“Step Up Women’s Network – Inspiration Awards”
May 21, 2010
Last Friday I attended a beautiful luncheon at the Beverly Hilton. It was the 7th Annual Inspiration Awards from the “Step Up Women’s Network“. My friend Ali Brown invited me along with her team of women. This is an event that happens when community insiders, entertainment leaders and Step Up supporters gather to celebrate philanthropy and the importance of connecting and advancing women and girls.
The awards luncheon is held annually in the heart of the entertainment industry. The Inspiration Awards gathers Los Angeles’ movers and shakers to honor those who embody the Step Up mission of service to women and girls. It is Step Up’s most anticipated afternoon of the year. The event includes a red carpet reception, luncheon, luxury handbag silent auction, and an awards program honoring a celebrity and an industry executive who have provided opportunities for women and girls to create a better futu
re.
There were three women being honored with Inspiration Awards. They were Jennie Garth – actress and advocate, Sonya Rosenfeld – Co-Head of television Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and Kim Martin – President and General Manager of WE tv and Wedding Central.
Although it was really entertaining to hear these women speak, my favorite part was to listen to the high school girls recite their lively and energizing poetry. WOW – is all I can say! There were also three other students celebrated. They shared their stories of what they overcame, how Step Up empowered them, and what they did to earn their college scholarships! I was completely inspired by these young women. It was so exciting to see they are about to embark on a whole new chapter in life
, college.
Step Up Women’s Network is a fantastic organization
that I am looking forward to being a part of. It is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to connecting and advancing women and girls. By bridging communities of professional women and undeserved teen girls through mentorship, networking and advancement, they ensure women and girls have the opportunities they need to create a better future.
Laura Mak & Louis Van Amstel – Dancing
May 10, 2010
Last week was such a blast for me! On Thursday I took a dance class with Louis Van Amstel from “Dancing With the Stars”. This is his sixth season on DWTS, and has partnered with Trista Sutter, Lisa Rinna, Monique Coleman, and Priscilla Presley third placing Kelly Osbourne.
Louis taught us a variety of dances such as salsa, cha cha, rumba and jive. He even through in a little weight training for the arms while the hips were still shaking side to side.
It was such a fun and inspiring workout, and that has a lot being said from someone who teaches a lot of workouts herself! He had fresh fun moves, but taught the basics and encouraged us to “feel the movement and get out of our head”. Let the body just move intuitively with a shimmey on the upper body and a shake on the lower body.
I think my favorite part about Louis, was he was pleasant to everyone after class. He took time to talk with people, didn’t make their moment feel rushed, and was friendly and kind to each person who wanted to chat afterward. Not all talented people are necessarily smart in their interactions, but he was awesome!
Thanks for a great class Louis!! YES – we will be voting for you and Niecy tonight! 
Is Your Booty Ready for Summer?
May 7, 2010
With beach weather imminently upon us, there is no time to waste on fad diets, silly training
programs, or magic pills. The only way to get your booty ready for the bikini or just shorts,
you need to include a resistance training routine that targets those muscles (along with
cardio and a healthy nutritional program of course). Here is a great series to use to get the
booty ready since summer is “calling”. The four movements are the abductors, one-leg stiff leg,
lunge kicks, and the side leg raise.
Exercise #1 – Abductors
The first movement begins by taking the legs out from the mid-line of the body. Like the term
“abduct” – to take away. This is an easy way to remember this term. The opposite muscles and
exercise are Adductors, in which the movement closes the legs in, “adding” to the legs to the
midline.
Seated Abductors target the glutes. Most machines allow you to sit straight up. Try the
exercise sitting straight with the abs pulled into the spine. Open the legs as wide as your
flexibility allows, and return the legs in just about an inch apart from the start position.
This will keep tension on the muscles instead of relaxing after each rep.
Next, lean forward slightly, while keeping the back straight. Reach your arms forward for
balance. Notice the difference of where the movement concentrates on your body.
Both positions are effective, but leaning forward is not used as often, therefore, creating
more of a “shock” to the system.
Use a weight that you can do 20-50 repetitions and repeat for three sets.
Exercise #2 – One-Leg Stiff Leg
Balance on your left foot and keep your right leg slightly bent behind you with the knee about
90 degrees. For more resistance hold a dumb bell in your right hand. Bend at the hips, keeping
the back straight, aim the dumb bell to the outside of the left foot. It will give you a
slight twist incorporating the core for balance.
When standing up, begin the movement with the exhale raise the body up to upright start
position. Remember to keep the abs pulled in toward the spine at all times.
Complete 10-15 repetitions on each side for three sets.
Exercise #3 – Lunge Kicks
The feet should be about two to three feet from the step – depending on your height. Step
forward and place your right foot completely on top of the step (be sure the heel is on the
top), and slowly bend your knee about 90 degrees into the lunge position. Be sure your knee
stays above the ankle and your shoulders stay above your waist – no leaning forward.
Push off the step with your right foot and lift your leg to horizontal while keeping your knee
straight.
Return your foot to the start position. For more of a challenge you can hold dumb bells in
your hands.
Complete 12-20 repetitions on each side for three sets.
Exercise #4 – Side Leg Raise
Begin with the hands flat on a bench and your shoulders directly over your wrists. Place your
left leg directly under your left hip and extend the right leg out to the side lightly
balancing the right toes on the ground. Keep the abs pulled in towards the spine.
Lift the right leg to horizontal without shifting your weight to the left, bending the leg, or
using a kicking motion. If you cannot lift it as high as horizontal with a straight leg, then
lift the leg about 45 degrees or as high as you can. Squeeze the glute muscles. This should
feel like a burn in the booty!
Complete this for 20-25 repetitions for three sets.
These exercises should be done one right after the other and repeat each exercise for three
sets. Do this once or twice a week for the next four weeks, and you are sure to have your
booty firm, lifted, and ready for bikini weather!
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