How did I just know this topic would be the most popular? Let’s catch up.
I started running, debated over shorts and shoes, completed the C25K program and kept it up for months. Unfortunately, my pesky right ankle would have nothing to do with my running plans. Add in cold winter mornings, a huge dose of laziness, and well, here I am after a stagnant winter and spring.
(My ankle feels great, though. Thanks for asking.)
During the past couple of months, I’ve been taking a Pilates class at my local community center, but my teacher has been less than stellar. It seems she would rather talk about Neti Pots and male Kegel muscles (did you know men can do Kegels too? No? Well, let me tell you about it again and again! And AGAIN.) than focus on the exercises. Plus, once a week is fun, but it’s pretty hard to see results at that rate.
Keep in mind I stay home with Wito, so day classes are out and I’m not really interested in a stinky gym with childcare. However, the motivation is there.
After seeing this post a year ago and this recent one, I decided I just HAD to buy this exercise DVD. (How could I not? DID YOU SEE LINDA’S ARMS? Good God.)
I found a gently used copy on Amazon, and it doesn’t disappoint, considering I am not the cardio-bouncy-dancing type. I don’t find Chalene, the instructor, to be annoying and the routine is challenging yet attainable. Oh, and it will make you sweat. I do this workout at 6 in the morning, before I can give myself the chance to make excuses. Plus, Wito is still sleeping so I don’t need to worry about delivering an accidental roundhouse kick to his noggin.
Earlier this year, I also bought this Pilates DVD (to supplement my Neti Kegel Class) and it rocks. It’s absolutely amazing how controlled movements can make such quick improvement to your body. The DVD has two different sections – one for beginners needing position modification and one for advanced beginners. Within each section is a full workout, plus tons of individual 10-20 minute segments (if you don’t have time for the full workout). I usually do the 30-minute full workout during Wito’s nap.
Combining these two workouts is awesome because you are working your body in completely different ways. Turbo Kick and Jam is more of a cardiovascular workout with quick muscle movements, while Pilates is completely controlled with very little movement. (Honestly, I was shocked at how sore I was after my first Pilates class. It burns, baby.) The combination of the two has really made a difference already. I highly recommend it.
(Plus, no gyms! Just you and the DVD player.)
So, my new exercise plan consists of this:
Turbo Kick and Jam – 2x/week
Pilates – 2x/week
And the kicker. My pinch hitter and seriously the best part of my workouts. The Wii Fit.
DUDE.
(You’ll have to wait to hear about that one until Friday, when I review it over at ParentDish. See photos of me in exercise pants, unsuccessfully trying to master yoga! BONUS.)
As for running, I do miss it and hope to sporadically add some runs into my regimen. (Although, let’s be serious. I have a drawer filled with 4,000 running-related items and it mocks me EVERY DAMN DAY. I have to run, if not for that reason alone.)
There you go! My new and improved kick ass workout plan!
Questions? Any other DVDs I should know about for the future? What’s YOUR workout plan this summer? Do tell.
Jora
June 18, 2008 at 10:03 amThank you –this may be just the motivation I needed. Seriously hard to get exercise with a toddler and nursing babe. An exercise program I can do in-house? No excuses.
jen
June 18, 2008 at 10:12 amWhoorl…do you ever watch that show Workout on Bravo!?! Well Jackie made an exercise DVD that I just found out is available on OnDemand through Comcast cable (I don’t know if you have that). But seriously, she has an arms, legs and abs set of exercises that are the best! I think I like doing it because I saw the making of the workout DVD and I know the trainers are in the same amount of pain that I am (but there pain comes from doing this set of exercises 47 times and mine is being out of shape!). Check it out and thanks for sharing your routine.
Isn’t Pilates amazing!
XX- J.
Angel Smith
June 18, 2008 at 10:15 amI have that DVD…I guess I should get my ass in gear, ha!
Kerri Anne
June 18, 2008 at 10:27 amI LOVE Turbo Jam, and own three different videos I think, but haven’t done it since we moved to the apartment we are currently in. We are a tad cramped for space and being that the building is (charming! and amazing! and also) super old, I’m pretty sure our downstairs neighbors would hate me three minutes into it. That being said, it totally kicks your ass, and I miss that.
Chris and I were doing the weights, cardio, weights, cardio, weights, cardio routine on alternating days of the week (with Sundays as rest days), and it was also totally working, but of course very much requires a gym membership.
More and more I am realizing that I miss road and trail running, and want to get back into it (I had a foot injury awhile back that left me fearful of pavement pounding), and as a matter of fact I just bought two of your afore-recommended running tanks. Here we go!
sweetney
June 18, 2008 at 10:28 amsundry brainwashed me into the Turbo Jam as well — just got mine a few days back but have yet to do it. somehow, i’m intimidated as hell.
however, the wii fit? OMG LOVE. esp the free step. free step + TV watchin’ = CRAZY DELICIOUS.
Catherine
June 18, 2008 at 10:35 amWHEERRRREE did you find a wii fit??? I can’t find them anywhere but on amazon or ebay and I refuse to pay TWICE what it’s worth. Help!
Abigail M. Schilling
June 18, 2008 at 10:57 amSo encouraging! I’ve been doing the elliptical at the gym five days a week which has been really great cardio, but I’ve been wanting to supplement it with something. I went to a couple yoga and pilates classes, but a) I hate having to be on their schedule, and b) I suck at some of the moves so I end of wasting some of my time (although, I’m sure that if I stuck to it I would eventually get better). DVDs/Oxygen channel, HERE I COME! (It never occurred to me that I could DVR workout shows. Brilliant!)
Sidenote: Pilates was the worst experience of my life. It was just excruciating. I think I’m more of a yoga-er.
The Over-Thinker
June 18, 2008 at 11:17 amI’ve heard the best stuff about Wii Fit. My co-worker owns it and whenever she speaks of it, she lights up and sounds like a human infomercial.
Kristin
June 18, 2008 at 11:41 amI can’t wait for the Wii fit review! I used to run, even ran a 10K and then my husbands schedule got crazy and running with a double jogging stroller that weighed about 100 pounds just didn’t appeal to me. So I pretty much quit. I did go run the other night for 15 minutes but then I did not sleep well at all. Maybe I should try the early morning thing, except one of my kids gets up early too. Now, you have inspired me to run in the morning, I could get up at 6 and be done by 6:30. But that totally messes up my showering at night routine. And, we just joined Lifetime because my husbands company pays for a large chunk of the membership! But, it doesn’t open until September.
Camels & Chocolate
June 18, 2008 at 12:20 pmI’m training for a marathon in August (eek!), so I run four days a week, anywhere from 7-milers to 20-milers. Then three-four days a week, I also alternate between Bikram yoga classes and boot camp. You want to tone up quickly? DO BIKRAM. It rocks and you sweat off a couple pounds per class! Love!
Becky
June 18, 2008 at 1:25 pmTurbo Jam DVD? Check!
Wii Fit? Check!
Gym membership? Check!
Actually using any of those things? Um, no. But the kids use the Wii Fit all. the. time. As soon as no one is around to see my BMI flash on the screen, I’ll be trying it out.
In August I will start training for another century (100 mile bike race) with Team in Training. We’re in the midst of bathing suit season though…I’ve got to stop being so lazy and start working out now. Here’s hoping that you’ve provided the kick in the butt that I so sorely need!
Jolie Steele
June 18, 2008 at 1:40 pmbetween you and linda advertising for turbo jam, I just might need to get me some!
my usual workouts have been running at the park (on soft dirt), elliptical machine, and open gym basketball. I’ve always been scared to try pilates but it sounds like it’s worth it!
Lara
June 18, 2008 at 1:57 pmI am trying the Couch to 5K thing myself. Very very slowly, that is. I do each week twice. (if that makes any sense). So far, not so bad.
So…you are loving the Wii fit, huh? Does it seem like real exercise or does it seem like a video game? Because i totally want one, I think.
Jackie
June 18, 2008 at 2:24 pmIt has been a decade or 2 since I used a fitness childcare.
I’m pretty picky & didn’t find issue with them, but none were in California. Only in the midwest.
Lift Wito 20 times in a row 3 times per day !
kat
June 18, 2008 at 2:25 pmso what you’re saying is i should stop using my treadmill as a place to hang my clothes… ;)