Tuesday (1/26/10) Day off – Well, seems I’ve been pushing a little too hard.  I didn’t get any sleep last night as every time I moved the pain in my elbow would wake me up.  Looks like I’m going to have to lay off the weights for a bit and stick to cardio.  I can try some of the Insanity or RevAbs workouts while I rest my arm.  When I  get back to the P90X program I’m going to go for less weight and more reps, I’m not sure how to do that with push-ups and pull-ups though.  Typing with a wrist brace on isn’t the most comfortable thing to do….

Wednesday (1/27/10) Cardio X – I thought I’d give this workout a try as I wanted to take it easy on my arms for a few days and I hadn’t done this one yet.  It was easy compared to the other workouts in P90X and was more like a Master Series one.  It was only 45 minutes with elements of Yoga, Kenpo,  Plyo and Core.  I was easily able to do the whole thing which was nice, it showed me just how far I’d come.  Sometimes it isn’t that obvious when your struggling to do some of the P90X stuff you forgot how you struggled with the original Power 90 workouts in the beginning that are now a cakewalk. A nice moral booster.

Thursday (1/28/10) Cardio X – Yup, Cardio X twice in a row.  My wife didn’t go to the gym after work so we did this one together.  It’s always more fun to work out with someone else!  I still wanted to do something without weights and thought this one would give her a little taste of what the other workouts have.  She has done Plyo with me before, but not Kenpo yet.  She has also does Yoga classes at the gym but I think she’s in for a surprise when she does Yoga X with me.  Maybe I’ll suggest it over the weekend.

Friday (1/29/10) RevAbs  Abcentrics™ and How to Capoeira – Just to try something different I did the introductory disk to RevAbs in which Brett teaches the basic moves (and how to pronounce them) along with a little history of this form a martial arts.  He then puts them all together into a short routine.

Saturday (1/30/10) Yoga X -  My wife joined me for another workout today.  It’s always more fun to work out with someone else.  Except when they make you laugh when your already on the edge of falling over doing Yoga X…  She has done a few Yoga classes at a local gym but always says she doesn’t see how they are much of a workout.  Anyway, I made it through another one, still trying a few of the harder positions before hanging out in child pose.  Even though I didn’t think I stressed my elbow much I had to ice it down when I was done, it seems to be getting worse.  I hate to stop working out entirely but might not have much of a choice.  I really don’t want to go through another surgery for this.

Sunday (1/31/10)  Rest Day – Kathy did comment that her upper arms were a little sore after yesterdays Yoga session even though she didn’t think she was working that hard at the time.  Just shows how some of the workouts can sneak up on you.

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Workout Routines for 1-25-10 to 1-31-10

She also mentions that the program takes a certain amount of commitment.  That is right in line with the Beachbody motto, “Decide, Commit, Succeed”.  Once you Decide you want to live a healthier lifestyle and get in the best shape of your life you Commit to a workout program and a healthier diet you can’t help but Succeed with the support of others doing the same.   The support comes in the form of your Coach (like me) and the other members of the Beachbody community through the user forums and workout buddies in the online supergym.  The support system is an often overlooked but vital part of the success equation.  There are usually lots of people around you telling you how hard it looks, how your getting too thin, not eating well, all because they can’t commit to changing their lifestyle and don’t want to get left behind.  It helps to have people to talk to who have gone through the same transformation you are undertaking and understands what it takes to help you along.

Sorry to get a little sidetracked, the video segment and write up can be found at the ABC News website.

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Good Morning America Reviews P90X

I’ve completed one round of Power 90 and one round of Power 90 Master Series and am on my second week of P90X (but I started the first week about a month ago).

Saturday (1/16/10) Chest and Back – After a little break it was harder getting through the entire routine with the same weights and reps I had been up to, got about 3/4 of the way through before hitting a wall. Hope next week I can push through and be back on track.

Sunday (1/17/10) Plyometrics (Plyo X) – I had recorded the new P90X infomercial and sat down to watch it with my wife who blew off the gym today. A little more than half way through she said “Let’s go work out”. The workout room has the baseboard radiators closed off so it’s usually cold with the sub 30 degree (F) New England temps and she thought it was freezing and too cold to work out. Once the warm-up was done I asked if I should open the window as it felt pretty hot and we were starting to sweat… She made it about half way through before getting nauseous and calling it a night. I wasn’t far behind her.

Monday (1/18/10) Shoulders and Arms – I made it a little more than half way through (to the first round of Two-Angle Shoulder Flyes) when my elbow started to hurt. I’ve had surgery for persistent Lateral Epicondylitis, or tennis elbow and still get pain when I push it. I don’t want to go through another surgery and months of recovery so I tend to be more cautions now.

Tuesday (1/19/10) Yoga X – This goes way beyond the Power 90 yoga that was mixed in with the workout routines! This is the first time I’ve made it through the whole hour and a half yoga workout. More or less. I didn’t do the Crane or Wheel pose and had some trouble with some of the others but definitely saw an improvement.

Wednesday (1/20/10) Well, what was supposed to be Legs and Back day turned into a day off. What started out as a mild headache in the morning turned into a full on migraine by the end of the work day. Took a Treximet (sumatriptan and naproxen sodium) when I got home and was asleep by 6:00pm.

Thursday (1/21/10) Legs and Back – My legs were still a little sore from doing Yoga X two days ago but nothing too bad. I didn’t finish the whole thing but made it further than last time. I track everything with an OpenOffice.org spreadsheet (I’m a big fan of open source software) and made it up to the Sneaky Lunges.

Friday (1/22/10) Kenpo X – Glutes are really sore from the previous few days. Pushed through it anyway and finished Kenpo X without a problem.  This is one of the easier workouts for me.

Saturday (1/23/10)  Day off – Well if you consider a day off to be tearing a dishwasher apart, re-assembling, re-installing to find it still doesn’t work, remove, disassemble, trouble shoot (found the broken magnet in  the motor time) search for (discontinued) parts on line……..

Sunday (1/24/10) Day off – Target shooting (airgun field target) in 35 degree weather.

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Workout Routines for 1-16-10 to 1-24-10

“The issue is already front and center at schools like Wayzata, where computers track fitness, and a new approach to physical education includes yoga, dance, ultimate Frisbee and even P90X — the training system you might have seen on TV.

“They’re encouraged by the newest technology,” said Wayzata Health and Physical Education teacher Kris Jones, “and some of those kinds of things that push them in another way. And P90X, in terms of the ab workout routine, is something that’s really caught on and grabbed their attention, so they’re willing to do it.”

The entire article can be found here.

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Schools Embrace P90X to Help Teach Fitness

Leandro’s proven TriAngle Training method works all three major muscles of the buttocks from multiple angles to reduce your hips and saddlebag area, slim your thighs, and lift your butt without bulking up your thighs. You can even customize the workout plan to turn your current shape into the one you’ve always wanted.

Enjoy all this . . .

Brazil Butt Lift package

5 Booty-blasting workouts

• BUM BUM: Leandro’s signature workout (named after the Brazilian slang for “butt” and pronounced “boom-boom”) combines fat-blasting cardio with the best lower-body sculpting moves you’ve ever tried. (35 min.)
• HIGH & TIGHT: Focus on all those stubborn trouble zones: the hips, glutes, and saddlebags. Leandro uses his secret weapons—the Booty Resistance Band and ankle weights—to lift your butt to new heights. (35 min.)
• SCULPT: In this video, Leandro takes you through a total-body workout with a sexy Brazilian twist, to sculpt your entire body while focusing on your glutes. Look like a sexy supermodel—lean and toned, without the bulk. (50 min.)
• CARDIO AXE: Feel like you’re dancing in the streets of Brazil with Leandro’s signature axe (pronounced “ah-shay”), a fat-burning, cardio-blasting, dance-based workout that delivers all-over slimming results fast. (30 min.)
• TUMMY TUCK: Leandro’s surefire way to get flat, sexy abs in just 15 minutes. (15 min.)

Tools to help you shape your booty

BOOTY MAKEOVER GUIDE
This booklet includes the Booty Blueprint to help you determine your current shape and the Booty Makeover Calendars customized to your particular shape so you know which workout program to follow to achieve your desired shape.

FAT-BURNING FOOD GUIDE
This easy-to-follow meal plan was created by a nutritionist and is filled with mouth-watering, Brazilian-inspired recipes that will help you slim down without sacrificing flavor.

BOOTY BASICS
In this introductory video, Leandro shares his TriAngle Training secret, signature moves, and tips on proper form to help you get the most out of the program.

TRIANGLE TRAINING WORKOUT CARDS
These cards contain step-by-step instructions on Leandro’s signature moves. Take them with you to create your own workout-on-the-go.

MEASUREMENT TRACKER CARD AND TAPE MEASURE
Watch the inches melt away as your entire body transforms.

PENCIL
See if you pass the pencil test before you start the program. Test again every 30 days, and watch your butt lift.

Plus, added bonuses

6-DAY SUPERMODEL SLIMDOWN
Jumpstart your booty transformation with the same 6-day SlimDown plan used by Leandro’s supermodel clients before a photo shoot.

BOOTY RESISTANCE BAND
This latex band, Leandro’s secret weapon, gives an extra boost of lower-body resistance to sculpt those hard-to-reach areas. It will bring you even faster results.

BUM BUM RAPIDO
This extra bonus workout is the express version of Leandro’s signature workout, “Bum Bum,” for when you’re short on time.

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT
Get free 24-hour access to the Team Beachbody® online community. Chat with fitness experts, access the message boards, and meet other Brazil Butt Lift workout buddies. You can even schedule your workouts in advance, and track your progress in the WOWY SuperGym®.

Leandro is so sure you’ll love Brazil Butt Lift and your new and improved behind that he’s giving you his 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not 100% satisfied for any reason, just return it within 30 days for a FULL refund of the purchase price less shipping and handling.

Consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

The cost of Brazil Butt Lift is $59.85 and can be ordered HERE.

As always, if you sign up for the Team Beachbody Club you would save 10% of the cost of any Beachbody products as well as all the other great Club benefits.

For the best deal you could sign up to be a Team Beachbody Coach and save 25% on all Beachbody purchases and 50% on all shipping, all while potentially earning money just for getting fit!

If you have any questions I can answer about any Beachbody programs like Brazil Butt Lift, Power 90 Master Series, Tony Horton One on One, Ten Minute Trainer, Slim in 6, Hip Hop Abs, Rockin’ Body, Insanity, RevAbs, any of the supplements or their Club or Coaching programs please email me with the form on the ‘Contact‘ page on the top menu bar.

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Brizil Butt Lift is out!

Fitness is freedom. At least we think so. That’s why we’re giving a free hi-speed pro jump rope to everyone who signs up for the One on one with Tony Horton subscription workout program in October. If you’re already a subscriber, no need to do anything. We’ll automatically include your free jump rope with your October DVD shipment. The offer runs from October 2 through November 2.

Why Jump Rope?

Burning up to 1,000 calories per hour, jumping rope is one of the healthiest aerobic workouts available. It increases your heart rate and metabolism while helping you lose weight—quickly. Other benefits include improving your physique, agility, endurance, and helping prevent osteoporosis.

Hi-Speed Pro Jump Rope Features

• Ball-bearing handles that allow smooth rotations and reduce wrist fatigue
• Molded handles with foam grips for comfort and safety
• Rope made of extremely durable polypropylene
• Adjustable rope length
• Comes in blue

You can order the One on One with Tony Horton series of DVD workouts right here.

As always, if you sign up for the Team Beachbody Club you would save 10% of the cost of any Beachbody products.

For the best deal you could sign up to be a Team Beachbody Coach and save 25% on all Beachbody purchases and 50% on all shipping, all while potentially earning money just for getting fit!

If you have any questions I can answer about any Beachbody programs like Power 90 Master Series, Tony Horton One on One, Ten Minute Trainer, Slim in 6, Hip Hop Abs, Rockin’ Body, Insanity, RevAbs, any of the supplements or their Club or Coaching programs please email me with the form on the ‘Contact‘ page on the top menu bar.

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But wait! There’s more! Call now and we’ll include this FREE gift!

Total Cholesterol went from 197 down to 143

LDL (low-density lipoprotein or ‘bad’ cholesterol) dropped from 124.6 to 89.2

HDL (high-density lipoprotein or ‘good’ cholesterol) is up from 38 to 41.   I’d like to see this go a little higher, below 40 is considered a risk factor for heart disease while above 60 is considered protective against it.

Triglyceride (blood fats) was 172 and now is down to 64.

My blood pressure also dropped from 140/80 to 110/70

He said this was a great example of what can be done with exercise and a change in diet.  Too many times we turn to drugs to accomplish what we are to lazy to do on our own.

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The Results Are In!

8-31-09 This week starts my recovery week of Power 90 Master Series. Today was Core Cardio. I’ve been having some issues with my abs which I need to have checked out so I wasn’t able to finish the feet to fingers crunch. The Dreya roll push-up was also a killer as I just can’t get the transition from standing to the backwards roll down, and the forward roll to standing is just as hard. I need to work on these some more.

9-1-09 My thighs were a just a little sore this morning, probably from the lateral lunge touch routine.   For today’s workout we have Cardio Intervals.  I made it through most of it doing all three levels with the exception of Horton Head Hammer where I only did a few plyo ones then went back to the medium level and the Planks where I stayed with the medium intensity run instead of going down in Chaturanga.

9-2-09 I got a real late start on Plyo Legs today, almost the time I’m usualy going to bed.  I was beat and only did about half of each exercise in order to complete the entire workout.

9-3-09  More of the Core Cardio with the same issues.  Gymnastics is not something I’m even remotely good at.  I’ll have to look into something a little thicker than the thin Yoga mat I’ve been using, and of course more practice…

9-4-09  Day off. I went to the gym with my wife to show her how to use the LifeFitness weight machines they have.  She likes the classes they have there like spin and rowing and goes with some of the girls she works with but now she wants to incorporate more resistance training into her routine after seeing the results I’m getting with Power 90.  We did 2 sets on each machine they had but with breaks in between and waiting to take turns I was not as tired as going through the Power 90 Master Series Sculpt 5 – 6 circuit DVD.  Friday is weigh in day and this was a good week, another 2 lbs down so I’m at 155.  That’s a total of 25lbs of fat lost since starting Power 90 in Late May.

9-5-09  Day off.  Usually beachcat sailing takes the place of workouts on the weekends as we leave early in the morning and after getting back we  are too beat to do anything but today was spent sitting on the beach waiting for the wind to fill in….   It never did….

9-6-09  Day off.  We found the wind, too much actually.  It was blowing a solid 30mph which is a little much for us.  Time to pull out the stunt kites and get a workout while being dragged around the beach.

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Workout review for 8-31-09 to 9-6-09

As the title of the DVD suggests this workout uses interval training, bursts of high intensity work mixed with rest or lower intensity effort.  During the high intensity periods your body works in an anaerobic state, using glycogen stores for short bursts of energy and producing lactic acid giving you that  ‘burn’ that lets you know your really working.  During the low intensity periods your back in an aerobic state, converting stored fat into energy, getting oxygen back to the muscles and breaking down the lactic acid.  With both aerobic and anaerobic systems getting a workout it’s the best of both worlds.

Each of the calisthenic type  exercise is done for one minute.  The first 20 seconds are low effort and allows your heart rate to come down a little from the previous exercise.  The next 20 seconds you ramp up the effort a little, either by bigger movements, faster execution, getting plyo, or a combination of these.  For the last 20 seconds you can give it all you’ve got!  Go ahead, push yourself and go for the burn, you’ll get to back it down after just 20 seconds.

Like most of the Master Series workouts you start with a low intensity warmup followed by a series of stretches.  Then you start with the intervals.  Are you wearing your wearing your heart monitor?

First up is your basic running in place, nice and easy for the first 20 seconds, then pick up the pace and lift you legs a little higher for the next 20 seconds, and finally get those knees up for all out running for the last 20 seconds.

Next up are the Mary Katherine Lunges (superstar…) and you progress from reverse stepping lunges to plyo reverse lunges over the course of a minute.  This is when I learned to not stand under the ceiling fan while doing plyo exercises (duh).

The same progressing for Squat Kicks, easy at first, not going too low or kicking too high while you recover a little, then get lower and kick higher, then the last 20 seconds go low and kick high while the heart rate climbs, breathing gets heavier and legs start burning.

How about some nice easy Tires, lightly hopping from one to the next.  Heart rate is down a few points so pick it up a little more for the next 20 seconds.  Now get them knees up there for the last 20 seconds, it’s Tires On Fire!

Squat Run time, get in a fighters stance, not to low to start off with and do the upper body running motion (think of dancing the twist).  If you have light weighs feel free to swing them as well to give you a more intense workout on this one.  The insert weights from my PowerBlock Sport 9.0 set are 2.5lbs each and fit nicely in my hands for this.  After 20 seconds, switch legs, get a little lower and pick up the pace.  For the last 20 seconds switch legs again, get real low and really crank the arms.

Short water break!  Finally….

Now do them all again!

Now for a different set.  Start out with Tony Horton’s own Wacky Jacks.  Start out slow and steady then for the second 20 seconds you do a larger, exaggerated motion but still at a slow pace.  To ramp up the intensity you do the larger movements at a faster pace.

Plank walks sound easy enough, get in a plank position and bring each leg up to your chest in a walking motion.   Next up is a faster run instead of a walk.  If you can, for the intense part, get low in the bottom of a push up (Chaturanga) and do the run motion.  I had to pass on that and just kept up with the run in plank for the last 20 seconds.   Sure it’s cardio but after holding plank like this for a minute you might feel it in your abs as well.

With the Run Stance Squats you do just that, get in a run stance and squat down.  First touch your ankle for the easy one, then your toe, then to get low touch the floor in front of your foot.

Eagan Brothers puts your on the ski slopes doing a slalom type movement, first with a step-touch and progressing up to hopping back and forth.

Horton Head Hammer is another of those great Tony moves.  First from an easy wide legged squat you jump and pivot around to face the rear, then back again to the front.  Keep repeating this for 20 seconds then add a reach to the ceiling, touch the floor then the pivot.  For the last 20 seconds get plyo and jump for the reach, touch the floor and pivot.

Whew, another water break.  Repeat them again if you can.

As always, Tony gives you ways to modify each move so you can adapt it to your level.  He even suggests that for the first time through you might want to skip the second round of each series.

If your looking for more information on this or any other Beachbody program you can sign up for a free Team Beachbody account here and check out the forums for other peoples experiences and success stories.

Cardio Intervals can be purchased as a single workout DVD here for $19.95

Power 90 Master Series – Cardio Intervals DVD

or as part of the complete Power 90 Master Series program here for $59.85

Power 90 Master Series

As always if you sign up for the Team Beachbody Club you would save 10% of the cost of any Beachbody products.

For the best deal you could sign up to be a Team Beachbody Coach and save 25% on all Beachbody purchases and 50% on all shipping, all while potentially earning money just for getting fit!

If you have any questions I can answer about any Beachbody programs like Power 90 Master Series, Tony Horton One on One, Ten Minute Trainer, Slim in 6, Hip Hop Abs, Rockin’ Body,  any of the supplements or their Club or Coaching programs please email me with the form on the ‘Contact‘ page on the top menu bar.

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Power 90 Master Series Cardio Intervals DVD Review

Insanity isn’t really meant to be a beginners weight loss program. It’s an advanced cardio workout where you spend a lot of time in the 85% and over heart rate range. While it might be possible to modify all the moves you would probably get much better results with one of the other Beachbody programs designed to be a beginner program for less fit people like I did.

I chose Power 90 (reviewed here) with Tony Horton (of P90X fame) to start with but there are other good choices as well depending on the type of workout you enjoy. There is Slim in 6 with Debbie Siebers which combines cardio with light resistance moves to burn fat and reshape your body. If you like a kickboxing type of body sculpting workout to burn more calories than a lot of other exercises look into Turbo Jam with Chalene Johnson. Shaun T (the trainer who created Insanity) has Rockin’ Body which will have you partying off the pounds as you dance and sweat to some hot music. And of course there is Yoga Booty Ballet with Gillian Marloth and Teigh McDonough which combines yoga, dance and body sculpting. There are many other great Beachbody programs but these are some of the more popular beginner ones.

You should also be using this time to change your diet (not “go on a diet”) and get in the habit of eating to fuel you body, not just for the sake of eating.

Use the free Team Beachbody website or join the Club to connect with other people working on the same issues as you, losing weight and getting fit to take on the more advanced programs like Insanity or P90X. Take advantage of the meal plans and advice of the fitness advisers and coaches (like myself) on the forums.  Contact your coach (me if you sign up with the links on this page) after you sign up through the Team Beachbody message center or email and let them know what your goals are. Let them walk you through using the web site and taking advantage of all the help available to you (don’t forget the Million Dollar Body contest with a daily giveaway of up to $1000 just for working out).

Contact me anytime with the “contact” page above with your questions and I’ll do my best to get you the answers you need to get started on the path to a fitter lifestyle.

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Is Insanity good for obese people?