Exercise

Jillian Michaels: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism
$14.98
First, the good points. This DVD is reasonably priced, so it doesn't make fitness unaffordable. The exercises really are challenging, so there is a lot of room to grow into the disc once you buy it. I am in pretty good shape, and was sore for the next two days after doing it. The circuits were really challenging.

Downsides:
I would have liked more cardio, or maybe just more interesting cardio. She was talking about how you should be feeling your chest pounding at this point...doing just some jumping jacks or running in place. I felt like, "eh, whatever." But then again, I'm not a couch potato. But I feel like I get a better CARDIO workout in Zumba, running, or dancing at a club. (However, the circuits really did push my upper body and abs and I like that).

I think Michael's style is kind of blah, but that's a personal thing. A lot of people really seem to love her no-nonsense approach.

This workout would not be very good for beginners just starting out. It would take some work to be able to do some of the circuits.

I would not say I had "fun" doing this workout. It's not really something I would do by choice. If it's raining or too windy outside to run and I don't have time to drive to the gym, then it's okay to get in my 60 minutes of exercise for the day--but given the choice between this and a 3-mile run or an hour of zumba, this tape would be last on my list.

How could this video be better for me?
I'd like a little better music, a sense of fun, less kickboxing, and generally a lot more energy.

Dance off the Inches: Hip Hop Party
$14.98
I think this product is for beginners. I love to do physical exercises and I was looking for hip hop videos with coreography to have fun while doing the exercise...but it has been boring for me. Is like to be warming up during almost all the routine.

Max Fitness 65cm Exercise Ball with Foot Pump (Pearl White)
$29.99
I understand that these balls are blown into a mold...or something like that. Still, the ball has drips, swirls, and nearly see-through spots! It might be safe, but it sure concerns me! I'd buy from a different company if I knew that other balls wouldn't look like this. I'd love to trade them my ball for the one in their picture!!!

Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred
$14.98
I just finished 60 days of the 30 Day Shred. I did level 1 for 10 days, level 2 for 20, and then level 3 for 30 days. After the first 30 days, I hadn't really lost any weight, but I was noticeably more toned, my clothes fit better, and I felt better about myself. After the next 30 days, I was even more toned and had lost about 5-7 lbs.

Pros:
- It works. I'd been doing the Firm videos for several months, and wanted something more effective. Although I haven't reached my weight loss goal yet, I can see my cheekbones and clavicles again, my glutes are more toned, my thighs look and feel great (and the ugly lines on the outer thighs are gone!)
- It is fast. I have very limited time in the morning, what with having to get my son to school. 25 minutes fits in perfectly. Even though she keeps saying it is a 20 minute workout, and there are 3 circuits of 3-2-1 minute exercises, each level actually takes about 24-25 minutes with the warmup, cooldown, and transitions added in.

Cons:
- It's boring. 30 days of Level 3 was extremely boring. I know some people mix up the levels, but I wanted to do each one individually for a certain time period. Now I will probably mix them up.
- Some of the exercises, especially in level 2, were somewhat hard for me to understand how to do correctly, so I didn't feel like I was getting the proper workout with them.

Other tips and info:
- I rented this on Netflix first, and after one session, I ordered it from Amazon.
- I wasn't sure how regularly to do this, and other people have asked the same question. The first 30 days I did 5 days on, 1 day off. The second 30 days I did 5 days on, 2 days (the weekend) off. At the end of level 2, she does say "See you tomorrow" so I think she expects you to do it without too many days off.
- I had 3 sets of hand weights for level 1 (3 lb, 5 lb, and 8 lb), 2 sets for level 2 (3 lb and 5 lb) and 1 set of level 3 (5 lb)
- Many people complain about the ads in the beginning. If your DVD player has a memory feature, pause/stop it at the beginning of the workout and it should start right there next time you turn it on. At the end of each workout, I go back to the menu, select the level I want, and then fast forward to section 2 (the beginning of the warmup). Next day, it starts right there, no waiting.