5 Minute Stress Relief

Hello My FaBz,

My weekend turned out to be quite a disaster, even though I had so many exciting things planned. I intended on having a NYC day on Saturday and then catching up with some old friends later on that night. Friday screwed everything up!

I was unfortunately involved in a car accident late Friday night and spent my whole Saturday in the ER. Throbbing headache, swollen wrist, humongous disgusting thing on my leg- I was a disaster. Diagnosed with a fractured wrist, chipped sternum, and second degree burn on my leg, I wasn't much of a happy camper. What a weekend, huh!

Due to all this, I am now restricted from any strenuous activities, which means no gym for me. This upsets me deeply, especially now with Spring finally giving us a taste of its presence. Since I can't work out, I wondered to myself- what can i do to still keep in shape and sane at the same time?

I pondered ...
and pondered ...
and pondered ...

And then it came to me - in order to heal my wounds on the outside, I must fix myself on the inside. By healing my mind with spiritual ambiance and faith in the good, I shall heal.

My dad is a huge Yoga fan, so he taught me some great breathing techniques that calm the nerves and essentially relax my mind from the stress as well as my heart from the tears.

The first breathing exercise he taught me is to breathe with your stomach.You must inhale and feel your stomach extend out, then exhale bringing your stomach back in. Hold one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. It takes great concentration and several efforts, but I finally have come to master this first breathing technique. The second exercise involves breathing with your rib cage and the third involves the chest. I haven't yet mastered these, but am trying every night.

Some other breathing stress-relieving yoga exercises to try:

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Upside-Down

• Sit facing a wall with your butt six inches away from the wall
• Lie on your back and extend your legs up against the wall
• Let your arms rest by your side, palms facing up. Breathe gently, feeling the stretch in the backs of your legs
• Stay in this pose and breathe for about two minutes
  
• If it is too intense of a stretch for your hamstrings, slide your butt farther away from the wall. If not enough, scoot closer.

Cat's Stretch

• Sit up comfortable on your heels
• Roll torso forward, bringing your forhead to rest on the bed
• Lower your chest to your knees as comfortably as possible
  
• Extend arms out infront of you
• Hold the pose and breathe for about two minutes
  

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Rock-A-Bye Roll

• Lie on your back, bringing your knees into your chest
• Cross your ankles and wrap arms around your shins, clasping hands together
• Inhale and rock your body up to sit; exhale as you roll back down
• Continue for one minute
  

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This Five Minute routine should get your mind, body, and soul relaxed and relieved from all the negativity and stress you may be experiencing. It worked for me!

Hope you enjoy these exercises and try them out yourselves. You will be surprised what a deep breathe in, and deep breathe out can really do for your mind and body. So whenever you are having a bad day, just remember- BREATHE!


Let the stress melt and till next time,

Ree

Morning Blast

Hello to My Fabz!

The winter blues are coming to a halt as the spring season comes into play next week! How exciting to finally have the warmer weather approach us. As the sun rises earlier and the day stretches longer, this leaves a more energetic and happier route to the fabulous and fit you!

One of the most important things I have seen and experienced myself is to start your day with a protein-filled breakfast. Eating a full breakfast, packed with protein, will keep you full and active throughout the day - allowing you to fit into that polka dot bikini you have been staring at all winter long.

Some quick and easy breakfast ideas include grabbing a smoothie from one of your favorite health food stores or blending one up yourself. A good recipe I found from Fitness Magazine goes as follows:

6 ounces low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 scoop whey protein powder
1/2 cup berries
1 ounce nuts

Calories: 439

This makes for a protein filled breakfast that will keep you full and active throughout the day!

You can also make yourself an egg white omlette with reduced fat cheese. When I am running pretty late, I like to grab a yogurt bar on my way out. Other times, I grab my plain Greek Yogurt (with probiotics), add some granola or honey oats bar, a spoon and yum, I'm ready for the day!

Do you have any quick and nutritious breakfast ideas? Please feel free to share! I'd love to hear them!

- Ree

Defying gravity

Hey All you Fabulous people!

It's back to reality from my vacation in Miami; Oh how I wish I could go back! The good part is it makes me more and more eager for summer to come, which truly is right around the corner!

While enjoying the sunny relaxation, I came across something really cool called Anti-Gravity Yoga.
This is a combination of ballet, dance, yoga, and standing pilates movements. It utilizes a hammock in which you can perform inversions, twists, and pretty much hang around. The exercises performed help to decompress your joints and spine, making you feel leaner and taller and relive any joint pain you may be having.

I haven't actually tried this class out, but it sure does look like a lot of fun! Is this how aerial acrobats train? This was invented by the Anti Gravity Acrobat Group and really has taken flight, as this class is offered in every CRUNCH fitness gym around the USA including New York, Miami, and LA.

Check it out for yourself! I have posted some videos on this Anti-Gravity phenomenon, as it has been featured on CW11 and The View.

Who wants to come try this class out with me!? We can hang loose and fly around!

Let's defy gravity together :)

- Ree

Dance Off

Hey Everyone!

With the weather getting a bit warmer, I am getting all pumped and ready for the spring season to come along already. After spring, it brings us closer to summer and my smile turns up from 75 to 110!

This period of weather fluctuating between extreme cold to somewhat moderate reminds me of when I was a little girl. It brings me back to my memory of dancing school, gymnastics, and my one year of ballroom dancing. I miss dancing so much that I can still hear the music in my head from when I performed at the recitals. It was so much fun! Oh what I would do to go back to those good ol' days.

Well, I might be getting older but sure doesn't mean I have to stop dancing. In fact, I integrate dancing as a form of exercise when my routine at the gym gets boring. I have never taken hip-hop class when I was younger, and have wanted to for the longest time now. To fulfill this desire, I attended the hip-hop class at LA fitness and what a great form of physical activity! By integrating dance techniques with fast paced music, you get your heart racing and your body shaking. Let your body resonate the music in your soul.

Don't be afraid to go back to those childhood activities or the ones you have always wanted to try. As you can see, you can reap the benefits of your childhood dreams by making them alive in your adult years.

Go out there and try a new form of exercise, whether it be a dance class or trying up a new sport. Don't let your fears or childhood memories hold you back. It's time to dream big and make it happen!

Get your dancing shoes and on and shake it!

Till next time,

Ree

Power of the Ball

Hey all you fabulous people!

A little something that you don't know about me: I can't walk straight, even when sober. The path I choose to walk always seems to be a little off. So the thought of the exercise ball completely terrfied me. I could just imagine myself falling off the ball and embarassing myself infront of everyone at the gym. To avoid it, I would do all different types of ab workouts either on the mat or the bench.

However, the other day, a friend convinced me to give the exercise ball a shot. My nerves were racing, but lucky me, the ball was in the corner where I would not attract too much attention to myself. Concentration, determination, and with my goal set in mind, I gave it a try. To my surprise, I actually really enjoyed myself.

The ball allows you to concentrate in two areas: the abs and back. It gives you that stability strength and enables a great core workout. The secret to keeping your butt on the ball and not toppling over is to sit on the ball 1/4 way in and have the distance between legs be about 6 to 8 inches apart. Slowly lower yourself so that your body is lying straight and feel the stretch and then come back up to almost sitting position. Do about 3 sets of 20-25 reps. I have found a new love for the exercise ball and hope you do as well! Let the power of the ball tone your abs and be one step closer to that fabulous body!

Good luck and till next time,

Ree

Snow Bunny Slim

Hello to all!

What a yucky snowy day! Now ladies, I know how tempted we are to stay in bed all day on such a dreary morning, but let's get our booties up and awake. I can't even lie; I almost fell into the "sit all day on the couch and eat" mood, but I motivated myself to the opposite. One look at the snowy landscape, and I realize I can bounce my snow bunny ways into a slimingly fab workout.

Since the snow and ice make it treacherous to drive and even walk, there is no need to even leave the house for a great workout. Crank up that music, put on our sports gear, and let's get this party started.

Step 1: Set a Goal (daily, weekly, etc)
Step 2: Make a workout routine
Step 3: Stick to it and watch yourself become fabulous!

Stay tuned for some easy at home routines as well as other fun activities that will get that snow bunny bouncing back into shape!

Stay hydrated and warm,

Ree