Hey, it's ok to love these things…!

Things I'm loving this week:

1-- Reverse Crunches

Sooo, I started doing Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred again on May 1 as a way of getting stronger overall and to help with my running (and not to mention looking better in all the sari-wearing events I have to attend in 2013).  At the end of the first circuit, the ab workout consists of regular crunches and reverse crunches.  I have to say, I LOVE doing these! The burn hurts so bad but feels so good! And it helps to strengthen your lower abs and gets rid of that nasty pooch area a lot of women get! Check out SparkPeople's cheat sheet for this move-- they have a great gif on there that shows how to do this move.  The above link is a great youtube clip that shows how to do this too! 
 2-- Bicycle Crunches

 I love this move! During the 30 Day Shred level 1 workout, it's the abs move for the third circuit.  The first day it was pretty difficult/painful because you are literally using muscles you don't normally use at the same time.  By the third day (today), I felt so at ease with this move and actually could do 10 more of these crunches in one minute than I could 3 days ago!! Check the out the video around 0:28. The trainer has a great explanation and demonstrates it really well! I also love SparkPeople's cheat sheet on this move too, so helpful with the little gif for this one as well!!

3-- Venti Non-Fat Iced Lattes from Starbucks

OK so I know I quit the coffee back in January but this week has been so filled with drama that I did not sleep at ALL on Wednesday night and Thursday night my mom and I stayed up till 2am catching up on our shows On Demand. Because of the lack of sleep, I knew I needed something to keep me going during work on Thursday and Friday and this was JUST what I needed!! I love these and they are only 130 calories from Starbucks and taste so good!

 

4-- Body Glide for Her

This stuff is AMAZING! I started using it for my arms and legs during races when I was in Disney World back in February for Princess.  I had the beginnings of a blister on the Friday after wearing flip flops all day so I rubbed some of this on my feet and I was good as new! I ended up putting it on my legs (between my thighs) and then on my arms where the shirt sleeve ends on my upper arm to prevent any chafiing.  They make a special for her option (a more sensitive formula) for around bras and lady areas that is great and what I use. You can purchase some HERE. I use this even when I don't run for my feet when I wear adorable heels/pumps/shoes for work and I know it is going to kill my feet!

5-- The Americans

I LOVE this show! I started watching from the very beginning in January when this series started.  The show is about two KGB undercover agents living in Washington DC as an American couple and they have two kids as well but they do undercover work for the KGB and a major hiccup in their life happens when an FBI counterintelligence agent moves into a house across the street from them.  The show chronicles different events in the early 80s during the height of the Cold War. I am literally OBSESSED with this show and I got my mom hooked on it too! I will warn you, the tv warning is TV M S L A (mature, sexual nature, language, adult situations) and they show more than I ever thought a cable channel would show haha (so awkward when I watch with my mom!!!) but it is done so well and the writing is amazing! You can watch the first 5 full episodes HERE.

IMDB has a great summary of the show if you want to read more!

What are you loving this week??