Yes I realize I haven’t posted on here since JUNE and it is now SEPTEMBER. I am not proud of this, but I do owe you all an explanation of where I have been

Playing with my new nephew.

Baking Yummy Cookies.

Walking along the lakeside with my wonderful husband.

Going to Cubs Games.

Beaching it.

Hanging with my loving family.

Spreading Hearts.

Making BIG Plans. More to come on this one!

Stick with me as the summer ends and I catch you all up on the trends, tips and details that shouldn’t be missed.

What have you been up to this summer ?!

The more technology that is available to us.. the better our men’s proposals are getting! I LOVE watching this youtube proposal and wanted to share it with all of you!  Congrats to the creative minds that put this together!!

Brides… Embrace the dumbbells at the gym. Too often I see men dominating the weight area and I always advocate for women to become comfortable enough to grab a couple of dumbbells and exercise right alongside them.  I understand that weights can be intimidating, but by adding in resistance training 2-3x/week you will begin to see the definition you are looking for as you try on your wedding dress.  If you are someone who is intimidated by dumbbells I highly suggest finding a personal trainer in your area and use it as a learning experience so that you can go out and lift on your own.

Many women feel comfortable on the weight machines that give you a guided path as to where your arms or legs are supposed to go, which I think are a great starting point.  Getting off the machines and embracing the flexibility dumbbells offer will help increase the intensity of your workout.  I love being able to get creative with dumbbells and let your body move and grow stronger in its natural range of motion.

When I work with brides the main body parts that they want to improve and see definition in is their arms and back.  They want to be able to wear their dress with confidence and pride to show off the hard work they put into it. Here are four of my favorite dumbbell exercises to tone your arms.

1. Stability Ball Push-ups

These will test your core while you walk out and balance on the ball, but will assist you in lifting your body weight. Pushups are one of the best overall body exercises you can do. Women please dont shy away from these!  If you dont have a stability ball available, start with pushups on your knees and go down as deep as possible keeping your core and lower back from dipping.

2. Squat with Overhead Press

This full body exercise will get your heart pumping.  Keep your heels driven in as you squat down and core engaged.  Avoid dropping your elbows down by keeping them strong throughout the exercise and push them high above your head together.

3. Chest Press

Drive the dumbbells up in a straight line over your chest, engage your core and keep the intensity at a controlled pace.  Dumbbells will ensure you are turning on your stabilizer muscles in your shoulders more than you would in a barbell chest press.

4. Standing Tricep Pressdown

Use the lat pull down machine for this next exercise. You will be working mainly your triceps and lats/back muscles. Keep your arms straight as you pull down the straight bar to your hips and control it as it returns to its starting point.

Do 12 – 15 reps of each exercise  and repeat the entire circuit 3-4x. The last few times you go through the circuit is when your muscles will get the most out of the exercise.

What are other ways you enjoy using dumbbells to tone up?

Now a days when you think of the overindulgent cruise ships sailing the ocean you think of endless buffets with passengers on board stuffing their face and laying around all day.  This probably doesn’t appeal to you if you are looking to lose weight or live an active lifestyle.  With more and more people looking to get fit you will be surprised at the many cruising options that will not only allow you to relax but they will encourage you to put your tennis shoes on and start running! You will be cruising alongside other active individuals that share the same passion as you do for exploring new locations with their own two feet.

Cruise

A great example is the Caribbean Islands Marathon Cruise on the Royal Caribbean Cruise line where you will tackle four different islands with four different races along the way. You will be running along side participants from across the country with a variety of experiences. Share your past running stories while seeing a new island every day. Each new run will have different scenery, hills, and distance so you will always be engaged in the run.

Or try Visiting the Hawaiian Islands with the Run – Hawaii Cruise and hit three different islands while you run past beautiful scenery and enjoy days off in between to recover for the next run! A sample schedule can be found here to see what each day would look like on the cruise.  Your family and friends are encouraged to join you and can plan excursions on the trip for each island or they can cheer you on during your run.

If you would prefer to stay closer to the states, join the first marathon cruise down the New England coast and Canada in October of 2011 where you will run in one of the Maine Marathon events and continue on to experience national parks, pubs and group activities while on board. And don’t forget to refuel after your long run with the buffet’s and top notch service on the cruise lines.  Many of the cruise lines now offer exquisite gyms and spas as well as healthy food options for the calorie conscious.

So if you have a love of traveling with an urge to travel – try checking out a marathon cruise that is planned by runners…designed for runners!

Brides - go on a weekend marathon cruise for your bachelorette party and encourage all of your girls to start training together for the runs! Having the social support will help you all encourage each other to get in shape while having fun at night after your long runs on the ship together.  Or plan your honeymoon on one of these marathon cruises and you and your fiance can start training now together.  You can look forward to completing your first marathon together as a married couple.  Your goals of getting in shape and completing a marathon can all come together as you prepare for your honeymoon marathon.  See the world on your own two feet!

I would love to hear from any of the readers who have gone on or considered a marathon cruise vacation before.