OK, if you can’t tell by my recent blogs lately … I’m attempting to get back in shape. Why? Is it because of my New Year’s Resolution? NO

Is it because I want my husband to think I’m sexier and younger? NO

Is it because my pants no longer look “great” on my behind? NO

Simply put … I dragged myself to my Internist at Cleveland Clinic Hospital and she gave me a physical with blood work. Guess whose cholesterol is SKY HIGH? The doc says to me, “it’s not enough to just take your Lipitor and eat right … you MUST exercise 5 times per week and get your heart rate up to 145 for 40 minutes.”

I think she’s crazy … but I am committed not to end up like my Dad with 3 by-pass surgeries, and 2 heart attacks.

Therefore, at 7 a.m. yesterday I did my 2nd ever-cycling class (yes, I got up to 22.4 miles in 60 minutes - and was extremely proud) and today I did my 7a.m. YOGA class with Alain. Now ladies, just going to the class alone and watching Alain will get your heart rate up to 145 – and you don’t even have to move a muscle.

You see, Alain is this incredibly handsome, Afro-American body builder who wears very tight short black yoga shorts and a sleeveless tight-fitting muscle shirt. Alain probably could take on the Dolphins football team single handedly without so much as breaking a sweat.

So you might ask, “And Leslie, what were you wearing?” I was horrified. I truly need to start worrying about what I look like crawling out of bed, forgetting to brush my teeth and my hair, and showing up to Alain’s YOGA class wearing college sweats.

And to make matters worse, my gorgeous blonde girlfriend (who turns EVERY man’s head) was right next to me wearing the most stunning yoga pants with a skimpy low-cut work-out top that had spaghetti thin straps and cut-out lace going down the entire back. I’m wearing sweats!

Time to shop till I drop … here goes:
Hanes Classics™ TAGLESS™ Boy Chic Racer back Tank Top in beautiful soft pink, lilacs, soft blues and black, for just $9.00

Or, get a sexier spaghetti strap camisole for just $12.00, the
Hanes® TAGLESS® Ultimate Stretch Cotton Camisole. Match it up with a pair of light gray or black yoga pants … and even if you can’t complete all the yoga moves, at least you’ll “appear” to fit right in.

Best part -- shop online and get FREE SHIPPING on orders of $50 or more.

By next week, my shipment will have arrived and I'm psyched to go!

Posted by Melody at 04:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

According to the Wall Street Journal today, William Lauder of the Lauder family who turned a skin-cream line into one of the best-known names in beauty - Estée Lauder Company – shocked the financial world (but I PERSONALLY can relate why!).

As the WSJ stated, The 47-year-old William Lauder doesn't hide the frustrations that led him to abdicate the post he had been groomed for, the one his father had held for 17 years. He describes being beset by family members with differing agendas, long hours and fighting the perception that his success is only due to his legendary last name. Associates quickly attributed his career trajectory to nepotism, people close to the company say. "Any achievement I made was because of hard work," William says, bristling. "I had to work twice as hard for half the credit, just because I have this last name." Still, William says it "isn't easy" to have board members who remember you as a child and can call you at home anytime. "In my job as CEO, I have a responsibility to all shareholders," William adds. "Virtually all my family members have heard that, even though they don't always appreciate it."

Ironically, fresh out of college, I too worked for my Dad who owns an international air ambulance company. I, just like William, had to work TWICE as hard (yet I was the company’s top producing sales person, and far exceeded a team composed of 4 men – all in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s (yet I was only 22 years old at the time). Yet, all the employees thought that my success was due to nepotism, not hard work. I took call in the middle of the night, often worked 7 days/week. I sold trips, coordinated and scheduled Lear jets, Gulfstreams, Citations, and turbo props. I worked with doctors and executives worldwide, coordinated all aspects, while also helping do marketing.

William Lauder and I both shared one thing in common – we both had Dad’s that expected perfection and who wouldn’t let go of the power or the control - and would call us in the wee hours of thenight to discuss business ideas or problems!

When Fabrizio Freda, a Procter & Gamble Co. executive, will take over the new reigns of President, I wonder how William Lauder will wake up the morning after. I wonder if he’ll be remorseful, sad, bitter, angry with the board, and most of all – I wonder how his relationship will be with the rest of his family?

My only words of advice to William Lauder … time heals deep wounds. I can proudly and happily say that after I made the decision to leave my Dad’s company, at first we didn’t even speak. But today, we are stronger, and have equal respect and love for each other. I guess with Williams multi-millions of dollars, he won’t have the problem of finding a “new job” like I had to do.

Posted by Melody at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you are one of the 329,000 woman last year that had breast augmentation (a boob job), then you probably won’t find this blog useful. Why, because perky, firm and upright breasts while lying perfectly flat on an exercise mat do not NEED super supportive sports bras.

If, on the other hand, you are one of the millions of moms who have breast fed, then this blog should be useful …

The key to a safe and pleasant workout begins with a very good sports bra. Ladies … do NOT buy a cheap, flimsy, intricate lace bra (hoping that some hunk at the gym will notice your sexy lingerie). Instead, concentrate on buying a powerful “boulder holder” and make sure it has “breathable fabric.” Yes, breathable fabric means that it will absorb the sweat, and not leave you with 2 huge wet spots directly center of your body (how horribly embarrsing would that be … you’d look like your milk was dripping).

I just bought 2 great sports bras online and got FREE shipping, both from Champion.
My favorite one cost me only $30.00, and is called the "No-Poke® Wire Sports Bra", with HIGH MCR® (High Motion Control) — to help prevent painful bounce during your more intense workouts. Plus, it wicks away moisture and comes in HUGE sizes (44DD) to keep you cool and dry.

My second favorite is the Champion® Everyday® Double Dry® Seamless Underwire Bra. The key is the two-layer design. Inner layer wicks sweat from your skin. Outer layer evaporates it quickly.

Ladies, trust me ... if you're dripping with sweat and truly excercising for the right reasons (mainly, to make yourself feel better and healthier ... NOT to simply impress a man) than do yourself a favor and buy a serious sports bra. It will improve your workout (I speak from experience).

Posted by Melody at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Jose yelled, “harder, harder, push harder … you can do it” and it reminded me of being in the delivery room. No, I was not at Mount Sinai Hospital, but rather in the midst of a grueling spinning class, which I had no business being at.

I’ve never spinned (or cycled) on a stationary bike during an exercise class. All my girlfriends encouraged me. They all said, “Oh, it’s so much fun and what a great workout.” Obviously, they were not “real” friends, or they would have said, “forget working out … let’s go shopping and out to lunch.”

Instead, it’s 7:55 am and I’ve now completed 55 insane minutes of my first strenuous spinning class. My friend Pamela turns to me and says, “How many miles did you ride?” I had no idea how to read the darn monitor … there were at least 10 different digital readings. I put my hand up and Jose came over, dripping in sweat. I asked him and he told me 18 miles. I laughed in his face. “Are you serious, or is that posh health club miles?” And he insisted that I had ridden 18 real miles.

I have never felt prouder in my life.

Fast forward to the next day. Every time I went to the bathroom, I screamed in agony as I attempted to lower myself onto the seat. Every muscle (especially in my tushy) was screaming in pain. All I can hope for is that tomorrow at 7 a.m. (Monday morning), I will once again muster the strength, the endurance, and most of all the will power to get back in the saddle, and ride another 18 miles … all in hopes of a firmer behind, trimmer thighs and well defined calf muscles.

Posted by Melody at 05:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)