Personally, I prefer to work out on my own. Most probably because I have not had much luck when it comes to training partners, and usually I don’t have a lot of time, so I cram in as much as I can in a short amount of time. A training partner seemed like more of a distraction to me than anything else.

But yesterday I had a great experience – Yesterday on my way to the gym I ran into one of the dancers here on the ship and she was on her way to the gym as well.

My workout partner is usually my iPod, but she volunteered to work out with me. I only had an hour available but I agreed. I figured I would give it a go!

We had the best time! She kicked my ‘bee-hind’! We had a great time challenging each other with different exercises and the hour went by so quickly, but Boy, did I ever get a great workout in…

Now you see, the thing is, there are two types of training partners. The first kind is the great kind. That would be someone who inspires you to do better than your best, a person who likes to work hard and who knows how to influence you and encourage you in a very positive way.

Then there is the kind who I unfortunately had to deal with in the past. They seem real eager in the beginning, but then when it comes down to it, you have to practically beg them and drag them by the hair to get them to the gym.

Then once you get them there they try to talk you into going for coffee instead of working out… Now this is not the kind of training partner you want to be hanging out with, nor is it the kind of training partner you should be.

A lot of people like to work out with a friend or a partner and I say, Go for it… but make sure you choose a partner who will help you, encourage you and inspire you, and not someone who is going to drag you down and make you lazy.

At the same time – you need to assess what kind of workout partner you are, and if it is the latter then you better pull up your socks and make some big changes… because you don’t want to be that loser partner that drags your partner down.

It can be really fun when both of you work together, and when you start seeing the results – and you WILL see them, that is the biggest pay-off!

So if you like to train with a partner, make sure you choose him or her right and make sure you support your partner fully and wholeheartedly. If you do that, having a training partner can be a blessing.

In the Hot Burning Body Workout DVD’s I am right there with you as a training partner to inspire you and encourage you to do your very best, so you can get the greatest results!

I had a conversation with one of the dancers on the ship yesterday that reminded me that now here in my mid thirties my physique is way better than it was in my twenties. Yet, as a twenty-something performer I was dancing way more than I am now and on top of that I use to spend just about the same amount of time in the gym as I do now…

So how come I can spend less time working out now and look better than I did 10 years ago?

Back then I was certainly working hard – or so I thought.

I was working hard and long but not clever… it was not for a lack of trying, but rather a lack of knowing…

See, it is not so much about the amount of time you spend working out but rather the intensity with which you work out. Not only that, but we often underestimate ourselves and how far we can push our bodies so we do the same amount of repetitions week after week and we hardly ever increase the difficulty of what we are doing.

You won’t know how much you are capable of doing until you have tried to push yourself to your limits. The other thing is… as a woman and a dancer I was terribly scared of “building muscles”… but girls, it is a total misconception that if you work with heavy weights you are going to end up looking like a body builder.

The real truth is that by increasing the weight you work with or the repetitions that you do even just a little, it will tone your muscles just that much more. And don’t forget that the more muscle you have, the more fat you will burn, and the more fat you burn the leaner you look.

Lean and toned… does that not sound great? Is that not what we all want? I know that is what I want. Lean and toned is so much better than skinny and flabby – right?

But now… you do not necessarily need weights to tone and shape your muscles… I am absolutely not against weight training as I do some of it myself, but I combine that with some very powerful body weight exercises that give me the cardiovascular benefits as well as the toning and firming of my muscles.

That is exactly what I show you in the Hot Burning Body workout… how you can get a toned, lean and seksy body in the shortest amount of time. And these exercises are put together in a very unique way and with great music. I give you everything you need to keep your workout interesting and challenging.

Don’t think you need to work out two hours a day to get that movie star physique you have always wanted…

If you work with more intensity for a shorter amount of time – you will definitely reap the benefits. In the Hot Burning Body workout I guide you through an invigorating series of exercises – once you know those, you will know what I know now and did not know then…

Higher intensity, less time – voila… the body you have always wanted no matter what your age…

As you know, or may not know, I am a dancer who grew up in South Africa… I have a little irony for you… hahaha…

A very short while ago I started taking Gumboot dance classes – not where… In Vegas!!! LOL Why is that so funny? Because I watched this ethnic form of dancing growing up being performed in South Africa. It is traditionally done by the miners… I never learned how to do it in my home country where this form of dance originated from but … Now… many years later… I am taking class in Vegas! How funny.

Anyway… I thought I would share this with you as I many of you might not have seen this form of dance. Of course I am a beginner and the way to do this is in a big group – but it is awesome fun and a great workout!! Have a good laugh with me:) Enjoy!

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Earlier today I was talking to my Pizzazz Factor clients about the importance of breathing to enhance your presence… but how important is breathing when it comes to exercise?

Well… you might realize the importance or even think it is a no-brainer – but I promise you there is more to it than you might think.

There is a reason why Yoga and Pilates instructors put so much emphasis on breath… and not just any breath – but breathing deeply and fully. Your whole body relies on oxygen to function, but once you learn to breathe properly the benefits are endless.

In the gym I often see the weight lifters hold their breaths or push real hard when they lift heavy weights… I cringe when I think what damage they might be doing by depriving their bodies of oxygen while they work out… not to mention that they can burst an artery with the amount of stress they put on their blood vessels by cutting off the oxygen flow… you can be so much stronger when you use your breath to your advantage.

Breath energizes, it revitalizes and it calms. By breathing deeply and fully you will get so much more out of your workouts. You will have more energy, you will feel stronger and you will have more control over your heart rate and your whole body in general. It centers you… helps with balance and concentration…

Some even say that the simple act of deep breathing can also assist with weight loss because the intake of sufficient oxygen also helps your body metabolize better and faster. Your body needs oxygen to function… and the more oxygen it gets, the better it functions. It makes total sense…

So when you do your Hot Burning Body Workout… Be mindful of your breathing. I pay a lot of attention to your breath when I teach and I sporadically remind you to inhale and exhale with deep, full breaths.

The same for when you are doing your HBB stretches… breathe air into your muscles… feel the muscle fibres opening up and lengthen. Breath is so very important when you are stretching. By breathing deeply and correctly you will find that the muscles will be much more likely to lengthen.

When you inhale… really think of filling your lungs from bottom to top, like filling a bucket with water… and when you exhale, empty your lungs out to make space for the brand new oxygen rich air. Whatever you do, don’t hold your breath! Breathe!

Breathe to energize

Breathe to restore

Breathe to calm

Breathe to balance

Breathe for optimal strength and power

Breathe for flexibility

Breathe for better concentration and focus

Breathe to get the most out of your workouts!