Online Shopping : Wins And Losses

I’ve been online shopping a little more than I’d like to admit lately. Late at night , I lay in bed waiting for my meltanonin to kick in and make me sleepy. My screen glows as I scroll on Facebook and Instagram. My eye gets caught by products that seem too good to be true. Here are a few of the products that were worth the money , and some that were not.

(I have provided the links to purchase but receive NO compensation or free products if you decide to buy. )

Lashliner 

As a big fan of eyelash extensions , I was looking for another way to achieve the same look without the cost , dealing with lashes falling out unevenly, sitting on the bed for an hour at a time twice a month , and not being able to get my eyes wet for 24 hours each time.  I tried magnetic lashes and could not get them to stay after many attempts. I saw an ad that showed women putting on a “magnetic eyeliner “ and then popping on magnetic eyelashes. I read the comments and saw endless positive comments . Even though convinced I just wasted $40 , I was pleasantly surprised when it actually worked ! 

You can buy the liner with lashes or separately and use cheaper magnetic lashes like Ardell. You can also use the liner on top of your favorite liner for a cleaner look as it is a bit sticky and not as smooth as I would like. This video was very helpful to watch before using : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cfu3zEcNouA

https://www.lashliner.com/

Halo Vitamins 

I used halo vitamins for 30 days alternating Hair Skin and Nails and Kiwi Seed ( some of the ingredients overlap so you cannot take them the same day ). While I noticed no difference in my hair or nails , I went the first weekend since I can remember without needing foundation. Usually no matter where I go I at least need some concealer to cover breakouts. The saw palmetto is supposed to balance hormones and I believe it does since my jaw line completely cleared of breakouts. On my next order I will stock up on just the kiwi seed vitamins. I am definitely willing to spend $30 for 30 days of vitamins with results like these. I should have taken a before and after photo ! 

https://halobeauty.com/

Tranquility Weighted  Blanket 

I do enjoy the feel of the weighted blanket but I did wake up warm in the middle of the night so I think I will keep it just for when I am watching tv . I also wish I got one a little bigger than the one below , to cover my entire body.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tranquility-Weighted-Blanket-12lb/849521666?athcpid=849521666&athpgid=athenaItemPage&athcgid=null&athznid=PWVUB&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&athguid=14409ee8-873-16b619187c9dab&athena=true

Poshmark 

Poshmark is a site where you can sell or buy clothes, shoes and accessories from individual users. I ordered some shoes and pants I was unable to find in the store from poshmark but what I failed to realize is that you can’t return anything ! Unless I am positive of size , I won’t order again . 

https://poshmark.com/

My Stretch Zone Experience: Yes, I Paid Someone To Help Me Stretch.

After a 1000m row I walk into Stretch Zone tired feeling tight. Kenny welcomes me and has me lay on the table.

The tables have straps that keep clients on the table, helping them keep from trying to "help" with the stretch and overcompensating, and allowing pinpointing of specific muscles. Having someone else stretch you helps you relax into the stretch . I was told when I signed up for my free session that a  stretch practitioner can stretch you farther than you are capable of doing yourself. The stretch practitioners  are certified in the technique by attending a 60 hour training with founder Jordan Gold and passing a test.

Kenny pulls a blue belt across my waist and clips it . He lifts my left leg straight to the sky. He then pulls my leg across my body to stretch my IT Band. He stretches in this direction asking me to give him three numbers so he knows when to stop each time:

A 3: When starting to feel the stretch

A 5: When feeling a mild stretch

A 7: When feeling a Deep Stretch

I tell him I’ve had a slight pain in my knee and he tells me the IT band is a tendon that can tighten and pull on the kneecap, causing a mis-alignment. He also mentions that my piriformis is very tight. The piriformis is a small muscle located deep in the buttock, behind the gluteus maximus. When I’ve had massages the therapist has worked on this area by placing their elbow and then pressing their weight down, which is surpassingly painful. The stretch-method is definitely a better alternative for this .

Kenny moves me through a series of stretches , moving my legs in all different directions, having me twist to once side and pressing to deep the stretch and stretching my shoulders back to open up my chest and help reverse too much time in front of a computer . We do stretches using a bolster on the edge of the table to help open up my hips , another spot tight from too much sitting. All I need to do is relax and breathe . The hardest part is trying to not "help".


I get up at the end of the 30 Minutes and my body feels lighter. I feel relaxed yet energized. Packages can be pricey at about $35 a session but some that tried the therapy have been able to get back relief they haven’t been able to get from other methods. Some think it is a placebo.

I think that it does help but there are other alternatives if the price is too steep. Restorative yoga is amazing for opening the hips , helping posture and helping  stretch tight areas. Using a yoga strap I am not able to stretch exactly the same as Kenny stretched me but it really helps loosen me up after a workout or sitting too long. Many personal trainers and massage therapists are knowledgeable about assisted stretching so it is good to ask if they can incorporate into your workout or massage.

This experience definitely taught me more about areas I was holding tightness and was a good reminder that I needed to take more time for stretching. First session at Stretch Zone and many similar companies are free If you are unsure but curious. Whether a desk -jockey or cross-fitter, stretching can help reduce stress, stiffness, and soreness.




Additional Viewpoints on Assisted Stretching : 
https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a19700990/assisted-stretching-worth-it-boutique-fitness-classes/ https://www.prevention.com/health/a20517813/professional-stretching-review/


Source :

https://www.stretchzone.com/