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.