With the temps here in Florida already hitting 90 degrees, the tank top will be the main staple of my wardrobe unfortunately, until late October.  Flabby underarms and excess chicky meat just won’t do.  It’s time to dust off the free weights.  If you don’t own a set (or two) go buy some – now.  I keep 3 sets around my house in areas that I will never miss seeing them.  Here are a few exercises that will tone those arms right up.  Remember, though, you will only get lean, sculpted arms when combining these exercises with a low-carb, high (lean) protein diet.

Kid Tip: Buy your kids the 2-pound free weights and make it a family affair.  Not only will it help build healthy habits but it will keep junior occupied while you work on those arms.

Shoulder exercises
Dumbbell press – 2-3 sets, 10 reps
Lateral raise – 2-3 sets, 10 reps

Biceps exercises
Barbell curls – 2-3 sets, 10 reps
Bend elbows, lift arm from shoulder only – 2-3 sets, 10 reps

Triceps exercises
Overhead triceps extensions – 2-3 sets, 10 reps.
Kick-backs – 2-3 sets, 10 reps

* If you are new to free weights start with the 5-pound weights and then work your way up to the 8-10 pounders.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

I am absolutely in love with my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer.  Not only does it provide a smooth, light foundation perfect for day wear but it also contains a 20 SPF which is a ‘have to’ this time of year.  My face tends to possess a natural greasiness so I opt for the oil-free version and top off with a little powder.  At $42, this stuff isn’t cheap.  I make the tube last longer by combining it with my more economical, drugstore moisturizer.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Get a chemical peel..or 4?  After two back-to-back pregnancies my face was an uneven, blotchy mess so I decided to try a chemical peel.  At first, I was a little nervous because I didn’t want to look like a molting monster and scare the kiddos.  As it turns out, the peeling process was relatively uneventful and very easy to cover-up with some heavy duty moisturizer.  For maximum results, the docs will push for the series of peels.  I opted for just a single treatment ($125) because, well, I thought $400 was a tad too much for just rubbing a cotton swab all over my face a few times.  The peel really did even out my skin and took about 5 years off my mug.  Okay, maybe not 5 but at least 2.  I get one, just one, every 6 months or so.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Truthfully, I am not a huge fan of exercising.   I don’t enjoy running or doing lunges or (god forbid) squats but I do love the finished product.  About a year ago, I started doing interval workouts on the treadmill 3 to 4 times a week.  I tend to get very bored during cardio and I needed something new to keep me from quitting all together.  Wow.  Everything you read about the benefits of interval training is absolutely spot on.   I finally dropped the last 7 pounds of baby weight that was stubbornly hanging on and I am in a size smaller jean than before both of my babies  (I am rather proud of that fact and will tell you every chance I get).  You can do it on any of the cardio machines at the gym or outside if that’s your thing.  Interval training is basically a workout that consists of periods of activity at high intensity, followed by periods of low intensity. These ‘sets’ are than repeated over a 20-minute workout.  Yes, only 20 minutes and then it’s all over.  Just be careful if you are a beginner.  I wouldn’t want you to do a face plant on the treadmill.

Standard

The following is a typical interval workout. You alternate the same period of low intensity with the same period of higher intensity.

3 – 5 minutes warm-up (light jog, low intensity, gradually increasing at the end    of the warm-up period)

1 minute moderate or high intensity followed by 1 minute low intensity (repeat 6 – 8 times)

3 – 5 minutes cool down (light jog, low intensity, gradually decreasing by the end of the cool down period)

Pyramid

This pyramid structure allows you to start with short bursts of speed, and then you’ll peak at the longest surge of energy in the middle of your workout before coming back down.

3 – 5 minutes warm-up

30 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

45 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

60 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

90 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

60 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

45 seconds high intensity, 1 minute low intensity

30 seconds high intensity

3 – 5 minutes cool down

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment