Turbo Fire

Turbo Fire

Towards the end of October I purchased a new workout program called Turbo Fire by Chalene Johnson. After doing Insanity, I felt kind of lost, my workouts just seemed to be lagging in intensity. So, I tried couch to 5k, nearly completed that until it started getting too dark in the mornings to run and I didn't have any good reflective gear (nor did I take the time to go buy any either). I decided then to try P90X! As I started my 4th week into that program I started slipping with doing my exercises. It just wasn't grasping my attention (not everyone feels this way about P90X, some people absolutely love it). I enjoyed the weight lifting portion of it and loved Tony Horton's energy but it just wasn't fast paced enough for me. So, I finally decided to take the plunge and buy Turbo Fire! 

I've just started my 3rd week and after finally catching onto some of the movements I'm loving it!!!! Chalene takes a variety of exercises and puts them with some rockin music. Music with a good beat that will keep you moving and motivated (trust me Chalene's energy will wear off on you)! Don't worry, she doesn't just throw you to the wolves in these videos. There is a Fire Starter pack that has some workout videos in it that will go at your pace till you're ready to move up. There is also a "New to Class" option on the videos. In that, Chalene explains the moves slowly before you begin them with the music and at her high energy speed. There is also a video for sculpting...using a resistance band you do various muscle movements, and believe me you will feel it the next day. 

Before I received Turbo Fire in the mail, I had basically stopped getting up early in the morning like I had been for almost a year. My enthusiasm for working out diminished when I no longer had a workout program that suited my taste. I love doing a lot of cardio and so it is important that I find workout videos that suit me. In order to keep interest in working out it is important to find an exercise program, gym, or whatever that suits you. I believe some people stop working out because it doesn't peak their interest, so instead of finding something that will work better for them, they give up. Don't ever give up!! Search for the workouts that will keep you interested, motivated, and longing to stay healthy.  

P90X...Here We Go!!!!!

On Monday September 3, 2012, I began a new workout program...P90X. This is another Beach Body program and the trainer is Tony Horton. I know the P means Power and the 90 is 90 days (3 months)...just unsure of what the X is. Tony sometimes refers to this in some of the workouts when we raise our arms and move our legs to signify an X.

Some of these videos I have done before, mainly Cardio X, Kenpo X and Core Synergistics. I only did them once and didn't go back, primarily because I was doing some other workouts. But after doing 2 months of Insanity, I began to really miss the routine of getting up at 430am to push play on my workouts, not that I enjoy getting up at 430 in the morning, but that is the best time for me to get my workouts in. So I decided back in July that I would start the P90X program.

With some guidance from the Facebook team I'm on, Team Sixpackstriving (private page by invite only), I decided to set the date to start my 3 month adventure. So on Monday, I took the plunge. I ordered resistance bands through Amazon, while I don't "really" need those because I have free weights, I decided I'd get them to use when I want to challenge myself more and go for a different feel than what you get from free weights. I started with Cardio X on Monday, Kenpo X on Tuesday, Plyometrics on Wednesday, and Core Synergistics on Thursday, Friday is yet to be determined! Let me tell you, I am feeling the DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) from the first few workouts.

While I want to follow the meal plan, I have yet to really sit down and give my full attention to the menu and decide what I'll fix for myself. I know with the holidays and my 40th birthday approaching, it is going to be hard to eat right, but I will certainly try my best. I have a good support system and I know I can do this if I really put my mind to it. My reasoning for getting and being fit is to be healthy inside and out, so that I can be here as long as I can for my kids and my husband. Exercise is great for your overall health and well-being, it is a great stress reliever. It doesn't have to be a Beach Body program that you workout to or any other type of program. It is whatever suits you best, a nice walk for 20-30 minutes everyday is a great way to stay in shape. Whatever you can do to just be fit and healthy, I encourage it! I will  update my progress at day 30. Until then...

Be dedicated, motivated, and inspired!!!

In the words of Tony Horton:

Where do I go from here?

So I'm going on my 2nd week of no Insanity and I have to say I'm really missing it. However, I am enjoying my new workout program, Couch to 5K (C25K). If you're interested in doing a 5k or just being able to run 3 miles, this is a good program to start with. It goes for 9 weeks and for 3 days each week you work through the training schedule. Each week you're changing how long you walk and how long you run till eventually you work up to 3 miles of all running! There seems to be many sites out there in regards to this program, I use this site www.coolrunning.com. So far I am enjoying it and finding I am getting my running groove back. I'm also doing a 20 minute weight lifting workout with my husband John each night after I get home from work. He has designated a day to doing each muscle group.

Now, I just need to be a lot more focused on my diet. My diet is always something that has messed with my mind and I'm finding I really need to get a grip on it in order to see more changes to go with all the exercise work I am doing. I can't say I'm doing horrible with it just not to the degree it should be. I'm working on making those changes even more noticeable.

I still need to take some before and after photos for this but I also need to post some after photos from doing Insanity because I did see a change in my body after 2 months. So maybe those will come soon...I have to admit I'm rather leery of taking photos of myself but that is part of the process too...putting yourself out there!

I just want to encourage everyone to do whatever you can to find the time to take care of your body. You've read in my past blogs that I am NOT a morning person and it really took everything in me to make myself get up so early in the morning to workout. But I'm so glad I did and I'm so glad I had a friend motivate me to do that. She wasn't doing it to hurt me or make me feel guilty or bad for how I had been in regards to my exercise and diet. She did it to light a fire under me and to make me realize that I do have time to do these things if I just make a place for it (Thank you Shavonne). And if that means getting up at 430am, 5 days a week, then so be it! My blogs of my workouts are not to brag or do any such thing. It is to encourage you, motivate you, and inspire you! Just taking that first leap of faith is the biggest step you'll make and a step you won't forget or regret!

Dedicate, Motivate, and Inspire!!!!

I've gone Insane!!!!

For the past couple of months I have been driving myself insane! Some would think that was in fact true however, the insane I'm talking about is the Insanity workout program that is produced by BeachBody and workouts are done by Shaun T.

My dear friend Shavonne, who was the one to motivate me to get up early in the morning to workout, asked me if I would be willing to give Insanity a try. I knew she had gone through it once before and she survived, so why can't I? I still remember her talking about each day's workouts and how she made them sound so fun, yet so exhausting. Needless to say, when the day rolled around that we were going to take on Insanity I was nervous. I had an inkling of what I was in for but didn't know it really until that first day! 

The first month workouts would seem more laid back than month two. However, I suppose laid back is not the phrase I want to use. All the workouts are intense with a lot of heavy breathing and sweat. Month 1 workouts aren't as long as month 2, which is why I'd say month 1 is more laid back and that would probably be the ONLY reason I'd say laid back. What I like about these workout videos is the fact that Shaun T and the people he has working out with him in the videos are just as exhausted and spent as I am. That is a very motivating factor when it comes to getting yourself through this workout program. 

You get a week "off" after you finished month 1...but don't get excited because it isn't really time off from working out. During this one week off, you are still doing workouts but you're doing more of the recovery mode workouts, where the workouts are still a bit intense but not so much cardio work going on. 

Month 2 workout videos have the word "max" in each of the titles. And let me say it is definitely a MAX workout! The workouts for month 2 tend to be close to an hour long and the intensity is even more in these workouts. The sweat drips more and my clothes are even more drenched than before. This is the month where you are supposed to see a noticeable transformation. 

There is also a meal plan that comes with this program, however I did not choose to do that. I merely wanted to do the workouts and I tried my best to eat sensibly. 

I have just begun my last week of the second month and as much as I want it all to be over with, I am thoroughly proud of myself for doing this workout program. I know to the many that knew I was doing this I seem absolutely INSANE, but it was well worth it. I've lost at least 3-4 inches around my hips and at least 3 inches around my waist. I can tell my legs are much smaller and my clothes are definitely fitting looser than before. Would I do this program again? Sure...why not? But it won't be anytime soon. P90X (trainer is Tony Horton) is in my horizon, and if you're not sure what that is...well that is another workout program that goes 90 days instead of 60 and is also produced by BeachBody. I'm even considering doing RevAbs (also BeachBody), trainer for this workout program is Brett Hoebel, who was a trainer for one season on Biggest Loser. 

After Insanity is over at the end of this week, I plan on starting up jogging and throwing in some of my Jillian workouts. In order to be healthy, it is an everyday duty to get up and put my workout on. I feel I'd not only be letting myself down but the many others that have followed my crazy workouts. I'm going to keep on pushing myself to be dedicated. And in return, motivate and inspire all those around me!!!!! 

The Workouts!!!

For the last couple of months my friend Shavonne and I have been getting up about 5am to workout (we text each other when we are up and out of bed). We both have the same workout DVD's of Jillian Michaels', who was one of the trainers on the Biggest Loser. Each day I let Shavonne decide what workout videos we are going to do and what level. Last month, we both purchased two new (new to us, although I purchased 3 :) ) videos of Jillian's to add to our collection. In this blog, I'd like to list the workout videos we do. We split them up...never doing the same the next day. We've increased to different levels as we have gone a long too. We do Jillian's workouts because they fit the amount of time we each have in the morning. A couple of her workout videos are 20 minutes long and do the 3-2-1 method, where she does 3 minutes of strength training, 2 minutes of cardio, and 1 minute of abs. Each workout begins with a warm-up and ends with a cool-down, which Jillian stresses the importance of doing these before and after a workout. The other workouts are about 30 minutes long. Jillian does not yell at you in these videos but she does do a lot of encouraging. I think she does a good job of explaining the exercise, why you're doing it, and what results you should see in the end. She's pure motivation! Below you will find the list of videos we do and a brief description. I hope seeing this will motivate you and help you to not be afraid to workout to Jillian's videos.

30 Day Shred is a great workout! I've heard some people say she really bust your butt in this video but she bust your butt in all her videos! This is a 20 minute workout where she does 3-2-1 method of strength, cardio, abs. There are 3 levels in this workout. This is one of my first workout videos of Jillian's.

Shred it with Weights gives you the option of using a kettlebell or a dumbell, I've used both! I got a 10 pound kettlebell for Christmas and actually enjoy using it more than the dumbell. It takes some getting used to but it gives you something different. I recommend a 10 pound kettlebell as the weight in them is proportioned differently than in a dumbell. When I used dumbells I used my 8 pound dumbell, and if necessary would drop down to using 5 pound dumbell. This video workout has 2 levels, each lasting 30 minutes plus your warmup and cool down.

Ripped in 30 is also comprised of the 3-2-1 system. There are 4 levels (weeks as they are shown in the DVD menu), each being 24 minutes long. I've currently tried week 1 and week 2 thus far and enjoy them both and find them challenging. In each of these videos, she has 1 trainee that is doing a modified version (aka a bit easier) and 1 doing a more advanced version (a bit more challenging). When you are ready and have done Jillian's workouts for a while, you have the option of challenging yourself and trying the advanced version.

6 Week 6 Pack consists of two 30 minute workouts plus warmup and cool down. The focus in this video is on your abdominal area but she does incorporate other muscles in your body as they all work together. I've done both levels of this workout and love them both. I feel sore every time from the workout, which lets me know it is working.


Yoga Meltdown I started doing yoga some time last year and I found that I really enjoy it and find it very relaxing despite it being a workout. In the video, Jillian talks about getting out of your comfort zone...I never thought I'd enjoy yoga but I definitely do...I'm glad I got out of my comfort zone. And I find myself doing this yoga workout when I just want a less intense workout and need my mind to relax. This video contains two 30 minute workouts. You will also see a modified version and an advanced version in these workouts. When you feel you're ready...then move onto the advanced version.

These next two workout DVD's of Jillian's we don't do very often and one of them I just purchased and have not done yet.

Killer Buns and Thighs I just got this video late last year and let me tell you it is definitely killer buns and thighs. I've definitely done workouts in this that I've never seen done before and I love the feeling I get after I've done this workout. When I can feel soreness in my legs, butt, and thighs, I know the workout I'm doing is working. When muscles ache like that...it is a good thing. There are three 30 minute workouts on this DVD.

Extreme Shed & Shred This is the new workout I got in December. I have yet to try it! It isn't because I'm scared of it, but because it has two 45 minute workouts. I workout at 5am, so I try to have my workouts range from 20-30 minutes in length or I would have to get up at 430am. This is a workout that I will do on the weekends as I have more time then to devote to the full 45 minutes. It is not only a new workout to me but it is a new workout DVD of Jillian's. There is a blend of kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, yoga, and weight training. I can't wait to give this workout a try!!!

Clearly I like Jillian Michaels workouts as I have 7 of them in my workout DVD collection (I also have a collection of Bob Harper's workout DVD's). Most of the workouts are not time consuming and can be incorporated into any lifestyle. She doesn't yell at you like she did when she was a trainer on the Biggest Loser. She encourages you to go out of your comfort zone and give each workout your all! I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and give your body and your health all you've got to give it!