Head Bad and Strong Body

Head Bad and Strong Body were the nicknames given to Strong Bad's bodiless head and headless body, respectively. They first appeared in late 2000 on Main Page 7, and more than five years later made a reprise in the Strong Bad Email disconnected. That was also the email in which the nicknames were first used; "Head Bad" was coined by Coach Z, and "Strong Body" by Bubs.

Strong Bad figured that having his body separated would double his productivity, allowing him to be in two places at once. Head Bad can give people career advice while Strong Body riots against the local municipality. Head Bad can also take a vacation on a deserted island while Strong Body shows off his new moves at Club Technochocolate. Bubs even claims that "Without all that extra head ballast, [Strong Body's] moves are twicely fresh, twicely fresh".

When Head Bad got tired of rolling around all over the place, he considered getting some "repulsorlifts" added for anti-gravity action, but decided that exhaust pipes have more muscle. He then used these exhaust pipes to compete in the Million Yard Dash. Strong Body and Head Bad also attained the power to regenerate, creating two "perfectly formed" Strong Bad specimens, deemed Head-Nub and Nub-Head, that look and sound nothing like Strong Bad.

Headgear to help your Rearview

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I like to pretend that I look as lovely and perfect as this lady above on the treadmill at Circuit Works whenever I workout.  However, last night when I wasn't paying attention and hopped on the treadmill I ended up looking more like this...

No joke, totally ate sh*t last night on the treadmill in front of (luckily) only 10 people.  Just because I wasn't paying attention.  Be careful people, the treadmill really will kick your a**!

Back to the point of this post...

Whenever I work out, I need my hair COMPLETELY off my face/neck.  These people at gyms who work out with their hair down I will never understand.  Maybe it's because I sweat a lot and end up looking a tomato, but every strand of my hair needs to be tightly tied, pined and whatever else so that it is not in my face. 

I have baby fine hair that is slippery as all get out and requires a ton of hairspray to hold curl and a special headband to keep it locked in for my workouts.  And so I bring you to my favorite headband and a review of other headbands that actually work, and are guaranteed to keep you looking somewhat cute and put together. 

Thank you Miss Kord for being a fabulous friend and picking up this Braided Headband from lululemon for me.  This sucker is TIGHT!  It holds my hair in without any fidgeting and is the real deal folks.  In fact you shouldn't purchase any other headbands until you buy this one.  It really is a workout changer my friends. 

I picked up my own lululemon Slipless-Headband and like it ok.  It works pretty well and averages 1 or 2 pushes or secures during my workout.  It is a little wider than I prefer but leaves little to no indent in my hair so I am able to run around town without headband crimp.  It's alright as an alternative but I don't think I will purchase again. 

The Lucy Power Double Strap Headband is my 2nd favorite after the lululemon braided goddess.  The one has little grippers that stick to your hair and it is available in a variety of colors and the double band helps keep my hair in tact.  I generally only have to adjust once during the workout with this guy and I could see purchasing a few more in different colors. 

The first headband I bought for working out was the American Apparel Shiny Headband.  This one doesn't stay in that well at all, but it is by far the cutest of the bunch.  I use this one when I absolutely have no other headbands available and it requires the extra help of bobby pins to keep it in place.  A good option is to use this pretty headband to cover the indent of the braided headband after your workout!

Do you have any headbands that you think are the bees knees and stay put after a hard workout?  I would love to hear your suggestions! 

Song Of The Week: Good Feeling

My roomie Avery and I are always helping each other find the best new music for our iPod's or agreeing which songs we love/hate currently on the radio.  Yesterday we both agreed that we are loving "Good Feeling"  by Flo Rida.  In fact we were both agreeing that we enjoyed every song that has been released of his.  All are feel good songs that make me want to dance, workout and just have fun!  Perfect song to listen to before I hit my hour long Circuit Works class.   This song gives me a ton of motivation and I am left feeling good.

Word Up Wednesday

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needed this yesterday.  printed it out, stuck it on my mirror. true story.

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this goes with the flow chart above as well as my professional life...i am finally travelling to Europe for the first time ever (only ever travelled to mexico & canada) and visiting our Europe office in Amsterdam for training and setup.  i am so super excited!! 

Forever Frugal Friday

This one goes out to all my fellow small busted women out there.  I recently picked up this Rib Trimmed Sports Bra at Forever and it cost me a whole $3.80.  I loved how bright it was and thought for $3.80 it couldn't hurt to try it out.  So I tried it out at my Circuit Works class and I have to say that this little baby provided me with great coverage during my work out.  I held the ladies up and while I was running on the treadmill they weren't bouncing all over the place.  The adjustable straps are a great feature, and it has little inserts that prevent you from nipping out. 

I think this bra would work great for any ladies size 34B and under, or if have a larger bust, perhaps it could work for you as well, but for less physical activities and more stretchy bendy activities (yoga, pilates, bar method).  And if you are hesitant to even try it while working out, it would make a great little bra under a tank top or t-shirt for errand running. 

Let's keep those babies up and running shall we?  Screw you gravity, I found a new friend that helps me out just dandy!

Song Of The Week: Take Over Control

Afrojack ft. Eva Simons - Take Over Control (Official Video) [www.extasyradio.com] found on Pop

I noticed lately that I have really been enjoying electronic/techno music. Normally it was a genre I avoided, but now I can't get enough. One of my latest faves is Take Over Control by Afrojack. 

This past weekend Afrojack performed at Coachella and I am sure they put on quite a show.  Eva Simons adds some great vocals to an already energetic beat and after watching the video for the first time today, she reminds me a little of Rihanna. 

This song has become an absolute favorite for working out as it just makes me want to run a little bit faster and a little bit longer on the treadmill.  I essentially let the song take over control of my workout...not a bad thing at all.

Put Your Mind To It Go For It...

Get down and break a sweat, is exactly what I do whenever I attend Circuit Works.

Last month I mentioned that I had purchased a Groupon to Circuit Works in Venice in order to make my mantra come true.  Two Thursdays ago I hit up the Abbot Kinney location with my girl Christy and let me just tell you this work out kicked my ass!

This hour long class combines, weightlifting, spinning and treadmill running all together in 40 second intervals.  You never stop for an hour. 

I have now attended 3 classes (make it 4 after tonight) and I absolutely have a love/hate relationship with this workout.  I love how hard I work, how sweaty I get, the loud music and the workers.  I hate how sweaty and red-faced I get, as well as the bruises I leave class with hopping on and off the spin bikes. 

Circuit Works is so motivating and I leave class feeling energized and good about myself and I leave knowing that I just worked it out. 

This is Raphael Verela, the man who developed Circuit Works and teaches my Saturday 8:15 AM class.  The class that I almost threw up in this past Saturday.  He is a bit of drill sergeant but extremely motivating and full of smiles once class is over.  He just better never see you walking to your next station (heed my warning)...

If you live in LA and are needing that extra boost to get your fitness routine in motion I really would suggest trying Circuit Works as it has fully given me a new take on exercise.  They have 2 locations, one in Brentwood that my girl Spry attends and another in Venice on Abbott Kinney.  Added bonus, your first class is FREE!  Why not try it out? 

Also a special shout out to my girl Christy for being my loyal workout companion - I wouldn't be as motivated without you!  Project Hot Bod starts now!!

Word Up Wednesday

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Best thing to say when you first step out of bed.

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This has been my mantra these past two days.  Workout dedication, here I come...

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I wish this read, Keep Calm and Drink Starbucks instead, but I love sitting at the Sbux by my work, throwing my headphones in and reading my latest book and sipping on some coffee or tea.  Perfectly calming.

Song Of The Week: My Body

I was doing really well with my news resolution to work out more often and then work got really busy and then it was my birthday week and now it is the second week of February and I haven't much to show and my jeans are fitting a bit tight from all the celebrating.  Which is why I was SOOO excited that today's LA Groupon was $35 for 5 classes to Circuit Works in Venice.

Many of my gf's attend classes there and they all absolutely gush of how wonderful (and hard) the classes are.  I am very excited (and a little scared) to get in and experience it myself.  Which is why I chose "My Body" by Young the Giant to help me get motivated.  I mean with lyrics like,

"My Body tells me no, but I won’t quit
cause I want more, cause I want more"

how can you not push yourself a little harder?  If you live in LA and are interested in getting a little sweaty,  be sure to sign up for the deal here and who knows, maybe I'll see you there!

Let's Get Physical - Pop Physique

Last August I wanted my booty to look like the above picture so I purchased a Groupon for $20 for 3 classes at Pop Physique.  However it took me until December to actually cash my groupon in. 

I chose to attend my classes at the Westside location on Venice Blvd between Inglewood and Grandview.

Upon walking into the studio, I was impressed with the beauty of the space. 

Beautiful light fixtures, gorgeous hardwood floors, and high ceilings really help to create a productive workout space.

In addition they have a killer sound system which they turn up good and loud to keep you motivated!

The workout is a fusion of mat pilates, barre method and light weight training.  The class lasts an hour and yes you do workout the entire hour (with some stretching included). 

All three of my classes were taught by a different instructor and they were all hard workouts but all a little different also.  I braved an 8:30 AM class last Saturday and left feeling energized, sweaty and loving every minute of it. 

(this pose is straight up murder on your thighs - shaking will happen)

If you are having a hard time motivating your self at the gym or want to participate in a workout that is fun, exciting and will show you results I highly recommend testing out a class (or two).  They have four different locations available for you Los Angeles and now also The OC!

After last nights class my quads are burning, along with my obliques and triceps.  I am currently debating whether I should sign up for the new student month unlimited deal for $100......

Song Of The Week: Dancing On My Own

My first memory of Robyn was in high school and the groove Show Me Love which we used to sing at the top of our lungs in my girlfriends Jetta driving to sporting events.  Well Robyn has continued to hold my interest 13 years later (eek!) with Dancing On My Own. 

The perfect song at the gym or to get you ready for a night out with your girls.  I just hear the newest Britney song "Hold It Against Me" and while it is fun also it just doesn't have the same effect for me as Robyn's dance grooves. 

Another great Robyn track to download is Hang With Me, it has me tearing up the treadmill!

Forever Frugal Friday ~ Gonna Make You Sweat

Like everyone and their brother I have deemed 2011 to be the year I get back in shape and live more healthy!  Unlike everyone and their brother I do not own a single piece of Lulu Lemon (although I wish I did) because I just can't justify spending over $100 on a pair of pants that I sweat it. 
Yes I realize they make your butt look cute, feel good when you work out, etc, etc, but again, I would rather drop $100 on a new pair of heels or jeans, that I wear out and look cute in. 

So I present to you, cute workout clothes, that perhaps aren't as fancy as Lulu Lemon but will still get you Sweatin' to the Oldies for a lot less!

Whether you have big boobs or small boobs, you need to keep them supported so they don't turn into saggy boobs!  This Max Support Sports Bra should do the trick and is available in many colors.

I like to keep my pits uncovered so I don't get weird pit stains when I workout (yes I am a sweater - not to be confused with what you wear on a cold day) and this Athletic Top  has a darling back and will work just perfect.

Foldover Athletic Pants are my absolute favorite and definitely make your butt look much cuter whilst working out. 

Of course you also need a Zen Yoga Mat for stretching, abs, and yoga!

So get your workout outfit on, throw on some C + C Music Factory and get sweaty (in a good way)!

Also thought I would update you with a picture of my Forever Frugal Find from December when I posted about that darling grey dress (which is no longer available).  Well my sweet sister bought it for me for Christmas and here I am at work today wearing it.  TONS of compliments!  Yay!

Sorry for the quality of the pictures.  Blame it on the blackberry!  But you get the idea :)

Happy Shopping!

Twenty Eleven

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If 2009 was a year or rebounding and starting over, then 2010 was a year of rebuilding and letting go.  2010 had it's ups and downs and although the downs ALWAYS suck the life out of you, they also teach you how to lift your head back up and dust off your shoulders. 

2010 brought me new friendships, a new career opportunity, and new love.  It also brought me financial woes, tested relationships and a whole lot of self revelation. 

So while there are definitely some times I wish I hadn't experienced, I know that all those hard times taught me some sort of lesson and also have made me stronger, more confident and ready to tackle 2011.

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I am starting 2011 with a clean slate and gearing up for a fantastic year.

Goals for 2011:

*Working on my fitness

*Dusting off my passport and hoping to head to Europe

*Career advancement

*Paying off those darn credit cards/student loans

*Organizing my bedroom

*Busting open the cookbooks

*More concerts

*Read more, watch less TV

*Write more

They may seem simple and ordinary but they are everything I want and need to feel complete (for now)....

Cheers to you and all of your goals!  Let's make 2011 the best yet!

Brooklyn We Go Hard, We Go Hard...

Every year around February I picked up that coveted Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Issue and use the photos inside as inspiration for my summer bod.  This years cover model, was the adorable Brooklyn Decker (Andy Roddick's wife) sporting bright yellow bikini bottoms, layered necklaces, perfect beach blonde hair and not much else.

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So for the past few months I have been staring at this cover hoping it will encourage me to get my butt to the gym, which sadly was not enough.  However, my girl Spry arriving in town for Memorial Weekend poolside in Santa Monica was a bit of a reality check and kicked my fitness regimen into gear.

I checked out my trusty On-Demand Exercise TV options and found a tab labeled "Bikini Revolution", um yes please.  After a little more research I found that all four workouts available featured the beautiful Brooklyn Decker.  The girl who looks like this in a bikini....

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Clearly a girl with a body like that has got to be doing something right that I need to be partaking in?  And so began my trial session of Elle's Make Better Workout Collection, which promised to give me a better bikini body in just 21 days (following their schedule).

Below is a review of the 4 different workouts I tried out using a scale of 1-5 (1 = couch potato, 5= come on let's sweat).  I must disclose that I used the On-Demand versions which are shorter than the DVD workouts, so my opinion could be a little skewed due to that.

Two days ago I dragged my butt out of bed at 6:15 AM and made myself do the 20 minute Elle Make Better Series: Elle Workout Yoga.  While the workout felt great because it was a lot of stretching I just didn't feel like it was really that challenging.  I am not very skilled in yoga (working on it) but found this workout was very catered towards beginners.  I did feel energized and great at the end but barely broke a sweat. 

Rating: 2.5

I tested out both of the Elle Make Better Series: Elle Cardio Body workouts and let me just say that I was most definitely feeling it.  The workouts were 25 minutes long and you are constantly moving and in action which made me feel like I was really getting a good workout.  The workouts were part cardio, part weigh lifting and a whole bunch of jump roping (yuck).  My only complaint was that the trainer was a little (okay a lot) on the annoying side.  She said the same thing over and over again and it kind of drove me batty.  However I plan to add one of the cardio workouts to my weekly series as it really did give me a good cardio workout. 

Rating: 4

I finally finished my workout analysis yesterday with one of the two Elle Make Better Series: Elle Beauty Sculpt workouts and have to say that this one was by far my favorite.  It was fast paced, had a little cardio, some lunges, and a little bit of free weights.  The trainer was enthusiastic without being overbearing and like all the other workouts, Brooklyn is there with her hot bod doing the exercises with you and what's refreshing is she wobbles a little sometimes and also gets corrected by the trainer a few time which makes you feel like she is human!  By the end of the 25 minutes I was winded and red as a tomato. 

Rating: 4.5

I think I will incorporate one of her cardio blasts and one of her body sculpt sessions into my weekly routine The videos are rooftop in what I am guessing is NYC, Brooklyn's workout outfits are pretty cute and the music isn't too bad either.  I think they are great options to add to your regimen if you are feeling a little stuck or in a rut.  Who knows, by following their routine,  maybe you'll be wanting to wear your little polka dot bikini in just 21 Days!

Give Me 10

I have been AWFUL at working out this year.  Last year I had a few weddings to attend, and some great vacation destinations that all encouraged me to hit the gym tough.  This year instead of hitting the gym, I've been...

Playing (and winning) Flip Cup...

Hitting up Baseball Games (Go Angels & Mariners!)...

And celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Taco Bell, Tecate and Wii.

And while I would like to say walking the dog is my daily exercise, the reality is that I am now 30 and my body needs to be pushed a lot harder in order to stay in shape.  We all have our excuses, and most often mine is that I am so tired at the end of the day and don't have time to workout.  Well the buck stops here, because on Tuesday night I tried out Amy Dixon's Give Me 10! workout on the exercise channel and I was sweating like a PIG!

I did the Fat Blasting Cardio workout and it was fast-paced, intense and totally awesome.  I am totally thinking of buying this DVD and combing a few of these 10 minute routines to make my own perfect workout.  However if you only have 10 minutes, these routines will really get your heart moving and make you feel pretty incredible at the end.

So if you are always finding excuses for why you can't work out, give this DVD a shot, cause really we all have at least 10 minutes to spare!