Jodie Pilates & Ripped Bodies Personal Training of Houston TX

Hi all, how is your Sunday going?  Mine has been great.  I have decided to share a little product love with you.  Something different and fun.

Went to Bath and Body Works to buy  my favorite lotion:

Black Raspberry Vanilla

But then I saw this one as well :

Bali Mango

This lotion smells so good I got both, I had a coupon though so I got one free.   If you have not been  to Bath and Body Works lately they  have a lot of new scents.

The products below are from Ulta.

The best foundation in my opinion.

Studio Gear Dual Identity Wet/Dry Foundation

Benefit Ultra Shine Lip Gloss

Below are a few active wear apparel I am adding to my wish list.

The following are from Athleta.  They are committed to Strength and Beauty without Compromise.

Bahia Border Dress

Hana Run Short

Swift Zip Skort

Fitness Apparel from Victoria Secret

Crop Legging and V neck Cotton Tunic

Yoga/Pilates Pocket Pant

Random item below from Piperlime

Michael Antonio Shoes

What are your favorite items?

This weeks workout schedule:

Monday:3 mile run, Booty Barre Abs and Arms

Tuesday: 4 mile run, Zumba and Abs

Wednesday: 5 miles 1 hour Pilates, Glutes

Thursday: 4 miles, Zumba, 74 minutes Pilates

Friday: Zumba, 1hour Pilates, Glutes

Saturday: Pilates on the Arc, Peak 10 Cardio Intervals

Sunday: 5 miles plus Pure Barre Pershing Square 2

Lots of stretching and water.

What is your workout schedule for the coming week? Have you tried any new and exciting classes?

If you have 15 minutes to spare or you just want to shake up your routine add the following moves to to your routine.

If you are tired of crunches try this routine.

Have a great day and let me know if you have added these to your routine. Gotta spice things up.:)

Do you have a favorite exercise?  Feel free to share.

Fun Stuff

Product Love From smash box: SoftBox Lip Gloss Collection

Ok we have all heard how bad stress is for you  so when I came across an article from  Women’s Health that stated stress in small doses  can improve your health, slow down signs of aging and prolong your life I had to read some more because that was news to me.

The type of stress they referred to in the article was short bursts of stress that ends quickly, not chronic stress.  A study was performed on mice they found that when they experienced short bursts of stress they were better able to fight the flu. Why? According to the article, stress sends your system into repair mode. They compared it to when you are injured, your body hones in on the injured area to repair it, thus building your immune system to protect you from infection.  If the stress is minor you are able to deal with it quickly and still have energy left to continue. Who knew?

Being able to relax after a stressful situation is key as this will help your body to heal.

I deal with stress by doing a few things:

1. I exercise daily, which includes running, zumba, pilates, strength training, etc

2. I play card games, for example solitaire

3. Cross word puzzles are a great stress reliever as well

4. An occasional  massage

5. Acupuncture

6. Tetris is great as well, infact the same article mentioned that researchers found that people who experienced traumatic event and then played Tetris were less likely to experience flashbacks.

How do you deal with stress? Do share.

As active people we sometimes have difficulty finding the “perfect” workout apparel.  Over the next few weeks I will be featuring athletic wear from various companies.

These items can be worn by runners, cyclists, Pilates enthusiasts, walkers etc.

First up is ellasport according to their website “At ellasport, we make technical athletic apparel that makes you look and feel amazing”. Who doesn’t want to look amazing when working out.   Oh and cute.:)

Here are a few pieces I like:

Chloe Long -Sleeve Tee

The back of the Chloe Long -Sleeve Tee

Stanton Sport Tank

Stanton Sport Tank back view which I love.

We all need a Workout Skirt

Power Capris

Don’t you just love the design on the leg?

Notice their logo?  The four petals represent desire, power, strength, and femininity.

You should check out the website, while you are there watch the behind the scenes video of the photoshoot.

What are your workout plans for the week?

I will be doing  a little of this:

And this:

And this:

And this:

Though not as graceful:)

And this:

Eating a lot of this:

And this:

And drinking lots of this:

Have a great week.

The Snake

The Snake is an advanced exercise ( modifications can always be made)  which requires strong torso stability. It strengthens the abdominals and hip flexor, the rotator cuff, latissimus dorsi, as well as develops coordination and control.  Perform 3 reps on each side.

The Movement:

Inhale and press the carriage out lowering the hips until the torso is straight and you are looking straight ahead.

Exhale  and return to the starting postion by engaging the abdominals.

Reminders:

Keep the shoulders away from the ears, keep the abdominals engaged through out the exercise, do not drop the hips and maintain torso alignment.

* As always check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Something Extra:

Pack a Perfect Gym Bag

Buddy Workout

March is National Nutrition Month.  Include a variety of Fruits and Vegetables in your diet.  Eat the rainbow, green, red, yellow,purple, orange, blue,white, tan and brown.   Include smoothies and fresh vegetable juices in your diet. Choose organic local produce when you can.  Shop seasonally, doing this will ensure you are getting the highest quality and freshest flavor.  Try this recipe Raw Kale Salad with Root Vegetables. Choose water as your beverage of choice , nix those sodas.

You can learn more here.

And of course along with good nutrition, include some exercise.  If you only have ten minutes try this Routine.

Have a good day.

I am often asked by many “first time” Pilates enthusiasts, ” What should I wear to class?”  

My response: Comfortable clothing you can move in.

There are many exercise clothing companies  but the one I will be featuring is Abi and Joseph.

Here are some pieces I would like own and I would recommend to others.

Delux Wrap in Viscose Elastane

  Slim Fit Pilates/Yoga Pant

Loose Fit Vee Neck Tee 

These items are so versatile you can wear them to class and run errands in them as well. 

Which items would you choose?

One of my favorite quotes:

 “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

Audrey Hepburn

How beautiful, don’t you think? What is your favorite quote?

A few days ago I was invited  by a fellow blogger Becky her site Tres Chic Bellevue to share some  health and fitness tips with her readers.  She  descibes herself as a  reviewer of all-things-chic.   Let me know what you think.

We all have days when we are dragging here are a few ideas/tips I have found to be helpful when I lack energy.

1. I will drink 2 ice cold glasses of water.

2. Take a 10-15 walking break.

3. Listen to music.

4. A 20 minute Pilates routine.

5. Deep Breaths

6. Lastly, I will take a “cat nap”. Sometimes all I need is 10-15 minutes.

What are your energy boosting tips? 

If you are a meat eater, how about replacing one meal each day with veggies for 3 weeks? 

Sitting at a desk all day? How about doing this Desk Routine.

Here are 2 of my favorite products from Burts Bees:  

Beeswax Lip Balm

and Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream.

They have a lot of amazing porducts. If you have never tried their products you should, you won’t disappointed and their story is very interesting.

Which products are you liking right now?   

Upcoming:

Exercise of the month

A recipe

Exercises for your hands.

Pilates on the Foam Roller ( it’s not just for tight muscles)

I am also taking reader requests, what would you like to see on the site?

A few months ago I came across this article in Whole Living magazine.

  10 Thoughts on Whole Living

  1. Something worth doing once is worth doing again.

 2. Flexibility isn’t wishy-washy. There’s a difference between knowing your priorities and not knowing your own mind.

 3. The road to wellness isn’t straight, clear, or predictable. It’s a path you forge yourself.

 4. Dream up a simple project, then shape it with your hands.

 5. True generosity doesn’t leave you with less, it leaves you with more.

 6. Wait two seconds before you say something you can’t take back.

 7. A balanced life looks and feels different for everyone.

 8. Patience is like a muscle. If you don’t use it, it wastes away.

 9. Vulnerability brings trust. Trust brings opportunity.

 10. Let sensory pleasure, not rules, guide a healthy appetite.

 I would also like to add a few of my own:

 1. Believe in yourself .

 3. Stop living in the past, learn from it and make your present the best it can be.

 4. Cherish your family and friends.

 5. Make peace with your body and appreciate all it has done for you.

 What are your ideas on whole living?

 Extras:  Can Finger Nails Predict your Health?  You can read it here.

I am always looking for healthy muffin recipes, take a look at these recipes.