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Wednesday, 25 November 2009

  • Skills Learned From Pilates That Amp Every Fitness Method





    I'm utterly convinced that everyone should take at least a couple of Pilates classes (from a good instructor !), no matter what sport they do. Pilates has taught me skills that I have carried on to the other fitness things that I do, as well as daily activities: I know how to protect myself from neck and back injury, and how to get the maximum out of every move.


    Here is what I learned from Pilates:


    Imagery makes moves more effective:

    Visualisations make the exercises really work. Simply moving that leg up and down ? It's easy to cheat and not put any effort into it ! Now imagine you are pressing down a huge big spring coil. That will make you put a lot of energy into the movement, actually pressing, not just lowering the leg. When you want to keep parts of your body steady, imagine they are cemented to the floor; for balance, imagine glasses with water balanced on you.


    Pelvic floor, back and abdomen:

    My Pilates instructor starts every exercise with this mantra: "Tuck in your tailbone, flex pelvic floor, pull navel to spine." This little sequence is the most amazing thing that I use all the time, even while bicycling. It creates stability in the body, and soon becomes second nature, supporting your body in all sports and daily movements. Yes, we do all this even when stretching our neck.

    Flexing the pelvic floor: The flexing of the abdomen is countered by pulling in the pelvic floor muscles. This is not only for ladies ! *Find out more*
    Protecting your lower back: The neutral spine ensures you never stress your lower back. Since I did Pilates, I never get back pain from exercising any more. *How to find your neutral spine*
    Engaging your belly: Engaging your abdominal muscles before you start the movement gives you a stable torso. It also makes sure you don't push out the belly while abdominal exercises. This abdominal scoop goes much deeper than the typical suck in your gut, as it begins from the pelvic floor. *Learn how to do it*

    This is usually done in the following rhythm:
    Breath in = tuck in tailbone, flex pelvic floor, scoop in navel.
    Breath out = start the movement.


    Protecting your neck

    We often strain our neck while exercising by keeping it in at an angle to the rest of the spine. Pilates teaches to keep the neck in a straight line with the backbone. In exercises where you belly-down, this means keeping the head lowered and looking down at the floor, not at your instructor. If you are on your back, usually you need to tuck your chin to your chest.


    Precisions & movement control

    In Pilates, one precise movement is worth more than ten sloppy ones. Let's just face it: any movement is effective only when you do it right. Many of us cheat, like when using the neck or arms to do the movement instead of making the lazy abs do the work. By concentrating on the muscle at work, I became better at refining my control and actually putting them to work.


    Focus also on the parts of the body not doing the movement
    The entire body should be under control while performing a movement. Often we move a limb, flailing the rest of the body around . Keep your torso stable, and relax the parts of the body that are not being trained at the moment. Tensing your shoulders while doing leg lifts really doesn't help !



    Do you have methods and tricks that you use in all your physical activities ? Where did you learn them ?

    Photo by BakkoBrats
    * Adult-sized hula-hoops that I made !
    * Call For Clips For Worlwide Hooping Video: "Where The Hell Is Hoop" !
       *more*

Monday, 23 November 2009

  • Bra Matrix Reader Metamorphosis 01: ina60eorf


    Inaeorf went from 70C (among many others) to 60E, and was so happy that she sent photos and her story, which features many bra-fitters (Oprah included), as well as the truth on migration and tips for you.


    You can inspire others by sharing your bra-metamorphosis story, whether in pictures, word or both ! *Details here*


    Here is the visual proof.
    Click to enlarge, and watch the thermostat !


    Left: 70C moulded bra, unadjusted.    Right: the same bra after adjusting (bending forward and gathering from the armpits and back into the cups). You can clearly see the quadruple boob: the cups are too small.

         


    On the left in a correctly sized Freya Rio (soft cup) in 60(28)E.   On the right in moulded Panache Porcelain (Our cup size table shows that Porcelain has smaller than standard cups, and that is why ina60eorf found her fit in 60F)

       


    Aaaand: this is a push-up in the wrong size. Note the flat profile !





    Ina60eorf's Bra Story:


       I had my first bra fitting at the age of 11 or 12 (was not fitted again for another 20 yrs).  I was a whopping 28A.  In those times, and often still today, it was felt that as your boobs grew so did your band size.  By the time I finished high school I was wearing a 32B.  I wore that size until I got pregnant.  I wore a 34 or 36C during the various stages of pregnancy and wore a 36DD while nursing.  The 36DD was too small in the cup but a 38 wouldn't stay pulled down and in my town at that time, there was nothing above a DD in 36. 
     
       After I finished nursing, I settled into a 34C.  It never felt right.  I was constantly tugging at it as every time I lifted my arms it practically came off.  I put on 20 lbs and went into a 34D but once again didn't fit right.  After 5 or 6 yrs of being 20 lbs heavier, I went on a diet and started exercising. Once I lost the weight, there was no way I could wear a 34 band anymore.  My shape had completely changed and it now slid around me.  
     
    ** Oprah:

    This was also the beginning of the bra revolution started on Oprah.  It was watching that show that made me realize I'd been wearing the wrong size bra.  I immediately went to be fitted and was measured at a 32B.  The cups felt too small but that's what I was being told was my size and they're the experts, right?


    ** Nordstrom & La Senza
     
    While on a trip, I went to a Nordstroms who are supposed to be renowned for their bra fitting skills.  They measured me at 32C.  Once again,it didn't feel right but the fit mistress adamantly upheld her findings and sent me home with two very expensive 32C's.  It was a fairly common size at La Senza in my hometown so that's where I remained for 5 yrs.  On Day 1, I would always move them to the tightest hook and never adjusted myself into the cups.  Within weeks, they were so loose it was like I was wearing a camisole not a bra.  Also, because I felt I was very small and there were no modesty devices to prevent show through, I always bought thickly padded, push-up bras.  
     
    Once, when the local La Senza store was having a bra fitting extravaganza, they insisted on fitting me as there was "no way" I could possible be a C cup.  And of course, they tried to put me in a 32B.  I tried to explain that it wouldn't fit. But the fitter would not be denied and insisted on seeing me in it.  When it was clearly too small, she dismissed it by saying that I must be a 34B or the shape not right for me.  I left with no bras and made sure the next time I went the fitter wasn't there before sneaking a 32C to the cash.


    ** Bra Matrix
     
       Sometime around 6 months ago, I found out there were band sizes smaller than 32 in other cities and countries.  While on a shopping trip, I had occasion to try on a 30D but it was one of those stretchy material ones which I really hate so I didn't buy it.  When I got home from that trip, I went to eBay and bought a Mark's & Spencers 30D.  I was so excited for it to arrive.  It fit better than my 32Cs but still wasn't quite right.
     
       I started researching online like mad.  That's when I came across this wonderful site and the Bra Matrix.  I used the online calculator.  To my delight, I had not been crazy for the last 20 yrs, my band size was actually 28 not 32.   Without a bra on, I measured to a 28D.  With a sports bra on, I measured to a 28E.  Quite a difference that I didn't understand at the time. I also saw how much of me really couldn't fit into the cup size I'd been wearing after adjusting myself into them according to the instructions on the your site.
     
       I eagerly ordered my first 28E bra from Bravissimo.  I couldn't have been more excited when it arrived.  I stripped as quickly as I could and put the bra on according to your guidelines.  It fit!!!  The first time in 30+ bra-wearing years, I had a bra that actually fit.  Hallelujah!


    ** Too tight ?
     
    One note for those that will say the band being recommended by this calculator is too tight - It took me about a week to get used to the tighter band.  After having worn 32's for so long, it was very constrictive going to a 28.  But within a week, it was as if that been the size I'd always worn.  In fact, if I put on a 32 now I feel like I'm going to fall right out of it.


    ** (Breast tissue) Migration is real !
     
       I spent most of my life blaming my shape on my heredity when in actuality it was poorly fitting bras.  I had felt that it was genetics that had caused the majority of my breast tissue to sit under my arm and onto my back - causing me to appear much smaller than I actually am.  New modesty products now exist so I no longer have to have padded push-up bras in my lingerie drawer.  I'm relishing wearing non-padded bras and how I look under clothes.  It's been 4 months since I bought my first 28E and my shape has completely changed.  My breasts are firmer, more pert (less saggy)  and I measure a 28E without a bra now.  The tissue is gone from under my arms and almost gone from my back - migration is real!


    ** Advice & tips for you **

       Don't be discouraged if the first size you try doesn't fit perfectly.  Different brands fit differently.  Even within the same brand there can be big variations.  I have bras in 28E, 28F, 30DD and 30E.  It depends on the shape of the cup and stretchiness of the band.  And remember, it could be that the bra type just doesn't suit your shape.  I thought I preferred full cup bras because I have small shoulders but many balconies have a fairly narrow strap stance that work well for me plus the cups work better for my shape.  It will take some trial and error to see what suits you.


       So ladies, step away from bras that you can pull more than 2 inches from your back.  Just say no to cups that cut into your breast tissue.  Toss the straps that pull more than 1 inch from your shoulders.  You, too, can have the shape and fit you've always dreamed.  No more should you buy a bra that you know doesn't fit just because a "professional" tells you it does.  Thanks to Eternal*Voyageur, you too can figure out your proper size and BREAK OUT OF THE MATRIX !



       Since her metamorphosis, ina60eorf has tried and tested lots of bras, and has shared her invaluable information in the tables of unstandard (v. big or small) bra cups and (v. tight or loos) bra bands.


    You might also want to read:

    * Online Bra Calculators: Your Breasts Are Out Of Range
    * Bra wardrobe: How many bras do you need ?
    * Does this bra fit ? How do I tell ?
    * Training program for bra fitters in "normal" stores
    * Bra Matrix Central *

Friday, 20 November 2009

Thursday, 19 November 2009

  • Cosmetic Product Description Tricks We Fall For






    Dear Ladies, choice of cosmetics should never be based on product descriptions. Here is why:

    Once upon a time I stood in cosmetic stores, all big-eyed and trying to decide between extracts of the yellow sea and active ingredients from the glaciers; and weighing the effects of deep-moisturising + soothing, and simply moisturising but also energising...

    Now I realise that the truth and the description of the cosmetic are in two different places. For the truth, go to the ingredient list. For entertainment, lets go through the product description.

    Can you guess which real advertisements are the base of many of my examples ? Some of the products actually work fine, but why the crazy overblown claims ?



    Amazonian Pink Snail Extract aka Exotic Ingredients

       Advertising campaigns are often based upon an exotic ingredient of which trace amounts are contained in the product. Clients will never buy something with carrot extract if they can get the extract of the third petal of the five-petalled ultraviolet orchid. Especially if the said orchid was a beauty secret of the Ancient Egyptians, Mayas, Innuits and Vulcanians.

    ♥ Tip: it is often more effective and economical to buy the pure form of the exotic ingredient, and use it directly or drink it. Read about how to use active ingredients directly.



    Goddess In The Shower aka Sensual Atmosphere
     
       Exclusive, fantastic names for ordinary products: the Radiance Fluid (in fact and anti-frizz serum) doesn't even make the hair radiant, but gives us a glowing halo. Besides, it turns your bathroom into an exotic Mediterranean spa.
    Language that strongly appeals to the senses, and brings up sensual images, such as "skin that is soft as silk" and "ready to be loved"... you're reading poetry.



    102% In 5 Days, aka Hard Facts:

    Dandruff & anti-wrinkle creams are sold by seemingly informative, hard and logical language, with lots of specialistic terminology to impress you. They tell you that your skin is messed up due to the lack of xy and the break-up of yz, but the cream contains active bullshitoids that will take care of all that. You will see a noticeable results Your skin will look exactly 51% better within 78 minutes, and the cream has been tested on a group of 999.9 women by 36 and a half dermatologists.



    Impressotin© Dumbcustomeroids™ aka Pseudo Science

    Contains the new super-innovative complex abracadabra® with IQ that precisely sculpts your body: flattens your abdomen and roundens your butt... well, what if it makes a mistake and flattens the butt and roundens your belly ? Ah, I forgot that the cream is intelligent.
    BTW the cream contains soundgoodtoid® that contain justbuythis-pro©.... Now you are impressed, admit it.



    The Magic Of Words:

    Names, Places And Concepts: Eveline Los Angeles, Laboratories Coco Chanel, cream HydraTao
    Hydro- Bio- and Fyto- have made quite a career in cosmetic terminology. So did pro- and active. It's not a moisturiser, it's an active biohydrocomplex pro !



    It's an airplane, it's a rocket, it's a cream !

    It improves your attractiveness, the happy-dorfins cause your skin to shine with joy. It lifts your mood, and awakes your senses. In fact, you start looking like a smiley. Your boyfriend loves you more, and even your mother does too.



    Because you're awesome, you expect the best, and all that crap.
    You're worth it. Worth them unnecessarily torturing rabbits and baby monkeys. Just for you.



    Buy them all:

    To make the customer loyal to the brand, words are used that make you want to buy more of their products. Series, therapy, programme, collection: these words make you feel that the products complete each other, and yet each does a specialised task. The name of the entire collection tells you what results you get when using all of the products: Diamonds-and-Platinum Reflex Therapyy. Even thinking of another brand will spoil that shining effect.


    So, how to choose cosmetics ?

    • Don't even read product descriptions.
    • Learn to read labels. It's not as hard as it sounds. Quite soon you'll know that anything with SLS, alcohol denat and petroleum is bad, and that a simpler ingredient list is usually the best.
    • Research online. For reviews try MakeupAlley, for ingredient safety go to Skin Deep.
    • Don't underestimate stuff you can make yourself, in your home lab or in your kitchen.

    Got any favourite product description that you love to laugh at ? Do you watch Telemarketing just for the laughs ?


    You might also want to read:

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

eternalvoyageur

  • Visit eternalvoyageur's Xanga Site
    • Name: Starlight*
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 10/26/2007

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