CRUNCHES

Many people have the wrong idea about crunches and seem to think that its some sort of contest to test how many they can accomplish in one session. It doesn't matter if you do 1,000 sit-ups or 100, what matter sis how effective they are. Most of us are on the quest to achieving a toned, taught tummy, and I can tell you right now that hundreds of sit-ups will bore you more than help you. Though I know what its like to be out of shape, I've still never had issues with belly fat before, because my mother taught me from a young age to always "suck it in tight".


Bodybuilders say "Abs are made in the kitchen", and this is very true. A proper low-carb and more plant-based diet will aid in the fat burning process of cardio and crunches. By avoiding salty, processed foods and consuming the correct fruits and vegetables with great workouts, you can fight that bloat and rock those sexy abs!

This is a behind-the-scenes pic from a shoot, and there is zero photoshop. I don't look exactly like this right now, but I'll be back there soon!

As a Nationally competitive equestrian in the past, I found the importance in core strength to support proper posture and balance. From experience, I've seen many athletes injure themselves because though they were incredibly fit, they simply didn't have the core strength to stay "put together" and would use their upper and lower bodies too much. Our center simply cannot be ignored, not only are tight abs sexy, but they're extremely important!


If you can do at least three reps of 20 correct upper, lower and oblique crunches once or twice a day, you will thank me later. If you are just getting back into working out full-force again, you can break these reps up into sets of 15 to start, then increase as long as you feel the burn and your crunches are legit.

Also, if you aren't familiar with planking (as in work-out planking, not the Facebook craze), you ought to get into it now! This is an excellent way to strengthen your core anywhere, whether you are at home, the gym, the beach, the park, etc. There are a couple of photos below of a regular plank and one-legged plank for you to get a better idea of what the position looks like.


Get into push-up position, then go down to your elbows while keeping your body completely still. Focus on using your core to hold yourself in that position for exactly a minute. If your arms tire right away, that means you aren't using enough of your core, so tighten that baby up! For one-legged plank, get into the same potion and take turns holding one leg up at a time, this will tone your booty and hamstrings while tightening your core.

I'll have to take photos of other proper sit-up positions that are very effective at some point so that you can have more of a visual reference.

WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN

I've been borderline-obsessed with Ancient Egypt since childhood, when I would go to museums and beg my family to see the mummy exhibits with me. My parents probably thought that I was seriously disturbed, since reading Stephen King and looking at mummies by age eight isn't exactly normal. I took an anthropology course in college and was absolutely fascinated by all that I learned, so I hope to visit Egypt to see the ruins someday. 


There are many methods that were developed by the Ancient Egyptians and are still used today, such as condoms, high heels, paper, pens, surgery, hospitals, makeup, skin care, calendars and sailing. I performed a monologue in High School as Cleopatra from 'Antony and Cleopatra', and I can still remember most of it by heart...

Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
Immortal longings in me. Now no more
The juice of Egypt's grape shall moist this lip.


Yare, yare, good Iras; quick. Methinks I hear
Antony call; I see him rouse himself
To praise my noble act; I hear him mock
The luck of Caesar, which the gods give men
To excuse their after wrath. 


Husband, I come;
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire and air; my other elements
I give to baser life. So; have you done?
Come then, and take the last warmth of my lips.

Farewell, kind Charmian; Iras, long farewell.Have I the aspic in my lips? Dost fall?
If thou and nature can so gently part,
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch,
Which hurts, and is desired. 


Dost thou lie still?
If thus thou vanishest, thou tell'st the world
It is not worth leave-taking.

Want!

MIND AND BODY

"Protect the purity of your mind and body — they are the vehicle of your spirit. When you continually strengthen your body and sharpen your mind, your spirit will have the power to take you wherever you wish to go." -Taro Gold

A cheesy workout photo for your enjoyment.

FEED YOUR BRAIN

"All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened and after you are finished reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwards it all belongs to you: the good and the bad, the ecstasy, the remorse and sorrow, the people and the places and how the weather was." -Ernest Hemingway

I'm the one with the Halloween candy, and I'm surrounded by children who all want a piece. They wear masks and pretend to be genuine, but once they get the candy, they're off to the next house. When one trips me, they all just step over me and keep going without helping me up.