Hello moms. I am now almost two months post-delivery and have been doing a decent job of working off the baby weight. However, because of schedules and how late my gym opens in the morning, it's getting harder to workout. So I would like to know if anyone can recommend an exercise video. Preferably something that combines cardio with weight/resistance training. Would definitely love something that has actually worked for other moms with noticeable results. Thanks everyone!
Thank you everyone for your great advice! I ended up going to www.collagevideo.com and choosing Jillian Michael's "Banish Fat Boost Metabolism" and because I am restarting my ballet training and would like something supplemental, "Attitude Tu: Ballet and Pilates Fusion" by Bernadette Giorg.
If you have a set up for it, I really love the online "gym" that I joined a few months ago. It's www.demandfitness.com. There are 275 "videos" to choose from. Everything from yoga to kickboxing to step classes is on there. It's great and you can mix and match the videos (add abs and weight training to another cardio video you've done).
Do you have FIOS? There is a channel called FitTV (163)- when I was working off my baby weight I would do shows on there all the time - still do when I am stuck at home.
I get Fitness DVDs from the library recently to make sure I like them - I do like Tae Bo a lot. If you can find them Cathe Friedrich is definitely hard core. She does a lot on FitTV. And I also really like the Yoga Booty Ballet series - they mix it up and you get an all around workout for toning all over. Also Ellen Barrett has a slow-robics series that are good when getting back into things and even after.
Also, if you have a NetFlix subscription, there are a bunch of workout DVDs you can "watch instantly" on your computer. I set up my laptop so I can see easily and it gives you varied workouts.
These are all cheaper options than buying a bunch of DVDs that you eventually get bored doing! And give you a chance to find the ones you love and want to buy. BTW I think you can go to www.fittv.com to buy DVDs from your favorite shows. Okay I just went there and they have videos you can watch and do from your computer.
One last one, http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/workouts has a bunch and some you can download to your iPod. And both sites also have recipes and other tips and tools. Good luck!!
Jari Loves work out videos are good and will have you feeling it in the morning. Ripped 1000 is one that I like.
Hi A.,
I love Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred. There are 3 levels to choose from and each level includes cardio, weight training, and abs. What I also love about the video is each level is broken up into 20 minute workouts - great for a mom with little spare time! I've gotten great results in the 3 weeks since I first started using the video (the workouts are very challenging!)
HTH!
Hi A.. I've had great success with Chris Freytag's videos from Prevention Fitness Systems. My favorite is "3-2-1 Workout"--a circuit training video with 6 segments of 3 minutes cardio, 2 weight training, and 1 minute of abs. I LOVE this video. My next fave is "Kick Start Your Metabolism" which is a kick-boxing style workout with 3-15 minute segments--the first is cardio, the second focuses on abs (but includes a lot of cardio), and the third is weights. I also like the Leslie Sansone "Walk at Home" videos, and lots of them include strength training if you use resistance bands or hand weights or something, but I usually just use those tapes for cardio-only days and use Chris Freytag on strength training days. I use all of these videos during my kids' naptime, and just keep the volume low. I've definitely had noticeable results and have lost more than just the baby weight.
You can also see reviews for about a bazillion different fitness videos (and order them, too) at www.collagevideo.com--I found this really helpful when deciding what to buy. And I agree with people who recommended the library and FitTV--before I ordered any new videos, I used the FitTV workouts for awhile, and I've also used the library as a great way to try some videos for free before committing--that's how I found my favorite video! Good luck!!
Not exactly what you asked, but I like the Wii Fit program. I still do more intesnse cardio and try to stay active, but it can give a really good targeted workout and have fun at the same time. You can't believe how that hulahoop workout feels - wow!
Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred is great!
Try The Firm - http://www.firmdirect.com/firm/ecs/main/aboutTheFirm.html
I swear by them.
Hi moms,
I don't have a video...but we have an xbox, and I love the program Your Self Fitness. It's like a digital personal trainer. We also have a Wii, and I think this beats the pants off Wii Fit.
I'm a mom of two, and an aerobics instructor to boot--YourSelf Fitness isn't as varied as taking a live aerobics class+training session, but it's the closest thing to it--the workout is varied, has cardio/weights/strength/flexibility, even yoga (but I think that's the weakest part).
I really like it b/c every time you log in, it's different. I tracked my progress before and after pregnancy, and it was SO GREAT to see the weight spike and then go down!
If you don't already have an xbox, I wouldn't go out and get one just for this program. But moms, if you already have this game system in your house--this disc is for you!
Wii Fit! I love the Wii and it makes working out so much fun! My husband and I compete against each other, which makes it even more fun and adds motivation.
Hi A.,
As a family we all work out with the Wii. My husband and i go up against each other and it pushes us to work out harder. I think we burn off more calories laughing at each other. We use it with the kids and they have a blast. Then when they go off to bed we battle each other. I know it's $$$ but we love it.
