Wed - Body Gospel

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone!

I decided to take a few days off from Chris's workouts. Just feeling like I need to take it down a notch and keep an eye on my tight back (totally my fault - not Chris's - should have focused more on adding flexibility training to my rotation!). So, I tried out a few workouts from Body Gospel which I picked up in a trade. Today I tried the first cardio workout (Body Revival??), the core workout and the stretch. I liked them all. I was expecting them to be easier than they were. I also expected the cardio to be dancier. But, the cardio was not very dancy and pretty easy to follow. Donna (another one!) makes the cardio more intense w/out adding impact by using some unweighted lower body exercises (lunges - and a pretty long series of them at that!) and also by keeping the movements low to the ground to work the legs and increase the heart rate. She does include some higher impact moves, but only after showing the lower impact and she has a

modifier that does it all low impact. The workout is more intense than I expected, but it isn't like Cathe-killer, either. I also get the feeling it is one of those that the more you put into it the more you will get out of it (like a ) - so, w/ practice, I think I can get even more out of this one since I will be familiar with it. The Body Revival workout is around 30 min and does not use the bands. (I didn't get the bands in my trade, but I did end up buying 's walk, eat and lose system which has the bands). The core workout uses the bands, but they aren't necessary - you can also just sub in a regular resistance band for some of the exercises and do the rest w/out the bands. It is a Pilates inspired workout - some ab work, some lower body toning, some back extension work, a brief set of push-ups and some planks. It felt pretty well rounded. (20 Min). The stretch is 10 min and is more flowing than static, which I like. So, so far, so good

on this trade! The music, as you may guess, is Gospel (w/ the option to play louder - but, then you can't hear Donna - it may be good to take advantage of this option once you know the moves and can just follow along w/ out verbal cues). And, although there are motivational Christian-based messages throughout the workout, I didn't feel like this was preachy. Donna's message overall is to treat your body well and give thanks for your health. I'm going to do one of the resistance workouts tomorrow.I will go back to Chris's workouts either next week or the week after. Just feel like I need a break. I think I may pull out my Yoga Booty Ballet workouts, too. I'm beginning to regret trading my "Live" series. Ugh! Always the vidiot's dilemma - you want to get rid of what you don't use, but then sometimes, you want to go back to it! Take care!!!Donna