Body Revolution: Weeks 3 & 4

I'm not gonna lie, these 2 weeks have been a slog.  I don't think it's Jillian - let's face it, she's the same no matter what.... so it must be me.  I've just felt exhausted. And 8 more weeks of this feels almost overwhelming.  Ugh.  Let's hope this gets better.

Notes: There are a lot more single-leg balance moves, and I had trouble with them.  I do OK on the right side, but my left side is still weak.  I modified.

And it really bugged me how she talked about losing "sick amounts of weight..... like 5 or 6 pounds a week".  I think that's VERY unrealistic for all but the most overweight of participants.

Workout 3

This is her "back of body" workout.  It seemed really tough the first go-round, but it got better.  Tough moves: Crab tricep dips,  Walking Crescent pose (balance issues).  Favorite moves: all the rows.

Workout 4

This is her "front of body" workout for these weeks.    Tough moves: Hollow man, side lunges with bicep curls (balance & rhythm problems), single leg deadlift w/ row.  Favorite moves: Plie hops.

Overall: The cardio intervals are higher impact, but can easily be modified.  Each workout is still about 30 minutes long.  I did the Cardio DVD once, and subbed in swimming and the elliptical for the other days.  I was up a pound at the end of week 3, and have decided that I'm going to stop weighing myself for a few weeks.  I haven't taken measurements again, but I am noticing more toned muscles, especially in my shoulders & arms.

I am taking the entire weekend off before starting Phase 2 on Monday.  I've been having a little pain in my left ankle/foot, so I am resting it, taking Motrin, and stretching in anticipation of Monday's workout.

PS - I want to be clear that the workouts are not killing me.  It's 30 minutes a day.  Jeez.  I think it's just ME.  Especially since I am being a bit lackadaisical with my effort & food.  Not terrible.  I'm at about 70% effort.  And I'm not going to see "Big Results" with 70%.  Maybe I need to add C25K.  Next week.

Review: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution, Phase 1

I spent August ramping up my workouts just a bit, (and trying to pull things together for the start of school).  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do next, but have been interested in Body Revolution for a while.  I've seen the infomercials, and since I've had decent success with Jillian Michaels workouts before (30 Day Shred, Ripped in 30, Banish Fat Boost Metabolism), I thought this might be a good challenge.  Unlike her other DVD's, this is a 12 week program where the workouts change every 2 weeks.

I'm only 2 weeks in, but here are my impressions:

• The first 2 weeks - Phase 1- consists of 3 DVD's: Workout 1, Workout 2, Cardio 1.  Each DVD is done on consecutive days, with 1 day off each week.  
• Similar to my favorite DVD, 30 Day Shred, all of the workouts are circuits - meaning that there is a set of exercises that is repeated multiple times.  In Workouts 1 & 2, the circuits are repeated 2x, with a total of 3 different circuits.  In Cardio 1, there is 1 circuit repeated 3 times. 
• Workout 1 is front of body with a little lower body.  Workout 2 is back of body and lower body. Weights are used in both, but there is no emphasis on the size of weights to use (I used 5's for Workout 1, 8's for Workout 2).  A resistance band is also used for 1 exercise in Workout 2.  
• Cardio 1 is a medium-impact, non-weighted workout. 
• Most of these exercises are single-muscle group (bicep curls, squats, etc.).  This is to prep you for more intense combination exercises later in the program.  

Pluses:

• Circuits keep me from getting bored, so I do like this formula.  
• Switching off front of body & back of body is different from her other workouts that I have done and I really like it, especially since the Cardio day allows for a "rest" before starting the workouts over. 
• The workouts average about 30 minutes each. 
• The Cardio is a total body workout (arms & legs are used).  

Minuses:

• I don't care for the Cardio DVD.  I only did it once each week - I skipped one Cardio workout the first week, and swam for the 2nd Cardio day on week 2.  I'm facing this Cardio DVD 4 more times in the next two weeks, and I may sub in swimming instead.   
• Cardio DVD: 'Suicides' - no, thank you.  
• Yes, the Jillian shtick gets a little tiresome, but I'm able to tune it out, so it doesn't really get to me.  

Results: I don't plan to measure again until the end of the program.  2 weeks in, and I am -1.6lbs.  I often do a little extra cardio in addition to the weighted workouts (probably an extra 20-30 minutes, 3 times a week) - riding the spin bike or walking hills, and plan to keep it up.

Note: Body Revolution can be purchased here, or through Amazon.  I am not being compensated for doing these workouts or writing these reviews.