Since going Paleo my family has fallen even more in love with our grill. Paleo and grilling just work well together. The past couple of years I've even been stepping outside my grilling comfort zone more and more. Grilling things I'd never thought to have grilled before and trying new flavor combinations. I have to say I'm pretty thrilled with the results of most of my flavor experiments. In the past I'd never have thought to grill fruit, but it's amazing. Grilling fruit and adding it to traditionally savory dishes? Brilliant. Oh yes, and? New rule: every burger recipe for the rest of forever must contain grilled pineapple. OK, maybe more of a guideline. It's a seriously delicious combination though. This Smoky Grilled Pineapple Burger is always a crowd-pleaser at my house. It's not only Paleo, but Whole30, glutenfree, lower carb, and clean eating friendly. I promise you won't miss the bun! paleo, grilled pineapple burger, smoky
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I live in a rural area. Which I love. However this can present some challenges in my getting fit quest. One of those challenges being: no gym as far as the eye can see (and farther). Luckily I am rather fond of running and at home workout DVDs.
I think everyone should have a small library of workout DVDs (especially mommies); this can combat many an excuse. And those who, like me, have no gym may choose to have a little larger selection on hand. They're just a good thing to have around.
Now, some people choose to buy an all in one system. One purchase, and you have a library complete with everything you need. Examples of this are P90X, ChaLEAN Extreme, and TurboFire. This is a great option if you can afford it. But even here you may want to buy a few single DVDs to avoid boredom.
When building your workout DVD library the first DVD you should look for is a good cardio DVD. Something that's going to give you a good sweaty workout when you can't find a sitter so you can go run or it's blowing and snowing outside. I think having at least one pure cardio DVD is a good thing. You can add it on top of a strength workout, or do it on alternate days of strength workouts.
Some great examples from my DVD library are: Banish Fat Boost Metabolism by Jillian Michaels, Turbo Jam Fat Blaster by Chalene Johnson (from my ChaLEAN Extreme set) and TurboFire HIIT30 (from my TurboFire Advanced set). These are my favorite-go-to cardio workouts.
The second DVD you should look for is a good strength-training workout. Now, this can come as a circuit DVD where you mix cardio and strength in one workout, or a straight strength workout. I strongly believe everyone can benefit from lifting weights.
Some examples of circuit training DVDs from my library are: One-On-One Training with Jackie by Jackie Warner (my fav), 30 Day Shred and
No More Trouble Zones by Jillian Michaels, and Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout.
Examples of great Strength-training only DVDs are: the lifting DVDs from ChaLEAN Extreme by Chalene Johnson (the set also includes cardio, but the lifting DVDs are strength-training only). Personal Training with Jackie: Power Circuit Training, Personal Training with Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Training, and Personal Training with Jackie: 30 Day Fast Start by Jackie Warner. I love all things Jackie Warner.
The third DVD I would suggest is a just for fun DVD. Something that you will really enjoy (although I do enjoy all the DVDs I've listed above). Something fun, maybe even on the silly side. A DVD you can talk yourself into doing on those days you just don't want to workout...something like a belly dancing DVD, or a stripper-workout DVD (yes, I said it)...Or, from my library, my just for fun DVD is Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Power Squad Bod! Calorie Blasting Dance (don't judge).
The fourth DVD I think should be in everyone's workout library is a good yoga DVD. I would highly recommend this. If you've never tried yoga, you absolutely should! My go-to yoga workout is: Yoga For Weight Loss with Suzanne Deason. In fact, it's the only yoga workout I use right now.
The last DVD you should consider is an abs or core focused DVD. Now many of the above listed DVDs include abs, but I personally like having a little something more. To me a strong core is important for everything else. Some of my favorites are: Lose the Belly Flab by Tracey Mallett, Abs 10 from TurboFire Advanced, Extreme Abs and Ab Burner from ChaLEAN Extreme, and Personal Training with Jackie: Crunchless Xtreme Abs by Jackie Warner.
Mix it up. Try new things. Enjoy. Make your workout library fun, reflecting you. It's important that you choose workouts that you enjoy and most importantly that you will do. This journey can be difficult enough without inflicting workout DVD torture on yourself. If one trainer annoys you, skip their DVDs and look around until you find trainers you love. If one DVD is too hard, save it for when you're more fit and search for better beginner workouts. Whatever your fancy, there's some really great options out there. No need to spend a ton of money either, most of the individual workouts I listed are under $10 on Amazon.
How about you...what's your all time favorite workout DVD?
JACKIE WARNER :)
ReplyDeletefave and right now ONLY one I do.
Wow, some great tips! I love that you can preview workout DVD's through Netflix. I am a firm believer in try it before you buy it!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, Kat! :) I think my favorite DVD's are my Walk Away The Pounds DVD's because I can actually get through them without feeling like I'm going to pass out. Hopefully as the pounds come off I'll be able to do more. :)
ReplyDeleteuh oh. Your DVD examples have proved how dusty my own collection is. Yeah - I have "Abs of Steel" in there. blarg
ReplyDeleteI had such a good comment and lost it :( anyway in short I love that you live in the BOONIES too! You are lucky you like the dvd's I have a hard time with them and drive 40 minutes each way to go to a class or gym. Worth it but if I had younger kids NO WAY! I hear Jackie Warner is the bomb I may have to try out one of her videos.
ReplyDeleteHey Lady! I totally fell off the blog world for a while...I was enjoying summer too much! Unfortunately without my routine I fell off the working out/eating right wagon too! But I'm back...and so inspired when I clicked on your blog and saw your beautiful thin face! You are rockin' it!
ReplyDeleteYou had me up until Dallas Cheerleaders. Then I fell to pieces giggling :)
ReplyDeleteWhat?! It's fun. Ya, I know.
ReplyDeleteThese are some excellent suggestions! I used DVDs a lot when my kids were younger at home. I loved it! I would do cardio with strength training and some yoga ones were really good too.
ReplyDeleteI love doing yoga workouts and mainly do them at home. My new favorite yoga dvd is Planet Yoga: Leeann Carey’s Bend 2 Mend. It’s spot on for alignment. I thought your readers might want to check it out: http://planetyoga.hostedbyamazon.com/Planet-Introduction-Bend-2-Mend-Restorative-Yoga/dp/B0042HW032
ReplyDeleteLove all your suggestions Kerri! I think getting to the gym (and the cost) is just too much for people at times. Many DVD's like you said are so cheap. With the price of a year membership you could buy 100 of them! Great post!
ReplyDelete