PopSugar

Challenge 9 - More love for Jillian

ashaw2114 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:32:51 -0800

My favorite workout DVD is Banish Fat Boost Metabolism with Jillian Michaels. I love that you get a great cardio workout and you don't need a lot of space or any equipment. I usually do this workout about once a week to give myself a break from the monotony of gym cardio, and I never get sick of it - it's still challenging to me even though I know my overall fitness level has improved.
I like that Jillian encourages you to push yourself, and she doesn't baby you with built-in breaks. It's a 100% intense workout from beginning to end. My heart rate gets up quickly and stays up the whole time! Usually, when I finish this workout I will immediately do a 10-15 minute circuit of arm exercises with free weights while my heart rate is still up. I like to supplement the cardio with a little bit of strength training, but this DVD really is a great workout on its own.

Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred - DVD Review

7sevenj9 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:23:05 -0800

December 2008... I was at the heaviest weight I've ever been... and needed to do something about it... after quitting my gym from lack of use (my credit card was getting more of a workout from Gold's than I was), I decided it was time to invest in fitness DVDs as an alternative.
I came across the 30 Day Shred on ExerciseTV, sort of a "try before you buy" - and DAMN. I barely made it through Level 1, and this was only a 20 minute workout. So I was hooked. If I was getting my @$$ kicked by a 20 minute DVD, I needed to step up my game. Off to amazon.com, bought the DVD since it included two more levels not available on ExerciseTV.
Jillian uses circuit training, a combination of strength, cardio and abs to really work you to the bone in a short amount of time. I don't know about you, but I hate wasting time, and certainly don't want to waste time in a workout... I started doing the shred with 3lb weights as often as my schedule would manage (the cool thing is it's such a short workout, I really didn't have any excuse!). Then after a couple of months, I upped my weights to 5lb weights...
I've now lost 22lbs doing Jillian DVDs. Sure, I integrated some other dvds besides the Shred, but it's my core workout and I love it. HIGHLY recommended.

Work Out: One-On-One with Jackie

akseymour — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:42:40 -0800

This has become my favorite excercise DVD. I love that it mixes cardio and strength training, at that each segment has a warm up and a cool down. I've read a lot of reviews that complain about the clothes the trainers are wearing, the fact that only one trainer works out at a time for the arms and legs segments, and that Jackie doesn't do the work out. None of this bothered me. I viewed it as a personal training session. The chosen trainer does all the movies and shows any variations to make it harder or easier. Jackie walks you through the move and gives tips for improving form or adapting the move to fit your fitness level. There are three segments - one for arms, one for legs, and one for abs. Each segment is about 20 minutes long. You can choose to just do one, or do all three in an order you choose. Jackie uses a lot of moves I don't see in most videos and my muscles always burn the next day.

Gear Review: Perfect Core Tank by Lucy

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:00:46 -0800

The Pilates instructor in me knows that we can all use a little help remembering to keep our abs engaged. I was intrigued by the technology behind the new Perfect Core Racerback ($64) by Lucy, so I asked them to send me one to test out.

First off, I know that $64 is a bit steep for a workout shirt. However, this is the only top with a built in bra that I have tried in recent history that actually provided enough support for all my cardio action minus running. I like a lot of support for those long runs. The built in bra is made with separate molded cups, adding a little extra oomph to the chest and keeping all things nipple from showing.

The front of the shirt is lined with supportive mesh material Lucy calls xBAR technology (eXtreme Body Reforming & Alignment). It is certainly flattering; it pulls the tummy in just a bit. It's also supportive, partially because it is tight in an oddly pleasant compressive way, and it did remind me to keep core engaged. I was worried it might feel a bit like a corset when working out, but it didn't.

Although the Perfect Core Tank will definitely make it into my rotation of fave fitness wear, I do have a couple of problems with the top. To learn them, read more.

One problem I have with the top is that although the shirt fit well in my ribs, the cut didn't accommodate the curve of my hips. Meaning I had to pull it down often. However, this happened more when I was sitting around in the shirt (I put on my workout clothes as a means of motivation - I am dressed for working out, so I might as well go to the gym). The shirt works better in action and during my 45 minute cardio / strength training sessions, I only had to pull it down once. The second problem is taking the shirt off. It is fitted and snug, which is great support, but this shirt is difficult to take off especially when sweaty. Possibly, I need a larger size, but in Lucy gear I tend to wear a small, although in most workout gear I consider myself a classic size medium.

The tank comes in a cobalt blue. Check out photos below for images of the inside of the shirt, since the internal construction is where the support comes from.

View 3 Photos ›

Long Time No C

krikri4lif — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:25:57 -0800

whooooo weeee has it been for ever since i posted or what? lol! but anyway, i have been doing very good with my workouts and eating healthy. here goes the updates:
1. i have went to the gym for at least 4-5 days a week (or more) and have gotten in the cardio and strength training almost everyday.
2. i joined the health fitness club at my YMCA gym
3. i am training for a 5k run
4.and i have been participating in as many group fitness classes as possible.
so i think i have been doing super duper awsome (even though the running to train for the race is about to do me in) and i have been enjoying majority of my time at the gym. i only have 1 question..........WHO EVER THOUGHT THAT RUNNING WAS ENJOYABLE OMG!!!!!!!!!!? lol!

Challenge 7 Workout review

lighthouselady — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:18:40 -0800

I have a few that I rely on:
Jillian MIchael's 30 Day shred. I love this. When I did it the first time back in November, I was barely able to do Level 1. Now I've gone through it twice straight and then I did the 30 day slimdown which incorporates Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism and No More Trouble Zones. When I finish the BFBM, I feel energized. However, the NMTZ still whips me. I'm not quite there yet on it.
Then I also got the 10 minute solution Cardio Kickboxing with the 2# weighted gloves. I LOVE this. I can choose from 5 different 10 minute workouts:
Knockout Body blast which mixes combinations of cardio and strenth moves for tightening and toning all over. I like to end my workout with this one.
Fat attack--Punch, kick and strike away flab. I like starting with this one to get my heart rate up.
Fierce and Fabulous abs--I find that some of the moves in this really raises the HR.
Ultimate Upper body--another favorite of mine
Kickbox Cross train. I haven't mastered the moves in this one yet. I'm still working on them.
Each time I do this workout, the order is different. Tonight I did: Fat attack, Fierce & fabulous abs, Ultimate upper body, Fat attack and Knockout body blast.
In addition to these, I also have incorporated a strength training program: Sunday--Lower Body, Monday--Upper Body; Tuesday--Core; Thursday--Lower Body; Friday--Upper Body; Saturday--Core

Share A Workout

andarms — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:44:29 -0800

I'm not gonna lie. I wish I were able to attend group classes or get an individualized personal training workout, but I don't have the time nor budget. So, what do I use to my full advantage? The great outdoors and my collection of workout DVDs!

This week, I have been alternating my Biggest Loser Cardio Max DVD and Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred every other day in the morning. After the workout, I do strength moves with my 5lb weights every other day: bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, lateral shoulder raises... and basically any movement that gives my arm muscles a nice little burn! I do 2 sets of 20 each. Later on in the late afternoon/early evening, I do a 30 minute 2.6 mile run at a speed of about 5.0 on the hills surrounding my neighborhood.

I am aiming to incorporate my pilates and yoga DVDs in sometime before bedtime, because they always leave my body nice and relaxed.

Challenge: Week 6 "There's always room for progress"

mshoema — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 19:26:03 -0800

Hi everyone,
So it has already been 6 weeks into 2010 and it is time for an update. Well the year started out great until my wonderful running injury, which probably would have stopped me in the past but not these days. It has been exactly 1 month since my doctors told me "There is absolutely no way you are going to be able to run, nor should you with your knee in this condition." So what is a girl that used to run daily and signed up for 1/2 marathons throughout the year supposed to do? Well I found swimming, ab work, and modifying my Body Pump (squats and lunges) and Zumba routines to be my new way to get cardio and strength training in.
However, I am a girl that has a hard time saying no to a good cause and doing what I am supposed to do, so when I say the Zumba-thon for Haiti (2 hours of non-stop dancing) I couldn't pass that up...so for everyone that has an injury and wants to know how to continue doing what they love, simply sit out a few songs and do abs instead. Not only will you get to participate in the class you love, but when you are starting to feel some pain, just switch to some ab work or arm work or some other muscle group.
The biggest accomplishment so far with my injury has been the fact that I was able to run for the first time today. Again, I couldn't pass up and opportunity to help Haiti so I did the Virtual Help Haiti 4 mile run. So here is the update, at mile 2 my knee started acting up, and mile 3 I had to slow down a bit and when I finished I went straight to icing. I am currently in a little pain, so I am taking the rest of the week off and going back to swimming. The only crazy thing is, I have my next 1/2 Marathon in New Orleans next Sunday (Rock-N-Roll series) and I can't wait to try it. I will probably end up doing a lot of walking and dancing at the mile marker bands.
As far as my other progress, I have lost about 2 inches off my waist and 1 inch off of both my thighs. I am more toned all over, and I am trying to tone up my arms even more. I have successfully increased weight during Body Pump for my bicep, chest, back, and triceps tracts. This is a huge accomplishment for me and I hope that everyone tries to intensify at least one part of their workout. It is important to live the life you love and love the life you live. So go out and do whatever it is you think you can't do. Push yourself that extra second and break down whatever mental barrier you have, trust me it is such a relief to know you can do whatever you want.
Happy 6 weeks everyone. Keep up all the great work

six week update!

laellavita — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:28:00 -0800

Wow, how has it already been six weeks into the new year?! Where is the time going?
Anyway, onto my fitness update. I've been in the gym six days out of the seven in a week for -- wait for it -- four weeks out of the six in a year. One week, I did five days and gave myself a rest because I didn't want to exacerbate an injury, and I think the other week I did four or five. And some days, I did two-a-days and went to yoga too on top of an hour of cardio. I can definitely feel my endurance raising, and I did a quickie 3 mile run the other day and wasn't winded at all. I think that's proof of something!
I haven't really lost any weight though, because I still have been having slip-up days on the whole eating well thing, but I really am trying. I know the key is to just get back on the horse the minute you fall off. And sometimes the minute translates into a day and a half later, but it's baby steps. Saturday and Sunday are still my pitfalls, but I'm trying to at least curb them and then be right back at it on Monday.
Also, I shoud be doing a little more structured strength training, because so far I've only managed one day a week with my best friend. During the week, I just tend to get to the gym, do my cardio, and call it a day.

Week #4 Challenge

nic222 — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:13:36 -0800

Typical week for me:
Sunday - rest
Monday - 45 mins cardio or rest
Tuesday - 30 mins with personal trainer: intense cardio and strength training for lower body
Wednesday - 45-60 mins cardio
Thursday - 45-60 mins cardio
Friday - 45-60 mins cardio
Saturday - 30 mins with personal trainer; intense cardio and strength training for upper body

My cardio is at the gym, brisk walk with average incline of 5-8%. Sometime to switch it up, I'll get on stationary bike or elliptical.