Award-winning arms

If you watched last weekend's 84th annual Academy Awards show, then you likely noticed two of the night's fittest ladies: Viola Davis and Cameron Diaz.  Just look at those toned arms!

Here are some fab upper-body exercises that will sculpt your arms, chest, and shoulders in no time.

• FitSugar's 3 killer-upper body moves
• Gwyneth Paltrow's exercises for shapely shoulders and strong arms
• Show off your shoulders à la Kate Middleton

TIP:
To maximise my arm-shaping workout, I often incorporate lower body exercises such as squats, pliés, and lunges at the same time.  Killer.

Happy Friday, and love the burn!

Pilates Fusion

Here is a little Pilates Fusion workout for today!  This is perfect, because it works different muscles at the same time, and you'll be feeling that wonderful burn almost immediately.  Featuring Sarah of The Sarah Fit Show.

10 minutes of core moves

Here are some basic, but intense core Pilates moves for today's workout.  Be prepared to sweat it out!

Lower back pain relief

About once a year, I have to make a visit to a chiropractor because of lower back (Lumbar & Sacral regions) pain.  Despite proper nutrition and daily physical exercise, this is a common problem for women (hips and lower back). Usually, mine becomes mis-aligned due to an irregular activity such as bowling (which I have been doing once a week with family & friends this Summer), or if I have not doing weekly back exercises (combined with too much sitting at a desk...).

Esther of Yogatic has some nice, easy stretches and exercises that not only stretch out your back muscles and spine, but relieve any pain.  She also has a wonderfully soothing voice and simple-to-follow instructions!



I happened to be at the beach yesterday (not recommended when your back is hurting, even after a chiro adjustment!), and did yoga stretching on the sand.  I DO whole-heartedly recommend the following exercises, which all help to loosen up and strengthen your back: Eagle pose, Tree pose (also, the Palm Tree pose), Locust pose, Cobra pose, Crane pose, Dancer's pose (which can be done on hands & knees, as well) , Warrior III pose ("Balancing Stick"), Triangle pose, and Upward Plank pose.