Pilates for runners (Fitness Friday)

I have been practicing Pilates for over 7 years, I got hooked after seeing toning results from mat classes and then in natural progression moved into reformer classes and never looked back.  Being a runner, I was looking for another work out that would compliment the pounding of the pavement.

I feel like this post is important following last Fridays Fitness Friday post, training for a half marathon.  I, like may others during the training months came down with a head and chest cold.  The last thing I want to do or should do is go out on a 5 mile run.   Now I am stuck at home sick but cannot afford to give up a training day, why not do some Pilates! 

What does Pilates do?  The moves incorporate proper spinal alignment, which helps us move more efficiently.  A well-rounded work out will touch on every muscle group including your legs, and lets be honest what runner out there can’t use some good lengthening of the hamstrings.  Many Pilate moves trigger abdominal strength, like planking on one leg and oblique twists.  A strong abdomen helps protect the spine and prevent back injuries while pounding that pavement. 

Check out the moves below for some at home Mat Pilates moves that you can do on your down day or even incorporate before your daily run.  Enjoy

Corkscrew- lie with legs straight out and arms at side, engage the abs and lift the legs up roll them over head rounding out the spine, engage abs and bring legs back down (10 REPS)
Leg Swings- Arms down at sides, legs up to 90 degrees, engage obliques and swing legs right then left, make sure rib cage stay on mat (10 REPS each side)
Mountain climbers- Hold plank, gaze at mat.  Lift left knee to right elbow, replace foot, lift right knee to left elbow (8 REPS each side)
Bridge with glute dips- Arms long at sides, feet flat on the floor knees bent.  Lift hips up, pressing evenly through feet.  Lower the hips down a little and lift back up (3x) lower down and repeat (8 REPS).  Engage glutes and hamstrings.
Push up- Lower down into a push up, elbow in at sides.  3 count down and up (10 REPS).
Swimming- Engage glutes and quads, lift right arm and left leg then switch, keep legs and arms long and straight.  preform for 10 sec. 3 REPS
Scissor kicks- flex upper body and lift right leg, hold for 2 count lower and lift other leg.  Stay flexed up, sink the belly down keep legs straight and slightly lifted off mat (10 REPS each leg)

(These are all great pilates moves and I pulled photos from the below sites)

Pilates for runners by modernlyfeblog on Polyvore

Calorie-Blasting Moves From The Big Book Of Pilates
prevention.com

Best Pilates Moves For Runners
fitsugar.com

Best Pilates Moves For Runners
fitsugar.com

Pilates Arm Workout you can do Anywhere & Anytime
kristinmcgee.com

Adrianne Pelt
mastertraineradriannepelt.com

Core Integrity with Cat: Essential Yoga Moves
catcore.blogspot.com

Adrianne Pelt
mastertraineradriannepelt.com

Resort collection {Essie}

I love nail polishes, I think I am one of the few girls left to not get the gel mani every other week.  I do for special occasions or vacations (like the safari coming up) because I do enjoy the lasting power they have. 

When I saw the Essie resort collection 2014 colors I feel in love with them all! Look closely can you picture yourself wearing each color at a different destination? I can that is why I feel in love with them. Check out some color below and ask your nail salon for the newest collection.  

So you know what to ask for
Starting form the left {top photo}
Resort fling
Under the twilight
Find me an oasis
Cocktails and coconuts

Cutting it off

I want to write this post to help all the ladies out there with their HAIR.

I know we have all experienced the big decision making stage or have had the urge cut our hair off. We spent a year or so growing it out, living through three phases: I like, I love it, it's way to long.  As a hair stylist I know these phases all to well.  In the I love it phase, you really do love it and every day you walk out with your hair looking perfect, but here is where everything also goes wrong.  Take my advise ladies.  If you love your hair length and everything is looking perfect everyday, go get a trim every 6-8 weeks to keep it that way.  Honestly, I have heard it many times, "I loved my hair last month but I can't do anything with it now, lets cut it off."  Wait. Before you go chopping your hair into some crazy pixy you have never had before think... will that look good, do I have the hair type, how long will it take to style, whats my face shape?...... Your stylist can help you with these questions, they should be properly trained to help you determine all the answers. *TIP If they just agree with you without any input, get a second opinion.  I'm just saying, from my 10 years of working "behind the chair" If someone comes in wanting a major color or style change I go back to basics, doing a full consultation and asking lifestyle questions to help guide them.  9 times out of 10 we made a change, but not without tweaking something, considering face shape and hair texture can help make a decision, being that they are constant factors that do not change.  That being said, I made a change.  I was always afraid of having my hair shorter than my shoulders, why? because of that one horrible haircut when I was 17.  Sound like you? Even as a stylist I had kept my hair medium length adding extensions or cutting bangs for a slight change.  Two weeks ago I made the decision to cut my hair, and I love it.  It works with the crazy schedule I have been carrying for the last few weeks and I don't have to rock the pony.  Before making the change I considered my rounded heart shaped face and maintained extra length in the front.  We made it choppy so when straight it would be almost see threw ends and when curled it had the tussled look.  Below are some photos.  I encourage you to make a change, you will feel great.  Don't let hair control you, think of it as an accessory.  I challenge you to make a hair change the next time you go through a style change and it doesn't always mean cutting it off.

Feeling girly: Try clip in extensions or soft fringe

Channeling your inter hippie: Try long wavy extensions {part in middle}

Getting Creative: Add a pop of color blue, pink, purple

Going to Oxford: Try the lob {long bob} 

Glam: Mid length soft waves

Edgy: Short and textured.. maybe pixy 

Look for different extensions and styles HERE you can even find clip in fringe {bangs}. 

Before:

 After: 

Happy hair days

XoXo ML

Weekend hair splurge: PHILIP B.

Do you ever wonder why some hair care products cost $10 and others $140?  Being a hair stylist, beauty expert, product junky and female I have tried many products over the years.  Some I have tossed out immediately, some I still have ½ of and others I buy every time I go to the salon.  The big question is WHAT makes the price differ so?  Is it the ingredients, the packaging, the marking team or budget?  I decided to try out the well-known $140 Russian Amber shampoo from Philip B.

Let me start by describing my hair and normal regime.  I am a natural brunette with a fair amount of hair, medium to fine texture (more when I have my extensions in) and I am not afraid to admit it.  I took part in the ombre trend, so I do have some split ends covered with bleach in my medium length hair.  I shampoo and condition about every other day with Aloxxi hydrating shampoo and conditioner.  For styling I use a leave in conditioner spray followed by a blow dry lotion or lightweight gel to help smooth and give my limp strands some body.  From start to finish it takes me about 20/30min.  Not so bad.  Do I think I neeeed a $140 shampoo? No, do I want one… sure if my hair will be amazing!

This shampoo comes in a jar like a conditioning masque and looks like Carmel.  It breaks down in your hands once water is added and lathered up. To start, this particular shampoo has some major hair strengthening ingredients written right on the label.  11 active L – amino acids, you know what those are right? It's what your hair is made of. Other ingredients that stand out is the Soy protein, wheat proteins, vitamin B5 and amber oil.  Have you seen another shampoo with those ingredients? I haven't.  Between the pricy ingredients and the gorgeous eye catching packaging you have yourself one luxurious shampoo.

After 3 weeks of using Philip B Russian Amber shampoo every other day my hair did feel amazing, it had life, bounce and shine!  The smell is one to fall in love with it's powdery and sweet yet a little earthy.  So does this shampoo stand out in a crowed? For me it does. It may not be my every day or even once a week shampoo, but defiantly in the mix, possibly once every 2 weeks.  My hair truly looks healthy, feels strong and defiantly has some major shine.

*Lets consider this product as a worthy splurge, which will not be going out of style any time soon!

Purchase here

3oz $50

12oz $140