ChaLEAN Extreme

Try not to worry about burning calories with CLE. When you get to the Interval training (Burn Intervals, Burn It Off) you will burn lots of calories...AND the muscles you are building in the weight lifting will make all the difference by boosting your metabolism even when you are at rest.

I am not even done with the last month and my husband just told me I don't need to lose any more weight! What a feeling!
Risa

I am just wondering if anyone is just doing ChaLean Extreme and not doing the extra cardio or extra workouts. I would like to hear what the results are like for those strictly doing the program!

Did Burn 3 and the ab workout yesterday. I REALLY liked the Ab workout. It was nice feeling challenged. I felt the ab workout in Insanity was a little too easy so this was a nice change.

According to my HRM I burned 335 calories in about 40 min. which wasn't too bad. MFP calculation is WAAAAY too low for this workout when you enter it as strength training.

I REALLY like this program. I prefer lifting over cardio but am still doing the C25K so it works out great for me.

so i've done burn 1,2 and 3 and burn interval and ab burner - and tomrorow is burn it off then start all over...lol

i bought newe weights today so am hoping that helps - i feel like i don't know which weights are right yet - sometimes i "fail" at 6 andsometimes i dont' fail by 12 - the slowness is the hardest part for me - and i worry about my form - but it is challenging - i tend to like the turbo jam a lot better - to me the music is better, it goes by quicker - it's just more FUN

but i am determined to get leaner and more muscular and I know this is the way to go and i can do turbo on rest days or even after if i have the time/energy

i'm going through a rough time in my marriage so this is great to help me focus and stay on track - and it's a good distraction!!

LOVED the burn interval and ab burner - can't wait for that next week

Hi Extremers!
Last night I did Lean 3, and holy hanna I'm sore today! Like I said before, I'm on the Lean for Life plan so I'm doing each phase once a week. It feels good, and my stomach is hungry today! Makes me happy because I know my metabolism is goin crazy! Yahoo! I woke up early this morning and did a nice 3.5 mile jog, and then got on the stationary bike for about 15 minutes to loosen up my legs a little more. I brought lots of extra snacks today!! I love that I am losing weight, gaining muscle, and yet still eating a lot! I feel so energized!!

Risa- I was going to tell you this yesterday but thanks for the Jeff Calloway post. I started out taking a lot of walking breaks, and I still do if I increase my running, but that site made much more sense of walking as a way to help you increase distance while also decreasing injury. I like it! Thanks again, you always think of things the rest of us don't! I'm so excited for you...you have done amazing with this program and getting so small! Did you take measurements when you first started? I wish I would have done that.

afeinberg- I know what you mean about being uncertain as to what weights to use. When I first started I kind of went with Laylee and lifted about as heavy as she did. If it was too heavy or too light, I would make a mark in my guidebook (arrows up or down). And if I failed exactly at the maximum rep of 12 or 8, I marked it with a star so that I knew that it was a perfect weight for me. You'll get the hang of it! Even now that I've increased my weights I still have to contemplate for a bit to determine which set of weights I should use for each exercise. Its a continual process! I also love the Burn Intervals. I'm more of a cardio girl too...but, this Chalene Extreme program has changed my views on lifting and strength training, and has given me some great definition!

Iceprincess- My legs are feelin the same today! Last night after I did the workout they were shaking so bad. I love the ab workout as well. Someday I'll be able to complete the entire thing. I usually try to do it after my cardio, and by then my abs are spent! But, its so intense, I love it! I usually log my strength training in depending on my HRM, but I'm still not even sure how accurate that is. I'm assuming I'm burning more, and I do know that you continue to burn more calories for a longer time after you strength train. But, for the exercises when I'm on the floor, like doing bench press, I notice my HR says only like 112 or something, when it was just at 150. I think it has to do with laying down. I feel like I'm still working just as hard, but since I'm not standing using those muscles, it drops my heart rate since my blood doesn't have to pump as hard? I think anyways, just an assumption on my part. Do you find you are crazy hungry the days after lifting? I'm a ravenous monster today! Love it!

Blondie....where are you girl?

Dawna - I'm here! I've just been soo busy lately I haven't got on the message boards as much.

I was thinking.. Ok. This was my last week of the push phase, but for the last 2 weeks I haven't been doing as much of the cardio as I should. I have made sure to do strength 3 days a week, but maybe only 1-2 days of cardio. I was thinking maybe I should do 1 more week of the push phase just to make up for the weeks I didn't stick to my cardio. What to do? lol

But I'm still loving my new weights! They make my workouts so much harder. It really is amazing how high your heart rate can get when you're using the appropriate amount of weight! I think I still need to get some 30s though. 24 is the most my powerblocks go and my legs are so stout that it doesn't phase me much! (Unless it's the sumo squats.. they get me every time!) lol


Hope everyone is doing well!

I second the sentiment on the difference between the lean and push phases. I was right there with ya on the not feeling so stellar (bulkier than I wanted to be) at the end of the push phase and I almost DID give up...however, after a 6 day stretch of contemplating and just running, I decided I had committed this far and to finish the program and re-evaluate at the end. I had lost inches since starting the program but virtually no lbs...well, this last week, after jumping back into the program and getting through week 2, I got on the scale Friday and was actually down 2 pounds from the prior week - my first real loss in about 8 weeks. I'm trying to up my running from 20 minutes after each circuit to 30 or more which may also be helping, but I definitely feel better about how I'm looking and glad I decided to see it through to the end.

Hi Extremers! Hope everyone is doing great! Last night was my cardio night so I tied my laces and hit the pavement... did 5 miles in 50 minutes, not too bad for 1/2 of the run being uphill (I live in the foothills of the mountains near Yellowstone). It felt great, and even though I prefer doing my workouts in the early AM, I just couldn't get out of bed this morning-- I don't think I hit the pillow early enough. So, tonight I am doing the Burn Intervals!! I was going to do Burn 3, but my right shoulder is killing me! The other night I was pitching (fastpitch softball) to my husband, reminiscing about the old days... and it felt great. I tried not to do too much because I knew I'd be sore. I stretched and iced my shoulder afterwards and now its been 4 days later and my arm still is still so tight! So, I'm going to do the Burn Intervals to get some cardio in, as well as to loosen up these arm muscles again! And I'll be doing some good long stretching afterwards! I LOVE THE BURN INTERVALS!!! They kick my bum everytime, and I usually yell at Chalene when I'm doing the Sumo Burpees, but they make me feel powerful!!!

Risa- Lean for Life is great--- I do one set of each phase during the week, and its great to mix up the body & mind. I've been pretty successful at losing more weight and inches doing the Lean for Life- in fact I've lost more weight in the last 3 weeks doing Lean for Life than I did in the Lean phase itself. I think for me it has to do with the variety and mixing up my muscles with the different reps/routines each time! Yahoo!! I do love the lean phase though, it really tightened my tummy!

Blondie- as far as if you should do Push one more week, its totally up to you. I know I did that with one of the phases because I had gotten busy during the one week. I think if you feel you should go one more week, go for it! It won't "hurt" the schedule. And girl, you are one tough cookie!!! 30 pounds? I struggle to get my wrists to hold the 20 pounders..haha.. you are right up there with Chalene!!! Look at you go!!

sam4sure- I am SO glad you stuck it out, and are now seeing the results of your hard work! The Lean phase is great to tightening that tummy! And I love it! The Lean for Life is great for the variety, and I have personally found that it really changes things up with my body. My body hasn't gotten used to it yet. I've been on it for just over 3 weeks and I'm just barely doing the first routine I started with. Its so great! I love this whole program!

m5oleary- I am also very HAPPY for you and your weightloss!! Way to prove to yourself that you could do it and not give up on your goals. I was actually on a plateau for 4 months (Jan- April) and I kept telling myself that I would not give up, I had come so far, and I knew my body could do more. So, I changed things up like you did, and then saw some great results. Keep up the great work!!!

Iceprincess-- how you doing girl? You still loving the program? I bet with your C25K cardio program and the CE you are getting so toned!

I'm still loving it. It's funny.....I know all the stuff for weight training and being a personal trainer but I'm just not very good at doing it for myself. That's why I like the beachbody programs. THey do all the work for you.....and all you have to do is push play.

I haven't run in a week and decided to go last night and woke up with my heel killing me. I had a huge battle with plantar fasciitis a couple months ago so I'm pretty irritated that my heel started to get angry again this morning.

I'm doing Burn 1 today when I get home from teaching. :happy:

I think I'm going to start the Lean circuit tomorrow. I am SOO excited!! I haven't lost anything in a while, and was getting discouraged. So I changed my diet and really watched my carb intake (I've been known to really put a hurtin on them..) and the weight has been falling off! I've stayed within my limits, and it's helped wonders. Friday I weighed 198.. this morning 192.6! Given some of the higher weight was water weight.. I had gotten lower than 198, but kept staying right around than number and decided enough was enough. I needed to do something for summer.. it's close and I at least wanna be in the 180s. It's almost like this change in diet is like the drop you see when you initally start working out and exercising. I am so excited I'm in the lower 190s! I haven't seen that number in so long.

crking - is it really? I'm nervous now. lol But I know this whole series is very challenging.. but I like a good challenge. It's funny though - the hardest exercise for me to do is the slow pushups. I can do a bunch fast but slow about kills me. I'll be glad to drop even more weight and make them easier! :bigsmile: