the last few days i've managed to get myself back on track with working out and eating clean. my new copy of oxygen came yesterday, so that was like a mini reward for having started back to the gym the day before, and a nice lil' the kick in the pants to get there yesterday.
this morning, i'm stuck at home waiting for fedex to deliver DH's new macbook so i worked out at home using the Barry's Bootcamp. Barry is very optimistic and full of positive reinforcement (which normally, for a b*tch like myself, means i spend more of the workout cursing at the TV than actually focussing on the exercises), but he really does give you a great workout. and after i was done... i was DRENCHED in sweat. i really did work my butt off. 45 minutes* of hardcore focussed training with enough cardio to get that heart pumping...
if you're not familiar with the program, allow me to give you a quick rundown: there are 2 basic dvd's (upper and lower body) and each one is 21 minutes of targeted training with resistance bands and a workout/stability ball-- lovingly called 'the transformer' in the dvd's-- (which i guess makes you megan fox for working out on it!). anyway, the core philosophy of Barry's routines is that you do each targeted exercise for 1 minute, with 30 seconds of rest between moves. the good news is: no sets. just get through that first minute and you're on to the next thing.** he also gives you "beginner" and "advanced" models to follow should you require modification, so at least when you buy the dvd's, you're investing in something that can grow with you. (I think i recently saw the program on sale at Sports Authority for like $30-50... not bad for a DVD system that you're going to be able to use and see results from for at least a while!) the "bad news" (if you can consider it that way) is, you have to make that minute of exercise count and if something feels "too easy" you're probably doing it wrong or its time to step up your resistance/level.
do not be fooled by the whole "work out dvd" stigma... i know you know what i'm talking about (Sweatin' to the Oldies, anyone?) i consider myself a fairly in-shape person. i'm no Jamie Eason (my hero!) but these exercises are challenging! there are more than a few that when i first popped in the DVDs, i had to follow the beginner level model...and the next day, i was feeling the burn! *** the intermediate and advanced are great as well--
my favorite part, however, is the "bonus section" with additional 12 minute/each workouts targeting abs, upper and lower body and in beginner/advanced modes. i adore-- let me say it again... i ADORE the beginner ab workout. and no rolling your eyes at "beginner" because there are still 3 sublevels represented by their own model in that routine as well.
* i did the 21 minute lower body with both 12 min/ea upper body and abs bonus sections
** i have to interject a story here about my husband and "sets"... truth be told, i would kill to have a physique like DH. he's built like a soccer player: long and lean, full of muscle with a body fat % that would sell my soul for... and he works out-- but the man. hates. sets. one time we were working out together trying a new routine i'd found an one of the moves was "walking lunges with bicep curls." we did 15 across the room using moderate weights-- got to the end and he was like, "wow... those really suck. i mean, i worked and i can feel it." i replied, "yeah, imagine how great it'll feel when we finish the 2nd and 3rd sets" and his face just dropped. it was priceless!
**minor clarification: many people (at least that i've encountered) consider "feeling the burn" to be synonymous with "pain"-- to me they are not the same. when i say "feeling the burn," i mean, "i feel like i accomplished something with my workout." when i say, "and i was hurting or in pain..." well, then i mean I WAS IN PAIN. probably because i did something stupid or incorrect or i just plain over did it-- which i have a tendency to do when i'm really excited for something.
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