Jillian Michaels: Body Revolution

I started Jillian Michaels 90-day Body Revolution program yesterday (it's more like 97 days, because she gives you an optional kick-off week to really jumpstart your metabolism).  I decided to start with her Kick-start week which includes two 30 minute work-outs a day (morning and evening) and a lower caloric intake than the rest of the 90 days for that first week.  You do have the option to skip the Kick-start week and go right into week one, but I wanted to see what this first week could do for me (Jillian claims you can drop 1 jean size in 1 week if you follow the meal and exercise plan).

The Body Revolution workouts use HIIT (high intensity interval training) and PHA (peripheral heart action) which causes blood flow to go from top to bottom, bottom to top, back and forth to speed up your heart rate.  These work outs are said to rev up your metabolism for 16 hours after a workout!  (I don't have any scientific proof of this, but I believe it because my appetite has increased already.)  With the kick-start week you're doing two workouts per day to make your metabolism work extra through the day and night, keeping your body burning calories at its max 24 hours a day!  This is a good jumpstart to your metabolism and your stamina for the next 90 days.

If you're a Jillian beginner, really listen to her and don't push yourself too hard the first couple weeks...just get used to her, her moves, and your body's abilities.  If you're experience with Jillian (like me) the workouts may seem boring at first so she'll give you ways to spice things up with resistance, but still enjoy the easier moves (I am, because I know how she operates, and things WILL get A LOT harder).  Even though it feels like beginner work, I'm definitely feeling a little sore, so I know I'm still getting a good workout.

Now let's talk about the food: I'm a picky eater who is horrible at diets, lactose intolerant, and doesn't like to cook, but I do like to eat as healthy as I can under my circumstances, and I am good at remembering to count my calories.  Thus, instead of following the 75-page book of recipes that comes with the program (I might actually give some of the recipes a try when I'm bored with my food; I'm sure they're delicious for people who have a different palate than mine), I've just decided to count my calories and make my calories count!  I bought some Greek yogurt for snacks (and some regular for when I just want a side dish to a meal), celery, low-fat peanut butter, carrots, bananas, tuna, some Weight Watchers frozen meals (I know the sodium in them is bad, so I'm doubling up my water intake to flush it out), and of course, I'm still drinking my Muscle Milk.

Eating healthy when you've got two kids and a husband who can eat whatever they want, whenever they want and not ever have to worry isn't always easy. There are cookies, cokes, and candy in the house that I have to train myself to avoid (out of sight, out of mind is my best tactic).

As for eating healthy when you're on a budget, if you live near a Kroger or Ruler Foods, you can get their brand of foods and save A LOT.  Muscle Milk also now comes in a powder form giving me a months worth of shakes for the cost of what used to only get me through a couple weeks.  It's the same price as Whey protein, but it tastes a lot better!  In fact, sometimes I drink one when I'm craving ice cream or a milkshake, or when I just want something sweet.

And if you're thinking you want to go the diet pill route as a supplement for an extra boost, try Relacore or Slimquick without caffeine.  Caffeine will boost your metabolism, but I know from personal experience that spending too long on diet pills or relying too much on caffeine can actually destroy your natural metabolism, cause an addiction and/or anxiety, and give you horrible withdrawal headaches, and make you sleepy when you can't get "enough."  Jillian suggests no more than 400 mg of caffeine a day, I suggest even less than that if you do it.  My biggest regret is depending on diet pills for way too long, so I've switch to filling my body with vitamins that will help me inside and out: Fish Oil with Omega 3, Biotin, pure Rasberry Ketones, DHEA, and Niacin.  It may seem more expensive than taking 1 pill, but considering the average bottle of diet pills lasts you 10-15 days, the vitamins will last you at least twice as long (but take the full recommended doses).

I know it's quite an investment spending $100 for Body Revolution, $12 for a resistance band, and then about $50 on 3, 5, and 8 pound weights (you'll need them to advance the moves and challenge yourself...some people might even need a set of 10's), and then having to replace your unhealthy foods with healthy ones, but let me tell you how worth it is...I've already lost 1 pound in 24 hours! My stomach even looks flatter already! :)

Giving Up on a Program

I started doing Insanity because of all the hype it got, but after a lot of research and reviews, I found that most people doing Insanity were already fitness instructors, or ex-military, or people who really didn't have a lot of FAT to lose, just people wanting to tone.  Thus, after 2 grueling weeks of Insanity and really pushing myself, I've decided that I don't think it's the work out for me.  My goal is fat loss; I don't need super-defined abs or arms like Superman, I just want to look lean.

I spent the entire day today doing my homework on fat loss work outs, and (no surprise here) the number 1 at home work out is Jillian Michael's Body Revolution.  Now, I've known about Body Revolution for awhile (as you know, I'm a big Jillian fan), but it was 90 days where as Insanity was only 60; however, I'm ashamed that I didn't do more homework before deciding which work out to start with.  

Now, most websites and success stories will tell you that they didn't start seeing results with Insanity until month 2, and I was willing to stick it out and keep going, until I realized that all I'm doing is bulking up muscle on top of my fat instead of replacing the fat with muscle.  In 2 weeks I've gained almost 4 pounds; I may tell people not to focus on what the scale says and instead focus on how you feel, but I've been feeling like I've gained weight and the scale proved it. 

I HATE being a quitter, but I've decided to stop Insanity and start Jillian's Body Revolution (her new technique in these DVD's is said to increase your metabolism for up to 12 hours after each work out!), and then after I've finished her 90 day program, I'll go back to Insanity for more muscle building.  I'm not saying Insanity isn't great and can't do wonders for your body inside and out, but I don't think it's the work out I'm looking for right now.  Let's get rid of the stubborn belly fat, then we'll start talking about a 6 pack.

So in honor of my new work out, I took new before photos...but I'm going to make you all sweat it out and post them with the after pictures!  Wish me luck...I'll keep you posted!

Insanity: Day 1: Fit Test

I decided that I finally needed a little switch up from Jillian Michaels; however, I'm a huge fan or interval training, so I wanted to a work-out that still focused on the interval training.

I decided to take a 2 week vacation from working out while I went to California with my family, and while I was there, I saw so many infomercials about Insanity while I was watching TV at night (I don't have cable at home, so I'd never seen these before, I'd only heard about the Insanity Challenge).

I've already had several friends who have tried Insanity and seen awesome results, but I never thought I was strong enough to do it.  After watching how some people started out doing Insanity at all different stages of life, I decided to stop using excuses and just start doing it, so today, I started the 60 Day Insanity Challenge! (I'm borrowing the DVDs from a friend until mine gets here in the mail.)

During the Insanity 60 Day Challenge, you'll start with a Fit Test (which is done every 2 weeks to track your progress), and then you move on to various types of exercises averaging 45 minutes a day for 6 days a week (you get Sundays to rest).  At the end of 60 days, you can send in a before and after picture and receive an Insanity t-shirt to show everyone you had the strength to do it (although I think that the results of a strong body is enough for me).

So I'm going to track my results online to make myself push harder and show you all that you can do it, too!  Compare your results to mine, post your results in the comments, and show me that you can kick my butt!  I'm up for the challenge! :)
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During the DVD you'll have 1 minute to do as many of these as possible.
Switch Kicks: 87
Power Jacks: 35
Power Knees: 68
Power Jumps: 27
Globe Jumps: 8
Suicide Jumps: 15
Push-up Jacks: 15
Plank Oblique: 25
Weight: 139.5

I always modified Push-up Jacks during Jillian workouts because I assumed I didn't have the upper body strength to do them...clearly, I can at least do 15 in a minute, and I'm proud to say I tried and I pushed myself!  However, by the end of this less than 25 minute workout, I felt weak, tired, sweaty, and about ready to die!  LOL  But that's what this work out is all about...you'v got to be INSANE to do it!

 BEFORE picture taken a few days ago. In 60 days, I'll post an AFTER picture!

My Progress of Shedding Inches

I decided that I probably should have posted these a while ago.  How can I give you advice if I don't show you examples of practicing what I preach.  So here are some photos of the progress I've made.

July 2011 after the birth of my daughter at 184 pounds and wearing a size 14 (all you'll see in photos from this time are of my face!)

Our wedding in January 2012 at 153 pounds and wearing a size 8

July 2012 (me on the far left) at 138 pounds and wearing a size 4

6 months ago at a wedding at 128 pounds and wearing a size 2

So, you can see the difference, even though my weight changes weren't dramatic.  I've always been focused on how I FEEL as opposed to what the scale says since I know that I'm building muscle which weighs more than fat.  I have put on a  few pounds since this last photo, but I still feel great and I still fit comfortably in my size 2 jeans (however, my quad and glute muscles are getting larger/stronger so they're a little tight in those areas, but I have to wear a belt to keep them on my waist and a flat stomach IS my goal!)  

I'll post another bathing suit picture after my trip to California next month...that's the deadline I've given myself.  :/  YIKES!!  But I know I can do it, and you can reach your goals, too!  It may take time, but you've got to have patience!  

I Want a Hard Body!

I forgot that while I was giving you a review of Jillian's new DVD Hard Body, I forgot to give you a list of the workouts!  Instead of her coveted 3-2-1 system, or her other popular technique of one circuit of moves repeated twice before moving on to the next circuit, this DVD has 6 circuits of combination moves done once all the way through and then repeated.  (There is a combination of kick-boxing, some yoga, and, of course, cardio in these circuits.)

Jillian suggests using a range of weights from 3 lbs. to 8 lbs. (going lighter at some points and heavier at others), but I only have one set of 5's, so although that makes some of the moves easier on me, it makes others harder which evens everything out and still gives me a massive burn!

(Some of the moves sound intimidating, but remember, Jillian always provides you with a beginner modification...or you can just do the super-advanced!  My tip is to LISTEN to what Jillian says instead of watching the girls, because some of the girls are a little off on doing the poses right when Jillian isn't looking.)

This is LEVEL 1:

Warm Up: 
-Over-hand jumping jacks
-Alternating step-back planks
-Twisting front kicks
-River-dance
-Skaters in chair pose

Circuit 1:
-Speed squats
-Push-ups
-Speed Rope
-Sit-up/Superman combo

Circuit 2:
-Row into lunge and curl
-Suicides
-Crunch with scissor kicks
-Chest press, chest fly, triceps banger in bridge

Circuit 3:
-Calf raise with a shoulder press in sumo
-Donkey kicks
-Weighted burpee
-Curl in crescent pose into a kick-back in warrior 3

Circuit 4:
-Side lunge with a  row into chair pose with a shoulder raise
-Skiers
-Traveling push-ups with lateral jumps

Circuit 5:
-Push-up with a row into mountain climbers
-Jump-kicks in crab
-Alternating lunges with a punch using weights

Circuit 6:
-Surrenders with mermaid
-Squat (with a curl) spinners
-Oblique raise with a side crunch
-Lat pull with a pelvic thrust

Repeat Circuit 1-6 then Cool Down

(Even though I just gave you a run-down of the moves, I ALWAYS suggest buying the DVD for modifications, motivation, and guidance.)

The Firm (An Oldie but Goodie)

So, I decided that I needed a little switch-up again from all the Jillian Michaels (by the way, after only 5 days of Hard Body, my stomach is flatter; I gained about a pound, but I'm positive it's just muscle--after all, muscle weighs more than fat, so remember how you feel and ignore what the scale tells you!). I went to the local library and rented one of my favorite dance videos by the The Firm -Cardio Dance Club which consists of 3 different dance segments (Club, Latin, and Caribbean) that are each 20 minutes long.

The reason I like this video is #1 because it promises results in 10 workouts or less and #2 it's super easy if your a beginner, or if your more advanced (like me) you can spice it up!

The results in 10 workouts or less I believe to be completely true!  On the days that I'm too worn out to do a Jillian DVD, I do and hour of Cardio Dance Club (adding 1.5 pound kickboxing hand weights for a little burn) and I still feel like I did something for the day, and I really do notice a difference (with out without the addition of Jillian).

So if you're looking to flatten your stomach quickly (because this is mostly a core/cardio dance DVD) , then I suggest Cardio Dance Club.  And like I said earlier, it's easy and fun so ANYONE can do it and be able to enjoy it without having to think too much into the moves.

(I have been doing Level 1 of Hard Body which is 40 minutes, and adding one dance section from Cardio Dance Club which is 20 minutes, for a calorie blasting 60 minute workout!  And instead of taking a full "rest" day, I do at least 1 dance section or sometimes I even do the whole 60 minutes.)
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The Firm has been around for awhile, and a lot of people swear by their DVD's the same way I swear by Jillian Michaels, and I really have enjoyed the DVD's I've tried.  Their a step down from Jillian, so they're good for beginners.  The moves are simple, but the workouts will still make you sweat; so check out your local library and rent a few DVD's by The Firm and find one that you like!  I suggest adding at least one of their DVD's to your workout routine.

Jillian Michael's Hard Body DVD

Jillian Michael's newest DVD Hard Body is a now out and kicking butts all over the place!  I just got it, so, so far, I've only tried level 1 twice, but it's already kicking my butt!  You can burn about an average of 350 calories in 40 minutes while sweating like a pig!

1. Remember my tip to work out in shorts and a sports bra in front of a mirror and keep your tummy tucked in!

2. Also, work out without a fan, and you'll sweat more which means you'll loose more water weight.  (I did Ripped in 30 level 1 and Killer Abs level 1 back to back and burned off 2 lbs of just water weight.  It's amazing how great you can feel after a nice, hard sweat!)

3. Add 3 lb weights or even just hand weights or ankle weights to that exercise you love but doesn't make you feel challenged anymore.  That will really spice things up and make you feel challenged again...plus you won't have to find a new work out to do!  (I dance or do Zumba with 1.5 lb hand weights; I also started back at level 1 on all my Jillian Michael's DVDs but upped the weights.)

Tip #1: Get up-close-and-personal with your TV

{This post has been edited since it's original publication.)

Two words, One person: Jillian Michaels.

I have done almost every DVD this crazy woman has released, and I am 100% sure that my increased upper body strength, my ripped legs, and of course, my weight loss has all come from pushing myself during her work-outs.  Jillian has various different types of work-outs to chose from, but if you're new to working out, I would start with Jillian Michael's For Beginners.

However, if you're looking to jump right into getting ripped, Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown is where I started.  Start with Level 1 five to six days a week (ALWAYS TAKE ONE DAY OF REST!) for 3 weeks and progress for Level 2 five to six days a week for 3 weeks.  Each work-out is only 30 minutes long so you can do them during your child's nap-time (my personal favorite, but I know isn't always possible for those of you who are full-time working moms).  You can also get up 30 minutes early, or start the work-out as soon as you lay your child down for bed at night.

Now, I know it can be hard to get motivated so I won't lie: I have help.  Thirty-minutes before I want to work out, I take VPX Meltdown, which you can get at Walmart for $20.  I don't know whether the fat-burning part of their story is true, but it surely gets my hart going and makes me so antsy I WANT to work-out and I push myself harder just to get the jitters out.  This is a take-only-in-the-morning supplement, but if you don't have time time to work out in the morning, I take a pill around 2 if I know I am going to work out in the evening that day.

Every morning pick a time that you want to work out and stick with it!  Even if that means putting Barney on in the living room and sticking your kid in their playpen for 30 minutes...trust me, getting into shape benefits you both in the long run!