30-Day Squat Challenge

It's the first of the month! Start it off right with this 30-day squat challenge. Set a reminder in your phone to complete your daily squat task. Good luck!

Style Trend - Accessories From IMSMI Style

WOWIE! I'm obsessed with these watches and this website - IMSMIStyle.com

I've never ordered from them before but they seem pretty reasonable (these striped watches are only $29 each) and it's different from the things you can find at Charming Charlie which is usually my go-to for accessories.

Once I finally decide what to order, I'll keep you posted on the quality and everything once I get it in the mail!

http://www.imsmistyle.com/

Dry Rub Recipe - My ABSOLUTE Favorite!

My absolute FAVORITE! My lovely momma gave me this recipe and I use it for EVERYTHING, literally everything – chicken, fish, steak, etc. Put some olive oil or coconut oil on first, then sprinkle the rub on. A little bit goes a long way. GRILL!

Morning Lovely

 Good Morning Beautiful! I love this quote! =] be confident in your own skin.

Infant Car Seat Cover

I got my car seat cover in the mail the other day!! =] I can’t tell you how excited I was to get this, I’ve been anxiously checking the mail on a daily basis to see if it had gotten here yet. =] Thank you to my lovely sister-in-law, Cara who got this for us. =D

It came adorably wrapped up. 

The lady who makes these is local, you can pick out specific fabric and customize it if you want, or go with the most popular covers she has listed on her site. She seems much more reasonable than a lot of the other custom car seats available on Etsy. You can find her at www.sewcuteinaz.com. OR if you're feeling ambitious, I found this site with a tutorial on how to make a DIY Custom Car Seat Cover.

Style Trend - Tanks

How great are these summer tanks!? =] I’m a huge fan of loose fitting crop tops for summer. Pair them with some skinnies for a cute casual look or my favorite is with a pair of cutoff jean shorts for a day at the lake or the beach. Available at Nordstrom Rack for $17.95!

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Core Strengthening Workout - A Beginners Guide

Your core is compiled of 4 different parts; Rectus Abdominus, Oblique, Intercostals, and Serratus. It’s imperative to work each of these muscles in order to achieve a solid core. The following exercises will target each of these areas so you can start seeing some washboard abs!

Rectus Abdominus: 

§  Location: Covers the area from sternum all the way down to the pelvis bone.

§  Exercises: Crunch or Sit Up

Oblique:

§  Location: Side of the waist.

§  Exercises: Side Bends and Decline Oblique Crunches

Intercostals:

§  Location: Between the side of the rib cage. It comes into play when you flex the torso and twist from side to side.

§  Exercise: Air Bike

Serratus:

§  Location: Between front abs and lats.

§  Exercises: Barbell Pullovers and Cable Crunches

*Keep in mind that your diet and cardio will need to be in check in order for you to see abs.

Here are 3 sample workout plans for optimum results. Alternate each of these workouts every 3 days. Your core muscles repair quicker that the rest of your muscles allowing you to work them daily without muscle deterioration.

Core Strengthening Workouts

Workout For: Men and Women

Muscles Targeted: Core - Rectus Abdominus, Oblique, Intercostals, and Serratus

Workout #1:

Cable Crunch – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Side Bends – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Crunches – 3 sets of 15

Reverse Crunch Curl – 3 sets of 15

Workout #2:

Barbell Twists – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Bicycle Crunches – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Crunches – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Leg Raises, Laying Down – 30 seconds

Workout #3:

Frog Sit Ups – 30 seconds

15 seconds of rest

Toe-Touch Sit Ups – 30 Seconds

15 seconds of rest

Side Crunches – 30 seconds each side

15 seconds of rest

Reverse Crunch – 3 sets of 15 reps

PRINTABLE WORKOUT AVAILABLE HERE