Be Unstoppable!

I was so unbelievably stoked when Beachbody released this program. I've never been much of a yogi...I'm more of a high impact, plyometrics kind of girl.  But when this program came out I knew I needed to try it!

PiYo is a cross between Yoga and Pilates...like if pilates and yoga had a baby it would be PiYo! The idea is that it combines the strength and control aspects of pilates with the stretch and flexibility of yoga. The whole tagline is "No Weights, No Jumps, Just Hardcore Results!"

Low Impact, and High Intensity Results! I feel like you can't beat that when you're one of those people that can't do high impact workouts!

 This 60 day program met a lot of my hopes and shocked me with how intense of a workout it was!

My results weren't super pronounced on a numbers basis...I lost 4 pounds, and only a couple inches total around my waist, hips, legs, & arms. BUT CHECK OUT THOSE ABS!!!! Haha. That was my favorite part!
My results weren't so pronounced in numbers, but I just felt so lean and strong when I finished this program and ever since finishing, I've been super proud and ready to show-off my abs!


For the first time, I really felt like I had ab definition! That was probably my favorite part of the program was how much core strength I got from all of the plank work and yoga poses.

But as I did for my 21 Day Fix Review...I will tell you what I liked, what I didn't like etc. so you can get a big picture outlook on the program!

Dislikes:
The nutrition aspect...
After doing 21 Day Fix, I had really high hopes for the nutrition component of this program. But it was a really weird version of the 21 day fix program.  Instead of breaking things into vegetables, fruits, proteins, starches, healthy fats, and oils....they were broken into like primary vegetables and secondary vegetables which was just harder for me to rationalize and understand I guess. So I mostly used common-sense and the 21 day fix nutrition during the program.

Some of the workouts are a little longer...
The think I grew to love about the last few Beachbody programs I have done is that the workouts were a consistent amount of time! Like, for 21 day fix, they were always 30 minutes. And for Focus T25, they were always 25 minutes! The PiYo workouts are a little inconsistent in their length. Sometimes it was great because they were only 20 minutes, while other times it was a little harder to fit them into my normal schedule because they were closer to 50 minutes!

 LOVES:
Low impact + Modifications.
I mean, this might be obvious, but this workout is low-impact, which is amazing for those of us that have joint issues. My knees only gave me problems when I had gone and done another high impact workout. It was so great to me to know that I could still do PiYo even if my knees were giving me trouble because of the low-impact aspect of this program! Also, I loved that she accommodated those people that maybe new to working out or new to yoga-esque workouts with her permanent modifier, Michelle! I used Michelle's modifications sometimes anyways, because some of those moves you just have to work up to so I really liked that!

THESE WORKOUTS GET YOU SWEATING!!
Every single time I would pop in one of the workouts that was a little bit shorter, I always fooled myself into thinking that it wouldn't be a good workout. False. SO WRONG. All of these workouts were great and an absurdly good workout! Like Sculpt and Buns are deceptive because they're not very long time-wise, but my god do you sweat!! I would sweat as much if not more doing these workouts as I did doing a T25 workout with Shaun T. And Sweat and Drench?? Oh my god. These workouts are amazing! There were times that I was legitimately shocked that Chalene looks so fricken cute at the end of the workout!
Holy CORE STRENGTH!
I mentioned this above...but my core strength and my abs are probably the biggest difference I noticed following this program! I have muscle in my core that I didn't even know should be there after this program! And your shoulders will also get a lot of love too! I'm loving my abs and arm definition following this program!

Holy Crap I'm kinda flexible now!!
This might be a a kind of obvious one, and something you would expect out of a program that has anything to do with yoga, but I definitely feel so much more flexible! Every time I'd go to a down dog I'd notice my heels getting closer and closer to the floor! And for someone like me who claims that I'm only able to touch my toes because my legs are so short, this was HUGE for me!

Chalene - my FAVE!
I love this woman! I learned so much more about her after this program came out--that she's not only a fitness expert, but also an entrepreneur and self-help guru with multiple amazing podcasts and a personal development program called 30 day Push! She's such an amazing supporter to have on this journey--motivating and inspirational and positive! I truly enjoyed her as a trainer! Just the right amount of motivation, balanced with reassurance! And she's VERY funny! She definitely made me laugh my way through some of the workouts!

All in all! I loved this program! Though I don't think it has quite displaced 21 Day Fix as my favorite workout program, this program definitely filled a niche in my workout program library that needed to be filled--something low impact that's easy on my knees and will DEFINITELY get me sweating!

Basically if you...
-Have joint injuries that prevent you from doing most workouts
-Previously didn't like yoga because you "don't like standing still"
-Want something different that will strengthen your core and make the rest of your workouts easier

I highly suggest you try out PiYo! It's one of my new favorites!
I've been dying to write this review since the day I got 21 day fix! Now, two rounds later, and I'm happy to say that I'm beyond satisfied with this program and how it turned out!

I'm not saying that everything went perfectly and that it was all sunshine and roses, but the results speak for themself!

 7 pounds...1" off my waist...1" off my hips. Arm and ab definition like I've never had before!

 But, this is a review, so I will tell you what I LOVED, where I struggled, and even what I didn't like! So, here it goes!

Struggles:
Those damn yellow containers....
I really don't  know what else to say. I'm Italian. I like my pasta...and pizza...and garlic bread. And beer. Ya...the yellow containers are really hard for me! I sort of half-assed the food part of the program for the first time through, and didn't really lose a lot of weight. But, pre-challenge group, I really decided that I would fully commit to this the second time around, including the food and that made all the difference in the results. But ya, the yellow ones are definitely the hardest for me.

Also, another struggle for me was getting more creative with my veggies!  I'm very much a salad girl.  That's my favorite way to eat veggies, for sure, but what with only being allowed 1 orange per day, I struggled with how to get my veggies in, because, let's face it, I'm not about to eat a dressing-less salad! So, I had to come up with new strategies for getting my veggies in, since I had to get 3 greens in during the day!  My favorite trick became throwing a hefty handful of chopped spinach into my shakeology for breakfast in the trust me, you can't even taste the spinach once you're done!  Check out my post about green smoothies for tips and recipes ideas!  Then, I would tend to have a big kale salad for lunch. And for my last veggie, I would either have a snack of veggies and hummus (I liked cucumbers, celery or tomatoes), OR I would save up that last veggie for dinner and sautee some veggies into a veggie stir-fry or my favorite Paleo Phad Thai or get another serving of veggies at dinner in one of my many chili recipes!
morning--

 Dislikes:
These are actually very few and far between for me because I was so happy with the eating portion of this program, and the workouts definitely delivered on their promises to get me strong and toned! You definitely feel the burn!  The only thing that I maybe didn't like was the fact that there was a workout everyday for 3 weeks, but I think maybe that's part of the deal when you buy a program designed to deliver big results in 3 weeks!
The recipes are my only other complaint. The food book tells you what to eat and gives you some recipes, but I really never used them. I relied a lot on pinterest, the internet, my challenge group girls, and my coach to give me good recipe ideas.

LOVES:
-Those adorbs little containers!! Need I say more? I'm done with 21 day fix now and I still  use them all the time!
- The modifications in literally every workout! You'll probably need them! I definitely did! The side plank in, I think, Dirty 30 I had to modify up until the very last day I did that workout! Yay for progress!
-The workouts. Seriously. Ass kicking at it's finest! Especially cardio fix! That one is a killer! But don't worry, it's a good kind of ass-kicking!
-Autumn. Seriously, I'm a fan of Autumn. I have always been a big Jillian Michaels fan, and you definitely need the tough love like Jillian gives when you're making a big lifestyle change. But what I liked about Autumn is that she's like a more positive version of Jillian Michaels!  She cracks a couple jokes here and there with her workout buds in the videos and really draws you into the fun too! Plus, I love how much much she pushes them! It motivates me too!
-The Challenge group! Seriously, I wouldn't have had the successes I did without my group! That was my first challenge group, and I'd never thought I'd needed one because I always feel like if you're going to make a lifestyle change, you can't really on other people. You need to motivate yourself.  And I still believe that! But, you're going to have off days. You're going to have moments when you don't understand why you're putting yourself through it! And that's when having a team and a coach that are relying on you to commit with them is a GREAT thing!  When you get in moods like that, you remember that you have these people behind you that want you to succeed too, and they want to be motivated by you, and you eventually want to motivate them too!  That's the benefit a challenge group gives you and it is seriously invaluable!  
So, that's my 21 Day Fix review! If you're looking for a program that's simple, straight-forward, pushes you hard and tests your dedication, but delivers on it's promises in 21 days, then you should definitely try this program out!

Note: I was drinking Shakeology while on this program! Shakeology is meant to enhance your results by providing your body with the nutrition it needs to refuel and replenish after a tough workout!  If you want to know more, check out my post about Shakeology here!

Message me on Facebook or comment here if you want more information or if you want to try the program!
You guys know by now if you've read my fitness section at all that I really REALLY and Daily HIIT hasn't been updated in a while. So, I figured, why not??

I started googling and found a whole bunch of at-home no equipment crossfit WODs (workout of the day = WOD).  The most that any of these requires is a kettleball, which is pretty easy to find or can be easily replaced by a free weight in your hand. So, tonight, I'm embarking on a new fitness promise.

I'm going to work out 4-5x a week. Six proved to be a little ambition last semester, especially toward the end of the semester.
I'm going to run at least 2x a week, and I can subsitute in soccer for one of those 2x since I'm starting on an indoor team next week.
I'm going to CrossFit, with these at - home WODs at least 2x a week!

So far so good this week.
I did that insanity cardio that I posted previously yesterday! - Check 1 day

And today I did a CrossFit WOD - 10 reps of 10 air squats, 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, and 10 dips! - Check 2 days! I even timed myself - 18:23 min.  Not bad! Not great, but not bad!

Here are some of the websites I found for at-home crossfit WODs!

http://raincityathletics.ca/noequipmentwods/
http://www.daimanuel.com/2011/07/25/no-equipment-no-problem-92-crossfit-workouts-without-equipment/
http://www.treehugger.com/health/10-crossfit-wods-try-home-over-holidays-no-equipment-needed.html
http://www.crossfitsteelecreek.com/about/the-workouts/100-travel-workouts/
http://mommacrossfitter.blogspot.com/2013/05/30-day-at-home-crossfit-challenge.html

Enjoy!!

I have to post about this, because frankly this is workout gold! The 30 Day Real Time BodyRock Challenge.  This is why I love body rock! They're providing a real-time 30 day workout program, led by their lead trainer, for free!! I just finished Day 1, and I'm dying! My arm muscles are shaking - it's a really kick ass workout!

What do you have to lose??

Check this out! I totally suggest it! The workouts are great, and she keeps you really motivated all the way through the 40 minute workout. That is the one caveat of this - body rock workouts are usually short and sweet and this is a bit longer, but if you just look at the reviews by the other users on their website, they're finding the program to be great!

I love that body rock does this! This is a free service, and these videos are no joke! It's phenomenal! I love this, and I'm planning on posting my before and after pics after I complete the 30 day challenge! Who wants to join me??


My far the most common excuse that myself and so many others use for not working out is, "oh, well I just don't have the time."

This could not be more false!

Working out does not need to take hours at the gym. Frankly, it doesn't even need to take 1 hr!  Ask all those Crossfit-ers out there. I know I talk about CrossFit alot, but just looking at the bodies of CrossFit athletes demonstrates that it works!  The premise of CrossFit, as described by crossfit.com, is defined below:

CrossFit Camille Leblanc-Bazinet - I really wanna try crossfit!!!!CrossFit itself is defined as that which optimizes fitness (constantly varied functional movements performed at relatively high intensity). CrossFit is also the community that spontaneously arises when people do these workouts together. In fact, the communal aspect of CrossFit is a key component of why it’s so effective.

I was actually a bit surprised by the "relatively high intensity" portion of this definition.  CrossFit is ridiculously high intensity!! Have you youtubed these people? They are insane and they push themselves so hard! But that's what is so great about the workout is that it is exceptionally high intensity, but for very short periods of time! I'm pretty sure that most CrossFit WODs (workouts of the day) take like 20 minutes or less! So, basically, you don't have an excuse! Wake up 20 minutes earlier and go hard for 20 minutes.  Before you sit down for dinner after a long day, throw on some baggy clothes and bust your butt for 20 minutes.  That's it! Then you're done! It's that easy - go hard for <30 min. and you're done for the day.  

Now - we can't all CrossFit.  I've mentioned before - CrossFit is expensive! I've looked into it a couple times, and I don't think I've seen a CrossFit Box (gym) membership that is <$100 per month.  Now, I cannot afford this! Many of us can't afford this!  But, I have great news! I've found, what I think to be the next best thing
Ladies and gentlemen - The Daily HIIT!!

CrossFit rope climb - how badass would this make you feel?
What's the Daily HIIT? The Daily HIIT is a free, let me say that again, FREE fitness blog that derived from bodyrock.tv.  Daily, HIIT trainers post new varied workouts that are based on the HIIT philosophy. This philosophy is based around the concept of high intensity interval training (hiit).  You do tough workouts in the form of circuits, repeat the circuits the suggested number of times, and then that's it. And by the time you'r done, you're dog tired but feeling fantastic.  

The Daily HIIT website describes themselves as follows:

"TheDailyHiit is about living it, and anyone serious about fitness knows that living an active life means eating healthy, delicious foods and keeping your mind and body balanced. TheDailyHiit is your 24 hour fitness pal, offering daily high-intensity interval training exercises to help you reach your fitness goals. In our community we support each other as we train by sharing ideas, recipes and motivational tips that keep us on track. Fitness is a journey and each of our lives are comprised of stories that chart the ups and downs of our individual quests to reach our goals. By sharing we empower others by example - real people, doing real exercises - facing the issues that life throws at us and working through them a day at a time."

Trainer  LISA = ripped! Very fun to workout with too!
See any similarities to CrossFit?  High intensity, short workouts, and a community feel! They have an app and people post pictures of their progress, recipes, how they workout, and the other members (or bodyrockers, as they like to call themselves) cheer them on! I posted my first pick of how sweaty I was after my first workout, and so many people commented welcoming me to DailyHIIT and to keep up the good work.  When I injured my knee recently, I posted asking for input on what workouts I should try that would still kick my butt, but weren't lower body or plyometrics (jump-training) heavy, and I got so many responses and tips from people that I didn't even know.  It was so great!  It's a support community, just like CrossFit. The workouts are great, challenging, and diverse, so there's something for everyone, and they're short!!  All my grad student friends out there, is there anything better than a short workout that fits neatly into your already crazy day??

Sean
Trainer SEAN - He gets down to business
Daily HIIT is my savior! It is so great for people that want to get in a kick ass workout, but don't really have the time to spend an hr or so at the gym or the money to join a gym period.  The trainers are great, and they all kind of have they're own style. They're also of all shapes and sizes.  Lisa is a little thing, but damn I wouldn't want to mess with her. She's ripped. She's a fitness model, and she works her tail off in her videos. I really enjoy her videos! She's chatty and very entertaining!  Sean is good too - I like his arm workouts. He's much more get down to business, if you like a little less talking by your trainer.  They also have a new girl who is a bodyrock alum, who just started posting videos.  Her name's Melissa, and I really like her! She's hardcore, down to business, and kind of reminds me of Jillian Michaels. She's in incredible shape and is by no means a twig! The girl is super strong, without being super skinny, and is just so aspirational! I really enjoy her!

Daily HIIT videos are great, though there are some drawbacks. They use a bit of equipment, which they sell online, but they are very pricey. I'm really not too eager to shell out almost $200 for a T-bar, as useful as it would've been.  But, the great thing is, they understand that most everyone won't have the equipment. So, they have breakdown videos or images where they introduce modifications that you can use to do the exercises without the equipment. Trust me - the workout will still quick your butt without them. Or, you can do what I do, and you can get an array of free weights. I will often sub my free weights in for pretty much anything where they use the Yugi ball or the T-bar.  You'll have to improvise a little bit on occasion, but it's all good! You'll still get a great workout in, no matter what! Promise!

http://www.TheDailyHiit.com
Picture breakdowns or a full video breakdown for each move.
I highly suggest you check out Daily HIIT at http://www.dailyhiit.com/! It's so great for everyone. If you're looking for a quick, kick ass at home workout, looking for a workout to do at the gym, a seasoned, elite athlete, a former athlete, or completely new at all of this, give it a try! Please! The support community is great, and they'll totally get you through it! You just gotta be willing and ready to log in every day and do the work!

That's it for now, guys! Let me know if you have any questions about DailyHIIT. As always, we're all in this together!

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