11.17.10: Great Deal on Shoes!!!

Today: I only have one more segment left on the Fit in Five Ultimate Body Blitz to do! Hoping to get that in tomorrow so I can have the review up then. Im catching up on my reviews. But of course just got a few more in the mail last night LOL. But you know how I love to review so Im a happy camper!

Today's Bargains:
At shoes.com you can save 20% by using code SHOEDEAL. You can also use this code on their Sale items! Check out the Women's Sale section for Skechers Shape-Ups! They are marked down to only $79.99 (from $100), use the code to & them for $63.99! And FREE SHIPPING! I love my Shape-Ups- they are super comfy and really help my knee & lower back.

Today's Tip: Save Dessert Calories
Serve your desserts in a shot glass. Instead of a full serving of dessert allow yourself the amount that fits in a shot glass (that's about 3 tablespoons) and you'll save 80 percent of the calories you'd get in a full-size portion. Calories saved:  at least 360. More on Shape here.

Today's Workout:
-Firm Bootcamp 3-in-1 Mix
-Fit in Five Ultimate Body Blitz (strength segment)
*total w/o time 60 minutes + stretch

Today's Review: The Firm Bootcamp 3-in-1 Mix ***** (5 of 5 stars)
Nancy Tucker, Allie Del Rio, Tracie Long, Pam Meriwether, Heidi Tanner, Jen Carman, Tamela Hastie, Carissa Foster, Dale Brabham, 2002

This is a parts tape from the Firm compiled from various Firms from the library set days. Its a great strength workout with a bunch of leads. The dvd has 3 options- 2 40ish minute workouts or 1 killer 75 minute w/o (they omit 1 set of w/u's & c/d's in the premix version). You will need a FL or step/tall step and a variety of dumbbells for this one.

There is no liaison in this one like some of the parts tapes-the transitions are smooth IMO and it flows together well. You will see a lot of the typical Firm type strength work in this one: leg press, lunges, dips, clean and press, lat rows, and a bit of floor work like pushups, ab work, bridge, and pec flys. Not a lot of LB floor work though.

SO much of this strength work really gets my heart rate up so I know Im burning a lot of calories-especially for a strength workou - one of the many reasons I love my Firms! The pace is nice-they move right along but I didnt feel rushed at all. I was able to heavy up nicely for a Firm.

This is a great versatile w/o that I would highly recommend for any lover of the old time Firms. Its challenging and offers a lot of variety and time options. I would rate this a higher intermediate if you heavy up on it. All the leads do a great job and the cueing is good all around.

Today's LOLz:

Giveaway Announcements :)

Announcement 1: Ive noticed that I have some new folks entering my giveawys- thank you!!!! I just wanted to give you a heads up on entering- if the entry says "5 Entries" you have to leave 5 seperate comments to get all five of those entries. So for example, you would comment "I reblogged about this (link) #1" then in a seperate comment "I reblogged about this (link) #2" and so on. If you leave everything in 1 comment youve only received 1 entry. You may very well be leaving twenty seperate comments.

A winner is selected by entering the number of comments into random.org random number generator. So that is why it is essential to leave seperate comments. I HATE to see anyone not getting all their entries!

Announcement 2: ALSO don't forget to leave your email address in your initial (mandatory) entry. If I dont have a way to contact you- I cant notify you if you win and I HATE seeing anyone miss their prize :(

Announcement 3:  Another question I received is "I dont have a blog, I reposted this on facebook. Does that count as 5 entries" To be fair to everyone, I am going to have to say no this time (SORRY!) BUT I will consider adding it to my next giveaway. I have had that as an option in the past, but did not include it on that particular giveaway. I did include in last few giveaways 3 seperate facebook related entries- so you can get entries by utilizing facebook.

Announcement 4: If you have any questions please leave a comment here with your email address & I will email you back. Or email me :)

Announcement 5: Maria H. won the Gin Miller Simply Circuit dvd from Advanced Workouts and has been emailed. I havent yet heard back from her. She had 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. If you didnt receive  my email Maria H, please leave a comment here :)

Thanks for entering and following everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the reviews and giveaways. Good luck!!!

And the Winner of Simply Circuit from Advanced Workouts DVDS is.....Maria H.

Congrat to Maria H. who said... "I entered your Natural Journeys giveaway." Enjoy your new dvd Maria H.! Maria has been emailed and has 48 hours to claim her dvd.

Thank you SO much to Advanced Workouts DVDs for sponsoring this fabulous dvd an thank you to everyone who entered!

Check out my current giveaways here.

11.16.10: Jackie's Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs Review!

Today's Review: Personal Training with Jackie: Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs

Jackie Warner, 2010 ***** (5 of 5 stars)

This dvd has two 15 minute crunch free ab routines on it. The set is the same as her Xtreme Timesaver- a really cute little gym set w/ brick walls. The same 2 b/g exercisers appear in this dvd and 1 shows easier modifications. You will need dumbbells for both segments. One section is done standing and the other is a floor routine (still crunchless though!).

I welcome any non-traditional ab work and this fits that bill perfectly. 1st, I have neck issues and endless crunches aggrevate my neck. 2: I get bored of doing the same thing over & over. 3: mix up the work and get better results.

Standing Abs: Loved this section! Im a huge fan of standing ab work and this was no dissapointment! It is nonstop and you will def feel it by the end of the 15 minuts. You will do moves such as an overhead pulldown, knee pulls, a press out w/ a leg extensions, a lunge w/ a crunch, a laundry bag over the shoulder type move w/ the dumbbells, a kettlebell-esque squat to swing move, torso twist, and other unique and effective standing ab work. While this isnt a cardio w/o- it is definately active.

Floor Abs: You start in a kneeling position and do some toe taps and twisting. Then you put your dumbbell (I used a weighted ball) between your knees and do some oblique work, scissor kicks, twisting side planks, a V sit toe touch, arm swimmers while holding dumbbells, modified burpees, plank w/ leg lifts, plank jacks, and supermans.

I would rate this a high intermediate ab routine. It is nonstop and I def felt it the next day. I really like Jackie and her physique is beyond inspiring! Madison is one of the b/g'ers and I like her too. Jackie walks around and gives nice form poitners and shows us how to make the moves more challenging. I think anyone can find a spot for this w/o in their collection. The moves are different from the other ab w/o's I have.

Today's Tip: Save Pasta Calories
Bulk Up Your Pasta-with Veggies. If you're making pasta at home, a 2-cup serving of noodles with a large ladle of meat, vodka, or Alfredo sauce can set you back 600 calories or more. To fill your plate, mix a cup of pasta with a cup of steamed veggies, topping the dish with half a cup of your favorite jarred marinara sauce. Calories saved: 250. More on Shape here.

Today's Workout: (hodgepodge)-10 Minute Solutions Dance Your Body Thin (3 cardio segments)

-Jackie Warners Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs
-Fit in Five Ultimate Body Blitz (yoga segment)
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch



The other day: check out this cool pic I got the other evening!



Today's Bargains: My current giveaways: (bonus entries for entering both!)
-Collage Video has generously donated Michelle Dozois Peak 10 Cardio Strength. Enter here.
-Acacia has generously donated Exhale Core Fusion Bootcamp. Enter here.
----And hop on over to Two Cute Peas in a Pod and enter her wonderful Community Coffee gift basket giveaway here.

Today: Finally did the other segment from Jackie Warners Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs. Really great w/o! Anchor Bay sent me this dvd to review, check it out below.

Today's Fancy Lolz:

Giveaway Michelle Dozois Peak 10 Cardio Strength from Collage!

This giveaway is now over. Please check out other Fitness For The Rest of Us giveaways by clicking on the "giveaways" tab on my left sidebar.

This weeks giveaway is courtesy of Collage Video - Michelle Dozois Peak 10 Cardio Strength. WOWOWOW what a great workout!!!!

We all know and love Collage Video, because, well they rock! Collage Video offers a huge selection of fitness dvds and each workout has a video clip and user reviews. Each and every w/o is actually done by their staff so the info is always accurate! Collage Video's website also has discussion boards and don't forget to check out their success stories for some motivation! They are now offering weekly sales, and free shipping on orders over $25. I've always had extremely positive experiences ordering from Collage. Their staff is super friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. And my orders always come QUICKLY!

Review: Peak 10 Cardio Strength

Michelle Dozois, 2010 ***** (5 of 5 stars)

This is a 59 minute strength & cardio workout led by Michelle w/ 6 background exercisers (male & female). The set is a nice room with hardwood floors, white walls & windows in the background. You will need a variety of dumbbells for this workout- she recomends 2 sets, 5 -20 lbs.

The workout is set up in 10 minute circuits. You start with level 1 - strength training, and then move to level 2 - where you incorporate some compond moves into your strength moves. Level 3 is cardio and its no "walk in the park" easy cardio. Then you perform level 4- which is all out, anaerobic cardio. She concludes the workout with a cooldown stretch.

The workout jumps right in- no wasted time here! Some of the strength work (levels 1 & 2) def had a functional feel and some seemed kettlebell inspired. There were a lot of compounds moves (level 2) so you are moving and working throughout the entire hour. Some of the strength moves include: deadlifts into a bicep curl, pushups into plank knee pulls, pliets w/ UB work, squat to the floor w/ a shoulder raise, and I felt my core being worked throughout each strength set.

Level 3 cardio moves included: shuffle jump, various kick and punch combos, jumping jacks, high knees, skiiers, etc. The level 3 cardio is not what I would consider easy at all and is followed by 15 seconds of even more intense cardio!

Level 4 cardio moves include tuck jumps, flying jumps, ground touch-jump, crab crawl jumps, and more heart pounding explosive moves. Level 4 only lasts 15 seconds so its very do-able! And is followed by another level 1 strength set, which allows your to recover.

This workout is def advanced but is SO very doable because of the way Michelle has structured the work. This workout really really strengthens your heart- training it to not only get up there but to come back down. I LOVE a challenging workout and I love that this one flows so well and the time just flew by. At 30 minutes into the workout I was still going very strong. I didnt lose any steam until the very last circuit, but was still able to finish strong. That says alot to the sequencing of this workout and I am impressed! Can not wait to try others in this series. Michelles cueing is spot on and all the moves are athletic and easy to catch onto.

Want to try this workout out for yourself? Head on over to Collage and get yourself a copy! Want to win a copy? Enter here:

Mandatory Entry: Head on over to Collage Video and tell me which dvd (besides Peak 10) that you want to try along with your email address.

Optional Entries (after completing the mandatory entry above):

• 10 Entries: Purchase something from Collage Video THIS WEEK and tell me what you bought
• 2 Entries: Like Collage on Facebook
• 2 Entries: Leave a comment on their Facebook wall telling them that I sent you
• 1 Entry: Follow my blog. Already a follower? Just leave a comment saying so
• 5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments) 
• 1 Entry: Leave me a comment telling what you like about the workout
• 1 Per Tweet: Tweet about this giveaway w/ a link to my blog (up to 1X per day)
• 1 Entry: Follow me on twitter
• 3 Entries: Sign up for the Collage newsletter here (already do, leave a comment saying so)
• 2 Entries: Enter any of my other current giveaways here.

Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Tuesday, Nov 23 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and annouced on Nov 24. Remember 2 entries = 2 comments. Contest open to EVERYONE!

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

11.15.10: My lungs, My Lungs, My Lungs Are on Fire...

Today: Did Michelle Dozoi's Peak 10 Cardio Strength. WOWOWOW, my lungs are still feeling this one! Thats some tough cardio. BUT its sequenced so well that its totally doable! Collage Video sent me this dvd for a reveiw & giveaway so keep checking back- it will be going up this week!


This weekend: We took the bike up north for a mini- getaway! Spent the night in a suite with an in-room Jacuzzi, wine &cheese basket, and it came with a 1 hour massage. We drank our wine in the jacuzzi, went to a movie, and out to dinner. And the next morning, I went to my massage :) We got the package through Living Social Deals- a site similar to Groupon. Both rock!

Today's Tip:  Save Mashed Potatoes Calories

Mix in half a cup of low-sodium chicken broth for every 3 pounds of potatoes instead of half a cup of butter or heavy cream. If you still crave that rich flavor, top a small scoop of mashed potatoes with a pat of butter (that's about a teaspoon) for just 36 extra calories. Calories saved per cup: 150. More on Shape here.

Today's Bargains: My Current Giveaways
-Still one day to enter to win Gin Millers Simply Circuit from Advanced Workouts here.
-And just up today- enter to win Exhale Core Fusion Bootcamp from Acacia here.
-And Michelle's Peak 10 Cardio Strength from Collage will go up this week- hopefully tomorrow!

Today's Workout:

-Michelle Dozois Peak 10 Cardio Strength

*total w/o time 60 min

Sunday: Rest Day

Saturday's Workout:

-Fit in Five Ultimate Body Blitz (dance & cardio segment)

*total w/o time 40 min + stretch
Today's LOLz:

Giveaway: Acacia's Exhale Core Fusion Bootcamp!

This giveaway is now over. Please check out other Fitness For The Rest of Us giveaways by clicking on the "giveaways" tab on my left sidebar.

This giveaway is courtesy of Acacia, who offer a huge selction of clothing, jewelry, garden, home decor, and of course fitness products & dvds! Check out their huge selection of fitness dvds here. DVD categories include: general fitness, abs & core, tai chi, dance, pilates, pregnancy, martial arts, beginner, yoga, and more! Dont forget to check out their fitness apparel & accessories here. Acacia is the company that brings us the ever popular Exhale Core Fusion workouts!

eta: I did Exhale Core Fusion Bootcamp yesterday and WOW my core is really feeling it today!!!

Today's Review Exhale Core Fusion Bootcamp

Fred DeVito & Elisabeth Halfpapp, 2010 ***** (5 of 5 stars)

This is a 60 minute fusion workout led by husband & wife team, Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp. This workout is a blend of core focused pilates, yoga, and bootcamp-esque work. It contains a lot of core work, balance, strength, pilates, yoga, and cardio work. It is blended very well and had a wonderful flow. You will need a playground ball (I used an 8# weighted ball), light dumbbells (they use 3#'s), and a mat for this workout. Fred & Elisabeth & team workout barfoot & so did I- love that. The set is a nice room with hardwood floors and some drapery hung around. One b/g'er provides beginnner mods.

The dvd is divided up into six 10 minute segments, and you can "play all" or select an individual workout. The segments are: sun salutations, jump back 1, jump back 2, abdominal curl, back strengthening & stretch, and a bonus thighs & core segment. Each segment includes a lot of core work.

Sun Salutations: This segment is (of course) core focused and includes different sun salutation variations, lots of plank work, and some pulsing chair poses w/ tricep work.

Jump Back Part One: This segment includes a good amount of cardio & strength. Using a ball, you do pushups, planks, chair pose with tricep work, and of course the jump ups- similar to a squat thrust using the ball and including chair pose. My heartrate got up there nicely in this segment.

Jump Back Part Two: This cardio & strength segment is different from JBP1 but includes the moves above. In addition you will see tricep pushups, a lunge with a sidelift, and bicep work with a twist. My heartrate was elevated in this segment as well.

Abdominal Curl: This section is done on the floor and Fred provides a lot of good form pointers. I have neck issues so I performed these moves in a V sit as opposed to the lower hover they did. Using a dumbbell you perform some tough nonstop ab work- including roll-ups, moves similar to the pilates 100, and included oblique work as well.

Back Strengthening & Stretch: This is a nice little lower back & stretch segment done on the floor. Lower backs never get enough work IMO so I am always happy to get some in. It uses the ball & incorporates a lot of nice superman moves & spinal stretching.

Thighs & Core: This segment starts with a side lunge with a knee lift using the ball, then you move to the floor for some core work with your feet on the ball, V sits, oblique twists, crunch variations w/ the ball between the knees, and some bridge work with the ball between your knees.

I would rate this workout an intermediate fusion workout. It really does combine SO many elements in such a smooth flowing way. I felt a TON of core work, my heartrate got up, I got some yoga and pilates in, and some nice (mostly) body weight strength work in. This was a great way to spend a workout hour and NO SHOES- cant go wrong with that! I really like both Fred & Elisabeth as leads, they provided some great form pointers & explanations and their cueing was spot on. I am very impressed by this workout! Very unique.

Want a copy of this dvd for yourself? Head on over to Acacia and buy yourself one. Want to win a copy? Enter here!

Mandatory Entry: Check out Acacia's website and tell me something you learned along with your email address and remember that two entries = two comments. Good luck!

Optional Bonus Entries: (after completing mandatory entry above): 

• 10 Entries: Purchase something from Acacia THIS WEEK and tell me what you bought.
• 1 Entry: Leave me a comment telling what you like about the workout
• 1 Entry: Facebook like Acacia.
• 3 Entries: Leave a comment on their facebook wall that I sent you.
• 1 Entry: Follow my blog. Already a follower? Just leave a comment saying so
• 5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
• 1 Per Tweet: Tweet about this giveaway w/ a link to my blog (up to 1X per day)
• 1 Entry: Follow me on twitter.
• 1 Entry: Tell me which Acacia dvd you would like to try (besides this one!)
• 3 Entries: Sign up for the Acacia newsletter (bottom left here)
• 3 Entries: Request an Acacia catalogue (bottom left here)
• 2 Entries: Enter any of my other current giveaways here (2 entries per giveaway)

Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on Tuesday, Nov 23 and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and annouced on Nov 24. Contest open to US residents.

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

11.12.10: Upcoming Exhale Core Fusion Giveaway Details

Yesterday: Received Exhale Core Fusion in the mail from Acacia for a review & upcoming giveaway. I tried it out this AM and REALLY liked it! The review & giveaway will go up on Monday so stay tuned!

This Weekend: We are going to be pretty busy so Im not sure I will get my 6th w/o in for this week. Hoping I can wake up early tomorrow & get one in....Wish me luck and wish death to those 2 lbs. Thank you in advance...

Today's Workout:
-Exhale Core Fusion Bootcamp
*total w/o time 60 minutes

 Todays Bargains:

• Reebok is offering 30% off their entire site with code TAKE30 or code FRIEND. The code will get you FREE Shipping too! And, you can even use it on the new Reebok Easy Tone Shoes.
• Still time to enter my Advanced Workouts DVDs giveaway for Gin Millers Simply Circuit here.
• Enter to win Body by Bethenny dvd on Huff & Buff here.

Today's Tip: Buy Bulk Organic to Save Money Organic options can be found at Costco, BJ's, and Sam's Club and buy in bulk. You can purchase many organic grains (including brown and wild rice and whole oats), pastas, flours, dried fruits, and nuts in the bulk sections of stores for far less. Organic brown rice in bulk is about 99 cents per pound. More on Prevention here.

Today's LOLz:

11.11.10: Two Pounds

Today: I am up 2 damn pounds on the scale, not a huge deal but you know it irritates me. The cajun food-it was oh so delicious, and I guess the evening cocktails arent helping my cause. Sigh, need to be at least at "normal" for the holidays...

Also Today: I realized that on The Firm Calorie Explosion dvd you can skip forward but you cant rewind or FF. I also tried to skip back and wasnt able to. What the hell? I seem to have a foul mouth today. Forgive me...

Today's Workout:
-The Firm Calorie Explosion
-Jackie Warner's Crunch Free Xtreme Abs (standing section)
*total w/o time 65 min + stretch

I just got Jackies w/o in the mail from Anchor Bay to review. So far- LOVE it! The review will go up as soon as I finish the other segment.

Today's Bargain: Theres still time to enter my Advanced Workouts DVDs giveaway for Gin Millers Simply Circuit dvd here.

Today's Review: Natural Journeys Pilates for Fat Burning
Alanna Zabel, 2007 **** (4 of 5 stars)

This is a 60 minute pilates workout led by Alanna with 2 background exercisers. The set is quite nice- hardwood floors with a nice cloud looking backdrop and some vases. One b/ger shows beginner modifications. Alanna says that this w/o is "the core & ab strengthing work from pilates blended w/ the flowing vinyassa of yoga." The dvd also has a bonus 6 minute ab w/o- that was quite tough.

Some of the moves include: variations of sun salutations, 1 legged plank w/ pushups, down dog w/ a knee pull, pulsing squats w/ a twist, superman variations, lots of plank work & variations including side plank work, 1/2 moon stretch, V- sit variations, teaser, rollups into shoulder stand (tough!), bridge w/ leg circles, single leg stretch, bicycle, oblique twists, the hundred, corkscrew, spinal twist, and concludes w/ a relaxation pose.

The cover says beginner to intermediate but I wouldnt say this is a beginner w/o- she does shoulder stands!!! I think it says "beginner" because of the backgrounder showing modifications. I would say this is a solid intermediate w/o.

I really like Alanna! Her cueing is great and she really keeps it moving in this w/o. I didnt feel that it was dragging on or that there was any wasted time. Its a very easy w/o to do in whole or to break up and use it in parts. She keeps it interesting by combining yoga and pilates moves into one well blended workout. I received this dvd from Natural Journeys to review.

Today's Tip: Organics to Skip
Step into any health food store and you're likely to find an organic version of just about everything, including cotton candy. While it's true that organic "junk foods" are better for the planet, they generally aren't better for you. A six-pack of organic soda costs $5; yes, it's made without high fructose corn syrup, but each can contains 160 calories (20 more than a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola Classic) and zero nutrients. Cutting back on sweets and nutritionally void extras altogether is the best way to get the most nutrition bang for your buck. More on Prevention here.

Today's LOLz:

11.10.10: Fire Dancer!

Friday: I already mentioned that I went to that drumming circle thing. Here is a cool pic of a fire dancer that was there. I heard someone saying shes a professional belly dancer. Very cool!

Monday: Well the neighbor flaked on the Latin class at the gym. Which was fine by me, I had worked out in the AM anyways and I dont particularly like doing things on weekday nights.

Today's Tip: Decrease Portion Size & Increase Your Wallet Size
The recommended portion size for meat and poultry is 3 oz, the size of a deck of cards. Stick to this amount and round out your meal with less expensive whole grains and veggies to dramatically cut meal costs and improve nutritional balance. More on Prevention here.

Tuesday's Workout:
-Jeanette Jenkins Bikini Bootcamp (cardio)
-Tae Bo Abs
*total w/o time 60 min

Today's Workout:
-Exercise TV Slim Down Fast (Cindy & Jessicas section)
-Exercise TV Total Body Toning (Cindy's section)
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch
   
Today's Review: Bikini Bootcamp
Jeanette Jenkins, 2009 ***** (5 of 5 stars)


This is a 75 minute workout that is split up into 2 main workouts: Cardio camp is 28 minutes of cardio and chisel camp is 25 minutes of strength work. There is also a 5 minute w/u, a 9 minute ab camp w/o, and a 7 minute stretch. You can "play all" or you can select which workout you want to do. The set is nice and open hardwood floors with some beach paraphernalia in the background. There are 2 background exercisers. You will need various dumbbells for the ab & chisel camp w/o's. The music is high energy instrumental-which I liked.


I like the warmup -it gets right to the point and is very dynamic. I *think* the music is "Wipeout" LOL. The w/u reminds me of Jillian Michael's newer dvd w/u's with big arm motions along w/ LB movements. After a few minutes she moves into a quick stretch.

Cardio Camp is high energy and nonstop! I love love loved it! The cardio is athletic and easy to follow but really got my heart rate up and I was sweating like crazy! She does 5 cardio sets and the moves include: 1) jacks, high knees, skaters, knee hops, power jacks.2) kick combos, kick with a floor touch, sped bag, repeater knees. 3) squat thrusts, shuffle & floor touch, knee up-kick combo, pendulums. 4) jab w/ fast feet, oblique crunch w/ a kick, hook-upper cut combo w/ a plyo. 5) jump rope, volleyball moves including a dig, spike, and block. LOVED the cardio section.

Chisel Camp is nonstop multi-muscle strength work. She starts with pushup into sideplank, and some tough plank variations and moves into lunges with bicep curl variations, and chair pose into a short dip. Then you do some full form squats (all the way down into an overhead press), and pliet w/ tricep press. Then you begin a sidelunge with a 1/2 moon type shoulder raise, triceps kick back w/ a back kick. The last move is a static squat w/ a back fly. I was sweating and my heart was pumping throughout this section too!


I didnt get to the ab section but I previewed most of it during my stretch and she does some weighted crunch variations, bicycles, and other lying ab work. I will do it tomorrow and report back :) I also didnt do the stretch section.


I would rate this a low advanced w/o. I loved it! I like Jeanettes style and demeanor and didn't have any problems following her cueing at all. This is a tough but still fun w/o that will find a place in everyones dvd collection. It can easily be put together for a long w/o or divided up into several shorter w/o's. Jeanette reminds me of Nadia from Barrys Bootcamp Academy series (leg day)-her voice and some of the things she says. And as a sidenote-the background exercisers are Teri Ann (Ex TV, Crunch, b/g in Firms) and Kat (the beginner mod in BBC Fat Blaster & a b/g in PowerFit Harmony).

Today's Bargain: Dont forget to enter my giveaway for Gin Millers Simply Circuit from Advanced Workouts DVDs here.

Today's LOLz:
 

The winner of Natural Journeys Ultra Fat Burning Workout is....Rhonda

Congrats to Rhonda who said... "They have a nice selection of DVDS and some I haven't heard of." Rhonda has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond & claim her prize. I'm sure she will get a ton of use out of this dvd, I know I do! It really is a favorite of mine.

Thank you to Natural Journeys for sponsoring this awesome giveaway and thank you to everyone who entered. Don't forget to check out Natural Journeys 25% off sale right now. Stack that with the discount code they provided to the Fitness For The Rest of Us readers 'NJ25' and you can pick up some great dvds for 50% off!

11.8.10: Busy Weekend!

Friday: Friday we went to the drum circle thing w/ some friends & had dinner with them. Remembered to bring my camera and it was dead....Bringing is only 1/2 the battle....

Saturday: Went with a friend to pick out my bridesmaid dress for her upcoming wedding. Found one, good style, right color, great price!

Sunday: We went to a Cajun Cookoff thing. $25 gets you all the tastings you want and unlimited soda & water. Do I even have to say I overinduldged? It was So yummmmy though & totally worth it! There was a ton of stuff to do. They had facepainting, mad hatter hat-making, balloon animals, live music, and of course FOOD. I made a hat w/ the kids (friends kids). Check it out! It also had cool ribbon streamers hanging from the back. Super stylish...

Today's Bargains: bonus entries for entering both!!
-Enter to win my Natural Journeys Ultra Fat Burning Workout here
-Enter to win my Advanced Workouts DVDs giveaway for Gin Millers Simply Circuit here.


Saturday: Rest Day!

Sunday's Workout:
-Firm Express Cardio
-Firm Core Solutions
*total w/o time 40 min + stretch

Monday's Workout:
-Firm Complete Body Sculpting
-Hit The Spot Pilates (hips)
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

And Im supposed to be going to a Latin Groove (or something like that) class at the gym w/ a neighbor tonight. Wish me luck, I can.not dance...

Today's Tip: Organic Meat & Poultry
Arecent study compared the nutritional content of organic and nonorganic chicken meat. The researchers found that the organic samples contained 28% more omega-3s, essential fatty acids that are linked to reduced rates of heart disease, depression, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation, and Alzheimer's disease. Animals raised organically can't be given antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed made from animal by-products (which can transmit mad cow disease). More on Prevention here.

Today's LOLz:

Giveaway Gin Miller Simply Circuit from Advanced Workouts DVDs

This giveaway is now over. Please check out other Fitness For The Rest of Us giveaways by clicking on the "giveaways" tab on my left sidebar.

This dvd was generously donated by Advanced Workouts DVDs. Simply Circuit is led by an all time favorite, Gin Miller! Advanced Workouts DVDs is THE source for advanced level fitness dvds of all genres: yoga, pilates, cardio, strength, circuit, you name it! Advanced Workout DVDs offers FREE shipping on US orders $19.00 & over and international orders $50 & over.

Today's Review: Simply Circuit
Gin Miller, 2003

This is a 63 minute workout led by Gin, who works out alone in a nice space w/ hardwood floors and some glass & pillars in the background. You will need dumbbells and a step for this workout. The workout is mostly cardio but includes some short toning segments. The dvd is broken down in to two 30ish minute workouts-one floor and one step.

All the moves in this dvd are straight forward, no brainers. No-one should have any real problems catching on to this one. The workout is built using add-on style, so you learn a move and then add on. She will introduce a move and have you watch first and then join in later- which is a bit odd, but not a huge deal.

Some of the cardio moves include: punches, bunny hops, step touches, shuffle, over the top, L-step, jogging in place, running onto the step. Some of the strength moves include: military press, tricep dips off the step, V sit variations, and some other upper body work. There really isnt much lower body weight work.

I would rate this workout an intermediate. It can easily be done back to back for an hour long cardio workoutor broken down into two 30 minute workouts. Gins cueing is very good and she is an upbeat and cheerful lead. The strength work really isnt enough to count for much so I would probably use this a cardio w/o and use the strength segments as little breaks by using lighter poundage.

Head on over to Advanced Workouts DVDs now to shop for this or many other workouts! Or you can win a copy of this workout by entering here:

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I received a sample of this product to review and then give away. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

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Fitness For the Rest of Us:

~Enter to win my giveaway: Natural Journeys Ultra Fat Burning Workout led by Cindy Whitmarsh here.

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11.4.10: Egg Nog

Today: Eggnog is in the stores people! Go out and find it! Silk Nog is one of my absolute favorites. Yum Yum! Found a recipe for egg nog that is made with almond milk. I'll try & post that tomorrow.

Sunday: This is a picture of my cat & I all dressed up to pass out candy to the trick-or-treaters. I had cool spiderweb leggings on too. Very exciting. Oh and this is my "roll out of bed & do nothing" hairdo...

Today's Tip: Organic Milk
Organic milk is more expensive--about $4 versus $2.50--but it's worth the splurge. It contains 75% more beta-carotene, as much as a serving of brussels sprouts. It has 50% more vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that aids the immune system and fights cancer and heart disease. It provides 2 to 3 times the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, and about 70% more omega-3 fatty acids. Organic milk also contains more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). This good fat has been linked to numerous health benefits, including stronger immunity, less belly fat, a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and healthier arteries. More on Prevention here.

Wednesday's Workout:
-The Ultra Fat Burning Workout (Enter to win this dvd on my giveaway here!!!)
-Natural Journey Pilates for Fat Burning
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

Today's Workout:
-FitPrime G-Force (cardio & ab section)
-Natures Journey Pilates for Fat Burning
*total w/o time 60 min + stretch

Today's Review: FitPrime G-Force
Tracie Long, 2004 ***** (5 of 5 stars)

This is a 53 minute rebounding + weights + yoga dvd. Tracie is working out alone on a small set that has a mirror and some art in the background-very Firm mansion set. Tracie is, as always, an excellent lead. Cueing is spot on and her form is always impeccable. She has great rebounding form tips throughout as well. The dvd is chartered very well so you can skip all the strength or cardio segments (if you want) by pushing "next" on your remote. You will need a rebounder, a pair of weighted gloves, and various dumbbells for this workout.

This dvd is interval style-you do a cardio rebounding circuit and then step off the trampoline and do a set of strength work. After 3 cardio sets, and 3 strength sets you do some yoga-esque ab work on the rebounder and then move into a cooldown stretch.

I usually skip the strength work in this dvd and just do the cardio because there really isn't enough strength work to count for much IMO. The work includes: lat row, bicep curls, lunges w/ one foot on the rebounder, ab work, push ups, tri dips, etc. A little of a lot of things really.

The rebounding is pretty straight forward: health bounce, jogging, some tuck jumps, high knees, shuffles, a unique hop scotch move (actually took me a few times through to get this one but I am choreo challenged), jumping jacks, and the likes.

The at-home-workout-world is really lacking rebounding w/o's IMO so I consider this a must have for rebounders! I would rate this an intermediate workout done as is. But if you add more and faster arm movements you can get a higher intensity workout. As with all rebounding workouts you really get out what you put in depending on how you bounce. Rebounding can really be a great challenging cardio w/o or it can be an easy playtime-you decide :) Adding bigger arm movements, wearing weighted gloves, and always giving it my all (adding more tuck jumps, etc)

Today's LOLz: