Meet the Boss | The BodyBoss Fitness Guide

This blog post is sponsored by BodyBoss. All opinions are my own.
Get 15% off until 4/30/2018- applicable for all guides - use code "BBJOI"

Today's post features my review of the BodyBoss' Ultimate Body Fitness Guide, which provides a high intensity 12-week workout program PLUS a 4-week pre-training program. When a team member reached out to me to see if I would be interested in trying this unique program and providing a personal review here on my blog, I readily agreed. Why? Well, timing is everything! Coincidently, I had recently been mulling over how to incorporate a moderate exercise program into my already busy life schedule. This objective aligns with my Operation 40 initiative launched a year or two ago…😁 When I learned that this program boasts solid results in as little as 24 active minutes, 3 days a week, it sounded like just what I wanted!

BodyBoss offers three core benefits to its members:

1. Rapidly burn fat – “The BodyBoss method switches your body into hyper drive to supercharge fat loss and kick-start your metabolism.”
2. Re-invent your shape – “BodyBoss high intensity workouts have the unique ability to burn fat fast while preserving your precious lean muscle mass”
3. Save time and money – “The BodyBoss method is perfect for busy women who want convenience as well as results…All you need is 24 active minutes and your A-game.”

YES! With my new handy guide I can work out anytime, anywhere, and with minimal equipment!

Sounds good right?! I think so too! In fact, I was siked when my 196-page paper guide arrived in the mail. Excitedly, I eagerly flipped from page to page, learning about the #BossEffect, high intensity interval training (HIIT), the afterburn effect, and how the unique exercise combinations work.

However, when I got to the portion of the book that breaks down and illustrates the exercise cycles I began to feel intimidated! Why? Because I’m old! LOL! BodyBoss combines bodyweight resistance exercises, plyometrics (jump training), cardio, and unilateral exercises. I could feel the burn and my body hadn’t even started moving yet 😳

Nonetheless, I took motivation directly from my guide: 
“What comes easy, won’t last. What lasts, won’t come easy.” 

The great thing about BodyBoss, you can obtain serious results within the privacy of your own home.

To optimize my results, I opted to start with the 4-week pre-training program. Actually, BodyBoss provides a helpful checklist to help determine whether or not you need to do the pre-training program - prior to engaging in the high intensity workout cycles. Since I answered yes to four of the questions listed, it was recommended that I proceed with the pre-training program. 😉

In my opinion, the pre-training program prepares you for success! I did it, it felt amazing! Stretching really helped me not to experience excessive soreness. Even on days when I am short on time, I make time to stretch before and after each workout. 
Tip: If you’d like to speed up your progress, try working out twice a day and incorporate weekends.

Here are a few highlights of my experience using BodyBoss thus far along with some helpful pointers:

• Review exercises ahead of time to make sure that you properly understand each movement. Several times I realized after the fact that I was doing an exercise incorrectly.
• Pay close attention: Some circuits are designed to be done once, others twice, and others three times!
• Always allot enough time to complete each session (this is something I still struggle with, especially in the mornings on a three-circuit cycle)
• Setting an alarm to indicate stop and start time(s) is very helpful
• Keep COLD water on hand
• Utilize an upbeat music playlist that makes you want to move your body
• Some exercises can be challenging to execute. For the movements that my body wasn’t/isn’t ready to do yet, I simply modify them to what is doable for me personally. 
• Workout times vary from about 30 minutes to 60 minutes total. Keep in mind that when you’re first starting out, it may take a bit longer to acclimate yourself with each exercise, especially the ones that require complex motion/rhythm.
• Don’t stress if your timing is off, or if it takes you longer to do exercises that what is listed in the fitness guide! Simply do your best and keep going!
• For exercises that are tough to follow, reference the glossary located towards the end of the book - which details how each exercise should be done. Additionally, you can find helpful gifs and videos online.
• To optimize workout results, equipment is recommended. I used 3.3 LB dumbbells, a stepping box, a jump rope, and an exercise mat
• Hold on to something when you need to!
• In the beginning, I used a timer on my phone to track seconds for my warm ups and cools downs 
• Shuffling the pages of the fitness guide can be cumbersome, try using adhesive bookmarks to locate your place readily
• My cat (Cotton Candy) is one fun workout buddy, she has made me laugh during several workouts with her crazy facial expressions, blank stares, humorous antics, random jumps over my limp body, sneak attacks, and occasionally jogging in place with me

Fast forward: I am currently more than 6 weeks into the program and I feel incredible!!! 
Note: I didn’t weigh or measure myself because I’m not newbie to the fitness train. I didn’t want to be deterred by any gap in measurable results. 
However, I felt mighty good when I slipped into a pair of pants that haven’t fit properly in two years…..

Over to you, are you interested in becoming a Boss Babe? 
Don't forget snag 15% off all guides through 4/30/2018- with code "BBJOI"!

Until next time Babes,

Xx

Graduation Party Attire Planning

Hey Loves! Today I am planning what to wear to an outdoor party this afternoon. Graduation season is officially upon us, and to kick start it, today we’re attending our very first graduation party of the year.

It’s the end of May and it would seem that we would be in the thick of heatstroke here in SoCal…alas, sadly we are not : ( Gray May has prevailed, and forecasters predict June Gloom will be in short succession. Today the high will be in the 70's, but the sun will not grace us with its presence until after 1pm…if even then...

I opted for an olive theme for today's look: vintage hat, leather blazer (because there will be a chill in the air) polka dot vintage romper, my awesome JORD wood wrist watch (c/o JORD), and a glitzy statement necklace : ) See examples of how I’ve worn these items previously here, here, here, here, and here.

Along with deciding what to wear to a graduation party, you also have to decide what to gift the graduate! JORD Wood Watches fall under the category of unique gifts. Who doesn’t love a unique gift?! There are a number of fab styles to choose from, check them out here. 

The color of my watch is the natural color of the wood. It has been conditioned with natural oil to prevent cracking. I love the look of this watch, and have worn it with practically everything since I got it.

Enjoy the long weekend Loves!
XO

*This post as sponsored by JORD Wood Watches; All opinions expressed are my own.

Throwback Thursday: Eliza J

It’s officially #TBT time and I would be completely remiss if I did not recap the four gorgeous looks that were blogged with #ElizaJ ! *Eliza J is one of my top go-to brands for dresses of every kind. No matter what my style need may be, from casual to dressy, from chic to snazzy- they have me covered. I personally own just about 20 of their dresses, and that number is guaranteed to continually increase ;)

The first item that I styled for them was a fabulously faux stole (original post here). That’s right- not only do they design dresses, but also stoles, skirts, jumpsuits and more. I’ve got my eye on a jumpsuit, but that’s a topic for another post…LOL! Any who I initially planned to style this stole with all black, but it just didn’t give me that vibe I was looking for. Swapped out a black skirt for a white one and wa-lah, I was ready to hit the door.

The second item featured an a-line cable knit dress in my favorite color (original post here). I went monochrome for this ensemble pairing it with matching socks, pumps, and a handbag. For fun, a splash of citron in the form of a statement necklace served as the cherry on top.

The third item is just what every girl needs: A tea length full midi skirt (original post here) with petticoat in tow. Finally I went with an all black look, adding a touch of vintage with a netted hat, modern with a crop top, glitzy with a sequins blazer, and edgy with sleek booties.

The final item was last but certainly not least. It was the dress that my wardrobe has been waiting for-->you know, that dress that gives off WOW factor the very moment that you slip it on. Yes navy blue (original post here) with a sheer overlay, a jeweled neckline, and cut of genius.

Which look was your favorite one? It’s totally hard for me to pick, because I truly swooned over each look, as each one served different venues. But, if I just had to pick only one, well it would be...

 *Each featured item was gifted and a size 1X/14W. Item(s) are available for purchase at Nordstrom in-store or online, and at similar retailers.

Pastel Wardrobe Capsule | Take 4

Today's post marks the end of my four part series, The Pastel Wardrobe Capsule. See Take(s) 1, 2, and 3 by clicking here, here, and here. A wardrobe capsule is 'a set of clothing items that satisfy style needs in one or more areas of your life.'  It can be as big or as small as your needs or preferences stipulate. My goal for this capsule was to use four main components to create four separate looks. I feel as if my mission has been accomplished!

I've actually been toying with the idea of taking on the challenge to create a #capsulewardrobe for quite some time. It can be particularly challenging if you have a vast of array of clothing that you love to wear, and that fit all of your lifestyle needs.

Finally I decided to take the plunge, roll my sleeves up so to speak, shortly after getting several pieces made by a friend, this skirt was one. 

If you've been reading my blog I'm sure you've probably noticed that I enjoy a variety of style genres. It was more challenging than I initially anticipated to limit my selections, but quite enjoyable at the same time! 

It suffices to say that this capsule started out as a pilot venture. Now I'm definitely interested in taking on new episodes, making this a recurring series on the blog, each featuring relevant themes. Here's where I need your help: I'd like to hear from you, don't be shy! Did you enjoy this series? If so, would you be interested in more capsule wardrobe ideas? What type of capsules would you be interested in seeing? Please do share!

Have a great weekend Style Lovers!
XO

Wool fedora: Vintage (worn here) | Statement necklace: Rocksbox (click here to find out how to receive one month free: InMyJoiXoXo!) | Top: Tildon 
Midi skirt: Custom made (worn here) | Shoes: Marshalls | Small bag: Coach

Dressing for Less

Unbelievably, September marks my 1 year Blog Anniversary! It has been surprisingly enjoyable, motivational, and even humbling. I decided to take a brief trip down memory lane and I pulled out 3 photos from my archives, that is blog posts from last year about this time. 

I noticed that each photo has a common thread. Did you spot it? All of the photos include an item purchased from Ross Dress for Less!

Now it's certainly no secret, I love obtaining fashionable clothing at a bargain price! Who can deny the instant gratification you feel when you walk out of a store with a great item of clothing (preferably designer) at a fraction of it's original price?! Please do share: What's your favorite bargain stop? 

When I moved to the west coast, I discovered Ross Dress for Less and we became fast friends :) Everything at Ross is priced significantly less than the same brands carried in department stores. Here's a tip: When an item gets marked down additionally as "clearance", the final discounted price can be pretty surreal!

Have you heard about #RossFallFaves ?!  Now through September 26th you're invited to check out their Facebook page each week to vote for your favorite Fall look and enter for a chance to win a $150 gift card! When I heard about this promotion I thought to myself: "Now that sounds like a win/win". You see, not only will you find great Fall fashion inspiration, but you also get a chance to score a gift card that can be used in store to create your very own Fall look(s)!

Happy Bargain Hunting Style Lovers!

Disclosure: I was provided with a Ross gift card. All shared viewpoints are 100% authentically mine.

Thinking of Fall with eShakti

Every year as the month of August rolls in, the return of the perfectly mild temperatures that accompany Fall invade the mind. This design from eShakti provides a wonderfully smooth transition from Summer to Fall. 

Not only is this dress cotton, but it's also fully lined, and boasts a fun tribal print.

eShakti allows you to customize their designs to your specifications. I chose the neckline of this dress, added sleeves, requested pockets, and opted for midi-length versus knee-length.

I am thrilled by the custom fit of this dress! It cinches in at my waist fabulously, and the full skirt is a delight to wear. Ordering tip: When you provide your measurements to eShakti, give an extra inch or so if you'd like more room to work with ;)

Keeping the tribal print in mind, I added simple gold hoop earrings, and an assortment of gold bangles.

Sangria colored lipstick, a pair of my vintage sunnies, and embellished sandals from Nordstrom finished off the look.

Have you tried eShakti? If so, how did you like their custom pieces and customization options? 
I'd love to read your feedback below =)
*This post includes gifted item(s) from eShakti. All shared viewpoints are 100% authentically mine.

www.eShakti.com