You have likely seen grandmothers doing water aerobics in a Florida gated community and laughed silently as they attempted to exercise “elder style.” This is probably what you picture if someone says, “water workout.” Fluid Running is a serious aquatic high-tech workout developed by certified trainer Jennifer Conroyd after she was injured and needed to rehab to run a marathon. The Fluid Running workout uses a flotation belt and Bluetooth, waterproof headphones that connect with the Fluid Running app in order to hear music-backed workouts, from beginner to extremely advanced, that are led by Jennifer. Your phone stays safe and dry wrapped in a towel or gym bag.  These workouts are performed in deep water such as a pool, lake, or bay. You do not travel during the workouts, the Fluid Running form keeps you in one place.

Who is a candidate for Fluid Running?

There are many reasons why and categories of people who choose to do an aquatic workout. Running in the pool is great for people who have injuries or are rehabilitating. Pregnant women love it because it doesn’t jar or overheat the fetus. People who don’t like to sweat have no worries in the water! If you have extra weight, there is no danger of putting additional pressure on joints since everyone is weightless in the water. Athletes do it because they can get a full-body workout and reduce the risk of injury. For those who want to lose weight, running in deep water burns 30-40% more calories than running on land because water is 800 times denser than air. For those looking to jumpstart an exercise program, they can go at their own pace in a beginner-level workout without the intimidation factor of a class situation. People of all ages and fitness levels can use this program as long as they are comfortable in deep water, and you don’t need to be a runner or a swimmer.  Unlike other forms of at-home gym equipment, Fluid Running takes up virtually no space. Its components can fit in a gym bag.

 

How does it work?

Using a special flotation belt, you get into the deep end of the pool (or bay or lake), hit “play” on your headphones and begin one of the Fluid Running workouts.  The workouts are interval-based and combine deep water running with several other movements that keep the Fluid Runner engaged and challenged.  While serious runners have known the benefits of “water running”, many complained about a lack of mental stimulation. Fluid Running has evolved the concept with Bluetooth, waterproof headphones, an app, and specific workouts led by founder and certified trainer Jennifer Conroyd that are geared for all fitness levels. The water needs to be deep enough so that your feet do not touch the bottom when you are running in the upright position. Once you receive the equipment, install the Fluid Running app, download the included workouts, and pair your new Bluetooth, waterproof headphones. All workouts are audio so there is no need to be watching a screen. See the program in action here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zarlxUJkDfc

 

How does Fluid Running compare to running on land?

In terms of form, Fluid Running and land running form and mechanics are the same. What’s different is the impact and calorie burn. With Fluid Running, there is NO impact. There’s no such thing as low impact running on land. Many of Fluid Running’s participants are avid runners, but running on land can cause joint stress and injuries. Fluid Running lets people enjoy the benefits of running with none of the harmful impact. Movement in cool, circulating water helps improve flexibility while cushioning the joints and reducing inflammation. Water also creates resistance, and uses core and upper body muscles, which is why deep water running burns about 40% more calories than land running.

 

What is the science behind aquatic running?

Running in deep water, combined with hydrostatic pressure enables the stimulation of metabolic and neuromuscular systems, followed by their corresponding physiological adaptations allowing both to maintain and improve athletic performance. Aquatic exercise can also play a beneficial role in an athlete’s recovery, helping to prevent as well as treat muscle damage and soreness following exercise.  Exercising in the water can help bone density: The resistance of the water just from physical movement places a demand on the skeletal system, causing a load on the bones. Once the bones are subjected to this stress they are forced to respond and increase muscle tension. This entire process results in stronger and denser bones. Overweight people: Aquatic exercise would seem to offer the safest and most protective environment for these individuals because of the buoyancy effects of immersion, which minimizes the risk of joint injury.

 

Cost: $199.00 for the complete system available for purchase on www.fluidrunning.com

 

Jennifer Conroyd is the founder of Fluid Running, a deep water running fitness company.   Jennifer is an A.C.E. certified personal trainer, a USATF certified coach, and has an Exercise in Medicine credential from ACSM. Jennifer is an accomplished athlete having completed the Ironman and has run 16 marathons, qualifying for the Boston Marathon 15 times.   Jennifer created Fluid Running after an injury left her unable to run in preparation for the 2010 Chicago Marathon.  She ran exclusively in deep water for the six weeks leading up to the race, and not only finished that marathon but qualified for the Boston Marathon.  Fluid Running offers group classes that Men’s Journal voted one of the Best Workouts in America. She was named a finalist for the 2018 Women in Tech Founders award. Jennifer is a graduate of Miami University. She resides in Chicago and is the mom of three adult boys.

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www.perfectimage.com

 

No doubt you have seen buzzwords like “all natural,” “hypoallergenic” and “patented” hundreds of times. But have you ever stopped to ask what they mean?

Beauty companies love terms like these because they suggest concrete benefits that don’t have to be backed up by science. In fact, as long as they don’t claim to change the body’s structure or function, companies don’t need FDA approval to market new products to the public and are not required to provide any research to prove their claims. These days, one would almost need a degree in chemistry to understand some of the catch phrases on skin care products.  David Petrillo is an LA based beauty chemist and founder of skincare company www,perfectimage.com  who wants to help consumers understand what this frequently used language means.

Gone are the days when simple statements such as “oil free” would suffice.  Perhaps the most common phrase is clinical formula.  As David Petrillo explains, “this has no real meaning.  It does not necessarily indicate that the formula was produced in a medical clinic as the manufacturers would have people believe. Clinically tested could very well indicate that the product was tested, but what was it tested for?  What were the results?  Essentially, this marketing claim is meaningless.”

Here are 10 more commonly misunderstood terms to watch for:
“All natural”
It doesn’t mean the product is organic or chemical-free. After all, chemicals are “natural,” too.

“Organic”
The US Department of Agriculture certifies organic food ingredients found in cosmetics, but not essential oils or plants used for cosmetic purposes. To carry the USDA Organic seal, a product must contain at least 95% organic food. Other countries have their own organic certification labels, such as COSMOS and NaTrue in the European Union and NASAA in Australia. Read COSMOS Standardizes Organic Product Labels to learn more.

“Hypoallergenic”
Think this guarantees you won’t have a reaction? Think again. These products can still contain ingredients some people are allergic to, including preservatives and fragrance.

“Fragrance-free”
These products may not have a noticeable smell, but can still contain “masking” scents to cover up ingredients with unpleasant odors. Look for the words “no fragrance added” instead.

 “Non-comedogenic”
While non-comedogenic products are usually oil-free and therefore less likely to cause breakouts, there’s no guarantee they won’t. In fact, many contain dimethicone, a known acne aggravator.

.Helps pre-mature aging.”  
Perhaps the most appealing of all claims from a consumer standpoint is this statement.  If a product truly prevented premature aging by affecting the structure of the skin, it would be classified as a drug and therefore would require FDA approval.  Manufactures circumvent this by utilizing the fact that sunscreens prevent premature aging by decreasing the damaging effects of ultraviolet light on the skin. Therefore, if a product contains sunscreen, it may state “prevents premature aging’ on the label.”

Patented Technology

This is a marketing term used to provide, sometimes falsely, a sense that the consumer is buying something that is highly innovative. But patents aren’t necessarily a surefire sign that something is groundbreaking. Patents are sometimes authorized based on a technical change rather than a scientific breakthrough meaning new combinations of ingredients or methods of production can be promoted as being “patented technology.” What consumers really want to do is identify what their skin needs and buy products with ingredients that are proven to effectively improve the skin in that area.

Maximum strength

This is a term used often by skin cleansers and moisturizers. But this is a relative term, and consumers don’t exactly know what the maximum strength entails or how the product benefits their skin more than the competition.

Hydrating

Products and consumers often use hydrating and moisturizing interchangeably, but this is inaccurate. If you want to hydrate your skin, this means you have skin that has become dull and possibly dry — you need a humectant such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin to draw water to the cells. If you need to moisturize your skin, you need a moisturizer that seals water in to prevent water loss. Today there are a variety of moisturizers, especially gel moisturizers, that have components that are both moisturizing and hydrating. These are good, but your choice of product depends on the individual condition of your skin. If you have extremely dry or dull skin, you may need one product that performs one function very well, rather than a jack of all trades.

FDA Cleared

The FDA has different protocols for skincare products that make cosmetic claims as opposed to those that make more medical claims, such as promising to increase the production of collagen in the skin. Since that is a body function, the FDA treats those differently than normal skincare products. However, the FDA just stipulates that the product being sold is safe to use in the manner in which it is directed to be used. FDA approval is not a credential that shows the superiority of results.

About David Petrillo

David Petrillo graduated in 2007 with a degree in Chemistry from Missouri University prior to working as a researcher in the cosmetics industry. His experiences in the lab led him to found his own company, Perfect Image, with a vision of making medical-grade peels and other cosmetic products more affordable.

With ten plus years of experience in the lab and equipped with the experience of formulating his own products to innovate the industry — David is able to answer questions for the media on a variety of cosmetic chemistry questions.

 

 

 

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Introducing REVY Skincare.  Mom and founder Meghan DeAngelis has always had a passion for skincare. When her one-year-old son was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF1), she was super vigilant about what she was putting in and on his body. The issue arose when Meghan was not finding clean, simple products to use on her son as he got older. Concerned about the adolescent years when NF1’s symptoms can increase, she took control of the situation and created REVY Skincare

Skincare products do not have to be complicated. Neither does the regimen.   REVY Skincare is a simple, clean, and effective system designed to take care of your skin with TLC and nature’s goodness. The signature clean ingredients include aloe, tea tree, grapefruit, witch hazel, lemongrass, and willow bark (and family love!). The formulas are 100% free from synthetic fragrances, perfumes, colors and fillers, GMOs, toxins, parabens, phthalates, silicones, and PEG compounds.

REVY is the whole package, inside and out. Revy’s founder wants to leave the world a better place than she found it. Sustainable bottles and packaging are part of  REVY’s philosophy to achieve a low carbon footprint. Join the REVYlution and enjoy this all-natural, simple system for all skin types that is vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly.

CLEANSE

• REVY® CLEANSE is a gentle, natural foaming cleanser plus toner that locks in moisture, exfoliates, and brightens while removing all traces of excess oil and pollution without leaving residue or the stripping skin
• Smell a hint of grapefruit and lemongrass, leaving skin calm, clean, and refreshed          Price: $29
• 

PROTECT

• REVY® PROTECT is a lightweight, quick-absorbing moisturizer that guards against everyday stressors, free radicals, and environmental stressors without clogging your pores. This multi-purpose formula protects your face all day while also smoothing blemishes, leaving your skin balanced and hydrated
• Featuring a refreshing lemongrass scent to leave skin feeling calm and refreshed           Price: $36

 

• • REVY® REPAIR night moisturizer works while you sleep!
  • This nutrient-rich formula clarifies blemishes, balances your skin’s pH, and reverses UV and IR damage, all while giving your skin the hydration and healing it needs
  • This moisturizer will leave your skin soft and calm while smelling a hint of tea tree oil               Price: $39

 

 

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Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular in recent years. Once only available to the rich and famous, these days it seems as though everyone is going under the knife to improve their bodies. So, what are the most popular types of cosmetic surgery to have and what do the procedures involve?

Breast Augmentation

There are different types of breast surgery available. Breast augmentation involves making your breasts bigger and these procedures are often performed on patients who are concerned that their breasts are too small, or they are not the same size as each other. Many women experience breast reduction during or after pregnancy and opt to have surgery then.

A surgeon will make a small incision under the breast and insert the implant. Silicone is the most popular choice for implants as they feel quite natural, but saline can also be used. This is quite a standard procedure for surgeons to perform and the patient can often go home the same day.

Liposuction

Liposuction has increased in popularity over the last few years. It is most effective in areas where the skin is tight and fat deposits are present. You will lose fat having this procedure carried out and you may also lose weight. However, the success of the surgery will depend on you living a healthy lifestyle afterwards. If you don’t take care of your diet and exercise, the weight and fat will go back on.

The surgeon performs this procedure by making an incision and then inserting a tube into the deep fat layer in order to draw it out of your body. It is usually performed on the tummy or abdomen but can also be carried out on the thighs, upper arms, or chest. 

Rhinoplasty

More commonly known as a ‘nose job’ rhinoplasty can be carried out for cosmetic reasons if a person does not like the size or shape of their nose, or for essential reasons if, for example, they have trouble breathing or they have broken their nose playing sport. As this is delicate surgery, you should choose your surgeon carefully. For cosmetic surgery Perth, Dr Peter Randle has an outstanding reputation, and many years of experience in carrying out this type of surgery. His cosmetic surgery Perth based clinic is respected and accredited.

Your surgeon will make cuts inside the nostrils and also at the base of the nose if the surgery is more complicated. They then reshape the inner bone and cartilage to produce a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Depending on what needs to be done, the doctor will use either a general or a local anaesthetic to carry out the procedure. The patient can often go home the same day. 

These are the top three types of cosmetic surgery that are being carried out at the moment. However, there are many other procedures available if you are unhappy with your appearance and want to change it. As technology progresses, more techniques and procedures are sure to be introduced to the world of cosmetic surgery. 

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Jessica Mazzucco founder of www.thegluterecruit.com

Throughout the last year as this country battled Covid 19, quarantines,  loss of amenities, and freedom, fitness routines were some of the many things that suffered. Sure, a privileged few had the time, money and motivation to equip their homes like full gyms, but most didn’t.  What resulted for many were more sedentary lifestyles and weight gain. As we all start to come out of a pandemic haze, many are wondering how to regain their pre-pandemic fitness routines, motivation, and shed “pandemic weight.” We turned to certified fitness NYC fitness trainer Jessica Mazzucco founder of www.thegluterecruit.com  for some tips.

TAKE IT EASY

Don’t overdo it when you return to the gym, your trainer, or wherever you exercise. You can’t expect to snap back to your pre-pandemic level of fitness right away. It takes time and must be done gradually. Doing too much too soon will overwhelm you, you will risk injury and possibly burnout

Safe Ways To Resume

One of the safest ways to get started is to try brisk walking (or some other low-impact activity) for a time span of 10 minutes.  Aim for a pace where your breathing and heart rate are elevated but you can still speak in sentences. This is called moderate intensity. Then try building up from one round of 10 minutes a day to two rounds of 10 minutes. You can do it all at once or break it into two sessions during the day.  Start doing this every other day and work your way up. If 10 minutes a day seems too easy, start with longer, but you should still move up gradually. You can increase the time, intensity or both if you’re up to it.  Ultimately your goal should be to do 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every week, unless you were doing more than that pre-pandemic.  If you can include some higher intensity exercise once you have increased your endurance, you will reap even more health benefits.

Schedule

Not everyone is a morning person who can be up and exercising at 6 am. If that’s not your circadian rhythm, attempting that schedule as a lifestyle will fail. Perhaps your workouts need to be scheduled at a lunch hour or post-work. Maybe it’s not practical for you to do 4 days a week but 3 is doable. Think about your life and the free time it realistically affords, and schedule in the frequency and times of day/evening that best suit your life.  Keep in mind that the body responds to consistency over time.  Results will be achieved more rapidly if you keep a regular frequency and pattern.

Beginner Exercises to Know

It’s also always a wise idea to make sure you have the basics down before easing back into a regular workout routine. Basic strength training exercises like planks, lunges and squats have many different variations in various workouts.  Make sure you know the fundamentals of these exercises. If you don’t have a personal trainer, you can google how to do them properly with illustrations, watch Youtube videos, learn them from fitness apps, or ask a trainer on duty in your gym to show you proper form.

Yoga is a great way to start an exercise program and you can perform it at various levels of intensity and in the comfort of your own home.  Stretching and other moves improve flexibility and strength. Yoga is also a great form of stress relief.

If you have put on weight

Many of us have put on weight due to the pandemic and that is nothing to feel ashamed of.  If you are resuming exercise with added pounds be mindful of the fact, that depending on the amount you have gained, this can place greater strain on joints, especially the knees, back, and ankles.  At first, it might be best to include exercise that reduces weight-bearing, such as stationary bikes, water exercise, or rowing machines. Once you’ve lost some weight and improved your cardio function, then you can add more walking or jogging to your exercise routine.

Warm-up, stretching and cool down are key

Your body can’t go from a full stop to a sprint. It must be “loosened” and warmed up. Proper warm-up and cooldown are vital for your workout in order to prevent injury and delayed muscle onset soreness. A good warm-up should include the entire body, even if the actual workout is going to focus on one area, such as legs or shoulders. The idea is to get the entire body warmed up and loose, and to get the blood flowing to all areas.  A five- to 10-minute cool down, consisting of light aerobic activity, helps the heart gradually return to its resting rate and the body return to its resting temperature. The lack of a cool-down period can lead to lightheadedness and dizziness, which is caused by blood pooling in the lower extremities. You don’t want to abruptly end a workout. You need to stay in motion while gradually winding down. Stretching is more beneficial after the workout than it is before because the muscles are warm and more pliable, which offers the best chance for maintaining and improving flexibility.

Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest thing to keep in mind is to take it slow.  For people who were in peak condition before the pandemic, it is human nature to want to “get back there” right away.  This impatience and tendency to overdo it, will cause injury. A year with little to no exercise is a long time and it’s going to take time to get back to where you were before the pandemic. After a week or two of consistent exercise, you can bump up the intensity provided you’re not losing form or feeling serious pain. Be patient with yourself in the process.

About Jessica Mazzucco

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 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.

 

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Hot Girls Pearls look amazing, I can’t wait to wear them this summer

 Hot Girls Pearls, are lightweight freezable pearl necklaces and bracelets that were initially created to provide relief for women going through menopause. BUT, they really cool you down for whatever life throws us these days. Women love it for pregnancy, if they just run warm or in the kitchen baking, cooking or even cleaning when you just need to chill out.

They are really a cute way to spruce up your look when cooking for Thanksgiving or the holidays – even if you’re celebrating virtually this year, you’ll look extra fancy on your family Zoom.

They come in a great travel pouch, which keeps them cold for up to 4 hrs after you take them out of the freezer. Once on, you get about 30 minutes of cooling sensation. Since you keep them in the freezer, they’re so accessible to you when cooking and make for a little self care element when you’re hard at work.

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The Selma-Blair loved bag that previously hosted a 120,000 person waitlist has just restocked in their staple colors of Black/Red and Natural/Yellow and expanded the collection to include a limited edition, Rose/Blush colorway.

The bucket-style bag is on sale for a limited time with a $100 discount making the classic colorways $420 and the limited-edition Rose/Blush colorway $701.

Shop HERE

The sustainable goods brand offsets carbon emissions for every order bought on their website and has celeb fans such as Selma Blair, Brie Larson, Millie Bobbie Brown, Kerry Washington, Rashia Jones, Busy Phillips and more.

 

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