1.29.10: Workout & Review, Tip, & LOL

Well I did Wii Fit for 45 minutes last night as my 2nd bonus activity for the week (2 down, 1 to go). I wasnt necessarily planning on doing it for that long but I was having fun and kept trying to beat my own score LOL. So that means its motivating.

There is a new little rinky-dink gym near my work-I think Ill walk down there during lunch and check it out. If I could get a SUPER deal I would consider it to use during lunch. I like my lunchtime walks but the weather here is too hot most of the time....

Today's Workout:

-Firm Fat Blaster (most of it)

-Firm Upper Body Sculpt

*total w/o time 63 min + stretch

Today's Review: Firm Upper Body Sculpt

Janet Brooks, 2003

This is an add from the Firm 6-pack that came out after BSS2. It is a 33 minute upper body strength workout. Besides the warmup there is no cardio. This w/o utilizes the Fanny Lifter (FL), sculpting stick and a range of dumbbells. The set is bright and white with the purple & brown tile in the background. Janet leads with 4 background exercisers. Alicia provides the beginner modifications-uses no dumbbells (sometimes she uses the twigs) and the purple (6 inch) section of the FL.

I like the warmup in this one for a variety of reasons-1) not as much stretching as many Firm w/u's, 2) she uses the sculpting stick and it is actually perfect for warming up. Sometimes they use the stick, just to use the piece of equipment they are selling. But it was perfect for this, and 3) she does a lot of upper body moves with the stick-perfect lead in to the workout.

After the warmup you go into the upper body work, some is actually quite unique and some your normal UB fare. You will do a variety of bicep curls, clean and press, bench press, a lot of push ups, tricep dips, overhead tricep extensions, bench press, etc.There is also a short ab segment that has some crunch & plank type moves in it.

Unique moves: she uses the FL stacked side by side for a set of pushups and tricep dips. So your hands are on an uneven surface and it works the muscles differently. She also does a lat row with a twist at the end and I could tell it was hitting the muscles differently.

There is one or two short segments where she uses the stick instead of dumbbells-I just use dumbbells as the stick is really too light to do much with.

This one is intermediate I suppose, but its hard to rate because she goes slow enough to allow for pretty heavy weights. You can make it easier by using lighter weights and more challenging by using your heaviest weights. I wouldnt say its advanced though, because even really heavying up-its only 33 minutes and you are working your entire upper body-so you really cant fully fatigue everything IMO.

I like Janet as a lead. She cues well and is encouraging but not over the top. She has really high eyebrows so sometimes she looks surprised but I really enjoy her as an instructor and would have liked to see more w/o's from her.

Today's Tip: Canned pumpkin: A low-calorie vegetable that is high in fiber and immune-stimulating vitamin A; fills you up on very few calories. How to eat: Mix with a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg. Here is a link to my protien pumpkin smoothie recipe

This is the last one from "11 Foods You Should Be Eating" so next week I will have to find something else.

Today's LOL:

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1.28.10: Workout & Review, Tip, & LOL

I have decided to do the Firm 14 Day Diet starting Monday for the next (can you guess????) 14 days...Anyhoo, hoping I dont starve to death but I am still up these damn 4 lbs since Christmas that will.not.go.away. Wish me luck, and everyone around me in case I get starving/cranky.

Today was a Lisa Kay kinda day:
-Firm Lower Body Sculpt I
-Firm Cardio Sculpt Blaster (minus w/u & c/d)
-Firm 5 Day Abs (most of day 3)
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

Today's Review: Lower Body Sculpt I

Lisa Kay, 2002

This is a tough 30 minute lower body strength workout that includes some cardio intervals. Lisa really accomplishes a lot in 30 minutes. My lower body is thoroughly worked after doing this w/o this morning. This is all standing work and uses the Fanny Lifter and a variety of dumbbells. This is a big calorie burner for being mostly strength work and only 30 minutes because you are using large muscle groups that really get your heartrate up!

Lisa has four background exercisers and Libby provides the beginner modifications. This was released after BSS1 as part of the "6 pack." The set is a wide open white room with fans built into the walls.

After a warmup and stretch you move onto a strength segment and then some unweighted step strength work like squats off the step. You dont use weights in this segment but you are still working your lower body. After that you move onto some floor strength work: dips and lunges and the like using dumbbells. Then Lisa gives your lower body a little break with some floor aerobics. You finish with another strength set including more leg press, dips, curtsey dips, etc. beore you move onto your cooldown and stretch.

I would rate this high intermediate but like most Firms easily modifiable up or down to suit your needs.

Today's Tip: Frozen blueberries: Even though freezing can degrade some of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, frozen blueberries are available year-round and don’t spoil; associated with better memory in animal studies. How to eat: Blended with yogurt or chocolate soy milk and sprinkled with crushed almonds. I had some this morning on my yogurt.

Today's LOL:

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1.26.10: Workout & Review, Tip, and Card Project

Im aiming for splits this week. Should be fun! My Wavers challenge this week includes 2 splits and my personal challenge to myself to get in 3 bonus activities. I got in a lunchtime walk yesterday. One down, two to go...

Today's Workout:
-Firm Upper Body Split
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

Today's Review: Firm Upper Body Split
Tracie Long, Pam Cauthen-Meriwether, Carissa Foster, Taber Bruner, Stacey Milner-Colins, 1999

This is a 62 minute Firm Parts workout. Its compiled from various Firm w/o's-post classics to pre BSS Firms. It is mostly upper body strength work with a few cardio segments thrown in to get your heart rate up. It does intersperse a good amount of ab work and some pelvic floor work. It has a nice warmup and stretch, but a very short cooldown/ stretch. I never do the cooldown / stretch anyways so that didnt bother me one bit.

I felt pretty evenly worked in this one though there were a lot of pushups and ab work. There were also quite a few sets of lat row-but I like working my upper back so that was fine too. There isnt a ton of cardio in this but enough to get your heart going a bit. Maybe 4 or so cardio segments.

You will see the typical upper body fare here: lat row, pushups, pec fly .tricep extension, bicep curls, upright rows, military press, front & side raise, medial delt work, etc. There is no bench press or overhead tricep extension. The ab work and some oblique work is not at the end, its interspersed throughout the workout and is thorough.

All the leads are your typical Firm instructors-good cueing, not overly perky. I would rate this wrokout a solid intermediate Upper Body strength workout.
Sunday I wen to Tammy's house to make some cards. Here are 2 (same design) I made. One is a birthday card and one a thank you card. You cant tell from the picute but the circles are embossed with a cool textured pattern.

Today's Tip: Sardines: Dr. Bowden calls them “health food in a can.” They are high in omega-3’s, contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins. How to eat: Choose sardines packed in olive or sardine oil. Eat plain, mixed with salad, on toast, or mashed with dijon mustard and onions as a spread.
Today's LOL: comes from Engrish.com:
Scary Santa:


An authentic J-Lo bag...


And a damn hairy & spa....


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1.25.10: Workouts, Recipe, Tip, & LOL

Today's Workout:
-Firm Lower Body Sculpt
-Firm More 5-Day Abs (Day 4)
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

Sunday-rest day

Saturday's Workout:
-Box & Bounce
-All Cardio Hi- Lo Knockout (weighted core section)
*total w/o time 40 min + stretch

Today's Review: Firm Lower Body Split

Firm - Cross Trainers: Lower Body Split — Pam Cauthen, Taber Bruner, Carissa Foster, Jen Carman, Tracie Long, Heidi Tanner, Tamela Hastie, Lisa Kay, and Dale Brabham, 2000

This dvd clocks in at about 63 minutes and contains a warm up, stretch, workout, cooldown and final stretch. It is mostly lower body strength work with some cardio bursts thrown in to keep your heartrate up. This is a "parts" workout and the segments are taken from: Firm Strength, Cardio, Bust and Butt, Core Cardio 1, Maximum Body Sculpting, Hare, & Better Body & Buns. There is standing and floor leg work. The floor work is in the middle of the w/o not at the end.


There is one floor work segment (from The Hare) that includes donkey kicks and lying leg lifts & inner thigh adductions. The rest of the work is standing and includes the typical Firm fare: hover squats, unweighted side lunges, lunges, dips, squats, leg press and the likes. My legs were thouroughly worked by the end of this video. The few unweighted strength segments were actually welcome due to the length and amonut of strength work contained in this dvd.


I would rate this dvd a solid intermediate offering. I really heavied up and will definately feel it in my LB tomorrow. All the ladies are good leads with good cueing and pointers along the way.I would say to pay attention to which leg they are working because you will do, for example, one set of leg press, move onto something else and then come back to finish the other leg later. The same is true for the floor work. So pay attention and all should be evenly worked by the end.

 Today's Recipe: Sunset Coleslaw (from Today's Diet & Nutrition Magazine, Sept/ Oct 2009 issue)

For the Salad:
-1 cup pickled beets, drained, w/ juice reserved
-1 small red cabbage, cored and outer leaves peeled (about 3 cups)
-1 cup pickled cocktail onions, sliced in 1/2, drained w/ juice reserved

For the Dressing:
-1/2 cup lowfat mayonnaise
-1/4 cup (firmly packed) dark brown sugar
-1/4 cup reserved beet juice
-3 TBS reserved onion juice
-2 TBS soy sauce
-1 TBS carraway seeds

Shred the cabbage in food processor. Chop beets. Slice onions in 1/2. In large bowl, whisk together mayo, brown sugar, beet & onion juices, and soy sauce. Stir in carray seeds. Add the cabbage, beets, and onions and toss well to combine. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Today's Tip: Pumpkin seeds The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for early death. How to eat: Roasted as a snack, or sprinkled on salad.

Today's LOL:


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1.22.10: Baby Pic!!!!!, workouts, review, and tip

Here is a picture of my favorite nephew :) Isnt he just too darn cute!!!!!

Today's Workout:

-Transfirm Your Trouble Zones (Kelsies KB w/o) + bonus ab w/o

-Joannes plyo circuit

*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

I was a sweaty mess after this one! Must have been a good calorie burner! This also complets my Wavers challenge for this week. Woohoo! I have not yet completed my personal challenge of 3 bonus activities this week. One more to go still...

Thursday's Workout:

-Firm Tough Aerobic Mix

-Custom Fit (Power Yoga segment)

*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

Today's Review: Firm Tough Aerobic Mix

Susan Harris, Janet Jones-Gretzky, Sandahl Bergman, Jayne Poteet, Kai Soremekun, 1996

This cardio workout is compiled from the original Firm Classics (with the exception of Volume 5- LaReine Chabut isnt in this one). It is 43 minutes of step, floor, and four limb aerobics. You do use light weights in some of the segments. In between segments a fitness model lady briefly introduces the next segment and tells you which props you will need. Its a good way to tie the pieces together.

Kai Soremekun opens with a warmup from Vol 4, followed by Susan from Vol 4 w/ a quick stretch. Then you start to work. There are three step aerobic segments from Volumes 6, and 4. Two use light dumbbells and one no weights. The step segments are actually low impact but the three floor aerobic segments include high impact. One being the classic soft weight segment from Volume 1, there are also segments from volumes 2 & 3 that fit into this category. There are two segments from volume 2 & 3 that have some lunges interspersed with jumping jacks and running.

The step work from Volume 4 (Kai) includes a lot of arm work and the step segment from Volume 6 (Jayne) has you kind of squatting off the box while holding dumbbells so you get a bit of leg work too. I used 3# dumbbells for the entire time because I was a bit sore from yesterdays w/o and to keep it light for a cardio day.

I would rank this workout a solid intermediate.

Today's Tip: Dried plums

Okay, so they are really prunes, but they are packed with antioxidants. How to eat: Wrapped in prosciutto and baked.

Today's LOL:


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1.20.10: Workout & Review, Goodwill Finds, and Tip

This week I am going to try and get in three bonus activities, a lunch time walk or Wii Fit probably. I got in a lunchtime walk today and Monday so I am almost there!

ABS is part of Joannes challenge for this week. I have one more w/o to go (kelsies KB) and Ive completed her challenge.

Today's Workout:
-Firm Aerobic Body Shaping
-Firm Power Yoga (5 min)
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch


Today's Review: Aerobic Body Shaping
Allie Del Rio, 2004


This dvd is from the TransFirmer series; it uses the TransFirmer-a step that can be used as an 8 inch box, 6 inch box, 14 inch box, or on its incline for step aerobics or as a weight bench. The TransFirmer is a great piece of eqiupment-very versatile and fun. The w/o is 57 minutes and includes an 8 minute lower body bonus w/o that Aliie also leads.


The set is bright and white. Allie leads with 4 background Firm ladies; Alison provides the beginner modificaions. Allie cues very well in this, and no babytalk. This workout has enough strength work to be used as a strength workout but also has some nice cardio intervals that will burn some calories and bring on a good sweat. A lot of the lower body work will also get your heartrate up.


She covers every body part and really utlizes the TransFirmer on the incline alot. some of the strength moves include hover squats/ bicep curl combo, side lunges onto the incline, 2 sets of leg press, lat rows, clean and press, dips, pec flys, bridge work using the TF, floor ab work, lunges onto the incline, and lat raises.


Some of the cardio intervals are done on the incline step and include step around and tap, straddle step, and turn step. Some of the cardio is done on the floor and includes bunny hops, mambo, kicks, marching in place, etc.


I would consider this a thourough intermediate w/o. Add some plyos and heavy up and you can easily get an advanced AWT (aerobic weight training) w/o out of it IMO. You can also follow Alison and take it down a notch.
Goodwill Finds:
Jenga $4, and three cool glasses $1 or less each....I used the yellowish one for my water last night and felt very fancy :)

An awesome Hello Kitty sandwich maker ($3.50)! Can't wait to try this bad boy (or should I say girl) out!

Tip: Pomegranate juice:

Appears to lower blood pressure and loaded with antioxidants. How to eat: Just drink it. I havent tried this one yet. My blood pressure is too low as it is and I dont do much juice but still good info.

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Amy Bento's In The Ring Review

Today's Review: In The Ring

Amy Bento, 2008. In the Ring has 5 premixes on one dvd; they range from 32-75 minutes. There are kickboxing combos and small weighted ball interval segments. The premixes range from all kickbox combos, all med ball intervals, or some combination of both.


Amy is a high energy instructor with a pleasant demeanor. She seems to be having a great time working out in this one. She has two background exercisers, one provides some modifications-such as using a dumbbell in the med ball segments. Amy's cueing could be better but from what Ive seen -that is her standard-just average cueing. The set looks like a CIA set-a plain open room with light colored flooring and purple and reddish walls with a few fitness props around the perimeter of the room.


Some of the footwork is tricky in this one. I am not a choreo hound, so others may have an easier time catching on that I did. I can get through the 1st premix with no problems having done it a few times, but some of the other mixes contain combos that would just take me too long to catch on to. Her background exercisers even get lost a few times, so I didnt feel too bad.


I really like the fact that this workout is super low impact but definately high intensity, a real calorie burner. I worked up a great sweat doing the 52 minute premix 1 this morning. In The Ring also has great music and is very high energy! I would rate the choreo advanced and the intensity low advanced.


Some of the kickboxing moves include-machine gun side kicks, shuffle, front kicks, back kicks, round house kicks, jabs, cross, uppercuts, speed bag, elbow strikes, and your normal kickboxing fare. The med ball combos include moves like figure 8, picking up and dropping the ball while doing some punches, and engages your core.



Yesterday I got in a 1.2 mile lunchtime walk. Well part of it ended up being a run-on my way back to the office, it started pouring! So I took off running. Still ended up getting soaked, but got in 1/4 mile run at least!

Today's Workout:
-Amy Bento In The Ring
-Joannes plyo circuit (see yesterdays post for specifics)
-5 minutes abs
*total w/o time 60 min + abs


Today's Tip: Cinnamon
May help control blood sugar and cholesterol. How to eat it: Sprinkle on coffee or oatmeal. I have posted this before, but since Im taking them off a list I'll add it again. I take mine in capsule form. RedPanda and I started taking one midmorning and one midafternoon to see if it helped. So far, both of us are having good results! (year of the jeans!!!!)

Today's LOL: Its a bear kinda day.

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1.18.10: Workouts, Stamp Club Projects, Tip, & LOL

I went on a buying spree of sorts this weekend. I got Denise Austins new 3 Week Boot Camp w/o from Costco ($7.99). Then I bought some Firms off the yayas: Core Solutions, Power Sculpt (dvd only, no stick), and Sculptilates all for only $20 shipped! I also bought a (bootleg) dvd to replace a VHS (and dvd) Firm Tough Tape and Tough Tape II.


Today's Workout:
-Firm Hi Def Sculpt
-Richard Simmons Disco Sweat (5 minutes)
-Jamie Eason Plyo Workout (from Joanne-see below)
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch



Sunday's Workout:
-Denise Boot Camp Body Blast (cardio Segment)
*total w/o time 20 min + stretch

Saturday's Workout:
-Firm Hard Core Fusion (express)
*total w/o time 40 min +stretch

Today's Review: Hard Core Fusion

Allie Del Rio, 2007
This is a good AWT (Aerobic Weight Training) w/o. It is very Firm-esque and has IMO equal cardio and strength segments. The full version clocks in at 60 min and the express version is about 40 minutes. HCF was originally released with the TransFirmation system (BSS5) with the cardioweights, but is now available seperately. This workout provides enough strength work to be used on a strength day. But there is also enough cardio in it to really work you.


Allie looks FANTASTIC in this one! She does have some babytalk moments-that might annoy some, but they are tolerable. Alison provides the beginner modifications and there are 3 other background exercisers-Rebecca and 2 non Firm ladies. The set is hardwood floor with white brick walls and foggy windows.


All the cardio is done on the floor (no box) and includes some kickboxing-cross punch, upper cuts, etc. Some "old school aerobics" hamstring curls-nothing too dancy. Her cuieng is good and the moves arent tricky so you shouldnt have a hard time following along if you are familiar with the Firm.


Strength moves include a lot of compound moves such as side lunge with bicep curls, squat with overhead press, lunge with a twist. I like that there is some standing ab work interspersed into the strength and cardio moves.


The Firm introduced their "power press" moves in this series and you will see the "tricep tummy toners' in this one. Basically a crunch with a bench press into an overhead tricep extension. I think they used the power press moves as a replacement for the old Firm signature move-the leg press.


You can easily modify this one up or down to fit your needs. I added a lot of plyos and really heavied up and got a great workout!
 Stamp Camp Projects:
A cute birthday card:

An anytime doggy card for a friend:


a little Valentine mailbox with chocolates inside:

and a Valentine card:

Today's Tip: Swiss chard: A leafy green vegetable packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes. How to eat it: Chop and saute in olive oil.
Today's LOL:


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1.15.10: Workouts, Review, Tip, Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Today's Workout:
-Core Force (30 min)
-Firm Advanced Cardio Blast
*total w/o time: 60 min + stretch




Today's Review: Firm: Advanced Cardio Blast
This dvd is from the Firm Body Sculpting System III. It features the Firm Box (aka deathbox) but I use my TransFirmer with it. They are both step boxes that can be set up on an incline. Love the idea-and love the TransFirmer that came out later but the Firm Box had its issues-hence the "death box" nickname.


Lisa Kay leads with 4 background exercisers. Libby does the beginner modifications. Lisa's cueing is good in this one-better than many of her others. The set in this system is a tiny bit dark. The ladies are each on their own little round platforms and they often turn their boxes to the side. I think that was a bad idea-makes it too hard to see them and to see your TV if you turn your box to the side. I just keep mine facing front and am able to follow along just fine.


This is a 30 minute cardio only routine. Its one of the few Firms that dont use any weights at all. There are floor aerobics, box aerobics, tall box climbs, and incline box aerobics sections. Its a typical Firm in some senses-straight forward moves, non dancy and athletic. Easy to follow-if you have taken a step class in the past, most Firm w/o's should not be too tough to catch onto. What does make this one different from other Firms the lack of dumbbells-no four-limb work, no cardio breaks.


Its quick moving and will burn a lot of carlories in a short time. It is low-advanced IMO. Its not Insanity or anything but I dont think a beginner or out very of shape person could keep up.

Today's Tip: Cabbage
Loaded with nutrients like sulforaphane, a chemical said to boost cancer-fighting enzymes. How to eat: Asian-style slaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches.

Today's Recipe: Hungry Girls Scoopable Chinese Chicken Salad


-One 16-ounce package dry broccoli slaw mix
-12 ounces cooked skinless lean chicken breast, chopped
-1 cup canned water chestnuts, drained and sliced into thin strips
-1 cup canned mandarin orange segments packed in water or juice, drained and chopped (and rinsed, if packed in juice)
-1 cup scallions, chopped
-3/4 cup Newman's Own Lighten Up! Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing
Cooking Directions
In a large bowl, toss all ingredients together until mixed well. Add dressing right before serving. Stir well before serving. Enjoy!
Today's LOL:


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1.14.10: VCR, Workout & Review, and Tip

VCR:

I think theVCR part of my dvd/vcr combo died yesterday-wahhhhh! I did eventually upgrade MOST of my VHS to dvd-thank you swapadvd.com and bootleg Asian dvds available on ebay... But I still have a few that are unavailable on dvd and a few that are just too expensive to upgrade. And sometimes its just easier to do a 5 min add on VHS instead of changing dvds and waiting through the FBI warnings. So I have to decide what I want to do: replace it (it will surely break again) or replace my VHS???? Decisions decisions....

I did get in a lunchtime walk.

Today's Workout: (Michelle's challenge)

-Firm Body Sculpt

-Firm Rock Solid Abs (most of it)

*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

Today's Tip:

Someone linked this article on facebook so-"yoink' (that is my sound effect for stealing): The 11 Best Foods You Aren't Eating. I AM eating many of these!

No 1: Beets (see my recipe for roasted beets here)

Think of beets as red spinach, Dr. Bowden said, because they are a rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters.How to eat: Fresh, raw and grated to make a salad. Heating decreases the antioxidant power.

Review: Firm Body Sculpt

This w/o is from the first Firm infomercial set and runs just over 50 min's. It introduced the plastic Fanny Lifter and this workout uses it a lot. Jen is an excellent lead-her cueing is SPOT on and she has a nice demeaner. There are 4 background exercisers and Libby provides the beginner modifications (uses no weights and the short step).

This dvd provides an excellent workout and goes slow enough to allow you to really heavy up on your poundage. She thouroughly hits every muscle group IMO. The reason why I its not a fav of mine is because the upper body and the lower body are seperate so it really does fatigue the muscles. This is a good thing but I just enjoy myself more when the moves are combined and mixed up. It is a nice addition to my collection because its different from many FIrms and that is always good for muscle confusion. It is very similar to Jen's Cardio Split-just less cardio.

After a nice warmup you do your lower body work which includes squats, lunges, dips, leg press and side lunges all with tempo variations. After a thourough lower body workout there is a brief lower body cooldown/ upper body warmup (so you can use this w/o divided up).

Then you move right into your UB work which includes: pushups, bicep curls, clean and press, front & side shoulder raises, lat rows, overhead press, and then a bit of lying chest work at the end (bench press and pec fly) and then move into your final cooldown/ stretch. There is no ab work.

Today's LOL: teehee

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1.13.10: Workouts, Family Reunion, dvd Review, and More!

Here is a pic from my trip to UT. Here we have my mommy, me, my baby sister, our cousin, and her mom (my aunt, my moms sister). My cousin Kari has 2 girls so they can carry on the female line from our Grandma. I imagine my sister will have a baby girl one day too. And I have my cat :) who is a girl....arent we cute!

Today's Workout:

-Sharon Mann's The Works: Cardio (1.5 X)

-Natural Journey ab w/o (few minutes)

*total w/o time 55 min + stretch

The Works: Cardio Review:

This is part of Sharon's Mann The Works set. The dvd is customizable and you can create your own workout. There are also a few premade workouts already on the dvd.

You choose 1 of 4 warmups (step, hi-lo, etc), then you choose 1 of 8 "cardio one" segments (athletic step, interval, hi-lo, low impact, etc), then you choose 1 of 8 "cardio two" segments-these are different from the "cardio one" options (step, bootcamp, boxing, kickboxing, etc), then you choose 1 of 4 cooldowns (tai chi, athletic, yoga in a chair, etc). These all go together to create your own 30 minute workout. Some of the interval or bootcamp segments have strength moves in them as well as cardio.

The segments are taken from Sharon's old exercise TV show. When a commercial break is up you see a blue screen with a motivational saying on it (Way to go!, Keep it up!, etc). It is brief and doesn't bother me at all.

There are 4 background exercisers. Two show advanced options and two show low impact options-and don't use a step in those segments. Sharon shows the intermediate option but does add power to many of her moves. I think a lot of the segments (the step segments come to mind) can definitely be advanced when you follow those mods. The kickboxing and boxing are not as intense but still a good w/o IMO.

Sharon has a nice energy and demeanor. I like her as a lead in this dvd. She is a pretty good cuer and I wasn't lost in any of the moves. The moves are not dancy, more athletic and straight forward. I had no trouble with any of the moves. Its a fast paced w/o that burns a lot of calories for me.

And I got a yogurt maker from one of my coworkers! Cool!!! Im going to experiement with it this weekend and hopefully come up with some yummmmmy yogurt!

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1.12.10: Today's Workout, Hummus Sandwich Recipe, Video Review

Today's Workout:
-Firm Classic Volume 3: Interval Aerobics
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch


Today's Recipe: Hummus Sandwich
Ingredients
-Ezekial Bread

-sprouted peas

-Any lowfat cheese-I like this Almond based cheese or Trader Joes 75% reduced fat cheddar

-Hummus
-mixed vegis: red onion, tomatoe, cucumber, red peppers, etc.

Spread hummus on Ezekial bread. Sprinkle sprouted peas on hummus, top with sliced cheese and sliced vegis. YUM! The sprouted peas are super high in protein and give it the sandwich a nice crunch.

Heres two pics of my fat kitty. My mom bought her these little outfits. I put the T-shirt on her and she didnt know what to do, so she just plopped down and stayed there until I took it off!

And I am working on a new project: reviewing w/o dvds. I am doing this for a few different websites so I thought I would post some of them here as well. Here is a link to my VF reviews and a link to my Viewpoint reviews.
Today's Review: Firm Bootcamp Maximum Calorie Burn. Alison Davis, 2007

I really like the Firm and I like Allison as a lead. It clocks in around 50 minutes. I would consider this an intermediate level intensity workout though it can easily be modified up or down. I really give it my all and I can easily get an advanced workout. Ali and Sue Mi are background exercisers; with Sue Mi providing the beginner modifications. Alison is a great lead and cues well.


The workout is separated into plyo segments and cardio segments. The plyo segments include the strength work. She starts with a grounded move such as lunge and moves it into a flying lunge for example. If you just do the flying lunge the whole time you will definitely get an advanced workout!


There are some tough moves in this workout: squat thrusts come to mind! There is a bit of bad camera work when she introduces this move, but once you’ve done the w/o once you wont even notice. The last cardio segment is the most fun! She does a tire run, double step touch, shooting a basketball combo that got my HR up and I really enjoyed it. She also has a fun kickboxing segment as well. She does a bit of standing ab work and then more ab work on the floor at the end. Good ab w/o IMO. Lots of variety in this one so I am never bored!


I use the strength portions as cardio breaks because I use this as a cardio w/o. So I use my lighter dumbbells (5#s). You could easily heavy up but the strength minutes are limited so I would rather capitalize on the cardio and use my light dumbbells for this one.


 ( Custom cakes by Lindsey Lu. Phoenix custom cakes. Specialty Cakes Phoenix. Arizona custom specialty cakes. Specialty cupcakes phoenix. Custom Phoenix cupcakes  Phoenix wedding cakes Phoenix birthday cakes, specialty birthday cakes phoenix)