Cassey Ho's Blog, page 111

Water-prettifying party tricks! Melon ice cubes.

Are you ready for Labor Day!? I have no idea what I’ll be doing but if you’re planning a party, then be sure to make these cute frozen fruity balls! They double as ice cubes and extra flavor for your water!

Aren’t they the cutest? :D

All you need is a grab a melon baller and your favorite fruit and let’s get started! You can even throw in a splash of red by using watermelon, if you want!

FRUITY FROZEN CUBES

Yield: multiple

Serving Size: 8-10 balls

Prep Time: 10 min

Chill Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients:

1 cantaloupe
1 honeydew
1 mango

Method :

Cut the melons in half and remove the seeds.
Peel the mango.
Use a melon baller to scoop dozens of balls out of the fruit.
Place on wax paper. If the balls are too close, they’ll stick together, so be careful.
Freeze for 4-6 hours or until solid.
Place in glasses with water, kombucha or fizzy water.

Nutrition Info for Approx 3/4 cup of Fruit:

Calories: 53 | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0g | Net Carbs: 12g | Fiber: 1.4g

What is your favorite of all the melons out there?

Inspiring PIIT28 Transformations!

Hey guys!

I can’t believe I launched PIIT28 just in February and since that short time, you guys have gotten SO MUCH STRONGER. I love compiling these Before and After’s for you so that you can see what’s possible when you put your mind to something and COMMIT.

Also, I don’t ever want you to feel discouraged or frustrated because another girl got results faster than you. Remember that “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Use these photos as motivation. It’s how you CHOOSE to see things.

Let’s give a warm welcome to the PIITsters who have made it onto this post!

Meet Theresa, (@theresa_piitlates)

“Here is the before pic I have and current pic of my journey through PIIT28. I have done 6 rounds of PIIT28 between 1.0 and 2.0. This hasn’t been an easy journey for me; however it’s been the best journey I have done for myself, minus my marriage ;) I have had ups and downs, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I have anxiety and I get scared pretty easy. I also deal with depression and it was sometimes hard for me. But Cassey always keeps my head lifted with her videos, blogs, Instagram and Twitter posts. Along with that an amazing PIIT28 community with amazing girls.”

Meet Sara, (@sarahpiit28)

“I am so proud of myself! When I first started this PIIT28 journey I didn’t think I would go past 28 days. But when I did finish, I wanted to keep going! I am glad I stuck around. It wasn’t easy! What we PIITsters do is HARD and don’t forget it! During each exercise I reminded myself that this was my “me” time and to enjoy the challenge. The feeling of accomplishment after finishing my 7th move in the 4th round was my motivation! And as I grew stronger, my interpretation of muscle fatigue change from pain to simply discomfort. I embraced those 45 seconds and unlocked my beast mode. I noticed I could do more of the moves without breaks. I can do burpees now. Who am I!?”

Meet Rhia, (@rhiavwpiit28)

“In the spirit of comparing progress pictures, I thought I’d go ahead and post my current picture side-by-side with my first progress picture I ever took. The picture on the left is from January 1st. My measurements were 39/32/43, with 27 inch thighs and 13 inch biceps. I was 160lbs. Currently I measure 34/27/37 with 23 inch thighs and 10 inch biceps. The biggest difference is how much stronger I am. I would say I’ve stuck to my New Years resolution pretty good.”

Meet Lily, (@project_heart19)

“Well girls, today is my one year on my fitness journey. I had to take my progress pic in my wheelchair, as well as do my measurements that way. The measurements came out to …. 45 INCHES LOST!”

In August 2015, Lily weighed 193lbs. She was ashamed and felt uncomfortable buying pants because she wanted to hide. She began Blogilates calendars right away and was in love with how fun PIIT28 was when she started the program in March. She became so much stronger both mentally and physically. Unfortunately, Lily was in an accident in July which has her now in a wheelchair. Lily said was afraid of losing her POPster friends because she couldn’t participate in PIIT28 anymore. But, the community didn’t let her down. They loved and supported her every step of the way. She is recovering and she says can’t wait to get back on her mat!

 

Meet Corina (@chill678)

“It didn’t happen overnight my friends. It takes days, dedication, hard work, determination, CLEAN EATING, sacrifice and focus. I think it’s important to show this type of progress pic to show the transformation process! PIIT28 is the best workout I have found but I cannot emphasize more on how important it is to feed your body the right way.”

Meet Beatriz (@beahardstyle)

“It’s been four weeks of hard work. I can’t believe I was able to accomplish this in only 28 days!! Definitely, great things take time!”

Meet Katie (@katie_dunham04)

“Day 28!! Before is on the left and after is on the right. I’ve gone from 156lbs to 152lbs. I lost 11 inches all together! Waist went from 31″ to 28”. I couldn’t be happier!! I love the results – the way I look and the way I feel. I feel strong, and so much more flexible, and generally so much healthier and happier. And no matter what anyone else thinks – I finished PIIT28 and I’m so proud of myself for that!”

*****

OMG! I am so inspired by each one of these ladies! You worked so hard. This shows that PIIT28 is just as much about mental strength as it is about physical strength. You guys make this program so powerful. You are just ON FIRE!!!!

If you want to give PIIT28 a try, have a look:

September 2016 Workout Calendar

Hey guys!

It’s almost time for fall – OMG how can this be!!?? I don’t know whether to be sad that I can’t wear tank tops and shorts anymore or be happy that pumpkin spice everything is coming back in season super soon. I think I’m definitely both right now. Definitely in a confused state.

For those of you who are headed back to school, I’m sorry. Just kidding. But not really, because I am really happy I’m not in school anymore. I like working on projects that I truly care about and can always be excited about! Now don’t get me wrong – school is great for learning and there were def things I cared about – but not to the level of caring that I feel for things now.

Anyway, I’m just so happy that I get to work with you guys every day. You guys make me excited to get up and werk, werk, werk, werk, WERK (sung in the Style of Rihanna).

Here is the new calendar of the month! All chalkboard themed for that back to school feel:

Click here for the hi-res version

Your exclusive video in the Blogilates App for September is the “Total Body Ladder”. We go through 4 moves – 1 for arms, 1 for abs, 1 for butt, and 1 for legs/cardio. We start with 2 reps of everything and work up towards 10 and then go all the way back down the ladder for 2. It’s a jolly good time :)

You know what, now that I think about it, I’m super excited for September because I want to start releasing more exciting new content for you guys! Funny videos kinda like the “7 Things Only Fit Girls Understand” and whatever else I’m feeling excited about. More POP Songs in Real Life? More vlogs? Who knows!! Just make sure you’re subscribed to Blogilates so you never miss a new video! Also comment below if you have suggestions!

If you’d like a 30 day challenge to do along with the calendar, try out any of these:

30 Day Ab Challenge
30 day Butt Challenge
30 Day Arm Challenge
30 Day Thigh Challenge

They’re fun, short, and sweet!

Ok guys, love you so much and see you soon!

How to Become a Morning Person

Hey guys!

If the word “morning” sends you hiding under the covers, this post is for you! Most people claim they’re either an early riser or a night owl. One isn’t better than the other, it’s simply the time you feel the best and most productive! The major difference is that night owls tend to dread mornings so deeply, they often start their days cranky, sluggish and unproductive.

I used to go to sleep at 4am daily (bad bad habit) and it messed with my metabolism so much. I wasn’t able to lose weight or gain muscle and my body felt super stuck…until I changed the way I slept. It wasn’t until VERY recently that I was able to happily wake up 6am to get to my 7am workouts. It took some training, but you can do this too.

Here’s how!

1. Set It.

You have to start somewhere, so the alarm clock is step number one. Don’t worry though, you can tear the band aid off slowly! Depending on how much earlier you need/want to wake up (whether it’s to get organized, finally fit in a morning workout, slowly enjoy your cup of tea, make your lunch for work, read a book or have more time to beautify before school or work) set the alarm 15 minutes earlier over the course of several days until you hit the magic time. For example, if you currently wake up at 7:00 but you want to get up at 6:00 a.m., set the alarm for 6:45 for three days, then 6:30 for three days, and so on. This gives your body a chance to reset gradually, taking the initial sting away.

2. Prep.

You really need something to look forward to in the morning. Decide what that dangling carrot is for you, and reverse engineer a way to have it lure you out of the dark and into the light! For some, it’s coffee or tea, for others it’s a green smoothie or a ready breakfast. For others, it’s a workout, audiobook, podcast or the newspaper. Whatever makes you the most happy in the morning is the thing you’re going to prep the night before. If your coffee maker has a timer, set it to brew 10 minutes before your alarm goes off, or at the very least, fill up the water and place the pod in the maker with a cup underneath so that all you have to do is press ‘start.’ If it’s breakfast you want, make overnight oats the night before. If it’s a workout, set all of your clothes out in advance and make sure your water bottle is full and chilling in the fridge. If you’re really feeling ambitious, make your lunch the night before to make your morning even more seamless. Handle all the chores the night before so that you can actually relish the early hours and fill the time with things you like.

3. Meditate.

Yes, even if it’s not your thing, sitting up and meditating for even 10 minutes clears the mind of all your stressful to-do lists, which is a big reason people are overwhelmed by mornings and would rather stay in bed. Calming your mind and body with cleansing breaths and relaxation techniques sets you up for a more productive day. There are several apps that can help you do guided meditation if you’re not a pro at going it alone just yet. The Headspace app is great!

4. List It.

Writing down–or even typing into your phone–your top three objectives for the day suddenly prioritizes everything. Most of us are pretty fantastic at multi-tasking, but studies show we aren’t accomplishing more by tackling too much at once. It’s actually far more productive for us to put our phones on airplane mode, close all unnecessary tabs, and focus on one task at a time. There’s much less stress and distraction that way, and things get done better. So wake up, set your top three goals, and know you’ll tackle them with ease, which should help you look forward to the day with a bit more affection.

5. Set the Tone.

Instead of waking up to blaring BEEPS, set your alarm to your favorite radio station or song! What better way to start the day than to hear Justin Timberlake singing, “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” Music makes us happy, so hearing joyful sounds as you exit slumber puts you in a better and less resentful mood.

6. Schedule It.

If your goal is to wake up earlier to exercise because you know you can’t do it after work or school, you simply must get an accountability partner for the mornings. See if your BFF will meet you at 6:00 a.m. to jog, or Skype your bestie as you do Pilates. The association you have with waking early to see your favorite person takes the sting out of the early hour, and it also keeps you committed to your workout regimen.

7. Light It Up.

Studies show you definitely need to sleep in a dark room, but as soon as you wake up, let the light in ASAP. Yes, it’s hard on your eyes for a second, but seeing the sun actually lightens your mood and reminds you of all the opportunities that stand before you. If you live where it’s still dark in the early morning, turn on the lights and open a window for some fresh air, if weather permits.

8.  Get Enough Sleep.

You can’t go waking up earlier if you’re not going to go to bed earlier. Being a morning person doesn’t mean you just function on 6 hours of zzz’s instead of 7.  You still need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. As you begin setting your alarm earlier and earlier, commit to turning in that much earlier too.

9. Turn Off the Electronics.

T.V., computers and phones stimulate you before bed. To get a more restful sleep with more REM, you need to shut off electronics an hour or more before shutting off the lights. Create a new habit where you read, listen to a podcast or meditate before bed to help you fall into a deep sleep faster. More high quality sleep means happier mornings.

10. No Alcohol Or Big Meals.

Alcohol seriously interferes with sleep, as do heavy meals. Avoid eating a lot right before bed and keep alcohol to a minimum, if at all. You might also want to decrease your water intake leading up to bedtime so that you don’t have to wake up to pee, which disrupts your sleep cycles, leading to crabbier mornings.

11. Shout It Out.

When all else fails, wake up and say, “I’m up, I’m happy and I’m ready for the day!” It might sound cheesy, but I dare you to give it a try and not have it put a small smile on your face. Say it more than once, and loudly if you need to; do whatever it takes for your words to become reality. We are what we think, so if you think you are happy and ready, declare it and watch it come to fruition.

12. Do It Every Day.

It’s actually really important to wake up at the same time every day, regardless if it’s Wednesday, or Saturday. Sleeping in until noon on the weekends doesn’t change your body’s sleep cycle for it to become a routine that’s innate. Feel free to give yourself an extra 30 minutes or so on the weekends, but the goal is to get you so excited to tackle the day, that you won’t want to hibernate on the weekends.

That’s it guys! Are you ready to take the plunge? Early risers tend to burn more calories and get more done in a day, so let that tidbit, and the 12 tips above incentivize you to be the early bird that gets the worm!

Let me know in the comments if you’re a natural early riser or a night owl and what your best tips are!

7 Things Only Fit Girls will Understand

 

If you work out, then you will understand these struggles. Go through these and comment below how many of these scenarios you relate to!

1. Do you ever peek over at your treadmill neighbor’s speed? I do. And I’m so terrified that he/she will see me looking! I just want to see if I can go faster, that’s all…

2. Ever find yourself trying to get motivated but all you can do is look at Instagram pics? Yeah…

3. Are you one of those people who marks your water bottle and drinks all day long? Toilet you are my friend.

4. Working out with ear buds is just impossible when you’re jumping around. Why no make ear buds for people with tiny ear holes like me?

5. Taking off your sports bra after a workout is like a whole ‘nother level of work out.

6. The terror of the toilet after leg day.

7. Well if you’re gonna work out in the morning, what’s the point of washing your hair? But like…I work out every day and I don’t want a smelly head so…what’s a girl to do!??

If you can relate to these scenarios, then congrats you are a Fit Girl! I highly suggest you watch the YouTube video as it will be funnier with the sounds and music. TRUST.

Also, I want to address something that came up in the comments on YouTube that I had not anticipated. Apparently people are getting upset over the fact that I titled the video “7 Things Only Fit Girls Understand”. What’s the problem you ask?

The word “Fit”.

This commenter really summed up what the problem was.

Dictionary.com’s definition of “fit” is: “in good physical condition; in good health.”

So before everyone gets all cray over the fact that fit somehow means skinny with a six pack, let’s understand that fit to me means you work out. Simple as that. So basically, if you’re a POPster, you’re also a fit girl. End of story.

I’m on the cover of Women’s Health Malaysia!?

UMMMMM GUYS….look!!???

I’m on the cover of Women’s Health Malaysia! I’ve been keeping this a secret from you :P This was shot a while back in the summer when I was doing my fitness tour with Zespri Kiwifruit in Asia and Australia. What do you think of the cover?

Really like my no-makeup look! No idea how to recreate though!

This is my first international cover ever and I am so so proud to be representing Asian women in media. So BIG thank you Women’s Health Malaysia for featuring me. I rarely ever talk about my ethnicity because it really doesn’t have anything to do with fitness – I see us all the same – but when it comes to magazine covers, I have to admit, the diversity is NOT THERE. And it’s disappointing.

In the US, go into any grocery store and stare at the magazine stand. You will see that every cover model is either Caucasian or a Kardashian. Why don’t magazines celebrate people of color more? Because we aren’t doing anything? Nope. Because we look “foreign”? Maybe.

Seeing what a diverse melting pot the American population is, you can’t help but wonder why there isn’t a somewhat equal representation of that in the media. I just went on the US Census Bureau and looked up demographics in the United States for people of different ethnicities. Here’s the breakdown as of 2015:

White alone: 61.6%
Black or African American: 13.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native: 1.2%
Asian: 5.6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.2%
Hispanic or Latino: 17.6%

(Total is 99.5%, leaving room for people who identify as 2 or more races.)

Correct me if i’m wrong but….I don’t see 40% of magazine covers showcasing people of different color. It’s so rare. The question is …why not? It’s not like the rest of the population isn’t gorgeous and isn’t achieving amazing things. I think the answer is that magazines are afraid of “turning off” their audience (and advertisers) because they don’t want people to think that this entire issue with the “exotic” model on the cover is all about Chinese food and travel or something. (Yea, I just said that.) But it’s true. No one says it, but honestly, we still think that way whether you like it or not. We are SO used to seeing white people on covers so when it’s someone else…we feel almost shocked by it. Me included!

I think the magazine industry needs to stop being afraid and start featuring people for the good that they do, not for the color of the skin that they think “sells better”. No matter what color you are, no matter what shape you are, or how much you weigh…you should have an equal opportunity to be recognized. This is a problem in entertainment and media that needs to change.

As I write this, I wonder how many blog readers will be upset by what I say. Some of you may be thinking “huh?” Good. Because there really is no reason to get offended.

But, in January 2016 when my HEALTH Magazine cover came out, and I wrote a newsletter exclaiming how happy I was to be repping Asian women in media, and you wouldn’t believe how many emails I got back saying that I offended them and that they were now unsubscribing from my newsletter and would stop doing my workout videos.

Til this day, I still cannot understand what the offense was. I said I was proud. And you’re offended. OKAY…

Anyway, something for you to think about. As we all grow up, it’s our generation who needs to make these changes happen. The power is in our hands.

So…let’s have some fun and do a BTS tour of my cover shoot, ya?

I literally had a full day photoshoot with Women’s Health after teaching the class above in MAJOR HUMIDITY and HEAT. I was sweating SO HARD. Sorry if I sweated on you during the meet & greet! >_<

It was so fun meeting my Malaysian POPsters for the very first time. Every person was so incredibly kind and I could tell y’all had been practicing POP Pilates! Y’all were BAWSES!

Here I am after my hair and makeup were done just a couple hours after the class. Cleaned up well huh? I absolutely loved the whole editorial, beauty, and photo team for Women’s Health. Each person was so kind and talented!

Although I like the cover, I kind of wish they had chosen this black swimsuit one! I was REALLY FEELING IT in the one piece. And you can’t tell, but you see that wind-blowing action in my hair? Nope, there’s no “glam fan”. It’s a leaf blower. Literally. Hahaha!!

I only had a few days in Malaysia but I got to do some cool things like…

Go to the Batu Caves! Thanks to my friend and amazing musician Kurt Hugo Schneider for recommending this spot! There’s a temple tucked inside that crazy cave. And…best part…monkeys EVERYWHERE. They are smart too. They were trying to take my jacket. I also saw one drinking Coke. Oh boy…

Don’t the monkeys look like old Asian men? Hahaha. The locals were really curious why us Americans were so interested in seeing the monkeys. They were like, “Have you ever seen a dog before? It’s the same thing.” LOL.

The famous Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur! These giants looked daunting and spaceship like in real life. They are currently the tallest twin towers in the world!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Felt good to get that out.

Oh and if you’re in Malaysia, please grab a copy and send me some pics through Twitter or something! I have not seen the issue and am dying to know what it looks like inside!

Pink Lemonade Sorbet Cups

Look how cute! I love mini things. Mini skirts, mini dogs, and mini desserts :)

Half a lemon is the perfect vessel to serve these frozen pink lemonade sorbets. You only need a food processor and a few ingredients to make these. You can change up the fruit if you want, but I think a nice tart and mildly sweet combo is perfect for these lemon-y treats. These have the sourness you’d expect from a lemon, and even from the raspberries, but the unexpected pineapple brings in just the right amount of sweetness.  If you like things sweeter, add a dash of honey or stevia. I prefer to just pucker up and enjoy the frozen goodness!

PINK LEMONADE SORBET CUPS

Yield: 4 servings

Serving Size: 1/2 lemon cup

Prep Time: 5 min

Ingredients:

2 lemons
1 cup frozen pineapple
1 cup frozen raspberries
1/4 cup lemon juice
pinch of stevia or honey (optional)

Method :

Slice the lemons in half and remove the insides. Squeeze and reserve 1/4 cup of the juice from the pulp.
Place frozen fruit and juice in a food processor and process until smooth and resembling ice cream.
Add sweetener, if using.
Spoon into lemon cups, and serve immediately, or freeze to firm up.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 40 | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Net Carbs: 8g | Fiber: 2.5g

Let me know below what you think!

Saddlebags Slimdown Workout Printable!

 

Hey guys!

I’m getting back into breaking videos down into printables for you! I know many of you like printing these and putting them in a binder, so the Blogifam will start to make these for you guys for those days when you want to work out but have no internet access! Here’s a first one of the season! Saddlebags Slimdown!

Here’s the entire Quick Burn: Saddlebags Simdown video for your workout-viewing pleasure!

The Best Baked Donuts

Oh my dough!

Seriously, it’s doughnut time (donut time? Not sure which way to spell it) and you need not feel guilty! These babies are made with bananas and beet powder! That’s how I got the beautiful pink colored frosting without using unnatural chemicals. You can buy it straight off Amazon, and it tastes really yummy. Beets can be very earthy, but the beet powder is ever so slightly sweet and has a more mellow beet flavor. When mixed with sweet banana and a little Greek yogurt, it’s delish, so even beet-haters will gobble them up.

Healthy doughnuts can be tricky because we all know how sweet and cake-y the real things are. But after much trial and error (I used all kind of different flours to keep these gluten-free for you), I settled on oat flour, because it tastes the most like whole wheat flour would. Coconut flour gets really dense in this recipe, and almond flour has a bit too much graininess.

I hope you like this lightened up, gluten-free and baked version! Make them for your friends, or keep them to yourself and use them all week as a snack!

THE BEST BAKED DONUTS RECIPE

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: 1 doughnut

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 9 min

Ingredients:

3/4 cup oat flour
1/2 ripe banana, mashed
2 eggs
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Pinch of stevia

Frosting:

3 tablespoons vanilla Greek yogurt
1/2 ripe banana, mashed
2 teaspoons powdered zero-calorie sweetener (or a pinch of stevia)
1 teaspoon beet powder

Method :

Preheat oven to 325°F.
Coat a regular 6-serving doughnut pan with cooking spray.
In a bowl, using beaters, add the oat flour, banana, eggs, honey and oil and mix until well incorporated. Add the vanilla, baking soda, salt and stevia and mix briefly to incorporate.
Spoon into doughnut pan and bake for about 9 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Don’t over bake or they’ll dry out. Let cool.
Using a whisk and bowl or a mini blender, add the frosting ingredients and stir/process until completely smooth.
Frost doughnuts with frosting, and serve. Top with coconut, sprinkles, goji berries, dried fruit or mini chocolate chips, if desired.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 147 | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Net Carbs: 18.5g | Fiber: 2g

 

How to Combat Stretch Marks

Hey guys!

Like cellulite, stretch marks are a topic we wish we never had to discuss. But since many of us are genetically predisposed to them (yep, you can thank your mom and her mom for the unwanted gift), I thought I’d share with you the reasons they show up, and the natural ways you can make them less noticeable.

First off, there is no magic cure.  Sorry guys! Once you have them, removing them completely is impossible. When your skin is stretched from weight gain, puberty or pregnancy, the skin stretches and the dermis layer rips apart. The dermis is underneath your epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. It’s the epidermis that causes the zebra stripes that first appear pinkish purple, and later fade to white. The good news is, various creams and at-home remedies (and if you’re so inclined, laser treatments) can help the epidermis, reducing the look of the stretch marks, however, the dermis will always remain ripped. It’s best to start any remedy when they first appear because your body has powerful healing qualities! Quicker healing can mean less obvious marks down the road. The key is preventing the new marks from becoming permanent and highly noticeable by slathering on some of these tried-and-true methods below…

1) If you’re not pregnant, one of the most powerful remedies is a prescription for a retinol-based product like Retin-A. It’s commonly used for acne and scars and causes the skin cells to turn over faster, which can sometimes cause redness and peeling, but ultimately leaves you with new-fresher skin.

2) If you don’t want to get a prescription, you can try an over-the-counter retinol face cream, but use it on the affected areas instead. It won’t have the strength of the prescription, but retinols are Vitamin-A based, and Vitamin A increases collagen, which is what you want to build firmness and texture.

3) Since Vitamin-A is such a YES, you can go straight to the source and rub the oil straight onto your stomach, hips or wherever the lines pop up.

4) Olive oil isn’t just for cooking, it’s great for your skin and has been a remedy passed down from grandmothers all around the world. Not only does olive oil leave the skin super soft, which helps it stretch with ease, but it improves blood circulation and has been shown to reduce stretch marks. Heat it slightly, massage it on and leave it for 30 minutes before washing off so that all the vitamins (A, D and E) are absorbed. Or, apply before bed and wear your less-cute jammies and don’t bother washing it off.

5) Cocoa butter has been used by pregnant moms for decades because it’s incredibly moisturizing. It’s best to apply it twice per day from the very beginning of pregnancy in order to hydrate the skin early and keep it as elastic as possible while the body gradually expands. Think of it like a primer; the less uncomfortable, dry stretching, the better.

6) Lemon juice is highly acidic so it can act like a natural bleaching agent for stretch marks. Just cut a lemon in half and rub the flesh in circular motions on the affected areas. Let it dry for about 10 minutes (hey- that’s the perfect amount of time to do a face-mask, so multi-task there for sure!) and then wash it off.

7) Potato juice. I know this seems weird, and don’t go thinking you’ll buy some extras to make French fries, but the juice of regular baking potatoes contain vitamins, minerals and restorative properties for the skin. Just slice them up and apply using circular motions, let sit for 10 minutes, and wash off.

8) Water is the ultimate miracle cure for so many ailments. Water carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, leaves skin supple and hydrated, and provides detoxification of the skin’s pores. Lots of pregnant mommas swear by hydration as their secret weapon again stretch marks.

So guys, be preemptive! Start lathering while you’re young to help you later in life! And if for some reason religious use of these DIY treatments don’t work for existing stretch marks, look into fraxel laser treatments which can help. Or, OWN them. I know many moms who are proud of their stretch marks because it reminds them they grew tiny humans for 9 months! Don’t ever let a few white lines keep you from wearing a swim suit! It’s time to #loveyourlook exactly the way you are! Most stretch marks are covered by clothing anyway, so promise me you won’t stand in front of the mirror and bad mouth yourself as you get dressed! No one has laser vision, so instead of getting dressed in negativity, get dressed with a healthy mantra instead. Be proud!

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these remedies and if they work for you!