Monday, September 27, 2010

Giveaway: Juice Beauty Organic Body Brilliance Kit




This giveaway is now over. Check out current Fitness For the Rest of Us Giveways by clicking on the "give-aways" link on my left hand sidebar!
Juice Beauty is an awesome company thats mission is to bring authentically organic, high efficacy and pleasurable beauty solutions to people worldwide. I hate thinking of all the chemicals we put on our bodies on a daily basis: lotions, face wash, toothpaste, soap, makeup, etc, etc. Juice Beauty is a wonderful way to eliminate those chemicals and use high quality organic beauty products! Good for you, good for the environment.

Juice Beauty has generously offered a reader a Green Apple Body Brilliance Collection that includes 9.47 oz. Green Apple Mousse Body Cleanser, 10 oz. Green Apple Extra Firming Body Moisturizer, Green Apple Body Peel, and a spa glove all packaged in a super cute silver "lunch box" reusable case.

I love love love these products! The smell is great and all the products work wonderfully. The products are perfect for both men and women and would make an impressive gift. The packaging is really lovely! And who doesnt love gifting green.
Juice Beauty offers many product categories including:

Cleansers & Toners
Makeup Products
Facial Products
Body Products
Sun Protection
Peels & Serums
Lips
Green Apple Collection

And MANY more!

Here are some of my favorite Juice Beauty items:

Blemish Clearing Serum:

SPF 8 Lip Moisturizer Set of 5:

 Juice Beauty Age Defying Solutions:
Head on over to Juice Beauty and get yourself something nice or win your own Green Apple Body Brilliance kit?

Mandatory Entry: Head on over to Juice Beauty and tell me which product you like.
 
Optional Entries:

  • 1 Entry: Check out Juice Beauty website and tell me something you learned.
  • 1 Entry: Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect.
  • 3 Entries Per Giveaway: Enter any of my other current giveaways.
  • 5 Entries: Enter to win the Bring It Up giveaway on Win, Lose, or Blog here.
  • 1 Entry: Facebook like Juice Beauty
  • 2 Entries: Leave a comment on their Facebook wall telling them that I sent you
  • 1 Entry: Follow Juice Beauty on Twitter
  • 5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
  • 1 Per Tweet: Tweet up to 3X daily, one hour apart. Leave a link!
Good luck! Leave your email address if you would like to be notified. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Sunday, Oct. 3 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and announced on Monday 4 . Contest open to US Residents!

I received a sample of this product for this review and was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

The FIRM: Super Body Sculpt Review

The FIRM: Super Body Sculpt

Stephanie Huckabee, 2002

This is a 40ish minute all strength w/o led by Stephanie with 4 background exercisers, one showing beginner modifications. The set is the BSS1 white walls w/ fans background. You will need a variety of dumbbells and a fanny lifter or other step for this workout.

This w/o is divided into UB, LB, and abs. There is a brief w/u & c/d in each segment so that you can do each segment as a stand alone 15 min w/o. But thats kindof a waste of time when you are stringing them together. Some of these dvds allow you to skip and choose sections from a main menu but some dont-mine doesnt. This kind of defeats the purpose, but whatever. The UB & LB are about 15 min each and the ab section is about 10 min.

For being pretty short on time each segment really packs a punch IMO. I felt that pretty much each muscle group was thouroughly worked by the end of this w/o. With maybe the exception of chest- pushups are the only chest work. You will do some compound moves but not as many as other Firms because the UB & LB are split up. I like that though because it allows you to really heavy up. Though there is no straight cardio work my HR was up nicely for a lot of it.

Moves include: leg press, bicep curl, clean & press, lat row, dips, lunges, squats, tricep kickbacks, French press,  delt lifts, hover squats, hammer curls, push ups, etc. The ab work is mostly lying crunches & crunch variations including lower ab work. But she does include some oblique work while seated on the FL.

I would rate this a solid intermediate w/o that can easily be modified up or down to suit your needs depending on your poundage. I really like Stephanie as a lead and she does not dissapoint in this one. If my dvd were fully customizable I would probably have given this 5 stars. I dont nec like the seperate w/u & c/d's on each section but use that as a time to "free form" step aerobics or whatever to get my HR going.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Miss Oops Giveaway




This giveaway is now over. Check out current Fitness For the Rest of Us Giveways by clicking on the "give-aways" link on my left hand sidebar!
Miss Oops manufactures and markets a variety of beauty-saving, problem-solving products for women. The Miss Oops brand comprises of several patent-pending products, including a dry sponge that removes deodorant marks and a medical-grade adhesive that prevents pregnant women’s navels from showing through their garments. The mission of Miss Oops is to provide affordable solution-oriented products for all types of beauty dilemmas and avoidable fashion faux pas for women everywhere.

Miss Oops has generously offered a lucky winner one of their Boob Tubes! A Boob Tube is a stylish and clever way to make your shirts more modest. Boob Tubes come in a large variety: solid, lace, and seasonal colors.



I LOVE my Boob Tube! I love taking "evening" attire and transforming it into something appropriate for the office. The Boob Tube is also wonderful for those super cute clothes that I had shyed away from wearing in the past because they were a tad too low cut for my tastes.

Miss Oops offers the following product lines:


 Here are some of my favorite Miss Oops items:

Jaks: add length to your shirts by wearing under your shirt-no more hiney hanging out when you bend over.


Show Stoppers: Ever get cold in a thin shirt? Bad news, until now!


Head on over to Miss Oops for all your beauty mishap needs. Or win your own Boob Tube here:



Mandatory Entry: Head on over to Miss Oops and tell me which product you like.
 
Optional Entries:

  • 1 Entry: Check out Miss Oops website and tell me something you learned.
  • 1 Entry: Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect. Already a follower? Just leave a comment saying so
  • 2 Entries Per Giveaway: Enter any of my other current giveaways.
  • 5 Entries: Enter to win the Bring It Up giveaway on Win, Lose, or Blog here.
  • 1 Entry: Facebook like Miss Oops
  • 2 Entries: Leave a comment on their Facebook wall telling them that I sent you
  • 5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
  • 1 Per Tweet: Tweet up to 3X daily, one hour apart. Leave a link!
Good luck! Leave your email address if you would like to be notified. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Sunday, Oct. 3 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and announced on Monday 4 . Contest open to US Residents!

I received a sample of this product for this review and was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

Giveaway: Softlips 100% Naturals HUGE Prize Pack

This giveaway is now over. Check out current Fitness For the Rest of Us Giveways by clicking on the "give-aways" link on my left hand sidebar!
Softlips has recently come out with a new line of lip care products that are USDA-certified organic couple 100% natural ingredients and free from preservatives, phthalates, sulfates, parabens, mineral oil and gluten! I LOVE organic and I'm sure you do too. I hate to think of all the chemicals we consume on a daily basis, so using Softlips new natural line is a great way to reduce that unhealthy intake!

My favorite is the lip butter, but I also LOVE the lip polish (comes in a nice coconut flavor)! All the shades are nice and light, very neutral-with just a hint of shade. And they all feel wonderful on my sensitive lips.

Enter to win the Softlips PURE 100% Natural prize pack that includes ALL EIGHT of the following:


o Softlips® PURE 100% Natural Lip Butter – tube applicator that provides hydrating SPF 15 protection for very dry lips with zinc oxide, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, beeswax (1)


o Softlips® PURE 100% Natural Lip Gloss – a tube applicator that provides natural, glossy color with high shine in three shades – Shell Pink, Natural Honesty and Coral Charm – with natural seed oils and beeswax and provides hydrating SPF 15 protection for dry lips with zinc oxide (3 shades)


o Softlips® PURE 100% Natural Lip Tint – a balm/stick applicator that provides sheer, tinted color in three shades – Shell Pink, Natural Honesty and Coral Charm – with beeswax, coconut oil and other natural ingredients and provides hydrating SPF 15 protection for dry lips with zinc oxide (3 shades)


o Softlips® PURE 100% Natural Lip Polish – provides natural exfoliation for lips with organic coconut flakes and sugar and deeply moisturizes lips with bees wax and natural seed oils like safflower, mango and castor seed (1)

Softlips® PURE 100% Natural lip care products are available in the Naturals/Organic section at Target stores nationwide.
 
Want to win this huge Softlips prize pack? Enter here:
 
Mandatory Entry: Head on over to Softlips and tell me which product you like.
 
Optional Entries:

  • 1 Entry: Head over to Soflips website and tell me something you learned.
  • 1 Entry: Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect. Already a follower? Just leave a comment saying so
  • 2 Entries Per Giveaway: Enter any of my other current giveaways.
  • 5 Entries: Enter to win the Bring It Up giveaway on Win, Lose, or Blog here.
  • 1 Entry: Facebook like Softlips.
  • 2 Entries: Leave a comment on their Facebook wall telling them that I sent you
  • 5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
  • 1 Per Tweet: Tweet up to 3X daily, one hour apart. Leave a link!
Good luck! Leave your email address if you would like to be notified. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Sunday, Oct. 3 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and announced on Monday 4 . Contest open to US Residents!

I received a sample of this product for this review and was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

Winners! Bondi Band & The Firm Cardio Overdrive DVD

And the winner of the Bondi Bands is Fit Kitty! Congrats Fit Kitty!!! Her winning comment was... "I follow your blog!"


And the winner of The Firm Cardio Overdrive dvd donated by Gaiam is Betsy who said... "The Wave system looks awesome!" Congrats Betsy!


Congrats to you both! Thank you to everyone who entered and a HUGE thanks to The FIRM and to Bondi Bands! You will both be emailed shortly. And keep your eyes out for many more giveaways to come!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

The FIRM: Calorie Killer Review

The FIRM: Calorie Killer
Nancy Tucker, 2003

This is a 35ish minute cardio w/o led by Nancy w/ 4 backgrounders, Alicia shows beginner mods. The set is the BSS2 set-white w/ color background & white walls. You will need a fanny lifter (or step) and the Sculpting Stick (or a set of light dumbbells) for the 4-limb work in this.

This is one of the few all cardio w/o's from the Firm-while you do use the stick or the twigs, its for 4 limb or a few light lunges & dips so I def do not consider any of it real toning. Some of the moves are typical Firm cardio moves but most are pretty unique and she combines the cardio into fun little routines that keep you interested and moving. The 1st routine is not as challenging as the remainder and this w/o seems to sneak up on me intensity wise.

Some of the moves include a punch and kick series, shuffle, a basketball-esque routine, step touching around your stick, some fun step routines, and some tall box climbs. She transitions from floor cardio, 4 limb cardio, step aerobics, and tall box climbs to keep things fun and I never get bored.

I like Nancy as a lead and she does a good job cueing in this one. There is one step section where I got confused for a second but all the moves are pretty straightforward to I dont think most would have a problem catching on the 1st time around. This is a fun little cardio w/o and I would rate it an intermediate w/o that would be easy to modify up or down to suit your needs.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Giveaway Bring It Up HUGE Prize Pack!


I have recently discovered a wonderful company Bring It Up. They offer a huge variety of beauty products. Keep reading and you can win an awesome prize pack containing

Check out this Instant Breast Lift photo: left bra only, right: bra with the Breast Lift. WOW!


Instant Breast Lift: "Included in the Breast Lift Kit are eight pairs of breast lifts and a step by step DVD. These breast lifts will provide full support, without a bra, up to size D cup. Great with swimsuits, backless and strapless fashions. They are a transparent, waterproof, hypoallergenic adhesive unlike any other breast lift ever seen before. Bring It Up Lifts are applied to the top of the breast, not underneath, lifting the loose skin and repositioning the nipple to a higher place for a more natural, youthful appearance."

Breast Shaping Cups: "These unique, comfortable, stretch contour shaping cups were specially designed to provide maximum lift by lifting the breast from the top using Bring It Up®'s patented method, resulting in perfectly shaped, uplifted breasts. Totally smooth look under clothes. Ultra-Thin, Stretch Contour Shaping cups, can be Worn with a Bra for Added support, Go Braless with Maximum Nipple Coverage, Give your breast a Beautiful Shape, No Stick Center, Reuse up to 25 times, and are available in size A/B and C/D."
Bring it Up also offers many other wonderful products including the coveted Clarisonic, an Instant Face Lift, flower shaped nipple covers, and much more! Head on over to the Bring It Up! website to buy yourself something. Or enter to win on Win, Lose, or Blog HERE!
And you can get FIVE BONUS entries for any of my current giveaways for entering the Bring It Up giveaway!

10 Minute Solutions Pilates for Beginners

10 Minute Solutions Pilates for BeginnersLara Hudson, 2010

This is a fully customizable pilates dvd led by Lara Hudson with no b/g exercisers. It has five 10 minute segments that can be mixed & matched as desired. The set is nice and open and you wont need any props for this w/o. She offers breathing and form tips throughout but not overly so, I think thats why they titled this "beginner" because I didnt find it super easy.

Core Basics:  You begin with some breath work and move into curls, the hundred, c-curls, single leg stretch, criss-cross, side lying leg lifts, and a modified teaser.

Lower Body Basics: You start off in bridge and add in some table top leg lifts, then onto single leg circles, bridge w/ kicks, side leg kicks, frog lifts, and finish with grasshopper beats.

Upper Body Basics: Moves include modified swan w/ tricep pulses, swan w/ tricep press-ups, forearm plank, controlled front variations, pushups, side planks, and chest work. Includes lots of lower back work, which I like.

Total Body Cardio: Im not sure why this is called cardio; moves include: roll up, double leg stretch, seated twist, side kicks, table work, plnaks, and swimmer.

Long & Limber Stretch: This section is done standing, sitting/ kneeling, and lying. You start in tree pose, do a figure 4, a seated twist, cat cow, runners lunge, and a squat and shoulder section at the end.

Lara's cueing and form pointers are impecible throughout. I guess if you are a pilates pro you might not want these reminders but besides that I wouldnt say this is an easy beginners w/o. I agree w/ Collage's rating of intermediate. She moves right along and introduces some semi challenging pilates work. I really like Lara as a lead and will definatley be getting a ton of use out of this dvd. I think its great to use as an addon or to use together in its entirety.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Denise Austin Hot Body Yoga Review

Hot Body Yoga
Denise Austin, 2010

This is a fully customizable dvd w/ two 30 min yoga routines on it. You can mix and match, play all, and w/o with or w/out Denises instruction. The set is nice-lots of hardwood and some green windows w/ lots of space. You will need a set of lighter dumbbells for one of the w/os and possibly a yoga mat.

Denise leads the w/o's with a variety of male & female b/g'ers all showing various levels of modifications. The first w/o is a straightforward yoga workout with some standing, kneeling, and lying yoga poses. I like that she moves along at a nice not-rushed but not super slow pace. She does a lot of standard yoga poses: warrior variations, dancer, cobra, down dog, 1/2 moon, and other poses. There are no sun salutations-which is a nice change from other dvds I have.

The 2nd w/o is really unique IMO. Denise combines light dumbbell strength moves with yoga poses. You will do preacher curls while holding a lunge, warrior w/ rows, wide deadlifts w/ UB movements, tree w/ chest press & shoulder/ rotator cuff work, lower back work, boat w/ biceps, V sit, bridge w/ pec fly, etc. You do about 20 min standing and 10 minutes on the floor.

Know that I am not into alot of yoga and prefer athletic and straighforward but I really enjoyed both w/o's on this dvd; especially the 2nd weigthed routine. Very unique for me and right up my ally! I will def be using both of these a lot. Denise is much more mellow in this dvd than other w/o's of hers and her cueing and form are both fine for me. I would rate this an intermediate yoga fusion w/o.

Monday, September 20, 2010

9.20.10: Short Post Today



Workouts: I did pretty good on my w/o's. Two rest days, the hiking one day, and dvds the others.

Today's Tip: Heart Helpers: Dark Chocolate
Both regular and sugar-free dark chocolate decrease blood pressure in overweight adults, according to new research. Consuming just a small amount of flavanol-rich cocoa powder daily can increase blood flow to your skin, making it softer, smoother, and more resistant to sun damage. Quick Tip: Add cacao beans, the source of all chocolate, to your diet for an extra flavanol boost. More on Fitness Mag here.

Today's Review: The Firm Body Sculpt Blaster
Nancy Tucker, 2002 ***** (5 of 5 stars)

This is a 30ish minute strength workout led by Nancy w/ 4 background exercisers, one showing the beginner modifications. The set is the BSS1 set and you will need dumbbells and a Fanny Lifter or other step for this workout.

While this is a strength workout Nancy combines a lot of UB & LB moves to really get your heart rate up and keep it there. A lot of the moves are familiar Firm stuff: clean and press, dip w/ bicep curl, leg press (quite a few sets really and she varies the tempo and adds in bicep curls etc to them), squats w/ overhead press, lat row, lunges, pliets with rows, curtsey lunge w/ outer thigh lift, french press and a quick seated oblique section on the FL.

I really like this workout and the time goes by very quickly! Nancy really accomplishes a lot in a small amount of time. I was able to heavy up for almost every move and actually felt it the next day a bit in my LB. She hits every body part and really moves things along nicely. I would rate this a solid to high intermediate w/o if you heavy up on the poundage.

Today's LOLz:

Thursday, September 16, 2010

GIVEAWAY: Bondibands No Slip Exercise Hair Bands

This giveaway is now over. Check out current Fitness For the Rest of Us Giveways by clicking on the "give-aways" link on my left hand sidebar!

Arent you tired of your hair falling in your eyes and your sweat dripping down your face while your working out? I know I was! Well, not anymore- since discovering Bondibands my hair is held in place and no sweat in my eyes. Oh and theyre super cute! They come in a HUGE variety of styles & colors so you can mix and match & coordinate with your exercise clothes (for you gym goers out there). And the prices are GREAT!!!!

Categories:

In the female category they have:


All of Bondibands products come in a huge variety of colors and designs! And multiple fabric types. Check out how cute the pigtail hats & ponytail hats are! These would be perfect for winter running, wouldnt they?


Want to get your own wicking headwear from Bondiband? Go check out their webstore and buy yourself (& the whole family) something nice. Want to win TWO for yourself (one light sweat wicking in Jungle Love & one heavy wicking in Solid Raspberry)? Enter here:

Mandatory Entry: Check out Bondibands website and tell me which is your favorite style & fabric.

Optional Entries:

  • 1 Entry: Follow my blog via GFC. Already a follower? Just leave a comment saying so
  • 2 Entries Per Giveaway: Enter any of my other current giveaways.
  • 3 Entries: Enter to win a nonslip exercise hair band on Win, Lose, or Blog here.
  • 1 Entry: Facebook like Bondiband on Facebook (already do? Tell me so)
  • 2 Entries: Leave a comment on their Facebook wall telling them that I sent you
  • 5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
  • 10 Entries: Purchase something from Bondiband THIS WEEK and tell me what you bought
  • 1 Entry: Follow Bondiband on twitter (leave your twitter ID)
  • 1 Per Tweet: Tweet up to 3X daily, one hour apart. Leave a link!
Good luck! Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Thursday, Sept 23 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and announced on Sept 24. Contest open to EVERYONE!

I received a sample of this product for this review and was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Giveaway: Firm Cardio Overdrive DVD



The Firm Cardio Overdrive
Alison Davis, 2007 **** (4 of 5 stars)

Cardio Overdrive is a 46 minute AWT (mostly cardio) w/o led by Alison with 4 backgrounders; Sue Mi shows the beginner modifications. This dvd was originally released with the TransFirmation set but is available individually now. The set is white brick walls and hardwood floors. They use one set of light (3 lb) dumbells.

You could use a variety of dumbbells if you wanted to up the strenght work. I used my 8's throughout to keep it a light AWT cardio w/o. This is a good little workout, lots of unique and fun cardio moves without being overly choreographed but still "fresh & fun." The bulk is cardio but there are 2 or 3 "strength" sets thrown in.

The cardio moves includes V-steps, hip shakes, skaters, plyos w/ punches, knee ups, kicks, side knee repeaters, quad stars, double step touches and other straight forward cardio work. The strength work is mostly all 4-limb so it can keep your heartrate up nicely if you up the intensity a bit. You will see lunges, dips, and squats combined with rows, bicep curls, OH press, clean & press, french press, etc.

I would rate this an intermediate workout that can easily be modified up or down to suit your needs. I like Alison as a lead; she has a way of adding in fun twists to tradition Firm moves to keep the w/o's fun but not confusing. Her cueing is great and overall its a good little fairly unique light AWT w/o.

Want to try this workout? Head on over to The Firm and buy yourself a copy! Want to win it? Enter here!

Mandatory Entry: Tell me which Firm dvd you would like from their store here. Don't forget to leave your email address in one of your entries. And remember 2 entries = 2 comments.

Optional Entries:
  • 1 Entry: Follow my blog via GFC. Already a follower? Just leave a comment saying so
  • 2 Entries Per Giveaway: Enter any of my other current giveaways.
  • 3 Entries: Enter to win a nonslip exercise hair band on Win, Lose, or Blog here.
  • 1 Entry: Facebook like The Firm (already do? Tell me so)
  • 2 Entries: Leave a comment on their Facebook wall telling them that I sent you
  • 5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
  • 10 Entries: Purchase something from The Firm Direct THIS WEEK and tell me what you bought
  • 1 Entry: What is your favorite Firm dvd
  • 1 Per Tweet: Tweet up to 3X daily, one hour apart. Leave a link!
Good luck! Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Thursday, Sept 23 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and announced on Sept 24. Contest open to the US.


I received a sample of this product for this review and was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Winsor Pilates Bun & Thigh Sculpting Review


Winsor Pilates Bun & Thigh Sculpting
Mari Winsor, 2002

This is a 20 minute pilates mat w/o led by Mari, who doesnt do the exercises but gives instructions & shows the move on the exercisers. The exercisers are on raised platforms in a nice open room. The w/o is entirely lower body (no abs) and you wont need any props.

Mari leads you through mostly outer thigh and bun pilates moves but also includes a set of inner thigh work and a brief stretching segment at the end. The move are all done lying on your side. This is nonstop work-she doesnt intersperse stretching or spend a lot of time chatting, etc. A very good use of 20 minutes.

Some of the exercises include: scissors, leg circles, leg lifts, bicycles, hot potato (tapping your toes in front of & behind your body), inner thigh lifts, leg shoots, and other pilates leg and bun work.

I did this workout after a 40 min Firm w/o that I used heavy dumbbells w/ and was definately feeling it! My buns & thighs were burning by the end of this. Im not sure how how difficult it would be on its own-but a perfect 20 min LB add on. I would rate this a solid intermediate w/o because its only 20 minutes but is a nonstop 20 minutes. Mari cues well isnt overly or underly (is that a word?) chatty and I enjoy this w/o.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Dance Off The Inches Cardio Hip Hop Review


Dance Off The Inches Cardio Hip Hop
Jen Galardi, 2010

This is a 44 min hip hop dance workout led by Jen with 2 background exercisers. The body of the w/o is 33 minutes long and the rest is w/u & c/d. You wont need any equipment and there is no modifications. The w/o is broken up into three dance segments that you can "play all" or there is a chapter menu. The dvd also includes a nice "learn the moves" tutorial that was very helpful. The set is really nice- light grays & pinks, kind of a "living room" type set. The music is fine, nothing noticable. The outfits are kind of hip hop inspired.

The routines are built up add-on style. You learn one move, practice it. Learn the next move, practice it add it on to the 1st and so on. The first two segments are all cardio dance and the third segment adds in some standing core work to the dancing and is a bit slower moving.

I thought Jens cueing was really good but me being the NON dancer (and trying to adapt it to the rebounder) had a hard time following along. Had I done it on the floor, I could have followed along much better but I dont think I would have burned very many calories. This is the perfect w/o for those that like to dance and are good at choreo (though I really dont think this choreo was that tricky-def not boring, but not too difficult IMO). I would rate this intermediate/ higher intermediate in terms of choreography and high beginner in terms of cardio difficulty.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

The FIRM: Cardio Sculpt Review

The FIRM: Cardio Sculpt
Allie Del Rio, 2002

This is a 55 minutes AWT (though mostly strength work) workout led by Allie with 4 background exercisers. Libby provides the beginner modifications. The set is the bright white BSS1 set with blue-ish accents in the background. You will need your Fanny Lifter or another step and a variety of dumbbells for this one.

First off I have to say-I DO NOT do this one enough! Though not as challenging as the Classic Firms-it is really reminiscent of them. It has a weighted step segment like Vol 4 & Vol 6 and ends with floor work-pec fly & leg lifts and donkey kicks. She also goes slow enough to allow for heavy dumbbells. I was pleasantly surprised!

After a longish warmup up Allie goes into a strength set starting with hover squats and lat row. You do some leg press and other dumbbell work and then she moves into a cardio segment. She alternates the strength segments with cardio, but the strength work also gets your heartrate up with dips, lunges, leg press, and squats. The cardio is straightforward and athletic without being boring or repetitive. The cardio includes floor, step, and 4 limb step work.

She thouroughly works all the muscles though I did find the shoulder work a bit lacking. After the lying floor work you do an ab sequence that is comprised of crunch & crunch variations and then move into the stretch.

I would rate this workout a solid or maybe even high(?) intermediate if you use heavy weights. You can also up I really heavied up, used the 8" portion of the FL and added some plyos and jumps to my workout and felt I got a great strength AND cardio workout today. I must use this one more often (I know I say that all the time).

GIVEAWAY: Sodastream Complete Soda Maker Kit!

This giveaway is now over. Check out current Fitness For the Rest of Us Giveways by clicking on the "give-aways" link on my left hand sidebar!

SodaStream is a unique company that allows you to make your own soda at home!


Saving money, cutting calories, and helping the environment is why I love Sodastream!!!


Why else do I love SodaStream:

~1/3 the calories in their sodas (non diet) than leading sodas (compare 34 cal to 100 in Pepsi or Coke)
~Sodastreams regular sodas use sugar not HFCS (high fructose corn syrup)
~Sodastreams diet sodas use Splenda NOT aspartame!
~Easy to use
~Very low sodium
~Small design fits anywhere
~Space saving (soda flavors are compact and a fraction of the size of a 2 liter or 6 pack)
~GOOD for the environment! (Reusable soda bottles means no more trashing 2 liter bottles)
~Economical!!!

I am usually not a big soda drinker because of the calories & HFCS in regular sodas and the aspartame in diets but I do use soda in my adult beverages and when I have a sweet tooth. SodaStream is THE PERFECT healthier solution! DH is a soda lover and I hated seeing him consume 100+ calories per glass of regular soda- he LOVES all the Sodastream flavor varieties he has tried and is saving 66 calories PER GLASS!

SodaStream systems, carbinators, and flavors can be purchased online and in most Kohl's and many other locations. Find a store in your area here.

Some of my favorite SodaStream flavors:

~Diet & regular Pete's Choice (compare to Diet Dr. Pepper)
~Diet Grapefruit
~Diet & regular Cola
~Diet cream soda
~Diet & regular Peach Iced Tea
~Rootbeer
~Cherry Cola
~Diet Lemon Lime
~Diet & regular Energy Drink (compare to Redbull)

And MANY more!

Want to try out your own SodaStream system? Head on over and buy yourself one. Want to win a SodaStream Fountain Jet Starter Kit ($109.00 value)? Win one here!

Mandatory Entry: Follw me and head on over to SodaStream and tell me something you learned. Don't forget to leave your email address. And remember 2 entries = 2 comments.

Bonus Entries:
~3 Entries: Enter to win Emmi Lee Designs giveaway on Win, Lose, or Blog here
~2 Entries: Enter any of my other current giveaways
~1 Entry: Like SodaStream on Facebook
~2 Entries: Leave a comment on their Facebook wall telling them I sent you
~1 Entry: Follow SodaStream on twitter
~5 Entries: Reblog about this giveaway
~10 Entries: Buy something from SodaStream this week
~1 Per Tweet: Tweet about this giveaway up to 3X daily one hour apart
~1 Entry: check out their website and tell me your favorite flavor

Good luck! Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Sunday, Sept 19 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and announced on Sept 20. Contest open to the US.

I received a sample of this product for this review and was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

GIVEAWAY: Mrs. Renfro's All Natural Salsa 4 Pack

This giveaway is now over. Check out current Fitness For the Rest of Us Giveways by clicking on the "give-aways" link on my left hand sidebar!



I had the pleasure to try a four pack of my choice of Mrs. Renfro's all natural salsas. And you can win your own custom 4 pack-so keep reading! I love using salsa on baked potatoes, grilled chicken and fish, salads, and numerous other things as a healthy marinade and dressing. These salsas and relishes really dress up my meals without adding a ton of fat, calories, and processed ingredients.

If you have not tasted Mrs. Renfro's salsas you are missing out! They have over 30 varieties of wonderful of all natural relishes, sauces, and salsas:

Black Bean Salsa
Chipotle Corn Salsa
Garlic Salsa
Green Salsa
Green Tomato Pickles
Nacho Cheese Sauce
Peach Salsa
Roasted Salsa
Corn Relish
Habenero Salsa
Mexican Hot Sauce

And many more! Check out their salsas, relishes, and other yummy products here.

For my four pack I chose: Tequila Salsa, Mango Habanero Salsa, Garlic Salsa, and Green Salsa. They were all SO good! I had a hard time choosing my favorite. I am a garlic lover so the garlic ranked very high up there. Tequila Salsa, need I say more? The Green salsa also SO good, nice and spicy with a really unique jalapeno flavor! Check out the impressive ingredient list:


I think though that both DH and I liked the Mango Habenero the best. Sweet and spicy at the same time! WONDERFUL on grilled fish and with baked tortilla chips. That jar did not last long at our house, we couldnt put it down!

If you like your salsa scary hot, they have just come out with a Ghost Pepper Salsa made with the world’s hottest chile pepper, the Bhut Jolokia.

For 70 years, the Renfro family has been bringing delicious and innovative products at affordable prices. From their Green and Habanero Salsas to their Peach and Black Bean Salsa, they offer the finest flavors and authentic tastes of the Southwest right to your home at GREAT prices ($3.25 per jar!!!). The "gourmet" salsas at the grocery store cost more than Mrs. Renfro's real gourmet salsas!

Want to try these wonderful salsas, relishes, and sauces for yourself? Head on over and pick yourself up a custom 4 pack! Want to win your own custom 4 pack? Enter here! And don't forget to leave your email address. And remember 2 entries = 2 comments.

Mandatory Entry: Check out Mrs. Renfro's products here and let me know which you like to try.

Bonus Entries:
~1 Entry: Follow me
~3 Entries: Enter to win Emmi Lee Designs giveaway on Win, Lose, or Blog here
~2 Entries: Enter any of my other current giveaways
~1 Entry: Like Mrs. Renfro's on Facebook
~2 Entries: Leave a comment on their Facebook wall telling them I sent you
~1 Entry: Follow Mrs. Renfro's on twitter
~5 Entries: Reblog about this giveaway
~10 Entries: Buy something from Mrs. Renfro's this week
~1 Per Tweet: Tweet about this giveaway up to 3X daily one hour apart
~1 Entry: check out their website and tell me something you learned

Good luck! Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Sunday, Sept 19 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and announced on Sept 20. Contest open to the US.

I received a sample of this product for this review and was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

GIVEAWAY Emmi Lee Designs!

This giveaway is now over. Check out current Fitness For the Rest of Us Giveways by clicking on the "give-aways" link on my left hand sidebar!

Emmi Lee Designs, a boutique featuring custom children's clothing, home goods, baby gifts and accessories. The owner has been sewing since she was 10 years old and you can tell- her products are high quality with wonderful clean stitching, designs, and fabric choices! All of her items are made with great care and attention to detail!

If you find an item in her shop that you would like in a different fabric, just let her know and she will check on fabric availability. She is happy to accommodate and loves creating new designs!


I had the opportunity to try this adorable tea towel and matching napkin set:

Keep reading! You can win THIS VERY SET FOR YOURSELF!!!










The napkins are made of the same cute, bright lemon fabric and the yellow from the ruffle. The fabric is quality and I can tell it will last me for a long time. The seems are all clean and neat-very very professional! I appreciate the thought and time that went into both the design and manufacture of this set.

She chooses CUTE modern fabric for all her pieces. All the fabric is so well coordinated and perfectly matched for each piece. I love the bright modern prints she has chosen for her garments, towells, and other products. Here are some of my favorites:






Want to win the Lemon & Polka Dot Teal Towel and Napkin set? Enter here: