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 By: Marika Johansson
How many of us haven't stood in line waiting to pay in a grocery store and at the same time glanced through one of many gossip magazines placed in the aisle next to the cashier. Reading about, and envying the pictures of the celebs looking amazing on the red carpet for the Oscar's, The Grammies and other events helps us escape our normal everyday life. We'll see actresses such as "Dreamgirls" diva Beyoncé Knowles, "Volver" star Penelope Cruz and Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon in designer dresses that show off shoulders and backs, legs and arms. Some may even go as far as peek-a-boo cut-outs that reveal sculpted six-pack abs. But do celebs actually manage to get into such great shape in the short amount of time between the time nominations are announced and when the awards are presented? No, not really. They work at keeping their bodies buff year-round, with some extra-special attention in the weeks leading up to these events. Related Celebrity Programs Articles: I am sure many of us right then at that moment in the store or when reading the magazine at home are determined to reach that look. But unfortunately the dream stops when you drive past the doughnut store and stop to get your cravings satisfied, or when your kids call your cell phone and you have to skip gym to pick them up. The biggest enemy for us women is excuses. And do you know what? Only we can make them up, and only we can prevent us from making them.
Oh well at least the thought was good while it lasted. Stop! No it doesn't have to end like this. You have to show yourself that you can change your mindset from weak to strong. Only YOU can make it happen. Even if you have the best trainer out there, maybe Madonna's trainer or if you have all time in your life it won't matter as long as your mind is weak, because you will still give up even if you have everything served in front of you. You are in charge of your body and only you can set the limits of what you can do to reach your goals.
  Click To Enlarge. You Are In Charge Of Your Body And Only You Can Set The Limits! Keep the picture of the body you want in your head and then every time you feel weak for temptations or have excuses, bring it up. What do you want, the doughnut or a fit body? It's your choice. To fulfill and achieve something that makes you feel good will actually make you a better mother and wife too. It can make life much harder to love others if you can't love yourself. Never forget yourself! I have been there too, trust me. I have been in the fitness industry for over 15 years. My career started when my son was a baby and I was a single mother. I was making the same excuses and trying to blame my surrounding for not being able to get the results I wanted. But after knocking my head in the wall several times I finally woke up and had a conversation with the inner me. Yes, this might sound crazy but it helped. Related Pregnancy Articles: I always loved training and to be in control of my body, so I needed to follow through to feel satisfied and complete. To feel good about yourself will make you a better mom and person too. I put a picture in my head of what I wanted to look like and that was what I was working for. I made up a plan to be able to schedule my training and diet into my busy schedule. I brought my baby to the gym and I took him in the stroller on my power walks. I tried to look at the positive sides more than the negative. And the closer I got to my goal the better I felt both in my mind and soul.
Now 15 years later I still prepare myself mentally and physically with a good plan for any upcoming challenges. If I keep my goal in my head then I know I will get there. I have had the honor of walking the red carpet many of times and last year I had a great time walking the red carpet at an event in Hollywood with my friend Sherry Goggin. This was a great opportunity to get publicity and recognition and I knew I needed to look my best in front of all the photographers. You have to be able to show off without feeling uncomfortable or shy. Because I had done my home work on my training, diet and supplementation I was now able to wear my short lovely dress and high heels and to shine like a movie star. Well here is news for you! You can look sexy and shapely enough to hit the red carpet too!
 Click To Enlarge. You Can Look Sexy & Shapely Enough To Hit The Red Carpet Too! I have been training Sherry Goggin and many clients to help them get in shape for events and I give them a consistent exercise program that fits into their lifestyle that they can do most days of the week. They have also been given a diet plan and supplement plan that will provide them with a perfect balance of nutrients that will boost their metabolism. This will make them start burning fat while building and shaping their bodies. This gets them into a place where they are strong, fit and - or close to - their ideal bodyweight. You can do it too. If you want arms like Madonna, legs like Cameron Diaz or a butt like Jenifer Lopez, then get ready to change your mindset and take action of your training and diet.
To start your preparation you need the following:
Note - never go more than 3 or at high 4 hours between your meals.
Choice Of Carbs: Oats, sugar free muesli, whole grain bread
Protein bar
Choice of Carbs: Brown rice, yams, wholegrain pasta
Protein bar
Choice of protein: chicken, turkey, lean red meat, fish Whenever you don't have time to eat your meals try to use a meal replacement or protein bar to make sure your body never is empty of fuel.
This is a fun and easy program that fits the average woman and can be performed either in gym or at home.
Squats - 3 set of 20 reps (Stand wide apart with your feet and if you can without any discomfort, make sure you go deep down so you involve your butt as much as possible for the round full look) Lunges for 5 minutes (Do lunges either walking up and down the room or standing on one place for 5 minutes) Jump Squats - 3 sets of maximum Butt Lifts - 3 set of 20 reps
Alternate dumbbell biceps curls - 3 sets of 15 reps Close arms pushups on the floor (working your triceps) - 3 set of max reps
Pushups - with arms wide apart 3 sets to failure. Pullover with a dumbbell - 3 sets of 15
Shoulder Dumbbell presses - 3 set of 15 Lateral dumbbells raises - 3 sets of 15 reps (Lift your arms slightly bent up from your sides to shoulder height and slowly lower them down.) Bent over lateral raises - 3 sets of 15 reps
Crunches - 3 sets to failure Lying leg raises - 3 sets to failure "The plank position" - 3 sets of one-minute holds (A plank is a yoga move where you start off lying on the floor, tummy down. Next, support your body by lifting up on your forearms and your toes, keeping your body perfectly straight. Press your shoulder blades down toward your waist. Keep your abs pulled in, and your neck aligned with your spine. Hold for 60 seconds.) Lower back hyperextensions - 2 sets to failure (Lying on the ground facing down and keeping your legs still while lifting your upper body with arms out by your sides like wings.)
I recommend 20 minute power walks and include the lunges here too. Walk for 5 minutes and then do 3 minutes lunges and then 5 minutes walk again and so on until you reached 20 minutes. Related Cardio Articles:
Find a stair that you can walk up and down in for 10 min. You might get some have people stop to watch you but think of yourself as a celebrity and love all the attention you're getting. If you are a gym member and more serious and advanced in your training, then go ahead and follow your training routine to build your physique but you can still add these exercises to get variation and also hit the trouble areas a bit more.
 Click To Enlarge. Enjoy The Attention You're Getting!
To drop a few extra pounds and really shape up before a special event at short notice, I use these tips.
Increase your workout time (adding 15 to 20 minutes to each session), frequency (hitting the gym at least five to six times a week) and intensity and shortening rest times (really going for the burn). For your cardio workouts, increase the intensity by going up in levels on the machines or adding some sprints or hills to your runs/walks so that you are burning more calories and really getting a good sweat. For the strength part of your workouts, focus on alternating workouts of heavier weights/fewer reps with lighter weights/more reps to challenge your muscles in different ways.
Really watch what you eat. I tell all my clients to cut sugar, salt and alcohol. This will help you feel and look lean. You will also have amazing energy for your workouts. The day before the event, I recommend sticking with lean proteins and complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, and limiting fruit and veggies to avoid feeling bloated or gassy.
Workout some more. My favorite exercise for the day of the event is a long brisk walk with hills. This tightens the legs and hips, and burns lots of calories. Go for at least 45 minutes.
Follow this by holding the "plank position" for three sets of one-minute holds. Follow my above recommendations and you will look and feel fabulous for your special night or event, and remember... SMILE!
 Click To Enlarge. Smile! Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail here! Visitor Reviews Of This Article!
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