Fitness & Foodie Friday: Health or Treat? Nooky Quickie

While trick-or-treaters may be house-hopping and candy-popping this weekend, I’ll continue consuming my healthy supplements on the ☼daily!

Ginkgo Biloba: to promote mental focus

• This initially got me through my studying for and taking my comprehensive examinations to complete my Master’s degree
• I also took them as I prepared for my final semester exams, luminary comps (1st year) and candidacy (3rd year) to test for my Ph.D. coursework
• I’m continuing them as I progress through my dissertation process

Centrum VitaMints®: to aquire essential nutrients in a tasty way

• I’ve come a long way since my childhood Flinstones chewables ~ which I doubt are the best bet for my teeth with the acidity
• I’m still not a fan of swallowing tablets without having water and food in handy
• Therefore, I’m all about double-duty of fulfilling my ☼daily☼ needs while freshening my breath!

Of course, I don’t skimp on the actual food that I need to fuel my brain and body ~ which I’m actually including in an analogy between my marathon and my main statistical method (multiple regression) for my doc research!

Study Mode Trail Mix: Since almonds helped my bod during my 26.2-mi. course and my mind through my dissertation process, they were the main feature of this snack combo for the crunch + the Pumpkin Spice flavor along with the pumpkin cookies & candy, as well as more chocolate to cover these Brookside blueberries that also benefit the memory!

Study Mode Trail Mix: Since almonds helped my bod during my 26.2-mi. course and my mind through my dissertation process, they were the main feature of this snack combo for the crunch + the Pumpkin Spice flavor along with the pumpkin cookies & candy, as well as more chocolate to cover these Brookside blueberries that also benefit the memory!

Speaking of my race, although I haven’t run as many long distances in awhile, I’ve fit in mini drills to keep my energy levels high while I’ve been drained from my dissertation, a.k.a., my doc docs …

Cheers to Pumpkin ♥Love♥: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte VIA® PSL at home & Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake to soothe my soul, body and brain as I update and practice my dissertation!

During my dedicated eating time (yes, I must make a meal break away from my computer, according to my Bestie Evie‘s birthday advice), I actually HIIT before I sit!

Olive Garden Leftovers from Ladies’ Night with the Holy Spiri† (counter-clockwise from bottom right): Chicken Cacciatorie & Cheese Manicotti (2 of my fave entrées rolled into 1) • Pasta e Fagioli w/ breadstick • Minestrone • Bestie Evie‘s Better-Than-Sex Brownie • Pumpkin Cheesecake (which took me 4 days to finish!) • Andes Mints ~ gotta ♥love♥ these after-dinner chocolate mints to cap off a classic OG meal!

While I wait for my chow to cook ~ simmering in the crock pot, boiling on the stove, or nooking in the oven/microwave/toaster ~ I do the following quick set(s), to induce more calorie-burning even after I’m done exercising:

Standing ♥Cardio♥

• Jumping Jacks ~ chant your mantra
• Run laps or lines (depending on space)

Floor/Mat/Carpet Core

• Plank or Push-Ups (or mountain climbers)
• Crunches or Sit-Ups (I prefer v-ups)
• Dips (in reverse plank) ~ if time permits

More ♥Cardio♥

• Dance ’til your ♥heart’s ♪content♫ ~ or your grub is ready

Stretch

Relieve those muscles after sitting at the computer desk and before sitting down to eat

Happy Early Halloween, All †Saints’ Day y el Día de los Muertos! ✌

Workout Wednesday: POP ’em Abs

Cassey Ho knows how to make fast fab abs, but this Dispo must melt the flab!

Even though I’ve scored a strong core, how can I show it off when the muscles may lay beneath fat layers?

Now I have both Blogilates official DVDs: the Original & Flat Abs Fast!

As I’ve done many techniques to tone up my tummy and slim those obliques, I’ve added this newest DVD to my mix:

 

I swear: I have more than enough exercise moves from Blogilates to last me all year ~ I must make the time to do them!

Cassey Ho took this ab blast to the beach!

This packaged deal promotes 3 10-min. routines:

• Total core
• Lower back
• Obliques

This *oGorgeous* face is *POPpin’* over the place

• the ☼beach☼
• †wedding† prep
• ♥V-Day♥ hype
• NO-flab collab
• MORE fab ✌collabs✌

(: POP Pilates for miles & smiles 🙂

Workout Wednesday: BB3

Just like in life, let your booty help you out.

~ Katrina Scott, The Ultimate Booty Call

My Beach Babe 3 DVD has arrived!

My newest addition to my workout DVD collection: Beach Babe 3!

This was my reward for finishing my dissertation research, teaching the first ☼summer☼ session and completing the Fit Fabulous Fierce program!

Before this special delivery from Tone It Up, I downloaded the digital videos (part of my purchase) to my devices:

• desktop
• laptop
• smartphone

K&K have come a long way since I featured them in my Top 5, and added *bonuses* include:

• call for a beach ball
• kettlebell & resistance band routines
• valuable tips clips

Starting today, I now could work out to it on the big screen TV!

My TIU collection now is complete … for now!

The opening quote was my Hump Day Affirmation for sure!

Fitness Friday: Sun Guns

☼Sun☼ Up, Guns Up!

No, I’m NOT talking about arming ourselves with ammo ~ despite the recent open carry law in my state (that caused controversy and healthy debate among my ☼summer☼ speech students)

I don’t shoot at moving targets ~ simply for sport!

but I do mean business when it comes to our arms!

Since we’re baring more skin in the ☼summer☼ heat, we want to be eye candy, am I right?

Here are some moves to take your company to a gun show!

Arm Yourself in the Gun Show Scene with this Routine

[with bodyweight ~ shoot for 10 per set]

• Standard Pushups {wide grip for shoulders}
• Diamond Pushups {narrow grip for triceps}

[with weight resistance ~ 2-3×10-12 heavy or 2-3×15-60 light]

• Chest Flies {to firm up our pectorals to reduce unsightly armpit fat} ~ holding weights directly in front of your chest, push outward to your sides
• Shoulder Raises ~ holding weights at each shoulder, raise directly above your head
• Bicep Curls ~ holding weights at 45* facing you, curl toward you; I recommend variations from in front of you to your sides to create a “W”
• Tricep Press ~ holding weights at your side with arm hinged, press behind you

Bonus Baby Back

• Renegade Row ~ from plank with weight in one hand, bring up to chest level
• Lateral Pulldown ~ while seated at the bench, bring arms up to hanging bar with arms facing forward, pull down to chest level

Even when you’re not in beast mode, or getting ready for a major event or a special somebody

• You still can work your arms with your conventional chores!
• I also have lately through gardening ~ turning the hose and lifting water pails!

Happy Independence Day to the Great U*S of *A!!!

Workout Wednesday: Beast Mom Mode ~ Go for Prego!

With many of my special loved ones being moms or mommies-to-be, they’re not just “eating for 2” (or more) ~ they’re also exercising for multiples as well!

Take care of your baby bump by working out with your bundle of joy(s) while s/he’s/they’re in the womb!

Here are ways to stay in shape while* you’re expecting and after** you give birth!

I didn’t need much muscle to handle my *USAF* wife bestie’s baby (whose birthday is the day before the *4th of July*), but at least my arm muscles were toned right down to the bone! #DISPObustAFlow

***DISCLAIMER: Please consult with your physician prior to starting an exercise program***

Here are some sessions that I selected specifically for *pregnant women and **newborn mothers!

*Prenatal Routines & Tips

Sweat with Lauren Hefez‘s Bun in the Oven Series

POPSUGAR Fitness‘ Arm Workout ~ Safe for Pregnancy

POPSUGAR Fitness‘ Prenatal Leg & Butt *Squat It Out*

Tracey Anderson‘s Toned Butt c/o POPSUGAR Fitness

POPSUGAR Fitness‘ Heidi Klum Pregnancy Workout

Debra Geymayr‘s Prenatal Yoga

POPSUGAR Fitness‘ Workout in Comfort with Maternity Gear {not an exercise video but may be helpful in picking out clothes}

**Postpartum Moves

Sarah Fit‘s Flat Post-Prego Tummy

CONGRATULATIONS on Your New Additions, Babies’ Mamas!!!

Fitness Friday: V-Mode

After this Super Bowl Week’s YOLOs and spirits, it’s time to prep for ♥V-Day♥ …

Therefore, today, this DISPO has gone Beast Mode for ♥V-Mode♥ on this ♥Sweetheart♥ Ball Eve!

As tomorrow’s dinner approaches, I’ve been working out to my fave fitness gurus in their special dance dress moves:

Total Bod

• Tone It Up

• Blogilates

{More from Cassey Ho below}

Target Areas

• Arms

• Core

• Legs

R&R

• Stretches

What about *Dallas Cowboys’ WR Dez Bryant’s* hard core abs?

My reward after these routines: my homemade ice cream!

• Bananas for Potassium

I’m going berry bananas over my homemade Cookie Butter ice cream!

• Blueberries for Memory

C & B are for … Cape Cod cranberries + blueberries & Crunchy Cookie Butter w/ B-A-N-A-N-A-S {chant from No Doubt‘s ♫Hollaback♪}

• Cranberries for Urinary Tract (YES, after drinking tons of water, it helps!)

Super Spoonful coming right up!

• Crunchy Cookie Butter for Taste & Texture

!