Exercise Ideas...

So, we had another DELICIOUS Grilled Chicken Club Salad for dinner last night.  But since it looked EXACTLY the same as those pictures, I figured my post today could be about something else healthy: Exercise!  I know I've talked about a few DVD's before, but I thought I'd share a few more that I like.  Now I'm certainly not going to EVER claim to be "Miss Fitness 2010," but I thought I'd give you an idea of what I do on a weekly basis.  The key to having DVDs around, is that I NEVER have an excuse NOT to work out.  It could be 10,000 degrees or snow on the ground or not feel motivated enough to get to the gym, but I still can get a workout in, no matter what.

I can't start this post by NOT including the Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds" DVDs.  I know these may seem a little "older" (for lack of a better word), but all I can say is:  They work.  These were what I first started using when I began my weight loss "journey" and I still do them to this day.  I just could never ignore the fact that in a half hour, in the time I could be sitting on the couch and watching a TV show or fighting with myself about starting a workout, I could be done and with 2 miles notched in my belt....

I still, to this day, do the 3 mile walk EVERY SINGLE Monday morning (not gonna lie, it sometimes is VERY hard to get out of bed for this, but Monday is the day I feel like it's MOST needed;), and the 2 mile version every Thursday morning before my "weigh in" (A "last chance" workout, if you will:)  There is also a section where you walk with weights in most of the videos and I've noticed a huge difference now that I use 8 pound weights with these workouts!  But 2 or 3 pounds are GREAT if your first starting out.  (and I still can't see how "Biggest Loser" contestants lift with 10's & 20's!! :)  I barely survive with my 8's!! :) hahahahahahaha....

And speaking of "Biggest Loser", I know I've spoken of my love for Bob Harper's Yoga DVD before, but I can't NOT mention the awesomeness that is this DVD again! :)  I have gained physical strength from this that I NEVER thought possible from yoga.  LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEE it!  I do this DVD once a week....

This is also a great DVD that you can break up into sections, which sometimes, is a LOT easier to tackle (mentally) than the whole DVD at once.  There are 3 sections:  20 minutes of normal yoga, 15 minutes of ab/core & 10 minutes of weights & strength.  You can mix and match any of these for a great workout!  This morning I only had about 40 minutes to spare, so I did the 20 yoga + the 10 weights with the warm up and cool down.  My point being: DO WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, WHENEVER YOU CAN!  ANYTHING is better than NOTHING!! :) :) :) 

Another great quick DVD is this...

I usually save this one for Fridays, and depending on how soon I want to roll out of bed:  There is a 20 minute "light" sculpt, 15 minute intermediate & 10 minute advanced.  Normally, I wait until the last second to get up and end up having to do the 10 minute advanced...which I regret about 2 minutes in:) hahahahahahha....but it's a GREAT way to get a QUICK AND EFFECTIVE workout in!

Another old favorite of mine is the Winsor Pilates series.... 

I ADORE pilates and have been doing it for about 5 years now.  I go to a GREAT class at the gym once a week (every Monday after work...another Monday doozy;), but it's completely addicting.  The "Accelerated Body Sculpting" is easy to break up throughout the day (20 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes after work) and Mari Winsor also does a great 20 minute DVD with an 'exercise circle' that I love!  I try to do at least one of her videos once a week.

Anddd...here are a few of the various ones that I'll throw in during the week along with my walks/yoga/pilates: 

Love, love, lovvvvvvvvvvvvve the New York City Ballet Workout!  This takes me back to my dancing school days and I can pretend I'm as willowy and elegant as the beautiful NY City ballerinas;) hahahahaha....I figure, if there's any one's body that I'd like to replicate: It's theirs!! :)

Keeping with the "ballet" theme...this is a fun Yoga DVD that I'll do from time to time.  These 2 ladies are a little 'coock-a-doodle-doo,' but it's lighthearted while still being a "tougher" yoga workout:)

Andd...I can't believe I'm posting this, knowing full-well that some of my co-workers read this site...butttttttttt...can't lie!  This is a great workout!! :)  NOTE: This is NOT the DVD with "routines" per say;)...but it's to get you in shape FOR routines...if that's the "path" you so choose;)  hahahahhahaa......and that's all I shall say about THAT:)

So, there ya go...there are a few quick & effective DVDs that you can do in the privacy of your home with whatever free time you have available to get them done.  I use them almost everyday and try to squeeze in as many 'lunch walks', jogs & gym classes as I can.  Again, I repeat: ANY exercise is better than none!  Don't bog yourself down thinking you need to do a 2 hour workout everyday.  Ya know what?  99% of the time, you won't do it.  And then won't that super effective 20 minute workout look better the the 2 hour planned one that you never got around to??  YES! :) 

Another tidbit for you:  Don't ever OVERthink any exercise.  You SERIOUSLY can do anything for 10-20 minutes, you just gotta stick to it and you'll ALWAYS feel better on the other end of a workout!  You will NEVER regret exercising, the only thing you'll regret is NOT getting it done...SO JUST DO IT! :)  hahahahahhaaha...

OK!!!  Enough ranting & preaching!  Have a good Tuesday!! :)