I have always wanted a ballet bar…installed in my imaginary mirrored workout studio… at my palatial sea-side estate… in the Hamptons.  But my play-doh stained chair from the kitchen will work just as well for these ballet-inspired isometric exercises designed to create long and lean muscles – without the bulk.  With isometric exercises, you contract your muscles while keeping them at a fixed position (ie: holding a push-up in the lowered position).  The movements are tiny but done correctly, you will feel the burn and quickly see the results.  Best of all, these exercises can be done anywhere as long as you have something to hold onto.

Click here to lengthen and strengthen…

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

This workout is part of Kelly Ripa’s regular exercise regimen.  If this is how she keeps that rockin’ bod in shape then I’m sold.  All you need is rudimentary knowledge of the alphabet and a medicine ball.  It’s a great way to work on your core and upper body strength. Here is how you do it:

Take a 5-20 lb medicine ball (depending on your strength level) and extend your arms out in front of your body. Proceed to slowly spell the entire alphabet with the ball in the air in front of you.  Have your kids grab one of their numerous balls that are surely scattered throughout the house and join in the fun.  They will get a workout too and maybe finally master that tricky alphabet.

*To make this exercise even more challenging, do the Alphabet Workout while in a lunge or squat position.  I personally opt not to.

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I’m not really a fan of yoga.  Yes, yes I know all of the fantastic benefits it provides but frankly, it just bores me to tears.  I tried a hot yoga class once with a girlfriend and besides feeling like I was trapped in a sweat lodge, all of that huffing and puffing was kind of embarrassing.  But, alas,  I think I have found a kind of yoga that suits me just fine.  To get started, grab your man and put the kids in another room.  These 3 moves will surely brighten the day of the guy in your life.  At the very least, you will both get a good laugh attempting the poses.

Click here to see the moves…

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My hair has always been a point of contention for me.  It’s thin and fine and the only time it ever looked good, without the help of the massive amount of extensions I have installed monthly, was when I was pregnant.  What I had amassed during pregnancy #2 promptly fell out a couple weeks after my kid made his entrance.  It has been in a state of flux ever since. Recently, though, I had my hair done for a wedding and an angel sent from the heavens (otherwise known as my hairdresser, Sarah), brought out a vile of white powder.  Now get your mind out of the gutter, it wasn’t that kind of white powder it was a product called Dust It by Osis.  She sprinkled a wee bit in my hair, worked it in and voilà, instant volume without the heaviness that my hair cannot handle.  I have been using it ever since in my battle against flat hair.  It works wonders in this ridiculous humidity we have smothering us in the sunshine state.  Two tips to keep in mind:  1.  Buy it online.  It’s much cheaper than at the salon.  2. For the brunettes and redheads out there, make sure to really work the powder in.  It looks like dandruff if you don’t.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment