Denice’s Personal Story: Well walking into Pilates today was a little easier than “Day 1.”  I was much more comfortable with what was going to happen.  I was still a little sore from the first session, but I know that this is only making me stronger. 

I have a long history of hating any form of exercise.  Believe it or not, I was actually once really active.  In high school I played volleyball and swam (I was on the diving team!).  It was not until I injured my knee for the second time that I became less active.  Through college I was busy being social (shock for those who know me) and living the college experience.  Then I got married and had a kid.

Fast forward to present day…an inactive business woman.  That’s me!  I sit at my desk for at least 8 hours a day!  I do some walking, but not nearly the amount of activity I should be doing. 

Enter…my mom.  She has been attending the Body Center for Physical Therapy and Pilates Training with Jeff Fairley for the past year.  I have watched her go from having a bad back that would go out pretty frequently to being stronger than I have ever seen her before.  Jeff has helped her tremendously.  SO I thought, why not let him help me?  If I don’t want to end up with back trouble, and I want to be healthy, now is as good a time as ever.

So, I am hitting Pilate’s full force, and I love it.  My second session seemed much more difficult than the first.  Stephanie, the instructor, claims that it gets “Harder for me the longer I do it.”  She says this because you become aware of the muscles you are trying to strengthen, and your focus comes away from trying to remember the movements to concentrating on isolating the specific muscle. 

I actually think I did better “Day 2.”  Jeff and Stephanie are both very encouraging.  I think the atmosphere  at the Body Center helps you feel ready to take on anything…especially Pilates!  Look out session 3…here I come!            

Elana’s Personal Story: During session 2, I could have sworn that Stephanie turned it up a notch; I mean I really felt it in my muscles. They were stretching to a new level than the first session. But, as Denice mentioned, Stephanie explained that the more you engage in Pilates – the harder it feels! It’s funny, because with many other exercises, it’s the exact opposite. When I used to run on the treadmill (which I need to get back to!), I was able to increase my time increments because it got easier each time I hit at the gym. Five minutes turned into a non-stop 10 minutes, and before I knew it, I barely broke a sweat in a 20-minute run.

But that’s a cardio workout.

As for Pilates at the Body Center, I enjoy it getting more difficult because it DOES feel like a hardcore hour of exercise – minus a drop of sweat! Ironically, I didn’t feel as sore the next few days. So maybe in that sense, my body is growing accustomed to the pulling, lifting, and stretching. I am also proud to mention that I was not Ms. Klutzy on the machines this time around. In order to properly shift movements and positions, it is important to do it delicately and slowly. That might have helped.

Pilates revolves hugely around the breathing exercises, such as when to inhale and when to exhale. This is not easy when you are instructed to concentrate on how your back and abs are positioned on the machine (“neutral” gives you the cat-like arch in your back, and then you switch to pressing your abs against the machine, and back…Pilates definitely involves thinking. You can’t just wing it!)

Tonight is “Day 3!” I got my L.A.M.B. “band bag” packed and ready to go to the Body Center in downtown Claremont. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention one of my favorite detail about Pilates: you don’t have to wear shoes! So instead of packing my sneakers, I happily threw in a pair of comfy, cotton socks.

Here we come!

xoxox, Denice and Elana

Photo Credits: Denice’s camera working its magic!

Denice’s Personal Story: So my palms are sweating and I am so nervous!  I am not the most coordinated person, nor am I in any sort of physical shape, but I am entering the world of Pilates.  My mom suggested I try it out; she does it twice a week.  I thought, “Sure, why not.  If she can do it, I can do it”.  Well, I thought Pilates was similar to yoga. 

BOY WAS I WRONG! My editor, Elana, and I signed up at the Body Center in Claremont California.  Jeff Fairley, owner and director of physical therapy, helped us get situated.  Jeff gave us the grand tour of the center and briefed us on the Pilates machine.  That’s right, I said MACHINE!!!  Who knew Pilates was on a machine!

After we became familiar with the machine, it was off to our semi-private session with Stephanie Stevens, our STOTT Certified Pilates instructor.  The class had two other women in it and it was held in a comfortable room.  Stephanie helped with our positioning and form on the machines.

The class was an hour long, and boy did I feel it!  It was not a cardio type of work out, but a muscle strengthening type of work out!  I was a bit uncoordinated and clumsy on the machine (and yes, I did see Elana stumble a bit too!), but Stephanie helped us out and encouraged us to keep going.

The next day I was sore, but it felt great.  I loved it and I am looking forward to “Day 2″ tonight! Check back to see my progress.

Elana’s Personal Story: ….So I’m finally down with  Pilates. Thank heavens that Denice invited me to try this amazing workout for weekly sessions. I’ve always had a sort of athletic-shaped body – flat stomach, strong legs, and a defined back.

 Yet, amidst my long hours of writing, proofing, e-mailing, and pitching story ideas to PR reps and fellow bloggers (and trying to fit lunch somewhere in between), I find myself eating a few too many dark chocolate Milky Way mini-bars and chocolate chip cookies, or skipping meals altogether! Yes, I know, totally unhealthy. So in trying out a new fitness course of action, I look forward to regaining my toned shape. I hope Pilates inspires me to hit the gym much more frequently than I am now – not at all!

Yes, Beauty Chat readers, the editor of a Blog who preaches the importance of maintaining a healthy body inside and out is not taking care of her health as properly as she should.  This is why I’m so happy to take on a challenging, new fitness regimen.

So with tonight being “Day 2″, we are both excited. My energy is a bit charged, as compared to my fright from last week, because I now know what to expect. In fact, I am already predicting the type of breathing exercises we are going to do. It’s not easy y’all! But Pilates definitely works every muscle in your body. The next day at work, Denice and I compared who had the most aches. I’m not sure who won, but it wasn’t enough to stop us from continuing with Pilates!

Check back next week to see how we’re feeling from the session tonight ….

xoxoxo, Denice and Elana

Photo Credits: Denice’s camera. Can you tell we don’t know what we’re getting ourselves into? 

This week on Dr. 90210:

While the single life was the topic of choice for Dr. David Matlock last week, during episode 8 we see one of our Beverly Hills plastic surgeons eager to further his commitment to his girlfriend.

Although Dr. Will Kirby is friends with some of the most eligible bachelors in Los Angeles, he is dedicated to strengthening his relationship with his girlfriend. By asking her to move in with him, he hopes that they can become even closer. Is marriage in the near future for Dr. Kirby?

As usual, patients’ personal plastic surgery experiences are showcased on this week’s show. Dr. Kirby helps his mother look her best, a woman – whose daughter is usually the patient – visits Dr. Dean Manus for her own plastic surgery procedure, and a man seeks normalcy from Dr. Gary Alter and his medical abilities.

Topics this week range from facelift surgery to tummy tucks. Read my summary on iEnhance.com, and catch up on what you may have missed out on!

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 Season Archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com

The next season of America’s Next Top Model is about to begin. Tonight, we will all get to finally meet the new Top Model hopefuls! 

This season, dubbed “The Future of Fashion,” promises to have new and exciting photo shoots. Tyra Banks, who is going for a more high fashion approach, feels this season has a more unique group of girls, saying, “They are less obviously pretty.”

After all, the models that typically appear on America’s Next Top Model are not your traditional-looking, “commercial” models (like Jaslene, the winner from last season). After looking at all the girls’ photos and parts of their video interviews on the CW, I have already chosen my favorites, as well as the girls I think will cause some issues.  

Half of the fun for me is trying to predict who will win the modeling contract!  My predictions?  Ebony is going to be the girl we all love to hate!  She seems to have the personality that is going to rub other girls the wrong way.  I would love to see Sarah win. She is the only plus size girl, but in my view, not really a plus size at all.

Tyra, Jay Manuel, Miss J (J. Alexander), Nigel Barker, and Twiggy, along with the new guest judges on Top Model, are going to have their work cut out for them!

Many of the girls seem to have tried out for the show as a joke. I can’t wait to see the cat fights, challenging photo shoots, Tyra Banks’ style for the new season and of course: Miss J and all his fabulousness!

Plus, I wonder if these models every had to undergo plastic surgery to look as fierce as they do!

 ~ Jacquie

This week on Dr. 90210:

After an emotional last week that we shared with Dr. Robert Rey in Brazil, we return back to the booming Beverly Hills plastic surgery empire.

This episode is focused around Dr. David Matlock – the ladies man. Peeking into his world, we see that he loves his single life more than ever! Surrounded by beautiful women during his off hours, in addition to sculpting bodies into fabulous figures, Dr. Matlock seems to be at the top of his game both personally and professionally.

Episode 7 features two women who are looking for multiple procedures to enhance their appearances. If this is your first experience with Dr. 90210, you are in luck! This week’s show features a variety of procedures such as Dr. Matlock’s Wonder Woman Makeover ™, liposuction, vaginal rejuvenation, rhinoplasty, and even Brazilian butt augmentation.

Visit iEnhance.com for my detailed Dr. 90210 summary!

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 season archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com

This week on Dr. 90210:

From “muffin tops” to sweaty pits, a new set of enhancements are featured on this installment of Dr. 90210. The patients may poke fun at their imperfections, but these are serious conditions that require the help of specialized doctors.

Dr. Robert Rey helps a patient enlarge her breasts to a more desirable size with one of his most requested procedures, breast augmentation, Dr. Linda Li (who we see for the first time this season) removes excess fat and tightens the abdominal muscles of her client with tummy tuck surgery, and Dr. Will Kirby stops his friend’s excessive sweating with Botox ® injections.

Although this week may feature more common procedures than last, they are anything but mundane!

What about Dr. Rey and his father? Did Hayley stick to her promise?

Read my full recap of Dr. 90210’s fifth episode on iEnhance.com!

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 season archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com

This week on Dr. 90210:

During the latest episode of this addictive, wildly-popular Reality TV show, we were introduced to a relatively new procedure known as laser lipo, (think SmartLipo ™) or as Dr. David Matlock calls it: “cool lipo.” An innovative method of liposuction, this fat-zapping technique promises effective results with the use of a laser to melt fat instead of a using a cannula to suction it!

Sound interesting? With laser lipo, fat is more easily removed, bruising is minimal, and there is less chance of complications. It could be a great solution for patients (like the two that were featured this week on Dr. 90210) who have small amounts of fat that they wish to have removed.

If you are considering liposuction of any form for yourself, or you just want to catch up on what’s happening in the lives of Dr. Robert Rey and Dr. Matlock, be sure to read about the latest episode of Dr. 90210 on iEnhance.com!

~ Leeann

Dr. 90210 season archive

Image Credit: iEnhance.com

What are your thoughts?

The still shots above are before and after pictures from the YouTube video below, titled “From Fat to Skinny.” This definitely makes you wonder about what is actually real in the world of modeling. Honestly, photoshop is pretty amazing! 

 [video]http://youtube.com/watch?v=-5Qv6ykFhYc[/video]

~ Elana

“Will you use a disposable cannula for my liposuction procedure?” Of all of the factors to consider when it comes to plastic surgery, did this thought ever cross your mind? I mean, it’s totally valid. In fact, it probably should be one of the first questions you ask during your initial consultation.

No one wants bad plastic surgery or awful plastic surgery, so I’m gonna bet that when it comes to liposuction, most people are thinking about the fabulous figure they’ll soon have versus the many details of safety associated with plastic surgery. According to Tulip BioMed ™: “As they stand now, reusable cannulas pose varied risks to patients. As needle surfaces dull from reuse, tissue trauma increases, potentially increasing with it patient recovery time.”

Yikes!

Maybe because I haven’t considered liposuction for myself, I haven’t really taken this issue into account. Then again, if tattoo artists are supposed to use disposable needles…and those basically stay on the surface of your skin…

~ Elana

Photo Credits: PlasticSurgery.com