Tag: challenge group

Working Out Week 4 of 2014

January 25, 2014 kimberlee 8 Comments

The end of this week marks the 4th week of 2014 and the 3rd week of doing the P90X3 challenge with my facebook group. The exercises this week were the same schedule as the past two weeks. You can read my post on Week 1 of P90X3 here to see the complete schedule for weeks 1 – 3.

My favorite workouts from the first three weeks were CVX and Isometrix. I love how CVX uses a light dumbbell throughout most of the 30 minute workout. It is a great combination of cardio and weight training. My shy cat decided to get in one of the photos for this workout – see if you can find her below…

Below in the photo I was getting ready to start CVX – listening to the beginning instructions and here is my cat doing his downdog pose. I thought that was funny.

Isometrix is unlike any type of yoga I have ever done. In this workout you have to hold the poses for about 45 seconds each. The downdog with one hand on your ankle is one of the hardest for me to hold that long as well as standing on one foot with your eyes closed and other foot raised up two or three inches off the floor. It is harder than it sounds – try it. The day I did this workout it was cold that morning and I was freezing when I woke up so I dressed in my fleece pants to keep warm. I may not look very fashionable but I was warm. My black cat decided to participate and get in these photos. He is quite the workout cat.

I have started reading a new book – along with about 2 other books I am reading (I read a lot) called Success Principles. In the book I found this great quote and wanted to share it:

I have written this down and posted it on the wall behind my computer. I think this is a great reminder that there are certain things we can not change in life and that we have no control over but I believe that our health and fitness is something that each and every one of us can choose to control and take responsibility for.

Overall I am still really enjoying P90X3 and my fun challenge group. Next week is called the “Transition” week and the schedule changes some. We are going to be doing some of the same workouts along with two or three new ones. I will update the end of next week on that schedule.

I am not affiliated with this workout program. I am just participating with a group and like to share my workouts and hope to inspire others to exercise.

Have a great weekend!

Kimberlee

Categories: Exercise

Tags: challenge group, exercise, fitness, working out, Workout program

Workout – Week 2 of Focus T-25 Challenge

August 10, 2013 kimberlee

My second week of the ten week Focus T-25 challenge group has been completed. I am feeling very energized and confident at the end of this week. I even did the bonus workout today, Saturday, the Core Speed dvd. That workout is fast paced and has you sweating a lot in 25 minutes.

The workouts this week were: -Cardio, -Total Body Circuit, -Speed 1.0, -Cardio again, and double day on Friday -Lower Focus and -Ab Intervals. I then chose to do the Core Speed bonus dvd today, Saturday.

T-25 week 2 of challenge group - Keep Calm and Exercise — T-25 week 2 of challenge group – Keep Calm and Exercise

This is week 2 of my challenge group but actually my 5th completed week of the program. I started over for this challenge group. I am really liking these 25 minute workouts and the results I am seeing from them. I am not trying to lose weight as I was already pretty fit due to my daily workout regimen but I can tell my clothes are getting a little loose and my core is really getting tighter.

The most challenging workout is the alpha round – which you do for the first 5 weeks, then go to 5 weeks of beta – is the Total Body Circuit for me. That one has me sweating a ton. There are quite a few push ups in that particular workout. I am able to get through at least 1/2 to 2/3 of them on my toes but have to do the rest on my knees. It is tough!

Also included in this workout program is an eating plan with recipes. I forgot to mention that in my week 1 post. I am personally not following that part of the program as I feel I already have a pretty healthy diet. Also, with 3 kids it is hard to cook something different every night for yourself. I find it easier to make us one big healthy meal.

One thing I am doing with this program is having a protein shake, or smoothie, every morning for breakfast instead of eating. I have also been trying to add some greens to my smoothies like kale or spinach. This way I figure I am getting at least 1 or 2 fruits and 1 vegetable serving at the start of the day. I also think this helps to influence me to eat better the rest of the day. A new protein smoothie I created this week has a raw beet in it. It it very refreshing and gives you energy. See the recipe in the photo below:

Beet & Berry Smoothie - made with a raw beet, spinach, frozen berries, frozen cherries, protein powder, chia seeds and cranberry juice — Beet & Berry Smoothie – made with a raw beet, spinach, frozen berries, frozen cherries, protein powder, chia seeds and cranberry juice

Well, tomorrow is the Stretch dvd day for the program. It is a great 25 minute total body stretch that feels great after all the hard workouts. Monday will start week 3 of the challenge group for me. I’ll update you at the end of next week on how that goes.

I hope you enjoyed this update. Please subscribe to my blog via bloglovin, email or RSS feed by clicking one of the icons in the sidebar to receive future updates. I hope you have a great weekend!

My faithful morning exercise partner - all wore out after week 2 of T-25 — My faithful morning exercise partner – all wore out after week 2 of T-25

Categories: Exercise Health Recipes

Tags: challenge group, Focus T-25, T-25, T-25 challenge group, Workout program

Workout – Focus T-25 Week 1

August 3, 2013 kimberlee 11 Comments

This past Monday was the beginning of the T-25 workout challenge group I joined. I am proud to say I “nailed” week 1 and have completed the first week of the 10 week program.

I have actually had Focus T-25 for 4 weeks and started using it 4 weeks ago. I was on week 4 but started over on week 1 for the challenge group.

This workout is great! I am loving the results I am seeing from it and the fact that it is only 25 minutes long and you work hard the whole time and sweat a lot! At the end of the 25 minutes there is always a 2 to 3 minute cool down stretch segment with Shaun T. The 25 minute workout is perfect for those who don’t have an hour a day to spend working out. There is one day a week on the calendar rotation that is a “double” workout day though and that is Friday. So, that day you workout for 50 minutes or you could do one of the workouts on Friday and do one on Saturday if you can’t fit both on Friday.

This past Friday was my first day doing a “double” Friday. The previous 3 weeks I had followed the schedule but was only doing 1 of the 2 workouts on Friday. I am so glad I pushed myself yesterday and did both. I will say I did not do them back to back. I did the Lower Focus first, took a 45 minute water and 1 cup of coffee break out on my patio, then I came in an pushed play again with the cardio workout. I felt really energized by the end of the cardio workout.

post workout photo on double day Friday of week 1 Focus T-25

Another great thing about this workout is that you don’t need a bunch of equipment to do them. Most of them require no equipment or just an exercise mat.

This workout is a Beachbody workout. My Beachbody coach is Joanna and here is her facebook page link if you would like to contact her for more info on Focus T-25 and the challenge group. Just click on the highlighted link.

The first 5 weeks of the rotation are called the Alpha cycle and the last 5 weeks are called the Beta cycle. The Alpha workouts for week one were: -Cardio -Speed 1.0 -Total Body Circuit -Ab Intervals -Lower Focus & Cardio for double day and Stretch on Saturday or Sunday. So far the Total Body Circuit workout is the hardest one for me but I am able to get through it – I have never sweat so much before in 25 minutes! Also, while doing this workout I noticed that the girl in the back and I have the same shoes – I noticed this the 2nd time I did the workout. I thought that was funny because how often do you own the same shoes as someone in a workout DVD?

post workout photo after total body circuit week 1 day 3 of challenge group for Focus T-25

shoes - same as the girl in the back row of the workout dvd on total body circuit T-25 — shoes – same as the girl in the back row of the workout dvd on total body circuit T-25

I have been working out regularly for the past 10 years on my own. I do all types of different workouts to stay fit. I would recommend this workout to anyone looking to lose weight or be more fit and energized. There is a person in all the workouts who does a lower impact modification of all the exercises and you can always start with that and progress to the more advanced level. Of course you should always consult your physician before starting any new exercise program.

I am not affiliated with the workout program, Focus T-25, or with Beachbody. I am just a mother of 3 boys, blogger and designer who likes to exercise regularly to stay fit and wanted to share the info on this program.

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Categories: Exercise

Tags: challenge group, dvd, exercise program, fitness, Focus T-25, T-25