Workout DVD Review: Yoga Bootcamp From Exercise TV - As Seen on Soundbites

(Originally posted on vianessa.com/soundbites as a guest blogger piece.)

I am a bit of an Exercise TV regular, so when Vianessa presented me with the opportunity to actually try out one of DVDs I immediately agreed. Though I love the convenience of the TV workouts, it's always a bit disappointing when your favorites are taken out of the rotation. Vianessa is not exactly a fan of yoga (I'm  hoping to convert her), but I have been practicing for about two years, so she shipped me her copy of Yoga Bootcamp to review. (She was also busy already reviewing 10 Pound Slimdown Xtreme.) The Yoga Bootcamp DVD set itself includes four, specifically-targeted workouts that take approximately 40 minutes each. Two of the workouts are by Ashley Turner - Core Strength and Twisting Detox - and two are by Ted McDonald - Power Yoga for Abs & Arms and Dynamic Flow for Legs & Butt. The set also comes with a 28-day workout planand clean eating guide/cleanse, neither of which were included in this particular review due to lack of turnaround time.

Overall, the DVD did prove challenging and offers something more than the regular "fusion"-style workouts often found on Exercise TV. It really payed attention to the core principles of yoga, including audible breathing, body technique and setting intentions for each workout. Each routine also offered modified versions of moves and poses but I would not necessarily recommend this set for beginners. The flows move quickly and the instructors tend to use yoga terminology freeingly, both of which may cause confusion for those unfamiliar with yoga. The promo video calls it a "challenging cardio workout," and though it is challenging, calling it "cardio" is a tad bit misleading.

Girl on the Go Trend: The Faux-Fur Shag Vest Spotted on Jennifer Lopez

If you've opened up any fall-inspired magazine issues recently, you've undoubtedly seen what I like to call the "shag vest" in a number of ads or pictorials. Jennifer Lopez was recently spotted sporting one while walking around NYC with gal-pal Erica Reid. Lopez wore the vest over a slouchy white tee and skinny black pants, paired with classic pointed-toe stilettos. She then removed the vest and swapped her heals for flats for a more casual, easy-going look. (Or was it the other way around? Not sure.)

 Swapping out statement pieces to transition from dressy to casual (and back again) is a classic Girl on the Go move, but is the shag vest suitable for everyone? Do you busy ladies find the look to be tacky, funky or chic? Have you tried out this trend in your day-to-day outings? Share your thoughts below. 

Luv,

Li

Motivation Monday: Trusting the Process

My previous post discussed my current thoughts on coping with my relationship and career changes and how these changes have altered my Girl on the Go momentum. After the post, I spent a very eventful weekend with my friends and family. But Sunday greeted me with rainy weather and its typical slower pace, and I started to feel a bit hazy again. I felt especially heavy during a quiet ride home. I recalled ways to make myself feel better and remembered that saying what I'm feeling aloud has helped me work through many of my recent changes. So I began to do so in the car.

For every question that popped-up about what was happening (how? why? etc.), I would respond with 'it doesn't matter, trust the process.' I repeated it over and over in an attempt to convince myself that what I was saying was true, but my doubts seemed to overpower my own words. I decided to take the reflection a bit further. I asked myself, 'what does it mean if I don't trust process?'

I immediately responded, 'it means I don't trust myself.' Can we say, Self-OUCHervation? (<- I made that up)

Is a Breakup, Ex-Boyfriend or Relationship Loss Hurting Your Momentum?

This blog is still in the conceptual, growing phases and I initially thought the topic of relationships did not apply. It was not until I truly reflected on how my newly single status was affecting my day-to-day "Girl on the Go" status that I realized how relevant my own experience was.

I'm sure I am not the only one in the middle of a breakup or heartbreak, so I decided to share my experience with it in hopes that others may gain something from it - even if it just the fact of knowing that you are not alone. I named and created this blog because of my constantly mobile lifestyle, which was escalated over the past several months by maintaining a long-distance, military-based relationship. Once the relationship officially ended (and yes, I am devastated by it) and business drastically slowed down, I found myself feeling more like "Girl in Neutral" than "Girl on the Go." 

What to do when you get burned

If you’re anything like me you’re always in a rush or on the run throughout the day. This means that oftentimes our beauty regiment is compromised and turns into a minor disaster. I recently had to find a place to wax my eyebrows and left with more than just cleaned up brows. By the time I got home, I began to see why my face felt like it was on fire. The wax must have been too hot. I didn't realize it at first while I was at the salon but either way I was stuck with bright red burns that eventually darkened over the next two days. I was in a bind because I knew I had several meetings that week that I did not want to cancel. I'm sharing my story because I figured this could happen to anyone. At home with a curling iron, distracted while cooking or any number of things us girls on the go do on a daily basis could lead to an inconvenient burn on or near your face.

I’ll share a few tips with you that I learned along the way that will help you take care of any burns on or near your face and how to use the right makeup to hide your little beauty mishap.

How to take care of the burn:

Tip 1: Use a damp washcloth to cool the affected areas on your face. You can use ice water as well but don’t put ice directly on your burns.

Tip 2: Get a real gentle face wash. I generally use a face wash from La Roche-Pousey but I soon found out it was not gentle enough. I picked up Cetaphil from the pharmacy and that made a huge difference. No stinging and it leaves a nice soft moisturized to the touch.

Tip 3: When a few of my girlfriends found out what happened they suggested putting aloe on the burns. That is typically good advice but these days there are so many products on the counter that you need to be sure you pick up 100% aloe. I opted for using Neosporin. As I was getting ready for bed I couldn’t get over how much my face hurt and Neosporin provided pain relief and gets the job done.

Now, it's time to talk about hiding the little mishap. Here are a few tips for covering up eyebrow waxing gone wrong.

First, clean your face with the gentle face wash. Then, towel dry and apply a little Neosporin. Once your face is dry, apply a good concealer only on the spots that you’re trying to hide. I used Christian Dior Long-Wearing Moisturizing Concealer.

Then, apply compact makeup. My favorite is Chanel Double Perfection Natural Matte Powder Makeup.

Then, use eye shadow. Choose a natural palette of browns and nudes. Proceed as usual with bronzer/blush, mascara and lipstick. Ta da! Now, you’re all set to take on the world. No one ever has to know that you're hiding a few beauty burns under there.

Rachel Zoe Launches Exude Lipstick Line in New York City

Supermom, style icon, and power woman Rachel Zoe has snagged yet another brand collaboration. This time, it's beauty based. On Thursday, June 28, Zoe took to New York City's Plaza Hotel to officially take on her role as Exude Lipsticks' new brand ambassador. According to Stylist.com, Zoe hates when "lipstick dries up because [she] has to talk." To solve this dilemma, Exude will a "moisturizing and anti-aging formula - Vitamins E and C, Omega-3, Omega-6, and Goji Berry." The lipstick line will offer a variety of shades ranging from warm plums to rich reds. 

Check out photos from the launch below.

"Get into the Move" and WIN!

Rushing to work, running errands, chasing after kids (men fall under this category) and working out are just a fraction of the things that a Girl on the Go has to do on a daily basis. But just because we're all busy, doesn't mean we have to break a sweat while we do it; well, at least the world doesn't need to know we sweat.

That's where Degree comes in. Six lucky readers will have the chance to win their very own full sized Degree motionSENSE technology deodorant. It's the only anti-perspirant formula activated by directly by movement, not moisture.

What do you have to do to enter? Easy. Just visit my blog and leave a comment before July 31, 2011. That's it. It's a quick and easy way to win something that will help you when you're on the go.

Enter to Win by Clicking HERE