Archive for category Body Weight

El Dia de San Valentin

Hey Hots and Fits!!


 

How are ya’ll doing? Big Valentine’s Day plans ? Nothing too romantic happening at this end. I know many people are going to hate me for saying this, but I absolutely do not get the point of Valentine’s Day. Its a highly commercialized holiday which encourages people to spend money. And besides, we do not need a calendar to celebrate love. We still love every day.

I was sent this interesting tale….Why Do We Celebrate Valentine’s Day?….so click on the link if you are interested.

 


On The Hot and Fit front I have thus far (in the last week) completed 3 of Insanity’s Max workouts. Because I am so in love with them, I thought I would post some reviews…

The main differences are the duration (60 minutes as opposed to the 40 minutes), the different drills during the warm up, and doing three different workout circuits as opposed to two (obviously cause its longer)


INSANITY MAX INTERVAL CIRCUIT

I did this workout twice this week. I was very nervous and scared and if it wasn’t for this lady who kept reassuring me that I would love it I would have probably postponed it some more.

The warm up started with the following drills:

  • Jog
  • Jumping Jacks – Arms Up
  • 123 Heisman
  • Jump Rope Side-to-Side
  • High Knees – Arms Out
  • Switch Kicks
  • Hit the Floor - Bend down at each side to touch the floor
  • Side-to-Side Floor Hops

First two sets are 4 minutes each, and the last set is 2 minutes

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Side-to-Side Floor Hops. You will be feelings your obliques. Oh yes.

 


Circuit #1

First circuit is 4 minutes, last two are 3 minutes, 30 seconds break in between.

  • Pedal/Power Lunges – sprint and do 4 lunges.
  • Ski Abs – Push Up Jacks – In and Out – Oblique Push Ups
  • Power Strike – punch twice left, twice right
  • Frog Jumps

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Power Strike

 


Circuit #2

First circuit is 4 minutes, last two are 3 minutes, 30 seconds break in between.

  • Hook Jumps – 4 hook punches high, 4 hook punches low, 4 high jumps. Switch sides.
  • High Knees with Elbow Twist – High Knees run with elbows moving from side to side.
  • High-Low Jab with Squat – Jump high and punch, squat down as you land and punch down.
  • Floor Switch Kicks – Kind of like a tricep dip position only you are kicking your feet up and down.

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Floor Switch Kicks

 


Circuit #3

First circuit is 4 minutes, last two are 3 minutes, 30 seconds break in between.

  • Side Suicide Jumps.
  • Squat Hooks – Squat and hook punch
  • Full Body Drill – run in place 8 times – walking push ups – 8 knee to elbow running in place.
  • Plank Punches - In a plank position, punch straight out, changing hands.

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Plank Punches. Abs, Shoulders, Arms…I cannot thing of something that was not burning.

 


There are also three “bonus” moves in between the sets, which last 30 – 50 seconds each.

 


INSANITY MAX PLYOMETRIC CIRCUIT

I did this workout yesterday. I don’t think I have ever done something that hard. I used to think my high school track workouts were tough. I am not too sure anymore…

The warm up started with the following drills:

  • Jog
  • Jumping Jacks – Arms Up
  • 123 Heisman
  • Jump Rope Side-to-Side
  • High Knees – Arms Out
  • Switch Kicks
  • Hit the Floor - Bend down at each side to touch the floor
  • Side-to-Side Floor Hops

First two sets are 4 minutes each, and the last set is 2 minutes


Circuit #1

First circuit is 4 minutes, last two are 3 minutes, 30 seconds break in between.

  • Switch Jumps
  • Squat Push Ups
  • Wide In – Out Abs
  • Power Jumps

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Squat Push Ups. Just when I thought I was starting to master normal push ups.

 


Circuit #2

First circuit is 4 minutes, last two are 3 minutes, 30 seconds break in between.

  • Pogo – standing on one foot, bend down to touch the floor then jump up using your arms
  • Power Push Ups – from Push Up position, jump up to bring finger to toes
  • Globe Twists
  • Level 3 Drills – 16 Push Ups, 16 Running in Place

 

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Pogo.


Circuit #3

This entire circuit lasts just over 6 minutes.

  • Side Push Ups – palms are in L shape
  • Kickstand Touch the Floor - similar to Pogo in a way
  • 8 Power Knees – 4 Diamond Jumps
  • Balance Push Ups

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Balance Push Ups. Total kick ass. I can’t even depict the feeling.

 

 

I have said this SO many times before – this program is a total kick ass. It is tough, it will make you so much stronger and it will make you that much leaner. Basically you get what you put in it (and I am not getting it 100% cause I am majorly slacking with my diet).

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Get Hot and Fit: Pushup Jacks

Greetings lovelies!!

 


I am thinking right now about the whole concept of global warming. I wonder if it is the cause for the freezing weather we have had here this past week (looks like its going to say the same for the next few days, too!!!)


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I am freezing. This morning I went out to get into my car, however the door was frozen shut. So I struggled with it a bit, got inside, realised the windshield wipers were frozen, too, and that I didn’t even have anything to scrape off the windshield with (I left it inside in the garage). After about 7 minutes or so, I was finally able to drive off!


Anybody who knows me will tell you – I was born, created, to exist in environments which average 25 C annually.


Running is still not happening, which makes me wonder whether my half marathon or marathon will happen. I really am not chickening just cause of the cold. Its all ice here. I would fall, I am pretty certain.

Instead, I did INSANITY. OHHH SHAUN T, HOW I LOVE THEE!

Seriously, I can never get enough of these workouts. SO challenging. My new BFF Katie is already doing the MAX workouts, which you are supposed to do after a month or so into the program. I just peeked last night, and OMG they are almost 1 hour long!!! I cannot imagine that ! I am dying from just 40 minutes!


Get Hot and Fit: Pushup Jacks

Even if you don’t have/do INSANITY, I really recommend doing a move that was on Pure Cardio today called Pushup Jacks!


How to:

  • Start in Plank position, shoulders in a straight line with your wrist, palms spread wide on the floor
  • Tighten your core, keep your back straight
  • Bend at your elbows and bring your chest towards the floor, while at the same time jump your feet wide
  • Jump your feet back to starting point, while straightening your arms again


Reps: really depends on how strong you are. I am not strong, so I could maybe do 10 and then my form starts to slack.


On another note, I do not understand why anyone would go jogging with this outfit:

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Her boyfriend, on the other hand, didn’t look too bad:

 


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Get Hot and Fit: ChaLEAN Extreme

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So, I have had this sitting around for quite some time now.

15 workouts on 6 DVDs.

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ChaLEAN (the instructor’s name is Chalene) is divided into three phases (information taken from the official Beachbody website):


PHASE 1: BURN

You start lifting weights to jump-start your metabolism and break down those “extra” reserves of fat. In these moderate training workouts, you’ll work your upper body then lower body, and learn how “Lean Phasing” will help you see major results every 30 days!


PHASE 2: PUSH

Chalene shows you how to lift heavy—beyond your comfort zone—so you build the muscle you need to burn fat. Chalene makes it easier than it sounds with incredibly fast results.


PHASE 3: LEAN

Here is where you really bring it home with new routines and dynamic moves that literally melt the fat off your body. You will be blown away with jaw-dropping results and rewarded with a brand-new body!

 


If you owe the deluxe DVDs, you also get:


EXTREME CARDIO

During each phase, Chalene ignites your metabolism with super-intense cardio and strength-training routines, and then rejuvenates and lengthens your hard-working muscles with an invigorating flexibility workout.


POWER CORE

Shrink, tighten, and tone your tummy with two targeted ab routines for a rock-hard midsection!


 

I have to let you know in advance that I have just read the program manual, skimmed briefly through the DVDs and did the first workout of phase 1. As time goes by, I will do more and be able to give your better reviews.


Anyhoo….

PHASE 1 – BURN CIRCUIT 1

Was just over 35 minutes long, and included a good warm up as well as a good cool down in my opinion. Chalene has 4 other people with her in the Imagestudio, one of them using bands, another one using lighter dumbbells, so you could follow whichever suits you best.

She really explains everything. She is also very nice. But fitness wise, she really tells you what you need to know in terms of reps and weights, which I like. I notice Tony does that too, and I think its very important. This really enables you to get the maximum results without forcing an injury on your body

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So, what’s The Hot? Quick, much quicker than P90X’s 50-60 minutes workouts. Chalene really explains a lot, so what you are doing actually starts to make sense. Variety is key too, you wouldn’t get bored, actually time went by very quickly. Also, you work your whole body. Every single muscle. The Spit? I am a cardio whore, and this isn’t a cardio workout. Yes, there are some DVDs that focus merely on Cardio. But most of this is mainly toning. Which is not a problem as long as that is your goal. This is why I did INSANITY in the morning and then this. So I get a bit of both.Sig

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Weekend Shenanigans

Good day Hots and Fits!

How has your weekend been?

For me, this was the last weekend before getting back work. Its been a very lazy Christmas for me; I spent two weeks doing a whole load of nothing.

Well, that’s not so true.

I did a whole lot of INSANITY, some P90X and one ChaLean, which I will tell you about soon!

I also read some Harry Potter(s) for the millionth time, went to Germany and got some amazing running gear (which I have finally tested today!!)

 

Here are this weekend’s shenanigans:

 

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I was very tempted to head outside and run. I was actually wearing the appropriate gear, when I was suddenly attacked by one of my home dwellers as I headed out the door. that sounds bad. I was dragged into the house and was warned that if I step outside I am bound to end up at the hospital because I would fall and break my head.

The roads looked like this:

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Not that bad in my opinion. But I gave in and headed to my room to play do INSANITY. I did Cardio Power and Resistance. Not a work out I’d do at 5 AM on a work week.

Too much jumping = too much noise

It was very, very good. I actually didn’t take as many breaks as I normally do. I also stopped using a heart rate monitor when I do these workouts. I think I have a pretty good indication of how many calories I burn (between 300-400), but the truth is, I am just too lazy to put it on (not that it takes that long…whatever). I would recommend using an HR monitor to anyone who is trying to lose weight and is counting calories to do so (if you are not, just don’t pick this method….)

I was then bored so I decided I’d try ChaLEAN Extreme which I have been wanting to for the past 2 weeks or so. I’m still working on the review, so it will be up here in a jiff.

 

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Today I woke up, thought about how much I wanted to run, looked outside, and saw double the amount of snow from yesterday. But the idea was already settled in my head, I knew nobody was stopping me today (insert evil laugh).

Anyways, I also noticed I was getting a weird pain right in the middle of the bottom of my right foot, which wasn’t necessarily the same tendon pain I often get (this is my injury spot – I get it every year from running, every year it forces me to stop running for almost 2 months!!). So I thought it was cause I was jumping too much yesterday and figured I’d still head outside.

I went to conquer the snow (was scheduled for an 8 KM today)

Holy crow, it was hard. I think it was because of the snow, but my peroneus longus and calves were burning! I was also noticing that my right foot – that-hurt-this-morning was hurting a little too much, so I stopped. I ran for about 25 minutes (maybe covering 4.5 K), but I am very proud of the fact that I ran. It was slippery, but I did not break my head.

I came home, got out of my running clothes, which, by the way, were amazing, I was not cold at all, Runner’s Point – you are my new favourite store, and did P90X’s Chest, Shoulders and Triceps

 

Chest shoulders triceps

 

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I used both my 1 kg weights as well as the band. Argh, the band. It doesn’t work like it does in the workout videos. I think my bad is way too short…is that even possible? Anyways, this causes me to alternate between the dumbbells and the band.

So, what do I have to say about it?

The Hot – never knew so many push up variations existed. I do half on my knees, half normally, cause I am just not a pushups type of gal. Also, even when using lighter weights, your muscles are getting a very.good.workout. The Spit? Length, but that’s just P90X. Nothing I can do about it. Also, one hand pushups or clap pushups. Holy crow. I don’t know when I will be able to do those.

 

Be back soon with the ChaLean Review!

 

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Get Hot and Fit: Insanity’s Cardio Power & Resistance

I think that thus far this is my favourite workout. Although you must know I am only on week one (sort of, I take some days off…)

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I like how the workout combines both kick-ass cardio and some strength training. And no equipment is involved.

The Hot at the moment is my favourite move which is inverted “V” pushups. You do those by starting out like you are doing a normal push-up on an incline, but instead, walk your hands closer to your feet until your body looks like an upside down V. Do the push-ups from there. And I get a whole new sense of appreciation towards Tricep Dips. Yes, I will be feeling my triceps tomorrow. Oh, and of course, the last sequence involved 3 repeats of 8 squats 8 pushups. Wow. Just wow. The Spit is that I did this 3 hours after breakfast and I still wanted to vomit occasionally. It’s that hard. And we also must consider the fact that I am a morning exerciser. My body is used to work out on an empty stomach.

Also, I do have to pause occasionally to lengthen the break. Shaun T keeps mentioning how important it is to let your heart recover. It takes me longer than 30 seconds. Man, even the stretch session has me dripping!

 

Anyhoo, I am off to shop but I am really wanna know what have you done this weekend!

Peace out for now!

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