Phase 2 Workout 8 - AKA Legs it's your turn!

Phase 2 Workout 8  of Jillian Michael's 90 day Body Revolution

Holy Moses are my arms SORE from Workout 7!!! Anything I lifted today made my biceps scream (possibly due to workout 8 as well), and the front of my shoulders…I can’t even tell you. I’m aware of them when I’m just sitting on the couch. BUT, I LOVE feeling that soreness – it lets me know I definitely gave my body a good workout.

Workout 8 wasn’t awful. That’s my general feeling about Workouts 7 and 8. Workouts 5 and 6, particularly 5, felt impossible initially. Workouts 7 and 8 do not feel impossible. Challenging? Absolutely. But I manage to get through it without feeling like I need to pause.

I liked Workout 8 more than Workout 7 because it hit lower body a lot more. I love how Jillian incorporates so many balance elements into these workouts – it really makes me feel like my core is getting a great workout. 

Overall, this one wasn’t terrible. She actually recommended using 3 pound weights a few times in this dvd, and initially I did, but for a few of the exercises I found I could use my usual 6 pounds. 

I’m really trying to push myself with weight. I’m trying to go heavy with my weights as often as possible, and only using lighter weights if absolutely necessary. The cardio intervals in 7 and 8 are more challenging, but again, not impossible.

I won’t mind these next two weeks! I’m back to Cardio 2 tomorrow (I’m starting to get a LITTLE sick of it). I will let you know how I’m feeling soon!

ALSO check out Madeline's latest foodie goings n at her cooking blog!
http://thelawsofthekitchen.blogspot.com/2013/04/chicken-enchilada-pasta-made-wgf-corn.html

Phase 2 Workout 7 AKA “Hold Plank Until You Collapse” of Jillian's 90 day!

Phase 2 Workout 7 AKA “Hold Plank Until You Collapse”

I am officially halfway through this program – woo! Unfortunately, I had to take a few days off last week due to traveling, but I am back on track! I do not anticipate any other delays moving forward, so I am set to finish off the program 2 weeks before my wedding. I am planning to repeat some of the workouts during the final 2 weeks, and then I will be wedding-ready. I just need to stay focused and stay on my diet (there has been some serious diet cheating due to Easter).

Here are my thoughts on Phase 2 Workout 7:

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I do not like resistance bands. I still don’t like it, and that was emphasized in this dvd. Jillian uses the band for 3 exercises, and I ended up using dumbbells for all 3 because I felt like it was more challenging with the weights. It’s totally up to you – some people LOVE resistance bands. I’m just not one of them. My form was sloppy when using the band, so I switched to weights. Listen to your body.

The first circuit and cardio drill is ALL plank/push ups. It’s BRUTAL. My arms were shaking so hard I could barely hold myself up. She takes a few points where she will joke around/talk before starting an exercise, and even the athletes in the video will take those moments to shake their arms out, so I didn’t feel that bad about struggling. I had to PUSH through the first 2 circuits. I found myself mentally coaching myself “just get through ONE more before doing the modification.” Those mantras definitely help me.

My heart rate was up through the whole dvd, but I didn’t feel like I was going to collapse like I did the first time I did Workout 5 (SO glad to be done with that one!!). The cardio drills are DEFINITELY harder – she’s incorporating more plyometric (read: jumping). 

Overall, this was a KILLER on my arms and shoulders. As much as I want toned arms/shoulders, I am hoping that she focuses more on legs in future videos – I want to feel the burn in my quads/buns!

I’m moving on to Workout 8 tomorrow, so I’ll be back soon.