Friday, December 28, 2007
4 Weeks to Getting Slim, Strong and Sexy
1. Trunk Rotation
Targets: shoulders, abs, obliques
Lie back holding one 8- to 10-pound dumbbell horizontally in both hands about 6 inches above chest. Bend knees 90 degrees, thighs perpendicular to floor. Tilt knees 45 degrees to the left while bringing shoulders and dumbbell 45 degrees to the right. Do 12 to 15 reps per side. Crunch straight up, reaching dumbbell toward toes, for another 12 to 15 reps.
Too easy? Try this: Perform one rotational crunch to each side, then reach weight straight up toward toes; continue alternating movements for 2 minutes (about 30 reps each) without taking a break.
2. Alternating Shoulder Raise
Targets: shoulders, thighs, calves
Too easy? Try this: Perform one rotational crunch to each side, then reach weight straight up toward toes; continue alternating movements for 2 minutes (about 30 reps each) without taking a break.
2. Alternating Shoulder Raise
Targets: shoulders, thighs, calves
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a 5- to 8-pound weight in each hand. Rise up onto the balls of both feet. Keeping your heels lifted, raise left arm out to the side to shoulder height and right arm to the front to shoulder height. Hold for 2 counts, return to starting position, and switch arms. Do 15 reps per side.
Too easy? Try this: Do this exercise on a stair or at the end of a step bench to challenge your balance. Each time you switch arm positions, do 1 calf raise.
3. Warrior Lunge
Targets: shoulders, abs, butt, thighs, calves
Too easy? Try this: Do this exercise on a stair or at the end of a step bench to challenge your balance. Each time you switch arm positions, do 1 calf raise.
3. Warrior Lunge
Targets: shoulders, abs, butt, thighs, calves
Stand on left leg and hinge forward from the waist, bringing chest parallel to floor. Extend right leg behind you while spreading arms out to sides like wings. Hold for 30 seconds; come back to starting position (not shown). Bring hands to hips and step back with right foot into a reverse lunge. Hold for 2 counts, then bring right foot next to left. Do 10 reverse lunges with right leg, bringing toes to floor behind you; return to starting position. Switch sides and repeat combo.
Too easy? Try this: To challenge your upper body, keep arms extended overhead, palms facing each other.
4. Traveling Power Squat
Targets: back, arms, butt, legs
Stand holding a 5- to 8-pound dumbbell horizontally in front of your rib cage with both hands. Squat and hold for 2 seconds.
Jump up explosively, as if you're reaching over a volleyball net. At the same time, lift dumbbell overhead, arms extended. As you land, bring the weight back toward your rib cage. Do 12 to 15 reps. To modify, stand up explosively without allowing your feet to leave the floor.
Too easy? Try this: Travel a few inches forward each time you land -- this will force you to jump higher in order to propel yourself forward.
5. Alternating Push-Up
Targets: shoulders, chest, arms, abs, legs
Begin in a full push-up position, hands on floor under shoulders, legs extended and abs tight. Do 1 push-up. As soon as you finish, drop your knees to the floor and do 1 bent-knee push-up. Do 20 to 25 reps total.
Too easy? Try this: Either do all the push-ups on your toes or come to your knees on every third push-up.
6. Plié with Hammer/Biceps Curls
Targets: biceps, butt, thighs
Stand holding a 10- to 12-pound dumbbell in each hand, arms at sides with palms facing each other and toes pointed out. Bend knees 90 degrees, keeping knees aligned over toes, while curling weights toward shoulders with thumbs up; keep elbows tucked into sides.
After 1 rep, straighten legs (keep feet wide) and do a regular biceps curl, turning arms out 45 degrees. Lower and repeat plié squat and hammer curl; do 12 to 15 reps, alternating moves.
Too easy? Try this: Do the entire exercise balancing on your toes.
7. Clam Dig with Rotation
Targets: shoulders, butt, thighs
Lie on your left side with left hand supporting head, elbow bent. Bend knees 45 degrees in front of body. Hold a 5- to 8-pound dumbbell in right hand with elbow pressing into right side. Lift both right leg and arm toward ceiling; hold for 2 seconds and lower. Keep hips stacked and right upper arm on side throughout the exercise. Do 15 reps; switch sides.
Too easy? Try this: Use 2-pound ankle weights (pictured).
8. Weighted Back Extension
Targets: shoulders, arms, back, butt, thighs
Wrap 2-pound weights around each ankle (or do without weights) and get on all fours. Extend left arm up to head height and right leg back to hip height. Slowly touch left elbow to right knee; hold for 2 counts, then extend arm and leg out again. Do 10 to 15 reps; switch sides.
Too easy? Try this: Place 5-pound dumbbells in front of each hand, then lift the weight as you extend and curl.
Cardio Component
This fat-blasting routine intersperses shadowboxing and jump-rope intervals to burn up to 300 calories in 30 minutes. If jumping rope is hard on your joints, jog or march in place or do a mix of calisthenics like knee lifts and side steps.
How to Whiten Your Teeth
How to Whiten Your Teeth on Your Own
Over-the-counter products are best for those who don't want to spend megabucks and don't need the instant gratification of a professional treatment. Follow these steps to get the best results.
1. Start with super-clean teeth. Toss your manual brush for a motorized version (try the Oral-B Vitality, $19.99, drugstores). "You can't possibly move as fast as a battery-charged motor," explains Richard Rosen, DDS, a cosmetic dentist at Madison Dental Partners in New York City.
2. Pick your method. Toothpastes and mouthwashes will contain the least amount of peroxide (approximately 0.5 to 1 percent) but can help brighten your smile by as much as one shade with consistent daily use. At-home trays and strips usually have more whitening power (from 3 to 8 percent peroxide) and are designed to have longer contact with your teeth for even better results (up to three shades lighter).
3. Read the ingredients list -- and follow the directions. Look for bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide and carbomide peroxide, which penetrate the enamel to temporarily oxidize the natural color of your teeth, explains Dr. Rosen. Remember, whitening isn't permanent, so your teeth will eventually either return to their original color or go darker than your desired shade.
How to Whiten Your Teeth at the Dentist's Office
In-office bleaching could set you back $300 to $600, but the 16 to 25 percent peroxide can lighten your teeth six shades or more. Here's how to get the most out of spending the extra money:
1. Get a professional cleaning first. Peroxide should immediately penetrate your teeth to lighten the color, not have to fight through layers of buildup. "Removing tartar before a whitening treatment will allow the active ingredients to work more efficiently," says Marc Liechtung, DMD, a cosmetic dentist at Manhattan Dental Arts in New York City.
2. Try at-home trays. This gives you the option of whitening at home while still getting the benefits of professional peroxide levels (it just takes several weeks to achieve maximum results). "Trays can be especially effective because they're in contact with your teeth on a daily basis," explains Dr. Rosen.
3. Or opt for a light treatment. Here's what pros are talking about right now: Discus Dental's Zoom! Advanced Power system, which combines a new whitening lamp with a 25 percent hydrogen peroxide gel to whiten teeth an average of eight shades after 45 minutes (visit zoomnow.com for more information and locations). Sapphire Professional Whitening system (877-586-4633 for locations and dentists) uses a UV-free light and a desensitizing enhancer to decrease sensitivity.
Whitening: The 4 Most Common Questions
Can bleaching harm my teeth?
There are no studies that have proven that hydrogen or carbomide peroxide can cause permanent damage, because they maintain the enamel coating, according to Dr. Rosen. However, skip a product if it has an acid on the ingredients list (although most brands on the market don't include acids, it's still smart to check the label). "It etches away the superficial layer, leaving a chalky residue," explains Dr. Rosen.
Why do my teeth feel sensitive after whitening treatments?
Sensitivity can be caused by overuse of at-home products containing acids (like citric acid), which strip outer layers of enamel. "You can feel a slight zinging to a more intense pain, especially with hot or cold temperatures," explains Dr. Liechtung. This is normal and should diminish in 24 to 48 hours post-treatment, but if it lasts longer, consult a dentist.
How white is too white?
On the shade guide used by dentists, B1 is the whitest hue. However, due to overbleaching, new shades have been added that are considered whiter than what's naturally possible (OMI, OMII and OMIII). "Teeth in the OM category can stop reflecting light and appear gray," says Dr. Rosen. To reach this super-white level you'd have to have repetitive professional whitening, which would likely not be recommended by a dentist.
Can I change the color of my caps and veneers?
No, only your natural teeth can be lightened by bleaching agents. Because caps and veneers are artificial, peroxide can't change their hue, so dentists recommend that you seek a professional's advice instead of using over-the-counter kits. Dentists can usually bring caps and veneers back to their original shade through cleaning and polishing, helping your teeth to maintain a uniform look.
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