DVD Review: The Firm Weight Loss System- Ignite Calorie Burn

This is the workout I do when I say "The Firm WLSystem DVD". 

I had to review it on here, because it is AMAZING.  It's so amazing that I can't do it often because I'm sore for 2 or 3 days after doing this one.

There are two 20 minute workouts on this DVD.  I always do both of them, for a nice 40 minute workout.

Both workouts are a mixture of cardio and strength, which is what I am trying to do more of, since I tend to do all-cardio-all-the-time if left to my own devices...

The first instructor is named Emily and the second instructor is named Rebecca.  Both have two other instructors behind them, one of which does modified (easier/beginner) versions of the more extreme moves (I follow the modified for all push-up moves, because I'm still not doing "real" push-ups)

Emily's workout is my favorite, mostly because I love Emily.  She is also featured on The Firm Wave DVDs, which I still try to use regularly.  Emily's workout is TOUGH.  Lots of jumping, lots of squatting, and lots of jumping squats.  It's nuts!  Some of the movements go too quickly for me and I'm not sure if I'm doing them correctly.  There are even side-planks in this workout, which I was excited to see because I've been wanting to try those. 

Rebecca's workout is tough, too, but it's also pretty fun.  There is a volleyball sequence of moves that really make me smile every time, and I now think that if I was sure the ball wouldn't hit me in the face, I may enjoy volleyball. 

Both workouts feature "bursts".  Bursts are 8 second high-intensity cardio sessions, mostly jumping-related in some way.  It's crazy hard, but 8 seconds goes by pretty quickly.  8 second burst, followed by 12 second recovery (just stepping in rythym); repeat 4 times.  That happens every couple of minutes and I think is the real mastermind behind my aching muscles and this workout's effectiveness.

I have been doing this video an average of once a week for a few weeks now.  I did it on Saturday morning, and thought, "Finally, it's easy!" but I think that I pushed myself pretty hard because it's Monday and my muscles are still achey from it.  I especially always feel this workout in my thighs and butt.  I need to invest in some 8 pound dumbbells.  My 5's are getting too easy, and my 10's are way too heavy for these moves!

All in all, I give this DVD 4.5/5 stars.  I would give it all 5, but I am sure that it's not perfect.  The one thing that I don't like is when the instructors occasionally say things like, "I know you want to quit, DON'T QUIT!" because I don't want to quit.

I'm going to make it my goal to do this video TWICE this week, on Tuesday and Thursday.  I'll let you know how it goes/if it goes.

P.S. I did weigh-in on Saturday, and found that I was up .6.  I really think that was probably period bloat, not real weight-gain.  So I am considering it a maintain.  :-)  Still loving IE!

workout DVD review - Mari Winsor pilates

Hi, everyone! I hope that you all had great weekends. I had a pretty good one. It was an excellent mixture of relaxation, studying, exercising, housecleaning, and more studying. ;-)

Tonight is going to be even more studying, since I have a big test tomorrow!!! Wish me luck, if you dare.

First off, I wanted to tell you that I had a workout planned for this morning. I was going to hop on the Nordic Track before work for 40 minutes. I had my clothes all laid out by the NT, and went to bed really looking forward to it, since I hadn't gotten on the NT for awhile now (I have been switching things up!).

... My alarm somehow failed me. :-( The alarm that I set to wake me up at 6:15 didn't go off. I have checked and rechecked, and it's set correctly, so I don't get it. Maybe it's the Universe's way of telling me that I needed an extra 45 minutes of sleep this morning? I don't know, but it was frustrating, especially since I don't have time to exercise this evening, so it's an unscheduled DOR. These things happen though, so... whatev.

My weigh-in is another question mark. On Saturday, I stepped on the scale, and it said "143". I was thrilled, but since my scale has been kind of wonky since forever, I always step on it three times, and take the average weight. Well, I stepped back on and it read "148". Then I stepped on again and it read "153". So I was either gaining 5 pounds a second, or my scale isn't working right. I went with "scale not working right". So now I have to buy a new one, which kind of frustrates me, because new scales scare me. What if it reads higher than my old scale? I hate new scales. :-( I will probably procrastinate buying a new one for awhile, and just go with how my pants fit, and keep taking my measurments every couple of weeks. Another sign from the Universe, perhaps?

Okay, now to the real reason of this post: My review of another old workout DVD of mine: Mari Winsor Pilates 20 Minute Workout!

I was duped into buying a 3-pack DVD set of Mari Winsor pilates several years ago, off of an infomercial (much like my experience with my now beloved Wave). And I have to say that I LOVED THIS DVD!!!!

First of all, it was only 20 minutes long, so it wasn't daunting at all. Secondly, I got to do this workout barefoot, how cool is that.

It was several pilates moves, including some classics like "the 100" and "the rollup". I haven't done abs workouts in... years, maybe? so this felt amazing to stretch that out. It was all ground work, and included leg lifts, which also felt great.

I did the workout on Saturday, and on Sunday, my abs were killing me. Seriously. Killing me.

So, I know that it really works those abs, all in just 20 minutes! Plus it was a great way to break up studying. I did an hour of homework, 20 minutes of pilates, and back to homework. I think that it's definately going to get added to my evening routine a couple of times a week, if only to release some pent-up endorphins, and to stretch out after being hunched over a computer for hours every day.

Two very enthusiastic thumbs up! I want to get more pilates DVDs now. Any suggestions?

Review: Crunch Fat Burning Dance Party (DVD)

I did this DVD this morning! It's 45 minutes long, and it's kind of old... I've had it in my collection since my ED days (when I was about 20, so 6+ years now). I remember this being a much harder workout! It amazed me how well I did with this. I hardly broke a sweat, which means that this is something that I will do when wanting to work out, but when I don't want a huge challenge, so it will probably be weekly or less. It was really fun, though, and a great way to switch things up! Overall, I would say that this is a great workout DVD for beginners! If you are looking for a fun cardio workout that needs NO equipment, this is a great choice. Good music, motivating instructor, and the best part to me: A variety of shapes and sizes of exercisers are featured. Oh, and one man! Love the crowd.

Switching up my exercise routine = my biggest healthy goal right now.

The best part about doing this video? I'm reminded of how far I've come since my eating disorder days. I remember doing this video and not even enjoying it, just trying to burn calories! And I also remember that when I did this as an anorexic/EDNOS-er, I was out of breath and felt terrible during and afterwards. I may not be as thin or as young as I was back then, BUT I am so much healthier and more in shape than I was.

FOOD = FUEL.

Why did it take me so long to finally figure that one out? Without fueling my body properly, I couldn't do all of the amazing workouts that I do. I hope that all of you have fantastic weekends! Thanks for stopping by.

The Firm Wave, measurements, and a possible modified WW plan for me...

I've decided to finally start taking measurements of my body! I did this at the beginning of my WLJ, and I would love to see how far I've come since then! Unfortunately, I can't remember where I put them, but as soon as I find my original measurements, I will share my results with you. For now, I've decided to "put up or shut up" when it comes to my goal jeans.

Yes, I have raised my goal weight, but I still dream of fitting into those size 10's. Here's a lovely picture of my "goal jeans". They are American Eagle size 10 (and yes I know that is a teeny-bopper store!)



They actually currently go up past my thighs and hips, but are about 4 or 5 inches short of being able to zip up. :-) So, I'm making it a new goal of mine to focus on losing inches, not just pounds!

One way to up my inches lost is to change up my workouts, which is something that I discussed on here recently. I've decided that I really need to add more strength training to my workouts to start seeing maximum results.

And since I get bored with strength easily, I've decided to trick myself by using fun workout DVDs that combine cardio with strength. I dug out my Firm Wave and the DVDs that came with it.

Wow, I forgot what a great workout this is! I did the 40 minutes DVD last night, and this morning I'm feeling the burn in exactly the places that I want to firm up!!! (hips, upper thighs, lower stomach) so I know that adding this workout into my routine will help. Plus, it's 40 minutes long, the exact amount of time that I have to exercise before work. How perfect is that?!

Anyway, I am down .8 for my second week on the Simply Filling Technique. YAY!!!

I have decided to definately follow WW as written until I reach 145, and then to slowly start modifying it to fit my needs and wants.

Here are my thoughts on the "Leah's Modified WW Plan" so far:

• -Stay on the Simply Filling Technique
• -except add the following foods to the Power Foods list: nuts, natural nut butters, avacados, healthy no-sugar-added cold cereals, almond milk
• -Reduce Weekly Points Allowance to 10-15 to make up for my Power Foods additions...
• -Eat all AP if I want/need to

What do you think?

I think that those modifications could keep me ridiculously happy and able to stay on WW (even if not the "real" plan). I'll let you know how it goes, but it's not going to start until I'm maintaining for a bit.