Rudd’s road to a Brazil Butt Lift

I write this blog to discuss health and exercise with my audience and maybe even help somebody successfully navigate the world of fitness trends and infomercials.

So in the name of all things taught and toned, I’m here to test run Leandro Carvalho’s Brazil Butt Lift.

The Brazil Butt Lift is one of the latest fitness fads that BeachBody has to offer consumers.

Other famous Beachbody workouts include P90X, Turbo Jam, Hip Hop Abs and more.

Though I’m not in any way a chubby girl, presently my muscles are a lot softer than they were. Events in my life such as a new job, graduating college and moving out of my parents’ house for the first time lead to me skipping workouts and eating fatty foods.

More than anything in this world I want a butt and thighs free of cellulite and Brazil native Leandro Carvalho promises you that and more with his Brazilian inspired workouts.

He even has Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio as one of his spokesmodels.

Why does it work? (According to Leandro)

• TriAngle Training targets all three butt muscles
• It shapes gluteal muscles to round your butt
• Lifts your butt
• Firms butt and thighs
• Combines cardio & sculpting

Over the next month or so, I will complete the workouts and update you through the process on how I feel and look.

My next post will include my “before” photos *gulp.

I hope this workout truly lifts my butt!

* Khethiwe Rudd was in no way compensated for reviewing the Brazil Butt Lift.

Staying trim post Halloween: diet and exercise tips

So you’re sitting on your living room floor Halloween night, surrounded by Mars Bars and Kit Kat candy wrappers.

Binging on chocolate one night of the year is admissable but now that the haunted houses have been dismantled and the month of November begins, how do you stop the carnage?

It’s inevitable that you may stumble across these snack-sized treats  post Halloween and the temptation to have just one may overwhelm you, (as it has certainly overwhelmed me) but immediately afterwards you feel guilty.

You fell off of the wagon, now here’s how to get back on.

Firstly eat Halloween smart

All of the following diet tips are courtesy of Fitness guru Angela Ramos, who was quoted in an article on the Crown Point Community website.

1. Avoid eating many snack-size candy bars. Just because they’re small doesn’t mean they’re good for you.
2. Bake your own healthy goodies instead of eating chocolate.
3. Only buy enough candy for one day, don’t leave any lying around.
4. If you must have candy, have one in the morning and one at night. Skip desserts that you would normally eat.
5. Lastly if you eat junk food don’t dwell on it, just move forward positively.

Exercise more after junk-food

Ramos also said to increase your daily exercise by 30 minutes to get rid of the unwanted calories.

According to an article on fitness website DailyBurn Life, there are a few exercises that target the entire body without spending hours in the gym.

• Push ups workout all parts of the arm including the shoulder and elbow joints.
• Deadlifts, though they sound painful, are great for the lower body. Maintain proper form, get into a squatting position, grab the weight and lift it off of the ground using your lower body not your back.
• Military Press is an exercise in which you raise a bar over your head and move it up and down. It resembles a chin up except that the bar is moving, not your body. I would recommend getting a partner for this exercise if you are a beginner.
• Medicine Ball Woodchoppers is an exercise for the core. Grab a medicine ball at a weight that you feel comfortable working with and begin with your legs spread more than shoulder width apart and the ball in front of you between your hands. Move the ball to your left foot then lift it in front of you and up to your right hand side as high as your arms will reach. Your body twists as you do the exercise. Switch sides afterwards.
• Cardio is a key component to any workout, so try jumping rope or doing burpees.
  

  Halloween candies make dieting and staying in shape harder than it has to be. Experts share tips on staying lean after the spooky holiday. Photo By http://flic.kr/p/5z83ovrespres

Now you have all of the tools to keep healthy and trim post Halloween.

But remember before embarking on a new diet and fitness plan consult a physician.

Let me know how you stay healthy after Halloween.

Nautilus launches new CoreBody Reformer: combines yoga, Pilates and dance

Nautilus’ newly launched CoreBody Reformer combines pilates, dance and yoga for a full body workout that focuses on the abs. Photo By CoreBody Reformer website

In order to reach a mass audience in a struggling economy Nautilus released a new workout machine, the CoreBody Reformer.

Pilates, dance and yoga moves are used to target your core as you use the machine.

At $279 the CoreBody Reformer is more affordable than other products by Nautilus, such as the BowFlex Classic Home Gym ($649) or the TreadClimber TC20 ($3,299), in order to cater to the downtrodden economy.

“It definitely fits the budget better, just by virtue of the price,” said Nautilus CEO Bruce Cazenave in an interview for The Columbian.

Cazenave also said that regardless of how the economy was faring the price would remain the same to reach its target consumer.

How it works

•Pilates exercise improve strength
•Yoga improves flexibility
•Dance moves increase cardio

The device is shaped like a T and lies on the floor. Two bands extend from it with handles to workout your arms and legs.The machine is made for you to stand, sit, stretch or straddle it to exercise.

The advertisement states that you’ll get results in “30 days or less.”

CoreBody Reformer includes

•Four workout DVDs
•Flashcards that illustrate exercises
•Weight loss plan
•A poster to track your progress
•A blue washable cover
•Carrying strap

As showcased by the Reebok lawsuit over false advertising, you can’t always believe what you’re told, so it’s best to listen to those who have tried the product.

Reviews

So far reviews have been positive.

“I have lost 25 pounds. In six weeks I lost 15 pounds. Eat right and work out on you CBR for 45min. five days a week. It really works!” wrote Yvette Navaro on facebook.

“Its quite the workout and a lot of fun. I know what I’m getting myself for christmas,” commented Amber Raymond Towle on Facebook.

But according to the Fit Bottomed Girls website, though the exercises are fun and effective, the CoreBody is awkward to move. The pulleys also have no resistance to build on as you get stronger using the machine.

“Just like anything, you have to use it. The CoreBody Reformer is the tool, but you have to do the work,” wrote Jenn on the website.