I'm going to eat what I want today!!!!!!! Oh no you don't

Well, today is Thanksgiving, the day people seem to think they can just go wild with eating and forget everything.  Start your morning with a quick workout. Some isometric holds in a squat position atleast 4 times, followed by 10 jump squats and then 20 jumping jacks.  Repeat this 4 times.  Get your heart up.

Now, think about what today is about. I know there will be tons of food, but, do you really have to eat all day and then feel horrible tomorrow.  It's like drinking all day on St. Patricks day and hating the day after. Why do that?  Did you say, because it's fun?  No, it's not fun for your body.  Are you someone that's been trying to lose weight?  If so, then why pig out today?  Take today, and make it about the family and friends and appreciate what you have in life.

I'm not saying don't eat, but, I am saying stay with only one helping of each item.  Don't over indulge, enjoy being able to care enough about yourself to say no to overeating.  You will feel better tomorrow and happy that you stayed within limits of overindulging.

Make sure that if you are drinking, get your water in all day, please remember to hydrate.  Your body will thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving and be thankful for you as well.  XOXO  Lily

What do you see when you look in mirror?

As a Personal Trainer, I always get the same thing, I want to look good in a bikini. Or, I hate my thighs!  I hate how I look so, I deal with my weight.  I will never look like I want to.  And the list goes on and on.

The reason why I am bringing this up, is that, when you look in the mirror, how often do you say, "How is my heart working for me?"  "Are my kidneys and liver working the way they should?"  "I wonder if my bones will keep me up when I'm 70 and older?"  "Will I get cancer?"  "How are my sugar levels?"

The answer is, no.  Why is that?  If we all looked at ourselves in that way, then our physical appearance will change.  What can we do to change?  The key is education on how to eat and how to see yourself in the way we all should.  A hard working machine that needs to carry us out through the rest of our lives and our body/machine has a lot of work to do to keep up.

The thinking of our bodies needs to change for us and the future of our children.  Start taking away processed foods, drink more water, take away soda and juice.  Switch out milk for soy or almond milk.  Eat at least a pound of vegetables a day.  Eat more seeds and raw nuts.  Don't fry, saute using water.  These are just a few examples of how we can start a change in ourselves for the long run.

Enjoy, who you are and look at yourself differently next you look in the mirror and ask yourself the questions listed above.

XOXO  Love yourself!!
Lily

Work your ABS!!!

Great core workout called the Slither that will kill the abs.  Grab a paper plate, place under one of your feet, get into push up position, now lift the other leg that is not on the plate and start pulling your body with your hands. Dragging your body across the floor then switch feet.  Try 20 to 40 your first then increase as you get stronger.  Love your core and how it will feel for a week after.  Yes, it's hard, but well worth it.  Take  it to the gym and impress your friends.

Enjoy!!! XOXO  Lily

Cold, Dry and Itchy Weather is Here

The cooler air outside, and the heater going inside, will dry your skin so fast during this time of year.  What to do???? As usual, hydrate, water, water, water.  Also, using 100% Pure Jojoba Oil all over your skin is a great way to defend against dryness.  Use on your face and body.  You can also use as a cleanser.  Oily skin also needs to stay moisturized.  Don't think because you have oily skin that you don't need to hydrate and moisturize.   Every skin type does.

Use before bed and upon wake up.  You won't look greasy, just don't pour it on your face.  You will immediately feel the difference after the first use.  Great for feet, elbows and knees.

Most health food stores will carry the Jojoba Oil, around $7.00.  Stay hydrated and moisturized. Lily

Sugar Scrub Time!!!

To get rid of dead skin cells and free radicals that attacked your skin all day long, try a Wonderful product from Ole Henrikson, called Sugar Glow Face Scrub.  Great for all skin types.  Just wet your skin slightly and spread all over your face and massage for a couple of minutes.  The smell alone is fantastic and the feeling of the sugar crystals is amazing.  Don't rub hard, gently is fine.  You can feel the pores getting cleaned.  Remember, not washing your face at night, ages you by up to 6 days.

Also, always use a cloth that is somewhat rough to help clean out your pores.

You can purchase the Sugar Glow from Sephora or online at Ole Henrikson.

Enjoy, and happy scrubbing!  XOXO Lily

Are Your Workouts NOT Working Anymore?

If you feel like you are staying the same in your body, day after day, month after month, year after year, then you need to start with HIIT.  High Intensity Interval Training.  Get your heart up atleast 6-8 times per hour.  Get breathless.  Leave your comfort zone.  Don't sit on the stationery bike and read a magazine. Don't watch t.v. at the gym and do the eliptical.  You need to get moving, hard and fast.  Work your fast and slow twitch muscles.  Take breaks in between to bring the heart down them go hard again.  Sprints are great, plyometrics and isometrics are also great.  Watch your body change, just remember, staying in your comfort zone, will keep you looking the same.  Have fun!!  XOXO Lily

Are You Waking Up With Puffy Eyes??

When you get up in the morning and look in the mirror, do you see puffy eyes? Bags under your eyes and cringe?  What do you do? Do you use eye creams with caffeine in them?

Couple things I do that help and reduce my under eye puffiness and sometimes completely make them disappear.

First, sleep a little upright in bed, not on your side or back. Gravity will bring all the water to your eyes and cause the puffiness and also cause early fine lines and deep wrinkles.  Just imagine sleeping with your face crunched against your pillow, what that is doing to you.  When we are young, our skin pops right back up, but, as we age, our skin no longer  bounces back like it used to.  Go to bed tonight and sleep with a couple pillows under your neck and sleep on your back.  Try it, you will get used to it.

Secondly, workout in the morning.  If you don't have time for the gym get the blood pumping.  Try 20 to 50 jumping jacks.  Add some great jump squats.  Do isometric holds for the legs in the squat position.  Add, 10 to 30 push ups in sets of 10. Go for a good run and turn it into a sprint.  Getting the blood pumping reduces under eye puffiness you will be shocked at how much.  Doing both of these will help.

You can always use iced tea bags as well, but, I recommend the above first, not only will the puffiness help but you have a great workout and avoid fine lines.  Have fun!  XOXO Lily