The night of the party!

Yes it's that time of the year! Party this, party that, party party party! It's also the time of the year for panic, panic, panic! You read Rory's and Kim" Skinny Bitch, you read Jillian Michael's Master your Metabolism. But, you're still just not THERE! What do you do?

Well first off, don't expect miracles! But, there are some "quick fixes" that I've been know to use "the night of the party". Actually they're more the "day of the party" fixes. They're just a few "red carpet secrets" that really do make a short but significant difference for those last few hours before the party! First, the fixes will vary depending on the style of dress or outfit you're wearing. Or more accurately, the amount of SKIN you plan on exposing!

So, let's get started! If you're going strapless or a "little number off the shoulder" you'll want to workout HARD on the upper half! I mean HARD because in order to get the "pump"effect you have to spend some time focusing on the shoulders, chest, upper arms-front and back, and the upper back. Do exercises with free weights since they tend to give you the "pumped up" effect versus say a workout with bands or the like. If you want to burn some calories, try the rowing machine. It will not only row off calories it will really target the upper body. Push ups and pull downs will also target the shoulders, back, upper arms and chest. Take away: spend time where it counts, the upper body!

If you're wearing a dress with a deep high slit, pump up those legs! Legs presses, squats, add weights while doing the squats and do bicep curls to double your efforts and save time! Lunges, again try with hand weights to double you efforts, or running can really give you the long leggy look you'll love...and others will envy!

OK, now the food! Eat small meals the day of the party. Do NOT starve yourself since you'll over indulge at the party and derail ALL of your efforts! Eat your largest meal of the day at breakfast. Eating earl in the day will allow your body ample time to digest food and rid itself of toxins. Breakfast will also rev up your metabolism and make you less hungry throughout the day. Stay far far away from sodium! Today is not the day for water retention! Eat small meals throughout the remainder of the day. Stay away from high fiber foods ESPECIALLY if you usually don't eat a lot of fiber in your normal diet...it can cause bloat...and gas, two things that are unattractive at parties! Stay away from diary products, cheese, milk and etc, since dairy can cause bloating. Again, we don't want that! Fluids...drink water! It will help you to feel more satisfied hence eating less throughout the day but not feeling deprived. I usually wouldn't recommend drinks high in caffeine but today is a special day! Coffee, teas, diet sodas or etc. all contain caffeine. Caffeine acts as a diuretic which will help eliminate water making one appear less "puffy". Also, choose caffeinated drinks that contains no or low calories so they won't add additional calories. Remember, if the drink are low cal you'll have fewer calories that need to be worked off tomorrow after the party! And...there's still New Years parties to attend!

So, its time for the party. Take one last look in the mirror. Turn completely around and admire yourself! You've worked hard...with a few "last minute fixes". Now its time to enjoy...the party and yourself! Have fun! I know I will!