An Ab Workout You Can Do Anywhere, Anytime.

How about you try this now? It will take under 5 minutes and you will feel your core working! 

Such a great standing ab routine.  Comment below and let me know if you felt your stomach working!!

Before I Die... I Want To

This weekend was my future sister in laws bachelorette party! It was a Friday-Sunday adventure.  Two memorable moments for me:  the Alpine slide and having Ben and Jerry's open after hours just for us. Both made me feel like a kid again.

The next day we drove to Portsmouth NH and enjoyed the cute town. On our way there we passed a "Before I Die, I Want To..." board. I remember reading about this years ago and thought it was a cool concept. I never thought I would actually pass one! I saw the black board out of the corner of my eye and got SO excited. Our bus captain popped a U-turn (as well as our confused friends in the car following us) and we explored our new discovery!

I was nervous on what to write. I was afraid to write something I didn't think I could achieve, but then I realized that the point of this board, for me, is to tell the world a big dream or goal and to step outside your comfort zone.

“Don’t let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning.”

"Don't let fear decide your fate."

“Those who don't jump will never fly.”

What would YOU write on this wall?

We stopped for lunch at a cute little cafe with some awesome sandwiches. I got a black bean hummus with tomatoes, sprouts, lettuce and avocado.

One of our friends got a peanut butter and fluff sandwich. I secretly loved her for it. It just made me smile. She didn't finish it so we cut her second half into mini triangles and the rest of us split it for dessert.

Below is a picture of all the bridesmaids (and the bride!) outside the cafe.

See you tomorrow for a workout! :) on Youtube!

Dry brushing. Can it really help you firm up and reduce bloat?

When I first heard the term dry brushing I had no idea what to think. But it really is exactly what it says. You brush your body with a dry brush, and you are dry. Why? Exactly.  Just what I thought.

Dry brushing is thought to stimulate the body’s circulation and lymphatic systems. By massaging or stimulating your lymph nodes it helps shed excess water and toxins from your body. Your lymphatic system, unlike your circulatory system, does not move on it's own and relies on the movement of your muscles and diaphragm. Dry brushing can give your lymph a little oomph. (hehe)

I have even read some people swearing that it reduces their cellulite. I am not sure how I feel about that one. In the end of the day dry brushing is inexpensive (about $15 for a brush),  takes 5-10 minutes, will feel amazing on your body, and you will for sure shed some dead skin, right?

Things to know about dry brushing:

The Brush:

You can purchase the brush at a Whole Foods, or a health foods store. Look for natural bristles, not synthetic. Look for stiff bristles, but not too tough for your body. Test it out on your hand to see how it feels. Try to get a long handle brush so you can reach your back!

How to dry brush:

Start at your ankles and create firm strokes in toward the center of your body. I also read that some people make circular motions and move toward their heart. You want to brush toward your heart because this is the natural path of your lymphatic system. Do not push so hard, like a crazy person, it should not be painful. Your skin will most likely turn pink, but it should not be bright red and painful. After you finish your legs brush your arms, shoulders, stomach and armpits! I know there are a lot of lymphs in the armpits! 

How often:

If you are just starting off, 2-3 time a week. After your skin and body are used to the dry brushing you can slowly increase to every day. People who "dry brush" usually do it before they shower.  If you only shower once a week, you can dry brush before you go to bed.

I plan on trying this dry brushing thing. Does you dry brush? Has you ever heard of it before? Let me know down below! XO

Cupping. Yes it looks like a hickey.

Hi all! What a great day. Yes, it is totally hot but I love it!! My AC broke during the hottest day in Boston a couple days ago. It will be fixed tomorrow, but until then my windows are open and the breeze is making its way in.

During the week I train some clients at my apartment, but since it has been so hot in here without the AC we have opted for the outside! They really enjoyed the outside butt kick.

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I had these girls running up and down the hill, lifting light weights, holding planks,and doing push ups, traveling lunches, burpees, abs, and butt work. Anything and everything. It was an awesome sweat fest!

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Do not be alarmed! It looks worse than it feels. It looks like giant hickeys on my body, but it is actually the result of cupping. For the past month my neck has been a little off. I would usually go for a massage but this time I did something different; cupping. I am no "cupping" expert but I do know it is an ancient Chinese alternative medicine technique. There are these glass cup type things placed on your back (or I am assuming you can put them anywhere) and then there is a pump that creates a suction between the cup and your skin. Cupping is thought to increase the blood flow and energy in some blocked up areas which helps promote healing and clears toxins from your body.

Not only did I cup, but I did acupuncture too! The whole thing was a cool experience. I was more nervous about the acupuncture than the cups. Acupuncture was great though. It was amazing to see the different sensations my body went through. Some parts of my back got tingly and in other areas I got a weird sensation the moment she placed the needles in my back.. When she took out the needles some areas felt a little "hot" for about 5 seconds. I think everyone reacts differently.I am curious to see what my next session will bring.

Then came the actual cupping. It was very cool feeling, actually relaxing. NOT painful, even though the bruising after looks terrible.

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So now, three days later, I do feel better. It was NOT an immediate feeling of total relief like I thought it would be. In fact I felt almost worse a day after my first treatment. I was even more tight. Today I do feel better. I think in my case I may need more than one treatment. I would totally try it again.  Have you ever received acupuncture or cupping? What was your experience?

After my cupping I headed to Portsmouth NH for a weekend of fun for my friends bachelorette! I walked around the city with hickeys on my back, but I only got a few weird looks!

 It was my first time in Portsmouth! Such a cute little place. We ate good food and went out dancing of course (I even had late night pizza!! WHAT??!?!)

I am off to film your video for this week! See you :)

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