Steady Strides

Morning everyone! I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had such a good time with our families. I love it when everyone is together and we get to spend some quality time. I missed having my brother, Daryl and his family and Brian's sister, Lisa and her family. Hopefully at Christmas, we will all get to see each other. I did pretty good with my eating and have been able to get back on track with my workouts.

This morning I did Steady Strides. This workout is part of the Kathy Smith's Project You series. It is a walking workout. Part 1 is strictly walking at a good pace. Kathy Smith narrates and the music is good and has a good beat that helps to keep you on pace. Part 2 really picks things up a bit and you do some intervals. 3 minutes walking and 3 minutes brisk walking or jogging. At the end, you do 2 anaerobic drills. Really fast walking/running for 1 minute and then 1 minute recovery. This really gets your heart rate up and the sweat flowing. You can use this workout outside or on a treadmill. I was on the treadmill today simply because it is raining outside here.

I really like this one. I did both of the workouts today and it pushed me. I think anyone at any level can do these, you just modify it to meet your needs. I highly recommend this one ;)

We are going to be doing our angel shopping today. We usually take the whole family and shop for someone less fortunate than us. It makes the kids really appreciate all that they have and lets them see how good it feels to help others. This year, the kids are all busy with their own lives, so it looks like it will just be Brian and myself. I miss getting to spend as much time with the boys, but I understand that they are growing up - too fast for my taste.

We are enjoying the leftovers, Brian just loves turkey and stuffing sandwiches, me - not so much. LOL!! I am going to make a nice veggie soup out of the leftovers and that will be wonderful for me.

I'll be back tomorrow to post about the pilates workout from Kathy Smith. I will also be having my first live piyo class. I hope that I am ready for this. Luckily, I have a group of friends that don't mind being my guinea pigs!!!!

Dana

Long & Lean - Kathy Smith's Project: YOU

Whew, I just finsihed my workout for this morning. I am pressed for time today, so I'll add Pilates core to tomorrow or later today.

Long & Lean is a cardio workout. It really got the sweat flowing. I think Kathy Smith is a lot of fun and she really takes the time to be sure that we get the moves down before moving on. This workout has more complicated moves, but by the end, I felt like I had it all down. This was the first time I had done this workout and I think I will incorporate it into my regular workout schedule.

SAVE THE DATE: I'll be hosting a ChaLEAN Extreme launch party on Jan 3rd. I'll post the details as soon as I get them finalized. It will be in Joplin MO. One copy of the workout will be given away at the party - you won't want to miss it.

I'll be back later if I get time to get pilates core done today :)
Dana

Foundation and Lower Body and Abs!

I got a late start on my workouts today.

Just finished Foundation and Lower Body and Abs from Kathy Smith's Project: YOU! I really like these workouts, they are quick and effective. Foundation is a 30 minute cardio workout. It has some kickboxing thrown in as well. It's a little on the dancey side, but it is fun and the time goes by quickly. I like the people the in background. Lower Body and Abs is 30 mins also and is a killer leg workout and the abs are done on the stability ball. It is very effective.

Beachbody has just recently changed the format for the Project: YOU workouts to Project: YOU Type 2. This is now a great program for anyone with pre-diabetes or diabetes. You don't have to be in one of those catagories to get results from the workout, but I love that the program is geared towards it. Obesity is rampant in the US and we need to really work on this. If you aren't on a workout regimen, I highly recommend this one!!

Tomorrow is more Project: YOU! Long and Lean and Pilates Core.

I went for my Piyo certification this weekend in Stillwater OK. I had a good time. I'm sore today, but I am able to walk LOL!! I am anxious to get my rating and get started teaching classes.

Dana

This weekend!

Sorry that I have disappeared. My son got the flu and then I wasn't feeling too great myself. I haven't done my workouts in a while, but I will get back on track on Monday. Tomorrow I have my piyo certification in Stillwater. Piyo is a combination of pilates and yoga. I am so excited and nervous a the same time. I just hope that I'll be able to walk on Monday. LOL!!!

I'm ready for Thanksgiving this week. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. No pressure, just good food and family. YEAH!!!!! I can't wait for my family to get here. I don't get to see them often enough. My brother just got back from Iraq a few months ago and I've only seen him for a couple of hours since them. Oh, I just found out that my brother and his family aren't going to be able to make it. Oh well, I'll get to see them at Christmas.

So, I'll be back in action and hitting it hard on Monday (providing I can walk LOL!!).

Dana

Kathy Smith's Project: YOU

Kathy Smiths Project: YOU! Type 2 - Preorder NOW!!!

Reserve your copy of the only diet and fitness program developed in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association! Preorder now at no cost until it ships.

Retail: $99.95
Club: $89.96
Coach: $74.96

We'll contact you shortly after we receive your order request to collect your payment information.

Please note: Your credit card will NOT be charged today but will be charged when your order ships.

THE HEALTHY APPROACH TO HELP FIGHT TYPE 2 DIABETES
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, you may help manage or prevent it with the revolutionary new lifestyle program, Kathy Smith's Project:YOU! Type 2™.

Developed in conjunction with doctors, certified diabetes educators, and the American Diabetes Association, Project: YOU! Type 2 is the first all-in-one solution to help manage diabetes, reduce your risk for diabetes complications, and get back in control of your life!

A Unique All-in-One Approach
Project:YOU! Type 2 combines delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans with a fun workout program, plus helpful support tools!

You get all this:

Good2Eat! Meal Guides Reviewed by the American Diabetes Association

Cookbook: Mouthwatering recipes created around our unique COMBO system that counts carbs for you! Plus guidelines on eating out and recipes for entertaining.

Mix-and-Match Meal Cards: Color-coded cards with delicious meals and simple snacks that you can mix and match to create satisfying and delicious meals.

Good2Move! 12-Week Fitness Program for All Levels

12-Week Workout Guide: An incredible guide to help you get started and get moving. Kathy shows you exactly how to get the most out of your workouts!

Workout Wallet with DVDs and CD: 8 workouts and 2 audio walking programs help you progress through the most effective fat-burning, strength-training, and core/flexibility workouts Kathy's ever developed.

Workout Calendar: A 12-week calendar shows you exactly which workouts to do each day and when to rest—plus a daily checklist to keep you on track.

Good2Go! Support Tools
Program Guide and 12-Week Food & Fitness Journal: All the fitness, healthy eating, and journaling components in one convenient guide. Plus a 90-day journal to track your food, exercise, blood glucose readings, and weight.

Kathy's 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: If you're not satisfied with your product within 30 days, simply return it for the full purchase price, less shipping and handling, no questions asked.

This program has been approved by the American Diabetes Association. If you or someone you know has diabetes, you should have this program.

You can order it at www.missourifitclub.com Email me with any questions or comments at dana@beachbodycoach.com

So, I started last night with this program. I did Full Body Circuit ( this is not the first workout in the series that you start with). I really liked it, but I was tired from cleaning a rental property all day long. This workout is a combo strength training and cardio. You start out with cardio and alternate with strength training and end with an ab workout. The cardio bursts are about 2 minutes long and the strength training 4-5 mins. I think it was about the 11 minutes left mark that we started the abs and then we did a really nice stretch to end the workout. It was a good total body workout. I used 10 lb weights and 5 lbs weights. My triceps were so tired and shaky. This is a good thing though. The workout is easy to follow, not overly complicated and Kathy Smith gives good instruction. I do like that the people in the video are not stick thin models and look like regular people. They also chat a bit, this helps. Several times I was getting tired and thinking how many more and they would answer with just a few more. I know they couldn't hear me LOL, but it really did help me get through the tougher parts.

Today I will be doing Foundation. This is a cardio workout and the one that you will start the program with. Please feel free to pass on my information to anyone that you think will benefit from this program. I'm not sure when it will ship, but it should be soon! I don't think you can go wrong with this one!!

Dana

Ho Ala ke kino

Good Morning! I started off my morning with Ho ala ke kino with Tony Horton. I love this workout. It is a great way to start the day. You start off with some gentle stretching, move into a warm-up with some ab moves, squats and punches, squats and kicks and lunges and then into power yoga and end with some more stretching. I always feel so much better after I do this workout. Tony really takes the time to explain the moves and correct postures. It's easy to follow along. The power yoga moves fast, but it gets your heart rate up and the sweat going.


Ho Ala ke Kino

Revitalize your body and mind in this 30-minute yoga and stretching routine set on the tranquil beaches of Hawaii. With trainer Tony Horton.

Price:
$9.95

Relax and rejuvinate Experience the rejuvenating effects of a stretching and yoga program unlike any other! Ho' Ala ke Kino is the Hawaiian secret to energy, grace, and vitality.
Awaken your body and mind Ho' Ala ke Kino means "awaken the body," and that's exactly what you'll experience through this remarkable program, performed in a beautiful island setting.
Improve health, flexibility, and coordination.

Open your body and mind to the day ahead

Energize your morning

Unwind after a long day

Ho' Ala ke Kino makes getting in shape easy! Whether you're a yoga expert or just getting started, this program will relax your mind and invigorate your body. At last, a simple fitness program that will make you feel sensational!

Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. If you experience any pain or difficulty with these exercises, stop and consult your healthcare provider.

I'm starting Kathy Smith's Project You tonight. I have the older version, the new one is Project You Type 2. This is an amazing program for people with diabetes. I'll post all about it tonight after I get started on it. If you know anyone with diabetes or if it runs in your family, this is a great program for you.

Dana

Rockin Body Dance Party

I didn't feel very good over the weekend, so I didn't get my workout done on Sat. I am feeling better and just finished Rockin Abs. I really like this one. It has a good cardio session and then we moved to the floor and did some really hard ab work. The plank and drill extreme are hard, but so effective.



Shaun Ts Dance Party Series™ - $39.90
We cut Shaun T loose and these new dance workouts are out of control! Beachbody® dancer/choreographer has gone all-out to create the most intense and innovative dance routines ever released.

Rockin' Body Get ready to say "I've got abs." Shaun shows you exciting new moves like Robo, Hammer-Slide, 360, and the Drill Extreme, all guaranteed to burn fat while they're flattening and toning your abs. (30 minutes)

Check it out at www.missourifitclub.com Today is a $300 day in wowy. Wowy is the online super gym. Sign up at the website listed above and upload a picture (headshot is fine) and you log your workouts (doesn't have to be a Beachbody workout) and you have a chance to win the prize of the day. It's THAT EASY!!!!! Give it a try today- you might be $300 richer tomorrow ;)

I'm going to try and get Ho Ala Ke Kino in this afternoon. I have a lot of work to do, not sure if I'll get it done or not. Planning on it though. When I get it done, I'll be sure to post about it.

Need to hit the shower, I'm all sweaty after a good workout :)

Dana

Hips, Buns and Thighs - OH MY!!!

I just finished my workout today. I did Last Minute Abs as a warm-up and then did Hips, Buns and Thighs. The floor work is killer. I was really burning by the time it was over and so glad for child's pose!! I think I will feel it tomorrow for sure! There are 320 crunch moves in Last Minute Abs and 688 crunches, 176 squats and 112 lunges in Hips, Buns and Thighs.

Here is Beachbody's descriptions of the workouts:


Hip Hop Abs Basic DVD Kit
Dance your way to hot, sexy abs and burn the fat off your entire body with Shaun T's fun, exciting dance program! Using Shaun's revolutionary Absolute Engagement™ technique, you'll "Tilt, Tuck, & Tighten" your way to 6-pack abs without doing a single sit-up or crunch.

Hips, Buns, and Thighs
Lift and firm those stubborn problem areas. No more boring squats and lunges—get back into your skinny jeans FAST! (25 minutes)

Today is my friend Bethany's birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!!

Bethany has a great vegan restaurant. I know that I have writeen about it before, but the food is wonderful. If you are ever in the Joplin area, you should stop by and check it out. AMAZING food!!! She made blueberry buckle for her birthday and I plan to go in and have a piece and celebrate with her today.

I am also celebrating birthdays today with my high school girlfriends. It is Martha and Mendy's birthdays. We try to get together for everyone's birthday and have a nice meal. We are going to hang out tonight and eat and watch movies. Should be lots of fun!

I am going to try and avoid all the fattening food tonight. I'm making my own food to take with me since I don't eat dairy or meat. Not sure what I'll do about the cake, I may just have a small slice and be done with it or I may not have any at all (Yeah, right :))

Tomorrow is the last day of Hip Hop Abs. I have Rockin' Abs Dance Party. Another one that I really enjoy! Overall, I really like all of the Hip Hop Abs. I just wish there was more of a stretch at the beginning and end. I think stretching is so important.

Til tomorrow
Dana

Hard Body Dance Party

Good Morning! I just finished my workout and I'm tired. It was good. I really like this one a lot. It is one of my favorites. Hip Hop Abs Hard Body Dance Party is a good, overall workout. In the video you will need either the weighted hand gloves or light weights. You start off with a quick warm-up and then you pick up the weights. You keep them until the cooldown. So, be sure to pick the right weight (light). I love the jiggy scoop series. It gets your heart rate up and the sweat flowing!!

Here's Beachbody's description:

Shaun Ts Dance Party Series™
We cut Shaun T loose and these new dance workouts are out of control! Beachbody® dancer/choreographer has gone all-out to create the most intense and innovative dance routines ever released.

Hard Body Shaun combines cardio dance, total body sculpting, and abs all in one workout to shape and tone your body from head to toe. His new moves are so much fun, you’ll feel sorry for people at the gym. (35 minutes)

Tomorrow will be Hips, Buns and Thighs and Last Minute Abs. Get ready for some toning!!

Talk to you all tomorrow :)

Fat Burning Cardio 2

I got my workout in today. Sorry about yesterday, I had so much work to do that I decided to get it done and have it be over.

Today was Hip Hop Abs, Fat Bunring Cardio 2. This one really gets my heart rate up and gets me sweating. I like it! As with all of Shaun T's workouts, it is fun. I like this one much better than the original mostly because I feel like I get more of a workout.

Here is Beachbody's description:


Hip Hop Abs® Ultimate Results
Take your results to the next level with 3 more advanced workouts. PLUS—get 96% more muscle activity with premium weighted gloves!

Fat Burning Cardio 2 Advanced, high-energy moves guaranteed to shed pounds and inches!

So tomorrow I have Hard Body Dance Party. I love this one!! Can't wait to get to it!

I went in to my friends restaurant for lunch today. She has the best food in town for sure! It is a vegan restaurant and today was mock crab cakes and stuffed avocadoes. YUM!!! AND, she had my favorite cookies - chocolate no bake. I couldn't pass them up. So, I had a couple. They were worth it. I'll just have to do a little extra workout to get rid of the extra calories.

Body Victory is going pretty good. I have lost 2.5 lbs in 8 days. We just finished up boot camp and get to start having more spices in our foods. Our taste buds are re-programmed and we are ready to start adding in more foods. I love the food combining. It really makes a difference for me. This program is no red meat, no alcohol, no refined sugar and no dairy. This isn't much of a problem for me, however, I had let sugar creep back into my diet. So, I need this - especially with the holidays coming up. Most people gain 7-10 lbs over the holidays. I want to avoid this so it is clean eating and exercise for me!!

We are also meeting with a rep from the Tulsa Welding School for our son Jake. He is a senior this year and has no idea what he wants to do with his life. He is looking at all options, but knows that he doesn't want to go to college. I'm okay with this as long as he learns a trade and gets a job. It will be weird not having a kid in school. I think his last day is Jan 14th. Time to make a decision.

I'll be back tomorrow with a review of Hip Hop Abs Hard Body Dance Party!

Dana

November 10, 2008

I have been so busy today trying to get caught up with my paperwork. I just got my workout done. I did Hip Hop Abs Fat Burning Cardio. This workout is from the original set and it is fun, but I need more of a cardio workout. This one doesn't really challenge me anymore. It is a great video to get started with. I love the way Shaun T reacts to his favorite song. It's so funny!!! The music is good, and it is a fun workout.

Here is Beachbody's description:


Hip Hop Abs Basic DVD Kit
Dance your way to hot, sexy abs and burn the fat off your entire body with Shaun T's fun, exciting dance program! Using Shaun's revolutionary Absolute Engagement™ technique, you'll "Tilt, Tuck, & Tighten" your way to 6-pack abs without doing a single sit-up or crunch.

Get ready to lose weight, burn fat, and sculpt flat, sexy abs!
4 amazing routines!
Secrets to Flat AbsShaun's exclusive training techniques target your upper abs, lower abs, and obliques while you burn fat. (13 minutes)
Fat Burning CardioBurn calories and shed fat with hip dance moves and hot music. (30 minutes)
Ab SculptMore signature moves to get you the six-pack you've always wanted without a single sit-up or crunch. (25 minutes)
Total Body BurnA head-to-toe workout that combines cardio and total body sculpting with even more ab-defining moves. (45 minutes)
Tools to maximize your results!
Step-by-Step Nutrition GuideChoose the right foods to help you lose weight faster!
30-Day Workout CalendarFreestyle your Hip Hop Abs workouts, or follow this schedule to get jaw-dropping abs and tone your entire body FAST!
24/7 Online SupportAccess live chats with Shaun and an amazing online community to help you succeed.
Amazing bonuses!
Hips, Buns, and ThighsLift and firm those stubborn problem areas. No more boring squats and lunges—get back into your skinny jeans FAST! (25 minutes)
Results on the Run diet guideYou can still eat at your favorite fast food restaurants, guilt free!
6-Day SlimDownLose up to 6 pounds in your first week!
Measurement card & tape measure
Plus, Learn to Dance with Shaun T—3 more fun-filled workouts!
Take It to the Dance Floor
Hip Hop Groove
Last Minute Dance
And get yet another workout—Last Minute Abs!

Tomorrow I will bump it up a notch and try Fat Burning Cardio 2. Can't Wait!!!!

Oh and I got a notice that ChaLEAN Extreme is going to be coming out soon! This is the one I have been waiting for! It is going to be good. The test group got amazing results!! I'll post more info on it tomorrow!!!! You are definitely going to want to order this one!!!

We had a good yoga workout yesterday. Wasn't hard, but I just wasn't up to a hard yoga workout, so it worked out perfectly. Yoga really helps me to center myself. I wish I had more time in my day to add it in daily.

November 9, 2008

This is the picture I told you I would post. I met Shaun T last March at the Beachbody Coaches Summit in California. He was so nice and VERY handsome. We chatted for a few minutes as he was leaving the party. I was glad that I was able to get a picture.

Just finished Cardio Groove Dance Party and the challenge! Whew, I'm tired and sweaty. I really like this one. It's fun and Shaun T does give us a little more stretch at the end. I still would like to see more, my hamstrings are so tight and those hammer rolls are tough on them. I really like the first two series of moves. They get my heart rate up and the sweat rolling. I do have to say that the music in this one is good!


Here is Beachbody's description:

Cardio Groove - Transform your body from head-to-toe with Shaun’s all-new cardio moves set to the hottest dance music. And add the bonus Cardio Groove Challenge for even faster results! (40 minutes)

Today my friend is coming over and we are going to cook. We are going to make some healthy soups, dairy-free cheese sauces and something sweet that is also healthy. She is trying to eat healthier, but need some snack options. I'll post some recipes tomorrow.

I'll be taking Sundays as my rest day during this challenge. I usually do yoga on Sundays and I think that my body will appreciate the rest.

Today I am thankful for my health and the fact that I love to exercise. I used to hate to exercise and sweat and now I can't imagine my day without some type of exercise. My health was not good and now I feel great! Exercise and healthy eating has totally changed my life!!

November 7, 2008

Good Morning! I got up early today and got some victory veggie soup and power rice and rye made first thing. I got a little work done and then just finished my workout.

Today was Hip Hop Abs Booty Shakin' Dance Party. I really like the Dance Party Series, but this is not my favorite one. I didn't get a good sweat going. It's a little hard to pick up all the moves and the Shaunography at the end is a little too hard on my hamstrings. I really do wish that we would get more stretching and cool down in these workouts. I really think it makes a HUGE difference. I do like the video at the beginning. I think I get more of the moves, so I can get more out of the workout. Now, having said all that, the workout is fun as usual.

Here is Beachbody's description of this one:


Shaun Ts Dance Party Series™ - $39.90
We cut Shaun T loose and these new dance workouts are out of control! Beachbody® dancer/choreographer has gone all-out to create the most intense and innovative dance routines ever released.

Booty Shakin' Come join the party, shake your booty, and wave good bye to those extra pounds! Once you start you won’t be able to stop—no kidding! Plus, ramp up the intensity with Shaun’s Booty Shakin’ Challenge. (35 minutes)

I did do the challenge at the end. It is all the moves in the video one after the other. This moves pretty quickly and takes about 3 1/2 minutes.

There are 3218 ab moves in the original video and 256 in the challenge portion. So, you really do work your mid-section!!

There is a group of friends that are all following Marilu Henner's Body Victory program. This is a great way to lose a few lbs and pick up some healthy eating habits. I have been a member of marilu.com for 5 years now and love this way of eating. No dairy, no alcohol, no re meat and no refined sugar for 3 weeks will really get you feeling good. It's amazing to me how much food and diet affects our moods as well as our health. I feel better, look better, sleep better and I'm not nearly as grouchy!! Just ask my family, they'll confirm it :)

So, if you get a chance, check out www.marilu.com for some great support, motivation and healthy eating tips.

Dana

November 6, 2008

I just finished Hip Hop Abs Sculpt 2. This one got me sweating!! I used the weighted hand gloves again. I love the Boom Slide and those plank moves are killer!!

Here is the Beachbody description of this workout:


Hip Hop Abs® Ultimate Results - $ 59.85
Take your results to the next level with 3 more advanced workouts. PLUS—get 96% more muscle activity with premium weighted gloves!

Ab Sculpt 2 Revolutionary ab-sculpting moves work your entire core to give you tight, toned, sexy abs—without doing sit-ups or crunches!

This is the second level of the Hip Hop Abs Series. I think that it is better than the first one. I got more of a workout. It has 20 mins of cardio abs and then 8 mins of floor work and then a cool down and stretch.

This video includes 1224 ab moves and 32 squats and 48 lunges.

I had a fun day yesterday. My friend and I went to Tulsa and met my parents. My mom got great news about her liver disease. YEAH!!!! We had a nice lunch and went to Whole Foods! I so wish we had a Whole Foods closer to home. I love having such great produce. I got the best honeycrisp apples. I know that I should have bought more, they are almost gone already. We had thunderstorms last night and tornado warnings. Strange for this time of year, but it has been so warm. I have been trying to get out and enjoy the weather for a little each day. I know that it will cool off before too long. I'm not ready for that.

Tomorrow is Booty Sculpt and the Booty Sculpt Challenge. I love the Dance Party Series of Hip Hop Abs. Probably my favorite ones of all the Hip Hop Abs.

November 5, 2008

I am done with my workouts this morning and I have to say that I am sweating like crazy!! Today is the start of the Hip Hop Abs videos. I just love these. Shaun T is fun and so easy on the eyes. That always makes me smile!! Today I did Ab Sculpt and Ab Blaster. Here is the Beachbody info on each one:

Hip Hop Abs Basic DVD Kit - $59.85

Dance your way to hot, sexy abs and burn the fat off your entire body with Shaun T's fun, exciting dance program! Using Shaun's revolutionary Absolute Engagement™ technique, you'll "Tilt, Tuck, & Tighten" your way to 6-pack abs without doing a single sit-up or crunch.

Ab Sculpt - More signature moves to get you the six-pack you've always wanted without a single sit-up or crunch. (25 minutes)

Ab Blaster - If you don’t think you can get the flat, toned abs of your dreams in just 5 short minutes, think again! Shaun’s ab-blasting routine delivers sexy, defined abs in just 5 minutes without a single sit-up or crunch. (5 minutes)

Ab sculpt is a quick workout and I used the weighted hand gloves. It is recommended to use light weights for part of the workout, but I use the weighted gloves for the whole workout. It really bumps it up. The best part of this is there is no traditional crunches. You get an amazing ab workout without having to have the strain on your neck. The last few minutes are on the floor for some sitting ab work and then a nice stretch to end it all.

Ab Blaster is just fun! The crew is dressed in camo and khaki and look like they are ready to go! It is all standing abs and it really gets your heart pumping. This would be a great way to warm up before a walk or any other exercise. I would like to see a little more cool down, but it is good!

I am traveling to Tulsa today to visit my mom and my friend, Hermina is going with me. We are going to have a fun day window shopping, possibly a little Christmas (I can't believe I just said that LOL!!) shopping and have a good meal as well.

Tomorrow is more Shaun T. I actually got to meet him last March and the Beachbody Coaches Summit. He is really nice and just as cute in person. I took a picture with him. I'll get it posted this week.

November 4, 2008

Good Morning! I just finished with Great Buns, Thin Thighs and Great Stretch. I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to make it back up the stairs. My legs are tired!!

Here is Beachbody's description of each of the workouts:

Great Buns Guaranteed! An excellent way to tighten and tone the buns—this routine really hits the glutes to get dramatic results.

Thin Thighs Guaranteed!™ A fast and effective way to sculpt lean, sexy legs in just 8 minutes.

Great Stretch Guaranteed! Improve flexibility and reduce injuries and common aches associated with aging and overexertion.

I started with Thin Thighs. This is tons of squats and lunges. All kinds. I felt the burn in my quads mostly. Luckily it is only 8 minutes long. Great Buns was hard to get through. Debbie Seibers is the trainer and she is killer. You start off with squats and then go to hands and knees for leg raises and side leg raises - hurts!!! and then onto your back for pelvic tilts. Great stretch was a really good way to end today. Tony Horton is the trainer and you start with your head/neck and work your way down the body. It felt good after all the leg/butt work. I don't do these workouts much, not sure why - I know that results would be had. I'll have to add them back into my routine.

Today is election day in the States. Be sure that you go out and vote! I am so thankful for our right to vote that I don't miss any election. I certainly don't want that right taken away. I am going to workout with friends tonight, it will be a quick one because we all want to watch the election results.

I made the black bean soup from Real Food Daily cookbook for dinner. It was soo good. I made the jalepeno lime creme to go on top and it was just wonderful. I'll definitely make it again.

Here's the recipe:

Black bean soup
2 cups dried black beans, picked through and rinsed.
1 (2-3 inch) piece kombu (seeweed, found at most health food stores)
6 cups vegetable stock or water
1 bay leaf
2 tsp sea salt
2 onions, finely chopped
5 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
5 stalks celery, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 (14 1/2 oz) can dieced tomatoes
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cliantro
1 cup jalapeno lime creme

Place the beans and kombu in a heavy stockpot. Add enough water to cover by 3 inches. Let stand overnight. Drain and rinse the beans, reserving the kombu.

Return the beans and kombu to the same pot and add the stock and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer over high heat, skimming off the foam that rises to the top. Decrease the heat to low, cover and simmer gently, stirring occasionally for 1 hour or until the beans are tender. Discard the kombu and stir in the salt.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over med high heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Saute for 10 mins or until the onions are translucent. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, then the chili powder, cayenne pepper and cumin. Saute for 5 mins or until the tomatoes soften. Add the tomato mixture to the soup, cover and bring to a simmer over med high heat. Decrease the heat to med low and simmer for 15 mins or until the veggies are very tender and the flavors blend. Cool slightly.

Tranfer half the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Return the pureed soup to the pot and season to taste with more salt if desired. Stir in the cilantro.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Drizzle the jalapeno lime creme over and serve. The soup will keep for 2 days, covered and refrigerated.

Jalapeno lime creme:
2 jalapeno chiles, roasted
3/4 cup raw cashews
1/2 c plain soymilk
1 tsp finely grated lime zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tbsp canola oil
3/4 tsp sea salt

Blend the chiles, cashews, soymilk, lime zest and juice, oil and salt in a blender or food processor until very smooth. Will keep for 2 days, covered and refrigerated. Stir before serving.

I wish that I had taken a picture of the soup. It was so pretty. I cooked mine longer and didn't blend it and it thickened up nicely. I also added the cilantro after the soup was in the bowl. Some of my family members don't care for cilantro.

Tomorrow starts Hip Hop Abs. There are several workouts in this series, so I'll be doing these for a while. That's good. They are fun and really do help flatten my abs!!

Dana

November 3, 2008

Hello everyone! Today is the day that I start my new Challenge. I started off this morning by doing Great Abs Guaranteed and Great Arms Guaranteed. These are part of the Great Body Guaranteed series.

Each move targets a specific zone to tighten and tone in under 10 minutes a day. With trainers Tony Horton and Debbie Siebers.

Price: $24.95

Say goodbye to those marathon workouts . . . with Great Body Guaranteed!, you can achieve spectacular results in less than 10 minutes a day and in just 30 days!

How It Works So Fast: Celebrity trainers Debbie Siebers and Tony Horton use the science of Sectional Progression™ to get you the most jaw-dropping results in the shortest amount of time. With Sectional Progression, each movement targets a specific zone for maximum definition without any wasted effort.

It's Easy To Get Started! Just pick the routine you want to do (alternating each day to hit a different muscle group), and you've got a challenging, complete workout—in just a few short minutes!

Great Abs Guaranteed!® Get the ripped abs you've always wanted with this amazing 7-minute workout.
Great Arms Guaranteed! Add firmness, definition, and lean muscle mass to your biceps and triceps with this proven arm routine.

Here is my take on the workouts for today:


Great Abs is a good workout. You do hip rock, leg raise, iso crunch, iso crunches to the left and the right, bicycles and total body crunches and then you repeat the whole thing. It only takes 7 minutes to complete. Good ab workout - 220 ab moves in all!!

Great Arms is done either using weights or iso. You can choose. I chose to use 5 lbs weights. You do each move for a count of 3 up and 3 down. I worked my biceps, shoulders, triceps and forearms. Each move is 45 seconds long and is sectional progression. My arms were getting tired by the end. This one is also 10 minutes long.

Since I'll be doing other workouts today, that is all I am adding in. Tomorrow is Great Buns and Great Stretch and Great Thighs.

We are currently in the process of moving out of our workout building. I will be utilizing our basement. I've made at least 20 trips up and down the stairs. My legs have certainly gotten a good workout so far!! It's going to take me a while to figure out how to get things set up the way I want, but I think it is all going to be good when I get it done. I may even learn to love it more than using my building in town. I don't have to leave the house for the fit club classes and I don't have to pay for the extra utilities. That is definitely a good thing.

I'll be back tomorrow to let you all know what I think of the rest of the Great Body Series.