Do you remember Jessica Smith (and Peanut) from a few weeks ago? This is one of my all time absolute favorite exercises routines from her. If you want a great ab workout without having to do a million crunches, this is just the workout for you! It takes less than 30 minutes! No excuses, just do it!
How does the Jessica Smith TV website describe this workout routine?
“What It Is: This cardio kickboxing abs routine is the best way to mix up your abs routine and give unwanted belly fat a one-two punch (don’t forget to pair it with a healthy diet for best results)!
Why You Need It: Let’s face it, crunches aren’t the most effectiveand those plank challenges are super boring (and they can really cause poor form). This multi-tasking routine saves you time and maximizes your calorie burn by combining your cardio and core work into a single workout (plus, it’s kind of fun too!).”
Don’t forget to keep good form and warm up and stretch before and after your workout!
Since yesterday was Pi day I posted a recipe instead of a workout, but don’t think that I forgot about it for this week! We all will need this core workout to work off all the pie we ate celebrating pi day yesterday, haha!
This workout only take 15 minutes! Keep good form, no excuses, just do it!
If you have been around Looking Joli Good for any amount of time, you know that I love Jillian Michaels! I’m pretty sure we are best friends, she just doesn’t know about it. 😉
Do you think you are ready to tackle one of her work outs? I have faith in you, you can do it! This is Level 1 of her 30 Day Shred. (There are 3 levels total, each a bit harder than the previous level.) Even though this is one of her older workouts, it is still a really good one and I love it! Ready? No excuses, just do it!
I recently read this article from Real Simple and thought that this was an interesting article. I wanted to share it with all of you! What do you think? Do you agree with these tips on where to scrimp and where to splurge? PS: I don’t necessarily agree with all of these, but I do think that it is an interesting take on where to spend and where to save.
If you would like to read the original article click HERE
7 Beauty Products Worth Splurging On (and 5 That Totally Aren’t)
“Admit it: The exotic list of ingredients and the promise of supermodel shine are tempting. But then you hear a little voice in your head (hey, is that you, Mom?) saying, “It’s hype! You’re paying for a pretty box.” Some products are worth every dime; some not so much. How to tell the difference.
Shampoo = Scrimp
Springing for extravagant shampoo is essentially like watching your money go down the drain with the suds. However, if you’ve spent a small fortune coloring or highlighting your hair, you might want to go with the product that your hairstylist recommends.
Photo by Serge Bloch from the Real Simple Website
Conditioner = Splurge
Yes, you rinse conditioner out, but these products are emulsions, which means they contain an oil or wax that doesn’t mix with water. So whatever healthy ingredients are in them adhere to the hair and don’t wash away.
Cleanser = Scrimp Because the fancy-pants ingredients will be on your face for only two seconds—not long enough to be worth the expense. Have acne-prone or sensitive skin? Look for labels that say “gentle” or “noncomedogenic.”
Day cream = Scrimp Make sure it’s the kind with sunscreen included; it should have broad-spectrum protection of at least SPF 15. You’ll find an aisle full of worthy options at the drugstore.
Foundation = Splurge Since the chances that your face may end up looking like an Oompa Loompa are high. Instead head to the department-store cosmetics counters, where you can try out not only shades but also formulas before you buy. Do you prefer lightweight and sheer? Or something with more coverage to hide acne?
Powder = Splurge Unless you opt for a colorless translucent powder (in which case, you can totally go thrifty), you’ll want to try this on before you buy, especially if you’re using powder as an all-purpose foundation/ concealer/makeup setter. A well-made one also gives you that flawless, practically Photoshopped look and will last longer, so you won’t need to apply as much of it.
Powder blush = Splurge The pigments in blush are very similar to those in eye shadow. The less expensive the product, the more likely it is that the pigments have been diluted with talc and other powder ingredients. Also, cheaper blushes have a tendency to leave streaks.
Eyeliner = Splurge You don’t want one with a crumbly tip that creates a shaky line. Generally, the more expensive the pencil, the softer the wax and the smoother the application.
Eye shadow = Splurge Department-store–brand shadows adhere to the lids better, go on smoother, and offer richer colors than their drugstore counterparts. Certain pigments, such as deep blues and purples, are expensive, so companies that charge more can use more of them. But if you want to test-drive trendy shades, then, by all means, go economical.
Mascara = Scrimp Bombshell: There isn’t a lot of difference between high-end and low-end formulas. Because bacteria grow easily in mascara, you should trash a tube after three months—which is all the more reason to cut corners.
Lip gloss = Scrimp No need to go all out if you want just a hint of tint and a bit of shine. And who are we kidding? Half of it will rub off on your coffee cup anyway.
Lipstick = Splurge If it’s your signature shade, don’t cheap out. You’ll get a creamier texture and possibly even extracts or vitamins that will prevent your pucker from becoming caked and flaky.
We have completed two months of this new year, can you believe it?! How are things going with your new years resolutions? Have you been eating well and working out? If not, today is a great day to start!
This 10 minute workout focuses on the arms. You’ll need 2 sets of weights: a light and heavier set. I prefer to use 3 and 8 lbs weights, but if you only have 3 and 5 lbs that works out fine as well.
This routine combines the best 10 exercises to burn calories, do each for 30 seconds with a 10 second rest in between in order for the workout to be effective. This circuit should take 7 minutes challenge yourself by repeating it two or three times.
Remember to always keep your ab muscles contracted, keep good form warm up before and stretch afterwards! No excuses, just do it!
1. Jumping Jacks
2. Wall Sit
3. Push-Up
4. Abdominal Crunch
5. Step-Up onto Chair
6. Squat
7. Triceps Dip On Chair
8. Plank
9. High Knees Running In Place
10. Lunge
I originally read about this workout on CNN Life. If you would like to check it out for yourself click HERE!
Here is another workout you can do whenever and where ever you want! All you need is a sturdy chair and a small amount of space! This workout is only 15 minutes, you can spare 15 minutes! 🙂 No excuses, just do it!
I love that this video has a count down clock so that you know how much time is left.
The Best 15-Minute Beginner Workout — No Equipment Needed | Class FitSugar
Make sure you use proper form! Warm up and stretch after! Now go do it! 🙂
Class Fitsugar has a lot of great quick workouts. They also make a lot of workouts for beginners, so if you don’t have a lot of time and you are new to working out, these are perfect for you!
Here is another workout you can do whenever and where ever you want! This one is an abdominal specific workout. You can get this one done in less than 15 minutes! All you need is a small amount of space and a stability ball if you already have one! Do 5-10 reps of each and repeat 2-3 times depending on how much time you have. No excuses, just do it!
Warm-up: Cat-Camel
Start on all fours with hands directly beneath shoulders and knees below hips. Exhale and contract your abdominal muscles, rounding your spine up to the ceiling (bottom illustration). Tuck in your chin slightly and hold for 10 to 15 seconds. Next, exhale and arch your lower back and draw your chest and head upward; hold for 10 to 15 seconds. Return to the starting position and repeat the full move.
Bird-Dog
Remain on all fours and tighten your abdominal muscles, keeping your spine and neck in a neutral position; you should be looking at the floor. Slowly extend your left leg behind you while reaching your right arm forward. Keep your hips and shoulders square and make sure your lower back doesn’t arch. Hold for five seconds. Slowly return to the starting position and do the move on the opposite side. Complete 5 to 10 repetitions on each side.
Stability-Ball Crunch
Strengthen your abs and obliques by sitting on a large ball with your feet flat on the floor. Walk your feet forward, letting your entire back rest on the ball and keeping your thighs parallel to the floor. Cross your arms over your chest and slightly tuck in your chin. Contract your abs and exhale as you raise your torso about 45 degrees. Pause, then lower, inhaling as you go. If you feel unstable, move your feet farther apart. Repeat 5-10 times. If you don’t have a stability ball, just do this move on the floor as a regular crunch/sit up.
Front Plank
Lie on your stomach with arms bent, palms and forearms on the ground, fingers pointed forward, legs extended, and toes tucked under. Work your back and abs by contracting your core muscles and slowly lifting your entire torso off the floor, keeping palms, forearms, and toes on the ground. Avoid arching your lower back,hiking your hips upward, or shrugging your shoulders. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, gradually building up to one minute.
Bicycle
Lie on your back with fingertips behind ears, legs in the air, and knees pulled toward chest. Target your sides and entire ab area by contracting as you lift your shoulder blades off the ground. Straighten your right leg at a 45-degree angle and rotate your upper body to the left, bringing the right elbow toward the left knee. Switch sides by straightening your left leg, bending your right leg, and bringing the left elbow to the right knee. Alternate sides in a pedaling motion. Complete 5-10 full reps.
Side Plank
Turn onto your right side with your legs extended and your feet and hips resting on the ground and stacked on top of each other (top illustration). Place your right elbow directly under your shoulder to prop up your torso, and align your head with your spine. Gently contract your core and lift your hips and knees off the floor; this strengthens your sides and deep ab muscles (bottom illustration). Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, gradually working up to a minute, and return to the starting position. Roll onto the other side and repeat.
Reverse Crunch
To strengthen the entire ab area, lie on your back and extend your arms out to the side, or keep your hands behind your head if that’s more comfortable (top illustration). Raise your knees and feet so they create a 90-degree angle. Contract your abdominals and exhale as you lift your hips off the floor with control; your knees will move toward your head (bottom illustration). Try to keep your knees at a right angle. Inhale and slowly lower. Repeat 5-10 times.
Cooldown: Cobra
Lie on your stomach with your hands underneath your shoulders and your fingers pointing forward (top illustration). Keep your neck long. Gently exhale and lift your chest and torso upward to stretch your abdominals (bottom illustration). Press your hips into the ground. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds, breathing evenly, then slowly lower back to the floor.
Don’t forget to keep good form and warm up before and stretch out after you exercise!
Here is another workout you can do whenever and where ever you want! All you need is a sturdy chair and a small amount of space! Do 10 reps of each and repeat 2-3 times depending on how much time you have. No excuses, just do it!
Remember to keep good proper form and warm up before and stretch after you exercise!
Here is another workout you can do whenever and where ever you want! All you need is a sturdy chair and a small amount of space! No excuses, just do it!
Remember to keep good form and stretch after your exercises!
Looking Joli Good 