Say Yes to That Strapless Dress

 

90 Degree Chest Fly

TARGETS: Shoulders, Upper Back, & Chest 

  • Start by standing with one foot in front of the other about 6 inches apart, slight bend in the knee. You have two options with this move, you can stand or you can do alternating lunges which will make it harder (of course you want to be more efficient!) hold a pair of 5 to 8 pound dumbbells with your arms bent 90 degrees, elbows raised close to shoulder height. Slightly higher if you choose to do the progression – shoulder press.
  • Squeeze your chest and bring your elbows together in front of your body at shoulder height. Open them back to the start and repeat this move for 1 minute or you can do 3 to 4 sets of 12 reps.
  • To make this move even harder (oh yes you can take it another step) The progression…do a shoulder press than bring the elbows back to starting point, open to a fly and repeat. (first photo you can see elbows up higher to move into the press) 
  • Don’t be afraid to add the progressions I have mentioned above if your fitness level allows for it.  Each time you change your workout you confuse your muscles and they in turn will work harder torching calories and unwanted fat. 
  • Before starting any exercise routine see your doctor first! 

 

Jiggle Free Friday….

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Deep Swimmers Press 

Say goodbye to that arm jiggle! This exercise is awesome for targeting multiple muscle groups at once, (back, biceps, triceps, shoulders and core) it is one of the most effective and efficient ways to get results without spending hours at the gym. This version is with an outer bicep curl and a high V shoulder press (aka wide shoulder press) 

Start

Next ~ Outer Curl

Bottom of Press ~ W

Top of Move ~ The V or Wide Shoulder Press

  1. Using lighter weight 5 to 8 pounds, start by standing feet shoulder width apart, arms at sides with palms facing out holding a dumb bell in each hand curl up and to your side as shown.  Try to keep your arms pinned to your sides as much as possible when curling.
  2. Push the dumbbells up into the bottom of a shoulder press in the W position by rotating your arms and palms so they face away from your body (as shown) Now press up into a wide V.
  3. Slowly lower the weights back down into the W bottom of the again rotating the palms now toward you, than slowly bring the arms back down to repeat the move.
  4. There is a lot to think about in this exercise, a tad more difficult than a normal swimmers press, Take your time and do not speed through this move. Remember that mind and body connection are important, take the time to think about the muscles you are working.
  5.  Perform a total of 10 repetitions for each set with a total of three sets.
  6. Remember before starting any diet or exercise program see your doctor first!

Sometimes Chocolate……

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Is the best medicine (not really..eh em) but after a stressful weekend, battling a 24 hour gastrointestinal bug…I wanted food and bad, but something sweet and decadent.  So I made my way to the avenue with only one goal….find a brownie and a mint chocolate one if at all possible, that is really the only way I like my chocolate (strange I know) Anyway I happily landed in Teacake Bake Shop.  In an instant I was drawn to the goodies behind the glass, my eyes locked on the Mint Chocolate Cookie. It was over, I knew it was going home with me and that myself that cookie and a cup of coffee had a date. The fluffy mint crème in the middle, the rich chocolate on the outside… There are no words, but thank you…THANK YOU…Thank you!  

There are a few locations in Cali and all I can say is if you live near one of these bakeries….don’t walk there…RUN to this savory shop of sweetness…but as always, everything in moderation ladies and gents. 

www.teacakebakeshop.com