I go to Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) South Loop location.  I’ve been going to this gym since early 2006.   I’ve been a regular exerciser since 2002 when I got back from a semester in France with WAY too many pain au chocolats (croissant with melted chocolate in the middle… best comfort food when missing your family… not the best if you want to maintain a healthy weight.)  Anyway, I’ve been exercising regularly since 2002 and was at the gym all the time preparing for my fall 2006 wedding.  The wedding came and went and with it– my motivation.  I seem to have a really hard time getting to the gym in the cold Chicago winters.  I’d much rather stay cozy on the couch.
Then I saw a flyer at the gym to sign up for a free personal training session with Lisa G. so I did in late 2007 and I’m still working with her.  She’s seen me through two pregnancies and now we’re in the middle of my attempt to lose this second pregnancy weight.  Where do I even start to say what a great trainer she is?  At the beginning she asked me about my goals, had me record a few days of what I ate, and we went from there.  She pointed out that Lean Cuisine wasn’t the best choice of meals (too much sodium!) for lunch and I needed to eat a more balanced breakfast.  She also pointed out that I had to start running if I wanted to shed a few pounds.  This was scary news.  I was a regular at the gym- spinning, kickboxing classes, etc. but I never considered myself much of a runner.  I had definitely never run more than 3 miles at a time.  What did we do?  Signed up for an 8k in 2008 and she said she’d run with me.  I finished at my goal time of 40 minutes.  2 years later I ran again in 2010 and finished again at 40 minutes 9 seconds.

Today I made it five miles!  I hadn’t hit that milestone since Mia was born and I kind of had a mental block against it so I am extra proud that I made it.  All of this I owe to Lisa.  When I go to the gym she pushes me and gives me what I call the “death look” (a combination of shock and “get back to it”) if she ever thinks I’m slacking.  All the while she is really nice about it.  Lisa’s just a really nice person in general and easy to get along with.  She babysits my kids now too.  I always get a hard work out and results that I want (combined with healthy eating) while having fun.  How great is that?!  Working out with Lisa actually makes me look forward to going to the gym.

Lisa’s getting married this weekend and I wish her and her future husband all the best!  If you live in the Chicago area and want to contact her you can do so through the FFC Website.  If not and you find yourself in an exercise slump or lacking motivation… I would highly recommend trying personal training.  It’s been worth every penny to me and, as I’m sure you can tell from this post, I not only have a trainer and babysitter, but a friend.. who kicks my ass. 

Today I got a facial and have been trying to keep up with one every two to three months.  Cindie is really friendly, professional, and makes the experience relaxing and pleasant.  I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin since keeping up with these facials, combined with my Boscia mask treatments.  I’ve also had a massage and some waxing done at Lillie Ann’s and loved that too (as much as anyone can love waxing– ouch.)
The facility is kind of off the beaten path over by Harpo Studios at 1260 W. Washington.  It’s small and it’s no Mario Tricocci.  You won’t be lounging around in your robe in the “quiet room” is what I mean by that.  However, there’s free parking, the place is immaculate and tastefully decorated/ seems brand new and seems reasonably priced.  Every person I’ve encountered has been nice and made my visit a truly relaxing, pleasant experience.  I keep going back.  I really can’t think of a better way to spend part of my afternoon off.  I also owe a big thank you to my thoughtful husband who bought me two facials for Christmas!  I think I’m going to schedule the next one for April so I can enjoy an hour to myself after the baby’s born.  You’re watching the kids right hun?! 

Enter the internet.  I googled and came up with Heel-Tastic.

It was really reasonably priced and had great reviews so I ordered two!  I started using it every night– slathered it on my heels, put on some socks, and went to sleep.  Seriously, after only a few days I noticed a difference.  Now (about two months later) I have NO visible cracks on my heels.  The texture is infinitely smoother.  I don’t snag my feel while putting on tights anymore.  Yeah people, that’s how cracked they were.  Now I’m down to using it every other day and I don’t always put the socks on after the heel tastic.
I started raving about it so much David had to try it for himself on his elbows.  I warned him he may get quoted on Personal Faves and he gave approval.  David said his elbows could have previously only been described as “dinosaur skin.”  He was shocked and amazed by the difference too.  My hands have become pretty cracked lately with the cold weather and the constant hand-washing (I work in a germ fest otherwise known as an elementary school.)  I put some heel tastic on my fingers before going to bed one night and again– drastic improvement.

The only downer of this product is that it smells very “natural.”  It’s made with lots of waxes and many natural ingredients but this scent is part natural and part geriatric.  I don’t care.  Like I said, I use it at night!  The effects and positives far outweigh the strange-ish smell.  It would make a great stocking stuffer.  Be proud to bare your heels again!

Warning: your husband, partner, whatever, will drool over the cover.  Tracy Anderson is HOT.  David said to me, “Why do you think she has to look so sexy on a DVD that’s being sold to women?”  Duh: I want to look like that.  If I look HALF that good post-pregnancy the DVD was well-worth the money.

Getting back to the point: It’s a great workout.  If you think you’re going to hate her for being so pretty and tiny, she admits right away that she gained 60 pounds with her son and then you can relate to her again.  She swears that her methods are designed to bring the skin back to the abdominal muscles.  I started doing the DVD four weeks after Graham’s birth and I noticed a difference after just two work-outs.  Seriously.  My stomach looked better and I felt less like my uterus was going to fall out when I was running.  [sorry for you non-mommies who just vomited a little in your mouths]

The down-side: it’s kind of long (45 minutes) but she spends about the first 30 on abs and the last 15 on the gluteus and arms so you can skip those if you want.  The other down-side: she doesn’t cue very much.  You have to pay close attention at first but once you’ve done it a few times you know what’s coming next.  Still, it’s totally a MUST HAVE.  Some of the moves are ones I’ve never seen and I’ve been a fitness enthusiast my whole life.  So I’m sure these exercises are “magical” in bringing the skin back to the abs… just like Tracy promises!

The Tracy Anderson Method Presents Post Pregnancy Workout DVD

P.S. I tried the Dance Cardio DVD for all of 5 minutes and promptly posted on Facebook that it was up for sale!  She tries to teach you dance routines and then does them at lightening speed without saying a word.  I guess I was supposed to have it memorized by then.  Uh… since becoming a mommy I can’t even remember how to speak English properly let alone remember dance routines.  I’d skip it unless you have a dance background.

Anyway!  This toothpaste helps combat the cavities one could get from having a sweet tooth and tastes great to boot.  It’s one of those “Whitening Expressions” lines from Crest.  My mom’s a hygienist and always recommends Crest for a good source of flouride.  Right mom?  Who am I kidding, she doesn’t know how to leave a comment on the site!    The vanilla mint is sweet and refreshing at the same time.  Love it.  Went to Target the other day to get a refill and it was on clearance.  Scared me that it might be canceled so I figured I’d better write about it now just in case.  If it is indeed going to be canceled I will go buy every box at Target right now.  Maybe you friends across the country could pick me up some at your local Target as well.  Or, just get yourself a tube!  Enjoy and happy brushing.

so good

I have to warn you: it smells pretty gross (although thankfully that doesn’t last long) but it works so well you won’t care.  I put some on every day after my shower and it is amazing.  No razor burn.  Minimal ingrowns… if you do get one this product seems to clear it right up.

It has alcohol in it so it says not necessarily recommended for use during pregnancy/ nursing.  My OB told me as long as I used it over a small surface area it would be ok but I would check with your doctor if you’re preggers or nursing!  Great for guys or girls… I think it was actually developed by men in the army who have to shave every day.

Just all around good.  Not cheap but worth it if you have painful issues from hair removal.  And, even though it’s relatively expensive you just use a few drops daily so it does last a long time.  I have also tried the deodorant and really like that too.  FYI!

http://www.amazon.com/Tend-Skin/dp/B0006IQK5U

the official tend skin site has all their products

http://www.tendskin.com/tendskin.htm

Normally I am a huge fan of going to the gym.  And I love my trainer, Lisa G.  But when you’re out of town or don’t have child care it can be really hard to get to the gym.  So I’m entering into the realm of work out DVDs.   This one got great reviews on Amazon and I’ve watched Jillian kick people’s butts on The Biggest Loser so I figured I’d give it a go.  I loved it!  She does circuit training which involves doing a few different exercises and rotating through them.  3 minutes of strength exercises, 2 minutes of cardio, 1 minutes of abs.  That gives you one circuit.  There are 3 circuits in each level which is 20 minutes.  Here’s the break down more clearly:

3 Levels (20 min each)

3 circuits in each level which consist of strength exercises, cardio, abs

In her strength exercises she combines leg and arm movements to maximize calorie burning in the shortest amount of time.  For example, you might do side lunges while lifting your hand weights in front of you.  Cardio might be jumping jacks or jumping rope.  And NO breaks during the 20 minute level.  Jillian said when you feel uncomfortable is the most important time to stick with it because that’s when you promote changes in your body.  I did two levels yesterday and was very pleased.  I felt like I got one of the best work outs from a DVD I’ve ever had.  It was like working out with my trainer because of the circuit-style format.  Of course Lisa is more fun though.    (she reads my personal faves.)

All you need is a mat and some handweights.  And some determination.  Enjoy!  Oh, plus I thought it was really affordable.  Can you tell I love this DVD??

http://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Michaels-30-Day-Shred/dp/B00127RAJY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1246020267&sr=8-1

similar in shape to my personal fave. i like the larger ones... covers more surface area

The most accurate way to describe a tongue scraper: the cheapest way to alter your life.  Seriously… once you scrape you will be like, “How did I live without this??!!??”  It’s such a simple contraption that will dramatically improve your oral hygiene.  I should know; my mom is a dental hygienist.  (OK, so I have never studied dental hygiene but I do hear about it a lot!)

My mom and some friends came to Chicago a few years back  for a dental convention.  I took them out for sushi and then met up with my husband and other friends for drinks.  Several drinks.  All the dental people were raving about tongue scrapers.  They swore we had to try them.  We did and we were grateful for their buzzed, but accurate, reviews.

Any kind of tongue scraper will do but my personal fave is shaped like a tennis racket.   You can get them at Target, Walgreens, or any other drug store.  I’m telling you: life altering.  Try it and you can thank me later.