I May Be Crazy… The Return of Flab To Fab and Body Revolution

May 25, 2018May 25, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

If you have been a long time reader of Looking Joli Good, you may remember the Flab to Fab series from 2016. While I still think of myself as fab 😉 I have let myself get a little flab over the last few winter months. That is all about to change!

About two years ago, I wrote a post entitled Where is the Body Revolution? At the point that I wrote that post, I had completed 10 of the 12 Jillian Michaels’ Body Revolution workouts. My whole body was in pain and constantly so sore that I chose to give up on completing the rest of the system. I have regretted not finishing ever since.

Recently, I found myself lacking the motivation to exercise. I was half-heartedly doing my daily workouts and dreading them. I knew exactly what I needed, a good kick in the pants from my best friend. I love Jillian! Her workouts are by far my favorites! Something about her method is so motivating. I always feel amazing and accomplished after I complete one of her workouts.

A few weeks ago I started Body Revolution over again. I started right at the beginning back at week one of the system. Since I exercise on a regular basis it starts off “easy”, it almost seems to be too simple for a Jillian workout. Do not be fooled by the first few workouts, it gets a lot harder! I am beginning week 6, so I have completed workouts 1-4 as well as cardio 1 and 2. Last week I did workouts 5 and 6 and will repeat them again this week. (So far workout 6 has been my favorite.)

I am sore in places I forgot existed.

The last time I did this workout program, I wrote detailed reviews with all the information that I was looking for when I was researching this workout program. If you would like to read those reviews you can click HERE. In the next few weeks, as I complete the workouts, I will be writing reviews of workouts 7-12 and cardio 3.

Yes, I may be crazy, but I am so motivated again. Forget the flab, I’ll be fab again in no time! As for right now, I need to go stretch out my sore muscles. 😉

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three.

No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #21 Strength Training Guide for Women

May 21, 2018May 13, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

Cardio is cool, but I love to workout with weights! Building muscle increases your metabolic rate which burns more calories while you are at rest.

I like to use 10 lb weights, but 3 lbs, 5 lb, or 8 lbs weights are great as well! You can always push the up button by increasing the weight you are lifting.

Start with one set of each move. As you get stronger, try to do the circuit two or three times. After six weeks you can expect to see improvements in strength, muscle tone, and endurance. You will be shocked at just how strong you are!

As always…No excuses! Just do it!

Click HERE if you would like to have a printable version of this workout.

Remember to keep proper form and warm up and stretch before and after your workout!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts? If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

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No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #19 Jessica Smith 30-Minute Stepping Strength Total Body Workout

May 7, 2018March 26, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

30-Minute Stepping Strength Total Body Workout with Dumbbells no Floor Work, Walking Circuit Workout

I love Jessica Smith! She is so encouraging and upbeat! Her workouts are great without being too difficult that you will get discouraged.

Never miss a Monday workout, it sets the tone for the entire week! Remember to keep proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts? If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #17 Fitness Blender Low Impact Cardio Workout for Beginners

April 23, 2018February 11, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood1 Comment

I always enjoy these Fitness Blender workouts! You will be sweating! Take a few minutes and improve your day! Your health and wellness are worth it! Remember to keep proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!

There is no music, so if you like to workout with some tunes, you’ll have to provide your own. 😀

Workout Structure
1. Jog in Place Jacks
2. Windmill Steps
3. Static Squat + Punches
4. Static Lunge + Curls
5. Static Lunge + Tricep Extension
6. Fingertip to Toe Jacks
7. Stutter Step

Here are a few cool down options, pick one with a length that works for your needs:

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts? If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

Lifestyle

Hope Through Disappointment

April 18, 2018April 18, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood3 Comments

Have you ever set a goal for yourself then worked incredibly hard doing everything right to make it happen, only to be disappointed with a slip-up? Yup, that was me the other day.

I got upset at my failure and started to feel disappointed in my myself. I found myself at that juncture of two choices…. I could either let the disappointment derail me, ignore all the previous progress that I had made and forget about the whole thing, or realize that I made a mistake, learn from it, and move forward.

To be honest, I wanted to give up and slip back into old habits. Change is so hard! Making the right choice is not usually easy!

I woke up this morning with these verses from Lamentations 3:18-25 on my mind…

18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord:

19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood, and the gall.

20 My soul hath them still in remembrance and is humbled in me.

21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Today is a new day. Each morning is a new start.

I had to realize I had been putting my hope in something that disappoints…myself. God has a better plan for me than I could ever imagine for myself. I had to repent of my pride and remind myself that God is my portion and hope.

Are you like me? Are you also having a hard time struggling with a disappointment? Maybe like me even a bit of pride too? (Ouch!) Life is hard and change is inevitable. So let’s encourage each other and help one another out!

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #16 Popsugar Fitness 60-Minute Cardio-Kick Boxing Workout

April 16, 2018February 11, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood1 Comment

I have mentioned a few times that cardio-kickboxing is my favorite type of workout! Such a great overall entire body workout. This 60-minute kickboxing workout from Popsugar is no exception! I love Christa DiPaolo’s energy, she is so encouraging! This workout is not easy, you will be sweating and you will be sore the next day, but it is so worth it!

Do you have time to invest in your health and wellness? Yes, you do! No excuses, just do it! Remember to keep proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!

“Get ready to crush calories with this 60-minute cardio-boxing workout with Equinox’s The Cut creator Christa DiPaolo.”

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts? If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #15 Jessica Smith Kickboxing Workout

April 9, 2018March 26, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

I love Jessica Smith! She is so encouraging and upbeat! Her workouts are great without being too difficult that you will get discouraged. Kickboxing is my favorite type of workout! Whenever I do a kickboxing workout I get the most bang for my buck overall entire body workout.

Never miss a Monday workout, it sets the tone for the entire week! Remember to keep proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts? If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

Beauty Subscription · Make up

Hello, BoxyCharm! March 2018 Box

April 4, 2018April 2, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood2 Comments

I have a feeling that if you love makeup and keep up with the “beauty community” you are already familiar with Boxycharm. But just in case you don’t know what it is…

Boxycharm is a $21/month/box beauty product subscription that includes 4-5 luxury and indie brand beauty related products. Instead of sample sizes like some other subscription boxes/bags, each month, Boxycharm has full sized products. It ships to both the US and Canada.

Each month the value of the box is over $100. This month’s box has $126 USD worth of products in it. It is a great way to try out different higher priced brands without spending a lot of money. I’ve received products from brands such as MAC, Tarte, Cover Fx, Becca, Dr. Brandt, and Bare Minerals.

March’s theme is Bae Cation.

I love that they include a card with the product’s info and pricing on it. This month’s products total $115.15 according to the card and $112.76 according to the prices listed on the Boxycharm site. (not sure why they are different on one vs the other?)

Each month there are usually a few product variations between the boxes that are sent out. This month there were five different possible boxes. I got variation number one, as indicated by the number 1 in the lower right-hand corner of the info card.

Here is what I got in my box this month:

PÜR THE COMPLEXION AUTHORITY – EYESHADOW PALETTE $36.00

“This transitional palette can be used now or later to bring vibrancy back into your look. Our signature silky smooth ultra-mattes are paired with pretty pinks and a vibrant blue to lighten the mood. Plus, you can layer the shimmer shades for a duo chrome finish.”

This palette is beautiful! It swatches great. The majority of the shades in this palette are exactly what I would used on a daily basis. I have found that some of the shades on my eyes are not as intense. In my opinion, PÜR The Completion Authority (formerly known as Pur Cosmetics) is a great brand that doesn’t really get enough love in the beauty community.

PRETTY VULGAR – MAKE THEM BLUSH $26.00

“Make Them Blush powder blush awakens your complexion and provides a natural, glowy flush to your cheeks. This silky-smooth formula is long-wearing and highly pigmented. The buildable blush powder can be worn alone or paired for a multidimensional pop of color that will flatter any complexion.”

The packaging is beautiful! I love when makeup looks pretty as well as makes you look pretty. . I got the shade Hush Blush. It is a pretty peachy rose mauve shade. I’m glad that I got this shade instead of the other option which is a bright fuschia. This product is cruelty-free and gluten-free. The 8 vegan-friendly available shades include: Pretty Witty, Shameless Flirt, Tickled Pink, Hush Blush, Prim Vixen, and Charmingly Sinful.

SOUTH MANE BEAUTY – EYE GELS $9.00

“Our eye gels are great for an easy mask without the clean-up. They soften and moisturize to ensure that you look rested and refreshed!”

This is not my type of thing, I didn’t even open these to try, I’m going to give them to my sister.

THE VINTAGE COSMETIC COMPANY – SMOKEY EYE MAKEUP BRUSH SET $21.76
(not $21.75, but $21.76 😁)

“This brush set trio will enable you to create a stunning Smokey eye. Use subtle tones for a natural look, or bright and bold hues for a party look.”

The packaging is so cute! Each brush has a little saying on the handle “Step 1 for the money…Step 2 for the shadow…Step 3 go girl go”. I have so many brushes, I’m going to be passing these along to someone else as well.

BUTTER LONDON – DOUBLE DECKER LASHES MASCARA $20.00

“Get 200% thicker lashes in just one coat and a 314% increase in lash curl. The interlocking nylon fiber brush grasps each individual lash to lengthen, curl, and multiply lashes from root to tip.”

I’m so particular about mascara. I have found a winner and I’m sticking to it. I haven’t even opened this mascara so that I can pass it along to someone else.

This month’s box was kind of a dud for me. I am only using 2 out of the 5 products. Even still, the box costs $21 a month and the products that I will be using total $62 msrp. That being said…

I have really enjoyed receiving the boxes for the last 9 months, but I have decided to cancel my subscription for now. I have so much makeup in my collection that some of the things that I love get lost in the shuffle. I’m going to be focusing on appreciating the things that I currently own before I keep adding more and more. Despite the fact that I am canceling, I still highly recommend Boxycharm. It is a great way to build up your collection with amazing products at such a great price of only $21 a month.

What about you? Do you get BoxyCharm? Did you get something different than I did? Do you get any other monthly subscription bags/boxes that are worth trying out? Let me know in the comments below.

If you are interested in trying out boxy charm I would love for you to use my referral link by clicking HERE or visiting https://boxycharm.com/refer/laura-AJQSTMGQ (I don’t think that I actually get anything if you use my referral link, but hey why not!)

Check out my other recent posts about subscription boxes that I recommend by clicking HERE. I am still thinking about trying out FabFitFun, but so far I haven’t ordered it yet. I’ll keep you posted!

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #14 SLIM YOUR LEGS with this 7 Minute Workout Lucy Wyndham-Read

April 2, 2018April 2, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

Get in a complete total body workout when you are short on time with this efficient routine by Lucy Wyndham-Read. You can easily slim your legs while doing this routine at home even if you only have a small space. Perfect for all levels of fitness.

Never miss a Monday workout! Remember to keep proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts? If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

No Gym No Problem

No Gym? No Problem! #13 Leslie Sansone’s 1 Mile Happy Walk at Home

March 26, 2018February 12, 2018 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

About 10 years ago, I had just had my first baby and I was a happy couch potato. I ate whatever I wanted and never ever even thought about exercise! One day, I was out shopping, pushing my baby in the stroller, when I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the store’s window. I was literally appalled by what I saw! 😱

Having never consistently exercised in my life, I didn’t know what to do or where to start; I just knew that I needed to start something! The next day I began my health and fitness journey with a one-mile walk at home exercise DVD by Leslie Sansone.

I slowly but surely got stronger and grew to love exercising! It all started with a one-mile Leslie Sansone workout. The rest is history!

Leslie Sansone will always have a special place in my heart!

Do you have 15 minutes to improve your day? Yes, you do, just do it! Your health and wellness are worth it! Remember to keep proper form, warm up before, and stretch after you exercise!

Are you enjoying these “No Gym? No Problem!” posts? If so, you can check out the rest by clicking HERE!

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

Looking Joli Good

Kindness is beautiful!

Tag: beauty blog