Valerie Waters | Celebrity Trainer | Body Transformation http://valeriewaters.com The Blog Of Valerie Waters Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:44:49 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 How To Get A Kicka** Body (that also kicks a**) http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/30/how-to-get-a-kicka-body-that-also-kicks-a/ http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/30/how-to-get-a-kicka-body-that-also-kicks-a/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:11:32 +0000 Valerie Waters http://valeriewaters.com/?p=1528

In this short video, my friend Jamie Milnes demonstrates 3 awesome exercises for getting a kickass body that also kicks ass.  Jamie is well-known for his work with superstar actors & actresses as well as for his Get Fit Go Play program, enriching the lives of teens through innovative health and fitness programs.

Jamie is speaking at the upcoming Red Carpet Ready Fitness & Beauty Summit on September 25, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA!

Check the video below and let me know what you think!

Reserve your spot at the Red Carpet Ready Fitness & Beauty Summit on September 25 by clicking here.  Not many seats are left… you don’t want to miss out!

Also, my new DVD’s – Amazing Abs and Valslide Essentials are here.

]]> http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/30/how-to-get-a-kicka-body-that-also-kicks-a/feed/ 1 The Vault: Red Carpet Ready – The Beginning http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/25/the-vault-red-carpet-ready-the-beginning/ http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/25/the-vault-red-carpet-ready-the-beginning/#comments Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:25:37 +0000 Valerie Waters http://valeriewaters.com/?p=1433
This is the first post in an occasional series that will appear on my blog. Be sure to check back frequently to see what else makes its way out of the vault!

I have been a trainer now for 20 years – yes, I started when I was 9 (hehe!). I have been training high profile models, actors, producers and other a-listers for 18 of those years.
Four years ago this Labor Day, the precursor to Red Carpet Ready was born. At this point I had already been using my Red Carpet Ready signature workouts for many years and asking clients to get clear on their goals by setting their intentions. But I knew more was needed if others were going to get the benefit of my programs. After all, I knew my workouts were ultra effective but I felt that the magic was inside the session. During workouts, I talk to clients about diet, how to stay motivated (you can work at this), intentions and accountability. Once I understand a clients motivation, I can hold them accountable simply by reminding them of their goal. Often it’s as easy as: Hawaii. Bikini. 3 Weeks – You decide. Once I’ve explained how to eat for results, it’s not necessary for me to scold them, just remind them where they want to go and gently bring them back on track. For accountability they had me, but since I wasn’t there for all of their workouts, they often needed extra motivation. Since motivation works a lot like a muscle – meaning it gets stronger the more you use it – I ask them to make a list of things that would get or keep them motivated. This may include a new playlist, books, movies, quotes, a vision board, etc.

September 4th, 2006
I started training legs with my friend, Survivor alum, host of History Channel’s “Top Shot” and all around hottie, Colby Donaldson. Colby’s regular training partner didn’t really train legs and I was in need of some extra motivation and accountability to step up my game. So, we made a commitment to train legs together once a week. The program I created was originally called, “6 x 6 – Six Weeks to a Six Million Dollar Body” – the inspiration came from the opening of “The 6 Million Dollar Man” and my own edited version run’s through my mind still. “…we can rebuild him. We have the technology. …better than he was before … better, stronger faster”.

Colby and I worked out 1x per week for about 4 months and the results were awesome! Below is what I wrote to get us started, along with our first workout:

The Mission: The mission, if you chose to accept it, is to build glute function, strength and size. The secondary goal is to reduce overall body fat through diet and individual cardio.

The Program: 6 X 6: Build a Six million dollar body in Six weeks.

Start: 9/4/06
“To become different from what we are, we must have some awareness of what we are.”
– Zen saying

Valerie’s Intentions:

  • I intend to weigh 108 and maintain it by 10/16/06
  • I intend to have a body fat % of 17% or less by 10/16/06
  • I intend to do 3-4 strength workouts per week + yoga 2x’s per week and cardio 5 x’s per week (1 at the track/ 3 steady state/ 1 interval at home)
  • I intend to eat clean. I will minimize sugar, alcohol and white flour and focus on lean protein, vegetables and Low glycemic carbs.
  • I will make an effort to cook at least 4x’s per week and prepare lunch and snacks
  • 1 day per week I will eat whatever I want.
  • I intend to have a fabulous, strong, flexible body by 10/16/06 or sooner.

Motivation – Valerie:

  • I will use my before picture and chosen pics to motivate myself
  • I will be accountable to Colby and myself
  • I will tell a few select people of my goal to help me stay accountable
  • I will program new music into my iPod to keep me going
  • I will connect with people at my trainer seminar to get more inspired
  • I will use my two new mantras to keep me going:
  • GO Fast VAL – for track workouts
  • Get strong VAL – for strength workouts
  • I will re-read “The Perfect Mile”
  • I will watch 2 inspiring movies – ie: Miracle & The Rookie

Valerie and Colby – Workout – Day 1:

Do you have a workout training partner, book or DVD that made a difference? What was it? Why did it work? If something made a difference for you, you now have the opportunity to share. You may be the voice that makes a difference for someone else. Knowing you touched someone is so incredibly powerful! Check back for responses – you may be surprised, touched, or even moved to tears.

]]> http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/25/the-vault-red-carpet-ready-the-beginning/feed/ 14 You Say Tomato, I Say Delish! http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/24/you-say-tomato-i-say-delish/ http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/24/you-say-tomato-i-say-delish/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:32:43 +0000 Valerie Waters http://valeriewaters.com/?p=1475

I love tomatoes! Raw, roasted, grilled, sauteed, sliced, diced, chopped, pureed, seeded or skinned (or not), red, green, yellow, purple, vine ripened, heirloom, you name it! I love them most right now, at the end of Summer. Each week, I go to the farmer’s market and choose a variety of tomatoes that were most likely still ripening on the vine the day before. They are complete in their perfection.

Technically a fruit, we often think of tomatoes as a vegetable, especially with our pairings to protein – steak and roasted tomatoes = delish! Steak and roasted cantaloupe = not so much.

Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A, C and E, as well as potassium and calcium for healthy bones and teeth. Most importantly, tomatoes are loaded with lycopene – a vital anti-oxidant that lowers cholesterol and helps guard against heart disease and cancer. So make some tomato soup or sauce today, because our bodies can use the lycopene in cooked tomatoes more easily.

I asked my friend, Gavan Murphy, to share his favorite tomato recipes (see below) – and they look delish!!
Start with these and visit his website often for new favorite recipes.

Jennifers Gazpacho

Combine the following ingredients in a blender:
Juice of 1 Lemon
Juice of 1/2 Lime
2 tbsp. Olive oil
3 big shakes of Tabasco sauce (or some other hot pepper sauce)
1 teaspoon of Cumin
3-4 big shakes of Red Wine Vinegar
3 dashes of Salt
6 dashes of Pepper
1 tbsp. of Minced Garlic
2 big whole Tomatoes cut up
1/2 of an old Baguette  (if you don’t have this, bread crumbs work, or just skip it)
1 1/2 tablespoons of Honey
1-2 cans of Tomato Juice
1/4 cup of fresh cilantro (optional – sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t)
BLEND!

Then dice the following and throw them into the bowl you serve it in:
1 Cucumber
1/2  (or less) Red Onion
Mix well and that’s all there is to it.
ENJOY!!

Tomato Egg Cups

RECIPE: Serves 6

6 large beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes
6 whole organic eggs
6 egg whites
1 tbsp fresh thyme
Sprinkle of feta cheese
Chives, chopped

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
Begin by cutting the top from each tomato, about a quarter of the tomato. With a pairing knife, cut around the inner flesh of the tomato and using a spoon scoop out the seeds. Make sure you don’t scoop too much from the bottom or the egg mixture will seep out. Season each tomato with S&P and a drizzle of olive oil. Crack one egg white in each tomato cup. Sprinkle a little feta cheese and fresh thyme in each. Follow that by adding a whole egg in each tomato. Place carefully on a foiled oven tray and pop in oven for approx. 25 minutes or until eggs are cooked.

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Cilantro Pesto Beans
RECIPE:
3 lbs heirloom tomatoes – make the trip to your Farmers’ Market–it will be worth it for these!
1 lb French beans – trimmed

Cilantro Pesto: Makes 2 cups (extra for another time)
2 bunches cilantro – packed
2 cups baby spinach – packed
?1 lemon – zested
1/2 lemon – juiced
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts – toast in a dry heated saute pan for 3-4 minutes stirring periodically until browned
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (low fat preferably)
1 1/2 cups olive oil
S&P to taste
Add all pesto ingredients in a food processor, except for olive oil.
Blend and while blitzing gradually pour in olive oil.
Season with ¼ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper.

Blanch the beans in a pot of boiling salted water for 30 seconds until bright green color.
Drain and refresh in bowl of ice water until completely chilled, Drain.

To assemble salad: Lay slices of the heirlooms around platter.
Toss the french beans in enough pesto to coat and lay in middle of platter.
Drizzle a little pesto over each tomato and season with S&P to taste. That’s it!
Don’t be afraid to try all the colors of heirloom tomatoes. Ask your local vendor which ones will be the best and tuck in!

Homemade Tomato Ketchup(s)
Each variety make approx. 1 cup depending on the size of your tomatoes.
The base of each ketchup is all the same as follows.
Make 1 or all of them. Follow the same base procedure’s and then spice ‘em up!

KETCHUP BASE RECIPE:
4 medium organic, farmers market tomatoes (peeled, rough chopped) Directions below.
1 garlic clove – crushed
1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 cup white onion – fine dice
1 tbsp Sundried tomato paste
2 tbsp olive oil

DIRECTIONS PEELING TOMATOES:
Boil a large pot of water.
As water is heating, with a small pairing knife remove the core of each tomato.
On the opposite end of the tomato, using the knife cut a shallow criss cross.
Get a large mixing bowl and fill with iced water.
Once water is boiling gently place the tomatoes in the water for 30 seconds.
Using a slotted spoon place each tomato into the iced water to chill. The skins should remove very easily. Drain peeled tomatoes in colander and proceed as directed.

#1. REGULAR KETCHUP:
Base recipe
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
?1 tbsp agave
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

#2. CHIPOTLE KETCHUP:
Base recipe
1 tsp chipotle pepper – chopped
1/2 tsp sweet paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp saffron
?2 tsp agave
1/4 cup sherry vinegar

#3. GINGER SPICED KETCHUP:
Base recipe
2 tsp fresh ginger – grated
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp agave
1/4 cup rice vinegar

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat a medium saucepan on medium low heat. Add olive oil. Saute diced onion, garlic and mustard for 6 minutes or until soft. Stir occasionally. Do not colour.
NOTE: Depending on which variety you’re making follow the above step and add which ever spice recipe you prefer. If I were you I’d make all three!

Add chopped tomatoes, paste and spices. Stir.
Cook, partially covered, for 20 minutes, stirring regularly. The tomatoes will break down as you stir.
Add agave and vinegar and continue to cook for additional 10 minutes.

Once tomatoes have broken down pop them in the food processor and puree.
I prefer the more rustic look of my ketchup but if you want a smoother texture use an immersion blender (that hand-held doodah).
Let cool to room temperature before covering and popping in the fridge.

]]> http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/24/you-say-tomato-i-say-delish/feed/ 2 Re-Invent Your AB Workout With The Valslide http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/22/re-invent-your-ab-workout-with-the-valslide/ http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/22/re-invent-your-ab-workout-with-the-valslide/#comments Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:00:19 +0000 Valerie Waters http://valeriewaters.com/?p=1421

The Valslide is changing the way people workout. By introducing mild instability, old standbys like lunges and planks become entirely new exercises. What’s even better? Master one move, and then try the nearly endless variations.

In celebration of the brand new Valslide Amazing Abs DVD let’s start with the Valslide Mountain Climber. This is a great exercise to increase core stabilization and work those lower abs.

To make it more challenging, try any or all of the variations below…

Also, a big THANK YOU to everyone who commented on my last blog “Momentum. Motivation. More Results!”
The winners who received a free copy of the new Valslide Amazing Abs DVD are: Jodie, Clark and Jessi – congratulations!!

Click here to learn more about the Valslide Amazing Abs and Valslide Essentials DVDs

]]> http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/22/re-invent-your-ab-workout-with-the-valslide/feed/ 11 Momentum. Motivation. More Results! http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/08/momentum-motivation-results/ http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/08/momentum-motivation-results/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:32:42 +0000 Valerie Waters http://valeriewaters.com/?p=1414

My friend & trainer, Anthony Slater stopped by my house the other day and we shot this quick video for you…

We discuss the idea of reflection and celebration…  We need to reflect and celebrate our successes more often. In fitness and life in general… this leads to momentum, motivation and ultimately, more results.

After you watch it, think about some of the things you’ve done in the past few weeks… or even couple months that you’re really happy with and leave one or two in the comments below (in the Facebook section or the regular comment section)

I’ll pick 2 and send you a copy of my brand new Valslide Amazing Abs DVDs!

Leave a comment below for your chance to win a copy of Amazing Abs!

Visit Red Carpet Ready LIVE to register for the RCR Fitness & Beauty Summit!

The new Valslide Essentials & Amazing Abs DVDs are available at Valslide.com

]]> http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/08/momentum-motivation-results/feed/ 44 Hot Tips To Get Your Body of F.I.R.E. http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/01/hot-tips-to-get-your-body-of-fire/ http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/01/hot-tips-to-get-your-body-of-fire/#comments Sun, 01 Aug 2010 17:56:02 +0000 Valerie Waters http://valeriewaters.com/?p=1402
My friend, Chad Waterbury is a super-popular trainer here in LA – and he’s got a brand new system to MUST hear about.  It’s called Body of F.I.R.E.

He stopped over last week to talk about it and we made a couple quick videos for you.  One is an overview of the Body of FIRE system… then the second, we go through a quick workout in my home gym.



If you’d like to find out more about Chad’s Complete Body of FIRE system, check it out here.

He’s going to be joining us at the Red Carpet Ready Fitness & Beauty Summit on September 25 so if you’d like to hear more… or have some cocktails with him and pick his brain!  Join us… You can get more info about the event at http://www.redcarpetreadylive.com

]]> http://valeriewaters.com/2010/08/01/hot-tips-to-get-your-body-of-fire/feed/ 12 How to Get Sexy Beach Hair Like Kim Kardashian http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/29/how-to-get-sexy-beach-hair-like-kim-kardashian/ http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/29/how-to-get-sexy-beach-hair-like-kim-kardashian/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:15:13 +0000 Valerie Waters http://valeriewaters.com/?p=1392

I met my hair stylist, Frank Galasso, through a mutual client, Sasha Alexander. I was looking for someone who was good with long hair and who could do big hair, sexy blow outs. Frank is just who I was looking for! Frank knows how to do sexy hair - just ask the Kardashian sisters, Kim, Kourtney and Khloe – they all trust him to keep their locks photo-op ready. He can also work his magic on all types of hair and is getting asked by his clients, Felicity Huffman, Emmy Rossum, Calista Flockhart and Nicole Scherzinger (to name a few) to get them ready for Red Carpet events.

An often requested look is the sexy beach waves that everyone wants to get without having to spend a day at the beach. Watch the video below on how to achieve this look in a short time, with just a couple products, wherever you are.



I am so excited to announce that Frank will be presenting at the Red Carpet Ready Fitness & Beauty Summit – he promised to take questions too! So, be sure to reserve your spot at the Red Carpet Ready Fitness & Beauty Summit, meet Frank and learn how to keep you hair healthy, your style young, hip and current.

]]> http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/29/how-to-get-sexy-beach-hair-like-kim-kardashian/feed/ 13 How To Be A Bada** Like Angelina Jolie in Salt http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/22/angelina-jolie-salt/ http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/22/angelina-jolie-salt/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:47:43 +0000 Valerie Waters http://valeriewaters.com/?p=1363

Monday night I had the opportunity to attend the premiere of Salt, starring Angelina Jolie. I loved the movie and Angelina is the quintessential Action Hero Babe. She is strong, sexy and fierce and can seriously kick some a**!

I have never met or worked with Angie but I do know a thing or two about becoming an Action Hero Babe. Having worked with several action babes (Jennifer Garner, Rachel Nichols, Carrie Anne Moss), I know that it takes work to achieve the look and to physically play the part. I have read that much like Jennifer Garner, Angelina does her own stunts. I would assume she does some kind of martial arts or fight work to pull off the punching and kicking but at the base of it, it’s always the conditioning. An Action Hero Babe must be strong, agile, flexible and fast. She also needs to look hot! To achieve this look it will require a commitment to both diet and training.

When I left the theatre on Monday night I was so fired up for my next workout. I have decided to return to my Action Hero Babe training – I may have some new workouts coming soon. If you missed it the first time around, check it out at www.ActionHeroBabe.com

But for now, here are the 3 Steps to becoming a BADASS like Angie!

Step 1 – Get Strong.

To be an action hero babe you must be strong which means you must lift weights. Pilates or cardio barre is simply not going to cut it.

It is okay to stick to the basics here.

  • Squat
  • Bench press
  • Romanian deadlift
  • Row ( I like to cables or dumbbells)
  • Valslide body saw

Valslide Body Saw from valerie waters on Vimeo.

Step 2- Get Sexy.

All the action hero babes I’ve seen are sexy but each in their own way. It does not mean model perfect. It does help to be lean (not skinny).

This is achieved, again, by sticking to the basics:

  • Eliminate the processed carbs and obvious junk.
  • Cut out soda and Alcohol.
  • Portions do matter.  Stick to about 3-4 oz of protein at each meal and about 1.5 oz at a snack.
  • Round out the meal with a wide variety of veggies.
  • Drink lots of water

Your clothes should fit nicely.  Have a couple basics that make you feel good when you put them on.

  • A nice pair of jeans (no mom jeans) and a soft black t-shirt can be incredibly sexy if they fit right.
  • Pay some attention to your hair and makeup. Consider getting a consultation to make sure your look is current.
  • Invest in a flat iron. Simply smoothing out your ends can make you look like you had a great blow dry.

Step 3 – Be Fierce.

In the movie Salt, Angie is incredibly fierce. Yes, she has a mean kick and way with guns but it is more about the attitude. I think of it as extreme confidence. We have all heard the saying “do one thing each day that scares you” but have you done that lately?

  • Try a new class that you haven’t done before.
  • Strike up a conversation with someone new.
  • Ask for a discount at a store.

These may not seem like much but it’s like building a muscle. You have to work at it day by day.

We are building your BE FIERCE muscle.

This about YOU. This about YOUR confidence.

For a sample Action Hero Babe workout go to my previous blog post by clicking HERE

Don’t forget!! The Red Carpet Ready Fitness & Beauty Summit is coming September 25th.

One of the Summit presenters is Chad Waterbury. He and I teamed up for an article about Action Hero Babe training on Figure Athlete – you can check it out here.

and another one…

I am only on my second week but I love my Action Hero Babes workout DVD’s. I enjoy starting my day with a good morning workout, it is such a positive way to start the day. I was amazed and relieved that the workouts are basic exercises ANYONE can do regardless of their age with very little alternation and not a lot of specialty equipment, jumping around and loud music.  Great job!!

diane katchart

]]> http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/22/angelina-jolie-salt/feed/ 11 Workout Tip from Jerry Seinfeld http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/18/workout-tip-from-jerry-seinfeld/ http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/18/workout-tip-from-jerry-seinfeld/#comments Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:26:06 +0000 Valerie Waters http://valeriewaters.com/?p=1347

I just learned a cool motivational tip from Jerry Seinfeld.  It will help keep you on track with your workouts…  I read about it on Lifehacker.

While Jerry Seinfeld was still a touring comic, an aspiring young comedian was at one of his shows…  and right before Jerry went on stage, he had the opportunity to say something to him.  So he asked “Jerry, if you could offer one piece of advice to a young comic, what would it be?”

Here’s what he told him:

He said the way to be a better comic was to create better jokes and the way to create better jokes was to write every day. But his advice was better than that. He had a gem of a leverage technique he used on himself and you can use it to motivate yourself—even when you don’t feel like it.

He revealed a unique calendar system he uses to pressure himself to write.

Here’s how it works.

He told me to get a big wall calendar that has a whole year on one page and hang it on a prominent wall. The next step was to get a big red magic marker.

He said for each day that I do my task of writing, I get to put a big red X over that day. “After a few days you’ll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You’ll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain.”

“Don’t break the chain,” he said again for emphasis.

I love this!  While I have often recommended keeping a training journal or food log, I really like the simplicity of this.
By working to keep the chain going, you will building your workout habit muscle. In time, it will almost be easier to do your workout than it will be to skip it…….

So give it a shot.  Get yourself a “Seinfeld Calendar.”  Get your workout in today and “don’t break the chain!”

My guests and I at the Red Carpet Ready Fitness and Beauty Summit will be sharing all kinds of cool tricks like this…  are you coming?

]]> http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/18/workout-tip-from-jerry-seinfeld/feed/ 5 SAS-E For Summer http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/12/sas-e-for-summer/ http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/12/sas-e-for-summer/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:56:34 +0000 Valerie Waters http://valeriewaters.com/?p=1335 Summer is all about showing some skin!
Maybe you wont be putting on a bikini, but chances are you will at least be in a tank top.

Here is one of my SAS-E (short and sweet exercise) routines. It works your back, chest and arms – all you need is a Valband Deluxe.

This is meant to be done as a circuit. Do each exercise consecutively, then rest for 1 minute at the end of the circuit. Do this circuit 3-4 times.

Photobucket

SAS-E routines are a great way to get your workout in when life seems to get a little crazy! These short and sweet circuits are ideal for when you’ve been working too many hours, are too tired or for when you just can’t imagine 45 to 60 minutes in the gym. Designed to help you stay on track and consistent with your workouts, you can never have enough SAS-E options! As a bonus, my new I Want My Bikini Body 3.0 comes with 10 SAS-E workouts – now there’s no excuse to not stay on top of your fitness routine!

]]> http://valeriewaters.com/2010/07/12/sas-e-for-summer/feed/ 3