Exercise TV Yoga Bootcamp Review & A Paintball Cake

This Week: I did it- I finally ordered the study supplies & paid for the exam fee to get ACE group fitness certified!!! Im so excited :) I have been wanting to do this for EVER. Now to pass the test and try to get into the biz! I hope I made the right choice. The other option was personal training but I have always wanted to do group fitness and I feel that maybe, just maybe it is a less popular cert these days so I may have less competition getting a job as opposed to doing personal training. Would love to do both one day- but gotta start somewhere :)

Today's Review: Exercise TV Yoga Bootcamp
Ashley Turner & Ted McDonald, 2011

This 2 dvd set contains four 40 minute yoga workouts. Ted leads two and Ashley the other two. They both work out in a cute blue & dark wood studio w/ 2 background exercisers. One exerciser shows modifications. You won't need any props for any of these workouts. The set also comes with a 28 day workout plan and a clean eating guide.

Disc One, Ashley Turner, Core Strength: This is a flowing vinyassa style workout that has a core focus. Ashley adds in core/ ab focused work throughout a typical vinyassa series. Exercises include: cobra, vinyassa series, up & down dog, chataranga, reverse planks, tricep dips, V hold, chair pose, hi planks, & plank to side plank.

Disc One, Ashley Turner, Twisting Detox: This is a flowing vinyassa style routine that has a core focus. Ashley adds in twisting & detoxifying focused work throughout a typical vinyassa series. Exercises include: cobra, vinyassa series, up & down dog, chataranga, hi plank, crescent lunge, twisted chair, chair pose, and arm circles.

Disc Two, Ted McDonald, Power Yoga for Arms & Abs: This is a flowing vinyassa style routine that focuses on the upper body. Ted adds in upper body focused work throughout a typical vinyassa series. Exercises include: cobra, vinyassa series, up & down dog, chataranga, chair, yoga pushups, warrior variations, bicycle, elevator planks, & 3 legged dog.

Disc Two, Ted McDonald, Dynamic Flow for Legs & Butt: This is a flowing vinyassa style routine that focuses on the upper body. Ted adds in lower body focused work throughout a typical vinyassa series. Exercises include: breath work, yoga squats, plank shifts, up & down dog, vinyassa flows, chataranga, warrior variations, 1/2 moon, & crescent pose.

I would rate this intermediate yoga routines that are a good fit for those new to yoga or those who love vinyassa routines. Both are good leads and plenty of modification options are shown. All four of the routines were similar but had different focuses. I received this dvd to review. Yoga Bootcamp becomes available on October 4 for purchase at www.ExerciseTV.tv as a 2 DVD set for $19.99. 

Weekend Cake Order: Made this cake for a good friends son's bday. Her DH, my DH & bday boy went & played paintball (do you play paintball???). So she ordered a paintball themed cake for the festivities featuring the paintball team. Her DH has dreads, hence the dread laden fondant figurine....Cake is chocolate, choco covered strawberry mousse filling, chocolate buttercream, and fondant decor. She got camouflage plates & napkins, etc so I added some camouflage to the cake. Oh and we wore camouflage just for fun :)

Today's Tip: Counter the cocktails

What you drink in a restaurant is as important as what you eat. If you start having cocktails before you even order, the alcohol may go to your head and sabotage your willpower when it comes to making healthy menu choices. It's better to wait and enjoy a drink with your meal. Choose red wine with dinner over cocktails with sugary mixers; the antioxidants in the wine are good for you. Read more on Prevention. 

Today's LOL:

Billy Blanks PT 24/7 Review: Cardio Burn (& MORE Vegas pics!!)

Today's Review: Billy Blanks PT 24/7: Cardio Burn
Billy Blanks, 2011 **** (4 of 5 stars)

Billy leads this 33 minute cardio + lower body workout with 7 backgrounders in a nice gym set. You will need your PT bands & gloves for this workout. Billy keeps this one moving & includes some nice lower body work to your cardio.

Exercises include: punch combos (he keeps your feet moving in these!), speed bag, elbow strike, side kicks, move up & back w/ kicks, jack & jab, jack & kick, lunges, jump rope, fast knee pulls, and he finishes with a nice donkey kick series, pushups, and some long leg crunches.

I would rate this a solid intermediate workout. Billy keeps this one moving along. Great cardio + lower body work workout. Billy's counting and cuing are good in this one and no real "down time" which I love. Great addition to the set. I received this dvd to review.

More Vegas Pics:

Hotel pool had an awesome waterfall

Went to "V" Variety show at Planet Hollywood

Homer on the strip!

Today's Tip: Make a little go a long way

If youre chocoholic who enjoys a decadent dessert, when you're confronted with one that looks too good to pass up, invoke the Three-Bite Rule. Allow yourself three bites, eating them as slowly as possible so you can savor each wonderful mouthful. Then pass your plate to a fellow diner. You'll soon see that enjoying just three bites of an indulgent dessert can be very pleasurable and that your sweet tooth is satisfied with just a small portion. Read more on Prevention.

Today's LOLz:

Kelly Coffey-Meyer Reviews: Circuit Burn & LIFT (& More Vacation Pics!)

Today's Reivew: 30 Minutes to Fitness Circuit Burn

Kelly Coffey-Meyer, 2010

30 Minutes to Fitness: Circuit Burn consists of two challenging thirty minute circuit workouts that torch calories, sculpt muscles and reshape the entire body. Each of the workouts is a combination of cardio, light weight sculpting, shadow boxing and lower body work. Kelly is joined in the workout by four background exercisers - one of which shows beginner modifications. For the workout you will need a light and heavy set of dumbbells.

30 Minutes to Fitness: Circuit Burn consists of quick back-to-back segments of cardio, sculpting, shadow boxing and heavy lower body strength training. Formatted in circuits, each individual segment lasts about a minute. Each of the circuits begins with a cardio component that consists of basic choreographed athletic moves. The second segment of each circuit is light weight sculpting moves that includes compound multi-joint exercises to target multiple muscle groups. Next up in the circuit is the boxing segment that is followed by the final segment, lower body, which uses heavy weights to target the legs, glutes and thighs. The circuits are repeated two times before moving on to the next set of exercises.

30 Minutes to Fitness: Circuit Burn is a fun yet challenging circuit workout that includes the two thirty minute workouts plus several premixes that range from thirty to sixty minutes. With so much variety, 30 Minutes to Fitness: Circuit Burn is incredibly versatile and includes something for everybody. The workout is also adaptable to all fitness levels by following the modifier for beginners or increasing the intensity or resistance for advanced exercisers. With so many workout options, 30 Minutes to Fitness: Circuit Burn is an excellent value for your exercise dollar. Received to review.

Today's Review: 30 Minutes to Fitness: LIFT

Kelly Coffey-Meyer, 2010

 consists of two unique and challenging thirty minute workouts. Workout One, Olympic Lifting, is an Olympic style lifting workout that uses explosive exercises to burn fat, boost metabolism in hit every muscle in the shortest amount of time. Workout 2, Powersculpting is a non-stop resistance circuit workout designed to torch calories, sculpt muscles and reshape the entire body. Equipment needed for the workouts includes light and heavy dumbbells and a weighted barbell.

30 Minutes to Fitness: LIFT, Olympic Lifting is a unique thirty-minute workout that features Olympic style lifting and may require a learning curve for those new to this style of lifting. Exercises in this workout include deadlifts, cleans, power cleans, front squats, push-press and split jerks. Sixty second rests are interspersed throughout the workout..

30 Minutes to Fitness: LIFT, Powersculpting is a thirty-three minute workout that consists of quick back-to-back strength training exercise. The workout is formatted in circuits of two to three exercises, with a transition move in between, each exercise is performed for about a minute. The circuits are repeated before moving on to the next set of exercises. Received dvd to review.

For more information visit Kelly Coffey-Meyer online or like Kelly Coffey Meyer on Facebook

More Vegas Pics: 

The slot was "Hot & Spicy" So were we ;)

Champagne brunch!

Woo won at the slots again!

Today's Tip: OYSTERS for Health

Oysters are an excellent low-calorie protein source. “They are also said to be one of the best food sources of zinc available,” says Randy Rabney, chef, board-certified health counselor and author of Delicious for Life. “I love the briny flavor that varies depending upon the type of oyster. I love fresh oysters alone, or for a real treat, they’re especially delicious as ‘Russian oysters,’ which have a small dollop of sour cream and caviar. Read more on Self. 

Today's LOLz:

Billy Blanks PT 24/7 Review: Body Blast (& Vacation Pics!)

Today's Review: Billy Blanks PT 24/7: Body Blast
Billy Blanks, 2011 **** (3.5 of 5 stars)

This is the bonus dvd that comes with the set. Billy works out with 7 b/'gers for this mostly cardio workout. The set is a nice open gym. You will only need your PT bands & gloves for this workout.

I would consider this a cardio workout with bands just upping the cardio effect. Exercises include: tri extension punches, elbow to knee pulls, torso twists, simple punch & kick combos, corkscrew punches, twisting hops, LOTS of push-ups, and a push-up hold. There is only a bit of "down-time" in this one- for the majority Billy moves right along to the next exercise and keeps everything moving.

I would rate this an intermediate cardio workout. It has some new & fun kickboxing type moves in it. Easy to follow along to but not boring. Billy repeats himself a lot in this and Shelly goes a bit overboard but overall I enjoyed this workout and the set. I received this dvd to review.

Vegas Pics:

LOL stripper 101 at the "Stripper Bar" in Planet Hollywood

the 4 us at the Flamingo

Woohoo DH won $92 on the penny slots!

Today's Tip: Healthy Figs
Figs are high in fiber and full of vitamins and minerals. They are sweet, juicy, and delicious alone or in a salad with arugula and cheese.” Read more on Self. 


Today's LOLz:

Campus Book Rentals Shout Out! Save BIG Renting Text Books!

I recently discovered a super awesome website CampusBookRentals that allows college students to RENT TEXTBOOKS! I wish this existed when I was in college. Text books cost almost as much as tuition when I was in community college! At University- the prices of the books got even more expensive (along with the tuition LOL). Then remember trying to sell them back at the end of the quarter only to find out there is a new edition and the college won't even buy them back from you? Ya that sucks. So youre out hundreds of dollars and stuck with a big, heavy text book in your already crowded dorm room. NO THANKS! So I am very excited to introduce you to CampusBookRentals.com!


CampusBookRentals.com is SUPER easy to use. Simply browse their easy to navigate website, order your books, receive them in the mail, use them (read, highlight, etc) and then send them back. Free shipping BOTH ways and printable labels makes mailing super cheap, easy & quick. 

Some MAJOR perks to renting text books are: 

Save 40-90% off of bookstore prices

FREE shipping both ways, you can highlight in the textbooks, 

Flexible renting periods

CampusBookRentals donates to Operation Smile with each textbook rented!

Campus Book Rentals generously donates to Operation Smile with each text book rented from their site. A company that is dedicated to healing cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities. Operation Smile mobilizes a world of generous hearts to heal children's smiles and transform lives across the globe. 

Be sure to like Campus Book Rentals on Facebook! Every month TWO lucky Facebook friends win free textbooks JUST for liking Campus Book Rentals on Facebook! And don't forget to follow them on Twitter to win scholorships, win tee shirts, get secret coupons and more! AND Be sure to check out Campus Book Rentals to sell your unwanted text books. Get an instant quote now!

For more information please visit:

The CampusBookRentals website

The Operation Smile website

CampusBookRentals on Facebook 

CampusBookRentals on Twitter

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. 

Freeman's Pssssst! Dry Shampoo Rave & Review

I am super excited to introduce Pssssst! The Original Dry Shampoo from Freeman. I am in love with Pssssst! and have to tell you all about it! It is the perfect solution for curly, wavy, straight, fine, thin, thick- you name it- hair! Perfect for after workouts, when you are short on time, when you can't or simply don't want to wash your hair! Keep reading to find out all about Pssssst! and why we love it!

Pssssst! Instant Dry Shampoo:

Pssssst! Instant Dry Shampoo is available in Original Formula, travel size, and now in Wavy/ Curly! We all know how damaging to our hair washing every day is f (and what a waste of water!)  I can not live without my Pssssst! Instant Dry Shampoo! It is perfect for use after my workouts- it eliminates any odors that my sweaty workouts may have caused and absorbs excess oils. I love the fresh scent and its perfect for all hair types. And don’t forget about the time, water, and energy savings- just spray & go- no washing, rinsing, or blowdrying!

Now your unwashed locks can be instantly transformed to clean looking hair without a drop of water.  Just apply Pssssst! Dry Shampoo to your roots.  It instantly absorbs oils and adds a fresh-from-the-shower smell.  No more dry cracked ends or faded hair color due to over washing!  Quit wasting time (& water) with daily washing and blowdrying: Just spray, brush and go! Pssssst Dry Shampoo refreshes and rejuvenates hair by soaking up excess oil, removing product build-up and boosting volume. Hair looks, feels and smells freshly shampooed.  Cleans, deodorizes and conditions hair-without water! PERFECT for use after our workouts!!!!!

Pssssst! Dry Shampoo for Wavy & Curly Hair:
The fabulous original Pssssst! dry shampoo is now in an invisible formula for wavy and curly hair. Will not leave any white residue and is ideal for all hair colors. Reduces frizz and does not need to be brushed out- which is perfect as those of us with curly hair know- there is no brushing curly hair dry LOL. I have curly hair and they say its even more damaging on curly- so I go a day between my washings but used to worry about my hair smelling funny due to my sweaty workouts. Well worry no more- Pssssst! eliminates ALL the odor and leaves my hair smelling fresh and "just washed"

Super easy to use! Just shake can well. Hold can 6” to 8” from hair.  Lift sections of hair and lightly spray scalp and roots of each section.  Wait a few minutes then gently tousle at the roots to fully revive your hair do.

Pssssst! is also available in a travel size which is perfect to toss in your gym bag. And perfect to take  with you on trips without taking up so much space. Visit the Freeman website to receive FREE shipping on all your purchases over $35.00! And while youre there, be sure to check out all the other fabulous Freeman must have items!

For more information about Pssssst! and Freeman visit:
Visit the Freeman website & webstore
Like Freeman on Facebook
Follow Freeman on Twitter

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

The Rodelle Challenge: Win a KitchenAid &Year-Long Supply of Baking Essentials

Calling All Bakers: THE RODELLE CHALLENGE GETS SWEETER IN 2011! Keep reading to find out how you can win a KitchenAid mixer and a year long supply of baking essentials from Rodelle!

Bakers to Win a KitchenAid® and Year-Long Supply of Baking Essentials!

Rodelle, the highly regarded brand of premier baking essentials, including Dutch Baking Cocoa - has announced its second annual ‘Rodelle Challenge’ to inspire consumers to make the most of their inner baker this holiday season. Rodelle celebrates the passion and experience of baking by inviting people to share their best, worst or funniest baking moment.

Bakers share their baking moment on the Rodelle Facebook page…the most creative posts with photos or videos are more likely to stand out. The winners are selected by the Rodelle team and with a variety of criteria. Everything from creativity to sentimentality is taken into consideration. Rodelle is sweetening the pot this year by adding a KitchenAid® Mixer to the three grand prizes, which include a yearlong supply of premium Rodelle baking essentials: vanilla beans, baking cocoa, pure vanilla extract, almond/lemon/anise extracts and vanilla sugar. Three runners up will win a yearlong supply of pure vanilla extract, vanilla beans, and rich dark baking cocoa. People are invited to upload entries from October 1 through December 25, 2011. Winners will be announced New Year’s Day, 2012.

“At Rodelle, we are all about the finest ingredients bringing holiday magic to baking,” says Joe Basta. “Our goal is to inspire families to take their baking to a new level– using Rodelle really does make a difference,” he adds.

Responsibly sourced from premier growing regions, Rodelle has been delivering the finest in baking essentials for 75 years. Its pure vanilla, dutch cocoa, superior extracts and remarkable spice blends have been unrivaled in flavor and quality since 1936. Rodelle’s exclusive collection takes culinary adventure from good to grand. The company believes that choosing premier ingredients is the way for avid chefs to make a difference in their recipes year round.

Rodelle’s Baking Essentials are available at grocery stores nationwide. To learn more about where to buy, or for additional information, visit the Rodelle Kitchen website.

Learn More About Rodelle:

Rodelle has created premier baking and cooking essentials since 1936. Originating from the south of France, the Rodelle family revolutionized the standard for gourmet flavors when they came to the states, bringing with them, their passion and expertise for the flavor industry. In 1984, Rodelle became part of Custom Blending Inc. where a relentless commitment to high quality continues. Today, Rodelle provides home bakers and culinary professionals alike with the finest ingredients on the market. From Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans to Dutch-processed baking cocoa and Herbs de Provence, quality comes first. The company is wind powered and has consistently given a portion of sales back to its growing regions.

I entered my Rodelle vanilla bean Betty Boop cupcakes. Wish me luck!

For more information about Rodelle:
Visit the Rodelle Kitchen website
Visit the Rodelle Challenge page
Like Rodelle on Facebook
Follow Rodelle Vanilla on Twitter
Check out the Rodelle YouTube channel

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I can not be held responsible for user errors in entering this contest, shipping errors, postage errors, damage in transit, or undelivered prizes.

GIVEAWAY: Metromint Variety Pack

I picked up some Metromint at the grocery store on an impulse. I thought that all natural "chocolate mint" water sounds indulgent and of course refreshing. I hoped it would be a cure for one of those late night chocolate fixes. Well I am beyond pleased to say that Metromint Chocolatemint is absolutely indulgent, rich, and full of chocolate and mint flavor. And all this for NO calories! Its naturally sweetened and uses pesticide-free mint! How can you resist- good news you don't have to!

Well Chocolatemint was the first variety I tried, and while its still my favorite I also love these other Metromint varieties. All delicious, indulgent, and SO refreshing. Perfect for a hot day, after a workout, or for a guilt free dessert!

Peppermint Water

Spearmint Water

Lemonmint Water

Orangemint Water

Goodberrymint Water

Cherrymint Water

Metromint starts with the best mint in the world. Real mint. Fresh, flavorful, pesticide-free mint grown in Washington State's Yakima Valley. They treat the mint using a double-distillation process that steams the leaves until we reach the true essence of the mint. They test for taste, and then test again for purity.

Metromint water is purified using reverse-osmosis, a process that saves all the good stuff and filters out the bad, including salts, impurities, and particles as small as an ion. What's left is a blank canvas, so they can showcase the taste of mint.

Want to try Metromint? Visit their website to find out where you can buy in your area. Want to win a Metromint sampler? Enter below:

Mandatory Entry: Visit the Metromint website and tell me something you learned along with your email address.


Optional Entries: After completing mandatory entry above

• 1 Entry: Like Metromint on Facebook
• 1 Entry: Follow Metromint on Twitter
• 1 Entry: Tell me which Metromint flavor you most want to try
• 2 Entries: visit the Metromint blog and tell me something you learned
• 2 Entries: Check out the Metromint YouTube Channel & tell me something you learned
• 1 Entry:Like Fitness For Us on Facebook
• 5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
• 1 Entry: Follow Fitness For the Rest of Us on twitter
• 1 Entry: Follow me via GFC
• 1 Entry: Follow me via RSS
• 1 Entry: Enter any of my current giveaways (1 per giveaway)
• 1 Entry:Vote in my poll (upper right corner)
• 1 Per Tweet: Tweet linking back to this giveaway & include @fitnessforus up to 3X daily 1 hour apart

Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on 9/30/11  and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and annouced on 10/2 . Contest open to US Residents! Good Luck!

I received samples of these products to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest reviews. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I can not be held responsible for undelivered or damaged prizes or user mistakes in entering this contest.

Element Hatha & Flow Yoga For Beginners Review

Today's Review: Element Hatha & Flow Yoga For Beginners With Yoga Strap Kit

Tamal Dodge, 2011

This dvd has two 30 minute workouts on it and comes with a nice yoga strap. Tamal works out alone and the workouts are voiceover. Filmed overlooking the beautiful Pacific Oean providing lots of lush greenery and gorgeous views. You will use the strap for the Hatha routine but not the Flow routine.

Hatha: This routine focuses on increasing flexibility and dissolving stress. The poses are used to relax not invigorate. Exercises include: breath work, forward folds, inversion, 1/2 sun salutation, butterfly stretch, boat, down dog, seated lower body stretching, static core work, low back stretch, and concludes with a long corpse pose.

Flow: This routine focuses on building strength & stamina and is more active than the Hatha routine. Exercises include: Victorious Breath, cat cow, plank, chataranga, up & down dog, sun salutation A, chair, warrior 1 & 2, inverted bike, seated lower body stretches, lower back massage, and finishes w/ a long corpse pose.

I would rate the work intermediate but because he provides lots of great pointers & the names of the poses it is a great workout for beginners. The use of the strap in the Hatha routine helps you ease into and get the most out of the stretches provided. Tamal is a great instructor, providing plenty of great form pointers and cues very well. Solid yoga routine, not boring. Good for fans of yoga. Received this dvd to review.

Weekend Crafts:
Made these at stamping last weekend. The first one has a cool pop up type fold- it was supposed to be a Thanksgiving card but I dont really give out Thanksgiving cards so I subbed flowers for the leaves and then left the message box empty until I decide what Im going to do with it. Then 2 Christmas cards and the last one is an envelope- its actually really cute but hard to see here (you can click on the image to view larger). It will be good to put a giftcard in.

Today's Tip: Kefir for health
The idea of eating anything fermented doesn’t sound too appealing, but fermented foods like kefir have many benefits. “They offer probiotics and are commonly eaten in many indigenous diets,” says registered dietician. Read more on Self. 

Today's LOLz:

Giveaway: Bioken Pequi Body Wash Review & Giveaway

Bioken Pequi Body Wash is a skin nourishing luxury body wash that I recently had the pleasure of trying. Keep reading to find out how you can win a bottle of your very own! Pequi Body Wash made from the fruit of the pequi tree and is full of vitamins A, C & E, fatty acids, and contains grape & tea tree oil and many other soothing & exfoliating ingredients.

Pequi Body Wash contains a unique healing and anti-aging formula and gently washes away dull, lifeless cells while leaving skin feeling smoother, firmer and looking beautiful. It moisturizes and softens while rejuvenating dry and damaged skin- perfect for the dry weather we have here. Pequi Body Wash really nourishes the skin without being greasy- a fantastic balance of just what your skin needs!

For those with very dry skin, Pequi even heals skin and scalp problems like eczema, psoriasis and dry cracked skin. It has excellent moisturizing abilities and reduces skin inflammation. I'm a huge fan of tea tree oil and am thrilled with the tea tree oil's antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral benefits in the Pequi Body Wash. And the algae extract provides antiseptic properties. 

Pequi Body Wash also contains oatmeal to naturally & gently exfoliate your skin- perfect to prep yourself for sunless tanners or before shaving! And it contains healing aloe- which is perfect for after sun exposure to soothe your skin. I love the foamy lather, the scent, and best of all how Pequi Body Wash makes my skin feel! 

Pequi Body Wash is available in 8oz and 32 oz sizes and MSRP is $18.00 and $40.00. Visit the Bioken website to learn more about the Pequi Body Wash & all other fabulous Bioken lines!

Want to win this luxurious 8 oz. Bioken Pequi Body Wash? Enter here:

Mandatory Entry: Visit the Bioken website & tell me what other Bioken product you would love to try along with your email address.

Optional Entries: After completing mandatory entry above

• 2 Entries: Like Bioken on Facebook 
• 1 Entry: Visit the Bioken site & tell me something you learned
• 1 Entry:Like Fitness For Us on Facebook
• 5 Entries: Re-blog about this giveaway and leave a link (leave 5 comments)
• 1 Entry: Follow Fitness For the Rest of Us on twitter
• 1 Entry: Follow me via GFC 
• 1 Entry: Follow me via RSS
• 1 Entry: Enter any of my current giveaways (1 per giveaway)
• 1 Entry:Vote in my poll (upper right corner)
• 2 Entries: Follow Win, Lose, or Blog via GFC
• 1 Per Tweet: Tweet linking back to this giveaway & include @fitnessforus up to 3X daily 1 hour apart

Entries will be accepted until 11:59 pm on 9/30/11  and the winner will be selected using random.org random number generator and annouced on 10/2 . Contest open to US Residents (No PO Boxes)! Good Luck!

I received a sample of this product to review. I was in no other way compensated for my honest review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I can not be held responsible for user errors in entering this contest, shipping errors, postage errors, damage in transit, or undelivered prizes.

Review: Exercise TV 10 Pound Slimdown Xtreme Featuring Chris Freytag

ExerciseTV presents the new: 10 POUND SLIMDOWN XTREME featuring fitness favorite Chris Freytag! This is a follow up to Chris' very popular 10 Pound Slimdown! Order your 10 Pound Slimdown Xtreme today and be on  your way to losing up to 10 pounds in 28 days!

10 Pound Slimdown Xtreme is a 28-day advanced training system separated into four weeks of total body, upper body, core, and lower body workouts. Muscle memory is shaken up each week for faster results by target toning each muscle group with isolated styles of training..

Review: 10 Pound Slimdown Xtreme 

Chris Freytag, 2011 ***** (5 of 5 stars)

This 3 dvd set features Chris Freytag and includes 13 workouts. Chris works out alone in a very cute open studio set. You will need dumbells and a chair (or high step) for some of the workouts. The set includes 6 new 40 minute Xtreme workouts on 1 disc, the five original 20 minute 10 Pound Slimdown workouts on 1 disc, and two 10 minute bonus workouts on 1 disc, and comes with downloadable meal & workout guides.

Cardio Kickboxing: (40 min) This intermediate cardio workout includes various punches & kicks, simple & fun kickboxing combos, elbow blocks, jacks, shuffles, knee pulls, & speed bag. It is fairly low impact though Chris adds in some hops to get the heart rate up. 

Lower Body Circuit: (40 min) Chris breaks this down into 4 circuits that are repeated twice. Each circuit contains 3 strength exercises followed by a power (cardio) drill. Done with heavier weights this is a low advanced workout- I used 15's & 20's and my LB was fully fatigued by the end. Exercises include: elevated lunges (back foot on the chair or step), weighted step ups, pliet, squat combos, V step to power V's, static pliet & calf raise, KB swings, lunge- side lunge combo, & jumprope. 

Upper Body Circuit: (40 min) Chris breaks this down into 4 circuits that are repeated twice. Each circuit contains 3 strength exercises followed by a power (cardio) drill. Done with heavier weights this is a high intermediate/ lo advanced workout- my UB was fully fatigued by the end. Exercises include: pushup varitions, mil press, power squat adding a hop, 180 surfer hops, front & side raise combo, tri kickbacks, bi curl variations, and running knee ups. 

Core Circuit: (40 min) This is a great 40 minute core cardio routine & includes standing & floor core work. It includes 4 circuits that are done 2ce each and contain 3 strength & 1 power drill. Exercises include: elbow to knee pull down, Mt. climbers, V sit with dumbbell row, double leg stretch, frog hops, plank to pike dives, out-out-in-in fast feet, plank hip dips, and side plank with a scoop. Lots of reps make this a solid to high intermediate.

Total Body Circuit: (40 min) Chris breaks this down into 4 circuits that are repeated twice. Each circuit contains 3 strength exercises followed by a power (cardio) drill. Exercises include: pec fly & bicycle, side plank & dumbbell raise, bi curl- add squat add knee up, squat-weight to ground- overhead press, low lunge-balance knee & overhead press, tri dips, ski twitst to moguls, step squat & overhead tri press. Hits all muscle groups & I rate it a high intermediate.

Yoga (40 min) This is a low intermediate typical vinyasa flow yoga routine. Poses include: breath work, neck stretch, roll up, plank, down dog, chataranga, warrior series, 3 leg dog, twisted chair, chair pose, crescent lunge, rag doll, spider planks, and a balance glute pinch.

Bonus Abs: (10 min) This lying core work includes plenty of reps of each exercise. Exercises include: long leg circles, butterfly crunches, rope climber sit ups, side plank hip dips, plank knee pulls, and superman.

Bonus Buns: (10 min) This mostly standing weighted lower body work accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time. Exercises include: clock lunges, stationary lunges pulses adding a knee up, pulsing squats w/ a glute pinch, pliet pulse combos, and finishes with bridges.

All the exercises start basic but are built on and progressively get more challenging-once you get the hang of the w/o's you could easily do the more challenging exercise first. Chris is a fabulous lead, her cuing is great and she offers modifications throughout. As a whole I rate this a high intermediate set. Great for many levels! I received this dvd to review.

Read full reviews of the included original 10 Pound Slimdown workouts on Fitness For the Rest of Us here. 

For more information:

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