Nov 14, 2010

Circuit-Training: Less Time, Lots of Burn

When I'm not in school, my workout regime usually involves six days of high-to-medium level exercises. But due to recent changes of my schedule, I can only incorporate five days to my workout routine.  And those five days include only high-intense workouts.  Again, I do my usual interval training  (which I have posted previously in my blog ;) on either the treadmill, elliptical or any type of cardio machine.

[NOTE: I also enjoy working out in the great outdoors but that I will post later]

In addition to my interval training, I do 30 minutes of circuit-training.  Now the reason I circuit-train is because a) it's a fast and efficient way to blast A LOT of fat and calories and b) my boyfriend works out for only 60 minutes which means I have to incorporate every muscle group within that hour.  But if I'm working out by myself, I can go for hours because uhh...i'm obsessed! haha

Circuit training includes short-bursts of intense resistant-training and cardio combined.  Typically, my resistant training involves 20 reps per each workout with the total of three sets and in-between OR incorporated to each resistant workout is a high aerobic exercise.  Ever since I've been circuit training, I've gone through a lot of trial-and-errors with a couple of workouts.  Now these links are a couple of them that I like to follow routinely.  But also, to workout effectively, I change up my routine every 4 weeks or whenever I feel like I've reached a plateau.

Follow one or incorporate one into another to make-up your own routine! 
(3) Total Body Recharge at Fitness Magazine (video / moves

Sep 21, 2010

Hello paycheck meet new boots!

Well it's that time of year ladies...where you trade in those flip flops for ballet flats, and those infamous short shorts (well, at least for me ha!) for some nicely paired jeans.  Yep!! You know what I'm referring to...Fall weather!! Yayyyy!! lol I mean don't get me wrong.. a girl loves the whole summer, beach hair, dark tan, and California-girl look but sometimes you get tired of that G-D heat, ESPECIALLY in Houston!!  So what do you do you say... Well transition your Summer clothes to Fall clothes that is!

There's something about the cool weather that makes you want to dress more, how do you say...demure than skanky! haha I say this because I've been running around all summer half-clothed!  Now I know my boyfriend doesn't mind but it's hard to get away with that when you've got the some-what cool air blowing through...ahem! you know....you're bare legs silly!!  But anways, Fall fashion has always been a favorite of mine.  And when I mention fashion, I mean the persona it takes.  Each person is different, as it should be, but each closet should carry the basics.  And in correlation to this article...MY (top five) Fall basics.

Numéro un: A Crisp White Shirt
Oo la la...there's nothing more refined and sexy than a nice, wrinkle-free white button-down.  Now I pair "my whites" with practically anything because it's so versatile!  But my all time favorite look is a white-button with a nice pair of jean trousers or my black cigarette pants. Tres chic!!

 (Lafayette 148 New York 'Camilla' Blouse)

Numéro deux: A Pair of Jean Trousers (preferably in a darker wash)
Hugs in the right places (ahem, the glutes) but still able to elongate your legs which adds height and becomes more slimming than a pair of skinny jeans.  I like to pair trousers with either ballet flats on weekdays/ relaxed weekends or when it's still a little warm outside, wedges.

 (7 For All Mankind Ginger Pant in Light Mercer)

Numéro trois: A Cashmere Cardigan (preferably gray, camel, or black)
Such a staple to any wordrobe in ANY season!  I can be seen either wearing one of these at work with my scrubs on, running errands around town, lounging at the casa or thrown on a nice cocktail dress.  It's. just. that. versatile. (and comfortable I might add).  I love the long V-neck look and of course with buttons.  A cardigan wrap will do as well.

(J. Crew Cashmere V-neck Cardigan)

à quatre: Ballet flats (with a twist)!
I say with a twist because even though you can have the simplest outfit on, I still love to add a little "pop" to my wardrobe.  And that "pop" usually comes from either my shoes or another accessory but in this case, it would be my ballet flats.  My attire is usually classic looking during the Fall so when I incorporate an animal print or a little sparkle, I get a little excited.

(Steve Madden Kinnetic)


Numéro à cinq: A Trench Coat
Symbolic.  That is all I have to say... Now I have yet to find one for this season but I'm leaning more towards a younger, some-what slimming but yet classic look. Yaknowwhatimean... =P  And a trench is perfect especially during the transition from Summer to Fall because it's not too bulky or heavy for those cool nights but it's still able to block away from the wind or rain for that matter (hello Houston)! lol

(MICHAEL Michael Kors Short Trench Coat)

Ok.... I know I just got done mentioning my top five Fall basics but I really wanted to add this one because it's soooo sexy! And I know it's not really a basic because I would probably wear it a couple a times (and when I say couple, I mean I can count the times in one hand).
 (Elizabeth and James 'Blend' Boot)

Ok then that is all of it!  Now that I've gotten and dusted out my basics out of the way...time to get my "Fall on!" haha And of course, with anything, it'll always change throughout the season.

Sep 19, 2010

Fast sculpting!!

I found this sculpting workout in my September 2010 Fitness Magazine.


It's quite easy and yet so quick!!  This workout is good for those who don't have the time to slave away at the gym buttt... still want to get their heart rate and muscles pumping.  Now, as for me, I do this workout after I do 40-45 minutes of cardio either on the treadmill, stairmaster or a combo of some sort.

...and thanks to fitnessmagazine.com, I was able to provide you a step-by-step video! Just CLICK THE LINK BELOW! ENJOY!!

Power-Sculpting Workout Videos at Fitness Magazine

Sep 16, 2010

When to go organic...

(picture taken tonight @ our Sugar Land Whole Foods)

We all wish we can go organic...but reality check! Not everything organic taste that good (well, from MY experience lol). But anyways...when I DO go organic, I make a trip to our local Whole Foods. Once here, I make an effort to pass through the prepared section to pick up some hot-plates such as their roasted veggies, cajun chicken, or their Spanish rice balls. But ALWAYS, ALWAYS I pick up organic veggies and fruits. This is because I don't want any additives nor chemicals in these food products...other organic products that I personally look for are berry Chantilly cake (um, YUM!), champagne/ or wine, and granola (Yogi Flax Blueberry Granola crisp are addicting)!!

Cardio: Love it or Hate it!

OK not unless you're a beast or an Olympian...everyone I know has a love/hate relationship with cardio. But as dreadful as it sounds..the only way to get rid of those love handles and into some six-pack abs is to work that behind! I can relate to most people at the gym because I used to despise doing any cardiovascular fitness. And as bad as it was, I still jumped on that treadmill or stair master/ elliptical for that matter. But once you're on that machine...what do you do?? Well...for me, the most effective and efficient way was to do intervals.

I've been doing this workout since I last saw it in my SHAPE magazine. Now I know that everyone can't go the same level as me...so adjust to your liking. =)

(courtsey of SHAPE Magazine: February 2009 issue).


-Warm-up for 12-15 min on speed 6.4
-Increase incline 1.0, sprint for 60 sec.
then recover for 40 sec.
-then repeat, by adding a 0.5 grade to the previous incline.
-Do this until you can't sprint any further (I stop at incline 5.0).

this usually clocks me at 2+ miles, then 0.5 miles of incline walking with grade 11.0.
after i reach a full 3 mile or so, i start to run at an easy pace of speed 6.3 back on an 0.0 incline til i reach a mile to a full run of 40 min.

-Cool down, on speed 4.3 for 5 min.
-Cool down some more by downgrading all the way down to 3.8 for 3 min.

Do you feel it now?! haha

And usually after this interval workout I do some abs for 15 minutes.

New Blogger...(wish me luck)!!

Welcome to my blog page!!

Well to keep it simple (because I hate writing intros to anything! lol)--I've incorporated my some-what healthy lifestyle to my "blog space." In addition to my some-what healthy columns, I've thrown in some little tidbits here and there such as food, fashion, and other findings along the way. I'm not here to give you any advice whatsoever but I AM here to promote a healthy and HAPPY lifestyle! So if you're still interested...go on and read along.