June 9 resistance

Now that summer is here, I’m running around more with my dogs and girls, and counting that toward my cardio. This week I’ll be focusing on resistance training videos from Popsugar.

The Lazy Girl Workout You've Been Waiting For! | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dG0GLD24g4&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr&index=11

With a title like that, who wouldn’t want to give it a go? Even though this entire workout is done on the floor—either laying down or sitting up, never on your feet—this is still a challenge to your abs (at least it was to mine). I chose 5 lb weights and I think that was just about right.

Would I do it again? Yes.

10 Minutes to Tighten and Tone Your Entire Body! | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjj10px-57s&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr&index=11

This workout seemed a little familiar, but I don’t know if it’s because I reviewed it before, or I’ve done of few of these and some moves are repeated. You will need a mat for this. The further I got into the workout, I realized I had not done it just the first few were familiar. Other than a mat you will not need any other equipment, but I definitely felt the burn in my legs, abs and arms.

Would I do it again? Yes

10-Minute Hot For Holidays Workout | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7bc4jRLfJ8&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr&index=12

This workout combined resistance with weights (I used 5 lbs) alternating with getting the heart rate up. While I liked some of the weight exercises, I personally do not care for a workout that combines the cardio and resistance like this.

Would I do this again? No.

June 4 Resistance

Quick, Intense, and Fun P90X3 Workout | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJNT3l2KVmY&index=12&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr

PopSugar has various guest and celebrity coaches come to demonstrate their expertise. In this video, Tony Horton gives a taste of P90X3. In usual Tony Horton fashion, multiple muscle groups are targeted. I did have to make some modifications, and my legs cramped up a couple times (leave it to Beachbody to make me feel out of shape, lol).

Would I do this again? Yes. I wasn’t able to attack this workout with full intensity as I was trying to learn the moves.

Fat Blasting Workout, R.I.P.P.E.D. Fitness, Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-jl1HTXSxY&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr&index=8

This seemed to be a combination of cardio and resistance—which I guess could work if you’re really pressed for time. However, I did not see where they instructed what size weights to use.  Also, for one of the resistance exercises they actually speed it up. Since you are using weight and it works the shoulder, I would caution against speeding up when doing resistance. Usually slowing down is a better way to increase difficulty. When I follow a video, I like it when the instructor counts the reps out loud (helps me know if I'm not staring at the screen that I'm keeping up or if they have moved on), however this lacked rep counting.

Would I do this one again? No.

Metabolism Boosting Workout, Full Body Fitness, Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61A2DSwCp0&index=10&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr

This was an interesting non-stop workout where once you pick up a set of weights, you aren’t supposed to put them down. I liked the instructional style, very thorough and clear. I chose 2lb weights as I wasn’t sure what I was getting into and it was my third video, but I did not have to modify or put down my weights.

Would I do this again? Yes, I’d like to try this again with 5 lbs.

Cardio for June 3

30-Minute Bodyweight Bootcamp Workout You Can Do Anywhere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_0MgIJdF6k

I went with one 30 minute workout today. I had to modify some of the exercises, but I pushed through and was dripping by the end. My arms and legs were a little shaky too.

Cardio workout by PopSugar from May 29

10-Minute Fat Burning Body Weight Workout | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO5nX2Fgh44&index=6&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooTip9negHW1BMjqZNMwxcVI

This workout was very challenging and I had to modified alot.

The 10-Minute Fat Incinerator Workout | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GhuaxX53eI&index=7&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooTip9negHW1BMjqZNMwxcVI

Tough--I’ll have to work up to this one.

At-Home Cardio Sweat Workout - No Running Required! | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt--C_OUGB8&index=8&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooTip9negHW1BMjqZNMwxcVI

O. Holy. Cow.

Would I do these again? These totally kicked my butt.

Strength workouts by Popsugar from May 27

Fat Blasting Strength Training Workout | Full Body Fitness | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNEZvlfHkg0&index=5&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr

This one was kind of fun and didn’t need any weights. I did need some extra cushion for the floor work (guess it’s my wide hips :) )

Would I do this one again? Yes.

10-Minute Workout With Hayden Panettiere's Trainer | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaJGWu416JA&index=6&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr

I found this one intense--or maybe I am just still recovering from late nights due to the storms. I definitely had to modify.

Would I do this one again? Yes.

Strength-Building Workout, Fat Blasting Fitness, Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwrVLBMHSUc&index=7&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr

I wouldn’t do this workout back to back with the above 10-minute workout with Hayden as the plank exercise at the end of the above is very similar to the plank at the beginning of this one. Some of the same exercises were also in the above fat-blasting workout, but this time weights were included.

Would I do this again? Yes

BTW, I am dripping.

Cardio 5/26

Cardio from May 26

So far what I have liked most about the Popsugar workouts is the time factor. Most workouts are only 10 minutes. I can combine them to create 20-30 minute workouts depending on the demands of my time. And as  a busy stay at home mom, I can check on the rest of my household every 10 minutes (which is when someone is usually calling for me)

The Most Effective Tiny Apartment Workout | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_hfFHX_YhM&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooTip9negHW1BMjqZNMwxcVI&index=5

This workout really is done in a small amount of space equal to a yoga mat. The one-legged burpees challenged my balance and I had to use modifications for couple of them. I also had to modify the twist exercise at the end by tapping my heels to the floor, but I still felt it.

Would I do this one again? Yes.

Tabata Workout to Tone Everything in 10 Minutes | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoL4Tqk_ih0&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooTip9negHW1BMjqZNMwxcVI&index=4

The exercises are kind of fun but in the Tabata format can be made intense. I was so sweating after just these two workouts.

Would I do this one again? Yes

Popsugar fitness from Tuesday 5/19 – strength training

Since I did cardio on Monday, Tuesday I looked for workouts that were designed for building strength or using resistance. Here's what I found:

10-Minute No-Equipment Home Workout, Full Body Exercise, Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6t0quh8Ick&index=4&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr

While I like that this video is only 10 minutes and uses no equipment, there is a side plank move that bothered my shoulder (granted this shoulder is one of my weak joints that I have to be mindful of), so fair warning this one could be hard on some joints. Also, my abs have never been strong (probably my weakest muscle), and they are getting stronger, but I found the runners crunch to be particularly challenging.

Would I do this one again? No

10-Minute Body Toning Workout With Weights | Class FitSugar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa0GAC5DpLg&index=1&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr
I found this challenging in a good way. I felt a bit of a twinge in my shoulder during one of the exercises, but for now I’m chalking that up to the exercise in the previous workout. Some moves in this video were similar to P90X so I’m impressed they fit a whole body workout into 10 minutes (since P90X workouts are at least 1 hour long).

Would I do this one again? Yes

CrossFit Workout With Weights | Full-Body Exercise | Class FitSugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss4kE1F5Bok&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooSO_HLsGm5JPz0CDTgwjibr&index=2

I’ve been curious about CrossFit so I figured I’d check this one out. The Man Makers were difficult (think burpees with weights and thrusters), but I still pushed through.

Would I do this one again? Yes, I’d give it another try.

PopSugar fitness 5/18/2015

I discovered PopSugar fitness via Facebook news feed and decided to check out some of their videos. So far, most of what I have seen I have liked so I'll start with the videos I tried on Monday.

These three videos are cardio and about 10 minutes long.

Become Beyoncé With This Sexy Dance Workout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Dnf5Y0_Hk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Dnf5Y0_Hk
This was a series of night club like dance moves. While it got my heart rate up some, I didn’t feel like it was really a workout.
Would I do this one again? No.

Full Body HIIT Workout | Fat Blasting Exercise | Class FitSugar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EGrv6O8z7w&index=1&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooTip9negHW1BMjqZNMwxcVI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EGrv6O8z7w&index=1&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooTip9negHW1BMjqZNMwxcVI
This was a short warm up followed by rounds of 40 seconds of exercise followed by 20 seconds of rest. I worked up a sweat and my heart rate was definitely up.
Would I do this one again? Yes

Tabata Fat Blasting Workout | Interval Training | Class FitSugar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axydnGTufOs&index=2&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooTip9negHW1BMjqZNMwxcVI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axydnGTufOs&index=2&list=PLSuYYJnt6ooTip9negHW1BMjqZNMwxcVI
This was a warmup followed by 20 seconds of exercise and 10 seconds of rest. I was dripping by the end (though walking the dog before and doing two other workouts before this could have contributed) and was definitely spent by the end.
Would I do this one again? Yes

Turbofire

Pros: shorter amount of time, focus more on women, modifications available Cons: Uncoordinated for some resistance training, wasn't getting muscle toning results. Initially I tried Turbofire for the cardio. The HIIT workouts of 15, 20 or 25 minutes are great. It did take me a few times before I felt like I figured out the moves but I definitely got my heart rate in the appropriate zone and it definitely burned calories. Unfortunately, I think the resistance portions require a knowledge of muscle groups and how to properly activate and engage them. Sometimes I found it difficult to get into the correct position. Maybe it's my lack of coordination that hindered me from being able to concentrate on multiple muscle groups and engaging them properly, but I do not feel i was getting the muscle-toning results I expected. Would I try it again? I will use the HIIT workouts, but pass on the resistance.

P90X

pros: gets results, plenty of modifications cons: time investment My husband has been through P90X and got great results. As a stay-at-home-mom I liked the flexibility of working out at home. While it does get great results, and I liked a couple of the suggested recipes; I have never made it through the whole program. I didn’t stop because I got the results I wanted and thought I could quit. The time investment is just too much for me. I don’t have over an hour each day to workout. Also, the recipes seemed to be either too involved or had hard to find ingredients. When I had time, I enjoyed P90X, I just don’t have that much time often enough. Would I try it again? Yes.

Final blog about The Purpose Driven Life

p315 “While you are shaped to serve others, even Jesus didn't meet the needs of everyone while on earth. You have to choose whom you can best help, based on your shape.” Is anyone elese relieved? I know there is more to Jesus' life than what is recorded in the Bible, but we also no His ministry was primarily to God's chosen people. As I remember the story of the Tower of Babel, I wonder how many people groups, races, tribes that did not know of His existence on the earth. We are humans and God's calling and purpose for us is limited—we aren't supposed to do it all! Hallelujah!!

Are we all prophets? Ez 3:18, p283

Warren says we are responsible for unbelievers around us that we interact with. He quotes Ez 3:18 “...I will hold you responsible for their death.” Well, gee, that seems like a pretty heavy burden to bear. I think this verse is taken out of context though. Ezekiel was a prophet. A prophet delivered specific messages from God and many times those were to warn of sin. If God gave Ezekiel a message of warning and he didn't deliver it, then I understand God holding him responsible. Even as Christians I don't think we have that same responsibility as a prophet. We are to share Jesus, show Jesus to those around us. But to announce ourselves as prophets of God with a message about their future—they might think we're beyond weird.

Weak p272-73

“Your weaknesses are not an accident. God deliberately allowed them in your life for the purpose of demonstrating his power through you. God has never been impressed with strength or self-sufficiency. In fact, he is drawn to people who are weak and admit it.” Is it just me or have some churches not communicated this? God uses the weak and imperfect. God gave us our weaknesses, created us with flaws for a reason. God will help us overcome our weak? God also uses our weakness. God works with and through our weakness.

Pointing fingers or making God look good, p268

“Competition between God's servants is illogical for many reasons: we're all on the same team; our goal is to make God look good, not ourselves.” This is why I don't understand why more churches can't work together. Why is time spent saying who is a better Christian? I guarantee that is not making God look good.

Is it self-sacrifice or true humility, p265

“This is true humility: not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less.” Whethere some churches preach self-sacrifice or people just interpret to the point of self-neglect. Serving so much, constantly pouring onesself out, without tending to your own needs, and being refilled will obviously burn a person out.

Distraction or Opportunity

P259 “Real servants do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient … being a servant means giving up the right to control your schedule and allowing God to interrupt it whenever He needs to.” But how do you know when it's God interrupting or when it's Satan trying to distract? P261 “Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. The little things in life determine the big things … before attempting the extraordinary, try serving in ordinary ways.” Sometimes I wonder of I'm being steered off course by God because I'm going the wrong direction or I need to learn something. Or am I being steered away as a distraction by Satan from what God wants me to do. Is it the little things, the seemingly insignificant things God wants me to focus on or are those the things Satan is throwing in my way.

Finding a place

P 251 “What do I really enjoy doing most? When do I feel the most fully alive? What am I doing when I lose track of time?” Watching TV? Scrolling through Facebook? Oh, I suppose those don't count. Reading. Writing. An odd mix of the Bible, Sci-fi, speculative ficiton. For a long time I thought these could not co-exist. Then I found Michael Angley, Madeline, L'Engle, Lis Weihl, Frank Perreti and wondered if it really could be possible. Now I am also finding magazines and/or literary journals specializing in fantasy and speculative fiction. Perhaps I can find my place in this crazy world.

Identity

P234 “God formed every creature on this planet with a special area of expertise … You are a custom-designed, one-of-a-kind, original masterpiece … He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless He intended to use them for His glory.” This is to every student who has wondered “Why am I here?” “What is my purpose?” “Who am I?” “Where do I fit in?” To all those who have answered, “You are a child of God” either elaborate on this canned response and help them realize their gifts and talents or find someone who can. It is important for social development for students to find a group with whom they can identify. God created us for relationships so students need to find the group whom they can trust.

What's really important?

P161 Focus on what we have in common not the differences. I think if Christians and churches could do this, it would have a huge impact on the world. When I hear Christians comparing who is the “better Christian” or who is “more saved” I remember the story of the woman caught in adultery and the men were taking her out to stone her. Jesus told the men, “He who has no sin cast the first stone.” No one threw. Jesus told the woman she was forgiven. We are all different in some way. God created us that way. But, as Christians we know we are forgiven and it is a gift. Isn't that what is really important?

Giving Yourself to God

P218 “The moment you open yourself to Christ, God gets a 'beachhead' in your life. You may think you have surrendered all your life to Him, but the truth is there is a lot of your life that you aren't even aware of. You can only five God as much of you as you understand at that moment.” I don't know if it is my own misinterpretation, but I think some teach as though we are holding back on God. It's not easy getting to know this person that is me. There is so much depth, so much to explore—and I change with time and experience.