Tom Cruise Loves to Row

I was trying to decide whether to get an elliptical, treadmill or bike. I mentioned that to Tom Cruise in one of our recent conversations. He immediately said what I need to try is a rowing machine. That response surprised me. Tom took no time in explaining to me the benefits of rowing. He said it builds muscle strength while it gives you a cardio workout. Tom says he uses one almost every day. The workout is far better, in his opinion, than most other forms of cardio and the results you want in toning as well as weight loss occur in no time. I imagined with his form that he knows a lot about different forms of exercise. Bodybuilding is not something I have done in years so I am not as inclined to do it even though I am starting to work with weights.


Tom Cruise knows me well enough to understand that I go for long lasting impact and time is important to me.  He said it is not as important to row for very long as it is do row very regularly. I started to look into what he was saying and I was pleased with what I read. I heard a rowing machine helps build lower and upper body strength as well as strengthens your core muscles. I also read not only does it strengthen them but it builds endurance as well. So it seems Tom is on to something. Compared to other exercise equipment, the machines are just as expensive. Many of the rowing machines collapse up so they require less storage room. Low impact cardio workout is important to me as I run almost every day and having a low impact trade off would be great. I like the high calorie burn of running . Tom feels the intensity I could achieve with rowing is different. Rowing is an intense workout that is adjustable so I could achieve the results I enjoy in less time than my normal workouts. I read that rowing burns average 600 calories per hour. There are lots of other celebrity rowing fans such as the Wolverine or Hugh Jackman.

Above is the same rowing machine that I have and enjoy. It builds your core muscles which has a lasting result on your health, fitness and overall body shape.

I love to swim and rowing in the pool is fun. Me enjoying the sun after a swim.

Me in my bikini

Tom says that some people have expressed to him their concern about the impact of running on their breasts. I recall when I was teaching at one gym the owner reflected that concern to me in reference to all woman. I am not aware of a scientific study that links running to break down of breast muscle. People who worry about it, might be pleased with this option as a great substitute or even an improvement from a run. I will have to let everyone know what I learn from using one. I have the Pro

One of Angelina Jolie's Favorite Lip Glosses

Angelina Jolie likes Urban Decay lip gloss as much as I do. My personal favorite is Vice Special Effects Gloss in Monarch. The gloss is fun and slightly funky. Vice Special Effects gloss can be played down using their more conservative shades like White Lie, Litter, Third Degree and Fever are very subtle depending upon the application.  Many of Urban Decay's gloss are brightly tinted such as Reverb, Ritual Circuit and Monarchy.  This little sample set I got from Sephora. I enjoyed it since it gives you a variety of ideas and a way to experiment with a few different shades for free.

The company makes a wide variety of colors. Angie's kids saw me wearing the Monarchy gloss over my blue lipstick and it became one of their favorites. In the selfie below I am wearing the Monarchy shade and you can see it can be subtle.

Even though the actress goes for more traditional colors in gloss and lipsticks, she is not beyond the reaches of a kid's makeover. We both have undergone the same process as we let our children apply makeup on us. It is always fun to see the combinations and allow our kids to create a new look. I have had a cat drawn on my eye with eyeliner. I had a unicorn makeup makeover complete with hairstyle swept up into a horn. My daughter greatly enjoyed that one the best out of all of her exploration.

I used the Urban Decay Lip Gloss in Monarchy. The hair stripes are Periwinkle Blue hair coloring by Arctic Fox.

As far as exercise goes, I mentioned in another blog that Angelina Jolie loves to enjoy dance for her cardio workout .She also swears by doing lots of squats to get gorgeous legs. Yoga for relaxation, balance and muscle tone. I find Shiva Squats are a great example of a complicated squat that combines Yoga and muscle toning.
More about Angelina Jolie and other celebrities in my other blog

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