Fitness Odyssey

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Looking forward to everything 2011 has to offer...xoxo

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-25T00:20:00.001-08:00

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday!

2010-10-31T02:10:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Have a fun and safe All Hallows' Eve!

Heidi Klum for New Balance

2010-10-10T00:54:00.000-07:00

I love active wear because it motivates me. I wanna look cute when I'm working out. And if I have cute workout clothes, then I'll wear it more often. And if I'm wearing workout clothes, then I'll be more likely to workout more.

Anyways, if you watched this week's episode of Project Runway, then you're aware that Heidi Klum has teamed up with New Balance to put forth an active wear collection. The Heidi Klum for New Balance looks cute and comfy, although it's a little pricey, but not by much. The collection is exclusively available at Amazon.

How Duff Got Buff for Her Wedding

2010-10-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

Hilary Duff wore a gorgeous Vera Wang dress for her wedding to Mike Comrie last summer. The actress enlisted the help of celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, author of the 5-Factor Diet, to help her get in shape for the big day.

To prepare, Hilary hit the gym five days a week. Harley modified his 5-Factor workout for the actress by amping up the workout. Harley extended the usual five-minute cardio warm up and five-minute cool down phases to 15 minutes each. The celebrity trainer told US Magazine,

“Each workout starts with a cardio warm up of jump rope and jogging, then we do a circuit of upper body, lower body and abdominals. We go through each exercise and do about 25 reps. We’ll repeat that circuit about four times and then end with cardio at the end.”

Diet was also key to getting Duff in shape for her big day and as such she was also on Harley’s 5-Factor diet consisting of five small meals a day – breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, and dinner. The five meal a day menu would include a breakfast burrito, a mid-morning snack (such as a berry smoothie), a chopped salad for lunch, an apple cinnamon oatmeal cookie for snack, and usually Japanese for dinner. The diet has a simple criteria – low fat protein, healthy carb, healthy fat, fiber, and sugar free beverage.

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T00:57:00.001-07:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL WONDERFUL DADS OUT THERE!

I'm Back!

2010-04-16T19:44:00.000-07:00

I'm back! I'm back! I'm back!
I know I haven't been updating my blog, but as I said earlier, I'm back! But even though I haven't been chronicling the trials and tribulations of my weight loss journey, I haven't deviated from my journey - well, maybe a little, but I got back on track and that's what it comes down to, isn't it? Yup, it's important to get back on the wagon if you fall off.

So I've been cranking it up on the workout front for awhile, but then I got sick and couldn't work out, which totally sucked. But now that I'm feeling better, I've been trying to workout more often. I've been pretty good so far. And the results are showing, I weighed myself and was surprised to see an integer I haven't seen in awhile. Curious, I logged on to my SparkPeople account to see how much weight I've lost since I started the account way way way back when. And guess what, I've lost 17.6 lbs! Wooo Whooo! Great right? This year alone I've lost about 9 pounds - not much, but hey at least it's something. I'm happy, but I know that I still have a long journey ahead. Sadly, I'm not even half way there yet. I don't know how I've let myself get like this, but now it's time to strike back and take control. Seeing how much weight I've lost is motivating. So now I'm all revved up. I'm only two pounds away from my mini goal!!! Bring it on!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all the best for the coming year!

Cyber Monday Sale Alert: Athleta

2009-11-29T14:56:00.000-08:00

For Cyber Monday, Athleta.com is offering 20% off plus free shipping. Use promo code MONDAY to receive discount. Valid only on 11.30.09.

Perfect for stocking up on fitness attire!

I'm Back!

2009-11-29T14:44:00.000-08:00

So I haven't really been keeping up with this blog or with my weight loss goals, but now I'm back! I realize that it's been almost a year that I've started this fitness odyssey, and to be honest, I haven't really lost anything. But on the positive side, I haven't gained anything either. It's time to kick it into full gear. I just bought a treadmill, so no more excuses....

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Turkey Day everyone!

September = Free Yoga!

2009-09-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

September is National Yoga Month. What does that mean? It means free yoga baby! To celebrate National Yoga Month, over 750 yoga studios around the world are offering one week of free yoga. So if you're new to yoga, it's a great time to give it a try. Or perhaps you just want to check out a new studio. Here's a list of the participating studios.

De-Bloating Tips from Britney Spears

2009-08-23T19:27:00.001-07:00

Britney Spears has been seen out in a bikini a lot more lately. It's probably because the singer has been working hard to get her pre-baby (pre-crazy) shape back and wants to show off her new toned look. Here are some of Brit Brit's de-bloating tips:

1. Cut out soda - carbonated stuff makes you bloat
2. Cut out gum - chewing gum increases air consumption, which causes bloating
3. Limit intake of salty foods - salt increases water retention

Rachel Nichols’s G.I. Joe Workout

2009-08-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

For her role as Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Rachel Nichols enlisted Valerie Waters to help her get in shape. Four months prior to filming, Waters replaced Nichols’s regular routine with her “Action Hero Babe” routine. The “Action Hero Babe” routine consist of circuits that are made up of four to five exercises that work the arms, core, legs, and back muscles.

The Workout:

“Action Hero Babe” Circuit #1

Warm up with leg swings and squats

12 step ups on each leg to a high step

6-8 chin ups

10 star push ups (5 on each arm): at the height of the push-up, rotate to one side and raise opposite arm so that it’s perpendicular to your body. Return to starting position and repeat.

12 “Valside pushaways”: start in a push up position with Valslides under your hands. Separate hands as much as possible and return

Repeat three times, resting one to two minutes in between

Equipment Needed:

Valside $30

Valband $5

[Source: InStyle]

20% off at Bliss

2009-08-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

Get 20% off fuzz fighting and body toning bestsellers at blissworld.com. Enter code HAIRY! Offer valid 8.5.09 through 8.9.09.

MythBuster: Strength Training Bulks Women Up

2009-08-02T00:37:00.000-07:00

Myth: Strength training will cause a women’s muscle to bulk up.

Fact: For muscles to become large, they require certain hormones, namely, testosterone. Women fear that they will develop an overly masculine, muscular physique if they lift weights. But the truth is that since women’s testosterone levels are much lower than men’s, they don’t have the necessary amount of hormones needed to develop bulky muscles. In fact, even men struggle to gain huge muscles (and for that reason, some turn to steroids or other drugs to help build muscles).

The truth is that there are numerous benefits to strength training:

Increases metabolism, so you’ll be burning more calories

Increases strength

Decreases risk of osteoporosis

Muscles take up less room than fat, so you’ll lose inches, slim down, and tone up

Conclusion: MYTH BUSTED!

How Scarlett Johansson Shaped Up for Iron Man 2

2009-08-01T16:12:00.001-07:00

For the upcoming sequel to Iron Man, aptly named Iron Man 2, Scarlett Johansson had to don a revealing Lycra catsuit for her role as the Black Widow. Scarlett had to endure rigorous stunt training and strength training to look good in unforgiving Lycra.

Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau credits Scarlett’s willpower and determination in making the Black Widow suite look good. “She didn’t eat much, that’s for sure. She likes food, as do I, and she was definitely on a low-card diet and training very hard. It was amazing.”

Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010.

[Source: People]

20% Off At Shopbop

2009-07-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

Take an extra 20% off Sale Items with code SALE20 at shopbop. Ends July 23rd at 11:59 PDT.

Bliss Footwear Sale

2009-07-18T13:06:00.000-07:00

Bliss Footwear blowout sale! Get up to 60% off new sale items, plus free shipping ż hurry ends 7.24.09! Offer code 079910.

Healthy Living Tips form Jillian Michaels

2009-07-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

The Biggest Loser trainer, Jillian Michaels, went on the Today Show this morning to dish out healthy living advice. She took questions that were videoed in, Skyped in, and called in. Jillian recommends looking at the number of calories you consume. To basically watch what you eat. Here's what else she had to say:

On how to stay healthy on the road:
• Pack a cooler with healthy food options
• Choose the grilled options when dinning at fast food places

Be high maintenance with food at restaurants:
• Check out nutritional info
• Ask for dressing on the sides
• Ask for things to be grilled

On not having time to go to the gym:
• You don’t need a gym to workout, you can do polymetric exercises at home or anywhere
• Do squats, lunges, push ups, sit ups, etc
• Get creative and think out of the box

On what not to eat:
• Sugars
• Processed foods
• Refined grains

On energy boosters:
• Drink water. Dehydration can snap energy. Drink at least 80 ounces a day
• Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and organic proteins
• Drink up to 200mg of caffeine a day. That’s about one cup of coffee. 200 mg of caffeine is about 75 minutes of sleep. It’ll improve cognitive function and boost energy levels

On metabolism boosters:
• Get seven to eight hours of sleep a night. That’s when your body is releasing most of the fat burning and anti-aging hormones
• Base workouts on strength training
• Do four to five hours of exercises per week
• Lower body exercises if the best for metabolic functions. Do lunges, squats, dead lifts, weights, etc. This releases more testosterone, DHEA – all the hormones that helps your body shed fat
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a metabolism killer. It releases excess estrogen, which is bad for the body and your waistline.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Jessica Alba's Workout Routine

2009-07-12T01:44:00.000-07:00

Like many Hollywood moms, Jessica Alba got her body back in record time. Ever wonder what routine she used to do that? Straight from the horse's mouth, her trainer Ramona Braganza shares Jessica's routine that you can do in the comfort of your own home or gym. Jessica pays $200 a session with Ramona. You can do the same routine for no cost, all you need is 40 minutes and a pair of three pound dumbbells. Also as a sidenote, Halle Berry also used this routine to get her body back after baby.

Do the routine four times a week.

10 MINUTE CARDIO: Jog for two minutes, run hard for six minutes, and jog for two minutes again

STRENGTH TRAINING 1: Three rounds of 20 reps using three pound dumbbells

Forward lunge with biceps curl: Curl weights up as you step forward, then release arms down and step back to your starting position. Alternate legs.

Reverse flys: Step forward with one leg, bend at the waist, and let your arms hang. Raise arms, slightly rounded, to the sides until they are in line with your shoulders. Switch legs every 10 reps.

Lateral raise: Stand with arms by your sides and lift arms out to the side until they are in line with your shoulders

5-MINUTE CARDIO: Alternate between 30 seconds of jogging and 30 seconds of sprinting.

STRENGTH TRAINING 2: Three rounds of 20 reps using 3-pound dumbbells

Squat with shoulder press: As you come out of the squat position, press arms up over your head with palms facing forward.

Chest press: Lie back on a bench (or stacked pillows), arms extended above your chest, palms forward with dumbbells touching. Lower arms until weights are in line with chest, then press back up.

Triceps dips: Slide off the seat of a chair, keeping your arms on the edge behind you, and lower yourself down until your arms are at a 90-degree angle.

5-MINUTE CARDIO: Jog for 30 seconds; run hard for four minutes; jog again for 30 seconds.
CORE WORKOUT: One round of 20 reps

Reverse crunches: Lie on your back with knees pulled to chest and hands under butt; straighten legs toward ceiling, contract abs, and lift hips.

Bicycle crunches: Lie on back with arms behind head and legs raised and bent to 90 degrees. Bring right elbow to left knee, left elbow to right knee.

Plank: Hold for 20 to 30 seconds.

Weigh-In: Week 28

2009-07-12T01:07:00.000-07:00

It's been 28 weeks since I've start trying to lose weight and I've only lost 4 lbs! But I have to admit that I haven't really been putting all my effort into it. I only ran once this week. Like I've said before, with my ipod still broken, I'm just not motivated to run as much. I'm addicted to the nike+ thing. I need to see my runs, how fast I'm going, how far, how many calories I've burned. And I love how it's all laid out for you with numbers and graphs - it must be the scientist in me. So I can't decide whether I want to buy a new nano or an iphone. And I just keep putting it off - I'm the worst procrastinator ever!

Every Sunday, I tell myself that I need to kick it up the next week. But you know it never happens, and I really don't know why, other than the fact that I'm lazy and otherwise preoccupied. But I think I'm really going to do it next week - hopefully that is. Yesterday, I was over at my aunt's and guess what she told me. She said that I should join a gym. Now this isn't the first time that one of my relatives have told me that I need to lose weight - it's an Asian thing, which I'll rant about later - but this time it really irked me.

Happy Fourth of July!

2009-07-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Weigh-In: Week 27

2009-07-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

I lost some (very very little) weight, but I have no one to blame but myself and mother nature. I was all bloated this week - that's mother nature's fault. I know, I know, tmi. Sorry. But it's also my fault, cause I haven't been working out. I've been meaning too, but I've also been lazy. I need to get motivated and get my butt in gear! And because my stupid ipod nano is stuck on hold! I just can't run without my ipod + nike thing. I'm addicted to the stats! I need to find a way to open up the nano, so it won't be perpetually stuck on hold or I should just get a new one. But I don't know if I want a nano or an iphone. Decisions, decisions! But either way, tomorrow I'll try running again, without the ipod + nike....

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2009-07-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

Get Free Shipping and up to 50% off select FitFlops at blissworld.com. Enter code 079906. Offer ends 7.5.09