Abs on Fire

Today I did Gilad's Lord of the Abs - Abs on Fire DVD.

This was a 45 minute workout consisting of punching, twisting, knee lifts, and kicking on a gorgeous Hawaiian beach at sunset. I liked the techno music, however, it was not loud enough for me and I would have liked to see a music louder/no instruction option. First you start with the right side and add moves to build a sequence then do the same for the other side, then alternate on both sides. Since I pick up choreography so easily and like a mental challenge, this is not a workout I could do often without being bored; but I can see putting it in a rotation once in awhile. I would say this is a beginner to intermediate low impact workout. I think this workout should have been called Arms on Fire, since my arms are burning from all the punching! :)

You can view a preview of this workout here.

Back to it

Last week I started working out again. I have kept the weight off that I lost, but haven't lost anymore, so I am getting back to working out 5-6 days a week. With the warmer weather we've been more active and outdoors as much as possible - going to the gardens, park, zoo, lake, outdoor markets and such trying to get in lots of walking.

Mary from Total Fitness DVDs had an overstock sale a few weeks ago, so I picked up a few new workouts to help motivate me to get re-started at home.

I had my eye on Richard Simmon's Sweatin' to the Oldies 5, since I own and like the previous 4. Plus during the sale I snagged this for only $4 and change. I tried this one out right away. I know many find Richard to be over the top and cheesy - and he is - but I find his workouts more like dancing & so fun it doesn't feel like working out, and they tend to have good vocal music. The complete song list for this one is: 1. Soul Man 2. I Want You Back 3. Ain't Too Proud To Beg 4. Think 5. Downtown 6. Where The Boys Are 7. Hit The Road Jack 8. These Boots Are Made For Walking 9. Heard It Through The Grapevine 10. What The World Needs Now

It is chaptered by song, so you can skip to the song you want to do or do any of them over again by pressing next or back.

Another newbie I tried was Petra Kolber's Liquid Grooves.

This one is less of a workout and more as she says, a celebration of movement. She combines qi gong/tai chi, yoga, and dance moves to new age type music. This one is really my cup of tea since I love workouts that make me feel good/reduce stress, are low impact/can do barefoot, and I can do them in my PJs. I have her earlier workouts Breathe and Breathe 2 that are similar. This one is chaptered with segments being Awakening (warm up), Sequence 1, Sequence 2, and Moving Meditation. I loved that the moving meditation had no instruction what so ever.

This morning I did...

This was another newbie. I have most of The Firm's sets - I think all but The Wave, and many of their other workouts. While effective, most I do not like simply for the Stepford Wife instructors, generic music, and sterile backgrounds. (But I love the Transfirmer box, Fanny Lifter, and a few of their earlier workouts) I had hope for this one upon viewing the online preview - I really enjoy dance workouts. Unfortunately this one had me bored out of my mind by the end of the first Club Dance segment. I really disliked the generic music and the TIFTing (taking it from the top). This was not a dance workout really, more aerobics with marching, side lunges, knee lifts, etc. I can't see myself keeping this one. I took it out and instead put in Zumba Fitness Live to dance, sweat, and have fun.

I also tried another newbie, Crunch Bikini Body.

Well, I only did the abs section, which I liked. Part of it was standing cardio moves (knee lifts, punches & twists, etc) and then on to the floor for crunches, bicycles, leg lifts, etc. Quick and to the point.

*In case anyone is interested, Gilad's Lord of the Abs series is on sale with FREE S&H for only 3 more days. Enter code LOTA15 for an additional $15 off!! That is 5 new DVDs for a total of $54.75. I will be trying these titles and reviewing them soon. Several look really good.

Dropped another pant size!

Was thrilled to be able to fit into pants that are TWO sizes smaller on Easter! I'm still not back to my daily fitness routine, but have been doing alot of unpacking, organizing, cleaning, and eating much less & at home.
I purchased a new Wii dance game and tried it the other day. It was fun and a wee bit harder than any of the Just Dance ones.

Quick Check In

We are moved into the new place but still unpacking. How does one accumulate so much stuff over time?!
Friday we have new furniture being delivered and Saturday we are hoping to be fully finished with the old place; all belongings out and the place cleaned thoroughly.
I probably won't be back to my fitness/food routine for another week or so. I have however *lost a full pant size*! I'm sure all the movement, bending, working from 6am - 6pm daily, running up two flights of stairs, stress, and eating less has helped to lose weight. As I was going through my clothes I noticed things that were too tight or one size down now fit me loosely!

Dealing with changes

My dear father-in-law has passed and we are deeply saddened. I haven't been posting since my husband has been on bereavement and I just haven't felt like doing much. This is the 4th death of a loved one in about a year and a half and has been a very painful time.
We have decided to move rather suddenly (within a few weeks), so I'm not sure in the next month or so how often I'll be able to post. I may not have internet for awhile, since we are going to overlap places for a month and I will be busy packing, cleaning, unpacking, etc. Once we're through, I will be back on schedule with exercising and posting.

*Deal Alert!*

Just wanted to alert you to a great bargain. Misty Tripoli's Body Groove dance sets are available on Amazon for a low price. If you like freestyle, barefoot dance you should look into these. They have an African Dance vibe, low impact, done barefoot, and they feel good to do!

This morning I did Spirit Groove off of the 4 DVD original Body Groove set, now $7.99 (I believe both of these were originally $60)! I have yet to do the Latin Groove, Yoga Groove, Pilates Groove, or the bonus ab workout. Spirit Groove is a 36 minute dance workout. She tells you to do whatever you want, but guides you through isolating body parts and moving to the live drums. You will strike poses, march in place & around the room, do side leg lifts, shimmy, hip circles, squats, etc.
Her new set Body Groove Delicious Dance is available for $9.99 and contains dances/songs you can mix or match or stick with her pre-mixes. This one contains all types of music and styles of movements from African to kickboxing.

Checking in

Yesterday we went bowling. I hadn't been bowling for four years and of course I pulled something in my elbow. It started hurting right after the first game - in which I scored higher than my last 4 scores (totally sucked the 2nd game though)! By evening my wrist and shoulder started hurting and still upon waking this morning. At first I was going to take a rest day today, but then I feared I was making excuses so I decided to do Strong Knees

since my lower body wasn't hurting me. Then I decided to do my daily JV workout

and pay attention to how I felt and adjust accordingly. I did omit two exercises - rear lateral raises and overhead tricep extensions since both hurt to attempt.

I was feeling so good afterward I decided to do the aerobic cardio premix from Start Here.

So lesson learned - do what you can! I did what I could and feel great.