Workout Routine-Beginners

I've been asked again and again what workouts I do. Most of you know I'm a huge Bob Harper fan, and I consider him my "trainer". What I do for workouts may not be right for you, though. You have to find what works for your body.

First, you need to figure out what kind of fitness level you are on. When I started out I was at a beginners level, and very overweight. You can visit this website to find out:
http://exercise.about.com/od/exerciseforbeginners/l/blfitquiz.htm After I had my son, I was a beginner, level 2.


I started out with this DVD:

This DVD has a maximum weight loss program option, and that is what I did. I followed the 12 week program on the DVD and lost 30 pounds from that alone! It has 3 levels, and by week 9 or so you start doing all 3 levels together, which is about 50 minutes. You only need a set of hand weights; I used 3 pounds and then worked up to 5 pounds. A body band is optional for level 3, but I never had one and just used my dumbells.

Bob has a message that he preaches in his routines that I absolutely love! He tells you in his DVD's that if you want to change your body, you cannot workout for 15 minutes and expect results. You need to put yourself in a pool of sweat 4 to 6 times a week. One of my favorite quotes of his that he says on his Inside Out DVD (while holding plank position for what seems like an eternity!) is "10 minute workout? What is a 10 minute workout? A 10 minute workout is a WARM-UP!". He's absolutely correct, and I've had to experience it to understand that message.

It reminds me of something that happened at Walmart a few weeks ago to me. I was standing in the fitness aisle, admiring the kettle bells that I was itching to buy, when I saw a woman who was a good 200lbs looking at the fitness DVD's with her husband. She had no idea what to get, and they were picking through the lot that Walmart had available. What did she pick up and buy? The Kim Kardashian 10 minute booty DVD. I was so close, SO close to telling her what a mistake she was making, but I have to remember that not everyone wants my advice/help. She is a prime example though of what we tend to go for. Why did she buy that DVD? Because it was only 10 minutes long....and she wants a Kim booty. We cannot workout for 10 minutes and get results. It does not work! Then we get depressed, binge eat, and go right back to where we started.

If you are a beginner, I'm sure you're shaking your head at me reading this now and saying to yourself "there's no way I can work out for an entire hour!" or "I don't have time for that". You can make excuses your entire life, but when will you put all of that aside to finally put yourself first? You MAKE the time to workout. Trust me, I know it's hard. I had a 3 year old (a very active one, at that), newborn, and a husband who worked the night shift when I started out. I had to sacrifice a lot to get this done, but you can make it work if you have the drive and willingness to succeed. If you would have told me 7 months ago that I would be 120lbs and working out an hour a day 6 days a week, I would have told you that you were out of your mind! It's something that you start small and work your way up to.

Remember, as Bob says, "it's only 1 hour of your life!". You have nothing to lose but weight! Level 1 is only 20 minutes. Give it a try today and see where it leads you!

Until next time! Much love! XOXO

Tip: Feeling sluggish today? Working out will make you feel better! Use the "neck up" rule. If your chest is not aching, working out will make you feel better. This is coming from a migraine sufferer. Even with a migraine coming on, I still do a strength workout. It makes me feel better, gets my blood pumping, and energizes my body naturally to get me through the day.