It’s no secret that I love Lee Byung-hun. And it’s also no secret that I want you to love him too. I came across this workout/training video of the South Korean actor recently – and heavens, it was just too special to not devote a entire post of screen caps to share with our S.H.A.G. fans (Audrey readers). While the video caught moments of him talking (about what, I’m not sure), there was plenty of SHAG-worthy moments to go around.
Click and check out the goodies. And before you can thank me – you’re welcome. Happy Friday!
Natalie Minh’s Food Failures
ISSUE: Spring 2011
DEPT: Mind and Body
STORY: Anna M. Park
Talk about overachiever. Fitness model Natalie Minh is not only a three-time European Physique champion, she’s a photographer and has an MBA and a master’s in finance. So she knows how hard it is to eat right in a hectic, modern lifestyle. “The most challenging part of keeping to a healthy diet is time,” says the 31-year-old Vietnamese American. “The best weapon we have is better organization and planning ahead.” Here, Minh outlines the top three nutrition failures of busy women today, and how to fix them.
Beyonce said, "All the single LADIES," okay?
I don’t dread Valentine’s Day because it’s the only reason keeping Hallmark in business.
I don’t dread it because it’s another excuse for couples to parade their PDA around.
I don’t dread it because much like New Year’s Eve, this over-hyped holiday is downright boring. Spent either waiting in line for hours for a 9 o’ clock dinner reservation at an overpriced restaurant deemed “romantic” because they’ve dimmed the lights so low you can’t even see what you’re eating or exchanging the same ol’ gifts of chocolate, flowers and baubles. *Yawn.
And I am definitely not dreading it because I will be single on Valentine’s Day this year.
In fact, this is actually the first year where I cherish being single. I’ll admit, in the past, I’ve wanted to shake being single off me like it’s an angry bee but this year, I’ve learned to embrace the freedom that flying solo will entail.
Hence, I’ve concocted a bunch of great stuff for us single gals to do as we celebrate Singles Awareness Day or rather, Galentines!
Watch Obscure Foreign Films
Boys never seem to be good checking out truly great cinema- they always fall asleep or groan about it or what to make out with you through it. I’d check out these sexy South Korean films: Poetry by Lee Chang-dong or The Housemaid by Im Sang-soo by myself.
Journal
If you think about it, the person you will have the longest relationship with is…yourself. Why not make time for some self-reflection, journaling goals, ways to improve, memories?
Volunteer
Spend the season of love giving love to those who might not necessarily receive a lot. Volunteer at an elderly home, homeless shelter, non-profit organization. Do it by yourself because when you’re doing it alone, you’re not trying to impress anyone or prove how holy you are. You’re just doing it out of the goodness of your heart.
Bake
It’s time to bust out the pans and oven mitts and whip up some delicious sweets. You won’t have to worry about any sneaky muffin thieves who’ll creep into you kitchen while you’re not looking. I’d bake for ALL my loved ones, my mom, dad, sister and friends. Check out Sarah J. Gim’s mouthwatering site Tastespotting for more recipe ideas.
Work Out
I hate jogging with other people, no offense. I either run too slow and have to overwork my body to catch up (or let down my ego and beg them to slow down) or run slower as I wait for my lagging partner. Jogging by myself gives me time to think and meditate.
Throw a Game Night
Nothing says the more the merrier like game night where people of all types, singles and non-singles, are invited to show off their board game prowess. Just don’t be lame and make it a couples’ night or anything. My favorite games to dominate at–err, I mean, play–include Cranium and Taboo.
Day spas, tea parties, salsa dancing, there’s plenty of ways to celebrate your singledom. Most of us will only be single for a limited time in our lives. Make the most of it!
I don’t know about you, but home exercise DVDs are pretty useless for a non-athletic workout-phobe like me. I mean, working out is a huge chore, and when it comes to chores, there are plenty of them around the house (wash the dishes, organize files, read mags, give yourself a facial). Plus, you’re at home, so there’s no one busting your butt about holding that pose or going for one more rep.
Dancer Andrea Lin’s exercise DVD, Dance a GoGo: Sexy Nightclub Workout Ultimate Edition, on the other hand, is a whole different story. For these provocative moves, home is the best place to practice. Seriously, until you perfect her swaying, sashaying, ka-powing, you’re not gonna want to take this public. But once you do, these moves will have all eyes in the club on you, not just because you’ve got some serious dancing cred now, but I’m pretty sure all that hip swiveling and pelvis thrusting is giving your core one serious workout.
After all, Lin’s got “sexy” and “nightclub” down. She’s danced for everyone from Britney Spears and Madonna to Li’l Kim and Dave Chappelle.
And it’s not some boring 1-2-3 how-to. No, Lin pretty much throws you into the fray. So just go with it. Simulate, don’t imitate. Have fun. Let go. It’s a cool version of Christina and Meredith in the apartment after a badass surgery.
Here’s a taste:
Get ready to groove on New Year’s, or shock that cutie in IT at your office holiday party. We’ve got five DVDs to give away to five lucky readers! Just comment by Wednesday, October 13, 11:59 p.m. and retweet for an additional entry. As always, you must have a U.S. mailing address to win.
Good luck!
It’s almost swimsuit season and I’ve finally made it back to the gym after a five-year (yes, you read that right) hiatus.
Of course, I know the benefits of exercise (staving off PMS and depression, preventing osteoporosis, etc.), and I swear, I’ve been meaning to go. But other than that nagging in my conscience telling me I’m getting older, I’ve got to start exercising, I was able to maintain my weight thus far through healthy eating and running after my nieces. But when I strained a muscle in my lower back last month — just vacuuming, of all things! — I knew I had to return to the gym.
Marika "New Wave" v-neck racerback tank.
It helped, I admit, that I had just gotten some workout clothes from Marika. Marika specializes in lifestyle-driven activewear designed for everything from the gym to Pilates, from yoga to cardio. But it’s not just clothes for the gym. Their Balance line is stylish enough to wear around town, and their Miracles line features shape-enhancing, technologically advanced materials which help you look good while you work out.
Indeed, to my surprise, workout gear has come a long way. Balance by Marika’s “New Wave” color block v-neck racerback tank features a built-in shelf bra and is long enough to cover the dreaded muffin top. The matching yoga capri has a wide, slightly low-rise waistband and flat lock stitching along the side seams for a flattering fit. Other styles feature Marika’s signature “Dry Wik” fabric to wick wetness away from the skin, as well as removable padding and super breathable “Cool Max” lining.
Marika "New Wave" color block capri.
So now that I’m back on the treadmill, I wanted to share some of the wealth with you. Marika is giving three lucky readers not only a workout outfit, but one from their Miracles collection.
Think of it as Spanx-meets-workout wear that magically improves your posture, lifts the butt, controls the tummy and otherwise contours every other part of your body before you even take a single step on that elliptical machine. The miracle is in the construction — the piecing, construction and stitching — as well as the technology. Marika uses their exclusive two-way stretch fabric, Elasta-Tight, which provides body-enhancing support without any of the constriction.
So now you’re not only working out to get hot, you’ll look hot while doing it.
We have one small set, one medium set and one large set (each set contains one tank, either waist cincher or uplifting, and one tummy control capri), so just tell me what size you need by commenting below. You have till May 19, 11:59 pm to enter. (You must have a U.S. mailing address in order to win.)
Good luck and happy exercising!
