Embarking on a new journey of “LETS GET IN SHAPE”
Have you ever bought anything as a result of an infomercial you saw on TV?
I’m usually not one to fall for subtle marketing tactics aimed at the subconscious level, but when I saw the infomercial for Core Rhythms, I was instantly hooked. Celebrity endorsements from the judges of my favorite dance shows? Check. Developed by two champion ballroom dancers? Check. Based on ballroom movements, designed to strengthen the core? Check. Never having to do a crunch on the floor again? GOOD LORD, SIGN ME UP!
Don’t get me wrong—running and dancing are excellent workouts. But because they target more of my leg, thigh, back and shoulders, I haven’t really gotten to the point where my core has been severely challenged on a regular basis; and unfortunately, it’s my stomach/abs that need the most work. For swimsuit season, obviously. Because, you know, I love the water SO MUCH.
Along with doing target exercises, I’m adding the following things to my daily routine:
- PRACTICING SELF DENIAL - No more eating fast until I’m way too full. No more tubs of Rolo ice cream while I watch Dancing with the Stars. No more eating things just because they’re there. No more putting things in my mouth because I’m “bored”. It’s crunch time. Literally.
- The XANGO WEIGHT LOSS COCKTAIL - Made up of 2 oz XanGo, 2 oz Kiefer, 1 tbsp Coconut oil and 1 tbsp Olive oil, this surprisingly good tasting cocktail is supposed to rev up the metabolism, aiding in weight loss. I was skeptical at first, but after hearing all sorts of success stories from people I actually know, I’ve decided to add it to my “LETS GET IN SHAPE” mission.
Because I’m all about results, I’ve decided to take before and after photos and measurements so I can effectively track my progress. I’m giving myself until the end of June—if see noticeable results, I will actually post these before and after photos and measurements as a real-life, no bullshit testimonial to eating right and doing exercises that target my “problem” areas.
How do you keep in shape? Do you watch what you eat, hit the gym, or do a combination of things? Are there any particular exercises you’ve done (Pilates, yoga, etc.) that have delivered results for you?
I’m a runner, so I train as one, in addition to cross-training, strength work, and core work. I’m injured currently so the running is a no-no temporarily xD
Please keep us posted about the types of exercises you will be doing! I’m especially interested in what the videos suggest for your core workout. I do planks, cherry-pickers, etc. for mine. Drink lots of fluid too - that’s one of the first things you can do to slim your tummy in order for the abs to poke out more. Good luck!
May 13th, 2008 at 5:41 amI am SO SO out of shape right now. :( Usually I keep fit by walking around my neighbourhood everyday and doing pilates and dance warm-ups and exercises. Then my metabolism takes over the rest. However, NOW I am not doing any of those things, other than stretching, and my metabolism has crapped out, resulting in me looking like… well, kind of like Britney Spears, when she put on her weight, except I don’t go around in fishnet, etc. (Well… not much. XD) I really really need to get back on the waggon!
May 13th, 2008 at 5:10 pmI’m so out of shape this semester and gaining soo much weight, it isn’t even funny. I used to run so much and go to the gym but my trips have been frequent in the fridge these days. Haha.
Usually I just like to let it all out and dance. I love to dance.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:09 amI usded to be quite thin but these days I really have gained weight. I have just started with working out a bit and watching what I eat, but because I LOVE food so much that just doesn’t work out that good for me. That’s why I am swimming twice a week for about 1 or 2 hours a time. I hope I will become a bit healthier because I definitly need it.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:08 amI actually love my stomach/abs/waist area and I was surprised to find that that’s one thing a lot of girls have problems about. I think I got it all nice from sit-ups like every night for a while.
I thought learning Salsa would be some sort of exercise. But since I’m starting from the beginning and my casual partner especially enjoys spinning me I usually end up dizzy by the end of class rather than feeling like I’ve exercised lol.
I don’t care a whole lot about keeping my shape up at the moment. I mean, I’d love to have bigger boobs and thinner thighs but I feel that I’m skinny enough in general so I still eat junk food like crazy. If I ever feel fat (these days rarely) then I do some pilates, but I can’t usually find the time/determination to keep it up for more than two weeks at a time. x_x
May 15th, 2008 at 3:33 pmI’ve tried numerous things. I prefer to work out outside so the gym and working out in my house don’t do it for me. The only two things I’ve stuck with are: Jumping Rope & Running. Before finals, I saw results. During finals, I didn’t exercise much because I was studying 10+ hours a day. Now I’m back in my routine and hope I can see more results.
May 17th, 2008 at 6:43 amBeing that I sit all day long, I drink a Slim Fast for breakfast & lunch. In between those I’ll snack on fruits and drink water. Then once I get home, I eat whatever I want. I go to the gym at least 3 times a week as well. I’ve lost 20 pounds so far by doing that (minus the gym part).
May 18th, 2008 at 9:54 amI love walking! At work they’ve started this get fit program that I’ve decided to participate in, so that’s been a big motivator for me to keep active. Also, I walk my dog usually twice a day, so that’s helpful, too.
I also adore aerobics. I took an aerobics class in high school and was hooked instantly.
These activities don’t sculpt the core area though, so I must do the crunches on the floor. I don’t mind them so much. I hope that fitness video works out - you have to let us know in due time!
May 18th, 2008 at 10:44 pmHey Chanel,
Swimsuit season IS practically here..and I’m in the same boat as you are. Gotta tone up for summer!! In 14 days I lost 11 lbs and 3+ inches around my waist (as well as various amounts in other places) and since then 2 weeks have gone by and I’m still losing weight!! What I did is probably one of the more effective ways of losing weight fast and healthy. It’s called the Master Cleanse…maybe you’ve heard of it? Anyways, it sounds really weird when you read about it and you may wonder “how does that work?” or “how do you survive?” but surprisingly it’s really awesome and you feel great and have a lot of energy.
Anyway, here’s a couple links to check out and read more on it:
http://therawfoodsite.com/mastercleanse.htm
http://therawfoodsite.com/weight_loss_secrets.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_cleanse
This is something to give you a really FAST and easy base (ie. lose a bunch of fat first and then work on toning up with working out and stuff…makes it easier so that you don’t have to work off the fat FIRST and THEN tone up).
If you want more info, I have this email I sent to a friend through Facebook who wanted to do the cleanse and I could forward it to you. Just send me a message on Facebook or MSN =)
In any event, whatever methods you choose to lose weight and do more exercise, just make sure that you are doing safe and healthy things that are beneficial to the body. Good luck!!
May 19th, 2008 at 12:37 pmI will guilitily admit to… Garcinia Cambogia.
Apart from running, its the only other thing that’s worked for me.
The Master Cleanse worked for me as well, but I can’t eat a lot of anything seasoned with cayenne pepper anymore though…
Good luck, by the way! Swimsuit season isn’t too far off!
May 20th, 2008 at 4:42 pmWow I watched some of the Core Rhythms videos and tried it out, what a rad workout! Good buy.
I’m starting to try to tone up for bikini season too. I also cut a ton of crap out of my diet, including but not limited to: all meats and fish, pop, caffeine, fruit juices with added sugar, white breads, and I’m working on eliminating dairy (so far I just don’t eat milk or cheese unless it’s being used in cooking/baking. I already avoid eggs because of a food allergy).
I should dust off my bike and start riding that again in the evenings … I got really fit in summer 2006 by doing that for 45 minutes each evening.
Reply: You’ve made some excellent choices! I used to go biking all the time awhile back, but for some reason I just stopped doing it altogether. It’s lovely on a summer evening, though. :)
May 20th, 2008 at 10:10 pmWell, as a fitness instructor I must tell you that the only way to slim down the core, is first, getting rid of the fat, second, toning.
No sit-ups will get you there unless you get rid of the fat. Why? Cause the fat is over the muscles, so no matter how fit and toned your muscles are, the fat is still hiding them.
I recommend Pilates. It’s, in my opinion, one of the most if not the best ways to strengthen your core area. You work with static strength rather than dynamic (what you do when you do sit-ups). A good idea though, it’s to combine both toning by different sit-ups variations and pilates.
Anyway, you have to add resistance training to the formula cause otherwise the fat will still hide the abdominal muscles.
When it comes about pilates, you have to do it right. Put your heart, mind and body into it, otherwise it’s only bullshit. I see so many in my class that no matter how many times I tell them to sit straight while doing the exercises, and tense up their tummies, they don’t. If you don’t watch out for the right techniques, it won’t do nothing for you.
What I’d do if I were you:
-Cardio/resistance training of more than 45′ each time two times a week.
-Pilates one/two times a week
-Toning: you can do for instance 20 sit-ups, 15 diagonal sit-ups and 15 cycle/scissors sit-ups every night. It doesn’t take more than 15 minutes!
-Watch out not to eat food high in bad fats. Fish and all kinds of nuts are ok (as long as you’re not allergic), but be careful with junk food, butter, cookies, cheese and ice cream. It’s not bad to eat them once in a while, but you have to restrain yourself from eating them often.
GOOD LUCK. If you ever need advice or whatever, you can mail me.
Reply: Oh wow, thanks for the advice! I will definitely take this all into consideration. Thankfully, I don’t really have *too* much of an issue with bad fats… I don’t eat butter, I can definitely stay away from ice cream and I don’t really eat stuff like chips. My issue is more with carbs like bread (whole wheat), pasta, potatoes, and brown rice. I’m always eating one of them at every meal (combined with veggies, veggie meat, salad, etc.) and when I don’t eat them, I feel like I’m constantly hungry. It’s a bad feeling considering that I get very bitchy when I’m hungry. :P
May 28th, 2008 at 1:40 am