...This is Tii.[Tuesday]

I had planned to go to my Cardio Kickboxing class tonight at 7pm, but I didn't have the opportunity =[ Sometimes life's errands must take Pri-Or-Ity... 

Anywho....I didn't feel too awful because I did very well with my MyFitnessPal calorie counting today! I ate a bit under my calorie intake and had a TON of veggies + grilled chicken with Herb de Provence seasoning ( by McCormick- highly recommend!).... I think I've read somewhere that you need to actually consume closer to the recommended calories of your specific program to increase the probability of reaching your ::my:: weight loss goals... Sounds scientifically proven, so I'll buy it....

Currently- I am weighing in at ____lbs. ::Not going to share this number until I am closer to my desired weight! Haha! I am sure there are plenty of ladies and gents out that who feel the same way I do! 

On a positive note- I am happy to say I am starting in at 30 lbs lighter than I was a year and three months ago... 

So..As I missed my regular Tuesday C.K class I decided to turn to PINTEREST! What else?!

I opted for these fun workouts on my bedroom floor while watching last night's Being Human and Lost Girl episodes ::only on SyFy:: Bless the person who invented DVR and TiVo...[Does anyone actually have TiVo anymore, though?]

feettogetherthighsapart.tumblr.com

Gotta say- this is probably one of my very favorite- QUICK- workouts. Sometimes you only have a spare 15-20 minutes and want to squeeze in a quick workout. Maybe release a little stress after a long day at work, before you have to haul a** to your 2nd or hey-what the heck- 3rd job? This is definitely a good one!

Plus, these workout points and structures are largely what you see in a cardio kickboxing.. Jumping "Jack", "Squat and SQUEEZE", as my instructor says! Squat & Stick that butt out- Up and SQUEEZZEEEEE! It really works those glutes!

I found this doozey on there too. It's a good one, and like any workout is open to modification! I will be modifying all my Pinterest favorites later this week and sharing those in next weeks blog!  

As mentioned, these workouts are purely up to you! I use this second workout as a guideline. Because I have repeated issues of Patella Femoral Syndrome in my right and left knee's, I am not too keen on excessive squatting.Neither are my kneecaps=] And apparently this is an increasingly wide spread syndrome, sometimes referred to or recognized in the same category as runners knee, etc. So for those of you with similar circumstances, try my method:

30 butt kickers, 10 squats :regular- down and squeeze those cheeks when pulling up:, NO Plie Squats, 20 Donkey Kicks, 15 Fire Hydrants on both sides (30 total), 10 squats: regular- down and squeeze up:, 5 Jump squats, skip the bridges,20 lunges, 15 Fire Hydrants on both sides (30 total), 5 squats :regular- down and squeeze up:, NO Plie Squats and finish with a 1 minute plank & full body stretch!   I strictly avoid the Plie squats ::for the sake of my knee's and medical costs.LOL::If your knees start to both you, skip out on the squats and up your fire hydrants or Donkey Kicks by 10-15 reps. 

For anyone who has not done a legitimate 'FireHydrant' before- this is GREAT for love handle reduction and I PROMISE you- you will feel the burn! Every, and I mean EVERY, woman in my C.K. class dreads this portion of our workout.Plus, it comes towards the end so you know there is something to look forward to. haha!

Despite it being a bit hard after your first set of 15, it is a great stretch and awesome workout..I am hoping that over the course of this next month & routinely sticking to these types of workouts, I will see atleast a 1-2 inch reduction on my hips and the same for my waist. To quote R.Kelly "If I just believe it- theres nothing to it..."

So if you can put aside the image of a doggie lifting it's leg to piddle on a hydrant- you are golden!! and if you can't--- laugh through your three reps of 15! 

You can see my favorite Pinterest workouts on my

HOME WORKOUT PINTEREST BOARD! 

*Tii.Marie

MUSIC Monday ft. BROTHERS

So I may be a bit biased, but I wanted to start my new blog series with a focus on the band BROTHERS.

Check out their FACEBOOK Page

“Brothers” is a three- piece Cleveland garage rock band that is heavily influenced by the garage rock/blues sounds of bands like The Black Keys and The White Stripes while infusing the pop sensibilities of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Tom Petty.

Joe (guitar) and Shawn (bass), are actual brothers but aren't actual brothers (just blew your mind), who became friends with Steve (drums and vocals) in the early 2000’s. “Brothers” formed as a two- piece cover band in 2011;, later that year, when the band started writing original material and its sound was evolving, Shawn joined the band after opening a gig for “Brothers”.

"Brothers" performs all over North east Ohio. Its members have written, recorded and produced an eleven- track album that is for sale through Reverb Nation’s Artist Store. -http://www.reverbnation.com/store/index/artist_1838684

Tonight, Monday 3/25/2013, Brothers was featured on WHAY 98.3FM Josh's Underground Music Show! 

Find them on YOUTUBE! 

Here is a link to my Soundcloud where I happily recorded part of their interview! 

Take a moment to listen to this portion of their interview! Here are a few of the hi-lites for me:

Josh@WHAY: "That's awesome man! There is no better feeling then when people reach out to you, like "hey man, we really wanna play with you.... yah, no- I would love to get on a bill with you guys some day....come down and play in Nashville or we'll come up there and play in Cleveland..."

JoeBrothers: "I've got a couch..::laughter::"


SteveBrothers: "We have a couple shows lined up...Were actually playing at the 
Hard Rock... Do some recording..."

Josh@WHAY: "You keep writing good tunes..i'll play em... You keep writing 'em...They deserve to be played!"



Additional[New] OFFICIAL REVIEW* 

Brothers received their first official review from a member of the media. "You guys are the shit! That's all." Erika Lauren from the Alan Cox Show (100.7 WMMS).

Getting props from WMMS on air- personalities is AWESOME! Biggest congratulations guys! I'm so PROUD :tear: Big things to come!

Keep an eye out and be sure to LIKE their Facebook and REVERBNATION pages! It's huge that we boost these numbers, so if you like what you hear/see - PLEASE share!

New Direction.

3-24-2013


Lately I have been spending a lot more time deciding what I want to do, where I want to go and have been setting some new goals for myself.

Goal 1. Continue fitness journey and get to my ideal healthy place! 
----- I will be focusing a lot on my own personal fitness methods over the next few months and sharing details of workouts and recipes that are helping me / and sharing some inspirational bloggers perspectives as well!

Goal 2. Hone in on developing my career. 
------ Any and all that know me know how truly important music is to me. Seeing so many of my friends and family making their mark and taking strides to reach their musical career goals is so motivating. They are and have been providing me with such great insight and ideas on how to start and really buckle down on putting my own materials together. Confidence is key! 

Goal 3. Stay true to my blogging! 
----- Several of my college friends and co-workers have focused blogs and I have been quite scattered.. These people are so inspiring and are encouraging me to do what I gotta do:-P
Not only will I be focusing on my own personal makeup and fashion trends, but I will be incorporating a new line up of topics each week going forward! First things first---- MUSIC MONDAY! ::keep an eye out for some details tomorrow morning: This weekly blog will be geared to introducing YOU people to bands, musical artists, groups, writers, composers, etc. who are DESERVING of such review & promotion!! Not to mention- throwing in my lovely, if not undesired, opinion! Hehehe!


Keep an eye out for "This is Tii." - coming to you Tuesdays/ Thursdays 2013! Follow me as I reach my fitness goals and we can share motivational, inspirational, emotional quotes & support! 

Xo- Tii