Friday, June 22, 2007

Les Mills Classes New Releases

Finally...! I think this time, my gym was the slowest in launching the new releases among the other gyms in the Klang Valley.

Here are my 2 cents about the new releases:

BODYPUMP 62
Music: Ok, not great but not too bad either. I like the songs for the warm-up (I Believe in Dreams) and chest (Rock This Party). As for the tracks, the "highlights" in this release must be the Triceps and the Lunges. I have been forewarned about these 2 and was expecting the worst. The first time doing it was always the hardest but it gets easier from then on. I went back to carrying 6kg per side for triceps since I started not feeling "so sore" from carrying the downloaded 5kg per side after a few tries. It is still one of the harder tracks but not the most difficult ones. Still, I like that it has interesting combinations of the usual extensions to pullovers and then the standing overhead extensions before finishing with 8 push-ups. Hmm..., I just hope that my arms won't turned too bulky from carrying the additional weight since 6kg is slowly turning into the norm for me now
Lunges: Again, started with lunges on the board (hmm...., seems to be a favourite in the recent BP releases) but it has something new. Backward power lunges with one foot on the step board. Although harder this way, I am not too concerned with power lunges. For some reason, I can take any form of power lunges rather well. *wink*
Others: I feel that the squats, chest, back and shoulders are on the easier side. Increased squats to 17.5kg per side and it was ok for this track Increased weights for back too to 9.5kg per side after a few classes and that was when it became more challenging. Biceps, although short (song was less than 4 mins) it wasn't as easy as I thought. For chest track, it gets challenging after the short break (but then I increased the weights to 8.5kg after the break). Shoulders not really difficult since we do not need to use the bar.

RPM
Overall impression: Feels that it is tougher than the previous release especially if the instructor goes by the book and plays the track without any breaks in between. The "star" is obviously the 5th track (interval track) with what feels like the longest ever 2-min time trail at the end. I got fooled by the instructor during the first class where the instructor lied (for her sake, she said it was "recommended" in the book) that it was only 1 minute instead of 2. So members were already pushing hard in that "1" minute which obviously stretched to 2. So at the end of it, I was barely able to breathe. From then on, I learned that the key to surviving this track is to pace yourself. Not too much too soon but yet at the same time, don't hold back too much. Track7 is also quite challenging with 5 mountain peaks.

BodyStep
OK music, I feel. Quite fun. Not overly challenging but still provides quite a good cardio workout. However, my mind always plays the late Anita Mui's "Cheong Ping San Pek Hoi" during the party track when the English version of this song plays. Believe it or not, this was the first time I heard the English version of this song.

BodyAttack
I really like Track 6, the "samba" track. Very gaya leh.... The first 4 tracks are pretty alright too. Track 5 (body-conditioning) was rather tiring with what seems like endless push-ups throughout the entire track. Ouch...! But the climax (Track 9) was a bit of a let-down though. Not challenging enough.....

Sunday, June 10, 2007

TAGGED! What is on my dressing table?

I got tagged by chloe on this beauty-related tag. It was fun filling out the answers! ;)

What Five beauty products could you not live without?
Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. Totally worth every single rave among the millions out there for this winner product.

Olay Moisturiser (with SPF for day) either White Radiance or Total Effects range. Been using this brand since secondary school. I would like to think the compliments that I got for my face complexion is also attributed to this...
Blush. I love Benefit Benetint (liquid), Stila Convertible Color (cream), Nars or Stila (powder).
Lip Smackers Lip Balm. Totally dig those yummy flavours! And so good on dry lips.
L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream. A must for my ultra dry hands.

What’s the worst beauty mistake you’ve made?
Can't really think of any (heh!heh! Fingers crossed!). Maybe over-plucked my eyebrow? Oh, maybe that time when I decided to go back to my "roots" and coloured my hair ebony black with horrifying results (imo).

What’s your skincare regime consist of?
Thank God that my skin is basically problem-free and rather low maintenance. My staples are my Cetaphil and Neutrogena cleansers and Olay moisturiser. :)

Daytime
Cleanse with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Tone with Institute Arnaud's Gentle Toner
Moisturize with Olay White Radiance or Total Effects moisturiser (with SPF)
Nightime
Cleanse with Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser (2in1 cleanser. Effective in removing light make-up)
Tone with Institute Arnaud's Gentle Toner
Dab on Institute Arnaud's Eye Contour care (for the eyes)
Serum: Thalgo Absolute Rehydrating Serum (or Olay's Total Effects Daily Serum is good too). Also like Biotherm Aquasource serum.
Moisturize with Institute Arnaud Optimum Hydration Daily Moisurizer or Decleor Delicate Soothing Emulsion

Favourite Beauty treat?
Spa! Body, face and hair. Total indulgence! But I don't really go for facials.

What’s your favourite beauty store?
None in particular. Usually go to Guardian for pharmacy brands and the usual departmental stores (e.g., Parkson, Isetan) for more exclusive brands. Occasionally hopped online.

Real favourites would be those in overseas (*sigh*) such as Sephora, Marionaud, Printemps, GLF (in Paris) and Bonjour & Sasa (in HK, not Sasa KL).

Favourite Budget brand(s)?
Olay, Neutrogena, Cetaphil and Palmer's Cocoa Butter (body lotion)

Favourite Premium brand(s)?
Biotherm, Sisley, Thalgo, Decleor (love the scents! Very soothing and calming!)

And what about Skin Care: Favourite Premium and Budget brands?
Premium - Biotherm, Thalgo, Sisley, Institute Arnaud (although considered budget in France(
Budget - Olay day moisturiser & Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (staples for >10 years)

And Hair Care?
Kerastase. Especially Kerastase Reflection Chroma Protect range for coloured hair.


What’s your ’every girl must own one’ item?
Sun protection. Either sun block or moisturiser with sun protection. Totally believe and agree that the sun is our skin worst enemy.

And finally, best beauty tip?
Water! The rule "drink like a fish" should apply here. lol.


Rather than tagging people, do feel free to participate in this tag if you like.

Friday, June 1, 2007

One of Those Days.....

Have you ever had one of those days where despite there is one million better things to do but all you wanna do is go home and sulk in your own bedroom?
image002
One of those self-pity days where nothing seems to be going in a way that is good enough for you. Bummer....