It’s almost May and that means ladies everywhere are storing their winter wardrobe and gearing up for summer. And of course that means swimsuit season. Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes so I’ve attempted to find at least one piece for everyone.
Sticking with the trend in 2012, the fringe bikini is still hot for 2013. I’m a fan of this particular piece because I am on the larger busted side and for me, it provides a little more coverage than the average string bikini. They come in all sorts of colors and can be mixed and matched to make a bikini unique to you!
Everywhere from Victoria’s Secret to Just Add Water, mix matched bikinis are all the rage. Victoria’s Secret not only allows you to choose different prints but also different types of bottoms from string to double band to traditional bikini bottoms. The contrast is super trendy and helps break up the monotony of the same print. A trend for 2013 is also the bustier top which comes a little lower under the bust so you’re not exposing as much skin as a typical bikini top and you’re making your waist look smaller. What a bonus!!
Cut outs are a clear trend for swimwear this year. They show just the right amount of skin to remind you that you don’t need a two-piece to be hot.
Retro inspired swimsuits are also a big hit for 2013 from the high-waisted two piece to the one piece. They are both equally sexy.
So in order to get into those fab bikinis, I want to give everyone a couple of at-home barre exercises. I have been a happy, happy member of Trio Life Fitness located in Bee Caves going on almost 4 months. I had been a member of the YMCA for about 6 years but since my kids are in school now, I can work out without child care. Trio Fit is so unique in that it incorporates cardio and interval training as well as Pilates and barre classes. I love the spinning classes I take but I super love the Pilates and barre classes. I have become so much stronger and feel much leaner than before. From the first week I joined, every single lady who worked there knew my name as well as the names of all the other 200+ members. I felt like I was walking in to the bar Cheers – where everybody knows my name!!! Every class and instructor is different and has different degrees of difficulty they incorporate into their classes. The instructors are SO helpful and answer any and all questions about nutrition and exercise. Trio Fit makes it so easy by allowing you to sign up online or through their app.
With that said, I’m trying so hard to get my sister to join but she has an almost three year old and barely one month old at home so it makes it very difficult for her to get up there. But she, like a lot of other moms, want to exercise but either can’t find the time or they just can’t get into a gym with the little ones. While there’s no replacing the instructors and the encouragement and friendships of the other members who do these classes, some of the exercises can be done at home as well. The cliff notes on barre exercises are that it is ballet-inspired and consists of small, isometric moves.
I found just a few of my personal favorites from shape. There are many more you can do at home but these are a few examples.
Targets: thighs, abs, ankles, and feet
Stand with your feet in first position (heels together, toes turned out about 45 degrees), legs straight, and hands gently resting on the back of the chair. With your spine tall and abs tight, rise up onto the balls of your feet. Plié by bending your knees out over your toes (only lower about half-way down). Straighten your legs (squeezing your inner thighs together as you extend), and then lower your heels. Repeat 20 times total.
Targets: glutes, thighs, abs, ankles, and feet
Stand with your feet parallel and together, hands on the back of chair. Press up onto the balls of your feet and bend your knees into a deep plié by lowering your hips as far down as you can, squeezing your inner thighs together (knees should stay touching). Lift up halfway (knees should stay bent), and then return to deep plié position. That’s one rep. Repeat 20 times total.
Targets: glutes, thighs, hips, abs, and upper back
Grab a dumbbell (2-5 pounds) in your left hand and stand tall with your feet parallel (and touching), right hand resting on the back of the chair. Extend your right leg behind you, pointing your right toes on the floor. Bend your left knee and hinge forward from your hips, keeping your back flat and abs tight, reaching your left arm towards the floor. Open your left arm out to the side into second position while lifting your right leg up behind your hip. Lower your arm and leg. That’s one rep. Repeat 20 times with the left leg, 20 times with the right. The light weights help build long, lean muscles with high reps.
What’s your favorite swimsuit for Summer 2013? What do you do to get in shape?
