#thekaylamovement

New year means a new you! Tyson and I started our new workout program. We've been paleo for about a year, and our current workout routine just isn't doing in for us. So, after much deliberation, we decided on the Kayla Itsines Workout.

Back in July I went to Chicago to visit my sister. She introduced me to the Kayla Itsine workouts and lets face it, I was just too cheap to purchase the program. Now, its only $70US, but in the summer, I wasn't working a lot and we needed to save every penny and dime we could.

Fast forward 6 months. After a very personal event that took a toll on both Tyson and I, we decided our bodies needed a good cleanse and the Kayla workouts were the perfect way to do it. So, who is Kayla Itsines and why are her workouts so great? First of all, if you aren't already, you need to follow her on Instagram and Facebook. The transformation photos alone will get you to sign up and have you committed before you can say bikini. Second, Kayla Itsines is from Australia. A fitness guru with fantastic results and a very structured plan, this girl has got her stuff together! And, I believe she's only 23!

***Kayla's AWESOME website and workout program!!!!***

Anyways, I don't know what it is about them, but those trainers from Australia are HOT and only inspire me to do my best and have a goal to work toward! So, without further procrastination (because we all know that's what I'm best at) let me introduce you to the world of Kayla Itsines.

She's a regular person. I know, hard to believe with THAT bod. She studied to be a personal trainer, and soon after graduation, found that some of the workouts left her with something to be desired. She was still unhappy with her body, and found there were a few things that she would like to change. So, instead of hiring someone like herself, she took matters into her own hands and created the BBG (Bikini Body Guide). Now, I know men probably aren't reading this, but this isn't just for us women! It's for anyone and everyone that wants to improve their body through targeted exercise and healthy nutrition. She's basically done the hard work for you, its just up to you to perform and follow through!

My husband and I have committed to her 12-week program! I've done two of the workouts and continue to be sore for DAYS! It hurts SOO GOOD! Anyways, have a look at her amazing website and join the movement!

xoxo

Jo

Chemical Peels: FAQ

As I begin to gain more clients for eyelashes, the exposure and questions about chemical peels begin to arise. So I've compiled a list of some of the Frequently Asked Questions about chemical peels.

What is a chemical peel?

A chemical peel is a form of deep exfoliation, and can help drive beneficial ingredients into the skin to help with skin concerns each client has.

Does the chemical peel hurt?

There are several levels of chemical peels. I like to see it as running a marathon. You don't jump into a race without training and preparing your body for something that intense. It's the same concept with your skin. So, we like to start training your skin in order to achieve the ideal skin condition for each client. The smaller chemical peels, the peels with a higher PH, do not give the warm sensation that some of the bigger peels give.

Who needs a chemical peel?

Anyone and everyone can have a chemical peel! From age 14 and up, all skin types and conditions can benefit from chemical peels. However, as mentioned above, all clients will need to be worked up to the large peels, with lower PH levels, driving the chemical peel deeper. If you have any specific skin conditions you would like addressed and taken care of such as acne, mild breakouts, dry skin, pigmentation, pregnancy mask, or blackheads, chemical peels would be a great place to start.

Can I come and get a series of peels and my skin will be perfect?

No. Chemical Peels can do wonders, when combine with the correct skin care regimen and quality products. Many clients don't understand that my job consists of 20% of the results, where home regimen, diet and nutrition are 80%. Amazingly enough, your Esthetician will be able to tell if you are doing your part of the work, so don't try to beat around the bush.

How often can I get a chemical peel?

Chemical Peels can be performed once every two weeks. As mentioned above, chemical peels are a form of exfoliation and it is dangerous for your skins health to over-exfoliate and receive chemical peels too often.

What are some restrictions I have when I get a chemical peel?

This is one of the most important parts - the aftercare. After a chemical peel, it is advised you refrain from exercise for the first 24-48 hours, as well as stay out of the sun, wear a good sunscreen, and avoid exfoliating and washing with harsh cleansers.

What are some benefits of receiving a chemical peel?

Besides a natural glow, a chemical peel will make your face softer, can drive beneficial ingredients into your skin, aiding in cell turnover rate with acne, killing bacteria, driving hydration into dry skin, and helping with pigmentation issues. You will leave with your skin feeling refreshed, smooth, and clean.

Have more questions? leave a comment below, I would love to answer any questions or concerns you have in regards to peels, after all, they are one of my favorites!

Cruise countdown- 2.5 weeks

I can't believe how quickly time is going. I haven't been as focused as I should be because I've been trying to increase my clientele for the spa. I have continued going to the gym- attending my cross fit core class for the past two months. Other than that, I really haven't worked out a ton- I'm a slacker. I've changed my eating habits- I only eat fruits, vegetables, and meat. I've cut out grains and no white flour- it actually makes me sick. I spoke with a personal trainer yesterday and it turns out, I am actually starving myself because I don't eat enough, or as often as my body needs. I found that really interesting. Once your body realizes you are putting good, nutritious food into it, it starts to burn the fat and use the food for energy. So that's my first mistake. My other is not going to the gym enough- I know it's been a change for my body for me to go at least 2 times a week, but that really isn't enough. I should be doing interval training and weight lifting. I should also incorporate grains- whole grains, quinoa, oatmeal, brown rice. I definitely saw a huge change in my body ever since I started eating better. Working out made a difference, but not as much as having a healthy diet. I am 2.5 weeks away from the cruise- I better kick it in gear.

Tis the Season- Giving Back

I absolutely love the holidays. Something about Thanksgiving and Christmas gives me the chills. Every year, Tyson and I try to do something to give back during this time- either to a community, or a family. This year, I decided to incorporate the business as well. The holiday rush is beginning- stores are crowded, Christmas Trees grace the aisles. Two things always happen- One- we forget to take time for ourselves- two- we forget to give to those that don't have anything.

So this year, if you bring in a bag of canned food, you will receive 30% off your service. The canned food will be donated to a family or shelter that is in need. This is the perfect time to try the lash extensions you've always wanted, or to get a facial to relax from the holiday stress. I love the holiday season so please spread the word- no one deserves to go hungry during the holidays.

Thanks

Vacation prep week 5

1 month in and I am finally starting to see some results. I know I haven't posted a picture of my before yet, but that's because I am so embarrassed at what I looked like before. Besides going to my core cross fit class twice a week, I have added cardio after the class, and changed my eating habits dramatically. I am a sucker for sugar and carbs. So whenever I get hungry, I automatically navigate towards the bread, cake, or chocolate I have sitting around. I am proud to say, I bought halloween candy last week and I haven't even eaten a piece.

What have I been eating?

Meat. Veggies. Fruit. That's it. I usually have a protein shake in the morning and one after my class to help recover. I use the Melaleuca chocolate protein with natural peanut butter in it. I get the taste of chocolate without all the sugar and added calories I crave so often.

Am I beach ready?

Definitely not. I am trying my best to be acceptable in a bikini before our cruise in December. I am no where near any fitness model, or NBA cheerleader, but I am improving myself each day and that's all I care about. I have noticed a change in attitude lately along with a change in my body.

I am starting to view sugar as a drug. We all get addictions- some are drugs and alcohol- but mine is sugar. It affects my attitude, my body, and my overall perspective of myself. Obviously I haven't given up sugar entirely. But, I have changed a lot of my eating habits and noticed a lot of changes in my body because of my decision. My jeans are starting to fit so nice- I actually have a somewhat lifted butt again- and my love handles aren't spilling over like they usually do. It takes quite some time to see a big change in your body, but I am determined to increase my time at the gym, and healthy food I eat everyday.


Here are my befores- please don't judge- I'm definitely not perfect and my bathroom is most definitely a mess :) These were taken before I started working out more and eating differently 5 weeks ago.

I took a few different angles in two separate swimsuits because they fit differently. 

I will post some pictures weekly as I remember. :)

Vacation Prep- Week 3

Here it is, week 3. I have somewhat changed my eating habits, but I have completely changed my exercise habits. I attend the gym twice a week- and I am also active on the weekends. The first two weeks I focused on my Cross Fit Core class I decided to join. If you haven't done Cross Fit before, and are looking to ease into the transition, I highly suggest Cross Fit Core. It is a 30 minute class that focuses on your core and building your endurance. I've loved it so far.

This week, my sister and I decided to do body pump before Cross Fit. Wow. Talk about a workout. My friend Jodi Stonehocker teaches the class and literally kicked my bum. It was such a great workout! After, we went to Cross Fit which resulted in us being completely exhausted by the end of the night. I have started to see results in my arms, and in my abs. My pants fit a lot better, and my legs don't look as bulky. If you are interested in trying out the OAC, feel free to check out the schedule here. Below, I have listed a few workouts I have done in the past few weeks that I found to be beneficial.

The KettleBell swing-

I love this exercise! It strengthens your core, along with the fronts of your legs, and abs.

Begin with the KettleBell between legs. Legs should be a little wider than shoulder-width apart. Using your abs and hip flexors, swing KettleBell up to eye level and force back down. A lot of people don't force the KettleBell back down, but you will realize it adds an extra exercise. As the KettleBell comes down, it should go between your legs. I do as many as I can in 30 seconds, with a 10 second rest- for 4 minutes.

The Jackknife-

This is another challenging exercise that is great to do after running a lap around the track. 

As you approach your lap, immediately get on the floor and lay flat on your back. Bring your entire body up into a V shape, and back to starting position. Do as many as you can in a one minute time frame. This is great to increase your cardio and endurance. 

One last exercise I love- 

SlamBall- 

I have a love-hate relationship with this exercise. Start with a SlamBall around 20 pounds. This way you can work up to it. A SlamBall is similar to a medicine ball, but does not bounce, and is full of something similar to sand. 

Start in a deep squatting position- bring SlamBall up towards the ceiling, while allowing yourself to stand completely. Throw SlamBall down to floor, quickly going into a squatting position in order to catch it after it slightly bounces. Continue for 30 seconds with 10 second rest. This exercise is perfect for endurance, building your glutes, legs, and abs. 

Overall, this is a great workout in and of itself. I've enjoyed my routine thus far, and look forward to adding in some cardio and more classes soon! 

Week 1

OK, I really am going to start this week. The past few weeks have been crazy. So, I decided to sign up for a crossfit core class that engages your core, along with some cardio and muscle building. I figure this is the first step to success. The class is twice a week- 30 minutes. Doesn't sound hard right? WRONG. I, along with every other person in the class, can hardly breathe at the end of the class. I will be posting some before pictures soon- I just hope I can get a significant difference so the before and after pictures don't look the same :)

Corrective Skin Care

It's October! The leaves are changing, the smell of football season is in the crisp, cool air, and it is finally the right time to start correcting your skin! Through out the years, sun damage, free radicals, acne, and the environment/pollution have all taken a toll on our skin. We all want the beautiful, glowing skin we see on models and movie-stars. Why not take the time to achieve it? We are just leaving the summer months- months of being at the pool, wake-boarding at the lake, going on road trips, and even doing some yard work. Now is the perfect time for a deep exfoliation- a chemical peel.


Let's start with Free Radicals- what the heck are they? If you want a deep understanding, click here. Long story short, they are the molecules that don't have a buddy and can cause damage to your skin. How do you prevent free radicals from damaging your skin? Antioxidants! Antioxidants can be introduced to the skin in a number of ways- proper skin care, and chemical peels. Antioxidants are good for the body, so of coarse they are great for the skin. They give the skin the needed vitamins it needs in order to protect itself from free radicals in the atmosphere. Where do you get such antioxidants? A great skin care regimen and chemical peels.

Sun damage- this has been huge in the media as of late. It's a constant broken record of 'stay out of the sun', 'wear a good sunscreen', 'wear a hat'. But what happens when you didn't do any of those things and now you have freckles, brown spots, age spots all over your face? You guessed it- A chemical peel can help with that! Along with a great skin care regimen, a chemical peel can help lighten the brown spots you have on your face that can become cancerous. A chemical peel can also help with the cell turnover rate increasing your skins nutrition and increasing the anti-oxidants your skin receives.  Obviously I'm not here to treat cancer, so if you have a questionable spot, please, go see a dermatologist!

Acne- most of us had acne some point in our lives. Whether it be a smaller grade that consisted of black heads and minor pustules, or if it was deep, cystic acne that oozed puss upon movement of the skin. This is one of the primary reasons I wanted to get into skin care. I suffered from acne has a teenager, resulting in acne scars on my forehead. These weren't the regular white scars- they were red and purple- popping out like a sore thumb. After visiting a dermatologist, I was told to use 3 different prescriptions- none of which completely cleared up my skin without harsh side-effects- i.e. sensitivity to sun, upset stomach, bleaching clothing and sheets. It not only scarred my skin, but it also took a toll on my self confidence. I have a niece who at the time was 17 when I decided to get into esthetics. She had grade 2 acne- numerous pustules all over her face, blackheads, and scarring. She was very unhappy. I wanted so badly to help her. Little did I know, a series of chemical peels, along with a skin care regimen fit for her skin type, would help rid her skin of acne scars, and clear up her zits- resulting in a tremendous decrease of acne and smooth skin.

Now, obviously I have given three separate situations as to why you would want to receive a chemical peel. I wanted to add my own personal experience with chemical peels. As I went through the courses of basic and master esthetics, I received numerous chemical peels, microdermabrasion, non-surgical face lifts, facials- you name it, I had it. It was the last chemical peel of the class- we experience each and every chemical peel we perform in order to relate with the client- I had a 'mac daddy peel'. Of coarse this peel you have to prepare for- being on a solid skin care regimen, having had numerous chemical peels prior, I was prepped and ready for the TCA. After receiving the most painful peel of my life, my skin was tight. The next few days, I would feel like a monster. My skin began to crack- sheets of skin peeling off my face- but then something came to my attention. There were a few dark spots on my left jaw line I never noticed. Having been scared to death by my instructor of possible scarring if you pick at the skin, I left it alone. By the end of the week, my skin became 'baby' smooth, flawless. No freckles- scarring was eliminated. I noticed the dark spots on my jaw line were gone. It turns out, as I went through the esthetics course, I developed a few zits on my jaw line- they were under the skin- un-poppable. The dark spots were scars left from the zits that had been brought to the surface and peeled off. Bottom line, chemical peels can help enhance the look and condition of your skin. A similar chemical peel pulled sun damage from my husband cheek we never knew was there!

Does everyone peel from chemical peels? Absolutely not. Depending on which peel you have, and what you are aiming to achieve with your skin, chemical peels can drive hydration into dry, sun damaged, tired skin, increase vitamins in acneic skin, and even give you a bright glow.

Since it is the beginning of 'skin care season', I decided to have my monthly specials centered around corrective skin care. Below are the specials I am offering for the month. Don't be afraid to post a comment if you have any questions! Chances are, someone else has the same question. Anyway,
welcome to fall! I hope to see you in my spa soon!

Introduction to corrective skin care:      $60

This includes:
Client consultation
Mini-Facial
Chemical peel based on clients skin


Corrective skin care package:                $80

This includes:
introduction to corrective skin care package
One cleanser and One moisturizer recommended by esthetician


Glowing Skin Care Package:                 $100

This includes:

Corrective skin care package
One additional chemical peel based on clients skin


Elite Skin Care Package:                        $150

This includes:

Client consultation
Series of 3 chemical peels
3 products to take home based on recommendations from esthetician
20% off next service booked at time of appointment

Today is the day!

I am so excited to get this blog going. For the past few months, I have been attending classes to finish up my Master Esthetics license. Along the way, I have noticed its not just my skin I need to be worried about when growing old, it's my body! That's why I decided to make Dancin Mangos. As I start my journey as an esthetician, I will be searching out healthy alternatives to products we use everyday.

I'm just like everyone else. You hear your friends say 'This year, I'm going to get healthy, go to the gym, drink lots of water, have a sexy body for the summer'. Well, today is the day. Let's do it together, and hopefully find a few great tips along the way. First things first. What's an essential building block for a healthy lifestyle, body, and skin?

WATER!

So how much water should you be drinking a day? The old saying of '8 glasses of 8 ounces per day' doesn't apply anymore! So how do you figure out how much you need to be drinking per day? Take your weight, and divide it in half. BOOM. That's how many ounces you should be drinking per day.

One thing I had a hard time with when starting to drink water is understanding why. Besides the fact that you start to pee every 30 minutes, water helps flush out your system, hydrating your entire body, ridding your body of toxins, and helps to nourish essential parts of your body like skin.

Need help keeping track of your ounces? I got some inspiration at my friend Mckinli Hatch's blog post. (Check it out, she is seriously amazing!).

Now, back to skin. If your like me, you have permanent dark circles under your eyes. I can't tell you how many magazine articles I have read stating I should be getting x amount of sleep, and using an eye cream. Well, I get around 10-12 hours of sleep a night, so that can't be it. My instructor informed me in the early weeks of class that its because my body is not getting enough, you guessed it, WATER that I have dark circles.

Trying to lose weight? Get that water going! Where do the toxins have to go when they don't have anything to flush them out? Into your body. Junk building up in your colon. Years of rotten food in your body because you aren't drinking enough water to flush it out. YUM.

As I mentioned above, for a healthy lifestyle, and healthy skin, body, and to feel great, start with water.

Take a look at the other benefits below to see how water can affect your life.