Ready to Get Back to it Soon!

This aching ankle is really annoying me. Plus I don’t have much to talk about on my exercise blog!

Yesterday I did Cathe’s Pyramid Upper Body. It had been a while since I’d done that one, so I’d forgotten how great it is. I like that it’s all dumbbells because changing weights on my husband’s barbell is a real pain (I really want a new one). I have major muscle soreness today in my shoulders and back. I am surprised my biceps aren’t sore because that part was killer (hence the quote up top).

I think next week I will start to try to ease my ankle back into action, as I feel it’s getting better. I just won’t do any major jumping. I’ll stick to low impact cardio and I’ll do low weights for lower body work. I’ll also be careful about anything else that might stress the ankle (like none of Cathe’s firewalkers. (For those of you unfamiliar with Cathe, that involves wrapping a resistance band around your ankles and sort of side squatting--hope I’m describing it properly--I haven’t done them in a while!)

I’ll work up a new “Easing back into it” rotation soon and post it.

Ready to Get Back to it Soon!

This aching ankle is really annoying me. Plus I don’t have much to talk about on my exercise blog!

Yesterday I did Cathe’s Pyramid Upper Body. It had been a while since I’d done that one, so I’d forgotten how great it is. I like that it’s all dumbbells because changing weights on my husband’s barbell is a real pain (I really want a new one). I have major muscle soreness today in my shoulders and back. I am surprised my biceps aren’t sore because that part was killer (hence the quote up top).

I think next week I will start to try to ease my ankle back into action, as I feel it’s getting better. I just won’t do any major jumping. I’ll stick to low impact cardio and I’ll do low weights for lower body work. I’ll also be careful about anything else that might stress the ankle (like none of Cathe’s firewalkers. (For those of you unfamiliar with Cathe, that involves wrapping a resistance band around your ankles and sort of side squatting--hope I’m describing it properly--I haven’t done them in a while!)

I’ll work up a new “Easing back into it” rotation soon and post it.

Ready to Get Back to it Soon!

This aching ankle is really annoying me. Plus I don’t have much to talk about on my exercise blog!

Yesterday I did Cathe’s Pyramid Upper Body. It had been a while since I’d done that one, so I’d forgotten how great it is. I like that it’s all dumbbells because changing weights on my husband’s barbell is a real pain (I really want a new one). I have major muscle soreness today in my shoulders and back. I am surprised my biceps aren’t sore because that part was killer (hence the quote up top).

I think next week I will start to try to ease my ankle back into action, as I feel it’s getting better. I just won’t do any major jumping. I’ll stick to low impact cardio and I’ll do low weights for lower body work. I’ll also be careful about anything else that might stress the ankle (like none of Cathe’s firewalkers. (For those of you unfamiliar with Cathe, that involves wrapping a resistance band around your ankles and sort of side squatting--hope I’m describing it properly--I haven’t done them in a while!)

I’ll work up a new “Easing back into it” rotation soon and post it.

The All Upper Body Week

OK, following the incident last week when I fell off my step and sprained my ankle, I am still trying to take it easy on the lower body and cardio. Luckily I can still walk just fine, it’s just any lateral movement or pivoting is painful. It’s also painful to have a 2-year old son who likes to bump into my ankle, step on my feet, climb all over the leg area, etc. Thanks to him I have repeated reminders to rest that ankle. So this week, starting tomorrow, I’m going to begin my Sprained Ankle Upper Body Only Plan. It will alternate upper body workouts with core work, neither of which will require much use of my sad little ankle.

• Monday: Upper Body Weights (Cathe’s Muscle Max upper body premix)
• Tuesday: Core (Ellen Barrett’s Crunch: Pick Your Spot Pilates--Belly section + Cathe’s Muscle Max core only)
• Wednesday: Upper Body Weights (Cathe’s Pyramid Upper Body)
• Thursday: Core (Amy Bento’s Abs & Stretch--1 ab section + 1 stretch)
• Friday: Upper Body Weights (Cathe’s Supersets or Push Pull premix)
• Saturday: Core (Cathe’s Core Max #2 + Total Body Stretching #2)
• Sunday: Stretch, Rest (Cathe’s Stretch Max--1 section)

The rotation is listed along with another upper body week rotation on my Workout Rotation Ideas document.

The All Upper Body Week

OK, following the incident last week when I fell off my step and sprained my ankle, I am still trying to take it easy on the lower body and cardio. Luckily I can still walk just fine, it’s just any lateral movement or pivoting is painful. It’s also painful to have a 2-year old son who likes to bump into my ankle, step on my feet, climb all over the leg area, etc. Thanks to him I have repeated reminders to rest that ankle. So this week, starting tomorrow, I’m going to begin my Sprained Ankle Upper Body Only Plan. It will alternate upper body workouts with core work, neither of which will require much use of my sad little ankle.

• Monday: Upper Body Weights (Cathe’s Muscle Max upper body premix)
• Tuesday: Core (Ellen Barrett’s Crunch: Pick Your Spot Pilates--Belly section + Cathe’s Muscle Max core only)
• Wednesday: Upper Body Weights (Cathe’s Pyramid Upper Body)
• Thursday: Core (Amy Bento’s Abs & Stretch--1 ab section + 1 stretch)
• Friday: Upper Body Weights (Cathe’s Supersets or Push Pull premix)
• Saturday: Core (Cathe’s Core Max #2 + Total Body Stretching #2)
• Sunday: Stretch, Rest (Cathe’s Stretch Max--1 section)

The rotation is listed along with another upper body week rotation on my Workout Rotation Ideas document.

The All Upper Body Week

OK, following the incident last week when I fell off my step and sprained my ankle, I am still trying to take it easy on the lower body and cardio. Luckily I can still walk just fine, it’s just any lateral movement or pivoting is painful. It’s also painful to have a 2-year old son who likes to bump into my ankle, step on my feet, climb all over the leg area, etc. Thanks to him I have repeated reminders to rest that ankle. So this week, starting tomorrow, I’m going to begin my Sprained Ankle Upper Body Only Plan. It will alternate upper body workouts with core work, neither of which will require much use of my sad little ankle.

• Monday: Upper Body Weights (Cathe’s Muscle Max upper body premix)
• Tuesday: Core (Ellen Barrett’s Crunch: Pick Your Spot Pilates--Belly section + Cathe’s Muscle Max core only)
• Wednesday: Upper Body Weights (Cathe’s Pyramid Upper Body)
• Thursday: Core (Amy Bento’s Abs & Stretch--1 ab section + 1 stretch)
• Friday: Upper Body Weights (Cathe’s Supersets or Push Pull premix)
• Saturday: Core (Cathe’s Core Max #2 + Total Body Stretching #2)
• Sunday: Stretch, Rest (Cathe’s Stretch Max--1 section)

The rotation is listed along with another upper body week rotation on my Workout Rotation Ideas document.

Ankle Update

Well, the ankle is still not up to snuff, so I remain sidelined. My online friend Ginger had some great advice. She said, “you know what you'd tell your best friend -- ‘Take care of your ankle first, you don't want to reinjure it!’ Treat yourself like your best friend. Rest, ice, compression, elevation ... And, if you lay off exercising for a week to let it heal, so what? It's 7 days in a lifetime!” Wow, awesome advice from someone I’ve never even met in person. Another online friend, Mary, also suggested I rest the ankle and that maybe I could focus on upper body and core work for a while. So, thanks for the great words of wisdom. I’m going to heed it.

I can walk on the ankle fine--don’t even limp as I cruise the mall (and I’m doing way too much of that lately, but at least the mall is air conditioned, which is more than I can say for my house). However, any lateral movement or pivoting is painful, so I know I can’t do step aerobics. I also can’t put a lot of weight on it--no standing on one leg--which means no kickboxing either, since kicks would probably be painful. I’ve decided to rest for the weekend and then see how the ankle feels on Monday. In the mean time I’m working on a core and upper body only week-long rotation in case that’s what I need to stick to next week.

I probably need to work on my upper body, anyway, since my husband and I are attending a gala celebration in early October. If I’m going to wear some kind of formal gown I’ll probably be showing some shoulder/back/arm skin somewhere--might as well make sure it’s nicely toned. I can stick the rest into some Spanx underwear and the legs into hose or something (if the dress isn’t long) so an upper body emphasis is probably great for me.

Ankle Update

Well, the ankle is still not up to snuff, so I remain sidelined. My online friend Ginger had some great advice. She said, “you know what you'd tell your best friend -- ‘Take care of your ankle first, you don't want to reinjure it!’ Treat yourself like your best friend. Rest, ice, compression, elevation ... And, if you lay off exercising for a week to let it heal, so what? It's 7 days in a lifetime!” Wow, awesome advice from someone I’ve never even met in person. Another online friend, Mary, also suggested I rest the ankle and that maybe I could focus on upper body and core work for a while. So, thanks for the great words of wisdom. I’m going to heed it.

I can walk on the ankle fine--don’t even limp as I cruise the mall (and I’m doing way too much of that lately, but at least the mall is air conditioned, which is more than I can say for my house). However, any lateral movement or pivoting is painful, so I know I can’t do step aerobics. I also can’t put a lot of weight on it--no standing on one leg--which means no kickboxing either, since kicks would probably be painful. I’ve decided to rest for the weekend and then see how the ankle feels on Monday. In the mean time I’m working on a core and upper body only week-long rotation in case that’s what I need to stick to next week.

I probably need to work on my upper body, anyway, since my husband and I are attending a gala celebration in early October. If I’m going to wear some kind of formal gown I’ll probably be showing some shoulder/back/arm skin somewhere--might as well make sure it’s nicely toned. I can stick the rest into some Spanx underwear and the legs into hose or something (if the dress isn’t long) so an upper body emphasis is probably great for me.

Ankle Update

Well, the ankle is still not up to snuff, so I remain sidelined. My online friend Ginger had some great advice. She said, “you know what you'd tell your best friend -- ‘Take care of your ankle first, you don't want to reinjure it!’ Treat yourself like your best friend. Rest, ice, compression, elevation ... And, if you lay off exercising for a week to let it heal, so what? It's 7 days in a lifetime!” Wow, awesome advice from someone I’ve never even met in person. Another online friend, Mary, also suggested I rest the ankle and that maybe I could focus on upper body and core work for a while. So, thanks for the great words of wisdom. I’m going to heed it.

I can walk on the ankle fine--don’t even limp as I cruise the mall (and I’m doing way too much of that lately, but at least the mall is air conditioned, which is more than I can say for my house). However, any lateral movement or pivoting is painful, so I know I can’t do step aerobics. I also can’t put a lot of weight on it--no standing on one leg--which means no kickboxing either, since kicks would probably be painful. I’ve decided to rest for the weekend and then see how the ankle feels on Monday. In the mean time I’m working on a core and upper body only week-long rotation in case that’s what I need to stick to next week.

I probably need to work on my upper body, anyway, since my husband and I are attending a gala celebration in early October. If I’m going to wear some kind of formal gown I’ll probably be showing some shoulder/back/arm skin somewhere--might as well make sure it’s nicely toned. I can stick the rest into some Spanx underwear and the legs into hose or something (if the dress isn’t long) so an upper body emphasis is probably great for me.

Danger to my Ankles!

Yesterday I was barreling through Cathe’s Rhythmic Step when I fell--bam!-- right off my step. Ouch! I twisted my right ankle as I went down and immediately knew I was done for the day. I had gotten most of the way through the workout by then, at least--so it was a short skip ahead to the cool down. I was able to stand up and hobble around the room (quite the piteous sight) and it started to feel a little better, so I thought everything was fine.

Then I woke up in the wee hours with a nasty ache in that ankle. Yowza. It was a little better after walking a bit, and I walked all over the mall this morning. I came home and had to decide what to do about today’s workout. I was supposed to do a full body toning workout, but I had the urge to do a step and weights circuit and get a bit of cardio in as well. However, I didn’t know if my ankle was up to snuff. So I chose Cathe’s Low Impact Circuit, because it’s a circuit but obviously low impact. I did have some ankle pain on a couple parts, particularly during lunges and the one-legged squats (which I decided to modify and did plie squats instead--great for me since I always want to tone my inner thighs).

Also, I chose Low Impact Circuit because it’s fun--and because it’s my birthday! I deserved a fun workout today (not that i didn’t also work--burned almost 600 calories).

So tomorrow will be kickboxing. Hi-ya!

OK, I just looked at the aforementioned ankle and it is all ugly and swollen. Hmm, should I rest it tomorrow? I’m thinking I might have to. :(

Danger to my Ankles!

Yesterday I was barreling through Cathe’s Rhythmic Step when I fell--bam!-- right off my step. Ouch! I twisted my right ankle as I went down and immediately knew I was done for the day. I had gotten most of the way through the workout by then, at least--so it was a short skip ahead to the cool down. I was able to stand up and hobble around the room (quite the piteous sight) and it started to feel a little better, so I thought everything was fine.

Then I woke up in the wee hours with a nasty ache in that ankle. Yowza. It was a little better after walking a bit, and I walked all over the mall this morning. I came home and had to decide what to do about today’s workout. I was supposed to do a full body toning workout, but I had the urge to do a step and weights circuit and get a bit of cardio in as well. However, I didn’t know if my ankle was up to snuff. So I chose Cathe’s Low Impact Circuit, because it’s a circuit but obviously low impact. I did have some ankle pain on a couple parts, particularly during lunges and the one-legged squats (which I decided to modify and did plie squats instead--great for me since I always want to tone my inner thighs).

Also, I chose Low Impact Circuit because it’s fun--and because it’s my birthday! I deserved a fun workout today (not that i didn’t also work--burned almost 600 calories).

So tomorrow will be kickboxing. Hi-ya!

OK, I just looked at the aforementioned ankle and it is all ugly and swollen. Hmm, should I rest it tomorrow? I’m thinking I might have to. :(

Danger to my Ankles!

Yesterday I was barreling through Cathe’s Rhythmic Step when I fell--bam!-- right off my step. Ouch! I twisted my right ankle as I went down and immediately knew I was done for the day. I had gotten most of the way through the workout by then, at least--so it was a short skip ahead to the cool down. I was able to stand up and hobble around the room (quite the piteous sight) and it started to feel a little better, so I thought everything was fine.

Then I woke up in the wee hours with a nasty ache in that ankle. Yowza. It was a little better after walking a bit, and I walked all over the mall this morning. I came home and had to decide what to do about today’s workout. I was supposed to do a full body toning workout, but I had the urge to do a step and weights circuit and get a bit of cardio in as well. However, I didn’t know if my ankle was up to snuff. So I chose Cathe’s Low Impact Circuit, because it’s a circuit but obviously low impact. I did have some ankle pain on a couple parts, particularly during lunges and the one-legged squats (which I decided to modify and did plie squats instead--great for me since I always want to tone my inner thighs).

Also, I chose Low Impact Circuit because it’s fun--and because it’s my birthday! I deserved a fun workout today (not that i didn’t also work--burned almost 600 calories).

So tomorrow will be kickboxing. Hi-ya!

OK, I just looked at the aforementioned ankle and it is all ugly and swollen. Hmm, should I rest it tomorrow? I’m thinking I might have to. :(

Day 1 of the New Rotation

I had planned to start my new rotation yesterday, but that fell through when I got pounded by a migraine just as I prepared to begin working out. I tried to do some step aerobics, but only got through the warmup and part of the first combo when I had to stop and go lie down in a dark room.

I’ve recovered well, so today I started my new fat loss rotation with a bang. I did Cathe Friedrich’s High Step Training and it was tough. I burned over 600 calories in just an hour (or a little more than an hour since I had to take a few breaks to pant and drink water).

Here’s this week’s rotation:

• Monday: Weight & Cardio Circuit (Cathe Friedrich’s High Step Training)
• Tuesday: Step Aerobics (did first little bit of Amy Bento’s Advanced Step Challenge + Cathe’s Rhythmic Step)--twisted ankle!
• Wednesday: Weight & Cardio Circuit, Core (Cathe’s Low Impact Circuit)
• Thursday: Kickboxing & Hi/Lo, Stretch (Tracey Staehle’s Cardio Sweatfest, Amy’s Abs & Stretch--1 stretch section)
• Friday: Weights & Cardio (Cathe’s Body Max 2)
• Saturday: Step Aerobics, Stretch (Kari Anderson’s Push + Cathe’s Total Body Stretching--1 segment
• Sunday: Stretch, Rest (Ellen Barrett’s Crunch: Super Slimdown)

The full 4-week rotation is listed on my Workout Rotation Ideas document (available for download on the list here).

Day 1 of the New Rotation

I had planned to start my new rotation yesterday, but that fell through when I got pounded by a migraine just as I prepared to begin working out. I tried to do some step aerobics, but only got through the warmup and part of the first combo when I had to stop and go lie down in a dark room.

I’ve recovered well, so today I started my new fat loss rotation with a bang. I did Cathe Friedrich’s High Step Training and it was tough. I burned over 600 calories in just an hour (or a little more than an hour since I had to take a few breaks to pant and drink water).

Here’s this week’s rotation:

• Monday: Weight & Cardio Circuit (Cathe Friedrich’s High Step Training)
• Tuesday: Step Aerobics (did first little bit of Amy Bento’s Advanced Step Challenge + Cathe’s Rhythmic Step)--twisted ankle!
• Wednesday: Weight & Cardio Circuit, Core (Cathe’s Low Impact Circuit)
• Thursday: Kickboxing & Hi/Lo, Stretch (Tracey Staehle’s Cardio Sweatfest, Amy’s Abs & Stretch--1 stretch section)
• Friday: Weights & Cardio (Cathe’s Body Max 2)
• Saturday: Step Aerobics, Stretch (Kari Anderson’s Push + Cathe’s Total Body Stretching--1 segment
• Sunday: Stretch, Rest (Ellen Barrett’s Crunch: Super Slimdown)

The full 4-week rotation is listed on my Workout Rotation Ideas document (available for download on the list here).

Day 1 of the New Rotation

I had planned to start my new rotation yesterday, but that fell through when I got pounded by a migraine just as I prepared to begin working out. I tried to do some step aerobics, but only got through the warmup and part of the first combo when I had to stop and go lie down in a dark room.

I’ve recovered well, so today I started my new fat loss rotation with a bang. I did Cathe Friedrich’s High Step Training and it was tough. I burned over 600 calories in just an hour (or a little more than an hour since I had to take a few breaks to pant and drink water).

Here’s this week’s rotation:

• Monday: Weight & Cardio Circuit (Cathe Friedrich’s High Step Training)
• Tuesday: Step Aerobics (did first little bit of Amy Bento’s Advanced Step Challenge + Cathe’s Rhythmic Step)--twisted ankle!
• Wednesday: Weight & Cardio Circuit, Core (Cathe’s Low Impact Circuit)
• Thursday: Kickboxing & Hi/Lo, Stretch (Tracey Staehle’s Cardio Sweatfest, Amy’s Abs & Stretch--1 stretch section)
• Friday: Weights & Cardio (Cathe’s Body Max 2)
• Saturday: Step Aerobics, Stretch (Kari Anderson’s Push + Cathe’s Total Body Stretching--1 segment
• Sunday: Stretch, Rest (Ellen Barrett’s Crunch: Super Slimdown)

The full 4-week rotation is listed on my Workout Rotation Ideas document (available for download on the list here).

Evaluating the Easy Week

So I’ve finished the easy week (or will finish today after I do a nice stretching workout later). It’s been nice to take it easy for a week, but I am really looking forward to kicking it up a notch tomorrow when I start my new fat loss rotation. I just hope I can keep it up for the whole rotation! I’m encouraged that the weather predicted for next week is supposed to be slightly cooler (at least for the first few days). I do not look forward to extra cardio in August heat.

Oooh! I interrupt this post to celebrate the fact that I just received 3 new DVDs (ordered from the excellent Jen at www.advancedworkouts.com). It’s Amy Bento’s Hi/Lo Xtreme and two from Tracey Staehle: Step Sweatfest and Cardio Sweatfest. I’m going to have to work these into next week’s rotation somehow. I love new stuff. Going off now to add them to my current workout Excel spreadsheet list. (I’m such a geek, I know.)

Evaluating the Easy Week

So I’ve finished the easy week (or will finish today after I do a nice stretching workout later). It’s been nice to take it easy for a week, but I am really looking forward to kicking it up a notch tomorrow when I start my new fat loss rotation. I just hope I can keep it up for the whole rotation! I’m encouraged that the weather predicted for next week is supposed to be slightly cooler (at least for the first few days). I do not look forward to extra cardio in August heat.

Oooh! I interrupt this post to celebrate the fact that I just received 3 new DVDs (ordered from the excellent Jen at www.advancedworkouts.com). It’s Amy Bento’s Hi/Lo Xtreme and two from Tracey Staehle: Step Sweatfest and Cardio Sweatfest. I’m going to have to work these into next week’s rotation somehow. I love new stuff. Going off now to add them to my current workout Excel spreadsheet list. (I’m such a geek, I know.)

Evaluating the Easy Week

So I’ve finished the easy week (or will finish today after I do a nice stretching workout later). It’s been nice to take it easy for a week, but I am really looking forward to kicking it up a notch tomorrow when I start my new fat loss rotation. I just hope I can keep it up for the whole rotation! I’m encouraged that the weather predicted for next week is supposed to be slightly cooler (at least for the first few days). I do not look forward to extra cardio in August heat.

Oooh! I interrupt this post to celebrate the fact that I just received 3 new DVDs (ordered from the excellent Jen at www.advancedworkouts.com). It’s Amy Bento’s Hi/Lo Xtreme and two from Tracey Staehle: Step Sweatfest and Cardio Sweatfest. I’m going to have to work these into next week’s rotation somehow. I love new stuff. Going off now to add them to my current workout Excel spreadsheet list. (I’m such a geek, I know.)

Fitness Creeping Into Dreamland

I have to start this by explaining that I have really weird dreams. I mean super-weird. If they were movies they would be bizarre science fiction fantasy horror hybrids. I dream pretty much every night but some nights are weirder than others.

Last night I dreamed that an alien race was coming to attack, but not in the standard way. They brought another planet--dragged it up right next door and into orbit next to the Earth. Yeah, I know that would be pretty impossible and with gravity they would crash into each other, etc., but there was no crashing in my dream. Even in my dream I thought it was impossible but not impossible enough to wake me. They just brought that planet right up (and it meant we had a longer night because of it blocking the sun so much of the day) and used it as a jumping off point to come bother us on Earth. It was pretty scary.

OK, the reason I mention this is that in part of the dream I took the time to stop and admire someone’s collection of fitness equipment. They had all kinds of great dumbbells and a great big stand to keep them on. It was very impressive. This was a bit out of place in my sci-fi dream, and I guess indicates how much I’ve been thinking about my workouts lately.

Just to further demonstrate how wacky this dream was--in the dream I was a teenage understudy to a superhero’s sidekick. We were going to go kick some alien heinie but had to prepare our army first. I think it’s rather sad that I was just the understudy to the sidekick and not a superhero myself. In my husband’s dreams, he’s always the superhero or equivalent--why don’t I have that kind of dream confidence?

Next time I promise there will be more fitness and less zaniness.

Fitness Creeping Into Dreamland

I have to start this by explaining that I have really weird dreams. I mean super-weird. If they were movies they would be bizarre science fiction fantasy horror hybrids. I dream pretty much every night but some nights are weirder than others.

Last night I dreamed that an alien race was coming to attack, but not in the standard way. They brought another planet--dragged it up right next door and into orbit next to the Earth. Yeah, I know that would be pretty impossible and with gravity they would crash into each other, etc., but there was no crashing in my dream. Even in my dream I thought it was impossible but not impossible enough to wake me. They just brought that planet right up (and it meant we had a longer night because of it blocking the sun so much of the day) and used it as a jumping off point to come bother us on Earth. It was pretty scary.

OK, the reason I mention this is that in part of the dream I took the time to stop and admire someone’s collection of fitness equipment. They had all kinds of great dumbbells and a great big stand to keep them on. It was very impressive. This was a bit out of place in my sci-fi dream, and I guess indicates how much I’ve been thinking about my workouts lately.

Just to further demonstrate how wacky this dream was--in the dream I was a teenage understudy to a superhero’s sidekick. We were going to go kick some alien heinie but had to prepare our army first. I think it’s rather sad that I was just the understudy to the sidekick and not a superhero myself. In my husband’s dreams, he’s always the superhero or equivalent--why don’t I have that kind of dream confidence?

Next time I promise there will be more fitness and less zaniness.

Fitness Creeping Into Dreamland

I have to start this by explaining that I have really weird dreams. I mean super-weird. If they were movies they would be bizarre science fiction fantasy horror hybrids. I dream pretty much every night but some nights are weirder than others.

Last night I dreamed that an alien race was coming to attack, but not in the standard way. They brought another planet--dragged it up right next door and into orbit next to the Earth. Yeah, I know that would be pretty impossible and with gravity they would crash into each other, etc., but there was no crashing in my dream. Even in my dream I thought it was impossible but not impossible enough to wake me. They just brought that planet right up (and it meant we had a longer night because of it blocking the sun so much of the day) and used it as a jumping off point to come bother us on Earth. It was pretty scary.

OK, the reason I mention this is that in part of the dream I took the time to stop and admire someone’s collection of fitness equipment. They had all kinds of great dumbbells and a great big stand to keep them on. It was very impressive. This was a bit out of place in my sci-fi dream, and I guess indicates how much I’ve been thinking about my workouts lately.

Just to further demonstrate how wacky this dream was--in the dream I was a teenage understudy to a superhero’s sidekick. We were going to go kick some alien heinie but had to prepare our army first. I think it’s rather sad that I was just the understudy to the sidekick and not a superhero myself. In my husband’s dreams, he’s always the superhero or equivalent--why don’t I have that kind of dream confidence?

Next time I promise there will be more fitness and less zaniness.

This So-Called Easy Week

Well, so much for my easy week. OK, yeah, it is easier than a normal week, but tougher than I expected when I planned it. Yesterday I did a fairly beginner-level weights workout, though I did amp up the weight used quite a bit. I woke up this morning super-sore in the upper body. I have to admit my lower body wasn’t at all sore, though. Then today I did a beginner to intermediate step aerobics video. Should be easy but I was still panting--doesn’t help that it was another scorcher here in New York.

So what’s in store tomorrow? Another supposedly easy video--this time it’s Cathe’s Total Body Sculpting--one of her easiest weight workouts. I’ll probably end up lifting a little heavier on this one as well--we’ll see how I feel when that’s done.

This So-Called Easy Week

Well, so much for my easy week. OK, yeah, it is easier than a normal week, but tougher than I expected when I planned it. Yesterday I did a fairly beginner-level weights workout, though I did amp up the weight used quite a bit. I woke up this morning super-sore in the upper body. I have to admit my lower body wasn’t at all sore, though. Then today I did a beginner to intermediate step aerobics video. Should be easy but I was still panting--doesn’t help that it was another scorcher here in New York.

So what’s in store tomorrow? Another supposedly easy video--this time it’s Cathe’s Total Body Sculpting--one of her easiest weight workouts. I’ll probably end up lifting a little heavier on this one as well--we’ll see how I feel when that’s done.

This So-Called Easy Week

Well, so much for my easy week. OK, yeah, it is easier than a normal week, but tougher than I expected when I planned it. Yesterday I did a fairly beginner-level weights workout, though I did amp up the weight used quite a bit. I woke up this morning super-sore in the upper body. I have to admit my lower body wasn’t at all sore, though. Then today I did a beginner to intermediate step aerobics video. Should be easy but I was still panting--doesn’t help that it was another scorcher here in New York.

So what’s in store tomorrow? Another supposedly easy video--this time it’s Cathe’s Total Body Sculpting--one of her easiest weight workouts. I’ll probably end up lifting a little heavier on this one as well--we’ll see how I feel when that’s done.

Very Generic Rotation Ideas

The subject line says it all. I’ve simplified and written out some very generic rotation ideas. Nothing that impressive or creative but just to give people an idea of how to build rotations with their own videos if they are new to it. I’ve added these to my Workout Rotation Ideas Word document, but also copied them below:

Total Body Rotation
DAY PLAN
DAY 1 Total Body Weights
DAY 2 Cardio (can be jogging, step aerobics, kickboxing, whatever)
DAY 3 Total Body Weights or a Total Body Circuit video
DAY 4 Cardio
DAY 5 Total Body Weights
DAY 6 Cardio
DAY 7 rest or yoga

Upper/Lower Body Split Rotation
DAY PLAN
DAY 1 Upper Body Weights
DAY 2 Cardio
DAY 3 Lower Body Weights
DAY 4 Cardio
DAY 5 Total Body Weights or Circuit
DAY 6 Cardio
DAY 7 rest or yoga

3-Day Split Rotation
DAY PLAN
DAY 1 Part upper body (something like back, shoulders & biceps)
DAY 2 Cardio
DAY 3 Lower Body
DAY 4 Cardio
DAY 5 Other part upper body (like chest & triceps)
DAY 6 Cardio
DAY 7 rest or yoga

Very Generic Rotation Ideas

The subject line says it all. I’ve simplified and written out some very generic rotation ideas. Nothing that impressive or creative but just to give people an idea of how to build rotations with their own videos if they are new to it. I’ve added these to my Workout Rotation Ideas Word document, but also copied them below:

Total Body Rotation
DAY PLAN
DAY 1 Total Body Weights
DAY 2 Cardio (can be jogging, step aerobics, kickboxing, whatever)
DAY 3 Total Body Weights or a Total Body Circuit video
DAY 4 Cardio
DAY 5 Total Body Weights
DAY 6 Cardio
DAY 7 rest or yoga

Upper/Lower Body Split Rotation
DAY PLAN
DAY 1 Upper Body Weights
DAY 2 Cardio
DAY 3 Lower Body Weights
DAY 4 Cardio
DAY 5 Total Body Weights or Circuit
DAY 6 Cardio
DAY 7 rest or yoga

3-Day Split Rotation
DAY PLAN
DAY 1 Part upper body (something like back, shoulders & biceps)
DAY 2 Cardio
DAY 3 Lower Body
DAY 4 Cardio
DAY 5 Other part upper body (like chest & triceps)
DAY 6 Cardio
DAY 7 rest or yoga

Very Generic Rotation Ideas

The subject line says it all. I’ve simplified and written out some very generic rotation ideas. Nothing that impressive or creative but just to give people an idea of how to build rotations with their own videos if they are new to it. I’ve added these to my Workout Rotation Ideas Word document, but also copied them below:

Total Body Rotation
DAY PLAN
DAY 1 Total Body Weights
DAY 2 Cardio (can be jogging, step aerobics, kickboxing, whatever)
DAY 3 Total Body Weights or a Total Body Circuit video
DAY 4 Cardio
DAY 5 Total Body Weights
DAY 6 Cardio
DAY 7 rest or yoga

Upper/Lower Body Split Rotation
DAY PLAN
DAY 1 Upper Body Weights
DAY 2 Cardio
DAY 3 Lower Body Weights
DAY 4 Cardio
DAY 5 Total Body Weights or Circuit
DAY 6 Cardio
DAY 7 rest or yoga

3-Day Split Rotation
DAY PLAN
DAY 1 Part upper body (something like back, shoulders & biceps)
DAY 2 Cardio
DAY 3 Lower Body
DAY 4 Cardio
DAY 5 Other part upper body (like chest & triceps)
DAY 6 Cardio
DAY 7 rest or yoga

New Rotation Idea--Burn That Fat!

I have decided I need to do a fat loss rotation again. I’ve still got at least 15 pounds to lose, so why am I not working harder to burn some fat? Probably because it’s been so nasty hot lately....

Ok, the full plan will be on my rotation ideas document (downloadable from a list here) but here’s week one:

• Sunday: Weight & Cardio Circuit, Core (Cathe’s High Step Training)
• Monday: Interval Step Aerobics (Cathe’s Imax 1)
• Tuesday: Total Body, Core (Tracy Effinger’s Squeeze)
• Wednesday: Kickboxing, Core (Cathe’s Kick Max)
• Thursday: Weights & Cardio (Cathe’s Body Max 2)
• Friday: Step Aerobics, Stretch (Kari Anderson’s Push + Total Body Stretching--1 segment
• Saturday: Stretch, Rest (Ellen Barrett’s Crunch: Super Slimdown)

I haven’t decided yet if I’ll start this on Sunday or go ahead and try that easy week first. It might depend on the weather next week (I’m so tired of attempting high intensity workouts when the heat is high intensity.)

New Rotation Idea--Burn That Fat!

I have decided I need to do a fat loss rotation again. I’ve still got at least 15 pounds to lose, so why am I not working harder to burn some fat? Probably because it’s been so nasty hot lately....

Ok, the full plan will be on my rotation ideas document (downloadable from a list here) but here’s week one:

• Sunday: Weight & Cardio Circuit, Core (Cathe’s High Step Training)
• Monday: Interval Step Aerobics (Cathe’s Imax 1)
• Tuesday: Total Body, Core (Tracy Effinger’s Squeeze)
• Wednesday: Kickboxing, Core (Cathe’s Kick Max)
• Thursday: Weights & Cardio (Cathe’s Body Max 2)
• Friday: Step Aerobics, Stretch (Kari Anderson’s Push + Total Body Stretching--1 segment
• Saturday: Stretch, Rest (Ellen Barrett’s Crunch: Super Slimdown)

I haven’t decided yet if I’ll start this on Sunday or go ahead and try that easy week first. It might depend on the weather next week (I’m so tired of attempting high intensity workouts when the heat is high intensity.)

New Rotation Idea--Burn That Fat!

I have decided I need to do a fat loss rotation again. I’ve still got at least 15 pounds to lose, so why am I not working harder to burn some fat? Probably because it’s been so nasty hot lately....

Ok, the full plan will be on my rotation ideas document (downloadable from a list here) but here’s week one:

• Sunday: Weight & Cardio Circuit, Core (Cathe’s High Step Training)
• Monday: Interval Step Aerobics (Cathe’s Imax 1)
• Tuesday: Total Body, Core (Tracy Effinger’s Squeeze)
• Wednesday: Kickboxing, Core (Cathe’s Kick Max)
• Thursday: Weights & Cardio (Cathe’s Body Max 2)
• Friday: Step Aerobics, Stretch (Kari Anderson’s Push + Total Body Stretching--1 segment
• Saturday: Stretch, Rest (Ellen Barrett’s Crunch: Super Slimdown)

I haven’t decided yet if I’ll start this on Sunday or go ahead and try that easy week first. It might depend on the weather next week (I’m so tired of attempting high intensity workouts when the heat is high intensity.)

Dreaming of an Easy Week

So today while Amy Bento was kicking my butt (I was doing her Kickbox Xtreme workout) and I was sweating buckets in the horrible heat, I started thinking about how nice it would be to have an easy week soon. Not a week off exactly (though I know it’s perfectly acceptable to take time off once in a while), but just an easygoing workout week. Here’s the rotation I came up with for that kind of week along with suggested videos in parentheses:

• Sunday: Total Body (Kimberly Spreen’s Amplify Your Strength From Within) + Upper Body Sculpt from Cathe’s Basic Step
• Monday: Low Impact Step Aerobics (Cathe Friedrich’s Low Impact Step)
• Tuesday: Total Body Weights (Cathe’s Total Body Sculpting)
• Wednesday: Dancing (Kimberly Spreen’s Self: Dance Your Way Slim)
• Thursday: Circuit Weights & Step Aerobics (Cathe’s Body Fusion)
• Friday: Pilates/Yoga (Basic Yoga for Dummies)
• Saturday: Stretch, Rest (Cathe’s Total Body Stretching--1 segment)

This might also be a good weekly rotation for a beginner. I’ve added it to my Word document of rotation ideas and I’ll save it for one of those weeks when I need a bit of a rest, but not complete rest.

Dreaming of an Easy Week

So today while Amy Bento was kicking my butt (I was doing her Kickbox Xtreme workout) and I was sweating buckets in the horrible heat, I started thinking about how nice it would be to have an easy week soon. Not a week off exactly (though I know it’s perfectly acceptable to take time off once in a while), but just an easygoing workout week. Here’s the rotation I came up with for that kind of week along with suggested videos in parentheses:

• Sunday: Total Body (Kimberly Spreen’s Amplify Your Strength From Within) + Upper Body Sculpt from Cathe’s Basic Step
• Monday: Low Impact Step Aerobics (Cathe Friedrich’s Low Impact Step)
• Tuesday: Total Body Weights (Cathe’s Total Body Sculpting)
• Wednesday: Dancing (Kimberly Spreen’s Self: Dance Your Way Slim)
• Thursday: Circuit Weights & Step Aerobics (Cathe’s Body Fusion)
• Friday: Pilates/Yoga (Basic Yoga for Dummies)
• Saturday: Stretch, Rest (Cathe’s Total Body Stretching--1 segment)

This might also be a good weekly rotation for a beginner. I’ve added it to my Word document of rotation ideas and I’ll save it for one of those weeks when I need a bit of a rest, but not complete rest.

Dreaming of an Easy Week

So today while Amy Bento was kicking my butt (I was doing her Kickbox Xtreme workout) and I was sweating buckets in the horrible heat, I started thinking about how nice it would be to have an easy week soon. Not a week off exactly (though I know it’s perfectly acceptable to take time off once in a while), but just an easygoing workout week. Here’s the rotation I came up with for that kind of week along with suggested videos in parentheses:

• Sunday: Total Body (Kimberly Spreen’s Amplify Your Strength From Within) + Upper Body Sculpt from Cathe’s Basic Step
• Monday: Low Impact Step Aerobics (Cathe Friedrich’s Low Impact Step)
• Tuesday: Total Body Weights (Cathe’s Total Body Sculpting)
• Wednesday: Dancing (Kimberly Spreen’s Self: Dance Your Way Slim)
• Thursday: Circuit Weights & Step Aerobics (Cathe’s Body Fusion)
• Friday: Pilates/Yoga (Basic Yoga for Dummies)
• Saturday: Stretch, Rest (Cathe’s Total Body Stretching--1 segment)

This might also be a good weekly rotation for a beginner. I’ve added it to my Word document of rotation ideas and I’ll save it for one of those weeks when I need a bit of a rest, but not complete rest.

Cathe’s Imax 3

Wow, today I attempted Cathe Friedrich’s Imax 3 workout. Yowza. I actually didn’t even try to do the whole thing. I was low on time, so I just did the first 5 intervals (there are 10 total). The step combos were more complex (and therefore, for me, more fun) than the other two Imax workouts, and the blasts were even more intense. I could barely make it through just that half! I highly recommend this workout to anyone who wants heavy duty sweaty heart-pumping step aerobics. Shortly afterward I was in a puddle on the floor. I followed it up with a very relaxing and effective Yoga Stretch workout with Karen Voight. I really needed that stretch today. Tomorrow I’ll be attempting Slow & Heavy Legs & Shoulders along with some core work. Ouch--Cathe’s leg work is always tough for me.

Cathe’s Imax 3

Wow, today I attempted Cathe Friedrich’s Imax 3 workout. Yowza. I actually didn’t even try to do the whole thing. I was low on time, so I just did the first 5 intervals (there are 10 total). The step combos were more complex (and therefore, for me, more fun) than the other two Imax workouts, and the blasts were even more intense. I could barely make it through just that half! I highly recommend this workout to anyone who wants heavy duty sweaty heart-pumping step aerobics. Shortly afterward I was in a puddle on the floor. I followed it up with a very relaxing and effective Yoga Stretch workout with Karen Voight. I really needed that stretch today. Tomorrow I’ll be attempting Slow & Heavy Legs & Shoulders along with some core work. Ouch--Cathe’s leg work is always tough for me.

Cathe’s Imax 3

Wow, today I attempted Cathe Friedrich’s Imax 3 workout. Yowza. I actually didn’t even try to do the whole thing. I was low on time, so I just did the first 5 intervals (there are 10 total). The step combos were more complex (and therefore, for me, more fun) than the other two Imax workouts, and the blasts were even more intense. I could barely make it through just that half! I highly recommend this workout to anyone who wants heavy duty sweaty heart-pumping step aerobics. Shortly afterward I was in a puddle on the floor. I followed it up with a very relaxing and effective Yoga Stretch workout with Karen Voight. I really needed that stretch today. Tomorrow I’ll be attempting Slow & Heavy Legs & Shoulders along with some core work. Ouch--Cathe’s leg work is always tough for me.

Happy Birthday to Ewan and Isaac

Last week my son Ewan turned 2 and today Isaac turned 5. This has nothing to do with fitness except that they help make me more fit! Also, I wanted to include a couple pictures (below) of Isaac copying me working out, using my lightest resistance tubing, a very light dumbbell and his stool for a step.

Click here to see Isaac’s page.

Click here to see Ewan’s page.

Click here to go to their art gallery page.

These are both during the triceps portion of Amy Bento’s All Pump Xtreme.

Happy Birthday to Ewan and Isaac

Last week my son Ewan turned 2 and today Isaac turned 5. This has nothing to do with fitness except that they help make me more fit! Also, I wanted to include a couple pictures (below) of Isaac copying me working out, using my lightest resistance tubing, a very light dumbbell and his stool for a step.

Click here to see Isaac’s page.

Click here to see Ewan’s page.

Click here to go to their art gallery page.

These are both during the triceps portion of Amy Bento’s All Pump Xtreme.

Happy Birthday to Ewan and Isaac

Last week my son Ewan turned 2 and today Isaac turned 5. This has nothing to do with fitness except that they help make me more fit! Also, I wanted to include a couple pictures (below) of Isaac copying me working out, using my lightest resistance tubing, a very light dumbbell and his stool for a step.

Click here to see Isaac’s page.

Click here to see Ewan’s page.

Click here to go to their art gallery page.

These are both during the triceps portion of Amy Bento’s All Pump Xtreme.

Kimberly Spreen, the Girl Next Door

The first thing I have to say about Kimberly Spreen is that comes across as very personable on her workouts. She’s definitely full of energy and creative, but her main appeal is the fact that she seems like someone who could be a good friend--very girl next door. She looks great like most video instructors, but also very accessible and normal. I love her kickboxing workouts, put out by CIA, but she also has a variety of other workouts, such as a Self magazine dance video, some strength videos, a fitness ball video for 10 Minute Solution and others. Her choreography in the kickboxing videos is intense, fun, and creative, but easy to follow--especially with her excellent cuing. I manage to feel both tough and graceful working out with her, which is really saying something since I am both weak and klutzy in reality. She’s very encouraging in her workouts, and she says “beautiful” a lot, particularly in Absolute Kickboxing, but I actually didn't notice until she joked about it, saying she should stop saying it so much. Her kickboxing videos also give you a great core workout, even the ones that don’t come with a specific core segment.

Click here to see her website.

Click here to go to Collage Video which has several of her workouts.

Click here to see reviews of a few of her workouts on Video Fitness.com.

Kimberly Spreen, the Girl Next Door

The first thing I have to say about Kimberly Spreen is that comes across as very personable on her workouts. She’s definitely full of energy and creative, but her main appeal is the fact that she seems like someone who could be a good friend--very girl next door. She looks great like most video instructors, but also very accessible and normal. I love her kickboxing workouts, put out by CIA, but she also has a variety of other workouts, such as a Self magazine dance video, some strength videos, a fitness ball video for 10 Minute Solution and others. Her choreography in the kickboxing videos is intense, fun, and creative, but easy to follow--especially with her excellent cuing. I manage to feel both tough and graceful working out with her, which is really saying something since I am both weak and klutzy in reality. She’s very encouraging in her workouts, and she says “beautiful” a lot, particularly in Absolute Kickboxing, but I actually didn't notice until she joked about it, saying she should stop saying it so much. Her kickboxing videos also give you a great core workout, even the ones that don’t come with a specific core segment.

Click here to see her website.

Click here to go to Collage Video which has several of her workouts.

Click here to see reviews of a few of her workouts on Video Fitness.com.

Kimberly Spreen, the Girl Next Door

The first thing I have to say about Kimberly Spreen is that comes across as very personable on her workouts. She’s definitely full of energy and creative, but her main appeal is the fact that she seems like someone who could be a good friend--very girl next door. She looks great like most video instructors, but also very accessible and normal. I love her kickboxing workouts, put out by CIA, but she also has a variety of other workouts, such as a Self magazine dance video, some strength videos, a fitness ball video for 10 Minute Solution and others. Her choreography in the kickboxing videos is intense, fun, and creative, but easy to follow--especially with her excellent cuing. I manage to feel both tough and graceful working out with her, which is really saying something since I am both weak and klutzy in reality. She’s very encouraging in her workouts, and she says “beautiful” a lot, particularly in Absolute Kickboxing, but I actually didn't notice until she joked about it, saying she should stop saying it so much. Her kickboxing videos also give you a great core workout, even the ones that don’t come with a specific core segment.

Click here to see her website.

Click here to go to Collage Video which has several of her workouts.

Click here to see reviews of a few of her workouts on Video Fitness.com.

Cathe Friedrich, the Queen of Advanced Workout Videos

Where do I start?!?! I love all her stuff! I think I especially love Cathe Friedrich’s personality, but also her fun choreography and the high quality of the workouts. I love the fact that I can do her videos day after day and not get tired of her. I still use some other instructors, but there are no others who I feel like working out with several times a week.

What I like least: well, this is not a common opinion among Cathe fans, but I don't really care for her high intensity interval step aerobic videos (Interval Max and Imax 2; I have yet to try Imax 3). I prefer the more intricate and challenging choreography of workouts such as Rhythmic Step and Step Blast. That being said, I still do the Imaxes and I know they are great for major intensity on days when that's needed.

So far I’ve talked a lot about her step aerobics, but Cathe offers much more. She also has some of the best weightlifting videos on the market: strength or endurance, 3-day splits, total body or circuits--you name it. I was never very committed to using weights until I discovered Cathe.

And that brings me to one more thing that is awesome about Cathe's collection of workouts--variety. You can really cross-train with just a few of her workouts; weights, kickboxing, step (interval or steady state), and hi/lo aerobics. She also has the best chaptering and premixes I’ve ever seen. You can get an outstanding variety of workouts from just one of her videos. Her music is usually second to none as well. One of my favorite videos is Body Max 2 which has a great 80’s soundtrack. I could go on and on about Cathe and all her great videos, but I’m sure I’ll get a chance to mention her again in another blog entry.

Click here to see her website.

Click here to see a selection of her workouts from Advanced Workouts (my favorite workout video vendor).

Click here to go to her online forum.

Cathe Friedrich, the Queen of Advanced Workout Videos

Where do I start?!?! I love all her stuff! I think I especially love Cathe Friedrich’s personality, but also her fun choreography and the high quality of the workouts. I love the fact that I can do her videos day after day and not get tired of her. I still use some other instructors, but there are no others who I feel like working out with several times a week.

What I like least: well, this is not a common opinion among Cathe fans, but I don't really care for her high intensity interval step aerobic videos (Interval Max and Imax 2; I have yet to try Imax 3). I prefer the more intricate and challenging choreography of workouts such as Rhythmic Step and Step Blast. That being said, I still do the Imaxes and I know they are great for major intensity on days when that's needed.

So far I’ve talked a lot about her step aerobics, but Cathe offers much more. She also has some of the best weightlifting videos on the market: strength or endurance, 3-day splits, total body or circuits--you name it. I was never very committed to using weights until I discovered Cathe.

And that brings me to one more thing that is awesome about Cathe's collection of workouts--variety. You can really cross-train with just a few of her workouts; weights, kickboxing, step (interval or steady state), and hi/lo aerobics. She also has the best chaptering and premixes I’ve ever seen. You can get an outstanding variety of workouts from just one of her videos. Her music is usually second to none as well. One of my favorite videos is Body Max 2 which has a great 80’s soundtrack. I could go on and on about Cathe and all her great videos, but I’m sure I’ll get a chance to mention her again in another blog entry.

Click here to see her website.

Click here to see a selection of her workouts from Advanced Workouts (my favorite workout video vendor).

Click here to go to her online forum.

Cathe Friedrich, the Queen of Advanced Workout Videos

Where do I start?!?! I love all her stuff! I think I especially love Cathe Friedrich’s personality, but also her fun choreography and the high quality of the workouts. I love the fact that I can do her videos day after day and not get tired of her. I still use some other instructors, but there are no others who I feel like working out with several times a week.

What I like least: well, this is not a common opinion among Cathe fans, but I don't really care for her high intensity interval step aerobic videos (Interval Max and Imax 2; I have yet to try Imax 3). I prefer the more intricate and challenging choreography of workouts such as Rhythmic Step and Step Blast. That being said, I still do the Imaxes and I know they are great for major intensity on days when that's needed.

So far I’ve talked a lot about her step aerobics, but Cathe offers much more. She also has some of the best weightlifting videos on the market: strength or endurance, 3-day splits, total body or circuits--you name it. I was never very committed to using weights until I discovered Cathe.

And that brings me to one more thing that is awesome about Cathe's collection of workouts--variety. You can really cross-train with just a few of her workouts; weights, kickboxing, step (interval or steady state), and hi/lo aerobics. She also has the best chaptering and premixes I’ve ever seen. You can get an outstanding variety of workouts from just one of her videos. Her music is usually second to none as well. One of my favorite videos is Body Max 2 which has a great 80’s soundtrack. I could go on and on about Cathe and all her great videos, but I’m sure I’ll get a chance to mention her again in another blog entry.

Click here to see her website.

Click here to see a selection of her workouts from Advanced Workouts (my favorite workout video vendor).

Click here to go to her online forum.

Amy Bento - The Up and Comer

One of my favorite instructors these days is the young Amy Bento (I say “young” because she seems very young, though she is probably around my age--not that I’m old or anything). I have several of her workouts already and I’m sure to get more soon (especially as she has a pre-sale coming up at the end of the month for some soon-to-be-released workouts).

Amy is extremely energetic (in fact her company is called NRG) and has a great personality for workout videos. You feel that she is encouraging you without being annoying about it. Her voice is clear and nice to listen to and doesn’t distract from the workout. This is vitally important since I’ve been known to get rid of workouts simply based on a bad voice. She also picks great energetic music to suit her workouts.

Amy is building a great library of DVDs for the home fitness video enthusiast. She does step aerobics, hi/lo aerobics, kickboxing, and weightlifting workouts. She also has videos that are a combination of things, like Cardio Pump Step which has both step aerobics and weights. One of the best things about her DVDs is that they include great chaptering and premix options. They also seem very professionally done and from what I hear Amy is extremely detail oriented--it shows. The only complaint I would have so far about her workouts is I would like her to announce what weight she’s lifting more consistently. I don’t necessarily need to lift the same amount, but it helps to have a guideline.

Click here to see her website.

Click here to see a selection of her workouts from Advanced Workouts (my favorite workout video vendor).

Click here to go to her forum.

Amy Bento - The Up and Comer

One of my favorite instructors these days is the young Amy Bento (I say “young” because she seems very young, though she is probably around my age--not that I’m old or anything). I have several of her workouts already and I’m sure to get more soon (especially as she has a pre-sale coming up at the end of the month for some soon-to-be-released workouts).

Amy is extremely energetic (in fact her company is called NRG) and has a great personality for workout videos. You feel that she is encouraging you without being annoying about it. Her voice is clear and nice to listen to and doesn’t distract from the workout. This is vitally important since I’ve been known to get rid of workouts simply based on a bad voice. She also picks great energetic music to suit her workouts.

Amy is building a great library of DVDs for the home fitness video enthusiast. She does step aerobics, hi/lo aerobics, kickboxing, and weightlifting workouts. She also has videos that are a combination of things, like Cardio Pump Step which has both step aerobics and weights. One of the best things about her DVDs is that they include great chaptering and premix options. They also seem very professionally done and from what I hear Amy is extremely detail oriented--it shows. The only complaint I would have so far about her workouts is I would like her to announce what weight she’s lifting more consistently. I don’t necessarily need to lift the same amount, but it helps to have a guideline.

Click here to see her website.

Click here to see a selection of her workouts from Advanced Workouts (my favorite workout video vendor).

Click here to go to her forum.

Amy Bento - The Up and Comer

One of my favorite instructors these days is the young Amy Bento (I say “young” because she seems very young, though she is probably around my age--not that I’m old or anything). I have several of her workouts already and I’m sure to get more soon (especially as she has a pre-sale coming up at the end of the month for some soon-to-be-released workouts).

Amy is extremely energetic (in fact her company is called NRG) and has a great personality for workout videos. You feel that she is encouraging you without being annoying about it. Her voice is clear and nice to listen to and doesn’t distract from the workout. This is vitally important since I’ve been known to get rid of workouts simply based on a bad voice. She also picks great energetic music to suit her workouts.

Amy is building a great library of DVDs for the home fitness video enthusiast. She does step aerobics, hi/lo aerobics, kickboxing, and weightlifting workouts. She also has videos that are a combination of things, like Cardio Pump Step which has both step aerobics and weights. One of the best things about her DVDs is that they include great chaptering and premix options. They also seem very professionally done and from what I hear Amy is extremely detail oriented--it shows. The only complaint I would have so far about her workouts is I would like her to announce what weight she’s lifting more consistently. I don’t necessarily need to lift the same amount, but it helps to have a guideline.

Click here to see her website.

Click here to see a selection of her workouts from Advanced Workouts (my favorite workout video vendor).

Click here to go to her forum.

Rotation 7/29 #2

Would you believe I’m fiddling with this week’s rotation again? Yep, just can’t stop messing with a good thing. I’m starting to wonder if I’m ready for the one body part a day thing and I might go back to a 3-day split for the time being. So I still need to work out what I’ll start on next week with that in mind.

• Sunday 7/29: Back, Core
• Monday 7/30: Chest, Step Aerobics, Stretch
• Tuesday 7/31: Rest
• Wednesday 8/1: Lower Body, Core
• Thursday 8/2: Shoulders, Triceps, & Biceps, Core
• Friday 8/3: Step Aerobics, Stretch
• Saturday 8/4: Pilates/Yoga, Rest

Rotation 7/29 #2

Would you believe I’m fiddling with this week’s rotation again? Yep, just can’t stop messing with a good thing. I’m starting to wonder if I’m ready for the one body part a day thing and I might go back to a 3-day split for the time being. So I still need to work out what I’ll start on next week with that in mind.

• Sunday 7/29: Back, Core
• Monday 7/30: Chest, Step Aerobics, Stretch
• Tuesday 7/31: Rest
• Wednesday 8/1: Lower Body, Core
• Thursday 8/2: Shoulders, Triceps, & Biceps, Core
• Friday 8/3: Step Aerobics, Stretch
• Saturday 8/4: Pilates/Yoga, Rest

Rotation 7/29 #2

Would you believe I’m fiddling with this week’s rotation again? Yep, just can’t stop messing with a good thing. I’m starting to wonder if I’m ready for the one body part a day thing and I might go back to a 3-day split for the time being. So I still need to work out what I’ll start on next week with that in mind.

• Sunday 7/29: Back, Core
• Monday 7/30: Chest, Step Aerobics, Stretch
• Tuesday 7/31: Rest
• Wednesday 8/1: Lower Body, Core
• Thursday 8/2: Shoulders, Triceps, & Biceps, Core
• Friday 8/3: Step Aerobics, Stretch
• Saturday 8/4: Pilates/Yoga, Rest

New Webpage Layout

Last night I decided I might like to switch my fitness page to a blog format, since I keep adding so much to it and changing it so often. This way I can keep some of the old information here as I change things. Then I can look back and see what I’ve been up to. I have a lot of information in my fitness journal, but it is just very basic--what workouts I did each day, calories burned, etc. It doesn’t indicate previous rotations or that sort of thing. So this is sort of like an online fitness journal where I can look back at progress as well as see my changing plans (because they change way too often).

New Webpage Layout

Last night I decided I might like to switch my fitness page to a blog format, since I keep adding so much to it and changing it so often. This way I can keep some of the old information here as I change things. Then I can look back and see what I’ve been up to. I have a lot of information in my fitness journal, but it is just very basic--what workouts I did each day, calories burned, etc. It doesn’t indicate previous rotations or that sort of thing. So this is sort of like an online fitness journal where I can look back at progress as well as see my changing plans (because they change way too often).

New Webpage Layout

Last night I decided I might like to switch my fitness page to a blog format, since I keep adding so much to it and changing it so often. This way I can keep some of the old information here as I change things. Then I can look back and see what I’ve been up to. I have a lot of information in my fitness journal, but it is just very basic--what workouts I did each day, calories burned, etc. It doesn’t indicate previous rotations or that sort of thing. So this is sort of like an online fitness journal where I can look back at progress as well as see my changing plans (because they change way too often).