SLB High Summer Playlist… @charlottedaywilson, @paristexas, @thecure, @teddywaxman, to @realcoleworld, @blackcountrynewroad, @jungle4eva and more.
Lauren Boggi's Summer Beauty and Wellness Staples
It’s high summer and I’m sharing a few of my favorite beauty and wellness hero products that I lean on as the weather heats up. Hero products are those that have changed my life, make me feel beautiful and that I honestly can’t live without. Feeling and looking beautiful is all about self-discovery and adopting what works for you, individually. There is no singular magic product but some really are next level.
Koniver Wellness Peptides - I’ve been on a peptide regimen for the past five years. They help me with recovery and just make such an impact on my overall well-bing. Koniver Wellness GLOW Peptides are next level. It has increased my skin’s glow, eradicated my acne rosacea, reduces healing time and full body recovery, post-workout. It’s an investment that’s 100% worth it.
Green Juice - I start everyday with an alkaline, low-glycemic green juice. I’ve named it the 6:15 and my recipe (and favorite at-home juicer) will be hitting your inbox soon!
Eye Cream - Shani Darden Intensive Renewal Eye Cream works. It’s on my face every day, twice a day.
Mask - I’ve been using Adipeau as a sleeping mask religiously since September 2020 and it keeps my face as fit as my body. It is an anti-inflammatory and prevents skin atrophy (thinning of skin cells), wrinkling of the skin, and loss of elasticity.
Tinted Moisturizer/SPF - Saie knocked it out of the park with Sunvisor, which is a serum, oil, moisturizer and sunscreen all in one. I have one in my car and every bag. I can’t imagine going without it.
Faux Freckles - I’m rarely in the sun but Freck gives me my freckles back without the damage. I love it’s build-ability and believablity.
Alkaline Water - I drink alkaline water everyday but I always struggle getting enough water in everyday. The Bodum Water Kettle changed that. It’s my secret to drinking more water daily. The sleek modern design looks great in any kitchen and you can’t beat hot water in less than one minute.
Stress Management Supplement - Moon Juice SuperYou is an adaptogen that I take every morning and it just makes me feel great and takes the edge off. I’m more focused and a better human and mom.
CBD Skincare - Happy Dance™ is a line of premium CBD products by Kristin Bell made with moms in mind and I swear the bath bomb helped get me through the pandemic. I love it so much that I’m on the subscription. It’s next level moisturizing and knocks you out cold and I use the coconut melt and body butter everyday.
Body Lotion - I’m obsessed with DNA Skin Institute’s Island Infusion Body Nectar. It’s SO dry here in LA and this lotion brings my skin back to balance and smells so so good. I’ve never met a lotion like this one. Thanks to Heather Nicole Skincare for the introduction.
HOW TO CONTINUE THE SELF-CARE POST-WORKOUT
When you show up for yourself and focus on whole health and well-being it really becomes a fulfilling lifestyle. A sense of equilibrium and overall calm in our mind-body connection is so key. Between work, family, social, personal development, and health obligations, our days zoom by in a hectic frenzy and it’s typically after our workout that we’re actually re-centered. Here are a few ways to stay in that zone and keep the balance going.
Epsom Salt Bath
I find that women often avoid self-care practices like long, luxurious baths and consider them selfish, a misuse of time, or overly indulgent. Have you felt that way? Well let me be the one to tell you: you totally deserve it. If I’ve had a long day filming and feel muscle soreness, an epsom salt bath and a book are exactly what I need.
Wine Down
I’ll often skip wine or a cocktail with dinner in favor of having one either during my bath or just before bed. A Ramona or a great glass of red - sometimes super light Pinot Noir or something spicy like a Tempranillo - helps me chill out and slow down. In moderation, polyphenol antioxidants in red wine like resveratrol have been shown to be heart healthy which is a nice bonus.
During this time, I like to stop any endless scrolling on the phone or working on my laptop and fully unplug. Some nights it means enjoying comfortable silence solo, and others it means downloading with Jordan when he’s in LA.
CBD
You guys know that I’m a believer. From oil to high potency CBD bombs, it’s in my life (especially at night) on the regular.
Roll
Myofascial release is so undervalued, and if you commit to a regular foam rolling habit the results are incredible. In the AM, I recommend rolling vigorously to stimulate blood flow and wake your limbs up. Nighttime rolling should be gentler, slower and over time it starts to feel relaxing. Personally I find it most beneficial to hit my hamstrings and back before heading to sleep. I’ll admit there’s a pretty high barrier to entry, since the first few times rolling can feel very uncomfortable. I like to find the points of tension as I roll, and pause on them breathing into that spot. Breaking up the fascia feels so good and therapeutic to me before bed.
Lauren Boggi x Vitacost
As some of the world heads back into lockdown (I lost my mind in lockdown…I didn’t even see this piece run on Vitacost’s blog, The Upside). Quarantine or not, Four Common Quarantine Beauty Dilemmas, Solved still applies. Bts of me tapping.
Lauren Boggi x Create & Cultivate
I’m grateful for my experience & to share my Seven Tips on Create & Cultivate: How to Pivot Your Career According to a Founder Who Bounced Back From Bankruptcy.
This past year I’ve received countless messages from people seeking advice on how to move forward, post-pandemic. Nothing is impossible, there’s nothing like a clean slate and nobody is stronger than a woman who has rebuilt herself. You can do it.
Lauren Boggi's Top 10 Fitness Tips
Everyday I’m asked questions about how to achieve a stronger, more fit, leaner body. I love helping you guys hustle and chase your dreams. Here are my top 10 re: body and fitness.
1. Fitness level reflects workouts and aesthetics is more related to nutrition. Combine the two for incredible results.
2. The magic that you’re looking for is often in the work that you’re avoiding.
3. Training the body and mind to work together in harmony will bring you the results that you desire.
4. It’s not just about cardio…Strength, balance, flexibility and rest/recovery are just as important.
5. Cardio increases endurance and sculpting is the key to increasing lean muscle mass and will assist with weight control. The combination is the key to transforming your body.
6. Don’t be afraid of building muscle and lifting heavy – it will change your metabolism and your body.
7. You’re doing it FOR YOU and to feel good in your skin not for them or in a bikini or a dress (those are bonuses).
8. It’s very important to live but your off days will absolutely impact your results even if you're on-point 80% of the time.
9. Being consistently consistent is everything. Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it’s from what you do Every.Single.Day.
10. You CAN do it. How bad do you want it? The only limit is you. Stay positive, have fun, and never give up.
Lauren Boggi x Travel + Leisure
SLB in Travel + Leisure
AGE AND FITNESS & WHAT I'VE LEARNED AS AN ATHLETE
I want to talk about the elephant in the room: Aging.
Peaked? Anomaly? Rare? Good genetics? Not sure, but I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. And since turning 40 I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been asked when I’m planning on slowing down. Or, if my body hurts. Or, if I’m “okay” doing what I’m doing. Or, omg Laur, I thought you were like, 30…how many good years do you think you have left!? GOOD years left? Honestly, I’ve been at this for so long I feel like I’m just hitting my stride. People’s comments always take me by surprise because I feel exactly the same or better as I did over a decade ago... and of course I’m still 28 in my mind.
As an athlete, I challenge my body everyday using my mind. We’re taught that we have a timeline. The truth is, we all age (and it's a privilege) but that doesn’t mean we have to stop moving. Our bodies can truly adapt to anything. Even age.
Physical decline is a really slow process, it's not a trap door. In my opinion, humans have it all wrong. You don't stop living at 40, 40 is a step up. You're more intelligent and wise then when you're 20-30 and with proper wellness, diet and training you can be even stronger. I truly believe you have two options. 1. You can train your body and your brain to believe in yourself and to keep going and it will, or 2. You can act like you have one foot in the grave and that physical decline will happen faster.
Unfortunately, in our society, age is commonly used as an excuse or talked about as a handicap. This reinforces the mindset of having one foot in the grave for so many people, versus allowing them to reach their full potential. I have always hated to see my clients stop believing in their potential because they’ve hit 40. And it drives me crazy to see how the media portrays athletes who excel at 40+. They’re only FORTY. They are still in their prime physically as an athlete because they work hard and take care of themselves. When I see the media talk about Tom Brady, Michael Vick, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Serena, Chellsie Memmel, gymnast and mom of two, 32... whether their breaking records or not, there’s always a number attached. This repeatedly reinforces the mindset that age is a handicap and makes it harder for most people to believe in their own abilities.
Fitness is almost entirely mental. Your body won’t go where your mind won’t push it. Train your body and your brain to believe in yourself and to keep going and you will.
SELF-CARE
If you follow The Program, today is a recovery day. Get your power back by taking some time to chill out and have fun.
SLB MAY PLAYLIST
Your May playlist is live and it’s perfect for going out, laying out, hanging out, and working out. From @common @rexxliferaj @kaistraw to @bigthiefmusic @mikelikesrap @damianmarley @jungle4eva and more. On Spotify, link in bio. I adore you guys X LB Photo: @cameron_hammond
LAUREN BOGGI'S MATCHA BEAUTY TONIC
Remember this recipe from April 2020? I still drink it almost daily and thought that it’s the perfect time to revisit it.
Spring in quarantine is the perfect time to establish (or re-establish) a self-care routine. Self-care doesn’t have to mean a luxurious day at the spa or come with a heavy price tag. It can be super simple. For example, I've been enjoying this Matcha Beauty Tonic every morning with my phone and computer turned off.
I love matcha. It provides a delicious nutrient-rich energy boost pre and post -Studio LB. And it has so many amazing benefits. It gives you the zip of coffee without raising your heart rate. It also keeps you satiated and works as a fat blocker by blocking the ability of digestive enzymes to break down fat, a step necessary for fat to enter our cells. So instead of absorbing and storing the fat, it gets passed through the body. Matcha is also rich in chlorophyll, which alkalizes and detoxifes the blood. By increasing its pH, the body has a better chance of getting more oxygen and nutrients to cells for healing. I notice that my skin looks more radiant and I feel revitalized when I drink it.
Spring Matcha Beauty Tonic
Ingredients
1/2 tsp. matcha
Choice of nut or oat milk to taste
1/4 tsp. ashwagandha (adaptogen/stress relief)
1/4 tsp. reishi (superfood/immune booster)
1/4 tsp. mesquite (superfood/blood sugar stabilizer and protein)
Directions
Scoop matcha powder (start at 1/4 tsp. then adjust according to your taste), ashwagandha, reishi, and mesquite into a cup. Fill cup with hot water, and then whisk in your choice of milk until it starts to froth.
SLB Meditation
Any wellness journey starts with the mind (you’ll always hear me say, mind over muscle), so I’m excited to take a holistic approach to mindfulness by incorporating meditation into your SLB routine. Meditation is scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety, and there’s never been a better time to give it a go and enjoy the moment.
None of us are immune to hardship. If you knew me pre-2020, meditation and me are probably two things you wouldn’t ever put together. Like many of you, I’m typically full speed, passionate, positive, and always moving. Not a bad thing, but being idle both mentally and physically has always been a challenge for me.
One thing I’ve learned over the past year is when things are stripped away and you’re forced to just be with yourself you quickly realize how unfulfilled you are. You can’t cover it up with people, events, a packed suitcase and a plane ticket, and indulgences like happy hour on a random Tuesday, or a sitter and a night out.
Movement, music and sweat have always been my medication (and meditation) but I started taking meditation seriously when I had my first - and thankfully only - anxiety attack last fall. I’ve never been “a worrier” so this was all new to me and somewhat scary.
I spoke to my doctor and decided to give meditation a try. What I’ve learned is that to meditate is to be completely, choicelessly aware of everything about you and within yourself. How you are walking, working in your kitchen, the words you use, the way you eat, the way you move, love, talk to yourself, live your life, and how you interact with other people.
How did I start and what really works for me? In moments of tension I take a literal minute to chill out and start with a tiny reset that goes a long way. It’s called micro-meditation, which are mini moments of mindfulness. These moments can less than one minute, or one to three minutes of deliberate pauses of intention that really help re-center me. There are no hours of Om or sitting in lotus pose and it’s familiar – it feels a lot like our SLB Basic Principles:
SLB Micro-Meditation
1. Put down your phone
2. Pause
3. Relax your jaw
4. Slide your shoulders down away from your ears
5. Close your eyes
6. Take three mindful breaths
7. See where it goes
With practice, a series of micro-meditations can really become a lifestyle of conscious awareness and mindfulness. Be mindful, pause, and then connect and I promise you’ll feel more equipped to tackle your day and feel more grounded and alive. I’m excited for you to weave this and other sustainable strategies I’m working on into your SLB practice and your life.
SLB BARRE
We’re bringing back our barre work this month so grab a sturdy chair. If you’re familiar with barre workouts, what we do isn’t that. SLB is really quite different and two major differences are workout and origin.
Most bar/barre workouts are based on The Lotte Berk Method. SLB is Cardio-Cheer-Sculpting®, which blends the dynamic cardio of cheer choreography with the grounded and standing sculpting of cheer conditioning.
Most traditional bar classes do not believe in impact and we do - your feet will surely leave the ground. If you're not comfortable or not used to a more aerobic, cardiovascular workout, I suggest listening for my modifications.
Movement-wise, bar workouts involve a lot of small, isometric movements and most people will agree that SLB is much more of a dynamic workout-you’ll move around a lot in all of our workouts. Many bar classes follow the same general format, maybe with a few different variations, and all of our workouts are different from each other (literally) every week. You’ll rarely get the same workout twice. We also work with many more props, and much heavier weights.
So, I think that it's safe to say that the only similarity is that we both use a ballet barre within the workout. Interestingly enough though, the barre is used in an entirely different way (to condition for stunt training).
Because the workouts/methods are so different, I would recommend starting with the SLB Beginners Series.
TWO-A-DAY
My goal is to help motivate women to achieve a strong, toned, feminine body without going overboard. I want them to become their best selves - shining at their absolute brightest.
Whether it’s post-Activation, pre-summer, or as the world is currently opening back up two-a-day season is here. I don’t recommend training like this regularly (it’s not necessary) but I’m often asked how to ramp up your results and safely take on two SLB workouts in one day and how to best do it.
If you’re currently completing a full-length workout each day, I recommend tacking on one Quick Burn workout daily for four or five days to begin. If you really want to see your progress, I recommend following our 7-Day Meal Plan. Diet is everything, guys. You cannot out work a poor diet. It takes being constant, disciplined and focused.
You receive three to four new workouts each week, but you also have an extensive workout library that’s just shy of 700 workouts and there are SO many gems in there. There are so many ways to use SLB and at the end of the day it should work for you whether it’s your main thing or your sidepiece.
Know your Goals
Part of it is understanding what your personal goals are. From there, you can achieve your goals. For example, if one of your goals is fat loss, you’ll want to lift heavy during full length workouts (unless I say otherwise) and also choose workouts that target the large muscles of the lower body (fat burners). FYI: I create at lease two of these for you each week.
Make it Personal
Head back to a favorite or peruse the Quick Burn library. There’s no reason to fear mixing it up. If you've been adding your favorite workouts to "Favorites" in SLB, this is a great place to start. Search for the individual workout by name or under its category (Cardio + Sculpt, Sculpt or Quick Burn). Our workouts are always evolving, so something from 2019 or 2020 may feel really fresh.
Play with Props
Do you always start with cardio or sculpt? Why not start from a new perspective and search a prop that speaks to you? By beginning with something you love or maybe something you haven’t done in a while like a dowel workout, your workout will feel more personal, fun, and revived.
Program with Purpose
Each week I make sure we’re balancing the body with a mixture of flexion, extension and rotation along with incorporating both standing and grounded work. You’ll also notice equal balance of weighted work, cardio and sculpt. Grouping movement together by function and purpose helps to give more context to the week. Once you start balancing things in this way, you’ll see what you have too much or too little of. Doing too much cardio or repeating the same workout everyday won’t get you very far or do you much good.
When you work from a place of balance, your weekly schedule will feel purposeful. If you don't want to think too hard, you can repeat an entire week from a previous month. I do my best to make sure nothing goes untouched, under or over-worked in a particular week, so you know it's always a safe bet to follow a full week.
Less can be More
Quick Burn workouts really work in 30 minutes or less. With every workout, I make sure you are in the total-body zone so that you don’t create muscle imbalances. The art of programming can be tricky to get right, and it’s easy to overwork or underwork parts of the body when you’re DIY’ing it. When you’re not following the weekly QB schedule, make sure you’re choosing a Cardio + Sculpt and Standing Abs workout each week. Lifting heavy will give you way more burn for the time.
Elevate what’s Pre-Existing
It’s amazing how a few small tweaks can unlock your workouts freshness and vitality. Something as simple as working with a 2 lb. heavier weight or adding ankle weight can make a huge impact.
Let it be a Work in Progress
Finally, it’s important to allow your workout and your progress to be a work in progress. You have to accept that fitness and progress takes time, and the biggest visible progress will come from diet. It isn’t a race, and there’s no finish line, so try to relax and enjoy the process.
Lauren Boggi x Sunday Riley's Sunday Edit
Lauren Boggi on 13 Ways to Celebrate Being a Woman in Sunday Riley’s Sunday Edit
LB ACTIVATION TULUM
LB Activation TULUM 2021 - This intimate, five-day experience at Amansala will give you the girl-time you need and the results you want. Limited spots available. Details coming soon.
💭 MID-WEEK MOTIVATION
Thoughts to get you over hump day and into the second time through this week’s Ultraviolet, Upside and Sig. I hope you’re feeling inspired, lifted and in your power…
1. You can rise up from anything and recreate yourself. Connect with your energy, passion and will.
2. Don’t get in your own way and be insecure. Be confident and own what makes you uniquely beautiful.
3. Normalize the butt and the female body. You’re working hard, celebrate it!
4. Sell it. “Sell it” is a cheer term used when facials or attitude is exaggerated to make the motions or dance have more appeal. Smile through it - I promise it’ll upgrade your mood.
5. Just start. Start with a Quick Burn.
6. Progress is different for everyone so try not to make comparisons.
JENNA'S SLB PROGRESS
We love when you share with us! Read SLB member, Jenna’s story of progress and self-love during the pandemic…
This week marks 1 yr training SLB: 6 days a week + 12 months = 30lbs and 21.5” gone.
The past year has definitely been a journey of self-love and self-care, something I had neglected for far too long. I had prioritized everything and everyone ahead of myself. Ever since my kids were born, I struggled with the ever-elusive work-life balance. It always seemed that it was work or the family, but never enough time to focus on me. So when the lockdowns began in mid-March 2020 and despite the chaotic world around me, I realized I was being given a golden opportunity. What I learned in those early days of the pandemic is that the only thing you can control is yourself. I was working from home, all the kids activities were cancelled and we were homebound. There were Z E R O excuses for why I couldn’t focus on me. So I turned to something that helped me recover from injuries over a decade ago when we lived in Philly. And it has been one of the B E S T decisions I’ve made during quarantine.
My original why was because I could no longer wear my wedding and engagement rings because I had gained so much weight, they were getting stuck on my finger. After two months, I had achieved that goal and ever since, my whys keep transforming and pushing me to think about what I truly want. And while I love that I’ve lost weight, I realize that the number on the scale is just that – a number. It doesn’t define me.
I’ve learned the importance of prioritizing myself.
I understand the need to be selfish sometimes.
I understand the need for self-care.
I’ve regained my confidence.
Because if I don’t focus on myself, there’s no way I can be 100% for the people who need me the most.
Lauren's 7 TIPS TO LOOKING & FEELING CONFIDENT IN YOUR SWIMSUIT
Happy Spring Break! It’s time to shed the layers. Whether you’ve been homeschooling and haven’t moved much in the past year or you’re in the best shape of your life, SLB is here to help you move, eat with think with intention.
I’ve been in the fitness industry and have worked with (mostly) women for almost two decades. Each year as winter turns to spring women call on me when they want to feel their best and level up. As I learn about what they want to change about their physical bodies, I also help them do the mental work and identify what they love about themselves. More than the results they achieve with SLB, I love to help women build confidence and realize that their body is the most uniquely beautiful and the most amazing thing that they will ever own.
I’m a pro at making myself look larger and longer both on and off camera. If you’ve only seen me on camera and have never met me in person, I’m shockingly petite (5’0 tall and under 110 lbs.) but I’ve always been incredibly curvy. I’ve gone through stages where I didn’t love my curves and wished I was like, AT LEAST 5’2”, but over the years I’ve learned to really appreciate and truly love my body. I’m here to tell you that loving your body takes time but it’s not difficult to do.
Here are my seven tips to looking and feeling comfortable and confident in your swimsuit in 2021.
Identify and Own your Strengths
Instead of picking yourself apart or comparing yourself to someone else, focus on your what makes you uniquely beautiful. I promise that you can identify one thing you love about yourself and that will turn into ten.
Drop into the Physical
I like to use movement to break negative patterns and shift my mindset. The quickest and easiest way to upgrade your mood is to move. You can literally move the negative out of your mind and body, because movement can chemically change how you feel. Emotion is enhanced by motion, and movement can make you feel good, sexy, strong, beautiful and empowered. I’m biased but there is nothing out there that will tone and shape your body as quickly as Studio LB. Combining cardio and resistance training is key and even if you’re just doing our Quick Burn workouts, you are guaranteed results in as little as ten workouts. It’s as instant gratification as it gets.
Self-Care
Take a bath, apply a mask or a spray tan, and just flirt with life a little bit more. Love and the libido is a vital sign in your well-being and your body’s eco-system. I’m not just talking about sex. Everything in life is connected to the heart, desire and feeling alive. I’ve learned that love really starts at home – within ourselves. Feeling sexy (for myself) allows me to tap into my creativity, confidence, all that is feminine and ultimately - loving my body.
Wear what feels good
Forget about what’s trendy and stick to what you feel the most confident and comfortable in…and smile. Nobody will notice your insecurities if you feel good and look authentically happy.
Eat with LB
A few days before you’re planning on being in a bikini, drink plenty of water and decrease sodium and foods that cause bloating. It's not a case of healthy vs. unhealthy – choose still over sparkling water and stay away from raw veggies like cabbage or broccoli and beans which can cause bloating. I always choose anti-bloat options like sauteed greens and grilled chicken before I show major skin.
Posture Perfect
Stand up straight with your shoulders pulled back and down and with as much confidence as you can gather. Lengthening your spine out through the crown of your head is literally the quickest and most effective change you can make.
High Pony
Volume or “big hair” draws attention to the upper half of your body, balancing your silhouette and providing a distraction from any parts you're not in love with at the current moment. A high pony adds two inches in height and stretches you out. Even a sun hat will do the trick!
SLB Spring Wellness Staples
We’re tilting towards the sun and I’m sharing a few of my favorite hero products, superfoods, beauty and wellness staples that help me stay healthy (and feel pretty) now and throughout the pandemic.
What does “superfood” mean to you? The word itself may invoke imagery of kale and flax, but I like to think of it on a more personal level. Eating healthy is all about self-discovery and what works for you individually. There is no magic food that will keep you 100% healthy but some are really next level. Hero products are those that have changed my life, and that I can’t live without.
Olive Oil - I love olive oil and being Italian it’s the one food that I’ve grown up enjoying everyday. I’d bathe in it if I could! Just as olives are a superfood, high-quality olive oils are as well. Wonder Valley and Flamingo Estate are my favorites.
Alkaline Water - I drink alkaline water everyday but I always struggle getting enough water in everyday. The Bodum Water Kettle changed that. It’s my secret to drinking more water daily. The sleek modern design looks great in any kitchen and you can’t beat hot water in less than one minute.
Stress Management Supplement - Moon Juice SuperYou is an adoptogen that I take every morning and it just makes me feel great and takes the edge off. I’m more focused and a better human and mom.
CBD Skincare - Happy Dance™ is a line of premium CBD products by Kristin Bell made with moms in mind and I swear the bath bomb has helped get me through the pandemic. I love it so much that I’m on the subscription. It’s next level moisturizing and knocks you out cold and I use the coconut melt and body butter everyday.
Mask - I’ve been using Adipeau as a sleeping mask religiously since September and it keeps my face as fit as my body. It is an anti-inflammatory and prevents skin atrophy (thinning of skin cells), wrinkling of the skin, and loss of elasticity.