What to do after my 90 day DVD based program ends?

I asked a similar question on here before a few weeks ago but I am still really undecided about what to do next. I am currently doing Jillian Michaels Body Revolution and am now over the halfway point (just starting week 7) so I want to look ahead in order to stay motivated.

I like DVD based programs because I find I stick with them more if I have 'someone' to motivate me (ie. the trainer and class) but I've seen so many programs I could do and am really not sure what's best. I really want to focus on getting the best results possible in terms of fat loss and looking great as I want to look fit, not just slim. I've got a long way to go at 143 lbs and 30+% body fat but I am looking to get down to around 19-20% body fat ideally by the summer, although I'm not sure if this is possible. So far with what I've been doing I've really enjoyed it and have definitely felt fitter/stronger but haven't had the results I want yet, although I don't expect that to happen after just 6 and a half weeks of training.

When I am finished JM it will be mid-April so ideally I want something I can do for 6-8 weeks initially as it gets unbearably hot where I am from end-May onwards so after that I may start swimming for cardio and do weights 3 times a week.

I have been looking at some of the Beachbody programs and like the look of Les Mills combat but I don't want to give up my weight training so was wondering if I could do something alongside it or if someone else would recommend a good combination of programmes I can do for up to 1 hour 30 minutes maximum per day in total that incorporate cardio and weights? Normally I don't have that much time to spare together so each workout has to really be 45 minutes or less if possible and there may be some days when I can only do 45 minutes and I won't have the time to train any more than that. I have all the equipment I need at home ie. weights of various sizes (dumbbells and barbells plus kettle bells) resistence bands, a mat, enough space in my home gym, a multigym machine, power plate etc.

I would consider doing a cardio programme like Insanity or Turbo fire or Les Mills Combat but if so I'd prefer to combine it with some weight training somehow. Is there a good weights programme for around 30-40 minutes per day which gets results for women? If so I'd be prepared to do that without using a DVD no more than 3 times per week but I'd need to know exact size weights I should be using, which exercises I should be doing, the number of reps/sets. Is it a good idea to do this alongside a DVD based cardio programme on the days I'm not doing weights?

I've got some weight training books at home like 'The Body Sculpting Bible for Women' and Matt Roberts 'Fit for your Shape' plus my boyfriend has some other books like 'The body you want in the time you have'.

The problem I've always had in the past with training is that half the time I feel like I'm messing around at home without really achieving anything as I am not a member of a gym and don't have a personal trainer and I therefore have no real guidance. I have either lost motivation, got an injury or feel that I'm not getting anywhere and then give up. Maybe it's to do with the size weights I'm using, I don't want to overdo it but on the other hand I want to make sure the lifting I do is actually achieving something.

Help!

I've done a few JM workouts (not the Body Revolution though) and I did get some good results. And like you, I thought I'd prefer programs incorporated weights because it just feels like I am working out when I'm lifting something. Then I started Insanity.

Insanity is the only workout from BeachBody I've ever tried and I've got less than 2 weeks left on it. I'm being totally honest, I have gotten better results from Insanity in 45 days than any of the JM workouts I've ever done, combined. My body looks like I lift weight when all we do is a lot of push ups. I look like I've lost way more weight than the scale says and I've lost 10.75 inches from head to toe.

If you have the determination and the heart for it, Insanity is by far the best I've done so far. It's even really slimmed down my post-pregnancy lower pooch!

I didn't follow the nutrition guide to the T but I eat around 1600kcal a day and try to eat as clean as possible. Give it a try if you want the challenge because it is definitely challenging.

Good luck to whatever you choose!

I don't have any personal experience with Jillian though I do with beachbody. I've heard numerous people tell me that the Jillian dvd's are great, but once they try Insanity or P90X for example they are blown away with how much harder these workouts are. I would say crossfit is probably the most extreme workout regimen you could do, but insanity and p90x are kind of like crossfit. Insanity could be considered 45 minutes of a WOD once you get to the max workouts.

I am finishing up my 1st 90 days of p90x after doing 90 days 3 years ago and getting great results and then doing nothing till this round of p90x. Started at 220lbs and I'm down to 184lbs with 12 days left till I finish this round. The workouts are intense and I think its pretty safe to say you haven't seen anything like these workouts if you've only done the jillian dvds, but that shouldn't scare you. You're supposed to be constantly improving and this would be a great step after finishing a jillian dvd.

Another great thing is beachbody has at least 12-15 workout programs. I personally sub in some insanity routines for the p90x cardio and I'm doing bodybeast next.

I've done a few JM workouts (not the Body Revolution though) and I did get some good results. And like you, I thought I'd prefer programs incorporated weights because it just feels like I am working out when I'm lifting something. Then I started Insanity.

Insanity is the only workout from BeachBody I've ever tried and I've got less than 2 weeks left on it. I'm being totally honest, I have gotten better results from Insanity in 45 days than any of the JM workouts I've ever done, combined. My body looks like I lift weight when all we do is a lot of push ups. I look like I've lost way more weight than the scale says and I've lost 10.75 inches from head to toe.

If you have the determination and the heart for it, Insanity is by far the best I've done so far. It's even really slimmed down my post-pregnancy lower pooch!

I didn't follow the nutrition guide to the T but I eat around 1600kcal a day and try to eat as clean as possible. Give it a try if you want the challenge because it is definitely challenging.

Good luck to whatever you choose!

I don't have any personal experience with Jillian though I do with beachbody. I've heard numerous people tell me that the Jillian dvd's are great, but once they try Insanity or P90X for example they are blown away with how much harder these workouts are. I would say crossfit is probably the most extreme workout regimen you could do, but insanity and p90x are kind of like crossfit. Insanity could be considered 45 minutes of a WOD once you get to the max workouts.

I am finishing up my 1st 90 days of p90x after doing 90 days 3 years ago and getting great results and then doing nothing till this round of p90x. Started at 220lbs and I'm down to 184lbs with 12 days left till I finish this round. The workouts are intense and I think its pretty safe to say you haven't seen anything like these workouts if you've only done the jillian dvds, but that shouldn't scare you. You're supposed to be constantly improving and this would be a great step after finishing a jillian dvd.

Another great thing is beachbody has at least 12-15 workout programs. I personally sub in some insanity routines for the p90x cardio and I'm doing bodybeast next.

^^^^^
Exactly. Jillian is great for people just starting out or who never worked out before. If you want to get in shape and be pushed you need beachbody.