Archives for May 2021

For many of the lucky ones, the end is almost in sight. It has been a long old year, one in which we have made the best of friends with our sweats while our ‘going out’ clothes have gathered dust. But now, the time is almost here for us to start remembering how to coordinate colors and navigate our post lockdown bodies. A lot can change in a year, so there is a good chance that either your current wardrobe does not fit anymore, or perhaps you have adopted an entirely new style thanks to scrolling through Pinterest for hours on end. 

Whatever the reason, you have come to the right place if you are looking to refresh your wardrobe!

Read on to find out more!

Take Some Measurements

Bodyweight fluctuates under even the most normal of circumstances, and if you are like basically everyone else who has had their whole routine flipped upside down in one way or another, this has probably had some kind of impact on your body.

Take some measurements to see where you are at now – it might be that you have been on a fitness kick or you have not moved as much as you usually do, perhaps you have been run off your feet as a frontline worker, or you have had to budget meticulously due to redundancy – all of this can have an impact on how you feel in your clothes and how your clothes fit. You should be so pleased if you are here because you are in a position to refresh your wardrobe! You deserve it! Measure around your chest/bust, hips, and waist to get a good idea of the most comfortable size for you. What you should not do is try to squeeze yourself into your old jeans if you are able to get new ones – no one’s got time for that. Check out women’s plus size clothing online for your new comfy outfits.  

Do it One Step at A Time 

If you are ready to throw out everything in one go and start from scratch, certain about a new look you want to pursue, then more power to you. For those who are a little more apprehensive or still have plenty of pieces they love, then just add in new pieces one step at a time to curate and refresh your wardrobe as and when you find new outfits that you love. This can be a better approach for those who are easily overwhelmed or are not quite sure what their signature style is yet. 

Accessories

If you still love what is in your wardrobe or have dabbled in some frequent online shopping during the lockdown, you might just need to spruce up your existing closet. Accessories are the perfect way to do this. Not only can you find some unique and quirky pieces, but they are often more affordable than buying a whole new outfit! Accessories are also a great way to change an outfit from night to day or a casual look to something more sophisticated and glam. 

Spongellé has added 3 NEW fragrances to their Private Reserve Collection. This luxe designer line now contains Blood Orange, Coconut Blossom & Rose Cassis Body Wash Infused Buffers.  Each scent offer consumers luxurious and exclusive fragrances that transcend alluring florals, deep aromas and succulent berries.  ($14 each; Skimlinks – 15%) 

Benefits:

Built-In Body Wash + Buffer

Multi-Function, Multi-Use, 14+ Uses

All in One Beauty Treatment

Extracts of Yuzu, Edelweiss, & Vetiver

Time-Released Lather

Dermatologist Tested

Vegan Friendly, Cruelty-Free

Proprietary Infusion Technology

Good for travel

Gift boxed + hanging ribbon

Pricing: $14 each

Blood Orange – https://spongelle.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/blood-orange-boxed-flower

• Fragrance Notes T: bitter orange M: orris, jasmine, orange flower B: rosewood, vanilla marshmallow

Coconut Blossom – https://spongelle.com/products/coconut-blossom-boxed-flower

• Fragrance Notes T: bitter orange M: orris, jasmine, orange flower B: rosewood, vanilla marshmallow

Rose Cassis – https://spongelle.com/products/rose-cassis-boxed-flower

• Fragrance Notes T: Grapefruit, Black Currant, Touch of Spice M: Velvet Rose, Magnolia Petals, Jasmine Dry: Warm Amber, Sweet Musk, Vanilla

www.thegluterecruit.com

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 338,000 personal trainers in The United States alone. Just like any other field, you have “rock stars” who are the real deal, some above average people, some who are merely competent, and others who have no business training people.  We turned to Jessica Mazzucco, an NYC area certified fitness trainer and founder of the fitness platform www.theglutereceruit.com  to help you assess where your trainer falls on the spectrum.

They Don’t Do Any Assessments on the First Session

“The best trainers perform thorough and complete assessments when working with a new client, before doing anything else, states Jessica.” She adds, “They don’t just hand you a dumbbell and ask you to copy them. On the training front, that means doing movement screening and even basic performance tests. And on the nutrition front, that means looking at the client’s current intake and assessing a host of lifestyle variables, including schedule, primary complaints/discomforts/allergies, willingness to change, and even blood pressure if a patient has issues. “

They look like they need a trainer

You want a trainer who practices what he/she preaches.  This does not mean they need to look like an Adonis, but they should look like they are fit. They are walking billboards of their profession. If they can’t keep it together, how are they going to get you to your goals or preach to you about a lifestyle they cannot maintain themselves?

They entice you to book more sessions

“If you are already working out 3 to 5 days per week correctly, you shouldn’t have to work out more, “says Jessica. She adds, “If your trainer keeps telling you to work out more than five hours per week, not only do they have you on a poor workout plan, they also are not coaching you well enough on your eating habits. They may also be looking for you to spend more money with them.”

They Tell You to Stretch or Warm-up on Your Own

“This is absolutely crazy,” says Jessica. “People don’t generally know how to stretch on their own. – that’s part of why you pay a trainer!  A good trainer should show you what movements to do, which muscles to focus on, explain the when and why of dynamic stretches over static stretching, and benefits of partner stretching.   If a client goes and warms up on a stationary bike but has a core- dominant training program, the time has been wasted.”

They Don’t Give You Work to Do Outside of Sessions

Your personal trainer should be shown the door if they don’t give you work to do outside of your sessions together. If they charge you by the hour but don’t try to help you in the other hours in the week, that’s a red flag. Jessica points out that, “What you do in your one-hour session should help you to achieve your goals outside of your session. Good personal trainers give you homework, with a purpose.”

They Look at Their Phone While You’re Training

If your personal trainer is taking (non-emergency) texts and phone calls or checking social media in the middle of your session, they suck. There are no two ways about it. Jessica adds, “You pay them good money to pay attention to what it is you’re doing. It’s not safe, it’s not professional and it’s a complete waste of your time and money. You wouldn’t let your physician do that with you. A trainer needs to have his/her eyes on you all the time!”

 They Talk More Than You Train

“If you want a companion, get a puppy,” Jessica says bluntly. Your trainer should be maximizing the time with you, not gossiping or telling his/her tales of woe. It’s fine to chit-chat with a trainer before the “clock starts” or after the workout has ended.  The actual training time should be confined to instruction, supervision, coaching, your form and the workout you are doing. Jessica says, “With the exception of reasonable rest/water intake periods, you should be in motion/activity for the duration of the session.”

They put you on a bike, treadmill, or stair-master and stand there and watch

“Unless you need a bodyguard while you are on a machine you know how to operate, this is a complete waste of time, “says Jessica.  She adds, “Your sessions are for being coached, strengthening your body and learning new techniques; not to be stood-by and watched for a complete hour doing the same thing.  A good trainer will make sure that multiple body parts are being used and include cardio, body weight resistance, free weights, bands, medicine balls, machines, etc.”

They believe in “no pain no gain”

There is nothing wrong with doing crunches until you “feel the burn.”  Pain is your body’s alarm to alert you that something is wrong: that you should, in fact, stop doing what you’re doing and figure out the problem. Jessica stresses that “There is a distinct difference between legitimate pain and the soreness you get when you exercise.  If a muscle feels pulled, and you express that to your trainer, he/she should lay off training that muscle group until you are completely healed.” If you are beginning training with an existing injury such as a weak Achilles tendon, the trainer should be skilled enough to strengthen that area and avoid moves that will exacerbate it.

Body Shaming to Motivate

A good trainer should never use body shaming as a means to make you work harder.  He/she should never say something like, “give me 30 crunches to burn that flab off your gut,” or “keep giving me those squats to burn the fat from your butt.”  Jessica says that a trainer should motivate by focusing on the positive, with statements such as, “you’re so much stronger since we first began, your cardio has really improved, you’re becoming more flexible.” You must be empowered by your trainer, not belittled or ashamed.

Jessica Mazzucco is an NYC area certified fitness trainer and founder of The Glute Recruit®  A native New Yorker, she graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University. The latter enables her to use skills of therapeutic communication and client centeredness to help her clients transition through change. Jessica has over 7 years of experience in the fitness industry and a multitude of diverse fitness certifications including :

World Instructor Training Schools (WITS) Personal Training Certification

National Posture Institute (NPI) Certified Posture Specialist + Certified Resistance Training Professional

ViPR – Vitality Performance Reconditioning – Level 1 Trainer

Kettlebell Athletics – Kettlebell Level 1 Trainer

Prenatal/Postnatal

SRT (Soft Release Technique) – Lower Body Fascial Stretch Therapist

Areas of Focus

Her specialties include butt sculpt/lift through exercise, resistance, strength and weight training for women, nutrition, muscle building, flexibility, mobility, posture enhancement, and pre and post-natal workout regimens.  Jess has trained celebrities such as former MSNBC Legal Analyst Mimi Rocah and country singer Jessica Lynn. 

Her personal journey

Jess has helped women worldwide achieve their fitness and lifestyle goals. She embarked on her own journey toward a healthier lifestyle in 2010 when she realized how unhealthy she was physically due to poor dietary choices and lack of exercise. Her weight gain had led her to develop low self-confidence and poor relationships with food. Healthy dietary changes and slow implementation of exercise helped Jess to become physically healthier and restore her self-esteem. This success gave her the platform to pursue a career in fitness and personal training. Her mission is to educate women on how to take control of their lives and become the healthiest versions of themselves without setting unrealistic goals of an “ideal” body type.

Jada Jenkins, Sam Villa Ambassador, Mizani Artist and L’amour de Rose Salon Owner @jadajenkinsco, is all about the perfect glam ponytail right now and says that understanding these concepts will help create the perfect glam look for any occasion.  See Jenkins in action: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNsR-XKnzJ5/.

1. Face Shape: Understanding face shape is crucial.  Sleek looks can slim a round face, a side swoop or fringe can help draw attention away from a larger forehead. And avoiding weight on an oblong face shape will help to balance features.

1. Define the Design: Always apply Mizani Heat Screen Hair Protectant Spray to prep and protect hair from heat.  For a sleek surface, use a Sam Villa Signature Series Sleekr Professional Straightening Iron to smooth hair; when added texture and mass is needed, use a Sam Villa Signature Series Textur Professional Texturizing Iron to build volume.

1. Position: Break down ponytail into sections (2-3). If there is part (middle or side) divide hair into 3 sections. Establish the position of the ponytail, gather hair and use a bungee cord to secure.

1. Length: Extensions are always an option for longer styles, choose those that match original hair texture and desired length and attach with the following steps:

1. • Weft extension around elastic bands.
   • Use hairpins to secure extensions at the top and bottom of the ponytail.

1. Secure: Crafting the tail properly will ensure it stays in place.  Start by applying Mizani Lived-In Sculpting Paste and HRM Humidity Resistance Mist to hold hair in place.  Use a Sam Villa Signature Series Tail Comb to form neat clean sections.  When using hairpins, attach a braid to the scalp to provide an anchor for pins to limit scalp irritation.  Connect each section with elastic bands and then wrap a small piece of hair around the elastic to cover it.

1. Enhancements:  Once the ponytail is in place, take creative liberty to embellish with accessories, braids, curls, waves or super sleek smoothness.

“When fashioning ponytails, always be mindful of tension… gather hair just tight enough to secure, too much unnecessary pulling can damage hair follicles,” explains Jenkins.

Credits

Image 1 (above): Hair/Jada Jenkins; Photographer/Thomas Kirk; Makeup/Makki

Images 2, 3 and 5: Hair/Jada Jenkins; Photography/Roy Cox; Makeup/Lola Oklawon

Image 4: Hair/Jada Jenkins; Photography/Thomas Kirk; Makeup/Akura Robinson

Sam Villa is Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of the Sam Villa Company (Allvus, LLC), a leading education and styling tool company for the professional hair industry. He is also Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken 5^th Avenue, a L’Oreal brand. Villa is the 2020 International Hairdressing Awards ‘International Hair Influencer of the Year,’ the 2017 NAHA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Intercoiffure America/Canada Member, Behind the Chair Stylist Choice Award Winner for Favorite Platform Artist and Educator (2012, 2011 and 2007) and Favorite Overall Educator of the Year (2015). His inspiring education and innovative ergonomic styling tools can be experienced on samvilla.com. The Sam Villa brand brings free digital education to everyone including hot tips and techniques, as well as access to livestreamed educational events. Facebook: @SamVillaPros; Instagram: @SamVillaHair;  YouTube: @SamVillaHair; Twitter: @SamVillaPro;; Pinterest: @SamVillaHair.

May is National Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Awareness Month. More than 30,000 adults and kids in the United States have CF. In West Virginia, a CF survivor is currently winning her 37-year battle with the disease — thanks to her life-saving double lung transplant. Her transplant is not only allowing her to breathe easier; it is also the reason she will be celebrating a very special Mother’s Day this year with her daughter.

More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of CF, and 1,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. CF causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs, which over time leads to sinus issues, difficult food digestion and permanent lung damage due to constant infections. CF is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestines.

For Kristen Jagodowski of Falling Waters, West Virginia, these statistics and challenges have been her reality since was diagnosed the day she was born in May 1984. Kristen always knew that one day her CF would progress to a level that would require her to undergo a life-saving double lung transplant, but she never let that knowledge stop her from living life to the fullest and pursuing her dreams. Now post transplant and enjoying every second with her greatest gift, her daughter, Kristen recently reflected on her transplant journey to date and her beloved role as ‘Mother to Taylor.’

COTA Patient Kristen Jagodowski, Lung Transplant Recipient, and Her Daughter

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” There is not a quote that better explains my transplant journey. The beginning is clear … the road is long … but the end always remains unknown.

I was born with a genetic disease called Cystic Fibrosis. My parents never knew anyone with CF so it came as quite a surprise. I had a healthy older brother. When I was rushed to a different hospital after birth, my family was shocked and fearful of what the future held. Fast forward to today. I will soon be celebrating my 37^th birthday. At the time of my diagnosis as an infant, the doctors told my parents not to expect me to live past high school. I can proudly say I proved them wrong, and I now know my journey started then and there.

Growing up I was relatively healthy. I took medicine daily, but never experienced any serious illness. I visited a special clinic annually. I was a normal kid. I enjoyed sports, which likely attributed to my good health. I had a great upbringing.

During my freshman year of college I experienced my first ‘CF exacerbation.’ At the time, I did not really know that was the case. I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Years later I started to see a slight decline in my health. In February 2008, I married my best friend and we went on our honeymoon. On the way home I got very sick. We returned home and my condition gradually worsened. I finally scheduled a doctor’s appointment at the University of Virginia, and I was immediately admitted to the hospital. I was devastated. Although I always knew my health could deteriorate, for some reason at age 23 you feel invincible. I was newly married and starting a new life. Hospitalizations were simply not part of that picture.

Sadly, my health never returned to what it was before. The next several years were non-stop hospitalizations, IV therapies, doctors’ appointments, procedures, labs and tests. Although I remained upbeat and tried to live a ‘normal’ life, I could feel things slipping away. When it came to starting a family, the road was difficult. We tried naturally for one year and finally decided to see a specialist who told us it was not possible for me to have a healthy pregnancy. My world came crashing down. My health was worsening and my dream of becoming a mother was shattered. My dreams were being taken away.

God has always put amazing people in my life. One of those is my childhood best friend, Jennifer. We were both seven years old when her family moved in down the street from us. I had no idea then just how dear of a friend she would be. Fast forward to December 2009 after receiving the devastating news about not being able to have children. I was on the phone with Jennifer updating her about our progress with adoption. Jennifer asked me if she could be our gestational carrier. Wow. In May 2010 we implanted our embryo and Jennifer was pregnant with our miracle baby.

February 2011, on our third wedding anniversary, Taylor Mae was born. My dream came! I was finally a mother. As many mothers know, pregnancy takes a toll on your body, which I did not experience. But motherhood also takes a toll. In 2012, I began the preliminary tests for my first transplant evaluation. It was concluded I was too healthy to be listed for new lungs, but it was something we should start thinking about. In 2013, we decided to move my care to the Johns Hopkins Adult CF Clinic. I was followed carefully there; the reality of transplant started to take hold.

My health continued to decline. I soaked up every moment I had at home with my beautiful baby girl. After a very rough year in 2015, my medical team decided it was time to begin serious discussions about transplant. I was in and out of the hospital, spending months on IVs, and my lung function was down in the 20s. In 2016, I started pulmonary rehabilitation to get myself in the best shape I could, and in July I was officially listed for a bi-lateral lung transplant. There is immense anxiety and fear that comes with being listed for a transplant. There was so much I wanted to do first. The week before being listed we moved into a new home. And just three weeks later, Taylor would be starting kindergarten. There was simply so much to do.

Yet again, life was out of my control. Three weeks after being listed I was called for a new set of lungs. It was the night before Taylor’s first day of kindergarten. I had just put her to bed. After a missed call and a text, we threw together what we could and headed to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. That night I received a beautiful set of healthy lungs. My seven-hour surgery was a success. My medical team was amazing. They were able to send me home just eight days after my life-saving transplant, and for the first time in my life … I took long, deep breaths. Never had I known my normal was not normal.

I wish I could say everything from then on was easy. I traded one health issue for another. I continue to be on a lot of medications, endure lots of tests and lab work. Doctors’ appointments continued and even some hospitalizations. Sadly my marriage ended and life was not as perfect as I thought it would be post transplant. But I am alive. I am breathing and loving every minute. I am able to work and provide a good life for my daughter. I am able to enjoy sunny rays on a summer day and relish the taste of a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning. My life and transplant journey are intertwined and I cannot wait to see what comes next on this journey. 

Kristen attributes a big part of her successful transplant journey to date to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA). “COTA completely understands that a transplant, of any kind, is a journey,” Kristen said. “Many people understand the difficulties associated with getting a transplant and the long road to recovery, but very few understand it does not end there. COTA is with a transplant family every step along the way … it is what makes this amazing organization so vital to anyone on a transplant journey.”

Kristen learned about COTA when she had her official transplant evaluation at Johns Hopkins. A transplant social worker talked to her about the myriad of transplant-related expenses associated with a double lung transplant and suggested Kristen reach out to COTA to see how they might be able to help. Kristen remembers the social worker telling her a transplant carries with it an emotional, physical and monetary burden; therefore, she was eager to learn more about COTA. Kristen had an uplifting and hope-filled call with a COTA staff member. She completed and submitted the necessary paperwork and in late May 2016 the Jagodowski family officially became part of the COTA Family.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) uniquely understands that parents who care for a child or young adult before, during and after a life-saving transplant have enough to deal with, so COTA’s model shifts the responsibility for fundraising to a team of trained volunteers. COTA is a 501(c)3 charity so all contributions to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and COTA funds are available for a lifetime of transplant-related expenses.On July 26, 2016, a COTA fundraising specialist trained the family’s large group of volunteers at the family’s beloved home church. The COTA staff member talked to the team of volunteers about COTA’s fundraising process and shared information about fundraising templates, fundraising guidance and the no-cost website they would be given for fundraising and promoting the family’s story. This group of family and friends quickly got to work organizing fundraisers for COTA in honor of Kristen J to help with mounting transplant-related expenses. Working nonstop they planned and implemented creative COTA fundraisers that generated more than $40,000 for transplant-related expenses.

“Once we met with COTA a huge weight was lifted,” Kristen said. “COTA provided great advice on how to raise money, continually tracked the team’s progress and offered ongoing encouragement, shared helpful campaign materials and tech support … all of the things that were necessary for the volunteers to gain the support and confidence of our community. COTA was simply amazing in helping the volunteers know exactly what to do and to get going raising funds for transplant-related expenses.”

Every day Kristen is excited to wake up and see what blessings the day will bring. She loves life and is living it to its fullest each and every day. When she thinks about her favorite things, the top of her list is her daughter, Taylor. She also loves spending time with her friends and family, watching the television show, “Friends” and drinking Mountain Dew and coffee.

“My hope for the future is to live a long and healthy life with my daughter at my side enjoying all of my favorite things. I am now almost five years post transplant and COTA is still on this journey with me. Doctors’ appointments, medications, procedures, travel expenses are all part of my life and all of those come with a cost. The transplant-related bills do not stop. I am so thankful COTA’s support and guidance continues to be a vital part of my journey, relieving the financial stress still today. What a blessing it is to know COTA will continue to help me breathe easier and give me HOPE … for a lifetime.”

She continued, “COTA has been such a blessing for me in many ways and I am so very thankful for all they do. Even with the uncertainty in our world, it is good to know our family can count on COTA through it all.”