If there’s any part of the body that I understand, it’s the tush. If you come to Hot Mamas often enough, you will have the best ass you’ve ever seen.
Here is one of my trademark moves. Do this exercise 3 sets of at least 30. Add 3lb hand weights or a light ball if you like. Make sure to stretch afterward.
The relatives have come and gone but I bet you still have a turkey carcass in your refrigerator. Here is a great recipe to finish off the leftovers and get on with your life. I love the kale and the beans — so so good for you!
Say goodbye to jiggly arms and butt. This is a great exercise to tone those areas . . . and did I mention that you are going to be in a tiny dress soon?
These tricep dips with a kick are really sneaky. You’ll be amazed how much you feel your arms, hamstrings and butt working on this one. Do 3 sets of 15 per leg. Enjoy!
I just love attention! Nothing attracts photographers more than babies and mothers.
Check out this video on the Denver Post website.
We all know that fish is so good for us because of it’s main nutrient: omega-3 fatty acids. Let’s go over what a fatty acid really is and the benefits of eating fish:
Fish contain unsaturated fatty acids, which, when substituted for saturated fatty acids such as those in meat, may lower your cholesterol. But the main beneficial nutrient appears to be omega-3 fatty acids in fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fatty acid that’s thought to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also believed to improve learning ability in children (huge), decrease triglycerides, lower blood pressure, reduce blood clotting, enhance immune function and improve arthritis symptoms. Consuming one to two servings a week of fish, particularly fish that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, appears to reduce the risk of heart disease, particularly sudden cardiac death.
Starting tonight, put fish in your weekly menu. It doesn’t have to be complicated either. Steaming and grilling are really the best methods to cook fish — and are almost foolproof. Try to stay away from pan frying or sauteing — you’ll end up over cooking it and making your house smell like fish for days.
Sample with different types of fish. And remember that some fish, like tuna, grouper, orange roughy & swordfish contain higher amounts of mercury — so don’t have those as often (especially if you are pregnant). Stick with salmon, cod, halibut, flounder, scallops, mahi-mahi, and herring to name a few.
Here’s your first recipe (set up a file for recipes on your desktop):
You can substitute another green like kale or swiss chard if you can’t find escarole. And you really can’t have enough lemons for this one. Make some brown rice to go with it too.
Go forth and make fish part of your menu — enjoy!
The holidays are upon us, and it’s time to get your party wardrobe ready. The little black dress – LBD, is huge this year. Corset style, sequin, one shoulder, asymmetrical — all different, yet one central theme: they are all very short!
The above clip is a great way to shape your legs without adding bulk, perfect for little dresses! Do 3 sets of 25, at least.
Coming this week: LBD shopping guide . . . .
It seems like I’m asking myself this question every day as I’m eating breakfast. I always try to find magazines, like Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food, that have a lot of recipes that are relatively easy, take less than 30 minutes, and have accessible ingredients. Another I have found recently is Real Simple. They had an issue last month that had a month’s worth of recipes. All were under 30 minutes and all very good! I’ve even repeated a few.
One of my favorites is the posole. Easy and delicious. Try it tonight.
So, I’m on the treadmill yesterday. Note: I hate running on the treadmill, but I had my son with me and desperately needed a run. So, put him in the kid’s club and got down to business. Anyway, the run is going great — the tunes are working (because everyone knows that good jamming tunes are essential when training on a treadmill!), when here comes a woman setting up shop next door on an adjacent treadmill. All of the sudden I get this whif of strong perfume. What, are you kidding? Who puts on perfume before a workout? We’re working out, you’re supposed to smell. This is the only time it’s acceptable.
Ok, so #1, no perfume; #2 – no cell phones — have you seen these people? Is this you? Stop it! NO ONE is so important that they have to take calls during workouts. #3 -wipe the sweat off the treadmill/equipment and turn off the tv (I know, but sometimes you’ve gotta watch it). #4 – Share (’nuff said) #5 – take conversations elsewhere (some people do come to the gym to socialize, but during a class? So inconsiderate to people who are trying to focus and get a great workout. #6 – no tummys unless you are in hot yoga. TMI #7 -
Long, lean sculpted arms . . . .or maybe you want guns like Madonna. Either way it takes persistence and repetitions.
I have one word: Pushups. Wide, narrow, in between. The best way to change your arms. But the form is a bitch.
Pushups 101
You don’t need to be on your toes to do effective pushups. As a matter of fact, for most women it can be a bit of a neck builder if you do them on your toes. So lets, assume you are doing them girl style or modified.
Begin by lying on your stomach, with your palms flat & parallel to your breasts. Your elbows need to be stacked right over your wrists. Keep your shoulder blades down away from your ears and pulled back toward your spine, keep your neck long, ribs and belly pulled in toward your spine and hips scooped to neutral.
On an exhale, push yourself straight up from the floor – when your arms are fully extended, your body should be in a straight line from your head to your knees (we’re doing these modified, remember). Once at the top, slowly lower yourself back down toward the floor. You should at least be going down until your arms are bent at a 90 degree angle at the elbow. Make sure you maintain a flat back at all times and keep your shoulders from shrugging. Try starting with 3 sets of 10.
If starting flat on the floor is too hard for you, start on a higher surface like a bench, ledge, or counter top.
Another way to learn pushups is to do “float down pushups”. You begin these by starting in a plank position (either on the knees or toes). Make sure your chest is directly over the space between your hands. Slowly lower yourself to the floor — making sure your chest, stomach and thighs land simultaneously. Once you land, then you push yourself back up from your knees. Lift the knees up and float down again. Try starting these with 3 sets of 10.
Hand width is important. Wide will emphasize the fronts of your shoulders, your chest and upper back. Narrow will hit the triceps more. Try varying your hand distance with each set.
Try doing your pushups and alternate with jumping rope to really make those shoulders cut!
More arm exercises tomorrow . . .
