HARDCORE CHECK IN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Diane Sue - Thank you for being so gracious about my 'worrying.' :D Really, I respect and trust that you know what you're doing and take care of yourself. Sizes do vary a lot depending on brand and even the style. You are petite and don't have a lot of extra to spare - that's for sure. I just wasn't sure, and couldn't see myself saying "Wow Diane Sue, it sounds like you may be wasting away to nothing:D :D :D Keep up the good work :p !!" --- :confused: Know what I mean? Your plan sounds like a good one. I think I do well with heavy weights, too. I'm not super tall (just a hair under 5'7) but I am very long limbed. Another good workout today, btw. Also, I was at Walmart yesterday and almost picked up that Jillian Yoga DVD. Although it may not have been the same one that you have. Do you know if she's put out more than one? If I remember right, you had good things to say about Yoga Meltdown, didn't you?

Lora - Hope you had an ok day at work. I'd be doomed in a job like yours. If I need to go, I really can't put it off. I'd go nuts. Plus, I generally need to go OFTEN. Dang. As if your job isn't tough enough, you have to endure it with an achey bladder??!!! :eek: I'm just shaking my head (Really -- I am). I must be too much of a wimp. I couldn't do it.

Also, I flip flop my workout days if I'm still sore and usually feel better for it. Not familiar at all with the workout's you're doing (other than short clips -- and that they must be pretty tough if you're liking them ;) ). Whatever you decide, enjoy your day off tomorrow (it is tomorrow, right?).


Need to get some cleaning done and then "finish" my workout. Weights - bi's/tri's. If I'm too pooped, I may just do triceps tonight and bump biceps into tomorrow.

ttyl

Lori
 
I just checked my e mail and my Brook Benton workouts are at my post office. I guess I won't get them till Tuesday afternoon. I was hoping to incorporate those Kettlebell workouts into my routine. I guess I will just start Monday with Slo Mo.

Lori, I also meant to mention that my upper body and arms build pretty easy for me. I just either seem to hold fat which most of us do or when fat is gone so is my lower half. It is hard to gain muscle there. For awhile I was eating super clean very little fat but plenty of good protein. I got up to 120 and was showing more lower body muscle. Thought I might be getting somewhere as bf stayed down too. Since dh is home it is hard for me to stick to the clean eating and I tend to want to throw in more cardio to compensate for the junk food. Yes, I really like Jillian's Yoga Meltdown. I posted that I don't think of it as cardio even though they try to say it is. It may be for someone newer to working out. You go through movement then hold for 15 seconds in the pose. level 1(not an easy workout) is over 30 minutes. Leel 2(supposed to be the harder workout is 29 min I think it has more balance poses in it like the crow and hits core a little more.
 
Hey everyone, we went out to Japanese for dinner tonight, then afterwards came home, I waited a bit, then did a late workout. I did Gym Style legs, but made my own timesaver, as I often do, consisting of warm up, squats, then I skipped to calves and from there did all the floor work and my own stretch.

Lori, one of my classes is done, which is great, but I've got to grade for them and do my other classes, which will be ending in a couple weeks. After that, it's not long before summer session starts. Things have lightened up a bit, though, and honestly, I've been a bit lazy. Haven't graded much today, nor did I do anything on my diss and just a bit of work on my online classes. It's hard to not be a bit lazy when I've had so many days of solid back to back work, but I still feel kinda guilty about all the stuff I didn't get done today but should have.
 
Good Morning -

Diane Sue - I forget how having a spouse can make healthier eating difficult. Same reason weekends are hard for some of the ladies on this check in. Weekends are a no brainer for me since DS is likely to visit his dad. Plus, they go out to eat a lot so he never really wants to when he’s home. I guess I should count myself lucky in a way, to be single in a little town where I really only know/hang out with children (sounds better than saying I have no social life :confused: ). Also, I’ve wondered if adding lower body muscle might be harder because our legs get very little real rest. I mean, when you train an upper body muscle group, it gets fairly restful day’s off to rebuild in between. But (for example), after a leg's weight training day , I might do a Hiit or Imax or something. I even count Jari’s Extremely Ripped 1000 as a cardio day (and my legs were frying during that workout a couple times). Even on much lighter cardio days, legs still carry the brunt of the workload. Maybe they don’t have time to really rebuild. Have you heard of Freestyle Training? I think it sort of capitalizes on this principle to a greater extreme. Maybe this factored into the Bosu /Tonique rotation? Am I making any sense? If this is the case, I don’t know what to do about it. I doubt either of us (or anyone in this check-in) would be willing to give up or even cut back on workouts. It could be so many different things, but that’s crossed my mind. I guess I’ll be getting Jillian's yoga DVD next time I’m at Walmart. It would be nice to have an option that’s under an hour sometimes, too :).

Hermia - I’d think you’d have to let yourself take some time off and just do what you want. In my twenties I worked a full time job, a part time job (at Art Student’s League) had a student teacher position and a full class load, but I still think my schedule then was less intense than yours is now. You need day’s to just do … whatever. They’re necessary - like with working out - for “recovery.” I know what you mean about feeling guilty though. Most days I sort of feel like I didn’t get everything done I should have. However, with me it’s probably true :confused: I’m amazed you came home after going to dinner and still did a leg workout. That’s dedication. I’d have probably called it a night by that point :) .

I did do triceps last night. I’ll do biceps and cardio of some kind today.

Enjoy your Sunday -

Lori
 
Today is a rest day for me. I got both of my Brook Benton dvds in the mail. Forgot to check yesterday. I like that the Kettlebell BUtts and Guts one has a separate cardio kettlebell workout and a kettlebell ab workout on it. It will be fun to try these out:D I still am going to work in Slo Mo as well. We went out to lunch and I had the steamed vegetables. Their steamed rice wasn't ready yet. The waiter asked if I wanted fried but I declined. Wasn't wanting the rice that bad anyway:)

Lori, I have read about freestyle training a lot over the years. I do think we could get more muscle if we cut down on the cardio but I am not very good at doing that:rolleyes: The lower body does get worked a lot. And all of the plyometric, high impact, and kickbox really hits that area more. Tonique and the Xplode workouts really do both hit the lower body. But not in a way that I think would build mass. Having the grandchildren here a lot and dh keeps me bringing things in for eating that I don't buy for myself. Then the temptation is overwhelming. Especially when I don't feel like cooking two different meals. I tend to just eat salad with some tuna or something easy a lot. Or make up a steamer bag of veggies and dump some shrimp in it with some seasoning.
The Fusion Brook Benton workout I just bought has some yoga segments along with cardio and kettlebells. I think the yoga segments will be nice for add ons to other workouts.

Hermia, Japanese sounds good.
 
Hi Everyone -
I did Rebecca Small's Step to Success this morning. I did the first 3 combos (repeating each one twice). I got tripped up on the 4th combo and I kept rewinding and trying it for my cool down....but got carried away. Did 75" of cardio. Max HR was 160 and I burned 790 calories! I jumped most of the knee... ups and put a lot of spring in my step. I finished with a Cathe stretch and Dharma Yoga for stress release.

I decided against doing weights today since my body is sore. I guess the 2 Val circuits and 3 TA's will be enough for the muscles?

We went to see Prince of Persia this afternoon. It was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting much and it was very good. Enjoyed it.

I wish I could feel stretched out! My hammy's are sooo tight. My DH works tonight.....so maybe I'll do some yoga later when he's sleeping before his shift. Working nights sucks.


PS. This is one step DVD I'd recommend to you ladies if you want to try a Rebecca Small DVD. I just LOVE Rebecca's personality and her style of teaching! She REALLY layers so it's easy to pick up. Her DVDs are geared towards instructors....so she states she teaches the steps faster than she would in a normal step class. Her DVDs usually start out with easier combos and build in complexity. Of all of her DVDs/VHS I have of hers, I mostly stick to the easier combos....as she can get pretty complex with tons of turns (which are fun until I get lost), lots of directions over the step, etc.

http://fitnessorganica.com/products/SuperStep.html
 
Unexpectedly spent my afternoon hiking through the hills. Nebraska actually isn't entirely flat -- at least not this part of the country. I did Illara's Powerstrike this morning. I really like her -- wish she'd put out more DVD's. The workout isn't very intense, but it's pretty fun and a really good opportunity to practice technique (if you like that sort of thing -- I do :) ). Then, my friend called to invite me hiking (the one that's helping me with the roof). We've been buddies since before DS was born, but really don't do things together. I almost declined. So glad I didn't. It was really fun. Saw lots of wildflowers and hawks -- a couple deer. No bears or wildcats (thank goodness) though there are some in that area. We ended up hiking for almost four hours :eek: I haven't done anything like that in a long time (spontaneous, and just for fun). I always feel like there are things I should stay home to work on. Not sure why I overrode that today, but happy that I did :D Thought about taking Skyler, but I worried about the rattlesnakes. I just don't know how she'd react if we ran into one. So, I owe her a walk.

Diane Sue - I checked out Brook Benton last night after I saw your post that you had new kb DVD's at the post office. Glad you didn't have to wait until Tuesday :D Never heard of it before but it looked REALLY good (I favorite'd the site - maybe someday). Looking forward to hearing what you think of it. Your description in your last post gave more info than I could find when I checked. Sounds like a well-rounded workout.

Lora - Holy cow on your calorie burn! There must have been steam coming off of you. I've never heard of Rebecca Small either. Thank you for the links, although if you guys keep taunting me with all these recommendations, I'm going to have to get another part-time job ;) . I'm kidding of course (mostly), and appreciate being turned on to different workouts. I'm glad you enjoyed Prince of Persia. I didn't read very carefully but saw some reviews that didn't seem very good. Not always wise to trust the critics -- and from what I could tell from the picture's I saw, the male lead looked like a hottie. How bad can that be? Hope you get a chance to do some yoga or stretch later -- and have a relaxing evening :D

I'm going to look at the links Lora posted and then go check for ticks :eek: Hope you guys are enjoying your Sunday.

Lori
 
Lori, did you get this website?? http://cardiopump.com/ She has some free audio downloads there and you can view some clips. I saw some other clips somewhere else which escapes me. The workouts seem to be separated nicely for shorter workouts. I am really looking forard to trying them. I searched around and the reviews seem pretty favorable. I have Power Strike Workouts but I just don't do them. I guess they are ok and the instructors are in motivating shape. Something just doesn't draw me to pull them out. If I remember right they are not workouts (or at least what I did) that you can just stop if you run out of time because they work one side for quite some time before they move to the other?? You know I mix up my workouts a lot:D nebraska always looked pretty flat to me unless you are referring to the sandhills. DH just made comment today about a movie we were watching and all of the rolling hills, greenery and to top it off buildings that was supposed to take place in Nebraska. I sure couldn't place it unless maybe it was around Omaha since I have not been there.

Lora, thanks for the links. Do you find her workouts fun to do?? How is the music?
 
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Diane Sue - That's a much better link. I changed it in my favorite's. Thanks :D I'd looked at the Powerstrike workouts several times and decided against them -- I think because they didn't sound challenging enough. I finally opted to try one because I read a review (on Collage's website, I think) that mentioned you could do them with very little space. DS and I visit my dad in Arizona when we can. I've learned it's a good idea to bring some workouts - there's a lot of downtime and I do better (get less antsy) if I sneak away to my room for awhile and just do ... something. You're right though, she does all one side (both combos) and then the other. Very tough to use in a mix and match. Today was my first time doing it. I liked her a lot - the sort of personality I can't imagine would grate on anyone's nerves. But as I was doing it I did think I should save it mostly for travel. After a few times it would probably seem repetitive. And the music WAS repetitive. I noticed a particular song cycled through two or three times. That's a bit odd, huh? About Nebraska: we live in the Panhandle, about 3 1/2 - 4 hours from Denver. Lots of plains and cornfields for sure, but there are (surprisingly) some spots that remind me of the foothills in Colorado (pine trees and wildlife and rolling hills). I have a brother that lives in Chadron, NE (about an hour and a half from here). The State Park there is very dense with evergreens and hills and critters. We also have the Badlands (by the Platte River). They're beautiful in their own right, too. But like I said, these areas are very localized and you have to know where to look or you'd miss them. For the most part, the cornfield and cow imagery that probably comes to most people when they hear the word Nebraska, is pretty accurate. Whew. On and on I go. Do I sound like I work for the Board of NE tourism? Sorry :confused: Writing about Nebraska may have become so incredibly interesting to me because I SHOULD be doing laundry :eek: . Ok then.

Have a good evening.

Lori
 
Lora - Just finished watching the links you posted. How is it I've never heard of her, I wonder? I had a bit of trouble with the player (seemed to freeze --skip some) but I got the idea. Her workout's look tricky, but VERY fun. I liked just listening to her (Australian?). And "tricky" is good. The workout wouldn't get boring -- room to grow, that's for sure. Thanks again. No wonder you said you loved her and did the combo's twice :D

Lori
 
Diane Sue - yes, Evolution Studio productions always have good music. Rebecca's music is good. So is her personality.

Rebecca teaches in a layering method. She usually starts with easier combos and as they go on, they get harder. I usually stick with the first 3 combos on her DVDs, as it can get pretty tricky. The 4th combo kept tripping me up yesterday....thus the reason I ended up going for so long....

You can sort of hear the music on the clips, i think. It is good....better than the usual generic stuff. Most Evolution DVDs are from the UK and I think music licensing rights or whatever you call it is easier to get over there.
Yes, Rebecca is Australian.......and one of my fave step instructors. She always has fun while stepping and her personality shines thru, plus she is an EXCELLENT teacher, good cueing, etc.

PS, So then you ladies don't recommend the Powerstrike DVDs? I've always wanted them but wondered about the intensity of them.

I love CardioPump's cardio segment with Brooke Benton.
 
Good Morning -

I don't know what I'm going to do today -- going to figure that out very soon. Biceps for sure -- STILL haven't hit the little buggers, but I will get them good today. There were a couple new workouts on Bodyrock. Maybe those. They'd add up to about 30 minutes, and then I'd like to do some steady state.

Lora - Hmmm. I'm not sure what Diane Sue would say. For you, I probably would recommend Powerstrike (at least the one I have). You have so many workouts and are good at upping intensity on your own (weighted gloves for punches, etc.), AND I know you like kickboxing. The workout (I have PS 1) is just different enough it might be a nice change -- most of the kickbox workout's I have use the front snap kick or thrust. She teaches a push kick with the heel - a tad different - and also a couple of karate punches/stances. I enjoyed the workout once I got going. If you were doing it every week it would probably get old - but that's not a factor for you I don't think, seeing as you have about a billion workouts to choose from ;) Like I said, I really liked her. Something about her personality/style (what you can pick up in a DVD) was really appealing to me. Once in awhile I regret a DVD purchase. I don't feel that way about this one, I'll just need to use it sparingly -- for less intense days. Those are good for me to schedule in now and then.

Enjoy your morning.

Lori
 
My workout was Brook Benton's Kettlebell Butts and Guts with the abs and stretch 55 minutes 337 calories. I started with a 20# kettlebell and dropped to a 15. I really did like this workout. It reminded me of Tonique with the endless squats, lunges, and swings in combined with upper moves. I then did Cardio Pump Fusion yoga w/up 2 times because I had to keep stopping and forgetting to start my HR monitor. The w/up is 11 minutes so I spent around 22 minutes 88 calories, I followed with Kettlebell Crank segment(total body) 11 min 84 calories max hr 157, then I did the fusion & final fusion breakdown 21:50 min 174 calories max hr 157, I finished with the yoga stretch 9:50 min 32 calories. I skipped the Kettlebell cardio segment which is similar to the Butts & Guts lower segment. I thought that might be too much kettlebell work. Total time spent was 1 hr and 58 min and I burned 715 calories.
Brook uses a 10# kettlebell in Cardio Pump Fusion but I used a 15 as that is the lightest I have and it worked fine. I really liked both workouts.

Lora, I hear a lot of people that like Powerstrike. It just wasn't that fun for me. You might like it. I only have #3 and #4. I think that Brook Benton's Fuse cardio segment is fun. I like the sports drills and kickbox moves in it.

Lori, I don't have Power Strike 1. Just the two that I mentioned to Lora. I have heard of Chadron but have not been to that area of Nebraska. it sounds pretty.
 
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