Well, dang it! Just when we all thought a good solution had been found to a problem that plagues more than just a few.... the fact that every now and then there needs to be a little "enhancement" in one's life. Extenze promised through endless commercials to deliver "growth" and "extra stamina" for a "certain part of the male body". Well, a couple years after this massive advertising campaign hit the airwaves, the real results are now in, and I guess they've come up a bit short. Sorry, it was just sitting there waiting. I HAD to take it! ;)
Anyway, those of you who bought into the whole Extenze male enhancement frenzy and went out and plunked down your hard cash hoping to get the goods...well, you can still get in on the cash settlement ($6 million to be awarded, to be exact) that is now being refunded to anyone who bought this product between May 29, 2005 and October 25, 2010, if you file a "valid" claim. I don't know how one will have to go about filing a "valid" claim on this one, but boy, is my mind running all over the place on that one. "We need proof that it didn't work for you!". Ummmm.... yeah! Okay! Who gets to be the judge here? LOL!! OMG...... Where is the evidence, you know? I'd like to be in the courtroom on THAT day! ;)
Anyway, if you want more info on this Extenze debacle, you can get more info here: http://extenzesettlement.com. You don't actually have to go to court, though, but that would be an interesting day of proceedings, wouldn't it? I certainly think so! Anyway, you will need to go here and fill out a form to make your claim. Good luck, fellas! They haven't said whether the ladies get to be in on the settlement too, but you can always check it out!Read more...
I've been meaning to write this up for a while now, but life interrupts! Anyhow, I've recently learned about the Prison Yoga Project at San Quentin prison. They now have made available for their inmates ongoing yoga classes, and also the opportunity for inmates to study and become yoga instructors. This seemed a bit controversial to me at first, because it seems like prisons are being made a bit too "comfortable" with cable TV, fancy rec rooms, and state of the art gyms where big, mean felons are free to just spend hours upon hours a year getting bigger and meaner by the time they come out, you know? However, maybe the yoga is not such a bad thing. In fact, maybe they should ONLY let them do yoga! lol!! No MMA or kick boxing classes, please! I'm serious! Anyway....
As controversial as it is, perhaps the yoga program really is helping some of these inmates learn to meditate, focus and calm themselves at certain moments where they would otherwise react violently. One can only hope so, right? I'd rather see them doing yoga than hitting the heavy bag in the boxing room any day. In fact, more people on the outside could also use a bit more yoga and meditation in their lives, if you ask me. So, what do you think? Good program or yet another excessive prison luxury? Don't hold back, now! ;)
And if you're really curious, here's the website: http://prisonyoga.com/Read more...
This is yet ANOTHER reason to love New York - our HOT as hell firefighters who are not only out there fighting fires, rescuing kittens from trees and risking their own lives to save ours, but who were also kind enough to take out the time to pose and provide us with this nice little yearly calendar. ;)
The New York City Firefighters Calendar is a tradition that started a few years ago, and we're gonna make SURE it continues! And the great thing is that unlike most models you see on some calendar, these guys are accessible. YOU CAN MEET THEM. They are doing events all over NYC to promote their new calendar 2011, and that just means a girl has a chance! I think I'm gonna have to break in some new running shoes to attend the next event their participating in, which is the Race For the Cure in Central Park....
"HEY LADIES PLEASE DONT FORGET, WE ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE RACE FOR THE CURE IN CENTRAL PARK ON SEPT 12TH. If you cannot walk, at the very least donate $5. If all City of the Brave fans donated $5 each, we would raise over $44,000. Just simple math and no excuse not to :-)"
All this hotness and they do simple math too.... Love it! ;)
I will have to check some of these events out for sure!
Now, even though the year is already passing by so quickly, I swear, January will not get here fast enough!
Nice to see a guy who makes sure to wear his safety equipment! Gotta keep that pretty face and body protected at all times! ;)
Ok.....had enough of my drooling? Okay. Well, if you're lucky enough to live here in the Big Apple, do come out and support these guys. They certainly deserve it!
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Pretty awesome, huh? I thought so. Me and MY boyfriend do this ALL THE TIME. Yep! This is what we call "Tuesday". ;) Yeah. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it! ;)
At any rate, these two are pretty awesome with these tricks, aren't they? Guy has some pretty strong hands! (and everything else connected to 'em). The girl is not doing too bad with the balancing, either.
Now, tell me, which one of them do you think is working the hardest and showing the most skill? It's really hard to say..... Read more...
As if there needs to be any more incentive for men to look at our butts....
You have to admit, though, that whoever thought these up was a bit of a genius, combining two of man's favorite things -- cars and booty. No need to choose when you can get 'em both in one package, right?
I will not be one of the daring few wearing these lovely tail light pants, though. I already have to beat them off with a stick on most days. I'm not bragging or anything, I'm just sayin'.....these are the LAST thing I will ever need! ;)
Those of you with teen girls at home, beware of letting your daughter wear these. There's no telling WHAT will be following her home if she wears these things! ;)
Listen up, Hollywood.... THIS is the form of manliness I would seriously like to see when I flip on the tube or plunk down my hard earned dollars to check out one of your flicks. Just look at 'em -- fit, primed, capable and ready for anything men who actually take a little bit of time out of their day to hit the gym! Or hit something! ;) haaaa!
I was just remarking on William's post about the Expendables over at his blog, London Is Cool, of how I smile every time I pass by this poster in the subway. Each time I see it, I just have to stop and look it over for a few secs. It just warms my heart to look and see this hard bodied, good lookin', awesome lineup of action heroes ready to come and save my day. From Sly and Arnold to my boy, Jet Li, they seem to have gotten them all, and have also included a couple MMA guys. Lovely!
I guess this poster excites me so because I've so overdosed on the endless parade of pudgy, bellyriffic, never met a gym or a workout they liked guys that Hollywood is continually forcing down my throat on TV and commercials for like, 5+ years now (see Get Him to the Greek, Knocked Up, Mr Rollback on those damn endless Walmart commercials, The King of Queens, Life According to Jim, the Budweiser guy who crashes VIP parties and all the portly, calorie control challenged husbands they show on TV with fit, attractive, skinny wives who apparently know a little something about healthy diet). I'm sick of it! I doth protest!!
Yeah, I'm bitching and being superficial and some fat guys out there might not like it!! I don't care!!! Just as you guys want to see great looking women everywhere you look, especially in movies and on TV, I want my fair share of the same! Damn right! Bring on the boys! ...um....the fit ones...~ ;)
So, please, please, please, Hollywood, keep on pumping out Expendables. Me likey. Me likey alot!! (and keep showing those Shake Weight and Bowflex commercials with the shirtless guys in 'em!~ those are my favorite! ;)
And hey, here's hoping that the movie is just as good as the poster looks! ;)
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The Scream Queen wannabes are back, and I'm loving it! This is one of the reality shows out here that makes the contestants really have to WORK, and where you have to have some serious talent, presence, physical ability AND beauty to beat out all the rest. Now, that's my kinda contest! That's the mark of a Diva! ;)
These girls are put through a myriad of screen tests and nail biting physical challenges to win a role in Lion Gate's Saw 3D, and it ain't gonna be any walk in the park. At least not in the daylight!
I watched last season and was thrilled when Tanedra Howard, an untrained actress with no formal experience took it from a bunch of hard core, acting school junkie veterans with nothing but pure talent in her pocket. Way to go, Tanedra! Even after being accused of winning challenges and getting the favor of the judges "because of her race", Tanedra pushed through, won the role in Saw lV, and not only did she shoot and appear in the film, but Lion's Gate has already signed her for a recurring role in the next installment in the Saw series, the upcoming Saw3D. Take THAT, you jealous bitches who were trying to think that she got it unfairly! Tanedra rocks! ;)
This season's crop of Scream Queen contestants looks interesting, and at least one or two have a natural creep factor that makes them fascinating to watch.
If you missed the first episode of season 2, check it out on the web. The pumpkin smashing scene was hilarious! Tune in and watch as these girls evoke pure fear, rage and horror, jump out of windows, get covered in maggots, and just all around scream their heads off - all while looking good and still having to ace the scene. Sounds like fun to me! If you haven't seen it, do check them out! It's screaming damn good! ;)
Real maggots, y'all!
Who will be the next Scream Queen? Tune in and see! It's coming on tonight (Monday nights on VH1), and I am so there!
Reality show and Scream Queen advice from last year's winner, Tanedra Howard
....on another note, I used to have a butt just like that.... ;) Sometimes you really can lose a bit too much weight, at least off the back! ;). Read more...
With the power to cause rampant obesity in villages, towns and countries both small and large, I got to thinking over a box of Biggie Fries today; who invented these little monsters? I eat my Biggie fries knowing that I'm gonna do Biggie time on the running track later to pay for this moment of weakness, but most people consuming them will eat them and just let it ride - straight to their bellies... Anyway, back to the fries... There are varying accounts of who really invented the french fry, but I bet they had no clue what havoc it would wreak on many a waistline centuries later. Those first credited with cooking and eating fries are.....
the Belgians, who are said to have been seen frying potatoes as early as 1680. They would eat fish and to go along with these meals of fish, they'd fry up some potatoes, cut into small pieces. Hey, sounds like a meal to me! However, I guess that the name "Belgian Fries" was too much of a mouthful for folks at that time. Perhaps it wasn't catchy enough. "French fries" does just roll off your tongue (and they ain't too hard sliding down your esophagus either). However, we have NO problem whatsoever saying Belgian Waffles, eh? I know I sure don't ;)! Anyhow, since French was the main language of Belgians at that time, they somehow got named "pommes frites", or "french fries" as we now know it.
Now, by some accounts "frites" is said to be a word honoring some guy named Fritz. Fritz, a Belgian entrepreneur selling French fries at fairs, was referred to as "le roi des pommes de terre frites". However, according to "The verb "to french", though not attested until after "French fried potatoes" had appeared, can refer to "julienning" of vegetables as is acknowledged by some dictionaries,[11] while others only refer to trimming the meat off the shanks of chops.[12] In the UK, "Frenched" lamb chops (particularly for serving as a "rack of lamb") have the majority of the fat removed together with a small piece of fatty meat from between the ends of the chop bones, leaving mainly only the meat forming the "eye" of the chop attached." Okay. I like the Fritz story much better. Anyhow, there ya go on how they got their name.
The Spanish also claim to be the originators of French Fries since the first European country in which the potato appeared via the New World colonies was the Spanish Netherlands, which became Belgium more than a century later. The Spanish had first seen potatoes in Peru, and thereby, had access to them, although were not as fond of them as they would later become. The Irish also later embraced the root, but they are mainly known to have eaten them roasted or in stews.
Fries are said to have first appeared in the US during the early 1800's, most notably at a White House dinner during presidency of Thomas Jefferson. They began their rise in popularity then and it hasn't stopped since. Here in the US, there is more than adequate evidence of this, as french fries are found in every restaurant under the sun, and in all cuisines. You can even find french fries on a Chinese food menu. Every man, woman, child and dog knows what a french fry is. We all love french fries, and we're stickin' to 'em! ....while trying to figure out how to not let them stick to us!
Anyhow, I know that it's not the fault of the french fry that so many people are obese. I'm not going to pile all the responsibility of that on the poor little french fry. It's those damn cheeseburgers and the super size soda that do it! lol! Nope. Still not true. What's making us fat is the fact that we want to eat these things unrestrainedly and not within the structure of a balanced diet. I was just on a message board where a 12 year old girl was upset that her Mom doesn't cook and just gives her money for McDonald's and Wendy's rather than turn on the stove, and she's gaining weight because of it. She's being picked on at school and being called fat. THAT's the problem. I'm not going to become preachy here, because that would ruin an otherwise fun post. But you all know the deal..... ;) We all need to get our butts in the kitchen and start cooking again. Fast food should be an occasional treat, not a mainstay of your diet.
Love the fry, but just don't worship it. That means don't eat it all the time, folks! And kudos to whoever first decided to cut potatoes into tiny little strips and throw them into a vat of boiling oil! ;)
This is true no matter what profession you're in, or what you're an expert at. There is always something that you don't know, and there is always something new to learn. To stop learning is to become stagnant and obsolete.
Taking the class of a colleague of mine today reminded me of that, and of why every now and then I take the time to see what my professional peers are doing by dropping in and taking one of their classes. My colleague teaches such a different style than I do, and just experiencing something different for a change really opened my head up a bit, and I'm always excited when that happens. We're all learning and evolving as teachers, and I always come out of the situation with new ideas and a fresh perspective on at least a couple of things. That makes my own creative juices start to flow again, I begin to experiment with new methods, and my own techniques become that much stronger.
I think that those who are the absolute best at their craft have this same philosophy. You are never that great and accomplished that you can't still learn something from someone else. Even someone with less experience than you can teach you something, simply because of the fact that we all think differently.Read more...
The past holiday got me to thinking about 'independence' and what it really means. If you ask me, it should be my middle name. My Mom will tell you, I started fighting for my independence when I was only 4. I finally gained it totally when I left my parents house on my 18th birthday and got my own place. Yep. I had to have it THAT bad! ;)
I've always been a person who needed to do it on my own, and I have. I just really don't see any other way to live, and I thank God daily that I am a woman that was born in a country that allows me to be who I want to be and to plan and live my own life, good or bad. There are so many people, especially women, in the world who are not fortunate enough to have such freedom, and I'm aware of that constantly. I make the most of my complete freedom, and live my life to the utmost.
One thing I've never been able to understand is codependency. People who are unable to do anything at all by themselves! I don't think I'm superior to such folks or anything like that, but I just don't get it! I have traveled the world both on my own and with company, and either suits me just fine. In the meantime, I have friends who wont even go out to have dinner or to get something to eat unless they have someone with them. These people hear me talk about how I went to Spain or Italy all by myself, and they react as if it's as amazing a thing as going to the moon. I laugh at that! I think it's hilarious. I see people that can't even go to the store to get toilet paper alone -- they have to bring the whole family! I have jokes about that, and if I ever get to do standup comedy, you'll hear 'em! I know that part of that is cultural upbringing, but still, don't get the need to be in a group of people all the time. Hell, on occasion I even go to see a movie by myself. Have you ever done that? Even though I have friends that will go with me, sometimes I just feel like doing what I need to do without rounding up the troops. Ya know? I like to be around people when I feel like it, and not a moment before! That's crazy in its own way, because when I go to work, I'm usually dealing with a room full of folks. But then, I'm teaching and having fun, and I'm also the boss of the situation...so....it's pretty cool in its own way! Hate crowds, love solitude. That's me! :)
I have been both married and single, and let me tell ya, single is IT! I love coming home and not have to worry about what anyone else wants, needs or thinks. My home is my haven, and when I feel like it, I'll let someone in! lol! Until then, I'm as happy as a clam doing my own thing the way I want, when I want. I'm guessing that being an only child until I was 6 (when my brother was born) must have helped shape that independent mindset. Even as a child, I had my own room, and all I needed was some crayons, paper, my television and my window to look out of. I always jokingly say that I could live in a cave as long as it has internet access and I can get food delivered!
Anyway, even though Independence Day in America is now over, I have to say I sooooo appreciate all the wars and struggles that have been fought here to make sure that I get to have this freedom! I appreciate every person that stood up and did what they had to do to gain it. God Bless them all! ;)Read more...
I was debating on whether or not to call it "Metrosexuality on Estrogen", but the title I chose won out.
Okay, I'm as open minded a female as you'd be lucky enough to find, (okay...within limits-- don't read too much into that!!), and love the "metrosexual male". Hell, if you aren't into grooming yourself, I absolutely WILL NOT date you. Period! But this outfit here...well...damn. I don't know exactly how I'd feel if you showed up at my door to take me out wearing this. I mean... I love when certain men have enough balls to wear pink AND can carry it off, but there are more than just a few problems here according to my eye....
One question I have is whether or not Brook Brothers on some type of hallucinogenic drug at the moment? I mean, this ad is serious and not a joke, right? And, be honest, you manly metrosexual men.... would you really wear this? Ever?? I think this one calls for a poll! Let me know the truth!! How many of you would buy this pastel influenced 'ahem' piece of fashion? I really want to know! Do tell! And ladies, do you think this is a bit on the girly side or is it okay? What if your man wore this? And feel free to set me straight if you think I'm still living in the dark ages on this... I swear, I just don't know!!! ;)
Please take the poll, and then comment if you feel so inclined. Thank you!
This is one of my favorite salads, especially in the summer. I have the guy at the Italian deli down the street make mine special for me. ;) Love it, and if I'm not careful, I can so eat the whole thing in one sitting, although I try not to!
Fresh, seasoned mozzarella is just the best! There's some about the texture of this cheese that I really like when it's in this state. As for the nutritional value, fresh Mozzarella has about 85 calories per ounce, and is 24% fat (as well as 51% water and 20% protein). And to me, 100% yummy!
Anyway, this is what I'm having for lunch today, and I am sooooo looking forward to it! This mozzarella tomato salad is almost as to die for as my top favorite salad, which is a mixed greens and veggies salad with sliced sirloin steak on top. That one I make myself, and I might have to come back one day and show you how I do it. But for today, this mozzarella salad will definitely do!Read more...
I swear, I wouldn't believe it if I didn't actually see it with my own two eyes. And yeah, this baby is clearly inhaling. As I hear an adult male laughing in the background, I personally don't see the least thing funny. Beyond smoking two packs a day (according to internet sources), we can clearly see that the child is also morbidly obese. This is child abuse. At this rate, the kid will not make it to the age of 10. These parents should be jailed. I do not think this is cute at all! WTF???Read more...
When I really want to tighten up this butt and these thighs, I go to one of my good old standbys, the lunge. I like to spice mine up to increase the intensity, though. Here is a demo of one of my favorites, the lunge - front kick. I make them do these in my kickboxing classes as well.... It's a real crowd pleaser! ;) 3 sets of 20 on each leg.
Start by stepping back into a lunge. I know it looks like I'm lunging forward, but I really am in a backwards dip. Putting all your weight on the front leg, lift your knee up out of the back dip and forward. With the knee up at about hip height, extend the leg out into a kick or leg extension (with a kick you'll flick it, with an extension, you'll just extend it out at a firm, even pace. Retract leg back to second position
Return leg to the original backwards lunge and repeat.
So, I'm sure that by now you've all heard of the controversial Lane Bryant ad starring plus size model Ashley Graham that both ABC and Fox refuse to air because they say it shows "too much skin", right? But in the meantime, both networks air Victoria's Secret commercials with scantily clad thin yet sexy girls all day long. Well, I say that women need to put an end to it by beginning to boycott anyone and anything that continues to promote these double standards.
Pure gorgeousness -- what the HELL is the problem???
Now... while you really do have to search long and hard to find any plus size women on your regularly scheduled TV, commercials, and in print ads, there seems to be no aversion whatsoever of putting all manner of plus size and portly men all over TV. In fact, if you recall, I wrote about this in my post "A Big Fat Double Standard" a year ago. It really does piss me off that one group of people gets to make the rules of what's acceptable for the masses. And by the way, have you seen the Lane Bryant commercial that these two butthead networks refuse to air? here it is:
Can you all say "ridiculously GORGEOUS"??? Because that's what this woman is. And the commercial is actually tame compared to some of those VS ones with the models writhing all over the place. And as for what's really appealing to people, I can tell you for sure that this woman here would have a hard time walking down the street where I live, cause she'd be tripping over all the men busy worshiping her while sidestepping all their little puddles of drool.... Ashley Graham is HOTT!, and the one great thing about this whole mess is that although they are refusing to air the commercial, it's gotten her a ton of publicity, and hopefully we'll be seeing a lot more of her. She's a size 16 with a flat stomach! I think she looks great, and I'd love to see her in more ads. When she is on screen you literally can't take your eyes off of her. What dummies ABC and Fox are!! Isn't that what you want.... your viewers glued to the screen and not flipping to another channel??? Complete dumb asses, they are!
One of those Victoria's Secret ads. Seriously, what's the diff??
Anyway, I don't advocate being obese, but I also don't think that beauty comes only in sizes six and under. If a woman's body is proportionate to her height, she's not morbidly obese, and is healthy -- there's absolutely nothing wrong. Now, if you're huffing and puffing every time you go up and down stairs, have high blood pressure and can no longer feel your toes, then yes, you need to get your butt to the gym, start exercising and lessen that calorie intake. Hell, even if you're not, you should still be taking care of your body through eating healthier and regular physical activity. Big can be beautiful but OBESE is a problem. But it really all is relative when it comes to what size is more beautiful.
Anyway, this size 8 curvy girl says "stop the madness". And for those of you out there that get upset when these things happen, I say put your money where your mouth is. BOYCOTT any company that has practices that offend you. Stop supporting these designers that will only feature size 0 models in their shows and print ads by not buying their shit! And stop buying those damn magazines that keep showing only one side of beauty -- the thin side. If you all stopped watching Fox and ABC right now, they'd get it pretty quickly. But in the meantime, if all you're going to do is bitch and moan, then get ready to see absolutely nothing change. Stand up, curvy girls! Make it stop!
Here are a few ways that I help to create less waste and less use of energy as I go about my fitness:
*Exercise outdoors instead of the gym as often as the weather permits
*Reuse the same water bottle. In fact, I reuse it until new species of bacteria begin to form on it.
*Wear my sneakers completely out before buying new ones. Towards the end it ain't pretty, but it does help save the planet!
*Instead of an energy bar, I prefer to have a banana, a couple apples or an orange before workouts. To be even greener, I would grow them myself -- IF I lived on a farm! However, living in a New York City apartment, I have to settle for buying them at the grocer. But at least we skip the fancy packaging that energy and power bars come in.
So, there! I do my part to help save the planet AND my waistline. You should try to do the same. Have any other ideas on how to be greener with your fitness? How would YOU go about it? Read more...
This one really made my day, and I hope it makes yours too. We love all the new strip tease, pole and flirty girl fitness themes that keep popping up lately, don't we? Well, these two decided to get a couple chairs out and just bring it! The little one in the back may have tried a bit TOO hard, though.... I do hope she's okay! Enjoy! ;)
Note: if you do decide to try this at home, be sure not to use the big chairs. Especially if you're only 5 feet tall.
Created in the secret lab of some evil scientist bent on destroying mankind for sure. I mean, who else would think this stuff up??
Bacon ice cream has small chunks of actual bacon in it. I won't even try to fathom the amount of fat and calories that this must contain...
More importantly, I wonder who out there is actually eating it? Not me...no worries on that! lol! I mean, if it was set before me, I'd probably take a taste out of curiosity, but trust me, even then bacon ice cream won't be replacing my all time favorites Haagen Dazs Dulce de Leche or Chocolate anytime soon. I prefer my ice cream flavors more on the sane side, thank you!
There are now a few places across the US peddling this stuff, namely The Udder Delight Ice Cream House in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and some place called the Moo Creamery in the southwest. Based on that info, I might decide to relocate. There must be more than a few folks out there who would benefit greatly from my awesome, fat busting, personal training skills after eating this new nightmare of an ice cream flavor. Hell, I might even become rich out in them there hills... Hey, your gain is MY gain! And that's just the way I like it! ;)
Have any of you tried this stuff? Would you even dare? Based on the success of this bacon ice cream, I'm predicting that mayonnaise ice cream will be invented next. Yeah, you know somebody out there has already thought of it and is trying desperately to figure out how to make it work. Let's just all hope and pray that never happens, shall we? ;)
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Some of you might have guessed it already, but these hot, smokin', sexy abs belong to boxing phenomenon Manny Pacquiao!!
Not only an awesome as hell fighter (and congrats on yet another win, Manny!), but this guy obviously puts some serious time and work in to achieve this bod!
Lookin' kind of Bruce Lee-like in that pic, too. Is he married? Hee hee hee.... ;) Hey, I'd at least work out with him! No pressure, Manny, no pressure! :)
Anyway, here we have our Hot Abs of the Week! I think we'll do this one again. When you see anybody else out here putting this theme on their blog (my little copycats...and they know who they are!;), remember that The Fitness Diva did it first!
The rest of you can now start working your own abs. Hey, if your abs look anything like Manny's, I'll feature you, too! I'm serious! Take care, and get to work! You could be my next abs of the week! ;)
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You betcha! It takes having quite a pair to step up into a room full of really well coordinated ladies rocking grapevines, hamstring curls and mambo steps and hold your own! Not only that, but to be able to do it in your own manly, masculine style! I love it when I look up and see brave men like yourself coming to take my aerobics classes! Bravo! My question is, though, why don't I see more of you in class?? Some a you'se scared or what? Not tired of that steroid and testosterone fest known as the weight room yet? There is but so much that grunting over a bunch of heavy weights is going to do for you, seriously... ;)
I have to tell you, it's a phenomenon that I and many of the ladies do chuckle about. I once asked a guy why he never takes any aerobics classes. After all, aerobics are good for you! They're fun, they help you improve coordination, exercise your memory and also get in that cardio. Plus, you get to be around a bunch of girls in some nicely revealing workout clothes, something that I KNOW you men appreciate GREATLY. So, what's holding you back, bruh? The guy I asked replied to me "I don't do that Mickey Mouse stuff." What??! Mickey Mouse stuff? Are you serious? "So, you think aerobics is just some dancy, prancy fluff, huh?" I counter. He comes back with "Yeah, that's not serious enough for me. That ain't no workout. Just a bunch of women jumping and dancing around (as if he really thinks that's a bad thing). It is so not for dudes!" he declares. "Come and take my class", I say. "I bet you won't find it quite as easy as you think. I bet you won't even last a half hour", I challenge him. Of course, dude never shows up. The wimp! ;)
Thing is, I know that a lot of men think this way. Until they show up and actually try to take a class, that is. Some manage to hang okay, buy MANY fail! Not as easy as it looks, my dears! But if you hang in there, and come back again a couple times, you will get it. Almost everybody sucks at the very beginning! Many guys have showed up for my aerobics classes but have never come back. Once they realize that it involves a bit more coordination and wind, and thereby is not as easy as they thought, and that the 70 year old lady in the thong back leotard up in the front row is doing it better than they are, they're out the door! ;)
My specialty is kickbox aerobics, so at least you're getting to do some cool kicking and punching combinations. I'm not doing Jane Fonda aerobics over here! :) I also teach a mean step class, and I will admit, I do have a few good guys in there, but not many! Still 85 to 90% women! More men need to start showing up in aerobics class! I don't understand why so many of you are letting a little word like "aerobics" intimidate you so! Is it that you don't want to mess up in front of all the cute girlies? Or is it that this is one area in which you know you can't dominate??? Huh? A fitness diva really wants to know! Do tell, fellas! ;) Ladies, I think they're scared!
Okay. This is a joke, right? Who in their right mind would try to make pole dancing an Olympic sport? A good, new twist on getting in shape, okay, but an OLYMPIC SPORT? Somebody has had one drink too many at the bar!!
But, guess what, folks? Someone, in fact, a few someones are actually trying to see pole dancing make its official debut at the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Well, of course Brazil! Half naked seduction is already a sport there, so yeah, I can see it. Where else would it make sense? ;)
Seriously, though, there is a petition with 4000 signatures on it already to get this, ahem, sport onto the Olympic games roster. And they're working really, really hard on it!
According to The Associated Press:
KT Coates, a prominent pole dancer in England and director of Vertical Dance, is leading the Olympic push.
Says, KT: "After a great deal of feedback from the pole-dance community, many of us have decided that it’s about time pole fitness is recognized as a competitive sport, and what better way for recognition than to be part of the 2012 Olympics held in London," she said in a petition she’s preparing for organizers of the London Olympics. Coates added that the prospective sport "has the wow factor."
Well, she'll get no argument there!
"It’s just a matter of time before pole dancing gets Olympic recognition," says Ania Przeplasko of Hong Kong, founder of the International Pole Dancing Fitness Association.
"There will be a day when the Olympics see pole dancing as a sport," she told The Associated Press. "The Olympic community needs to acknowledge the number of people doing pole fitness now."
Well, dust off your bar stools, people!! We just might get us some pole dancing soon at them there Olympics. Aren't you just too excited? (and I know some of you actually are... ya pervs! ;) )
I personally doubt that this endeavor of theirs is going to make it all the way through to the podium. While I know that pole dancing has now gained a ton of respect since it's become a popular workout and way of staying in shape, I really don't want to tune in to see a bunch of of men swinging and spreading their legs on a pole. Oh, yeah, it's the men too, not just the women. Still wanna see it? ;)
Let's just keep an eye on these proceedings, because in this crazy world, you just never know. And if pole dancing actually does make it in, then I seriously predict that tassel twirling will be next! Synchronized! ;)
Hey, lady sitting on the exercise machine yakking away on your cell phone while other people are waiting...move!
You've seen it time and time again, people in the gym just walking around in their own little worlds. The "it's all about me" population. They stay on machines longer than the alotted time during peak hours, leave equipment sweaty and greasy with their sweat and hair products, and, oh no, can't be bothered to wipe it off after they use it, the ones who monopolize two machines at once by keeping a towel on both, and let's not forget the people jumping ahead on the circuit and picking the machine you are supposed to go on next out of turn....the list goes on and on.
In the exercise studio, it's the ones who dont want to share space by moving over, answer their cell phones while class is in session, and those who think it's okay to leave the weights, mats and equipment they just used out on the floor for someone else to put away, even though they know exactly where it's supposed to go and where they got it from. Oh, and the ones that think a particular spot on the floor in the aerobics/toning class has their name on it - and don't you DARE stand there. "This has been MY SPOT for YEARs!" Uh...yeah.
Hey... whatever happened to MANNERS???
And why, oh why, didn't your mama teach you better than this??? One can only wonder!!
There is a Brasilian buffet up the street from me, and let me tell you, they can cook! On the occasions that I decide to drop in and grab a plate, my taste buds are always treated very well! ;) Aside from the typical Brasilian fare, this place does a variety of a typical items like lasagna and such, but the one thing that stands out quite a bit for me are their collard greens, which they call "couve".
Now, me and collard greens go way back. My parents and all of my people are from the southern part of the US, and my mom and grandmas cooked these all the time. We grew up on 'em! However, as much of southern cooking goes, they tended to add pork meats like ham hocks and neck bones to the greens to give them "flavor". Well, that it did! Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmm! Thing is, though, my mom and grandmas seemed to cook everything "in grease" or with pork in it, not that I complained at all! LOL! That food was bangin'! However, I try to find the less greasy less fatty way to go about it when I cook the dishes they made, and the Brasilian way of doing collard greens is more up my alley.
I had to charm the chef into telling me how he does them, but Brasilians understand completely the art of being charming, and so he let me have the recipe! ;)
You take a large head of greens, break the leaves apart, and soak them for an hour at least, steeped in room temperature water. This gets all of the garden dirt and soil out. When done with that, rinse each leaf separately under warm running water. That should do it for the cleaning part.
Roll a few leaves together tightly, and going from tip to stalk, slice off half inch strips all the way down to the stalks.
In a deep saucepan on very low heat, put a few tablespoons of virgin olive oil and some diced garlic. Allow garlic to simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes and then add in a half cup of water, followed by your greens and a little salt. Cover with a ventilated top, and allow them to steam a bit. Check on them from time to time, stirring and turning them so that they cook evenly and the olive oil and garlic is distributed throughout.
Cook anywhere from 20 minutes to a half hour! Remove lid, stir around one more time, and voila! Couve a mineira (Brasilian style collard greens). And do I need to stop here and tell you all the benefits of eating collard greens and kale? Thought not!~ This is one yummy, healthy dish! Enjoy! ;)
Hmmmmmm....my first thought is, who told you to get up on that pole in the first place??? I keep telling people, every new fitness trend you see coming down the pike is not necessarily for you. Yet, if they ever come up with a "Let's throw big heavy boulders til we pass out" workout, I do know several guys who will run to try it, even though they don't spend one hour at the gym. People love to jump on trends and be "with it", sometimes even if it has the potential to kill them!
I do, however, expect that if I, or anyone else, does venture into your acrobat, flying trapeze, or swinging from the chandeliers class that some modicom of safety is guaranteed. If it's an activity where one can really incur serious damage and injury, then extra safeguards should be put in place.
This woman took a class at Crunch in New York (hey, I once worked for them - great classes!), and says that the instructor didn't spot her when she climbed high up on the pole. She had informed the instructor that she wasn't strong enough to hold herself up there beforehand. Well, I'm thinking, if you know you don't have the upper body strength to do that move, why attempt it? Am I wrong to think that? We all know our limitations. Just because you're trying some trendy new workout doesn't mean that you should just throw caution to the wind and just forget them. Yes, the instructor should have been there, but I'm sure that there were probably quite a few other people up on poles at the time? How can you spot them all? As an instructor myself, I really couldn't imagine having to try to catch someone as they come tumbling down off a pole. Perhaps that's one of the reasons I don't teach pole dancing! ;)
So, who's more at fault here? The woman who decided to attempt something beyond her ability, or the club for not having enough safeguards in place to prevent this? And, by the way, this is my first time hearing of a pole dance injury of this sort, although, pole burn aside, I'm sure they happen. And, how exactly would you do that? You can't have a spotter for every pole, it wouldn't be cost effective.
I say stick to the ground moves if you know you're too weak to hold yourself up. You already know the dangers. And if it's really that important to you to be this amazing pole dancing wonder, build up that upper body strength a bit in the weight room before taking this class. That's just my opinion.....
Hello, everyone, and yes, this is The Fitness Diva! This is just an extension of my other blog. You will find the usual cool articles here, posted via a link from my Confessions of a Fitness Diva blog. Feel free to comment as always, and I will visit your blog in return. Take care!
