Bonus Review -- Core Speed



 I apologize for the quality of the pic, I took it at 5:30 am, even the phone was half asleep ;)

So if you get your Focus T25 Workout DVD's trough a Beachbody Coach, you will get a Bonus Workout, called Core Speed. As may remember from previous post, I am currently struggling with Ab intervals, so Today I decided to give this one a try, instead of getting frustrated with a workout that I don't feel it's working me out.

Anyway, this one is set up "cross fit like", no don't run, what I mean is he gives u a set of moves, and you will repeat the same ones during the whole workout, there are "levels" but the same moves, just the speed and the length of time you are performing them changes. Most of the work is done in vertical position, which is a big plus for me, since I'm too big to be planking for long, except for the Burpees there is no floor work. Also the speed is amped up a little, compared to the speed in the Alpha series, so that was a good chance of pace. I just finished it and I am already feeling sore. Most moves are combo of upper and lower body, like punches and squats, jumps, speed knee etc. etc.

I really like it and  hope to incorporate it in my future workouts!

If you want to join me in my journey, need help, motivation or simply someone to keep you accountable, contact me, join me in my facebook page, Follow me on Twitter and Instagram (@salba3716)!


Thrilledmomof2

Focust T25 - Lower Focus

And Last but not Least! Drum Roll.... Lower Focus!

Again, appropriately named, this one is so baaad that is gooooooooood, will work that lower body like a mutha! You go thru a series of lunges, squats, lunges and squats , squalunges... you get the point. I really like this one, It gets  you pouring sweat from your head while working your legs!
I like the pace of the workout, and the speed of the changes in them, you never get bored of one move, but you are there long enough to feel the BURN.

This one is gonna have you begging for mercy and at the same time asking for more! Be sure to follow Shaun's instructions as to how to do a proper squat and lunge, in order to protect your knees. Like all the other workouts, there is the modifier in case you need her and it's also 25 minutes top to bottom. Overall this is my favorite of the series so far, at the time of this post I am going into week 5, the final week of the Alpha phase, so  in the next few weeks I will be reviewing the workouts in the second phase, Beta.

You can get this and other awesome workouts here, also you can contact me for questions, to my email, follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (@salba3716)


Thrilledmomof2

Focus T25 Ab Intervals

Well, Here we are, the 4th workout of the series, I will be brutally honest about this workout. I HATE IT. It's hell, for me, It's a lot of plank work, floor work, that obviously work your core including the abs. I am extremely heavy and these exercises are extremely difficult for me. I know this just mean this is the area I should be paying more attention, but it is a chore for me, I am hoping that as I get lighter I will be able to do more, and more.

Obviously is a very good workout, it does as it promises, workouts out your ab muscles good! and also in intervals. You might love it, but I personally DO NOT.... YET ;)

If you have any questions, or want to contact me, you can shoot me an email, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (@salba3716)


Thrilledmomof2

Focus T25 - Total. Body. Circuit.

Ok! Here we are getting in to the nitty gritty of the program! If you paid close attention, you see that the tittle  has a period after every word of the tittle, that was for added Dramatic effect! This workout is NO JOKE, when they named it Total Body Circuit, or TBC for short, they were not kidding. This will work you top to bottom, there are sprints, push ups, plank holding, lunges, squats, tons of jumping of course, none stop for 25 minutes, That to me go by pretty slow! (think of 1 minute under water sort of effect)  It will work your whole body in a circuit fashion, meaning you move from body part to body part, and also your heart rate will be going up and down. Overall is one of my favorites, although I personally believe I have a lot of room for improvement, I like the challenge.

I am sure this will be one of your favorites, will give you a big bang for your 25 minutes bucks!

For questions, or to contact me, feel free to email, follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

Thrilledmomof2

Focus T25 - Speed 1.0 - The Review

Hello Again!

We are continuing with our series of reviews of the workouts included in the Focus T25 workout program. Next in our list is Speed 1.0, that is the second workout you encounter in the first week. This one is different from Cardio, It's mainly speed exercises and Stretch, so you get a good "rest" in between the speed drills. I liked this one quite a lot, well because I am in the shape of round :p and  stopping and stretching is a good thing in my books. Don't get me wrong, you will sweat your butt off, but it's a welcomed change of pace from some of the others that I will review later on.

This particular Workout comes in the same CD as Total Body Circuit, but it's the same length as all the others, again, no warm up, there is a cool down but it's extra after the 25 minutes, I assume it is recommended but optional. Notice I don't speak about the music, there is music and  several choices as to how you want to play it, but I don't think it's a mayor factor here, I prefer to hear Shaun T's instructions.

Overall, this one is one of my favorites of the first phase, Shaun T doesn't  disappoint, yet manages to bring innovation  and creativity to the workout, without losing it's ShaunT- ness.

If you have any questions, you can always email me, also find me on my facebook page, twitter and instagram (@salba3716)!


Thrilledmomof2

Turbo Fire Makes Me Feel Like I'm On Fire......On Fiyah!

TurboFire is my absolute FAVORITE of the Beachbody workouts.  If I was to recommend just one workout, this would be it.  What is so great and wonderful about TurboFire you ask?  Well Thrilledmomof2 was hoping I'd keep this entry short but I could go on and on about the greatness of TF.
First off, it's a Chalene Johnson program.  As I've previously mentioned, she is my favorite of the trainers.  She's so motivating throughout all of these workouts, I really seem to connect well with her. 2nd of all, another big one for me, Variety! TF is filled with so many options.  It has a 5 day inferno plan (which I believe I lost 4 lbs on or so? I just know it worked) that you can choose to do before starting the actual program. It also has a 9 week prep for those that may feel they aren't quite ready to start the actual program.  Then the basic program is 12 weeks.  However one has the option (which I STRONGLY recommend) of buying advanced turbofire workouts.  This can add 8 more weeks on, making your program 20.  Also the advanced package comes with a hybrid calendar of TurboFire and Chalean Extreme for another 20 week program.  Thrilledmomof2 and I did the inferno plan, followed by 40 weeks of TF and TF/CE.  40 weeks later we were still wanting more Fire!!!!
Music was absolutely AMAZING. Songs were catchy, always stuck in my head and I love to randomly belt them out even now :) Chalene did a wonderful job.  Moves were fun, it's basically cardio kickboxing in rhythm to the music. Workouts were different lengths ranging from 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 55, 60 minutes, all seemed to fly by.  The program is as intense as you make it.  HIIT training is a big part of the program where you go really hard for about a minute, then a minute rest, then go again really hard, then rest.  You just keep pushing as hard as you can (which some days were easier than others).  Another awesome thing is Alee, who shows you how to modify in every workout.  If you can't jump, or whatever, follow Alee.  Just do your very best no matter what level you are. Along w/ the cardio, there are sculpting, toning, stretch, and ab workouts.  A nice 10 minute stretch program or a 40 min one.  The 40 min one is half yoga, half stretch. Her sculpting and toning workouts are no joke. Done w/ a band that looks sweet and innocent but I will promise you that is not the case.  40 weeks I lost 15 lbs (which is fantastic for me) and 31.5 inches. We were sad to finish this program, we were excited to press play every day on this one.
As I said before, I could go on and on about this program but to cut thrilledmomof2 a little slack I'll end with this.  I LOVE Turbofire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Enoug' Said :)

Is Shakeology Worth the money?

Some of u might have heard of Shakeology, some of you may have NO idea what I'm talking about. Let's start by establishing what it is exactly. Shakeology is a "patent-pending daily nutritional shake helps your body gently eliminate toxins more efficiently while allowing for better absorption of the essential nutrients you need. A proprietary blend of digestive enzymes and prebiotics helps your body progressively eliminate the toxins that build up over time from eating today's highly processed foods.

At the same time, whole-food ingredients deliver the essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals your body needs to curb cravings, allowing your body to shed stored fat while the more than 20 different antioxidants and phytonutrients help reduce free radical damage that can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and stroke*".

Shakeology also has over 70 ingredients gathered from all over the world.

"More than 70 different ingredients were chosen from around the world for their potency and bioavailability (the ability to deliver the nutrients your body needs). Here are the key nutrient groups that these ingredients deliver:*

• Protein and Essential Amino Acids to help build long, lean muscles and reduce food cravings
• Prebiotics and Digestive Enzymes, which aid in improving digestion, regularity, and nutrient absorption
• Antioxidants and Phytonutrients to help counteract free radical damage that can lead to degenerative diseases
• Vitamins and Minerals your body needs to function for
  optimal health*"

So what do you do with Shakeology? Well u can have it as a snack or as a meal replacement, personally I have it for dinner mostly every night, because lunch is the biggest meal of the day, so my dinner is usually ligther.

This all sounds wonderful until you get down to the cost, I'm not going to lie, it's expensive, even if you try to rationalize it by saying it's 4 dlls a meal, which for someone that has coffees from a Coffee House or eats out often, it's not a big deal, but for someone like me, that  stays home with the kids, I rarely spend 4 dlls in a meal for myself. So why do I buy Shakeology then? Well because it's awesome! I had been working out with beachbody for over a year before I decided to try it, because the cost was outrageous to me, and I get it cheaper since I'm a coach, but still my workout buddy "shortteacher" had tried it before and hated it, however she was giving it a second chance and I had come across some extra cash so I took the plunge.  Most people worry about the taste, I don't really as I'm not a picky eater and u can add whatever u want to make shakeology more pleaseant to your tastes buds if you don't like the way it tastes, takes a little getting use to, but the taste is good seems to be the general consensus.  Another thing that I was worried about was the "cleansing" aspect of it (if u know what I mean hehehehehehe) But I wasn't so dirty inside apparently, my frecuency did increased for like 4 days the first week but after that I went back to normal. After the second week was when I started seeing the Shakeology benefit that made it all worth it for me... the cravings just STOPPED! I wasn't munching all day or antsy or wating or looking at the clock to see when was it time to eat my next meal, I ate what I had to eat and that was that, not thinking about it all day no struggle... ohhhhhhhh freeeeeeeeedom!!! Another benefit, at the end of that month, when I started to do my grocery shopping list I was amazed how much stuff I still had left, just cause I didn't eat it!!!!


So to summarize,  Shakeology is not cheap, I am a coach, I'm aware of this, it's not a necessity, u can lose weight without it, but it's sure nice to have and fills in whatever holes u may have nutritionally. Another  thing is that only comes in 2 flavors, this fall they are releasing a 3rd one, I've only tried Chocolate buy I've heard "mixed" reviews on the Greenberry flavor, so I don't think I will try that one any time soon. For me it's worth it just because it cuts cravings, making it a lot easier for me to manage my calorie intake.

Shakeology has been featured in a 8 page article on O Magazine, as a "super food", and just today I came across a CNN video featuring one of the ingredients in Shakeology as a libido booster ( I can tell you from personal experience... it works lol)

If you would like to try it and are not sure, keep in mind that there is a 30 day bottom of the bag guarantee, and if your choose HD (home delivery) you get free shipping and the workout DVD's at no extra cost. The HD can be cancelled with a quick phone call or email with no hassle.

(*Taken from http://myshakeology.com/esuite/home/thrilledmomof2  )

Thrilledmomof2