How to use a foam roller

How to use a foam roller

Foam Rollers are a great form of Self-Myofascial Release.

You may see many in the gym, white, blue, grey, bumpy ones, smooth ones and people rolling around like its fun

(I’m telling you, its not! LOL)

Foam rolling helps relieve muscle soreness and tension, loosens knots, allivates IT Band syndrome and helps with full range of motion and increasing mobility.
Its one of those love/hate things. I’ll be honest… its hard to “not be a bitch” when I’m lying on one… I whine, cry and all but curse my mother.

But afterward… wow! I’m a new woman!
Here are a few techniques I use and teach my clients for IT band, inner thighs, upper back, traps, lats and even feet for plantar fascitis.

The foam roller I use in this video is from The Pro Unit
*I am not a paid affiliate for The Pro Unit

My 3-Day Juice Cleanse

this was like dessert! The last juice of the day

I was one of those people, whom if you mentioned a juice cleanse or fast, I would say:

“WHY do you need that? Your liver should detox everything… just make healthy choices! Duh!!”

Then…. I saw the movie “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead”

I became a little more open-minded, yet still, strongly skeptical.

In the movie, a man goes on a complete juice fast for something like 90 days! It’s a little extreme, but he explains that he is getting enough calories and the juice is taking the concentrated nutrients from the fruits and vegetables.
I was intrigued enough to want to try it, or at least add a green juice to my daily routine.

However, I looked into juicers and got overwhelmed and then dropped that idea.

Ha!

So… in comes Skinny Limits!!

Two of my dear friends, Rebekah Borucki (Bexlife) and Sarah Dussault (Sarahfit), both did a Skinny Limits juice cleanse and review, and since I highly value their opinions and friendship… I totally asked them on the side,

“sooooo… tell me the truth… what did you really think?”

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They both came back with REAL rave reviews.

Ok, Ok.. let’s do this!

I got ahold of the company and decided that the BEST time for me to try the cleanse was after I returned from Chicago, it would be my last weekend of travel after 3 months on the road. A really good time to detox!!

I chose the TROPICAL 3-Day Cleanse, because I saw that pineapple juice was in it… and… well…. pineapple juice.

So, since it arrived pretty early in the morning, I decided to start right then!

I busted open my first juice… and….down the hatch!!

Mmmm!! Not bad! It was green, but it didn’t “taste green” if you know what I mean?

I stacked all the drinks in number order in my fridge and I was really excited to do this!

I did get a little hungry, but there were 6 juices a day, so I never really felt deprived.

The morning of Day 2, I felt a little achy. I did read that there might be detox-like symptoms; headache, fatigue, etc.

It was to be expected. The hunger wasn’t too big of an issue and I really did enjoy each of the drinks. In fact, I was really looking forward to trying each one, so I kept looking at my clock to see if it was time yet!

Unfortunately, on Day 2…. I got into a car accident on the way home from a hair appointment.
ugh!!! Needless to say, I cried and went to bed skipping the last two juices.

(Note: everyone was ok. My car, the other guys car, ego and bank account were the most hurt)

CAR

Day 3 I woke up a little hungrier (from skipping a few hundred calories) and had to make some calls to insurance.

I ended up going to get my car looked at and had to drop it off for repairs, pick up a rental, etc.
That ended up taking over 6 hours… and, did I bring my juice?
No.

I ended up eating a meal out because I knew I wasn’t going to be home anytime soon.

I felt like I failed, for not doing the cleanse “right”

The good news was… I had some drinks left over for Day 4!!

I realized how much I was really looking forward to my daily juices and I was definitely starting to feel better!

I definitely WILL do this cleanse again and I can see the benefit of having 1-2 juices a day just to add to your daily routine.
I love the convenience of having the juices made and shipped to you (it would be a TON of work, to try this by juicing your own!!)

this was like dessert! The last juice of the day

this was like dessert! The last juice of the day

Conclusions:

I loved this cleanse. I do NOT recommend getting into a car accident while you’re attempting to cleanse. (I also don’t recommend it at any time.. it’s really a bummer)
I will most likely do a FULL 3-Day cleanse once a quarter and also try and get some of these juices going in my daily or at least monthly routine. I think I’m addicted!




*All reviews posted on my blog feature my own views and opinions. There are instances when I have reviewed or featured a product and I have received compensation in the form of product for my personal use or for use in a giveaway, discounts toward purchase for my followers, monetary compensation, or any combination of those three things. I never accept payment for favorable reviews.

 

Routine Refresh Indoor Edition

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I’m in New York City all week at the weather has been pretty amazing, however, I packed ready for the worst! I totally planned on freezing my tush off outside and trying a few indoor classes for a workout.

Indoor cycling or SPIN are one of my favorite indoor workouts. I love classes in New York like Soul Cycle and Fly Wheel Sports that make spin classes a little more fun and competitive.

My friend Rebekah (Bexlife) and I took a Flywheel class put on by the Biggest Loser Trainer, Brett Hoebel.

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Then I headed to Boston for a Blogilates meet up! Blogilates is a company owned by my good friend Cassey Ho.

She had over 450 raging fans waiting to take her POP pilates class. It was intense and FUN. I sweated and I also met a fellow ex-gymnast and we finished off with some handstands 😉 Always a great shoulder exercise!

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I also have a friend, Erin Stutland, who happens to be on of my AMZING, beautiful guests at Inspiration and Perspiration this year and she teaches a class called Shrink Session.

Shrink Session is something you just have to experience!

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I can tell you the basis is that it is a cardio dance class with affirmations, but that makes it sound kind of weird, and it is super amazing and you leave feeling like you’re on top of the world!

 

So what are your favorite indoor activities? What can you do to refresh your routine for the season? I’d love to see your comments!!

adidas Women designs innovative performance products to help women commit to their best self and conquer their fitness goals. We inspire women to look and feel their best – be pretty, be tough & be confident.

Adidas-Logo

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by adidas via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are all mine and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of adidas

Paleo Shrimp Salad

Paleo-Shrimp-Salad

Paleo-Shrimp-Salad

You know I love me some Paleo-style eating and living.

#Just Eat Real Food.

I’m excited to be an affiliate with the Harvest Your Health Bundle Sale which includes the 21-Day Paleo Cleanse I have been doing!

Harvest-Your-Health-Bundle-Sale_Learn-More

Shrimp salad

paleo, gluten-free,  super healthy
Serves 5 to 7

  • 1 lettuce of your preference ( i suggest curly endive or butter) washed and in bite size pieces
  • 1 avocado in slices
  • 1 lb medium shrimp boiled in salted water for 8 min and cooled in ice water
  • 1 mango in small cubes
  • 1 cup organic corn
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup orange wedges
  • 1 cup arugula
  • 3 tbsp black and regular sesame
  • Arrange on plates as desired

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mirin or vinegar rice
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • The juice of one orange
  • Salt n pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a mason jar and shake shake shake.

Chef Vanessa Lee
Questions and comments: [email protected]

Routine Refresh: Outdoor Edition

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If you are on my email list, you know that I just sent an email last week about how I cancelled my gym membership.
This doesn’t mean that I have completely given up training or thrown in the towel, but I need to get a little more creative. I realized that in Texas, the weather is the fall is PERFECT for some new outdoor activities, so I was inspired by adidas Women to write a post about a Routine REFRESH: Taking it outside!! Nothing like a few new pieces of workout gear to get your wanting to move it again!IMG_20130901_103311

Texas doesn’t have a whole lot of mountains, but I did find a hiking trail which was pretty flat but had some beautiful scenery. A nice trail run and a snake.. OMG!! I think I’ll continue the trail runs, but I’m going to carry a stick with me, in case I need a spear next time!

Besides jogging, which to me, gets a little tedious, I’ve been toying with other ideas for cardio. Tennis is a sport I have NEVER played, but my husband and I thought it would be fun to play FIVE YEARS AGO when we bought rackets for Christmas. Needless to say, they sat in the closet… until now!!
We live in a new place with a tennis court and its been too hot this summer to play. The weather has finally gotten cooler so we took ourselves outside and had a blast.IMG_20130902_203024

Who knew tennis was so great for your abs?? (From laughing so hard!!)

I have also found, that living in apartment has more than just the tennis court perks. We have a lovely swimming pool that I have been doing laps in about 3 days a week. I’m a terrible swimmer, but just being out in the sun makes me feel pretty alive! Especially working from home these days, I think this is JUST what I needed.

Then.. when all else fails, I have me, my shoes, and some stairs. I am starting with 50 laps and my goal will be to do 100 laps by the end of the month!!IMG_20130903_120030

So what are your favorite outdoor activities? What can you do to refresh your routine and maybe take it outside? I’d love to see your comments!!

adidas Women designs innovative performance products to help women commit to their best self and conquer their fitness goals. We inspire women to look and feel their best – be pretty, be tough & be confident.

Adidas-Logo

 

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by adidas via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are all mine and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of adidas

Best Things in Life Workout

BestThingsInLife

BestThingsInLife

 

Here is a great workout sure to make you sweat– and remember– tag @SweatyBetties on Instagram or on Facebook with #SBSweatYourself and you’ll get free stickers!! yay!
Then make sure to SHARE and PIN the workouts!

BestthingsWorkout

 

Ambassador Spotlight: Crystal Honeycutt/Train Dirty Fitness

TDF

crystal

What can I say about Crystal Honeycutt?
First of all, I have to give her credit for giving me the idea to have an ambassador program. I really wanted to find a way to get more women involved in the mission of The Sweaty Betties and share their stories and my ambassadors make me so proud.

TDF

Crystal has quite a story and if you’re lucky enough to know her, you instantly love her.
She is a booty poppin’ Southern Belle who tells it like it is and has a 100 lb. weight-loss story—> sweet southern charm with a little sass!!
Crystal is the owner of Train Dirty Fitness and she and I actually run online group weight-loss coaching together (which will start again in the fall)

Recently Crystal hosted the very first Train Dirty Fitness and Sweaty Betties Bootcamp certification, so now other fitness instructors can be certified to teach her methods.

Training Dirty is no Joke!!

Training Dirty is no Joke!!

If you want to find out more about Crystal’s Programs check out all her links!!

Iron Bombshell 12 week lifting program
http://traindirtyfitness.com/iron-bombshell-muscle-builder/

Bombshell Bootcamp
http://traindirtyfitness.com/bombshell-bootcamp/

 

Sexy Summer Shoulders

SexySummerShoulders


This is a great shoulder sculpting routine that combines weights and resistance with a little bit of metabolic calorie burning-

Start with 3 types of Raises (3-5lb. Dumbbells suggested)

10 Front Raises

10 Lateral Raises (Thumbs up)

10 Lateral Raises (Thumbs down)

Then….

8 Front Raises

8 Lateral Raises (Thumbs up)

8 Lateral Raises (Thumbs down)

Then repeat for 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2

NEXT

Sumo Squat to Upright Row— 20 times

LAST

10 Push-ups

10 Shoulder Taps

8 Push-ups

8 Shoulder Taps

6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4, 2, 2, 2

and done!

Fastest Fat Blaster

FastestFatBlaster

PIN THIS

FastestFat Blaster

WATCH THIS (get more workouts)

I don’t give a $h!t about Abercrombie!

Abercrombie

It was brought to my attention that the CEO of Abercrombie, Mike Jeffries, made some comments about not making his clothes in size XL or XXL because he didn’t “he doesn’t want larger people shopping in his store. He wants thin and beautiful people. He doesn’t want his core customers to see people who aren’t as hot as them wearing his clothing. People who wear his clothing should feel like they’re one of the ‘cool kids.'”

and while I am ALL about self-acceptance, self-love and being happy at any size… I also STRONGLY believe in freedom of speech and having a niche market and being TRUE to yourself…
So.. my response to Mike Jeffries comments:

I.D.G.A.F

Here’s why:

(and if you agree please share with friends and SUBSCRIBE to my emails so you dont miss whats next!)