Caterina's Week 2 Insanity Review!

So I bought Insanity during the middle of this semester and sadly I didn't give it the attention it deserves until NOW! So here I am ready to give you a little review of what I have been through so far in just 11 days.

Before I review I should tell you what Insanity is all about for those of you who don't already know.

This is the message that comes with Insanity-

Warning: We believe this is the HARDEST WORKOUT ever put on DVD. If you can get through it, it will get you into the BEST SHAPE of your life. But you must check with your physician before starting this program.

So what do you need to know about it?
-Insanity is a 60-day cardio-based total-body conditioning program. 60 days people, that's it!! Many of the other Beachbody programs, such as P90X or Chalean Extreme, are 90 day programs. Just think of what you can accomplish in 60 days. We'll I'm ready to do it!

Month 1:
-Workout 6 days a week for about 30 to 40 minutes a day

Month 2:
-Add 4 new workouts into the mix, doing about 45 minutes a day

Just like with any other Beachbody program, you get a complete guide telling you what workouts need to be done on what day, they take out the guesswork! I love that. My Insanity calendar is hanging right next to my bed. First thing in the morning and I know what will be in store for me.

Why kind of workouts do you do in Insanity?
"The method behind this madness is called "MAX Interval Training." You may have heard of interval training, but this is different. Most interval workouts are moderate cardio-based exercises with short, high-intensity intervals. But in MAX Interval Training your moderate-intensity exercise, and your short intervals of intensity get replaced with a short period of rest. So you are working harder and longer and resting less. And when we say MAX, we mean MAX."

Now enough of the technical stuff and on to my opinions!
On day 1 you are scheduled to take your FIT TEST. There are 8 moves that you are given about a minute to see how many reps you can accomplish in that alloted time. Now every 2 weeks I will be retaking my FIT TEST. This coming up Monday will be my second one so I will post my results and see if I'm progressing!

After my first FIT TEST, I was drenched and out of breath just as if I did any other type of crazy workout! I thought, okay if this is just the test BEFORE the workout, what did I get myself into!?



The first 2 workouts I tried with Mat I thought I was going to die. Okay, maybe not die, but definitely run out of breath and fall over. But I didn't and finishing each workout I felt PROUD. I had never done anything like this before.

The warm up alone is enough to get you out of breath and dripping wet with sweat but luckily after each warm up there is about a 5 minute stretching period, which is MUCH needed! Then it's time to hit it hard, GET FIT OR GET OUT!


Yesterday after I finished the Plyometric Cardio Circuit I was talking on the phone with Pamela and I was explaining to her that I actually felt FASTER during the moves. I realized that my feet were moving quicker, my arms were pumping harder and my mind was focused. I was still about to collapse in the end and I was out of breath, but the program is doing what it says, it's improving my cardio endurance & strength and it's only been 11 days!!

And this workout requires NO EQUIPMENT yet my arms and legs are sore just as if I lifted weights because of moves like push ups, suicide jumps and power jumps! I'm going to say, so far so GREAT. I love it! During the first couple workouts I was taking frequent breaks and complaining but once I got the hang of Shaun T's style, moves and routine I LOVE it! I've even got Jola & Kathy to try Insanity with me twice, maybe I can get them to write me a review too. ;)

Here's a preview of what INSANITY has to offer:



So let's remember, If I can do this, YOU can do this too!

Down my Beachbody Memory Lane

Since I started my Beachbody Fitness Journey I have not actually taken the time to sit down and track what I have done over the years...wow, years. I feel like it was just yesterday when I stumbled upon TURBO JAM at my house, but actually it was at the end of my senior year in high school, which was in 2006. I honestly fell in LOVE with that program from the minute I tried it, I can not praise it enough or even find the right words to describe how I feel about it or Chalene. For many years, I would try and get as many people to give the workout a go with me. And thank you to everyone who has!

Now I know that people like to SEE for themselves before they'll agree the program des work. So here's some pictures and numbers:

Right before I started TURBO JAM:
April 2006
My highest:
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 144 lbs


^I guess I never really noticed that I had that pooch & my face seems much chubbier. At that time, I would not have said, "oh yeah I could lose 10 lbs" BUT I did!

Within my first 3 months of Turbo Jam, I lost 10 lbs. I was so excited!! I even made the nurse at the doctors office check to prove that I had lost weight. ;)

Over the years, I have done PLENTY of Turbo Jam's. I started off doing the Maximum Results package and then for my birthday in June I got the Fat Burning Elite package, then when the Chalene Johnson Get On The Ball! set was released after that, I bought that one too! :) I couldn't wait to try ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

Then last Christmas in 2008, I heard they were going to release Chalean Extreme. Which was unlike anything I have ever done before. Lift weights? Me? uh...no thank you. The most I had lifted was probably 5 lbs doing Turbo Sculpt but I got my first weight plate set and was ready to get extreme! I have completed 2 90 day rounds of Chalean Extreme and can not rave enough. Who knew that I would have MUSCLES? That I would feel STRONG? Even other people have commented on how firm my body has become. YES! During CE, I did not see a big jump in weight loss but the inches were coming off! That was a pleasant surprise. I know many people judge their weight loss success entirely by the number on the scale, well if you are going to go by that then you aren't going to notice the AMAZING changes your body is making! Losing inches and body fat is MORE rewarding and beneficial then dropping pounds.

This summer, 2009:
Weight: 129/130 lbs





Currently I am doing Insanity, which is a 60 day program, I am in week 2. I also love Turbo so much that I have become a TURBO KICK instructor as well as a HIP HOP HUSTLE instructor.

If there is something you are skeptical about or you think that it's not for you, just try it!! What have you got to lose? Maybe a few pounds. ;)

Shakeology Challenge!!!

Shakeology Challenge!!

Starting: Dec 1st- Dec 30th

Rules:
1. Replace 1 of your meals for 30 days with SHAKEOLOGY!
2. Before the challenge starts send me your weight & your measurements (tricep, waist & thigh)
3. Every MONDAY send me your new weight
(Don’t worry everything will be kept confidential)

**The last day I want your WEIGHT and MEASUREMENTS again! (Before and after pictures are not required but they would be GREAT to have)

Whoever improves their numbers the most in the 30 days will win:

1. $50 visa gift card
2. Shakeology The Workouts
3. P90X Peak Performance Bars- The flavor of your choice or the variety pack!


If you have ANY questions about the challenge or SHAKEOLOGY please send me a message! :) If you want to purchase Shakeology (remember do it in time for the 1st), do it HERE!

COMMIT TO STAY FIT CLUB

I’m sorry, I haven’t been updating as often as I’d like to! I seem to write “blog” on all of my to-do lists but somehow that gets put off until the end. Well…here I am today baby!

What I’ve been up to:

I recently started an exercise group with my fit and fabulous coworkers called Andreas’ Garden Commit to Stay Fit Club! We have ROCKED it so far and I am extremely impressed with how the group is going. Our first day (last week) we met at a local park at 5:30 AM, yes you read that right, I woke up before the sun came out! For those of you who know me, that’s an impossible task. But I knew that as their trainer, I needed to be there, so I did it! Our group consisted of me, Kathy, Jamie, Jola, Ilda and Spiro. Many others said they would be there but didn’t show, weak!!! Rain or shine, we would be there! (And it was drizzling)

Day 1 we took our FIT TEST, which was to determine how long it would take for us to run a mile, see how many pushups we could do in a minute and how many crunches we could do in a minute. So we put our bodies to the test!!

This week, again at 5:30 am, I put the girls (Spiro didn’t show!) through a boot camp session with yours truly! The workout consisted of a bunch of different drills I made up which was sprinting, lunges, mountain climbers, jumping jacks with our thigh toners, pushups, Turbo skis, standing abs, you name a body part and we worked it! I'm proud to say they all passed. I loved going to work the next day and seeing that none of them could work! ;) That means I did a job well done!! Right ladies?

I’ve also been working out every Wednesday night with Kathy, Niki and Jola at Kathy’s house. We do a mix of Turbo Kick, Turbo Jam and Chalean Extreme. I can’t believe they put up with me 2 days a week working out!

Next week I will be TEACHING my first Turbo Kick class, ever!! I can’t wait! I’m super excited and nervous all at the same time. If you want to take my class here is the information:

Where: Roseville Rec Center
When: Wednesday nights starting Oct 14th- Nov 18th (6 weeks) from 7pm-8pm

You have to PRE-REGISTER so head over to the Rec one day anytime before 6 pm, it takes like 2 minutes! :)


I'll let you know how the Commit to Stay Fit clubbers are doing along the way! We are all going to complete a 4k on Nov 8th when we finish. I already know certain ppl can't make that one so it looks like we will be doing 2 races, join us!! :)

Reward Yourself

Here is the Bally Total Fitness Weight Loss Tip for the day!

"Reward yourself. You deserve it! Make a list of things you'd like to have (like a new CD, massage, shirt, or bike) and a list of places you want to go (like the theater, on a cruise or to a spa). Use these as incentives to accomplishing your goals. Note that these rewards are not food related, but will help give you the momentum you need to keep going."

I thought that was a good tip because we put so much pressure on ourselves to lose weight that we forget we are doing something good for yourself and that we need to have treats during the experience.

Here would be an example:

"If I lose 10 lbs in 2 months I will buy myself 2 new workout outfits."

Something that will keep you motivated! Something that you really want!! You could even cut out a picture of your "reward" and hang it up places to keep you on track.

And don't give in! If you give in and get it for yourself early you'll never know that rewarded feeling of doing something for yourself that you said you were going to.

You can also look at this for other areas of your life also, doesn't have to be a fitness thing. You can reward yourself when you do good in school, complete a goal on your goal list, save a certain amount of money, whatever you think is important.

SO TRY IT! What have you got to lose?!

Let's Talk Numbers

Lots of people message me daily asking about the Beachbody programs. I love getting those kinds of messages (so keep them coming)! But immediately when people start talking numbers, they get freaked out. I completely understand, when I use my hard earned money towards anything, I want to be sure of what I’m purchasing.
You want to pay for something that is really going to benefit you. When it comes to Beachbody these programs are no joke, if you are willing to COMMIT and put in your time, YOU WILL SUCCEED. Hands down, guarantee.
DECIDE. COMMIT. SUCCEED.


I wanted to show you a break down of the numbers here:

I have a membership at Bally Total Fitness, I’m in a three year contract and I pay $44 a month. I know, ridiculous. Roll your eyes at me, it’s okay!

TURBO JAM MAXIUM RESULTS package which includes:
6 Workouts
•Learn & Burn
Chalene shows you the "Elite 11" moves you'll use to blast pounds and inches!
•Turbo Sculpt
A 40-minute tighten-and-tone session to reshape, trim, and flatten those problem areas.
•20 Minute Workout
For when you're short on time.
•Ab Jam
A 20-minute ab routine that attacks your core for lean, sexy abs.
•Cardio Party
A turbocharged, 45-minute dance fest!

Plus 3 FREE gifts worth $70!
•Turbo Sculpting Gloves
Scientifically proven to increase muscle activity by up to 96%, so you get ripped even faster.
•Punch, Kick & Jam
Advanced workout specially designed to tap into the power of the Turbo Sculpting Gloves! (50 minutes)
•Turbo Slim® diet plan
An easy-to-follow meal plan to help you lose up to 10 inches in just 10 workouts! Includes a measurement card for tracking your progress.
•Tape measure
Eliminates guesswork and shows the inches melting away.

Tools
•"Elite 11" flash cards
To teach you the signature moves!
•24/7 Online Support
Access live chats with Chalene and an amazing online community.
•Turbo Results fitness and nutrition guide
All the information you need, plus Chalene's favorite meals!

All for $59.85, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
For $60 you will have enough workouts to last you months, even years!! I still continue to do the workouts in this set and it’s been almost 4 years later. It’s up to you if you want to buy more Turbo workouts after this, but you could continue to rotate these ones if you want.


So for $44 a month I get to drive to Bally’s (which is more money spent on gas) and then I have to pick my own workouts and motivate myself by running on the treadmill, which after about 30 minutes is BORING. And for a one time buy of $60 I get to have a Cardio Party in my basement of bedroom, get to fall in love with an awesome workout program and become a complete Turbo addict. Turbo Jam all the way baby!!


Now if Turbo isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry, Beachbody has A LOT more to offer!!














PS- I WILL BE STARTING INSANITY IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS, JOIN ME!!



Let me know if you have ANY questions about ANY of the programs Beachbody has to offer, remember I'm here to help you!! :) If you are interested in purchasing a program, go to my website!

Follow up- Lift Lift Lift!

I found this great article in the Beachbody Newsletters about women and lifting weights and wanted to share it with!

10 Reasons Why Women Need to Lift Weights
By Whitney Provost

Many women believe that the only way to lose weight is to do cardiovascular (aerobic exercise). So they jog or take aerobics classes five times a week. Eventually, though, they notice that while their bodies are a little smaller, there are still a lot of flabby and jiggly bits. Sound familiar? Aerobic exercise is important for good health, but it's only half of the equation. Keep reading for the other half.

For optimal fitness, longevity, and a lean body, weight training is essential. If you avoid pumping iron because you're afraid of getting "bulky," then you're missing out on one of the best fat-burning methods around.



When you're weight training, you shouldn't rely exclusively on the scale to gauge your progress. You can use a body fat tester or a tape measure to track how many inches you're losing. The size of your body will shrink as you shed fat and build muscle, but your weight may not change as dramatically as you expect. Besides, what's more important, the number on the scale or how you look in your skinny jeans?

If you're still not convinced that you need to lift weights, here are 10 reasons why you should reconsider.

1. Burn more fat. Researchers at Tufts University found that when overweight women lifted heavy weights twice a week, they lost an average of 14.6 pounds of fat and gained 1.4 pounds of muscle. The control group, women who dieted but didn't lift weights, lost only 9.2 pounds of fat and gained no muscle. When you do an intense weight-training program such as ChaLEAN Extreme®, your metabolism stays elevated and you continue to burn fat for several hours afterward. During regular cardio exercise, you stop burning fat shortly after the workout.


2. Change your body shape. You may think your genes determine how you look. That's not necessarily true. Weight training can slim you down, create new curves, and help avoid the "middle-age spread." Just look at the amazing body transformations of the women who've completed P90X®. Dropping only 3 percent of your body fat could translate into a total loss of 3 inches off your hips and thighs. And no, you won't bulk up—women don't have enough muscle-building hormones to gain a lot of mass like men do. If you keep your diet clean and create a calorie deficit, you'll burn fat.

3. Boost your metabolism. The less muscle you have, the slower your metabolism will be. As women age, they lose muscle at increasing rates, especially after the age of 40. When you diet without doing resistance training, up to 25 percent of the weight loss may be muscle loss. Weight training while dieting can help you preserve and even rebuild muscle fibers. The more lean mass you have, the higher your metabolism will be and the more calories you'll burn all day long.



4. Get stronger and more confident. Lifting weights increases functional fitness, which makes everyday tasks such as carrying children, lifting grocery bags, and picking up heavy suitcases much easier. According to the Mayo Clinic, regular weight training can make you 50 percent stronger in 6 months. Being strong is also empowering. Not only does it improve your physical activities, it builds emotional strength by boosting self-esteem and confidence.

5. Build strong bones. It's been well documented that women need to do weight-bearing exercise to build and maintain bone mass, and prevent osteoporosis. Just as muscles get stronger and bigger with use, so do bones when they're made to bear weight. Stronger bones and increased muscle mass also lead to better flexibility and balance, which is especially important for women as they age.

6. Fight depression. You've probably heard that cardio and low-impact exercises such as yoga help alleviate depression, and weight lifting has the same effect. The endorphins that are released during aerobic activities are also present during resistance training. Many women find that regular strength training, in conjunction with psychological treatment, helps lessen their depression symptoms substantially.

7. Improve sports fitness. You don't have to be an athlete to get the sports benefit of weight training. Improved muscle mass and strength will help you in all physical activities, whether it's bicycling with the family, swimming, golfing, or skiing . . . whatever sport you enjoy.

8. Reduce injuries and arthritis. Weight lifting improves joint stability and builds stronger ligaments and tendons. Training safely and with proper form can help decrease the likelihood of injuries in your daily life. It can also improve physical function in people with arthritis. A study conducted at the University of Wales in Bangor, United Kingdom, found that mildly disabled participants who lifted weights for 12 weeks increased the frequency and intensity at which they could work, with less pain and increased range of movement.

9. Heart health. More than 480,000 women die from cardiovascular disease each year, making it the number-one killer of women over the age of 25. Most people don't realize that pumping iron can also keep your heart pumping. Lifting weights increases your "good" (HDL) cholesterol and decreases your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol. It also lowers your blood pressure. The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that people who do 30 minutes of weight lifting each week have a 23 percent reduced risk of developing heart disease compared to those who don't lift weights.

10. Defend against diabetes. In addition to keeping your ticker strong, weight training can improve glucose utilization (the way your body processes sugar) by as much as 23 percent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 weeks of strength training can improve glucose metabolism in a way that is comparable to taking diabetes medication. The more lean mass you have, the more efficient your body is at removing glucose from the blood, which can reduce complications from diabetes or even help prevent type 2 diabetes in the first place.

To see the article and many other great ones you can click HERE.



In my personal opinion, I feel that since I've begun ChaLEAN Extreme I have muscles and definition I never knew about! :) I am typically a cardio junkie, I love me some cardio!! When I do cardio workouts, such as Turbo Jam/Turbo Kick or running, I feel thinner and I notice my clothes fit better. When I do weight training workouts, like ChaLEAN Extreme or with my personal trainer, I feel strong and lean and I can visibly see the change my body. That's why I personally think it's great to get a mix of both workouts in. I love doing Turbo and I love doing Chalean Extreme, so during my week I'll find time to fit them both in! :)