ortho doc expected it (because of how he dislocated it the Doc said).. He had a really long recovery process after the dislocation.. he was in a cast and was STILL going to the gym everyday.. 


Not only that - but he had to have micro-fracture surgery (meaning they had to break the bone to fix it) because like mentioned his ankle did not heal the way the orthopedic surgeon/MD had expected it. Even after he had surgery he was up a few days after at the gym! Talk about Dedication.. if you want to know - My Husband is the total definition of it :)


He has been doing this for 5 years and i'm so proud of his progress. Although I did lose 21 lbs after my second daughter - I was real proud of myself because My Husband and my kids always supported me. Although I am pregnant now and not so flattering looking, my husband has supported my decision to stay active and still work out. so if you want to know why i'm dedicated - it's because My Husband. My True inspiration! :)


Another inspiration of mine is My Cousin Hazel :) She's had 3 babies and she Looks AMAZING. 

She started her journey July 7, 2010 (her before picture)

And this picture was afterwards:

Pic on left taken: 02/20/2011

Pic on right taken: 03/15/2011

I just hate that she lives all the way in Germany! I know if she lived closer, we'd be tearing it up at the gym! She just recently got into CrossFit and been really enjoying seeing her do the same things I do (squats, deadlifts etc).. she's a true inspiration to me because now that i'll have 3 babies - I KNOW i can get back to pre-pregnancy size in no time. :)

And I know you've probably seen these already, but these are the only videos I have of me working out.. i hope to have many more soon though :) Me doing Squats and Rack pulls below:

This was in April 2011 - I was 122lbs
I am squatting 135lbs. 

Also 135lb rackpulls. 

What inspires you? :)

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