If you’re trying to get healthier or fit this winter, I have 2 recommendations for you. The first one is because it is on sale right now at Amazon and is a perfect “starter” workout program – and wii’s were a popular Christmas gift. The other because I KNOW it works, if you are motivated enough to keep going (if you are able to consistently work out throughout the year instead of just the first 2 months of every year or right before a big event – this is probably for you).
Have a wii? Get in shape the fun way with EA Sports Active. Amazon.com has this currently priced at $39.77, with free super saver shipping. It works as a personal trainer with circuit training workouts tailored for your goals and progress. The 20 minute workouts make it easy to fit exercise into your busy day – or customize your own workouts to kick it up a notch. There is also a two person cooperative gameplay mode so you can make your workouts a family or friend affair. This game works in conjunction with the Wii balance board OR without. EA Sports Active has received excellent Amazon reviews, though some say if you are already very active, you may not find this challenging enough. Has anyone used it?
For the people who want a serious challenge…I recommend P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program …it’s been kicking my butt for the last 87 or so days…but I love it. And it works. It is pricey, but if you’re looking for something that works and you are able to motivate yourself to keep up with it, this is the program for you. There are 12 workout dvds, a three-phase nutrition plan, a detailed fitness guide, a How to Bring It DVD that provides a quick overview of the system, a calendar to track your progress, and access to online support. I highly recommend trying to convince someone who can be as driven as you to do this program at the same time as you (even if you don’t actually do the workouts together). This will help to motivate you when you feel like skipping a workout or need to figure out how to rearrange your workouts so they fit into your life (like doing 2 workouts the day before thanksgiving so you can be completely lazy that day). I know that has been a huge factor in my sticking to the program (rather obsessively).
One of the best things about it is that there are demonstrations for how to make many of the exercises either easier or harder so that you can customize the workouts to the level that you are at currently. Since you aren’t doing the same workout day after day or week after week, it creates a state of muscle confusion so that your muscles continue to grow and develop. Ladies – don’t worry about getting to bulky or ripped…it just isn’t going to happen – we aren’t made that way and you can do higher reps/lower weight for lean muscle toning. Despite most of my body being very sore for the first 3 weeks, I’ve been so motivated to continue because I’ve seen results so quickly – and I’m not even following the nutritional program (though I eat a pretty healthy diet anyway….if you take away the beer and cheese and Christmas candy and cookies). There are 3 different programs to choose from, each lasting 90 days. I have just a couple more days left of the Lean program (YAY!) and will move onto the Classic program for the next 90 days. I’m not raving about this just because I’m an affiliate, I became an affiliate because it works so well. I even put my gym membership on hold because I’ve been able to do the programs in either my work exercise room or at home – very little equipment is needed (dumbbells or bands, yoga mat). I haven’t been without a gym membership since probably 9th grade, so that’s a pretty big deal for me. So try it or not – that’s up to you. Feel free to google it or go to beachbody.com without using my affiliate code….because it’s not about that.
