Supernatural Botanicals

It’s the second week in January….are you still keeping your fitness goals?  Keep yourself inspired and motivated with magazine subscriptions to fitness magazines.   Fitness magazines, such as Oxygen, Self, or Shape magazines keep you learning and yearning for more.  It’s literally the gift that keeps on giving.  Each month you’ll learn about new techniques and exercises to help you achieve a lean, strong, and healthy body.  And if you subscribe to a fitness magazine, you’ll get a new dose of inspiration every 30  days.  Without a doubt, you’ll see a body in those magazines that inspire you to work out harder, eat better, and push yourself to achieve your fitness goals.  From rookies to advanced gym rats, you’ll find something inspirational every single month.  *Frugal tip:  Borrow magazines from the library and have access to all the fitness magazines on the newsstands.

“If any of you have seen my shows, you know that I don’t skimp on them and the same is true for the gym. We spend what it takes to make a globally first-class gym. Our plan is to use Mexico as a place to fine-tune our brand and then expand it to other countries and, in the long term, develop a global brand that includes the United States.”  …Madonna on her newly opened Hard Candy gym in Mexico

Two things I adore in the gym are the Bosu balls and the steps (for aerobics), so my excitement level advanced to a full DEFCON 1 when I found out about this new hybrid called the Step 360.  It’s a hybrid of the step and the Bosu ball.

Excellent for cardio and strength workouts, and because the platform is supported by two air chambers, and you’ll get a tough balance challenge as well.  It features platform anchors that allows you to loop in a resistance band for strength moves and its grips make planks and push-ups doable.

Be one of the first to snag a Step 360 for yourself.  Jump over to Shape for your chance to win one.

Because your entire body makes contact with your yoga mat, it’s something you’ll want to keep very, very clean.  And because your yoga mat makes contact with the floor, especially the gym floor (eck!), you’ll want to be extra vigilant in keeping your yoga mat clean. 

You can avoid germs and dirt by folding your yoga mat in half before you roll it up after a workout.  That way, you’ll avoid getting “yuck” on the side you pose on.  Remember, your face comes in contact with the mat in Chaturanga pose and in pigeon pose….think about that the next time you lay your mat down on the floor.   A simple Clorox wipe to the entire mat will also keep your yoga mat clean and germ-free.   Let the mat dry completely before rolling it up after cleaning.

“I like my body now, at 47, better than ever.  It’s taken a lot of hard work at the gym.”  Designer Marc Jacobs on his incredible new buff body.  Kudos, Mr. Jacobs.  You look sensational! 

   That’s her!   She’s the one responsible for my unbelievably sore abs and glutes today.  It hurts to laugh.  It hurts to stand up.  It hurts to breathe….and I like it!  Even though my body primarily feels pain and soreness right now, I know my body is working to get stronger and leaner.  What’s not to love about that?  Tamilee Webb is a pioneer in the fitness industry, and is responsible for those Buns Of Steel and Abs Of Steel videos that we all know and love from back in the day. 

You always know what you are going to get with Tamilee…which is a hardcore workout that you’ll positively feel the next day.  If you’ve never worked out with Tamilee, I strongly urge you to.   I’ve been working out with Tamilee Webb for years and she’s one of my favorite fitness instructors.  She’s tough…be warned, but she helps your body achieve/maintain drop-dead-sexiness! 

To learn more about Tamilee Webb, visit her website.  You’ll love her!

So it’s Friday, and I like to talk about interior design on Fridays because it gives me an opportunity to (A) talk about one of my favorite subjects, and (B) it allows me to connect with my friend Julia over at Hooked On Houses. Love her blog!

In every home I’ve ever lived in, I’ve loved leaving my mark on it from a design standpoint.  Settling into my new-ish home of three years, I’ve definitely transformed it to where the previous owners wouldn’t even recognize it.

I was so excited about this new home because there were so many areas that had such huge potential to be developed into something fantastic.  I love creating those spaces, finding niche areas in your home and turning them into a favorite place to be.  Since working out is my thing (could you tell?), I was super excited to create a home gym.  Between my design and my carpenter’s expertise, we created one of the haven’s in my house…my home gym!

Previously, this was a basement with no walls and concrete floors.  We (okay, the carpenter) installed dry wall, lighting, and a rubberized floor…which made me a very happy girl!  It’s truly one of my favorite places to be.  It’s a guy’s gym, it’s a girl’s gym, and even the kids love playing on the stability balls on the padded floor in the gym.

I’ve even grown to love the elliptical machine.  Although my favorite cardio still remains step aerobics, dance, hip hop dance, etc., I’ve grown to appreciate the old ellip.

So welcome to one of the favorite spots in my house!  It’s a major stress-free zone, and you know you are going to leave this room looking better than when you entered it.  For that reason alone, you have to love it!

If the best feeling in the world is what you’re after, then this is the move for you.  Words cannot describe the pleasure one can ascertain from this move.  It’s a glute stretch, but it also works into the hamstrings as well.  This is a must-have stretch after cardio, where your legs take a beating.  This stretch is so beneficial after running, working on the elliptical, doing step aerobics, doing Pilates or yoga, and strength training.  The science behind it is that, after a workout, the muscles are full of blood and the natural tendency for the muscle is to compact itself tight.  The reason we stretch before and after workouts is to elongate the muscle, stretching it just a bit more each time, to help define and tweak the muscle.

This stretch will really lengthen out glute and hamstring muscles, even calves if you flex your feet.  This would absolutely rank towards the top of my favorite feelings in life….it’s that good!  Make sure you are spending a minimum of five minutes on stretches at the beginning and end of workouts; 10 minutes is preferable.  Don’t skip that process, it’s absolutely essential.

Keep an exercise journal to track your progress.  You’ll be so glad you did down the line.

Don’t you just love new gadgets?  Especially workout gadgets!  From heart rate monitors to Ipods, I love them all.  As an eco-lover, this little tool brings gadgetry to a new level.  It’s eco-friendly!  They are Yoga Paws.  Simply slide the yoga paws over your hands and feet, and they provide cushioning and support for your yoga or Pilates workout.  Also super beneficial for deep stretching moves, so you don’t lose your grip with the floor.  Great gift for a fitness-fiend.  They cost about $35.00 and can be purchased here. 

   ….also made for men. 

   Store your gear in style with this ultra cool 100% cotton backpack—perfect for those on the go.   Gaiam is one of my favorite companies for all things wellness and fitness.  This bag is perfect for the gym or yoga class…or even for that baby in Green training.   Love it?  Win it courtesy of Yoga Journal and Gaiam!  Click here for your chance to win!