PiYo Review

I was so excited when I heard that PiYo was a low impact workout!! I needed something like this to ease myself back to my daily routine since I am sporting a TFCC tear in my left wrist and some compressed nerves throughout my left side of my body.  I didn't have to worry about my knee, which has been scoped 5 times, because jumping isn't a part of this program either.  It is pretty cool how Chalene Johnson, creator of the program, takes Pilates and Yoga moves and amplifies them so each person gets results by simply using his or her own body weight.  I have taken the opportunity to preview the 9 workouts before my PiYo test group gets started this week.

The Workouts-9 workouts-60 days

1.  Align: The Fundamentals-42:04:  Chalenge stresses the importances of form and alignment in this intro video.  It is done the first day of the 60 day program.  This proper form definitely helps during the workouts and aides with flexibility. As a person who struggles with alignment issues in my body (Pelvis, spine, and neck are "out of whack" causing numbness in my body), I truly appreciated this tutorial of moves to assist me.  

2.  Define: Lower Body-20:59: As I have gone through my fitness journey over the last year, I have truly appreciated the importance of a lower body workout.  This works your largest muscle system which in turn burns killer calories.  It isn't cardio that raises your heart rate, but using your legs and glutes. This is the second shortest workout in the program; however, you are worked this entire time.  My thighs are already thanking me. 

3.Define: Upper Body-18:48: This is the shortest of the workouts and due to my tear, I am thankful for that. :) Although it is shy of 19 minutes, it is important to realize that your arms are getting a killer workout in all of the other programs.  Chalene is a big fan of tricep push ups, and I am sitting here typing this with pretty sore arms, and I LOVE it!! It is awesome what you can do with your own body in such a short period of time.  

4.  Sweat-36:51: This is appropriately named!! I had a serious sweat session.  This amps up the cardio and incorporates conditioning exercises and bodyweight resistance.  Chalene throws in a section of yoga flows that allows you to take a down a notch while still changing your body.

5.  Core- 30:18- This is my favorite of the workouts!! I love a routine that focuses on the abs! When I first started my transformation over a year ago, I couldn't feel much in my midsection except the leftover flab after my second c-section.  As I have continued and made lifestyle changes in my nutrition and exercise routine, I now can appreciate the ab muscles!! I love how it of course focuses on exercises that will strengthen and flatten the tummy, but recognizes the importance of the muscles in the back too. 

6.  Buns-28:20- I LOVE that Chalene threw in a workout that totally focuses on the booty!! I am sure my hubby appreciates it too. :) I feel like this is an area that typically isn't highlighted in workout programs.  It usually is just lumped into a lower body workout.  "You can do side bends or sit ups, but please don't lose that butt." 

7.  Strength Intervals-21:52- I love short, effective workouts.  I am a mom of 2 and if I can work my body in less than 25 minutes-sign me up!! This workout did make me feel strong without using any equipment.  All I needed was my own body to build strength, not bulk! 

I started my watch a little late!

8.  Drench-48:08- This is the longest of the workouts in the program.  This is an endurance workout that revs up the metabolism by hitting your total body. Woo! I burned nearly 500 calories in less than an hour!! My gym days before my wedding 7 years ago, got me no where near this calorie burn in double this amount of time. 

Another late start of the watch-I was just too excited to workout!

9.  Sculpt- 26:40- I was intrigued by the name.  I want to sculpt my body to be the best version of itself!! Chalene has us do this by changing the tempo of the workouts throughout this short routine and keeping our muscles under tension.  How is that tension achieved? I just used my own body weight!! Instead of coming up completely from a move once completed, she shows the importance of keeping in various poses to build tension.  This brought out some soreness in my body, and I LOVE it!!

The are several perks of this program in my opinion. 

• The varying lengths of workouts.  They range from 18-48 minutes.  I think that is great for the body. I enjoy that I can get a killer, effective workout in as short as 18 minutes but I don't have to even hit the hour mark! 
• You don't need much equipment! The main piece of equipment for the workout is YOU! Chalene suggests a yoga matt for extra support for the body during various moves.  A chair is helpful for modifications as well. 
• Even though the workouts have an individual focus, your full body is worked.  My arms are SO sore, and I truly appreciate that since I have been on upper body hiatus since I tore my TFCC in February.  
• Balanced meal plan- This meal plan is quite similar to The 21 Day Fix plan, but it doesn't use the containers.  I am excited to be able to continue with my routine that I set with that program for eating.  If this is someone's first program, they will also appreciate the meal guide which gives various options for this BALANCED nutrition plan.  She recognizes the importance of ALL food, even carbs and healthy fats, into a person's daily meals.

This is a must have in everyone's workout arsenal!! It takes Pilates and Yoga and enhances it in such a way that sculpts your body.  I have only done the 9 workouts, and I feel stronger, more flexible, and firm! Join me for my next PiYo group starting July 21!! Fill out the form below. 

Fill out my online form.

HTML Forms powered by Wufoo.

Limitations, Not Excuses

I have always been an active individual.  I enjoyed basketball, volleyball, track, and cross country from a young age.  I mean, that is what we did when I was a kid-played!  During my 8th grade basketball season, I tore my lateral meniscus in my knee.  Starting December of 1997, I had 5 arthroscopic surgeries to repair the damaged cartilage.   I still recall my first orthopedic sitting me down at the age of 16 and telling me that I would never compete in competitive sports again.  I was bound and determined to prove him wrong, but each surgery took more and more motivation out of me, until I finally gave up. I now believe that my knee was a big crutch or excuse for me in my life that prohibited me from remaining healthy and fit.  Pounds started packing on due to my lack of activity and therefore poor nutrition.

June 23, 2007

I often look at these pictures and wonder why I let myself get to this place, which was nearly(I managed to drop a few lbs. before the big day) the heaviest and unhealthiest time of my life.

Finally in 2008, I was fed up with how I felt, so I started doing calorie counting and trying out some of the workout DVDs, such as Hip Hop Abs and Turbo Jam, that had been collecting dust in our new home.  I did manage to tediously lose weight over the next 4 years through my calorie counting, restrictive way of eating. 

July, 2012- Just days after I found out I was pregnant with Bristyn 

Despite my my weight loss, I still lacked energy I needed to take care of a toddler and handle my second pregnancy.  After getting pregnant with Bristyn, my daily walks and activities started to diminish because I had yet another excuse for it. So, it was May 2013 that I committed to getting fit again; however, although I completed the Insanity workout for 6 months, it wasn't until I became a coach in November that my true transformation began-body, mind, and nutrition.

Life was great! I was helping family, friends, and those I never even met, make lifestyle changes. As they changed, I continue to grow and complete my personally goals.  I was feeling stronger than ever until February 17, 2014.  Being a stay-at-home-mom now, I try to do as much as I can for my husband around the house.  Although, I LOVE when he does the dishes and folds laundry :) That Monday, before we headed to my parents for dinner,  I thought I would take the garbage out.  Well, our Cleveland winter was one of the WORST in years, and we had a large mound of snow on the tree lawn.  I decided to keep the city trash can empty while lifting it onto the snow pile.  I knew instantly when I lifted that can that I did something to my wrist. After a week without any change in my discomfort, I got a name for a doctor to go see.  After 4 months of tests, therapy sessions (OT, and PT), and various doctors, I find myself here today dealing with a torn TFCC and more painfully a compressed nerve(s). At the beginning of what seems like FOREVER, I continued working out as I normally would at 530 in the morning, but modified when it came to exercises that involved my hand/wrist.  The pain continued to worsen, so I continued to find ways to modify exercise such as not using weights or a band.  Finally, just about a month ago, my OT said, "I want you to do nothing but walk." WHAT!!?? I nearly cried in her office.  I did on the way home in my car, and am brought to tears as I write this.  Those words took me back to when I was 16, and my orthopedic said, "No more sports." I know some may not understand; however, this is MY thing.  Working out has been MY time for the last year. I also thought about the individuals I have been trying to inspire through my personal journey.

I have been bound and determined to look at what I am experiencing this time not as an excuse, but a limitation.  I have been finding different approved ways of maintaining daily activity that I enjoy.  

This morning's walk with Dad, Daughters, and Dog

My parents, especially my retired dad, have made it possible to get in walks with all the kids (even when I have my nephew). Sure, this isn't time just for myself, but it forces me to get the dog moving and get the girls outside as the weather is finally nice (although a little hot :).

It is important that I take time for myself.  I often believe that is why many don't commit to changing their unhealthy habits.  I felt a little selfish in the beginning, but recognize that I am a better person, wife, and mom, because I am taking care of myself. 

This has been my new ride for about 3 weeks ago.  I wiped off the dust and filled the tires with air.  I tried it one day and was happy that my OT said I could start incorporating biking into my routine.  Those nearly 300 calories are nothing in comparison to what I am used to burning with Insanity, T25, The 21 Day Fix, TurboFire, etc., but it is allowing me to stay true to my goals and those who look to me for encouragement.  

I started physical therapy last week to try to strengthen my muscles so that my nerve issue can be resolved, and she had me do wall squats.  I figured this would be a nice exercise to add to my walk/bike routine, but I know I enjoy these challenges when friends are doing it with me.  So a group of girls, some former challengers, and I started our 30 day squat challenge.  A squat helps far more than just one's legs!! 

Day 1-Squat Challenge-25 wall squats- I had a helper who made it even more challenging today :)

Is this ideally how I want to maintain the progress I have made for myself over the last year and continue to reach new goals? NOPE; however, this has yet again reminded me that life isn't ideal, and it throws curve balls at us to see how we will react.  In the past, I reacted by giving up and walking away; however, the positive people I have surrounded myself with through my involvement with Beachbody, taught me to NEVER GIVE UP!

So, what's holding you back from joining me and others on a journey to live a healthier lifestyle? Time? Money? Physical restrictions?

Want to be a part of my next accountability group that will use PIYO-a low impact, but intense program by Chalene Johnson that will sculpt your body using the foundation of Pilates and Yoga? My test  group is starting July 7, and I will limit it to 10 people.  Fill out the application below. 

Fill out my online form.

HTML Forms powered by Wufoo.