Let's Get Bathing Suit Ready

This title of this post initially said getting "bikini ready" but then I looked down at my belly and said, let's go just with a bathing suit, any bathing suit at all! I've embraced my bod (more on weight in an upcoming post), but definitely would like to be more fit before baring most of it this summer. 

Here's two suits that could totally work. I'm typically not a black suit kind-of-gal, but if you are, opt for an interesting dimension, like this one shoulder look by Gap. More on suits coming soon, too...

Hobie swimsuit

 Gap swimsuit

Since I still have at least a few weeks before I'm putting on lycra like this,

I need to get this bod in shape...so....

The good ol' gym called the other day, a random solicitation to get the hubs and I back after a gazillion years. I'm embarrassed to tell you how little I've exercised in say, two years. Between having a baby and being in a hospital for a month (pretty good excuse if you ask me!), I've totally slacked. Bad move, though. Long story short, the gym was victorious --- after they fell victim to my mad negotiation skills, of course! haha. TAGG tip: do not, I repeat do not, be afraid to nicely ask for a better price for your gym membership or anything else. No chance of saving bucks if you don't ask.

Not a gym gal? Whether you don't have the funds, or the time or motivation to head to a gym (the hardest part for me), try a video! I had resounded success from a 20-minute pilates video years ago and now, I've been hearing non-stop about "shredding" thanks to the 30 Day Shred by fitness coach Jillian Michaels of Biggest Loser fame.

The twitter-sphere has been buzzing, tweeting and going crazy for this. Follow bonbonrosegirls, fashionmaven, taylormthomas, aplacetoshare, birdgirlc and smltwnramblings and use #shredcrew to stay motivated. Or, just keep looking at Jillian's abs. I want those.

Love that it's just $7.99 on Amazon! Talk about the cheapest work-out ever and not a major commitment if you want to buy a few videos to mix it up. One yoga class is $15-$20 (which is absurd to me, to be honest). Imagine that 30 days from now you can be feeling infinitely better about yourself. That's so soon!

I leave you with a few words of very important wisdom.....

There is no reason why you should ever insult

or feel bad about the body you have,

regardless where it's at this moment.

It's all yours baby. Own it and love it!

5 Must Haves: for a Fabulously Fit Gal

Meet Jessica. She's a mom of four who's not only super sweet and gorgeous, she's also pretty buff! I love strong, powerful women (may she be an inspiration to us all!) so I'm excited she agreed to share her 5 must haves for a fabulously fit gal with all of us! While she said she's always been into exercising, she got more serious about it after having her first two kids just 13 months apart, gaining more weight than she would have liked.

On her quest to flatten the belly and lose the lbs, she discovered pilates. She loved it so much she got certified to teach in 2004 (rock on!) and also got her personal trainer certification. Then, get this: she started teaching cardio strip tease and pole dancing; the first in south Jersey! (TAGG comment: dying to take one of these; takers in South Florida??). After having her 4th child, she decided to become an online fitness coach with Team Beachbody. This way, she gets to help people from home and have workout time for herself! She's just a real mom on a quest to help herself and others lead a healthier life; love! Check out her blog, find her on twitter or on facebook!

So, here without further ado, Jessica shares in her words, her 5 must haves for a fabulously fit gal. She clearly knows what she's talking about!

Brazil Butt Lift

This is an awesome workout, and the name rings so true. What I love about the Brazil Butt Lift workout is that its fun and combines different exercise disciplines such as Pilates, dance and body sculpting. It infuses all of them together with a Brazilian flair. In the four weeks I did it, I lost 2 inches off my waist, and inch off my hips and 1 inch off each thigh. I have taught Pilates, dance and boot camp so I know this works. Plus it comes with an easy to follow nutrition guide, which I used to make some great, healthy meals.

Harbinger Pilates Mat
I love my Harbinger Pilates Mat. Its thick and cushy. It provides a nice surface for doing yoga or Pilates, even ab exercises. I've also used it when doing plyo exercises for more cushion.
TAGG tip: For less than $30, invest in a decent pilates mat. I got a super basic at Target a few years ago and regret it. I'm now due for an upgrade, spending more than had I just purchased a decent one originally. Let this be a lesson! For something that you'll have for years and years, do a mini splurge. They're way cushier and comfier for your body.

Shakeology

I have to admit I was skeptical at first because of the price, but it comes with a 30-day bottom of the bag guarantee. Sometimes you need to pay for quality and something that works, and this is one of those things worth spending the money on. I'm a busy mom of four with two who are home with me all day. Eating a healthy lunch isn't always easy, but Shakeology in chocolate has made that possible for me. It tastes like a dessert and is healthy for you, too! Plus its helped me keep my weight down and I don't crave afternoon sweets at all.

TAGG tip: this has just 140 calories and 1 gram of fat per serving. That's less than most regular salad dressings! Plus, it adds 17 grams of protein; me likey.

A good workout bra
I don't have a particular brand, though I really like the Tek Gear brand from Kohl's. I picked a few up on sale and they are cute, stylish and in-expensive. I love the colors and the provide some nice support, plus they are very comfortable. This is a must when doing exercise or running. They're also nice for yoga and Pilates, too.




Burt's Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm

Who wants chapped lips when working out? I love this lip balm because it smells good, and adds a hint of color. It also makes my lips feel soft. This is a must if you workout outside during the winter months.

TAGG insight: loving this one! This super-star chap repellent has won crazy amounts of awards including becoming a Women's Health magazine All-Star.

5 Must Haves: Kristi Peacock

Kristi Peacock
5 Must Haves... for a Rockin' Road Warrior

(or a weekend jogger!)

Meet Kristi. Not only is she gorgeous, a total sweetheart and a serious fashionista, she's also an inspiration! This chick runs marathons like it's nobody's business. She's been running long distances competitively for less than four years, getting totally hooked after her first 5K in December 2007.

In 2008 Kristi ran her first marathon in Washington D.C. for the Marine Corps. Marathon, and will be running it again on Halloween; her fourth marathon! She's also run four half-marathons; more 5Ks, 10Ks and 10-milers than she can count and ran her personal best of 3:34:07 at the 26.2 in Jacksonville to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which she'll be running in April 2011.

As you can tell, this gal knows what's up when it comes to running so we've recruited her to dole out some advice to the new and novice. She's currently on the board of the Palm Beach Roadrunners, and is a run club coordinator at Lululemon Athletica in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.


Here, Kristi tells you in her own words, her five must-haves:

Good running shoes
No matter how far you’re going, from beginners starting at one mile to ultramarathoners trekking 100, good, fitted running shoes should be at the top of your list. There is not one shoe that is best for everyone, so visit a local running store to have them fit you based on the mechanics of your foot…whether you have a high arch, overpronate, etc. In Palm Beach County, Fla., Run & Roll at CityPlace, Fit2Run in Wellington or Running Sports in Juno Beach are all fantastic, and help by watching you stand and stride around the store or on a treadmill (a little embarrassing, but totally worth it!). I have extremely flat feet, so I swear by the supportive Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10…doesn’t hurt that in this latest version, Brooks finally made them good-looking too!

Tip: Bring an old pair of running shoes with you so they can analyze the wear and tear, and purchase shoes a size to a size-and-a-half bigger than normal since your feet swell when running.

Hydration: Coconut water

Proper hydration is key to any sport, especially when running. Like running shoes, there is not one rule for everyone, so it’s best to test what product or amount works for you. That being said, I practically live off of coconut water to fuel my runs. I prefer it to Gatorade because it is an all-natural, low-acidic, low sugar way to consume electrolytes, and it’s packed with more potassium than a banana and most sport drinks, preventing cramping and aiding recovery. It can of course be found inside a coconut, but for a quicker and easier fix, stop at Whole Foods or Publix, for a carton of 100 percent coconut water like O.N.E. or Naked. Flavored options are available too, but they sometimes contain artificial juices or preservatives. Need even more hydration for longer runs? I like Crank’s e-Gels and Succeed electrolyte capsules.

Lululemon Athletica apparel

Ever since I put on a pair of shorts from Lululemon, I’ve hardly been able to convince myself wear anything else when running. Not only are the clothes innovative from a fashion sense with the bright colors, plaids and stylish cuts, but they seem to be ahead of the game in the technology behind the design as well. The yoga-inspired tops and shorts are made from soft, breathable and quick-drying materials that reduce chafing and aid in comfort. Recent pick: I had been long opposed to anything skirt-like when it comes to running…just doesn’t seem to fit with the sport…but I recently got talked into trying one of the brand’s running skirts and I think I’m hooked. With light shorts underneath that have gripper elastic to keep them from riding up, plus pockets and air vents, this was probably the most comfortable bottom I’ve ever worn on a 22-mile run. I’m even considering wearing it for a marathon in D.C.!

Tiger Tail or The Stick

As most runners can tell you, with the excitement and adrenaline of the sport comes a lot of nagging injuries. From IT band pain and sore calf muscles to tight quads and overused back muscles, sometimes stretching and icing isn’t enough. The Stick or Tiger Tail rolling muscle massagers look like specialized rolling pins and can work wonders to prevent or assist healing for all of these things. I especially like to use it the night before my long training runs and races, and have seen a big difference since I started.
TAGG tip: Search on Amazon for these products; there's different options based on your needs. And, even if you're not a serious runner we see these as hugely beneficial for anyone with tight muscles!

Running buddy

I’ve been running all my life, but treadmills and long routes around town were just too boring for me when went beyond 13 miles and started training for my first marathon. My training completely changed for the better once I found a few running buddies and joined a running group. I prefer talking to music, so the conversations kept me going for miles, and you can’t deny that safety in numbers is always better, especially if someone needs help. If you don’t already have a buddy to tag along, check out a local running groups in town with friendly beginner groups to more advanced runs.
My choices: Palm Beach Roadrunners is one of the largest in the area with group runs at different lengths during the week, and Run & Roll at CityPlace and Lululemon at The Gardens Mall also offer runs from the store. Palm Beach Marathon Training is a good place to start if you want to make a few friends and get a training plan at the same time.

Happy running!

Divine Deal: Athleta clothes and accessories

Start searching the virtual sale racks! Athleta, a Gap brand that offers clothes perfect for workouts and an active lifestyle, is having a monster sale through Sunday, August 8. While we think their clothes can be a bit pricey at regular price, there's plenty of deals to be had now. Check out the sale section and score an extra 20 percent discount by entering the code HANG20. There's hundreds of yoga pants, bathing suits (sure to stay put during a day at the ocean), fabulous tanks and camis, even sneakers and sandals.

Check out this dip dye cover-up for just less than $16 after discount.

And, here's good quality low-rise yoga pants sure to last through plenty of downward dogs, regularly $69 and currently on sale for less than $28. PS: who's envious of the abs on this model? We are!
Happy shopping!

http://athleta.gap.com
Twitter: @athleta