Featured Profile: This City Girl's Lost 70+lbs!

People who have achieved great health & fitness goals don't have to be people you can't relate to in some far off land - they are people just like you in your own neighborhood! Fortunately I live in one of the most amazing cities on the planet full of some of the most amazing people and I hope to bring stories of their many awesome adventures to you!  This is the first Featured Profile on Natural Beauty & Body, and I hope to bring many more great people just like this one!

Susanne Robb, after taking in her Bachelorette dress

Suzanne Robb is a native East Bay girl, and we share a love of music, dancing and cheese in common. We've known each other for about 13 years now, originally from the San Francisco music & nightlife industry. Known to most of her friends as Suzee or The Suz (also formerly Suzee the Cheese Ortiz) she has been a major inspiration to not only her friends and those who personally know her the past couple years, but to people all over the world that have followed her journey online, documented everywhere from her 10 runs this year to her MyFitnessPal profile. I was very happy and excited that Suzie took some time away from conquering the world to meet with me one day so I could pick her brain on how and why she's accomplished all that she has to be where she is today.

Before Pics:

First Race

 After Pics:

NB&B: Most people start their fitness journey with changing how they eat. What was different if your case? 
Suzee: I started with working out first because I figured it would help me not feel as bad about eating garbage. I was correct but not in the way I thought it would be. I found that when I worked out I WANTED to eat better because it made me feel better. They compliment each other.

NB&B: You started running first. What made you choose running? 
Suzee: I have never been a runner in my life. I never thought it would be something I would ultimately enjoy. I chose running because I know it's fantastic cardio for you blood and heart. I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. Now I do fun runs and rather enjoy it. 

NB&B: How did you first feel about getting a trainer? What were some of the things he said/ did to encourage you? 
Suzee: I really wanted a trainer to make sure I was getting the full effect in weight training. It's really easy to assume you are doing something right but end up not getting the full effect or injuring yourself. John was the best investment of my life. He pushed me more than I would have ever pushed myself. He helped me to see I am capable of more than I ever would have thought. He has been extremely supportive without Belittling or embarrassing me. He empowers me. 

NB&B: Why did you start changing how you ate? What were some of the steps you took when you took certain foods out of your diet/ what did you add? 
Suzee: I saw the movie "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead" and it made me realize I don't eat nearly enough veggies. So I made it a personal habit that at least 3 of my 5 meals a day had green veggies. I also cut out anything fried. That was rough but worth it. 

NB&B: What are some memorable milestones in your fitness journey? 
Suzee:  John was there for me in so many ways. He helped me to lose 70lbs. He was also the one that pushed me to do Tough Mudder. He trained with me and was even there on race day in a boot with a torn achilles. I never thought I would be able to do an obstacle course like that but I finished it even with a rolled ankle. When I started I couldn't even run a few yards. I did my 6th run of the year a few weeks ago and I'm doing my first half marathon next month. 

NB&B: You're an inspiration to many. What advice do you have for people when they ask you for it?  
Suzee: I tell people don't let the scale dictate your happiness. make sure they love themselves at any size. Otherwise it doesn't matter if they are a size 8 or an 18 they will never be happy with their results. Also true results take time and dedication. The weight didn't get there overnight, it's not going to come off overnight. Think baby step. Have an ultimate goal but look at it in increments. Need to loose 50lbs? Make mini goals of 10 lbs so it doesn't look so intimidating and before you know it, it adds up and you reached your ultimate goal. 

NB&B: What are your current & long term goals? 
Suzee: I have lost 70 lbs so far. I am 25lbs away from my ultimate goal. I want to be 150 or a size 6. Whichever comes first.

We'd like to thank Suzie again for her time & being an inspiration to so many. We hope to hear from her again soon, and give her a shout or follow if you see her online! :) 

Fitness Friday: 10 Favorite Workouts

 

To get ready for the upcoming transition to the website next year, I've had to go through quite a few blogs to gather up some of the best ones to transfer over. Here's a look at my top 10 favorite blogs for working out and exercising. Let me know what you'd like to see!

 














1) A Dozen Workouts, 10 Minutes & Under
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-dozen-workouts-10-minutes-under.html


2) Ladies Who Lift: Chest & Back Day
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/06/ladies-who-lift-chest-back-day.html


3) Summertime Ready: Yoga & Pilates
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/06/summertime-ready-yoga-pilates.html


4) Sets, Reps, & Weights: How Much?
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/06/sets-reps-weight-how-much.html


5) My Favorite Cardio Machine & Workout
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/06/my-favorite-cardio-machine-workout.html


6) Trainers Train With Trainers, and You Should Too!
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/07/trainers-train-with-trainers-and-you.html


7) 10 Minutes or Under Workouts
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/07/10-minutes-or-under-workouts.html


8) Shoulders, Biceps & Triceps
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/07/shoulders-biceps-triceps.html


8.5) 20 Minute Shoulder, Bicep & Tricep Workout
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/09/20-minute-shoulder-bicep-tricep-workout.html


9) Leg Workouts at Home
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/09/legs-at-home.html


10) Simple Core Workouts? There's an App for That!
http://naturalbeautyandbody.blogspot.com/2014/10/simple-core-workouts-there-app-for-that.html

What Goes In the Review Box?

... Besides a boatload of skincare. I do like to experiment with makeup, but to really find gold you need to try skincare products. 

Makeup - 80% of the time it's something I've actually worn out & about more than a few times. The rest are samples I get from various places, usually for testing purposes.

Hair Care - I have my usual dailies of conditioner, shine detangler, and pomade that don't waiver too much, but I like to try different things & add new products in from time to time. (P.S: That Splat! Hair Chalk was horrible.)

Tools - Facial sponges, cleansing clothes, eyebrow combs, what does what & what works better? Most of the time these come with other products, in sample packs, VoxBoxes, or in gifts with purchase.

The Randoms: That Tide To-Go was from a Bridal VoxBox last year. I usually get these complimentary for testing & review purposes. I tried the Tide To-Go on a pair of satin-feeling white pajamas that got some kind of dark brown stain while in the laundry last year. It didn't work. :(

Do I love 'em or hate 'em?

Both. It really does vary & I try to be as honest as possible. If there's a product I don't like, I'm not going to say I like it just because a company may or may not give me free gifts. Sometimes it does bum me out having to be honest in a negative way, especially if it's for a company I normally really like such as the case of my Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure review last year.

Too Faced: The Secret to No Makeup Makeup Palette - I love this! I've purchased this more than once. Great compact all-in-one to look pretty & refreshed on the way to work taking BART.

Real Chemistry: Luminous 3 Minute Peel - OMG. Hate this! I used it while in the shower like suggested. Guess what. The stupid mixture it exfoliates with doesn't come off your face! Or rather, any little hairs you have on your face, like your eyebrows, or the soft part around your jawline will have gunk stuck in it that is hell to try & get off. I still found some stuck on my face the next day! Don't try this product. Unless you're like a reptile or something and have zero fuzz on your face.

GlamGlow: PowerMud Dual Cleanse Treatment - Not too bad. Skin felt smooth after but dry, though that is often the case with mud masks I've found. Would be good during the warm summer months when skin is more oily.

Clinique: Turnaround Daytime -I somehow came up on two samples of this, and used it almost every morning right after cleansing/ exfoliating before BB cream or primer for some added moisture that easily & quickly blended in to my skin. Loved the Turnaround Overnight product of the same line too!

Fashion Design and Makeup Artistry

I've had lots of really fun times playing with makeup around fashion and design. Lucky to live in San Francisco!

 

Lots of these were taken place downtown and around Civic Center venues. A few of them were at Ruby Skye, which if you haven't heard of it is a popular night club that has grown into infamy. 

Yes there's me on the bottom right, photo by April Wise Photography. :)  

Here's Josie, one of my favorite models I've worked with...

.... And doing practice sessions at a photographer's studio below.

 Beach fashion shoot for Mia Swimwear....

 

Various test shoots for photographers, designers, models and stylists around the Bay Area...

It all started from playing around with makeup for shows in my living room, inspired by all the years performing dance and the countless hours I spent putting makeup on since I was a kid.

Skincare Reviews - Clinique, DDF, Laura Mercier

This is what happens when you get busy & distracted & think you don't have much to say. You end up with a bunch of products you tried & tested & didn't post about before you forgot about them.

Korres Black Pine Firming Lifting & Antiwrinkle Night Cream - This was in a big Korres Black Pine variety pack. I've actually really liked everything from this one particular line, but that's the only think I can remember since it's been at least a few months.

  

Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30 - Stuck this in my gym bag to try on after a workout. Remembered it was good enough to stick back in my bag, but forgot it after.

Philosophy Miracle Worker - Like most things Philosophy, it has been pretty forgettable for me.

DETOX Nutrient-Rich Purifying Facial Cleanser - Yeah..... Opened the bottle to sniff it & see if that would help me remember. Nope. I got nothing.

Alright now that we got the unmemorables out of the way, here are four great skincare products that are memory-worthy!

Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish - Thank you dedicated Review Box that I throw stuff in to review later though often forget about, because you saved me this thing that I love! *Makes note in iPhone Notepad to find to order later* It smells great and uses the perfect balance of fine granules that are small enough to be gentle yet large enough to feel & do some decent exfoliation. I used it when I was in the shower, but if I still had some left I would totally put it on my face right meow.

Paula's Choice Resist C15 Super Booster - Put this little sample in my gym bag to try out after showering. A little goes a long way with this oil, but doesn't have a greasy feel after. Great to have a burst of moisture & antioxidants applied quickly, all over your face & neck. 

Clinique Turnaround Overnight - I reserve nighttime to products that I don't mind if they leave a heavy feeling of residue on, because I'm going to bed & it's going to be washed off in the morning. However, this was pleasantly not the case with this revitalizing moisturizer. Clinique has been a favorite of mine since I was in junior high, and though through the years I've tried to dismiss it as basic, as old school, as something that was either for the very young or very old, it keeps coming out with products like this that remind me it is super awesome amazing and not basic at all. There are Clinique counters everywhere - go ask for a sample of this!

DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer -Was pretty stoked with my first DDF product: Amplifier. I used this Pore Minimizer as a primer too and it worked really well! Smooth soft skin slightly moisturized and ready for makeup application. 

What to Pack for Vegas - Or Any Quick Hot Weekend Getaway

 

Foot Cream - Gold Bond Ultimate with Shea Butter - You're dry from the desert weather and drinking more in a night than you do in a month. Take 30 seconds to put this on your feet & hands before you go to sleep and you'll be glad you did in the morning. 

Dramamine - It's not just for motion sickness

Natural Deodorant - Nothing super crazy, but that's going to be easy to wear no matter what you are wearing. Lavanila Deoderant

15 Hour Primer - Benefit Stay Flawless - Ladies: Invest in a good primer! If this isn't weather you're used to, you're going to be a sweaty mess before you get to the top of the hour. Make sure any makeup you've spent any effort in putting on actually stays there for a decent amount of time. Benefit has some of the best primers around. Check out the Porefessional if  you want something a little less hardcore, but Stay Flawless is a safe bet.

Aloe Vera Gel - For any possible sunburns. Also works good for a light hold in your hair, especially if you don't normally like to use something as heavy as gel, but want some unruly curls or waves to calm down.

Dry Shampoo - Oscar Blandi - Bottomless mimosa brunch, pool parties, dinners & nightclubs. Who has time to wash your hair all those times throughout the day? Get a good dry shampoo spray.

Travel Size Fragrance - Michael Kors is one of my fav. Don't bring the whole sha-bang. You'll be a very sad panda if it opened up or broke in your travel case. (Yes, it's happened.)

BB Cream - Too Faced Beauty Balm SPF 20 - Look for a great all-in-one that will last. Ideally you'll also want to look for SPF 30 & above.

On The Blog: My Itty Bitty Summer

I'm not sure what I had expected this summer to be, if I even expected anything at all. I had hoped to fulfill my New Years Resolution of getting a passport & using it, and I kind of almost did that...

First on the agenda was visiting my dear friend Lisa at what is almost like a second home to me now, Las Vegas. Originally planned as a quick day &1/2 trip to see Calvin Harris with her shifted themes rather quickly. Friends gathered to get a couple rooms at Mandalay Bay, and then Lisa ended up being out of town. We all still had fun of course, and I hope to see her soon.

Met up with an old friend that I haven't hung out with in years, thinking we'd grab some food after work and catch up a bit, maybe grabbing a drink or two before going home. Six hours and random Grand Mariner bottle service later, we quickly remembered how much fun we used to have together, and definitely plan to hang out more!

What's that? It's PRIDE in San Francisco! 

Last weekend of June every year the city turns into an uber happy partying rainbow where everyone comes out to play! 

I did it! New Years Resolution fulfilled! Well, part of it. A month prior I had to public transit a couple hours to get a certified copy of my birth certificate to get my passport for the first time. Now all I have to do is use it! Icing on the cake is that I am happy with my picture, thank god.

Then came Forth of July! SUPER happy I got to spend it with a few of my favorite home girls, all of which who make it very tempting to move to Sacramento. Yes, all three of them live in Sacramento! I don't know if that is a blessing or a curse, but I love them all! BBQ Pool Party in effect, with fireworks being set off for over two solid hours. Seriously awesome.

Here is a really cure picture of one of my longtime friends, Renee. We've been friends since 11 years old, entering sixth grade together. We are highly responsible for the nicknames both of us answer to til this day. Isn't she cute?!?

July also brings something I wait all year for: The Gilroy Garlic Festival! I super geek out on all the art, and food (and of course, the wine tent). It's a tradition of my friend Carlos and I to go every year now together since 2007. We also share in the joy of wine, like this 2004 Paul Hobbs LaGarto merlot. 

As I mentioned, I *almost* fulfilled my New Years Resolution, since I had to delay going out of the country until mid-September. I did want to take a few days away before starting Fall Semester to have a little me time and to visit my mom in Oregon. Where do I go for me time? Las Vegas of course! Solo trip this time for a day, 90% vacation courtesy of MyVegas slots. My Basis Peak fitness tracker shows how much Sin City can help you exceed your daily step goals and the calories you burn from them.

My cute mama & I hiking around Crater Lake.

Wine Tasting at Red Lily Winery

Scary Southern Oregon fires!

And now it is time for me to get back to school! Two of my textbooks have arrived. My summer was short and sweet, and even though it wasn't full of big events, I made a lot of nice memories with friends and family, and grew a whole lot in my heart and soul!
:)