Supernatural Botanicals

What’s the best time to workout, morning or evening?  The answer is, there is no right answer.  The best time to workout is a time that you’ll do it consistently, over and over, day after day.  Whatever time of day your personal sweet spot is for exercise is the best time to work out…for you.  There are certain benefits of a morning workout, such as a blast of energy throughout your day, however,  strength training in the evenings helps to give you a great night’s sleep.  Whatever time of day you choose to workout is fine, just pick a time you’ll consistently do it at least four to five days a week.

For years, Jillian Michaels has come into our homes, teaching us her workout techniques on The Biggest Loser.  How does Jillian keep her near-perfect physique?  Jillian says “I usually go to the gym three to four times a week.  I work out hard when I go.  I just kill it, whether it’s doing kettlebells, mixed martial arts, Spinning classes or power yoga.  I get bored easily, so I need something that’s going to keep me focused.  I mix it up.  Everything I do is a combo of body resistance and cardiovascular endurance.” Jillian’s favorite workout is mixed martial arts.  Her most dreaded workout would be a marathon.  She says “You’re at mile 20, and you have six more to go, and your body is just battered and bleeding and miserable.  I would rather be dead.”

Check out Fitness magazine’s July/August issue to learn more about Jillian Michaels’ signature workout style.

If you workout regularly, you’ve probably had an injury or two.  That, however, is not a reason to give up your workouts until you feel healed.  In fact, as you are healing from an injury, you should not stop exercising.  Activity delivers oxygen and nutrients that help your body repair itself. Sure, take it easier.  Consider training with less weight and intensity, but by all means, don’t stop exercising.

Did you know… you can burn double the calories if you do your workout in the morning, on an empty stomach.   Doing an a.m. workout also gives you an extra boost of energy for the remainder of the day.

In addition to daily yoga workouts, Trish swears by circuit training and squats.  “The little secret things I do:  100 Squats.  You’d be surprised how much development can come from doing 100 freestyle squats using your own body weight.”  Trish Stratus, cover girl and wrestling champion, on workout secrets.

Julianne Hough’s new DVD workout, Just Dance, is the perfect workout if you love to dance.   Julianne’s DVD features three hip-shaking routines, Work It, Flaunt It, and Pump It.  The routines are fun and flirty…more of a club-style dance.  There’s no hint of a samba or waltz on this DVD.  This DVD provides a serious workout if you keep up with it.  Don’t worry, you can always modify to your level of endurance.  Not to mention, you can learn a few cool moves the next time you are out on the dance floor.

If you are serious not only about working out, but about being stylish while doing so, look no furhter…Spirit for Living  has got you covered. 

My friends over at Spirit for Living  was generous enough to send me one of their gorgeous classic boat neck shirts.  Being a huge Green fan, I was ultra-impressed that the shirt was made of natural soy and cotton blend.  The shirt is super-soft.  I love the way that the shirt just barely slips off one shoulder once in a while…a little dose of sexy without trying too hard.   

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 It’s a perfect shirt for working out, as it’s comfortable and not confining whatsoever, but it’s also a great shirt to wear with jeans or even a skirt.  We all love multi-functional pieces in our closet and need more of them. 

One look at Spirit for Living’s website and you’ll want every single item they offer.  My next piece will be the slim fit skirt.  It’s so pretty and flattering to the body….and it’s going to look great with my boat neck shirt.  Kudos to Spirit for Living’s founder, Jennifer Smith, for being a female entrepreneur with a consciousness about being Green and ultra-stylish.  Love that! 

“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

If your workout spark is starting to fizzle, torch it back up and excite your senses by adding some new workout clothes or gadgets to your repertoire.  Nothing makes you want to do yoga or Pilates more than a new pair of great-fitting yoga pants and a shape-hugging yoga top, or taking a step class with a new pair of cool gym shoes, or hitting the treadmill with the shortest girly workout shorts you can find.

By a new piece of equipment such as a jump rope, a new workout DVD, a trampoline, a heart rate monitor, resistance bands, a stability ball, or a Bosu ball to peak your workout erogenous zones.  It changes up your routine, keeps it fresh, and keeps you on your A game.

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Yoga pants by Victoria Secret

Here’s a great lower body workout by our friend Zuzanna across the pond.  It’s hardcore, but only three minutes long.  Push yourself, push through the pain.  Yes, your muscles will be screaming tomorrow.  But the up side is that your glutes, thighs, and quads will feel sexy and lean.  It’s worth it!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDddazp5f4M