Balance

After a week of the "30-Day Shred," I could not return that DVD to the library fast enough.  I did not want a workout that made me feel defeatist and a loser from the starting gate.  That's not how my motivation works.  I need something that I can DO at least 75-90% of, and work on getting to the 100%, and then move on from there.


I decided on some more "Biggest Loser" brand DVDs.  Not because I've ever really watched the show, but reading reviews about the workouts described exactly what I'm looking for; a workout I can customize, and build up, without having to buy more DVDs right away, or a whole workout plan.  Since they've been out for a few years, I was able to get both a  cardio and a strength DVD used for about ten bucks

Both these DVDs have customizing options, another feature that appealed to me.  You select from Warmup, Level One, Two, Three, and Cool down/Stretch.  You also can select to do the workouts with or without the trainer.   What, I don't have to face Jillian again if I don't want to?  BRING IT!

I started with this one as something to do on my non-running days.  I was a little apprehensive since I would be facing my nemesis Jillian again.   I'm starting to think she has a Jekyll-Hyde personality disorder.  On this DVD, she was nice, helpful, and forgiving if you couldn't complete the task.  She even called one of the BL contestants (who are doing the workout with you) "Poodle!"  I was able to do complete Level One workout, and I felt like I got a good workout in, but did not collapse into a pool of tears thinking I sucked.

On the mornings I just can't bring myself to get out running (which is becoming more and more common - more on that later), I have been using this DVD.  Bob the Trainer is so NICE!  He proves you can be motiviational without humilating someone!  He's also totally okay that you may not be able to do everything right away, and they have examples of getting the job done without breaking something.  I love that in 30 minutes I am sweating, breathing heavy, and know I got a GOOD workout.  The yoga stretching cooldown is also great. I miss my yoga, and getting a little bit at the end of this DVD is a treat.

Both these videos have the Biggest Loser contestants performing the workouts with you.  They're all at different levels, from having a winner on there, to folks about halfway through the season (I'm guessing).  I will say using these DVDs has piqued my curiosity in watching the show.

...until I read this tell-all article about being a contestant on the show.    This made me sad.  I'm not surprised about the revelations about behind-the scenes, but it's stuff like this that builds up expectations in folks who then get frustrated when they haven't lost a gazillion pounds in three days.

I think that's why I have not been a religious viewer of the show.  I would watch it, and then subconsciously set expectations on  myself to have the same results as those on the BL Campus.  Then I'd feel sorry for myself being such a failure, and say the heck with it and just stop exercising all together.

That's NOT what I want to be about.  Maybe I'll watch it and blog about it, and how you could translate what they're doing into Real Life, where sometimes soothing your one-year old's cries is more important than the 30 minute sculpt video.   Where sometimes you can have that piece of cheesecake...just not every night that week.