Easy Core Rhythm Workout

I'm all for easy-to-follow dance exercises that can be done at home. It not only makes you fit but teaches you a thing or two about dancing without humiliating yourself in public. And when I saw this video, I thought 'I could do this!' 

This workout focuses on the core, belly, lower back and hips. This video is easy to understand and I've done it twice so far apart from Tiffany Rothe's workouts (check my blog post about it here.) 

I have a lot of fun when I do this that I don't notice the time. And for exercise, that is a big deal! 

You'll sweat a lot during the workout so keep a glass of water close and do this exercise at your own pace. Remember, consult a doctor before you engage in any form of exercise.

Have fun and awaken the inner Latina in you!  

Mix 'n Match Rain-proof Workouts

Rainy days are ahead and for us girls trying to be fit, the weather can pose as a HUGE problem. Not only are the streets damp and disgusting to head for the gym or to jog and walk in, we also need to fight the urge to stay in bed and listen to sentimental songs and have sentimental thoughts while watching raindrops slither on our windows. (Now Playing: Officially Missing You by Jayeslee). But there's a better time for that and that's later (when it's darker). For now, let's put down the chocolate snack we are holding and get into our workout clothes and shoes and let's get our hearts pumping with some rain-proof exercise!

I'm featuring here 5 of Tiffany Rothe's 10-minute workouts. I chose these 5 because I found them the easiest and they don't need other equipment; just you, your workout clothes and some space to move. 

First up, The 10-Minute Ballerina Long Legs Workout

I love this one because, it's relatively easy and at the same time it makes me feel graceful - think Swan Lake. You won't sweat so much doing this but I think it serves as a good warm-up and hey, it helps in the posture too! We can all use the confidence!

Now, if Ballerina Long Legs won't make you sweat, the other four on our list will definitely make you use the clothes line.

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This one exercises the waist. This focuses on the core.

I did Tae Kwon Do before so I found this pretty easy. Good for toning the arms!

This works on the hips so lots of hip circles. Unleash that womanly power!

This does a lot of hip movement too but it's mostly chill so I like it a lot!

What I love about these workouts is the flexibility. You can choose your own time, you can do it at home, you can wear whatever you want (So what else will you wear on a BIKINI abs workout?), you don't need to buy extra equipment and lastly, I don't have to pay other people just to humiliate myself on not being able to follow the steps right in a class. If I wanted to get it right, I could just click to the part I don't get and knock myself out 'til I get it right. Easy peasy.

Tiffany Rothe's has more workouts available and you should definitely check them out. She makes them relatively easy to do and understand. And yes, she's a good motivator and she motivates me even when I only see her on video.

As for the results, I've been doing these thrice a week for two weeks and my tummy's definitely flatter. Mix and match three of these exercises for some variety and let me know your results. Remember, consult your doctor before undergoing any workout. If you do these workouts, do it at your own pace. Stay fit and healthy even on rainy days!

P.S. If you feel like giving yourself a treat after these workouts, why not give yourself a DIY Cellulite Massage?

DIY Blackhead Removal

I don't know about you but I hate pain. And blackhead pricking sounds like a trip to the doctor with the dreaded needle to me. For years, I have tried to look for the best way to get rid of what my mom loves to call "herd of blackheads" found in my nose. I kind of wish they paid rental fees. Yes, it's that bad. And I am way over puberty to have this much. 

I have done my research on the matter. Though it is true that outside forces like pollution, dirt and everything else that can get into your pores are pretty much to blame for such an outbreak, there are still other factors to consider. It can also be caused by oily skin. And this is pretty much the reason why you shouldn't put too much moisturizer in blackhead infested areas like for example, your nose. That is, if you are oily. 

Another observation I had made is that blackheads are like grass. Pull them up and sooner or later they are back in the game, stealthily if you ask me. And so I knew that there was no cure or a weapon for annihilating for this. It's something that I should live with. As they say, men and children complain, women deal with it. 

So I have tried everything from blackhead scrubs to nose strips of foreign languages I don't understand. I've tried Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil Scrub. I love it because it makes my face feel smooth but... it has nothing against my blackheads - they take a lot after me. As for the nose strips, it has nothing against my blackheads' powerful defenses. But I have come to understand that as long as you keep searching for answers, you will find one soon enough. And I have found my answer, one depressing day.

An acquaintance did a facial demo of her kit on me and you can imagine my amazement when not only did the kit give my face a non-surgical facelift but also pulled out my blackheads! I was so amazed that I thought it was a miracle... SMOOTH NOSE SURFACE! I knew I got to have it.

I bought this facial kit after just one try. 

It's so simple to use. You just mix 1 tsp. of powder and 1 tsp. of the activator and brush upwards. To remove the blackheads, you  apply one ply tissue cut in half and brush mixture again on top of it. Then chill out for 30 minutes. I do this while watching TV, usually when I catch cartoons or my favorite reality shows on E! After 30 minutes, you just pull the tissue like you would with a nose strip and wash your face with water. I don't suggest anything too funny because the mask will harden and I hope you can imagine just what I mean. Really, it's a no-brainer.

The good thing about it is there are no restrictions after. Unlike with pricking, you can't wet your face for a few hours much like when you wax your legs. And can I say that how can you go out if your face looked like it had a bout with Pacman. After this DIY facial, you can put on your heels, hit the town and flaunt your 5-year younger and blackhead free face!

But just a disclaimer, it won't remove 100% of your blackheads. One thing is for sure though, it removes much more when I went under the pricking before. This I can definitely attest.

Well, I'm not complaining. Been using it since August last year once a week and I still think it's awesome (just as long as you are not allergic to eggs). At 25 uses per kit, it lasts me a good 6 months. If you ask me, that's good value for money that makes me feel like a million dollars!

Want the step-by-step instructions? Click HERE.