Wedding Blog

It has been well over a month since I wrote about how my sweet tooth was getting in the way of my fitness goals. I am very happy to say that I have successfully swapped my sweets! You all had such good advice for healthier snacking alternatives, which has been a huge help. In the beginning, I made yogurt, honey and banana shakes to calm my sweet cravings. For the last few weeks, I have been eating strawberry & mango fruit pops from Trader Joes and Whole Foods. They are all natural, super sweet, and full of vitamin C! I have only eaten ice cream once since I vowed to swap, but I don’t feel like I am avoiding it, or even missing it.

My fitness plan is going really well, although I have missed exercising for a total of two weeks, first for a cold, and now for a nasty sinus infection and cough. I know it is not a great idea to work out while I feel like I have the plague, but it is so hard to sit so many days out. (Jessie516 is unfortunately in the same boat. I think we may have even caught the same bug, as we are both in Ann Arbor!)

When I am not suffering from the plague, I have been working out at home. Budget constraints have pushed me to cancel my YMCA membership, but I have found some good DVDs and enjoy working out at home.

I bought a step platform so I can do my favorite type of aerobics… step may sound dorky, but it is a great workout! The step DVD that I have been using is Kari Anderson: Go - Step Workout for Beginners. I am not a beginner when it comes to step, but I love this DVD and think it is challenging enough. I am still only using one riser on my step platform, but will add another one soon for a more intensive work out. I have been doing this one hour DVD as the cardio portion of my workout twice a week, though I am hoping to get to 3-4 times soon. (Stupid sinus infection!)

The cardio is great, but I am not trying to lose a lot of weight before the wedding. My main goal is to be as toned as possible. For this I have tried a few DVDs that would potentially replace my beloved Butts & Guts class at the YMCA. I wanted to find something that focused on arms, my main target area.

Don’t laugh when I tell you the title of the amazing DVD that I have been using and am now completely obsessed with… It is Carmen Electra’s Fit to Strip! This is the second DVD in her Aerobic Striptease series. Do not laugh, my friends. Disc 2 seriously amazing. This DVD is an hour of toning exercises for every part of the body, and it will completely kick your bum into shape. I have only used it around five times and already see a HUGE difference. All you need is a mat and a chair- they don’t even use hand weights, yet it is so effective. You can play some of the exercises, which are broken into different areas of the body, or you can play them all. Even though I am targeting my arms, I have been doing the whole thing and am pleased to find that my legs and abs are looking way more toned than a month ago. The trainer that Carmen works with is not annoying, and is great about reminding you of the best breathing patterns for each exercise. You can choose between Techno, Rock, and Hip Hop for the music during the DVD, which helps switch it up. The best part is that it seems to fly by in no time, and this DVD isn’t super cheesy like the others in the series. I am really hoping to do a boudoir session, and this DVD will definitely get me in shape for that!

I really can’t say enough about it. I think it is also available if you have On Demand.

I did buy the first DVD in the series at the same time as the second. They were both impulse buys at the grocery store. The first DVD is really cheesy and sassy, and is not much of a workout, but it is really amusing.

What is your favorite fitness DVD?