1-  Change your workout everyday –  I’m sure many people go to the gym and find themselves utilizing the same machines or gravitating towards the things they already know.  Well guess what?  You’re not challenging yourself enough!  In order for a workout to be effective (again, if you’re looking to achieve results which I would hope most of you are trying to do), you really need to strive to keep the body guessing at all times.  You really want to challenge different muscle groups on a daily basis or switch up your daily cardio routines.

Once I really practiced this principle, I noticed results almost instantly (by that I noticed I was in better physical shape) and will continue to work towards achieving results.  I honestly really try to train my body like an athlete (even though I’m far from one, whoever said that I can’t strive to look like one! ;))

The other day I actually created a circuit for myself of multi-jointed sculpting moves (meaning that the exercise challenges more than one muscle group at a time…very important and time effective!) that either I had never done before or that I have picked up from a fitness class but had not performed in awhile.  The ENTIRE circuit was new for my body.  The next day, I felt some minor soreness and I actually craved that my body needed an extra hour of sleep.

2- Increase the intensity -  This principle really varies depending on what you’re doing.  If you’re lifting weights, you can intensify it by increasing the weights little by little.  If you’re running on a treadmill, you may want to intensify the workout by adding an incline (which is much more challenging than running on a flat surface) or increasing the speed.

Regardless, it’s essential to focus on the intensity of your workouts.  If you’re floating on an elliptical machine for an hour and not even catching yourself out of breath, the intensity level is obviously not high enough meaning you need to find a way to push yourself harder.

Also keep in mind that the QUALITY of your workout counts more than the QUANTITY.  You can accomplish a lot within a half hour given that it’s a very intense half hour.  Your body is going to greatly benefit from a more intense workout versus a long workout that isn’t physically challenging the body whatsoever.

3-  Mix boosts of cardio with body sculpting moves - When working out, they say you cannot focus on just cardio, nor just strength training.  This is because both benefit the body in completely different ways.

Strength training (or lifting weights, resistance training,  etc.) will actually change the shape of your body over time because you’re essentially sculpting your body by building muscle tone and creating a more defined physique.  You cannot run on a treadmill or hop on an elliptical everyday and expect the body to just magically tighten up.  (That’s where strength training comes in).

However, when it comes to burning calories, you will definitely burn more calories during a session of cardio than you would with the same exact amount of time spent lifting weights (unless perhaps you are power lifting or performing an exceptionally low intensity cardio workout).  Also with cardio, you are building up your endurance and your overall cardiovascular conditioning level.  If you get out of breath from walking up a flight of stairs, this means that you’re at a weak conditioning level and this could be improved over time by consistent cardio workouts.

Now to really BOOST your workout, if you can find a way to mix cardio alternating it with strength training exercises (such as sprinting for a few minutes followed by a set of push-ups or lifting a set of free weights), you’re really taking your workouts to the next level.

[Do you have other great working out tips that you find to be effective?]

The Challenge:  Create a look inspired by a gelato flavor in 6 hours (shortest amount of time for a challenge in Project Runway history)!

Guest Judges:  Diane Von Furstenberg (iconic fashion designer) and Miranda Kerr (model) who will wear the winning design.

My Runway Review:  (My brief notes taken while watching each designer’s look come down the runway in the order they walked in)

1-  Mondo [cantaloupe]:  Very modern with a strong fashion statement.  I definitely saw the connection of the cantaloupe flavor reflected in the design of the dress.

2-  Anthony [green tea]:  Design a little weak, liked the soft blend of colors, top was abstract and interesting looking but did not like the bottom (too flowy, would have been better with more structure to compliment the top)

3-  Kenley [passion fruit]:  Too bright, not sure about the print selection, I don’t associate neon hot pink with passion fruit exactly, the silhouette and shape of the dress were nice, but a little too safe

4-  Rami [kiwi]:  Way too outlandish, lacked taste, this is NOT fashion, pretty much..[wtf is this!?!?]

5-  Mila [milk and sour cherries]:  Fabrics are too sheer, dress proportions do not enhance the figure of the model, what’s up with the heavy belt and the random placement?  (it doesn’t match the style of the dress), this has styling issues

6-  Jerrell [fruits of the forest]:  I had to watch this twice as there was so much to examine in his design…overall, a little over-designed, too much going on at once, the print was not memorable, this look was nice (or passable I should say) but not my personal cup of tea

7-  Kara [chocolate with cayenne pepper]:  Not flattering whatsoever, model looks pregnant, the ruffles had nice movement, I liked the layered colors she chose, poor construction

8-  Michael [grapefruit]:  Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!, great fabric selection, beautiful color, smooth, luxurious, love the white necklace he choose with this look

9- April [blueberry]:  Another complete disaster, her designs consistently lack a strong artistic expression, weak design, horrendous construction, poor styling (what was up with those earrings with that dress and hair?!  YIKES!), I love cobalt blue but this specific shade of blue does NOT reflect blueberry gelato in my opinion (I would have chosen a soft, light blue)

10- Austin [vanilla madagascar]:  So elegant, so beautiful, just a pretty look from head to toe, very soft and vanilla

My Final Thoughts:

Michael's winning design this week which was also my personal favorite. I love all his designs! Go Michael!

-  I was THRILLED that Michael won his second challenge in a row.  The moment they showed a quick glimpse of his sketch in the workroom towards the beginning of the episode, I was already drooling (ok, not really) over how magnificent his design was.  I have always expressed how wickedly talented he is and I’m so happy to see that he is really shining on Project Runway All Stars.

-  I was nervous Michael wasn’t going to win over the fact that the blush shade he chose was not “grapefruit” enough according to the judges’ critique but the color of the grapefruit gelato was very much a blush light pink which matched his fabric selection.

-  I really did love Mondo’s design along with the inspiration behind it and knew it was down to his and Michael’s.  I was actually really expecting the judges’ to choose his at the end but Michael’s really exempted a higher level of “taste” and that was ultimately what this challenge was all about.

-  As much as I really don’t like admitting this (because it’s negative), I’m going to be completely honest:  I cannot express enough how happy I was to see April go home this week (FINALLY).  Have I not been right this ENTIRE time regarding her lack of experience and poor taste level?!

-  As Joanna Coles stated to April in the workroom, “How could you have a fashion moment if you stick with what you’re comfortable with?”  I couldn’t agree more, you need to challenge yourself and take risks!

[Your thoughts on this week's episode?] 

Lately, I’ve been really loving the bodysuit trend, which has inspired me to create a post showcasing the hottest trends and an overview of what I’m seeing most.  When choosing a bottom, I most prefer a high waisted (to hit horizontally at the center of the waist) short, skirt, legging, pant, or pair of jeans; however if you look at the model in the collage, the belt hits between the waist and the hips which can work just as well.

My Top 5 Bodysuit Trend List:

*  Bold Spring Florals:  I love bold floral prints and I’m definitely seeing them everywhere this season from dresses to tops and now bodysuits.  With any floral print, it’s best to pair with a solid on the bottom.  If you’re going to choose another print, make sure the scales of the print are contrasting (one with a small scale paired with a large scale).  You just have to be very careful in your selection when mixing various prints or otherwise it can be style overkill.

*  Dainty Lace:  I think with lace, you can safely style it with black or even try adding a solid pop of color when choosing a bottom for a bold contrast.

*  Blush and Nude Shades:  I find blush and nude tones to be the easiest to style.  You can wear any bottoms that are black or even denim could work to give it a nice mix of femininity and casual edginess.

*  Contrasting Two-Tones:  Any bodysuit with a color contrast (such as black and white) is always a great choice and will leave you with the most styling options.  I believe that a bottom with a solid or a print can easily work.  Also, don’t forget about texture of fabric as a styling element to bring into the mix.   It will definitely add extra visual interest pairing a bottom with a unique texture such as lace, wool, velvet, etc.

*  Cut-Outs:  This is by far my favorite trend!  It’s not only eye-catching, it makes a strong fashion statement and just looks really chic!    More specifically, I am featuring Michael Kors cutout cashmere-blend bodysuit within my style collage.  I realize this may not be the most practical look but it’s definitely daring!  Which typically means I would have no problem wearing it and in this situation, I’m all for it!  ;)

[Do you love seeing bodysuits this season?  What are your favorite trends?]