@vicki8seekers Is it like yoga? Ummm . . . yes but mostly no. Chalene Johnson explains in one of the workouts that she knew she needed more flexibility but hated to hold a pose. So she takes moves from both Pilates and yoga to create a sort of fusion workout.

However, anyone who loves yoga and/or Pilates will immediately tell you that this is neither. Whereas these workouts focus a great deal on breath, PiYo rarely syncs the move with the breath. It took me a while to like the workout, frankly. I love yoga, am a traditionalist at heart where yoga is concerned; once I let go of the idea that this is a yoga practice and just accepted it's a Chalene Johnson workout, I started to like it.

Needless to say, I loved the results! The first time I did Warrior III without using a chair, especially given my balance, I was thrilled.

Here's a short video clip of it but I think I saw that beachbody recently filmed a new infomercial so hopefully there will be a new one out there soon enough:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnNTxI-GajQ

@summerdaze120 Wow! Impressive!

Remember how my husband was announcing his need to increase his weights? I wasn't sure I could handle it but I went ahead and grabbed the heavier weights and I totally banged it out yesterday and today. Okay. So it wasn't easy but I still surprised myself. Yesterday I asked, "How was it using heavier weights last night?" He told me that it was cardio day. He didn't even use the heavier weights! Hmph! This morning, I asked him again, " How you liking those heavier weights?" His answer: Last night was rest day.

Are you kidding me? So for the past 2 days I could have stayed lighter but no. I was grabbing 10 lbs because I thought that was what we were doing. Lesson learned. (And yes, it's a good thing I love him.)

Morning Workout

Jillian Michaels Body Revolution
P1/W2/D5
Using 10 lbs is no joke and I also made some of the butt lifts harder by extending my leg up in the air. I haven't done that in ages because, normally, my hamstrings would almost immediately cramp up. I am obviously getting stronger because my legs were fine, if a bit shaky.

Today is a rest day in PiYo so I'm enjoying the one less workout in my morning. Read a chapter in The Great Hunt and then took a shower. It's been a good morning.

@venuila The only way I could wear a bikini is if I got one of those high waisted retro ones because of the stretch marks I have from having had twins. But I would definitely do it when I reach my goal weight if I had one. No doubt about it.

Morning Workout

JMBR
P1/W2/D6: Cardio
I'm not a big fan of these cardio workouts but I'm committing to the program as it is designed because I know that when I find something uncomfortable it's often because I need it. If at the end of the program I decide I still don't especially like the cardio, I'll make sure to tuck a note in with the DVDs so I remember this when I use them again. I can certainly find some more enjoyable cardio to do, I'm sure.

PiYo
W2/D6: Sweat
Used my new yoga gloves today and it was very interesting. Actually, before I even got to use them I twinged a muscle in my back during the warm-up. I pulled out my foam roller and tried to massage and then stretch it out. I considered not doing PiYo but figured the movement would be better for me. And I was right. By the end of the workout, I could breathe deeply. Yes, there is still some stiffness and soreness trying to happen but I have no doubt I would have felt worse by now if I had done nothing.

And the gloves. I can see why some people complain about slipping because, if you put pressure only in your wrist, your hand will slip in the gloves. (Palms do sweat, after all.) Guess what? You aren't supposed to only put pressure on your wrist! If the pressure falls along the palms and fingers, the slipping I've seen others complain about won't occur. I was in a lot of downward dog poses, plank, push-ups, etc. I experienced no cutting into the webbing between my fingers due to slipping at all, so I'm very happy I bought these yoga gloves.

Now here's hoping I say the same tomorrow when I wear them during PiYo Core.

As much as I love beachbody . . .

Okay. So my mother ordered 21 Day Fix and she received 21 Day Fix Extreme. We called customer service and could not arrange an exchange. (You have to return and reorder and you get your money back 1-2 weeks after they receive the product.) She placed another order even as she packed up 21DFX and eventually received 21DF.

Monday she did Total Body Cardio Fix. She was still talking to me afterwards.

Tuesday she tried to do Upper Body Fix and . . . the disc isn't working.

So let's see. I've had 1 disc from 21DF not work, 1 from Slim in 6, and 1 from PiYo, and now my mother has had 1 from 21DF have issues as well.

Not cool, beachbody. Not cool. Yes, she is getting a replacement. In the meantime . . . what?

I suggested she take Tuesday as a rest day (she is 75 after all and entitled to take it a little easy, don't you think?) and do Cardio Fix today. Then take Thursday off (because we all know how much fun Cardio Fix is!) and do Dirty 30 on Friday. Then Sunday she can do Yoga Fix and by then she should also have her replacement disc in hand. But it is annoying to have this many issues with one company.

BTW, she decided to keep 21DFX. I told her not to even look at the DVDs yet. They might scare her!

Morning Workout

JMBR
P1/W3/Cario 1

I woke up this morning thinking it was another strength day but then I remembered it's cardio day. Whew! My triceps were not ready for another strength day!

PiYo
W2/D3/Core

I do love the Core workout. My balance is off today (it's probably going to rain) so I had to be a little careful but I was able to not only keep up but do all of the side planks without dropping to my knee. Okay. Almost all. My balance refused to let me do the part where you roll up and then move into side plank. When my balance is like it is today, getting into side plank takes a little time and I'd rather just keep doing the roll up rather than risk an injury.

Mother Update

My mother did the dreaded Cardio Fix yesterday. I had already told her the many ways to modify and she said she did about 75% of the workout. I’ve encouraged her to 1) step it out, 2) skip reps, and 3) modify the modifications as needed. So she’s modifying Burpees and stepping out the Mountain Climbers and she’s still talking to me! Yay!

But she won’t receive her replacement disc until the 5th? How is her calling on Tuesday, the 28th, and being told the replacement would arrive in2-3 days adding up to over a week later? Just when I think I couldn’t be more frustrated with beachbody . . .

Morning Workout

JMBR
P1/W3/Workout 3

I am an inchworm badass. During the first set of them, I went ahead and took my hands off the floor and was doing more reps. I surprised myself by doing the same during the second set. For push-ups, I managed one on my toes, then finished the first set by doing half push-ups on my toes. For the second set, however, I was on my knees. Still, small improvements, day by day.

PiYo
W3/D4/Define: Lower Body

I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, trying to do these two workouts together. After working my triceps and shoulders, doing downward dog and three-legged downward dog was rough. Is rough. Rrrruff! But I’m doing this with my son and I am not giving up on the workout or myself.

Beachbody has lost me as a customer.

Just when you think they couldn't possibly screw up my mother's order any more than they have already . . .

1) She ordered 21DF and received 21DFX
2) Her 21DF had a defective disc so she requested a replacement
3) They shipped the replacement to me!

I went ahead and watched the DVD to make sure it worked, filed yet another complaint with beachbody, and then we paid $20 to have the damn thing there to her before Monday.

So yeah. From now on I'll be ordering my DVDs on ebay or through amazon because beachbody is inept and their quality control--from production to shipping--is the worst I've seen in an online ordering company ever. The only way it could be worse is if their exercise programs didn't work. Then I would just call them a scam and be done altogether.

Grrrrrr . . . /endrant

Morning Workout

What the hell was I thinking? I don't know if it's that today was a wicked back-to-back combination but I was feeling a wee bit nauseous during my second workout.

JMBR
P1/W3/Cardio

I am not a fan of most fitness classes. I know some people LOVE the group dynamic (and the inherent competition of being in a group setting) but I have never enjoyed that. (Note: I do love taking yoga classes but I tend to do yoga with my eyes closed so it's like I am alone even when I'm in a group.)

However, I know that there's something to be said for the motivation one gets in a class, where you know the other people there and they know you and you all can cheer one another on. (Not unlike what we build here on MFP.) I think that's one of the things I really like about these DVDs. You can tell that Jillian knows everyone in the room, that they are all friends, and so they have that camaraderie that one finds in a class. They push one another; they tease one another. It's just fun.

I also love that Jillian confesses that the hardest workout on this DVD may be too hard for Phase 1. Oh well. It's there and we're doing it so I guess she didn't think it was too hard to think of an entirely new workout for the end product.

PiYo
W3/D6/Sweat

I know that part of the reason I was feeling nauseous while doing this workout is that I was sweating so friggin' much! Ugh. I tried to stay hydrated. Drank an entire liter of water before I even started this workout. Apparently that wasn't good enough. Ugh. I felt gross and disgusting and I lost my balance a couple of times but I did not fall.

I survived another day of back-to-back workouts but I'm definitely looking forward to tomorrow's rest day in Jillian Michaels' Body Revolution. My body needs the break. (Remember when I was saying how very hard PiYo is and here I am saying that doing PiYo will feel like a break. LOL!)

@mscote12 One of the reasons I went with Jillian Michaels after doing several rounds of 21DF is that I knew her approach to exercise/fitness is different from but not far removed from what Autumn does. Both use HIIT and work different muscle groups on any given day. Both throw in a cardio workout to keep the weight loss momentum going as you build muscle. But Jillian's approach on Body Revolution is different because on M and Th you work the front of the body and triceps and on T and F you work the back of the body and biceps. then W and Sa you do cardio with Sunday being a day of rest. I haven't touched my 30DS DVD in ages because I never ever could get past the first phase. I may have to pull it out after I finish Body Revolution to see how it goes.