Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Fulfilling the Resolution: Exercising

Exercising. It's on quite a few New Year's Resolutions lists, I'm sure. It certainly was on mine!

But how to go about fulfilling such a resolution? There is a gym on the campus of my school, so I can go and work out there. I could take a walk outside. And I'm sure similar options are available to you, as well.

However, there are those days when it's raining (or snowing!), and you don't want to leave your safe, warm house. Or there are days when you simply don't want to be surrounded by others at the gym. Whatever the reason, it's nice to just stay at home. But there's no reason why you still can't get in a good workout!

That's why workout videos are such a great help. To be sure, some of them are goofy or strange. But find the right one, and workouts can be fun!

While at home this Christmas break, I've revisited one of my old favorites: Prevention Fitness Systems 3-2-1 Workout on DVD. I love it! The video comes with a warm-up, 6 different 6 minute circuit workouts, and a cool-down. Each workout is themed (you know how I love themes!), from boxing, to dancing, to yoga. And each workout is broken down as follows:

"3 minutes of cardio moves"
"2 minutes of strength training"
"1 minute of ab exercises"

The person leading the workout (Chris Freytag) is really sweet, and the workouts are high energy but not too difficult to follow. In fact, once you do the whole workout for a while (which is about 40 minutes long, I believe), it will come second nature.

I'm not a doctor, so I can't say for sure how this workout compares to others or who should or should not do it. But if you're generally healthy and are looking for a fun way to get a well-rounded workout, look no further than the 3-2-1 Workout! You can order the DVD on Amazon.com--just click HERE to take a look.

Now, I'm off to go do the 3-2-1 Workout!

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Oooohhh, I needed this recommendation! Thanks Amber!

Bluerose said...

I love the workout videos, too. Living out in the "boonies" sometimes it's just not the safest to go walking and a trip to town seems so far away. :)
I bought Jillian's 30 day shred before I got pregnant, and it's still sitting on my shelf in the plastic wrap. And yes, I had plenty of time to start it before I actually got pregnant. :P
But my all time favorite was ONE of the Tae-Bo tapes with Billy Blanks. There's tons of them and I have several, but there was one paticular one that I just loved.
I will have to check out the 3-2-1 workout in a few months, though!!

Amber Holcomb said...

Ruth,

You're welcome! :D I highly recommend this particular workout--it's fun and works a lot of your body! I should note, though, that after you get past the beginner level, most of the strength training portions include using hand weights, so I recommend picking up a pair of 3 or 5 pounders, depending on your level. :)

~Amber

Amber Holcomb said...

Bluerose,

Workout videos can be wonderful, can't they? :)

The Tae-Bo tapes sound interesting! It's great when you have one that you particularly enjoy. :)

I hope you enjoy this one, too, if you decide to use it after your pregnancy. Can't wait to hear all about your new little one when he arrives! :D

~Amber

Michelle said...

These sound good.

I also enjoy indoor walking using DVD's.

I was just looking at your bookshelf of books to read. I've not read these books, but they do look good. Enjoy your reading time!

Amber Holcomb said...

Michelle,

This one is really good! And I agree--the indoor walking ones are fun, too. :)

Also, I do have quite a few books on my TBR stack that I'm looking forward to reading. And of course I have to re-read some books soon for the Contentment Challenge! ;)

Happy reading to you, as well!

~Amber

Casey said...

Good for you Amber! I haven't used work out videos before, but it sounds like you've found a good one. :)

Amber Holcomb said...

Casey,

Awww, thanks! :) Workout videos are kind of different, but once you get into the rhythm of following their lead, they can be quite fun! ;)

~Amber

Amanda Stanley said...

This looks like a great video, Amber! I'm so proud of you for sticking to your resolution and so happy you found something you enjoy! It's so hard to find a workout video that fits you (Ha! No pun intended ;) ). I've tried a few and none of them really grabbed my attention or got me moving until I found Leslie Sansone and her "Walk Away the Pounds" videos! She is so sweet and encouraging and I think she is a Christian too! :D I got it at Walmart and it also came with 2 blue 2lb. weight balls that you have to fill up with water. You use them in the workout and they really add to the strength training while not being over much. I will say that your workout video probably sounds a lot more "fun" with all the themes and stuff, but I liked this because it was EASY and it WORKED!! And now you have inspired me to go dig it out of a box in the storage room downstairs and get a little more serious about my New Year's resolution, LOL! Thank you, my friend :)

Happy exercising- rain or shine! ;)

Blessings,
Amanda

Amber Holcomb said...

Amanda,

Oh, thank you! *blushing* You're so sweet! Now if only I could work more on my resolution regarding my manuscript... Hopefully I'll write more soon! :)

That "Walk Away the Pounds" video sounds good! The 3-2-1 Workout video is one of my mom's, and it's my favorite of the ones she has. I think she's going to let me bring it to school so I can keep using it there. ;)

Good luck with your workouts, as well, and happy exercising to you, too! :D

~Amber

Julia M. Reffner said...

Amber,

One of my resolutions is to exercise more and to eat healthier as well, so I'm cheering you on. This does sound like a great DVD and I think finding something that works for you makes it so much more "bearable" (can you tell I'm not a fan of exercise :).

@ Bluerose, I love the Billy Blanks DVDs and even subjected my husband to them which he now laughs over.

I know what you mean, I always felt self-conscious about the gym, too unless my friends and I were the only ones there. :)

P.S. I'm still praying.

Amber Holcomb said...

Julia,

It's a good resolution, I think. :) Health is so important! Reminds me of the six-fingered man on The Princess Bride:

"If you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything."

;)

And aren't some of those workout movies so funny? Not that they aren't great, but there are usually some funny moments/lines, or overall it's just funny to have someone watch you while you exercise with it. ;)

One line I love from the 3-2-1 workout while you're working your biceps with the hand weights is:

"Just like you're nailing that...nail...down with your hammer."

I love the pause! ;) I can't imagine how hard it would be to talk and lead a workout at the same time. I guess she didn't know what else to say. ;)

~Amber

P.S. Thank you again for your prayers! I'll plan on e-mailing you back soon. :)