You Are Not Tired! --- TurboFire - Day 5 to Day 8

TurboFire is an intense cardio kickboxing DVD program created by fitness expert Chalene Johnson. It is a continuation fromt the original cardio kickboxing program Turbo Jam, but is not for the weak hearted. It is intense, incorportaing not only intense, high impact cardio moves, but high intensity interval training as well. When you aren't kicking into the burn, you will be subjected to some intense strength training moves and core. This is one tough program and if you aren't already an athlete, you will be one when you finish.

The TurboFire program is 12 weeks long. During that time you will have a set schedule so each day you know exactly which workout you will be doing. But don't worry, you won't be bored. This program consists of several different workouts that will have you jamming to the music picked out and mixed especially for Turbo Jam. If that isn't enough to keep you moving, this program is done in a classroom type setting, therefore, during those moments when you feel like you are starting to drag, you can look to your neighbor and see how hard they are bringing. It will push you to do more!

Exercise has always been a big part of my life. With BeachBody, I have not only found a program that I enjoy, but I have found one that works. TurboFire is my second journey. I started with P90X and since than, I have already lost 45 pounds. While I am not at goal yet, I don't have much further to go. I am hoping TurboFire is able to take me to the next level.

If you want to read about my time with P90X click here or feel free to just jump ahead and see the results on Day 90.

During my two journeys, I have also become a BeachBody coach. This was a way for me to get my program (without really having to justify it to my husband) If you are interested in TurboFire or any of the other BeachBody programs feel free to check out the products by visiting my BeachBody coach page. However, at no time feel pressured. This is my personal journey, and writing about it keeps me accountable.

Day 5 was a Saturday and it was also the start of the holiday weekend. I already knew things were going to be tough this weekend and starting off with the TurboFire Fire 55 EZ class really set that in stone for me. Because it was the weekend we slept in a little bit and then we had to get up and do this hour long program. Thankfully, because we (my husband and I) have both tried this workout in the past, we didn't have to worry about learning any new moves.

Fire 55 EZ is one of the longest workouts I have done with TurboFire so far. It doesn't seem like it is too long, unless you are counting the times you need to grab the towel and wipe the sweat from your eyes. It is also a great calorie burner, which was needed since we were headed to a holiday BBQ later that evening. Believe me, after all the food and alcohol consumed, I probably should have done the workout twice!

There is no better punishment for bad eating, excessive drinking, and a lack of sleep than being forced to get up the next day and workout. Luckily, since we planned the longest workout for Saturdays, we only had to push ourselves through the TurboFire Fire 30 class, which by this time, was our third round this week. That meant we were very familiar with the moves!

This was definately a recovery day. We lounged most of the morning before we eventually got our workout clothes on. We pushed through it and I will easily admit it probably wasn't my best effort put forth. But, tomorrow is another day and another TurboFire workout. Besides, there is no reason to feel bad - after all, how many people do you know doing these intense workouts on a holiday weekend??

Memorial Day. It is definately a time for celebration and a time for thanks. To thank all those who have served and fought for our country. For those who have died so we have the freedom that we know today. As a veteran, I am proud to be a part of this great country. So - we once again celebrate!

Today's workout was the TurboFire Core 20 Class and the Stretch 40 class. I have tried the Core workout previously (during my practice stage) and it is intense. It is not at all like any other core workout I have done before. Knowing my core is the weakest part of my body because of my medical history, I have vowed going into TurboFire I wasn't going to skip the abdominal sections of TurboFire and this workout was not going to be taken lightly. During P90X, I skipped the Ab Ripper portion because it was too intense. After doing Core 20, I can tell I will definately have those 6 pack abs ready to reveal themselves sometime in the future.

Afterwards, we were rewarded with a stretch class, or what would be better called yoga (or so my husband pointed out mid-pretzel!). This took 40 long minutes and after a full week of TurboFire, it was much needed. Muscles were definately aching but were feeling much better afterwards.

That night was a BBQ at our house with many toasted beers to this wonderful country we live in!

Today marks the start of the second week. It also marks the day where results are taken. After looking back at my weekend, I wasn't so sure I really wanted to jump on that scale and see the results (or the lack there of!). Today was also the day we were introduced to a new workout - TurboFire Fire 45 Class.

The first thing I noticed about this workout was there was no "EZ" written after it, and believe me, I was looking. This meant it was going to be tough! And there was no promises broken there. It was probably one of the hardest workouts I have done so far in TurboFire and as I warned my husband, the first week was nothing more than a warm-up. Now is when it starts getting intense!

So this is probably what you have been waiting for...

Results:

The results were minimal and after all the bad eating (and drinking this weekend) I wasn't really surprised. The scale didn't budge and neither did the body fat percentage. But I am not going to be disappointed. Afterall, who is crazy enough to start an intense program like this, and expect results, during a holiday weekend? That would be me!

However, it isn't all bad. I do feel much stronger and the energy increase I have had has been incredible. So, while the scale didn't move, the tape measure did. Now I don't have much further to go, so I don't expect the inches to really be falling off, but in the first week, I did shed 1.5 inches. Can't be too upset about that!

When on a weight loss journey, holidays can be very intimidating. Especially when you know there will be tons of food and alcohol every where you turn. Holiday weekends also have a tendency to be busy. What does this mean for weight loss? This means you probably aren't going to be getting a lot of rest (recovery is vital if you want to lose weight!) and you will probably find it difficult to even get your workout in. If you do get your workout in, you might not be pushing it as hard as you might have if you were fully energized.

However, holidays don't come around all that often. While your workouts are important, so is your eating during weight loss. With the holidays, this all has a tendency to be thrown out the window. So, here are my tips for surviving the holidays.

1. Exercise: If you are staying home for the holiday, try to get your workout in right away in the morning. Holidays are busy and you don't want to have to try and squeeze it in later and you don't want to feel bad if you miss it all together. If your aren't at home, try substituting something else for your workouts. Maybe you can start a good ole game of football with friends and family. Or if you are out camping, maybe hiking might be available or even swimming. Remember, the most important thing is to move! Heck, you probably can even play some tunes on the radio and do some impromptu dancing!
2. Food: There will probably be more than enough food around and most of it will probably be something normally off-limits in the dieting lifestlye. While eating healthy is important, the most important thing to do is to not feel deprived. If you want a brownie, have one... not the whole pan. If you are eating somewhere where you don't have control of the food selection remember to listen to your body. You might go over your calories, but it doesn't mean that you have to be rolled away from the table. Eat until you are satisfied. The only time you should start feeling regret is when you are so full you feel sick. Remember your limits. There is no way you will eat enough food in one weekend that you will completely destroy your weight loss.
3. Alcohol: Chances are good, you might be around alcohol. If you don't drink alcohol, than this won't be a problem. Same thing goes - try to enjoy a few drinks in moderation. Or, remember it is a holiday and you don't do this every weekend!

Hope everybody enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend!

If you would like start from the beginning of my personal journey and learn more about the TurboFire program, click here. If you would like to read about my previous day, click here.

To continue reading about my journey, click here.