TRUFFLE SHUFFLERS - We Work Out! **CLOSED**

Alright Ladies!!! I've decided that each week, I am going to announce the biggest weight losers, and the highest point earners!! Also, I have updated the Google Doc with our team info listed:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvRU46hcNmxIdEVRam5JeGpvWVhlRWpwT1BfenFyQnc&hl=en_US

The most weight and percent loss was by: myself. 3.6 lb loss, equating to 1.4% loss! I wanna see some nice numbers next week!!! I know that last week was rough for quite a few, so lets work hard this week and see some losses next week!

The person who earned the most points is: VAMPEE! She completed the exercise challenged every day, only missed the team challenge by 1 day, and earned an extra 1.5 points doing the sleeping crab!

Nice Job this week ladies. Again, it was a wild rough week for many, so lets stick together, and get through another week of awesome!!

~Holly

question for you ladies.... how heavy are YOUR weights? I will be the first to admit, i'm horrible at using free weights. most of the exercises i've missed during our challenges, have been the one relying on weights. I do some of them, but i've been slacking lately due to personal obstacles, and am really trying to make sure i get in EVERY challenge exercise completed this month!!

I noticed last month that a lot of the weight exercises were extremely challenging to me. i'm using 5lb weights. I've always thought i've had some buff guns hiding under the layer of fat, but apparently I was wrong!! So, I ask you all, how heavy are your weights? do you find the challenges to difficult, or too easy? would increasing or decreasing the amount of weight, make that much of a difference??

Share your thoughts with the group!!

-Holly

The weights that I use are 6 lbs. If they were any less, then the workouts would be too easy for me. And if they were any more, they would be too hard. Until I can build up my strength, that's where I'm at for now. I tried a few different weights until I found the happy medium.
When I start doing the sets, the first round is always easy. I fly through them like it's nothing. I usually have to remind myself to slow down a little and focus on my form. But then by the time I get to the third set, I can feel it in my arms and it takes me longer to get through.


Holly, I would say with your weight, try a day using 3 lbs weights and then another day using 4 lbs. This way you can see which would be better for you and you'll be able to work your way up in a few months!

Thanx for the feedback!! I have some 3lb weights around here somewhere, i'll have to give those a try on thursday! I finished all sets last night with my 5 lb weights, but boy are my arms hating me today!!


Also, and this is for everyone, I found a great youtube video for the Plyo - jacks. This is the way I did them, and they definitely work a range of muscles!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuE3uF1AptM


Have Fun!!

-Holly

Week 3 is upon us!!! I created a new set of exercise challenges, but thought i'd hold off on those until next week. Withall the craziness of this month, i'd like to stick with the same exercises from last week, with a couple small changes.

You will have 3 options this week for the challenges:
1 - keep doing them exactly as they say - no changes.
2 - add 3 reps to each set - that means 15 reps goes up to 18 and 12 reps goes up to 15.
3 - keep the reps the same (15 and 12) but ADD 1 more set, doiing 4 sets of each exercise

It is up to you what you would like to do. What makes it more challenging and what really works your muscles. the point system will be the same (do it, or don't do it)... but the benefits of the mix up are for you! So, here are the challenges:

MONDAY - 3 sets of 12 Pulsing Squats, 3 sets of 12 Bridges with Leg Drop (per leg), 3 sets of 12 Plyo-Jacks, 3 sets of 12 Mountain Climbers

TUESDAY - 3 sets of 15 Alternating Bicep Curls (per arm), 3 sets of 15 Lateral Raises, 3 Sets of 15 Skull Crushers, 3 sets of 15 Single Arm Clean and Press (per arm)

WEDNESDAY - 3 sets of 12 Pulsing Squats, 3 sets of 12 Bridges with Leg Drop (per leg), 3 sets of 12 Plyo-Jacks, 3 sets of 12 Mountain Climbers

THURSDAY - 3 sets of 15 Alternating Bicep Curls (per arm), 3 sets of 15 Lateral Raises, 3 Sets of 15 Skull Crushers, 3 sets of 15 Single Arm Clean and Press (per arm)

FRIDAY - 3 sets of 12 Pulsing Squats, 3 sets of 12 Bridges with Leg Drop (per leg), 3 sets of 12 Plyo-Jacks, 3 sets of 12 Mountain Climbers

SATURDAY - 3 sets of 15 Alternating Bicep Curls (per arm), 3 sets of 15 Lateral Raises, 3 Sets of 15 Skull Crushers, 3 sets of 15 Single Arm Clean and Press (per arm)

EXERCISE LINKS:
Skull Crushers: http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/ss/tricepexercises_3.htm

Lateral Raises: http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/ss/shoulderexercis_2.htm

Alternating Bicep Curls: http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/ss/bicepexercises_4.htm

Clean and Press: http://exercise.about.com/od/exercisesformusclegroups/ss/compoundexercis_8.htm

Pulsing Squats (do these WITHOUT the chair, once you have squatted down, pulse slightly lower 3 times before pressing up) : http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/ss/howtosquat.htm

Bridges with Leg Drop: http://exercise.about.com/od/abworkouts/ss/advancedabexercises2_3.htm

Plyo-Jacks: http://exercise.about.com/od/cardioworkouts/ss/cardioexercises_10.htm

Mountain Climbers: http://exercise.about.com/od/cardioworkouts/ss/cardioexercises_3.htm


INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGE: I'm keeping these Ab-Centric, since all the other excercises we do during the week target other areas. This is one that was sent to me by a friend, that i haven't tried yet, but now is as good a time as any!!
http://youtu.be/fLAUkzbs734
For each DAY that you do this video, you will get 1 bonus point towards your individual Points!!!

Good luck this week team!!! You all are awesome!!!

~Holly

Sorry for the delay!! its been a bit hectic for me lately!! I have updated the Google Doc with our team info listed:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvRU46hcNmxIdEVRam5JeGpvWVhlRWpwT1BfenFyQnc&hl=en_US

The most weight loss was VAMPEE with 3 lbs lost!!! The most weight percentage loss was TROUT3063 with 1.4%!!! Way to go ladies!!!

The person who earned the most points this week was: CJ2LOSE! not only did she complete the weekly challenges, but also did 6 of the ab dances!!!

So glad you gals liked the Zumba Dance!! Its definitely an ab burner!! You all did a great job this week!! Lets make this next one EVEN BETTER!!!

~Holly

Happy Monday ladies!! Its the last week of October!! Lets go out with a big bang!!! i mixed up the sets just a little, but it should be an awesome week!! Although I mixed it up a bit, I wanted to give you all the same 3 options from last week, to further mix it up.

You will have 3 options this week for the challenges:
1 - keep doing them exactly as they say - no changes.
2 - add 3 reps to each set - that means 15 reps goes up to 18 and 12 reps goes up to 15.
3 - keep the reps the same (15 and 12) but ADD 1 more set, doiing 4 sets of each exercise

Without further ado... your last week of October Challenge Exercises!!

MONDAY - 3 sets of 12 Side Lunge with Windmill Arms, 3 sets of 12 Jumping Jacks with front kicks, 3 sets of 12 Pulsing Squats, 3 sets of 10 Burpees

TUESDAY - 3 sets of 15 Alternating Bicep Curls (per arm), 3 sets of 15 Lateral Raises, 3 Sets of 15 Kickbacks, 3 sets of 15 Single Arm Clean and Press (per arm)

WEDNESDAY - 3 sets of 12 Side Lunge with Windmill Arms, 3 sets of 12 Jumping Jacks with front kicks, 3 sets of 12 Pulsing Squats, 3 sets of 10 Burpees

THURSDAY - 3 sets of 15 Alternating Bicep Curls (per arm), 3 sets of 15 Lateral Raises, 3 Sets of 15 Kickbacks, 3 sets of 15 Single Arm Clean and Press (per arm)

FRIDAY - 3 sets of 12 Side Lunge with Windmill Arms, 3 sets of 12 Jumping Jacks with front kicks, 3 sets of 12 Pulsing Squats, 3 sets of 10 Burpees

SATURDAY - 3 sets of 15 Alternating Bicep Curls (per arm), 3 sets of 15 Lateral Raises, 3 Sets of 15 Kickbacks, 3 sets of 15 Single Arm Clean and Press (per arm)

EXERCISE LINKS:
Kickbacks: http://exercise.about.com/cs/exerciseworkouts/l/blupperbody.htm

Lateral Raises: http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/ss/shoulderexercis_2.htm

Alternating Bicep Curls: http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/ss/bicepexercises_4.htm

Clean and Press: http://exercise.about.com/od/exercisesformusclegroups/ss/compoundexercis_8.htm

Side Lunge with Windmill Arms: Stand with legs wide, arms straight out to the sides and parallel to the floor. Bend the right knee into a side lunge and bring the left arm down towards the foot. Come back up, rotating the arms, and lunge to the left, bringing the right arm down towards the floot. Continue lunging side to side (your arms will move like a windmill). The faster you go and the lower you lunge, the harder it is.

Jumping Jacks with front Kicks: Do one jumping jack. After you jump the feet back together, bring the right knee up and snap the foot out in a front kick (don't extend the leg all the way, but keep a small bend in the knee). Do another jumping jack and kick with the left foot.

Pulsing Squats (do these WITHOUT the chair, once you have squatted down, pulse slightly lower 3 times before pressing up) : http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseworkouts/ss/howtosquat.htm

Burpees: http://www.exrx.net/Aerobic/Exercises/Burpee.html


INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGE: I'm adding the Zumba dance again this week!! its an ab killer and tons of fun! remember, it's 3 minutes long. I want to encourage you all to keep your abs tight and focus on them during the dance. if you just move wildly around, you will cause a back injury, and that's no fun!!!
http://youtu.be/uomdpE8VXXc
For each DAY that you do this video, you will get 1 bonus point towards your individual goal!


HAVE AN AWESOME WEEK LADIES!!
~Holly