Last week I started doing Bob Harper's 4 DVD workout set. The workout I completed last week was Pure Burn / Super Strength. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but was pleasantly pleased at the end of the week with what I had accomplished. The only sad thing about it is the fact that I only did it for a week before moving on to another DVD in the set (more on that later).
The workout I am focusing on this week is Body Rev / Cardio Conditioning and since today was my first day completing the workout, I figured I might as well give my initial thoughts.
It. Was. Hard.
Here is a description of the workout, provided on the back of the DVD case:
An intense hour of explosive, heart rate accelerating cardio. Try to keep up with Bob and his team as they push you harder and faster than you thought you could go.
Yes, I admit that this workout is another intense one and it is hard at times. There were two times where I had to take a break because I was feeling lightheaded. The parts that continued to those lightheaded feelings were the weighted swings (not the exact name I don't think), mainly the ones where you were down then up down then up, all in swift motions. After taking those necessary breaks, I was back up and at it.
This workout is mainly cardio, which is fine by me but you did get in a fair share of moves with weights. I set a goal for today's workout to burn 450 calories, I fell short of my goal by only 15 calories which I don't think is too bad at all.
I also set an overall goal to be able to do two a days, because I want to get more cardio into my days. The reason I will be able to do two a days is because this workout (& the one last week) feature one hour long workout and one mini-workout which runs about 25 minutes.
Normally, I do the one hour workout first then later in the evening (especially if I am bored or nothing but repeats are on TV) I will do the mini workout, which is targeted towards beginners.
The workout is hard but I am committed to finishing this week out strong like last week and I look forward to the weeks to come.
.
Now, here is where the problem comes in.
I am really enjoying these workouts and how they push me, but I only have them scheduled to be completed for one week at a time. Therefore, I will be extending the workouts to two weeks each (not necessarily consecutive) but I want to get at least 8 weeks out of this set of DVDs.
I hope to get another updated version of my workout schedule up on the workout schedule page within the next half hour.
If you want to see my progress, follow me on Bloglovin', Instagram (beyondtheoldme), Twitter (beyondtheoldme) and lets be friends on MyFitnessPal (beyondtheoldme)!
Showing posts with label featured workout. Show all posts
Showing posts with label featured workout. Show all posts
Monday, July 8, 2013
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
I Am Feeling It
You know the saying, 'if it burns, it's working'; that is exactly how my body was feeling this morning when I completed my first official day of Pure Burn / Super Strength. It is an intense workout, but it is one that is doable. It is about 64 to 66 minutes of non-stop action (there are only two water breaks during the whole workout).
Some people do Insanity, P90X, etc., but I consider this to be my version of those programs. My arms were burning, my midsection has been sore all day (it hurts to laugh and to get in and out of a car), my legs hurt; but I am not complaining at all. This is the only body that I will be given in my lifetime and it is about time that I treat it right.
Exercise isn't the only thing I can do to treat my body right, I also have to eat correctly; after all, 'you are what you eat' and I want to be healthy!
Luckily, with this workout, there is a modified version but for the most part I managed to keep up with the non-modified models. I pushed myself today and I couldn't be more proud, it took 6 months for me to realize that if I am not working hard enough, I am hardly working.
I am working harder than ever this month and it is about time.
If you want to follow my progress, follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter (@beyondtheoldme), Instagram (beyondtheoldme) and let's be friends on MyFitnessPal (beyondtheoldme)!
Some people do Insanity, P90X, etc., but I consider this to be my version of those programs. My arms were burning, my midsection has been sore all day (it hurts to laugh and to get in and out of a car), my legs hurt; but I am not complaining at all. This is the only body that I will be given in my lifetime and it is about time that I treat it right.
Exercise isn't the only thing I can do to treat my body right, I also have to eat correctly; after all, 'you are what you eat' and I want to be healthy!
Luckily, with this workout, there is a modified version but for the most part I managed to keep up with the non-modified models. I pushed myself today and I couldn't be more proud, it took 6 months for me to realize that if I am not working hard enough, I am hardly working.
I am working harder than ever this month and it is about time.
If you want to follow my progress, follow me on Bloglovin', Twitter (@beyondtheoldme), Instagram (beyondtheoldme) and let's be friends on MyFitnessPal (beyondtheoldme)!
Monday, July 1, 2013
Bob Harper 4 DVD Workout Set
If you have been reading my last couple of posts (or follow me on Twitter) you know that I recently purchased a new set of workout DVDs. The DVDs are from Bob Harper and the set contains total trainer plus, ultimate cardio body, cardio conditioning and pure burn super strength.
I loved Bob Harper from the Biggest Loser workouts so when I purchased these, I thought, "these will be great calorie burners." I am sure they will, but in order to burn those calories, I have to make it through the workout. This morning I attempted to complete total trainer plus and I made 19 out of 30 minutes.
I can say that this workout is hard! There is no doubt about it, but, a hard workout will get results. One of the things that disappointed me about this workout is that there is no modified version. On total trainer plus, your follow along person is already physically fit. That can be discouraging for someone, like myself, who isn't, because she is able to constantly keep up with the workout (there are a few times when she stumbles, I like that because it reminds me that she is human after all). I know I would have been able to keep up better with a modified version of the workout.
Also, this is not a workout to be done on an empty stomach (my mistake), it also shouldn't be done on a completely full one. Bob recommends having a snack about 30 minutes before you do this workout and he is right you are going to need it. As I write this post, I am sitting in a dark room with all the curtains closed because I am nauseated and need to be in complete darkness. Take it from me, do NOT attempt this workout on an empty stomach.
The workout is a repetitive one, the good thing about that is that if you missed a few steps the first time around, you have another chance to catch them. Here are a few of the moves:
I plan on looking through all of the other workouts to see if I started with the hardest one of all and if so, I will be updating my workout schedule. If I didn't start with the hardest one, I am in for a very hard and long month ahead of me.
UPDATE:
Ironically, I did pick the hardest workout to start out on. Don't get me wrong, none of these workouts are easy, but the others have 3 models you can follow with one of them being a modified version. Therefore, I have updated my workout calendar to reflect the change in sequence that will be occurring. I will be starting off with pure burn / super strength, body rev / cardio conditioning, ultimate cardio body and total trainer plus.
I loved Bob Harper from the Biggest Loser workouts so when I purchased these, I thought, "these will be great calorie burners." I am sure they will, but in order to burn those calories, I have to make it through the workout. This morning I attempted to complete total trainer plus and I made 19 out of 30 minutes.
I can say that this workout is hard! There is no doubt about it, but, a hard workout will get results. One of the things that disappointed me about this workout is that there is no modified version. On total trainer plus, your follow along person is already physically fit. That can be discouraging for someone, like myself, who isn't, because she is able to constantly keep up with the workout (there are a few times when she stumbles, I like that because it reminds me that she is human after all). I know I would have been able to keep up better with a modified version of the workout.
Also, this is not a workout to be done on an empty stomach (my mistake), it also shouldn't be done on a completely full one. Bob recommends having a snack about 30 minutes before you do this workout and he is right you are going to need it. As I write this post, I am sitting in a dark room with all the curtains closed because I am nauseated and need to be in complete darkness. Take it from me, do NOT attempt this workout on an empty stomach.
The workout is a repetitive one, the good thing about that is that if you missed a few steps the first time around, you have another chance to catch them. Here are a few of the moves:
- hand walks
- bur-pees
- rows
- lunges
- push ups to a T formation
- squat roll ups
- Turkish get ups
- runners jumping stretch
- plank
- and more!
These were just the first 15 to 18 minutes worth of workouts, which are intense!
I plan on looking through all of the other workouts to see if I started with the hardest one of all and if so, I will be updating my workout schedule. If I didn't start with the hardest one, I am in for a very hard and long month ahead of me.
UPDATE:
Ironically, I did pick the hardest workout to start out on. Don't get me wrong, none of these workouts are easy, but the others have 3 models you can follow with one of them being a modified version. Therefore, I have updated my workout calendar to reflect the change in sequence that will be occurring. I will be starting off with pure burn / super strength, body rev / cardio conditioning, ultimate cardio body and total trainer plus.
Monday, April 29, 2013
The Biggest Loser - Cardio Max
Yesterday, I mentioned that I had recently started the Biggest Loser Cardio Max workout and I am in LOVE with it so far. This is the first at home workout that I have found in a long time that actually challenges me and pushes me to new levels.
The workout, a 6-week program for maximum weight loss, features Bob, Jillian and Kim. Bob takes on cardio level 1 and leads the warm-up (5 minutes), cardio level (20 minutes) and cool down (5 minutes). Level one is as far as I have gotten since I started on Friday because it is recommend that you complete level one for weeks 1-2. Jillian comes next with cardio level 2 which adds on another 10 minutes and Kim comes in with cardio level 3 which is a kickboxing routine for another 10 minutes.
By week 6, the workout will run around 50 minutes but at the beginning it will run you around 30 depending on if you take breaks or not. For a 30 minute workout you do get a good calorie burn in.
Here are results from days 1 - 3. Day 1 is normally my day to follow along while taking note of everything that occurs in the workout which means I do not always catch every move but I do try. As the days go on, I try to add in a move that I may have missed on the first day or add more reps of moves that I may have stopped earlier than those in the workout.
Day 1 (Introduction)
Day 2 (gave more than the previous day)
Day 3 (Completed some additional reps)
I do enjoy burning more calories than I did the day before, but I focus more on getting in all the moves and digging deeper than I did the day before even if I have to do a few reps more than once to get the hang of it.
One of the biggest things that I like about this workout is that it actually features real people. By real, I mean people who are not flaunting around their bodies in sports bras and short shorts (but I do suppose the whole "if you got it flaunt it" phrase appeals to most). The participants in this workout are actually from the Biggest Loser. There are times when they get off sync, when they don't dig as deep, when sweat is pouring off of them and they are breathing hard. These are the things that I want to see in a workout which is targeted at helping you lose weight. I can't follow someone (in other workouts) who does a modified version of something which is on the same level with the non-modification.
Yes, this workout does have modifications but they are modifications that I can follow. Each day I cannot wait to do this workout because seeing contestants from the Biggest Loser inspires me to push myself because I know that I can dig deep for something I want.
The workout, a 6-week program for maximum weight loss, features Bob, Jillian and Kim. Bob takes on cardio level 1 and leads the warm-up (5 minutes), cardio level (20 minutes) and cool down (5 minutes). Level one is as far as I have gotten since I started on Friday because it is recommend that you complete level one for weeks 1-2. Jillian comes next with cardio level 2 which adds on another 10 minutes and Kim comes in with cardio level 3 which is a kickboxing routine for another 10 minutes.
By week 6, the workout will run around 50 minutes but at the beginning it will run you around 30 depending on if you take breaks or not. For a 30 minute workout you do get a good calorie burn in.
Here are results from days 1 - 3. Day 1 is normally my day to follow along while taking note of everything that occurs in the workout which means I do not always catch every move but I do try. As the days go on, I try to add in a move that I may have missed on the first day or add more reps of moves that I may have stopped earlier than those in the workout.
I do enjoy burning more calories than I did the day before, but I focus more on getting in all the moves and digging deeper than I did the day before even if I have to do a few reps more than once to get the hang of it.
One of the biggest things that I like about this workout is that it actually features real people. By real, I mean people who are not flaunting around their bodies in sports bras and short shorts (but I do suppose the whole "if you got it flaunt it" phrase appeals to most). The participants in this workout are actually from the Biggest Loser. There are times when they get off sync, when they don't dig as deep, when sweat is pouring off of them and they are breathing hard. These are the things that I want to see in a workout which is targeted at helping you lose weight. I can't follow someone (in other workouts) who does a modified version of something which is on the same level with the non-modification.
Yes, this workout does have modifications but they are modifications that I can follow. Each day I cannot wait to do this workout because seeing contestants from the Biggest Loser inspires me to push myself because I know that I can dig deep for something I want.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Yoga Meltdown Day 2
Today, was my first semi-full day of Yoga Meltdown. I say semi-full because I completed 22 of the 30 minutes, which was an improvement over my 12 minutes completed yesterday. As I mentioned yesterday, this workout is going to do as it is intended. I can say that now as my arms are sore, but I know that is from my muscles working the way they are supposed to.
Each of the movements is doable and as always you have your "beginner" guide and your "advanced" guide to help you, so pay attention to them. One thing that I have learned is that it is okay to alter the movements to fit you. If you have bad knees, don't go so far into a lunge, if you have a bad shoulder, don't make such large arm rotations etc. You know your body and you know what works and what doesn't work for it, so make the appropriate changes.
One thing that I have discovered is that, although it is time consuming, it is better to watch the DVD first to get a feel for all of the movements so you know what to expect (of course you don't have to sit through the whole 30 minutes, you could fast forward).
My initial plan was to use this as a substitute for the days in which I am not able to make it to the gym, but for some reason my mind has been telling me that I need to give 30 Day Shred or Ripped In 30 another try. I am not sure why my mind is telling me that, but it is and it may be a good idea to listen to it.
With that being said, things may have to be amended (which is to be expected). If I decide to go back to 30DS or RI30, they will take place 2 days out of the week with the third being a more relaxed day, therefore, a YM day.
I would prefer sticking to one main workout, with a side workout (for me, that would be the gym and a DVD). But, my body may be telling my mind that I need to switch things up, and maybe it is time that I listen.
Each of the movements is doable and as always you have your "beginner" guide and your "advanced" guide to help you, so pay attention to them. One thing that I have learned is that it is okay to alter the movements to fit you. If you have bad knees, don't go so far into a lunge, if you have a bad shoulder, don't make such large arm rotations etc. You know your body and you know what works and what doesn't work for it, so make the appropriate changes.
One thing that I have discovered is that, although it is time consuming, it is better to watch the DVD first to get a feel for all of the movements so you know what to expect (of course you don't have to sit through the whole 30 minutes, you could fast forward).
My initial plan was to use this as a substitute for the days in which I am not able to make it to the gym, but for some reason my mind has been telling me that I need to give 30 Day Shred or Ripped In 30 another try. I am not sure why my mind is telling me that, but it is and it may be a good idea to listen to it.
With that being said, things may have to be amended (which is to be expected). If I decide to go back to 30DS or RI30, they will take place 2 days out of the week with the third being a more relaxed day, therefore, a YM day.
I would prefer sticking to one main workout, with a side workout (for me, that would be the gym and a DVD). But, my body may be telling my mind that I need to switch things up, and maybe it is time that I listen.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Yoga Meltdown
Yes the moves may seem easy, but Jillian has you reaching down low for some true calorie burning. which definitely gives it that added kick.
I completed my trial run with this DVD yesterday and after 12 minutes (unfortunately, not 12 consistent minutes since I was moving from room to room), I could feel the burn and I knew the sweating was fast approaching.
The DVD states that you can lose up to 5 pounds in a week, I am pretty sure with consistent usage, that would be possible, but for me using it a couple times a week, I doubt that 5 pounds will drop off in a week, but stranger things have happened.
I feel that this will be effective, because its calming and she isn't "yelling" at you through the television, instead she is at an even tone walking you through the workout.
Tomorrow my plan is to complete level one in its entirety and give a more detailed review of the DVD, so stay tuned.
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