Love this commercial! Makes me want to purchase.
Must resist marketing! AHH
January 23, 2012 Leave a Comment
Kristen Bell’s Self Magazine Interview
I’m a huge fan of Kristen Bell. Mainly, because she is a vegetarian!
She is on the cover of Self February and here is a snippet of her interview…
On her favorite exercise move:
“Here’s the one that packs the most punch. I call it The Bowler: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, and bend slightly at the waist, holding a 5-pound weight in your right hand. Squat, then swing your right hand up and left, across your body, and sweep your right foot to the left behind you, as if you’re bowling. Do about eight on each side. It’s amazing for the butt cheeks!”
On how she splurges:
“Salted chocolate drives me wild. I’m not a big spender, but I do like buying kitchen tools. I’ve ordered all the ways you can cut a strawberry and that ring to cook an egg in a heart shape.”
On her favorite way to relax:
“I love to cook. I have a tiny Italian grandmother inside me. If someone walks in, I’m like, “Let me make you a sandwich!” We all have a giving-love language and a receiving-love language. I show love by cooking. When people have patience with me, I feel so loved. Dax is extremely patient with me.”
On what she eats, seeing that she’s a vegetarian:
“I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 11, because I couldn’t understand why if we didn’t eat the dog I should eat a burger. I love animals, and I stand by my values. So in the morning, I have an apple and, if we have leftover pizza, I scrape the toppings into egg whites. Pizza eggs are better than you can imagine! For lunch, I’ll have a big salad and a veggie burger. I’m a fan of multicourse dinners. Last night, I made brussels sprouts baked with balsamic vinegar, grapes and walnuts; butternut squash ravioli; and a “garbage disposal” salad, which is everything in the veggie and fruit drawers: lentils, spinach, romaine, blueberries, cucumbers, raspberries, almonds, carrots and avocado. Literally anything. You don’t even need a dressing because there are so many tastes.”
On whether she or Dax is the better biker:
“There’s no comparison! I can barely walk in a straight line, let alone move in one when I’m on a vehicle that has wheels. Dax grew up as a dirt biker. He’s always doing tricks that terrify me. Even so, we ride to brunch or dinner or ice cream all the time.”
January 23, 2012 8 Comments
How To Stop Being “Skinny Fat” and Start Being “Skinny FIT”
I was at the gym this morning and thinking back to when I first started trying to lose weight. I did EVERYTHING wrong.
I would eat a ridiculously low amount of calories per day and exercise way too much. Of course, I lost weight. But the side effects of my dangerous diet made it not worth it. And the worst part is, I didn’t even realise I was thin. I just wanted to lose more and more. Does this sound familiar?
I would sometimes have to curl up in a ball on the couch because of the pains in my stomach. I didn’t want to eat out at restaurants. I was constantly in a bad mood and always lethargic.
One of the worst things about starving yourself is becoming “Skinny Fat”. Sure, you’ll look good in clothes. But once you need to get into a bikini, it is obvious that you aren’t respecting your body.
Do YOU suffer from “Skinny Fat Syndrome”?
Skinny fat is a self induced syndrome where an individual is fairly close to their healthy weight, or even at their healthy weight, but they have little if any muscle definition. The sufferer generally doesn’t exercise regularly or is a habitual on and off again exerciser. The sufferer also generally doesn’t follow any type of healthy nutrition plan, rather they eat anything and everything they want. The skinny fat syndrome can and does lead to the sufferer becoming overweight and even obese if the condition is not dealt with. Also, even if the skinny fat sufferer never becomes overweight or obese they ARE at a high risk for obesity related diseases and illnesses.
How did I stop starving myself and start respecting my body?
By reading fitness magazines and seeing how the fitness models look WHILE having five – six small meals a day. It is possible to eat AND lose weight. I know it seems a little crazy. But if you eat the right things then you can do it!
OMG Melissa, I think I am skinny fat. What can I eat to lose weight and be HEALTHY?
Meal 1 (7 AM)
1/2 cup of dry oats mixed with water
1/2 cup of egg beaters
Meal 2 (9 AM)
Meal replacement or protein powder (around 20 grams of protein) mixed with water
1/2 Tablespoon of Flaxseed Oil
Meal 3 (12 Noon)
1/2 cup of brown rice, or medium sized baked potato, or 1 cup of oatmeal
2 cups of green beans, broccoli or any other desired vegetable
6 ounces of chicken, turkey, or lean fish
Meal 4 (3 PM)
Meal replacement or protein powder (around 20 grams of protein) mixed with water
Meal 5 (6 PM)
1/2 cup of brown rice, or medium sized baked potato, or 1 cup of oatmeal
2 cups of green beans, broccoli or any other desired vegetable
6 ounces of chicken, turkey, or lean fish
This diet will work. Or you can follow the Bikini Model Program (as I have done)
What does Skinny Fat Look like?
It isn’t pretty. I bet that in real life I would see this girl in a pair of tiny skinny jeans and be very envious. But on the beach, not so much.
What does Skinny FIT Look Like?
Here are some examples of skinny fit. Which would you prefer? I know what I’d pick!
What Exercises Can I do?
This is a BEGINNER workout program. A great place to start 
Monday (chest and bis)
Chest
Dumbbell Bench Press 3×8-12
Incline Dumbbell Bench 3×8-12
Dumbbell Flyes 3×8-12
Biceps
Incline Curls 2×10-15
Alternating Dumbbell Curls 2×10-15
Barbell Curls 2×10-15
Abs
Crunches 3 sets of max reps
NB: Don’t add any side Ab exercises in if you are aiming for an hourglass figure
Wednesday (legs and delts)
Quads
Squats 3×12-15
Leg Press 2×10-15
Leg Extension 2×8-12
Hamstrings
Leg Curls 2×10-12
Calves
Standing Calf Raises 3×12-15
Delts
Dumbbell Press 3×8-12
Friday (back and tris)
Back
Lat Pulldowns 3×8-10
T Bar Row 3×8-12
Bent Over One Arm Dumbbell Row 3×10-12
Triceps
Pushdowns 2×8-12
Close Grip Bench Press 2×8-10
Lying Tricep Extensions 2×12-15
Abs
Leg raises 3x max reps
Are you serious? That is BEGINNERS? It sounds really hard!
It isn’t hard! I know all the different names are confusing. I suggest you look up the exercises on youtube before doing them. If not, you could ask somebody at the gym to help you (one of the personal trainers perhaps).
How Can I Get Motivated?
Start by looking at photos of bodies you admire. You could print them out and put them somewhere that you will see every day.
Motivational quotes can be very inspiring!
My personal favourite…”Be the best Melissa you can be!”. You’d obviously insert your own name where ‘Melissa’ is.
When should I start?
Right now! Stop being a “my diet starts tomorrow” person. Tomorrow never comes does it?
You need to lose weight for the right reasons. Do it for yourself! If you’re doing it to impress others or for your boyfriend, it isn’t going to work. If you decide to do it because you want to feel confident, pretty, strong and healthy. Then you are going to succeed!
NO MORE EXCUSES!
Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure.
~Don Wilder and Bill Rechin
Want some more motivation? Watch this video!
January 22, 2012 Leave a Comment
Karlie Kloss: Her Diet & Exercise Regime
Want to know how the gorgeous Karlie Kloss stays in shape? She’s still hunting for the ‘victorias secret’ that many of the VS mums are using to lose weight after having their babies! Check out this snippet of an interview for fashionista.com.
Your body is pretty amazing–still can’t get over that Anthony Vaccarello dress. Did you do anything to prep for the show?
I got a trainer six months ago. But I’ve always just been incredibly physical. In high school I did sports and ballet. With all the traveling it’s hard to have a consistent routine. So I got a trainer, just because, I don’t know? Just for the heck of it. And it’s been amazing. But I am 19 so that comes into play, too. I look around at all these women and they have perfect bodies and they had children like three months ago. I’m like Miranda, get the heck out of here. How do you even do that? They have a secret. That’s Victoria’s Secret. All the Angels know it. Miranda, Adriana, Alessandra, you have to stay [with Victoria's Secret] until you have a baby. I guess I’m a few years away from that but whatever their secret is I want to know it.
Check out the latest photos from the Oscar De La Renta Spring Campaign featuring Karlie Kloss..
Karlie Kloss Measurements: What is her height and weight?
These measurements were taken when she was 17 (2 years ago). They may not be accurate today!
Height- 6’0
Measurements- 32-23-34 (US)
81-58-86 (EU)
January 22, 2012 1 Comment
New Vanessa Hudgens Bikini Photos
Here are some photos of Vanessa Hudgens swimming in Hawaii. It looks like she has lost some weight recently. What do you think?
Vanessa Hudgens Diet & Exercise Regime can be found here.
January 22, 2012 7 Comments
BULA Fiji 2012
Here are some photos from my recent trip to Fiji with my sister
Once again, I’m sorry for the lack of updating on the website. Things have been crazy in the past few months and now I am back to regularly update the site!
A photo of my dog - just for fun!
January 6, 2012 3 Comments
Lauren Conrad’s 7 Days to Skinny Jeans Plan
Lauren Conrad recently posted this 7 day weight loss plan on her blog. Some of the recipes are clickable so you should check it out if it interests you!
Here are some recent candids of Miss Conrad out and about..
Let me guess… It’s 4pm and you’re sitting at your desk still recovering from a post-holiday sugar coma. Your favorite “skinny jeans” are tight. And you are trying to convince yourself you didn’t eat that many Sparkly Lemon Cookies. But you finally admit, “Maybe I did get a little boy crazy with the Gingerbread Men…” (Ha! You showed him.) Now the hunger pains set in. But you think (dramatically), “No! I’m not eating ever again!” False. Skimping on meals is not going to get you back in your skinnies any sooner. If anything, it will mess up your metabolism even more than your holiday binging. Rather, focus on eating nutritious, balanced meals and working out. It will help get your metabolism pumping and your body burning calories, which will have you back in your skinnies before you know it!
Here’s my 7 Days to Skinny Jeans Plan:
The Rules
Commit. Keep your eyes on the prize (a.k.a. those darn skinny jeans) and if possible, enlist a partner in crime. It’s always easier when you have a buddy for support!
Drink lots of water! At least 8-10 glasses a day.
Pick one exercise to do every day (save one day for rest).
Pick one meal from each category for each day.
Pick one snack for each day. (I like to have a snack between lunch and dinner, but the timing is really up to you.)
If possible, try to sneak in your exercise before breakfast. Otherwise, just make sure you squeeze it into your schedule. This is the important part!
Breakfast Options
Greek yogurt topped with walnuts, a handful of berries (or sliced banana) and a light drizzle of agave nectar
Steel cut oatmeal with 2 tablespoons of dried apricots, 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds and a splash of almond milk
Veggie omelet with a slice of whole grain toast (Click here for my favorite omelet recipe!)
Breakfast smoothie
Half an avocado stuffed with cottage cheese and a side of sliced tomato
Ezekiel toast topped with 2 sliced up hardboiled eggs served with half of a grapefruit
Breakfast Quinoa (Make a big batch and eat it for breakfast for a few days. It’s delicious!)
Lunch & Dinner Options
Whole-grain pita filled with chicken, arugula, sliced tomato a teaspoon of crumbled feta and a drizzle of olive oil; serve with a side of grapes
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken with a small side salad (use a mixture of lemon, olive oil and balsamic vinegar for the dressing)
Zucchini “Pasta” with a side of quinoa
Two slices of cauliflower crust pizza with a side of steamed vegetables
Sesame-Tofu Stir-Fry (Another excellent meal you can make a big batch of to last a few days.)
Beet, Orange & Fennel Salad with a side of quinoa
Healthy Chicken Salad served over lettuce or on a slice of whole-grain toast
Snacks
1 medium apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
1 cup of red grapes and a low fat string cheese
¼ cup of almonds
½ cup of bran cereal (or Grape Nuts) with milk and a few berries
Raw veggies with 3 generous tablespoons of hummus
1 hardboiled egg with a few whole-grain crackers
Celery with a tablespoon of almond butter and a few raisins
Exercise Options
30 minutes of cardio (running, kickboxing, elliptical, swimming, step aerobics etc.)
1 hour of yoga or Pilates
Intervals: run for 60 seconds, walk for 90 seconds (repeat 8 times)
Circuit: 100 jumping jacks, 20 crunches, 20 squats, 10 push ups, 25 bench dips (you can do this using a chair), 60 second wall sit, 60 second plank (repeat two times)
1 hour hike with steady incline
Quickie: 20 lunges, 50 jumping jacks (or swap out jumping jacks for jumping rope for 2 minutes)
Semi-Quickie: 15 minute jog, 20 squats, 20 sit-ups
Sadly there’s no way to un-eat what you’ve already eaten over the holidays. But thankfully there is a solution: If you make a conscious effort to have healthier eating and exercise habits, your body will bounce back in no time! Be sure to follow this plan for seven days straight. It will be tough, you will be tempted and you will probably slipup a few times. Once you’re done, try to maintain this healthy lifestyle (but reduce your exercise regime to 3-4 times per week). I’ll be starting the plan tomorrow so we can all do this together.
Be sure to check in by leaving a comment on your progress in the comments below!
Aside from the skinny jean incentive, why do you want to get healthy and fit for the New Year?
XO Lauren
