Breaking a Plateau!

Hi Fitness Friends!

Well FINALLY I am once again seeing changes in my body!   During the last months I was getting too lax with my eating.  I am not the food police, and although I do try to eat healthy as I possibly can while still having fun with the family I was going a little bit overboard in the food department.  Although the scale was not increasing, it wasn't diminishing either, and inches were still the same.  Which in a good way, that is good to know that I can maintain myself...you know without doing the yo- yo dance YAY!

However, I am still far and away from goal.  I guess I am not that concern about the number on the scale, so much as to how my body is looking.  My arms are my biggest problem area...and if you followed me here or on facebook you probably know that my arms are my greatest pet peeve, they are huge! the first thing I always see is great changes in my lower body, and thats all good but man I wish my arms would keep up.  There are periods where my lower body is totally slimmed down, and my arms are still huge, and I look like a football player.  BUT I am finally seeing some shrinkage in my arms!  I am very happy about that...and you know you can't target a specific area of your body to shed the fat, so I am working on overall body toning.  My program of choice is still Les Mills Pump  I just cant say enough good things about the home version of Body Pump.  My legs are so much stronger! and know that I am adding the Pump Revolution and Pump Extreme into my routines, it is now when I am noticing that my arms are slimming down! Plus the energy of the trainers is just AMAZING! I can't believe I am getting that type of energy and motivation from a DVD program.

Also I am still doing my Turbo Kick but Zumba is getting a lot more attention know as I am trying to get down my first playlist down.  I am checking out AWESOME zumba classes locally, and all I can say, oh that song is off the hook! oh man that choreo is booming! (all this in my head, I really don't say booming or off the hook out loud, I think people would look at me funny :)   I also went to a Zumba Jam...when Meli (The Zumba Jammer) said you are going to be dancing 3 hours straight, she wasn't kidding!! we got a few 2min breaks...and like 1 5min break...and like 10min where we sat in a circle and getting tips on how to give our students the best zumba experience but other than that it was go, go, go! It was totally awesome! I am going again to another zumba jam in April....I just loved it!

I have more to say in my Turbo Kick...I am going to teach round 48 in my next session which starts April 2nd! I am also going to demo 48 here locally!! (Wohooo thanks to Maria Charito) if you are local make sure to check out her zumba class.  You can follow them on facebook at M&M Fitness   and I may do another demo locally.  It would be very awesome to teach Turbo Kick closer to home :)

So for now, I am feeling good, I am back on track with my eating...next blog post I'll talk more about my eating since now I rambled on and keeping you up to date to what I am doing :)

Les Mills, Turbo Kick and ZUMBA!

Hello Friends!

Oh man, I haven't blogged in a while! There is sooooo much to tell!

The month of February has been like a "wild ride" LOL - so many things, at work, at home, and I've developed a flair for the dramatic!  and I really do need to tone my self down, mostly this dramatic side of me has been at home. But I have not let all the happenings and going at home and work affected my workout schedule, and that's a plus for me!

Okay, where to start?

I am continuing with Les Mills! Last night I did my first ever 55min workout with Les Mills doing Pump Revolution, LOVED IT! it was the 1st workout that I do that has biceps and triceps tracks! My arms are super sore today.  I made this video of my 2 favorite moments of the pump & shred! What I am loving of Les Mills Pump is that my lower body is getting AWESOME results! as well as my chest muscles, I am looking forward to start seeing changes in my arms!  I do need to say that if you have been in the fence of ordering Les Mills Pump, let me give you a little push ;) the introductory price is going up, so now would be the time to go for it! If your ready click here

Now for the Turbo Report! I finished learning Round 48 of Turbo Kick, and I feel like am doing something totally brand new! in fact I am going to change up my routine of a combination of TK 38 and TK 44 for my Monday class, and introduce them to TK 48! My students are going to LOVE IT!   My favorite part of TK 48 is the Finale!!

I did receive Round 49 this week, and I've learned the punches section, so far so good! I'll post about TK 49 later ;)

NOW FOR THE BIG DRUM ROLL!! I got certified in ZUMBA!!! YAY BABY! I am super excited about this new certification.   I loved zumba back in the day...I had Beto's very first DVD's in Spanish! so this is a big deal, although I haven't zumba in a while, I though that it would be a nice addition to my cardio.  So far I've learned the choreography for 4 songs! I still need to practice them more so that if feels more fluid before I tackle my 5th song.

That has been my Fitness for February!

OH, I also started a challenge group with 5 of my friends, we are doing the Brazilian Butt Lift  this is our 3rd day, and we are all very excited!!  If you would like to learn more about the challenge groups I am creating make sure to friend me on facebook and ask for deets!


Here is my workout schedule for the month of March!

Until next time!

Les Mill Pump It and Zumba!

Hello Hello my fitness friends!

Man have I been busy! but no worries, I've been doing the Les Mill Pump guide, and as I had mentioned I did do Week 3 twice.  This week is my Week 4 and the workouts are:

Tuesday: Pump & Shred
Wednesday: Hard Core Abs
Thursday: Pump & Shred
Friday: Flow
Saturday Pump & Shred

Of course to this I am adding Turbo Kick, Hip Hustle and Zumba practice!  For Turbo Kick, I need to master the Recovery and the Finale and I will have round 48 in the bag!  for hip Hop Hustle, I have Block 1 and Block 2 already mastered, but I have been ignoring The Show...I have the choreagraphy down, I just need to practice more so its more fluid, and work on some of the shoulder/body rolls.  Now Zumba! thats my lastest certification - can you give me a "Woot Woot" :)  Last week I've been reviewing my basic steps.  But this week I am going to start practicing the choreography in the mash up DVD/CD. The goal this week is to master the 1st song, which is a Merengue called Tigre.  So my practice goals are:

1.  Full round of  turbo kick 48
2.  Master the Show for Hip Hop Hustle 17 - I will have the full Hustle in my pocket by the end of the week.
3.  Have the 1st song of my zumba choreography - a merenge called Tigre

It looks like its going to be a full Cardio week...you know what that means? I can have a bit of granola this week! :)

Les Mill Pump It! 3rd Week!

Hey Fitness friends!

I am trying to juggle Les Mill Pump and Turbo.  So my 1st report, here is my Les Mill Pump udate! tonight I have Pump and Burn ;)

NOW, this week was my FIRST EVER TURBO KICK as an Instructor! wohoo! I learned a lot...things that I will change this coming Monday, but overall it can be rolled into AWESOME!



I still have to rave about Energy and Endurance!   this morning I did 34min of TK 48 -- and normally for that time I burn about 400 calories, I decided to plug my bodybugg and downloand the date, I burned 805!!! again double! its FREAKIN' AWESOME!  In case you didn't see my initial review of E&E, check it out!

Okay I need to another word than Awesome -- suggestions? ;)

Les Mill Pump It - Day 11, 12 & 13

Howdy fitness friends!

Here is my Les Mills update.   Saturday was day 11, and it was supposed to be "FLOW" however, I didn't do it :/ I know, I know! I am mad at myself for skipping the FLOW..my muscles needed that stretch! especially, that on Saturday at Fit Club, we did a bootcamp style work out, as we had technical difficulties.   Following that I headed over to 24hr fitness to do a live Turbo Kick class....and basically I was beat!  I took Sunday as my rest day, and this morning I did Pump and burn (which is day 12 of Les Mills) I can totally tell, that my muscles need that stretch! so tomorrow is my rest day, but I will add the FLOW workout.

Also, I need to start practicing my full TK Round 44 workout, as on Monday I start my own class! wohoo! super excited about that!  So I need to really commit at a 5am wake up call, for my practice!

After I got half a cupcake from the kitchen today, I decided to write down my meal plans for the week...I do better when I plan the full week, than going day by day, so here it is:

Monday 1/16/12
Meal 1 -   Shakeology w/ banana and PB2
Snack  -   Shakeology w/ Ice and PB2
Meal 2 -   Light sodium Progresso Soup - Chicken Gumbo, Orange, and half a chocolate cup cake
Snack  -   Light danon yogurt
Meal 3  -  Broiled cat fish, steamed brocolli and a bit of brown rice

Total Calories 1998

Tuesday 1/17/12

Meal 1 -   Shakeology w/ banana and PB2
Snack  -   Shakeology w/ Ice and PB2
Meal 2 -   Turkey Sandwich, carrots,
Snack  -   Fage Yogurt
Meal 3  -  Turkey meat balls and whole wheat spaghetti


Wednesday 1/18/12

Meal 1 -   Poached egg on a whole wheat orowheat thin and salsa verde, mixed berries
Snack  -   Shakeology w/ Ice and PB2
Meal 2 -  Egg white veggie scramble
Snack  -   Fage Yogurt
Meal 3  -  BBQ Chicken Sandwiches


Thursday 1/19/12

Meal 1 -   1 whole egg scrambled w/ veggies and steamed spinach
Snack  -   Shakeology w/ Ice and PB2

Meal 2 -  Turkey Sandwich, carrots,
Snack  -   Fage Yogurt
Meal 3  - Chicken Stir Fry


Friday 1/20/12

Meal 1 -   Oatmeal with berries
Snack  -   Shakeology w/ Ice and PB2
Meal 2 -  Turkey Veggie Wrap
Snack  -   Fage Yogurt
Meal 3  - Homemade Pizza (Veggie delight!)



Please make a plan for yourself too! :)

Les Mill Pump It - Day 9 & 10

Good Afternoon!

Well yesterday was Day 9 of Les Mills Pump  and per the schedule I was only supposed to walk 45....I did plan to do my walk at lunch, but I had to skip it, as I was busy with a reconciliation at work...anywho, I did do Turbo for 25minutes.

Today, is day 10, and I tackled both workout this morning! I did the Pump Challenge, and the Hard Core Abs...all good all good.  I maintained the same...15lbs for squats, and 10lbs for all other exercises.  I also did Block 1 of Hustle 17! (What is Hustle?) check me out here :) - actually that is block 2 of hustle 17, I didn't record myself this morning :)


Tomorrow I have Flow...but I will also add Turbo, plus I have the Fit Club in the morning, SOOO on Sunday I taking that as my rest day , and will have day 12 of Les Mills Pump on Monday! which is Pump and Burn!

This week, I did very good with my eating.   I stuck to my eating plan! which was between 1600-1800 a day! I did have a close call on Wednesday (or Tuesday?) but I was close to giving into some food urges and going to Chipotle's for lunch, but I totally conquered that urged, and stuck to my salad! YAY! all in all, I felt good with my fitness and my nutrition plan this week.  I will grade myself a B...not an A, because I do want to work in more Turbo during the week but in order to that I need to answer the 5am morning call! that will be my goal for next week ;)

KIA HAHA  - BE STRONG!!

LES Mill Pump It - Day 7 & 8!

Howdy Peeps!

So, technically I didn't get a Day 7in my Pump round, since I took 2 day rests this past weekend, so this morning was Day 8, which Pump and Burn!  Now, the Pump Challenge is mostly how to use the barbell and proper technique, and its 20min long, and although you do "feel it" now I see that it really is just an introductory...

WOWSA! Pump and Burn is a short 30min workout, where you basically put into practice what you learn in the Pump Challenge...but in a whole different level.  You do feel the Rep Effect with this one.  I started off light with 5lbs for the warm up.   Then I put 10lbs for squats, but I really wanted to do 15lbs.  However, since this was a new workout that I hadn't done before, I decided to go light with the 10lbs.  I stuck with those for the remainder of the workout.   During the squats the first minute, I was like...you know I should of done 15lbs...but towards that 4th minute, I was like...huh..10lbs is not bad! LOL  The track that really got me pushing was the chest one...I had to take a break in minute 2.   My ultimate favorite was the ab track!  and Let me tell you, there is something about doing your crunches slow, that really dig deep in there.  My abs are SUPER sore!  anytime I move, or sneeze, it hurts real good.   Les Mill trainers really do like the Hover exercises (which are basically planks with movement), and man, being in a plank position for 2 minutes, its a challenge for me but I'll get there!

Tomorrow is a walking day per the Les Mill Pump schedule, so I will schedule my walk during lunch, but I will Turbo in the AM!

In another exciting news, Tropical Shakeology is FINALLY going to be released on Feb 14!  I am super excited! I was told that its even better than what I had a taste of it at Summit...and YES it is VEGAN! wohoo!  What I was "told" and I can't say 1st hand, but I will confirm as soon as I get my shipment, is that Tropical with banana tastes JUST like Strawberry Banana yogurt - my favorite! If you want a sample of the tropical, and if I am not your free coach already, then sign up (its free ;) and send me a message  letting me know you would like a sample!

Les Mill Pump It - Day 5 & 6!

Howdy partners!

Well Day 5 and Day 6 were not Saturday and Sunday....I got a bit of a stomach issue this weekend.  I blame the popcorn I had on Friday night while Angel and I went out to see the movie The Devil Inside.   I won't get into the movie...all I can say it would have been better if I would have watched it with no teenagers around...they had their cell screen on, and there was lots of laughter...so I didn't get the scary thrill I was looking for, but I digress..

Monday was Day 5 which Body Pump Challenge workout.  I ended up doing in the evening - around 9pm or so.  I did add my 15lbs weights on each side of the barbell for the squats...I def felt the burn which was good.  I did all other exercises with 10lbs.

Today, is Day 6 which is Hard Core Abs, which I did this morning.  I loved that workout! its only about 15min, and the slow ab routine, is a real killer.  I felt the burn, well after I was done...in fact although I don't have any burn, I am sore!  usually it takes 24hours for my abs to get sore after an ab workout, so I am thinking this is new!

Also, today I decided to order one of beachbody's newest supplement called the E&E (short for Energy and Endurance)   I can't wait to report on this, and how it can help! When I workout, I want to make sure I give it more than my 100% to really reap the benefits so I am excited!

Tomorrow is day 7 of Les Mill Pump, technically it should be a rest day for me, but since I did have 2 days rest this weekend, I am going ahead and jump to day 8 which will be Pump and Burn! I didn't do any weight lifting today, so that would be good! So stay tuned!

If you are ready to order please click Les Mill Pump or ready to give E&E a go along with me ;)

KIA KAHA - BE STRONG!

Les Mill Pump It - Day 4!

So today is Day 4 of Les Mills Pump! and it was the "FLOW" workout.   And basically it was yoga postures.  I am not a big fan of yoga or stretching workouts...I mean I do KNOW that it is an essential part of my fitness regimen, to help my muscles stretch, rebuild, oxygenate and all that, but I get frustrated because I am not a very flexible person.  I know flexibility is something I need to work on to improve.  So one of my 2012 resolutions is to put more emphasis in that area of my fitness journey.  So I must say that I really enjoyed the FLOW workout.  It was not crazy postures, it was short at only 20min, and when I was done, I felt soooo good!

I was re-reading the Fitness Guide of the program in more detail....and its a really cool culture.  Les Mills is based on the indigenous Maori culture of New Zealand and use traditional Maori markings and sayings, which I think is really cool.  One of Les Mills Bodypump symbols is the Mangopare (hammerhead sharks) is the traditional symbol for Strength and Power and let me say, that if I ever get a  tattoo this is definitely going to be one of them!

As I was reading, Les Mills philosophy is to remind us that we're all part of the same tribe - empowering ourselves and others and changing lives!   I keep seeing this quote through out the guide "We are warriors in the battle against a sedentary lifestyle"  and while it can be very comfortable sitting on the couch watching TV, or sitting on my beach towel while my kids are playing in the beach, or sitting on the bench while my  kids are playing in the playground...I know I will have more fun actually engaging and playing with them, and living life, rather than sitting and watching it go by before my eyes.  So come on! Join me --- what are you waiting for?

Les Mill Pump It! - Day 2 & Day 3

Hello, Hello!

Well yesterday, was day 2 of Les Mills Pump, and it was rest day.  However, I am used to working out 6x a week, so I decided to do some Turbo.  I did, the warm up, the punches, and then moved onto mastering the Kick section, which I did ;)   I went through it 4x (on both sides) and I learned it.  That was good, and I finally get that after a while, learning the Turbo sections becomes easier and easier.

So now, for today!  Today was the Pump Challenge workout again...which I LOVE, its short and sweet, but I do feel it!   its only 20minutes so I am really liking that!  Today I decided to use 10lbs on each side of my barbell for all workouts, it worked out good, except, that I am going to up it to 15lbs on the very 1st exercise which is the squats.  I felt it more than 1st day (which I only did 5lbs) but I know I can go to 15lbs, so thats what I will do on Saturday when I have that workout again.

For tomorrow, I have the Flow workout which I see from the description guide its basically stretch/yoga exercises, as you  know I am not a big fan...I mean, I know the benefits of stretching, but I am just not that flexible, and I know it something I need to work on so even though I complain, I will do it if it comes up in the schedule, and I WILL BECOME FLEXIBLE this 2012! I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow :)

For information on how to order your own program of Les Mills Pump you can e-mail me or if you are ready to order please visit my website store - if you do, I am automatically assigned as your coach!  then you'll have almost everything to succeed! ;)

Time to PUMP IT! - Day 1

Howdy Fitness Friends!

Well during the last 2 weeks of December I enjoyed my Holiday vacation!  I only worked out about 5x during this 2 week off period, but I am so ready to get back in the game!

This month I gave myself a couple of presents.  I bought myself P90X2!   I opened up my package!  Here is a video of me opening up my package and going through the contents , but honestly I haven't tried it out yet.

I also got my Les Mills Body Pump! this is the newest addition to the Beachbody repertoire!  I had to get that too! and I decided that for the 1st 90 days of 2012 this will be my program to start and finish!  Today was my 1st day and I did the Pump Challenge workout, which is 20 minutes of learning the proper form of using the Barbell.  We learned how to squat....and next time I am going 15lbs one each side, at 5lbs on each side it was just too light.  We also did a deadlift, bench press, clean and press (which is a great move! I did it with 5lbs, I want to see if I can handle10lbs) kickback, and bicep curls.    The music was pretty good!  its high energy which I like.   Before I started I watched Pump Basics (which is 10minutes) and basically it shows you how to assemble your barbell, adjust weights, proper grip and stance, and they also taught about the different Tempos that they use on each exercise.  

So what is different about Les Mills? (from what I can tell compared to Chalean Extreme) is that it turns the thinking of lifting heavy between 8-12 reps by doing LOTS of repition with light to moderate weights and changing the tempo/speed of the movement, muscle fatigue will still happen (I felt it!)  So I personally didn't count, but the guide books states that one will perform 70-100 repetitions per body parts, for a total of 800 repetitions in a workout.   The Les Mill trainer Susan Renata said that because of the Rep Effect I will have more meaningful fat loss AND muscle fatigue to build strength without bulding bulk, but giving your muscles that long lean athletic look (which I want ;)

What I liked about my first workout, is the barbell...I've never worked out using one before, and its pretty awesome.  It makes me feel strong and powerful when I am lifting the barbell and then rolling my shoulders back.   As most of beachbody programs, the round consist of 90 days broken down into 3 phases.  This 1st phase is called the Te Wero * The Challenge.  This first weeks is easy, it consists of 3 Pump Challenges this week and the "Flow" DVD and the Hard Core Abs DVDs, it also throws in some additional cardio, they recommend walking on Day 3 and day 6.  Tomorrow is Day 2 for me and its a Rest Day! but guess what I am doing?  You guessed it! TURBO!.  

To learn more about Les Mills Pump contact me or  if you are ready to order you can go to my store