If you’re familiar with the TV show THE BIGGEST LOSER, then you know who Jillian Michaels is. She’s one of the trainers on the show who possesses a brass, loud-mouthed, kick-ass, take-no-prisoners kind of attitude. She does have a sensitive side, which she does show occasionally on the show, but most of all, she gets big results from her contestants. She’s the kind of trainer you hate because she makes you work hard, but she’s also the kind of trainer you love because she knows how to transform a body.
So, in keeping with my New Year’s goals to get healthy, I hired Jillian Michael’s as my trainer. Okay, I didn’t really HIRE her, but I did buy her fitness DVD “30 Day Shred”, because I want to strenghten my core and up my cardio. I have to say, Jillian is MUCH nicer on her DVD, LOL. I’ve been doing the first level for almost two weeks, and I’ve already lost 8 lbs. (along with eating healthier, too). I try to do the tape every day. The fitness routine only takes 25 minutes, but in that time my heart is pumping, and I just about excercise every muscle in my body. Oh, and I break a pretty good sweat.
The first couple days of doing the first level of the tape, I honestly thought I was going to die. I couldn’t do it the entire 25 minutes — I ran out of breath and my muscles BURNED — but I tried to keep moving at all times to keep my heart rate up. Now, two weeks later, I’m almost able to do the entire level 1 without stopping to catch my breath. It’s such an accomplishment, and physically I feel great afterward. I’d like to be able to graduate to the second level of the tape within a month’s time, just to keep myself challenged.
If anyone is looking for a good exercise tape, I’d highly recommend this one. Especially if you’re a beginner. Now, I’m starting to check out other excercise tapes — just to give myself a variety of work-outs so I don’t get bored with Jillian.
So, do you use excercise videos? Are there any that you like to do that you can recommend?
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
Subscribe to Posts 
Comment
I was using my Wii but with my heel injury, I had to stop. I had to stop everything but swimming basically and even that got shoved to the back burner first by summer and then hubby getting sick. It’s been horrible- everytime I plan to start going back to the Y something interferes.
I’m not crazy about doing the exercise videos at home- our house is so old it shakes! I always loved the Richard Simmons ones tho and have some of them.
Hopefully the foot will cooperate soon and I can go back to using my Wii as something besides a Netflix viewer!!
Comment
I have a Wii — forgot about all the great excercise stuff they have! I hope your foot heals very soon!
Comment
I need to get out and exercise. Staying at home doesn’t work for me. AndI enjoy going to the gym, actually. So far anyway LOL. Yesterday I was there for 1 1/2 hours, and I felt great afterwards. That’s what works for me.
Comment
You’re doing so great at the gym, Stacy! I also have a gym membership and I go about 3-4 times a week there, too!
Comment
I had to stop running when I had a stress fracture in my right foot, and it’s been so cold, I haven’t been running. I have started back on my ellipitcal machine. I have hit 22 minutes (about the time it takes me to do 2 miles right now). I own Jillian’s 30 day shred and need to add that to my workout to get some more cardio in.
Way to go on the weight loss and eating healthier!
Comment
The ellipitcal is killer, so 22 minutes is awesome!
Comment
I bought the DVD after Janelle told me about it and I’ve done two days in a row. The first I thought … not SO bad. The second day I thought I would die. I have to admit I skipped 3 days. I like doing something in the house, I like that my 14 year old does it with me and pushes me. When she’s out of the house, I’m hard to motivate myself. Plus I hate going to the basement where it’s darn cold and lonely but I couldn’t get the DVD to have a voice upstairs. Grr. So clearly things need some tweaking here!
Comment
You’re slacking off. Looks like I’m going to have to start cracking the whip on you!
Comment
I like the 30 Day Shred. I also like Leslie Sansone’s walking DVDs. They are good video especially when the weather isn’t cooperating outside.
Comment
A walking DVD you do indoors? How does that work? Do you walk in circles? LOL.
Comment
Way to go, Janelle!
I walk everyday, or I do the Wii Fit….I prefer walking. I am a little bored with my Wii Fit, so I got a newWii Game that my friends recommended. I haven’t tried it, but I am eager to!
Comment
I was walking during the summer and fall months, but it’s been too cold and rainy this winter to walk outdoors much. But I do miss it. Walking is my favorite form of excercise.
Comment
I have been walking around the school, but that’s about it. I have never really found that I could stick to a video work out.
Comment
Any exercise is good exercise!
Comment
I do the treadmilll everyday.
Have a great day all,
Cher :freeze2:
Comment
I do the treadmill at the gym. I’m trying to build up my cardio so I can start running!
Comment
Several exercise videos reside in my home, but they are so lonely and
friendless! They haven’t seen the light of day in so many years that I’m
not sure who “stars” in them! Seriously, at my age I really am concerned
about falling and breaking a hip doing some of these vigorous exercises.
Pat Cochran
Comment
Wow, that’s awesome! Way to go, Janelle!!!
I got several exercise DVD’s for Christmas, but I’ve been feeling bad for a few weeks and haven’t done them nearly as much I’d like. One of them is “Dance Your A** Off” and I love it! I haven’t built up the stamina to get through the whole thing yet, but I also haven’t done it more than just a few days.
I’ll definitely have to check out the Shred DVD!
Comment
My next DVD will probably be a dance one. Those look like fun!
Comment
I’ve used exercise videos and I really liked Jane Fonda’s aerobic one. I had it on video cassette and haven’t found it on DVD yet. I can’t remember what it was called, but she wore a black laced leotard from foot to neck…oh my…but it was a great work out.
I’ve done belly dancing with a DVD, and other aerobic work outs and I love them!!
Valerie
in Germany
Comment
I had started the W11 but got sick back at the end of December and still have a cold; hopefully will get back to it soon!
Comment
That’s awesome Janelle! Kudos to you for sticking with it. You are a better woman than me. I need a drill sergeant in my face to keep me motivated. Wish I could help you out. Keep up the good work.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment
My doctor recommended PX90 to me. She thought Insanity would be good for my husband. I haven’t tried either yet, but that’s what she uses.
Comment
Good on you for sticking to it Janelle.
I haven’t used any workout videos – but the Jillian Michaels’ one does appeal to me. I’m definitely leaning towards a Wii when I get a game console, since I can also get the exercise/fitness things with it. I figure that way I have no excuses not to exercise.
Comment
i want to win i like fitness dvds