i don't have time in my life to go to the gym. it sucks, but i try to be creative and get my workout in others way throughout my day. we currently don't own a vehicle, so i get in a lot of walking, and i mean a lot. we also bike, but i am finding that just isn't enough for me anymore.before i had mackenzie, running was a regular part of my workout. i loved doing 10km marathons and was training for a half-marathon. since her birth, running has lost it's allure for me. i think it had to do with breastfeeding my daughter. my huge boobs attracted attention as i jogged with my daughter in the stroller and it was unattractive, uncomfortable and no matter how many sports bras and running tanks i put on, my girls still soared for the sky and dove for the ground. all you ladies out there with big boobs, know just what i am talking about. now that i have stopped the breastfeeding, my boobs have started to return to their normal size and i may start running again, but it's not on the top of my workout list.
what i am enjoying is workout videos at home. i don't have to do my hair, get all dolled up, find a sitter, it's free, and i can fit it in whenever i get a spare 20 minutes in my day. so i decided it would be great to share a list of what i have found to be the best workout videos out there right now.
workout videos are not a new phenomenon. i remember doing cher's aerobic workout with my mom way back in the day - now that was a classic. who else but cher could get a way with doing a workout in a g-string? seriously now. we also owned the complete abs & buns of steel collection and some of the elle mcpherson videos - torture, but they did the trick. when we couldn't get to the gym we turned to the vcr. yes, vcr's were all the rage back then.
sometimes it's a good thing to go back to what worked for you in the first place and with what works with your schedule. if going to a gym or a class has helped you in the past with motivation and peer support, try going online instead. spark people is my personal favorite. the information, peer support and workout videos/exercise plans/diets on here are endless and there are a lot of groups to join in your own community. with the economy the way it is right now, we all can't afford the luxury of an expensive monthly/yearly gym membership. these services are free and if you have the determination, will help you succeed at home.
after doing a bit of research a few months ago on the newest videos out there, i decided to try turbo jam with chalene johnson. out of all the workout videos below, this one is by far my favorite. i am sure some of you have seen the infomercial in the middle of the night, i have probably watched it like 10 times at least. those things are evil, but the videos are great! jer and i had a good laugh when we first watched the 20 minute workout. we thought it was a spoof, but once i got going i was hooked. i was having fun, the host is a great motivator and the music is catchy in a non-annoying way. plus - it works! there are a lot to choose from but i still find the 20 minute workout my fave for time sake.
the 30 day shred is not for the faint of heart. if you can handle jillian michael's somewhat, abrasive training manners, you may see some definite results from this one. she is a killer but i found myself more angry at her during the workout then enjoying myself and getting motivated. she will push you hard though, if that's the style of video you are looking for.
any videos from gaiam are recommended by me. i have been a fan of them for a long time and have yet to be disappointed. there are a lot of yoga and pilates videos out there, but i always go back to the gaiam line. i used their prenatal yoga all through my pregnancy and truly enjoyed my workout. it was one of the few i could find that covered what i wanted and showed moves for all three trimesters. i also have many of their yoga series and pilates from a few years ago and still use them today.
chalean extreme is the newest series from the trainer of turbo jam - chalene johnson. i haven't tried this one out yet but i am excited to see what she is offering. from what i hear on forums and websites it's supposed to be a great workout promising some good muscle definition while still allowing you to have fun. chalean uses what she calls "lean phasing" which is a "circuit training method that shifts your fat-burning focus from cardio to resistance training." she promises to "have you lifting heavy weights in 3 phases to ignite your metabolism and help you burn fat long after your workout—even while you sleep." sounds good to me. hell, if my butt can do something while i sleep, (when i can get sleep that is) i'm in :)
p90x freaks me out. i think of men when i see this series. i won't lie and say i have tried this, because i haven't, but when searching for good workouts, this came up highly recommended in all my searches. people seem to love it and not just men. it looks like a serious collection including diet, exercise and some serious workout plans. "P90X is a revolutionary system of 12 sweat-inducing, muscle-pumping workouts, designed to transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days." in the package you will "also receive a comprehensive 3-phase nutrition plan, specially designed supplement options, a detailed fitness guide, a calendar to track your progress, online peer support, and much more. your personal trainer, tony horton, will keep you engaged every step of the way, and you won't believe your results!" sounds great - but still freaks me out. any of you tried it?
besides the videos shown above, the tried and trued were also seen all over the blogosphere. billy blanks tae bo and slimy, sweaty and way too shiny for my taste richard simmons. personally, i'll take my bubbly, bouncy chalean johnson over richard simmons anyday. i just can't get over the slick and the shorts, sorry, but if that's the kind of thing you are in for, check out carmen electra's aerobic striptease. yes, she really does have a workout on stripping. there are many, from vegas strip, in the bedroom, fit to strip and back to just plain old aerobic strip. now i have seen some of these. they seemed to me like soft porn and something for our hubbies to watch when we are conveniently out of town with the kids, but hey, it may work.i have yet to watch the whole tape because when i did have it on, i found myself laughing at how uncomfortable this must have been to film as the camera guys were probably just dying watching this. i mean, really - three hot women gyrating in little outfits teaching us to strip? i would much rather go to one of the popular stripper pole classes then do this workout at home. it would be fun to whip on the next time i have some girlfriends over, some drinks and we need a good laugh. but wait, who's kidding who, when's the last time i have had time to do that? 2 years ago???
so let's put on our legwarmers, our cute yoga outfits or hell, pull a cher, richard simmons and carmen electra all in one and whip out your g-string and get moving! remember - you're worth it and you deserve it.what are some of your favorite workout videos?