Workout Review: Wii Biggest Loser Challenge

I won this game as part of the second place prize with the Just Lose It Challenge.

I really liked it! Of course, there is a lot more to this than what I played last night, so it will be fun uncovering everything. First I did a Fitness test with Bob that lasted 25 minutes. Halfway in, when I forgot it was just a test, I was thinking, really? There were no breaks, you just had to keep up with him. I tried my best, but I think I could have done better. Burned 114 calories in 25 minutes.

It actually said I did pretty good. There are five levels ranging from easy/beginner to Intense. They put me on the one right under Intense, HARD. Okay, I’ll take that! I may go back and do the easier workouts as well. We all have days we want to take it easy.

So then I started an overall body workout, chose Jillian as my trainer and selected a 30 minute workout. That was the longest 30 minute workout ever! Actually in the end, it said 36 minutes, so no wonder it felt so long.

Jillian was the main trainer in the screen, but Bob sure talked a lot off-screen I kept wondering if I picked the right trainer. The options were: Bob, Jillian or both. I either picked both or Bob is just all over this thing. There was a warm-up, and then we went right into it. Some of the moves were: jump rope high-knee, fast skaters, jumping jacks, punch combos, push-ups, so much more.

One complaint: between each set, Jillian just stood there as they got ready for the next move. I recommend continuing to move in place, which I did.

Second Complaint: You go back and forth using the Wii step, having to keep moving it out the way, and bringing it back. A little weird. That and keep moving the remote form right to left hand to right pocket (which, who has pockets on their workout clothes)

I did appreciate that we got water breaks, versus in the test, you just go for 25 minutes.

Overall, I think it was a great workout, and definitely tough for me, a die-hard fitness fanatic. It was even tough, I skipped some moves (burpies, uh no!) For anyone who does not go to a gym regularly, or likes to think of it as a game (you get points) then this is great for you. I burned 205 calories in 36 minutes, so that’s a total of 319 in 60 minutes.

Other things about the game. You do get weigh, enter your height and age and sex. This helps build your workout. You also set weight loss goals and how many weeks you want to workout, and how many days a week. It also asks you to take measurements: neck, chest, waist, hips. I didn’t have a tape measure handy, so I just guessed. I will take those measurements soon and update.

I think it’s only about $20 so a good investment.

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 80-81: Just get up and do something!

You have those days...you know what days I'm talking about.  Days when you just don't wanta!

I have those days.  Those days I just don't wanta!  Exercise, that is.

But guess what, you Betta! How hard is it to get in 30 minutes day? I mean, really, NO EXCUSES!!  Even if you can't take it all out, do something!!  Here are a few suggestions:

• Wake up thirty minutes early and hop on a treadmill, bike, pop in a tape and have it done for the day.
• Take 30 minutes of your lunch break and go for a walk.
• How about taking three 10-minutes breaks where you do some serious cardio (jogging, cycling, stairs, whatever, just keep it high intense for 6-7 of those minutes)
• Right after work, go to the gym and get in your normal workout.
• No gym membership? Go walking in the park, mall or around your block
• Invest in workout DVDs and get in 30 minutes whenever it is available to you. Late at night or early morning.
• Dance like crazy to 5-6 songs totally about 30 minutes (my fave).  No choreography necessary.  Or play some music videos and do tthe dances you love.
• Play the Wii for 30 minutes, but make sure it is constant motion, so if the game is at a pause or resetting, walk in place, move side to side or something, just DON'T STOP!
• Chase your kids around with a ball in the backyard (or like me, we do bootcamp drills in my driveway)

Just a few!  And I put some of that to use today!  It was supposed to be Bikini Bootcamp day today, but I just didn't wanta!  It's hardcore and my mind was not right.  But I had to do something!!  Trusty MJ Experience on Wii for like 40 minutes, even beating some of my high scores.  Trust me, I sweated!

Yesterday I did the hardest 43 minutes in awhile, Turbo Kick Cardio Party.  No, the workout is not tough itself, I just "didn't wanta" and had to fight to stick with it.  Somewhere in the middle I found my second wind.  Wierd how that happens.

So lesson for today, "Just get up and do something!"

Workout yesterday: 43 minutes

Workout today: 40 minutes

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 77-78: A little of this, a little of that

Can I just say that my arms are still SORE from the boxing on Monday!

And I did indeed workout yesterday, just could not move my arms to blog about it.  It was Bikini Bootcamp night, but erri uhhh, my arms were telling me no.  I tried my darnest to at least get in 30 minutes, but only 15 and I was DONE.  So maybe what I needed was something easier and way fun.

Wii Zumba Fitness!!  I did that for 20 minutes and was feeling it.  While I was at it, I through in some Just Dance 2, about 10 minutes

workout time: 45 minutes

Today, I just wanted to dance, dance, dance! So I did a bit of Just Dance 2 (10 minutes) and then I wanted to see how long I could go at MJ Experience.  A whole 60 minutes!!  I was trying to earn top stars, but still only 5 stars for Thriller but I have a lot of 4 star routines.

So a little of this, a little of that and I still get my workouts in.  Woo-hoo!

Workout time: 70 minutes

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 76: Wii Boxing

First of all, I love boxing, period.  Okay, maybe not watching the actual sport, and maybe I don't ever want to box in real life, but boxing for fitness is AWESOME!

I checked out Gold's Gym Cardio Workout from the library and thought I would give it a try. It's mostly a boxing workout and ...I wish I could review it for you but um, this game is a joke!  I could not get to the meat of the game without doing whatever magical thing I was supposed to do to unlock the good stuff.  What I did do was fun, but just not enough.  That made me mad!!

And I wanted to really box!

So I put in Wii Sports and did the boxing game there.  I quickly got dealt with.  My first match the little Mii was killing me.  I worked HARD to scrape through  that one. Whew!  I won that one and my next match was no better.

These Mii quickly had me from the start.  I got knocked the heck out like a punk.  Whoa!  I was good at the game at to this match.  It was embarrassing.  Maybe I need to train more.  So I went to the training section and worked on my punches. Yep, even they were weak.  So you may see me doing a lot more boxing in my next couple of workouts.

Works the arms, works the abs, burns the calories.

Workout time: 30 minutes or so, I really lost count. 

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 75: MJ all night long!

Yes, MJ Experience to the rescue again!  This is my go to when I really don't wanta workouts (I actually have a couple).  It's like playing a game, not a workout.  Trust me, calories will be burned, be warned.

In fact, my sister was over yesterday and thought, "Hmmm, maybe I'll do a few songs with you." Now she is not fit at all.  She was sweaty after ONE song.  It's fun enough that you want to do more though...she stopped at two songs.  Trust me, you kinda have to be in some kind of decent shape to keep up with these moves.

That said, you still can play for fun if even if you can't keep up.  You will be laughing on the floor at yourself (or others laughing at you if you do it with an audience). 

Total workout time: 40 minutes

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 74: 100 minute workout

60 minutes on the Wii MJ the Experience! I can never get bored with this, BUT I may be giving it a break for awhile just so I can get different workouts in.  If I do it at all, it will be for fun and not fitness.  When I play with the kids, it's more like fun...although, I get more competitive with my moves because I want to win.

30 minutes of Bikini Bootcamp! Wow!  Even though I did 60 minutes of it TWICE last week, my body was not feeling it today...maybe because I did MJ first.  All I know is, I listen to my body when it wants to quit.  I think I did a little more than 30 but I'm rounding down (I took several breaks)

10 minutes of Hop Hop Hustle 5.  And I did this only as a review of sorts. I will be teaching this to some others and had not done it for nearly two weeks.  I will add 10-20 minutes of Hustle everyday just so it stays fresh in my mind.

Total workout time: 100 minutes

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 73: More MJ

I really don't feel the need to blog EVERY day when I seem to be doing the same things over and over again.  Again, Michael Jackson the Experience.

Today I did it just because I felt lazy.  It still is a great workout, but you don't have to put much effort in it.  Just dance! I guess the challenge for me is to try and hit perfect scores and do better than the last time.  The only one I can get 5 stars is "Thriller." Next to that is "Smooth Criminal."  All the rest I have a long way to go.

I think I will get back to my normal, non-Wii games now, and really focus my fitness.  Tomorrow is Bikini Bootcamp, and since I missed yesterday, I better hit it hard!

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 72: Dancing Machine

Dancing, dancing, dancing! I'm a dancing machine!

Yes, more Michael Jackson.  I wanted to see if I could do all the songs back to back, no breaks.  26 songs that lasted 2 hours 15 minutes.  The only breaks were between songs 30-60 seconds.  I kept walking in place between songs.

Was it tough? Not really. It was getting harder toward the end.  And I got a little emotional missing MJ on a could of songs.  Next I might try seeing how long I can go with Just Dance 2, buuutttt...I know there are way more songs, so maybe just half.

Tomorrow, Bikini Bootcamp!  Woohoooo!

Workout time: 2 hours, 15 min

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 71: Wii Zumba Fitness

This was my second time doing this workout and oh boy! It does NOT get any easier! It does get more fun!

Every time you are doing this you learn a bit more of the steps and so therefore can put more into it.  I did the same 20 minute workout and this time, I was not dreading it toward the end! I actually wanted more.  But I put in Just Dance 2.

Zumba is fun because I like to dance.  And at the same time, it's a workout!! It does not get any better than that.  Love, love, love it! MJ the Experience is still my fave.

I always say, if your workout is not fun, you won't want to do it! So find what it is you LOVE to do and it does not feel like a chore.  If you like to walk, walk every day and a lot! If you like to run, run like the wind! If you like to dance (like me) then dance, dance, dance the night away! If you like to ride a bike, just do it!  If you like traditional type aerobics classes, just sign-up for it and go for it.

Make each workout a party!

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 70: Bikini Bootcamp Workout 2

My second workout with Bikini Bootcamp.  It ain't getting any easier!

I like the format of the workout. After the warm-up, Cardio Camp starts.  In this section there are several sections where moves are repeated for a few rotations.  My fave is Cardio Block 2 where it is kickboxing.  I totally nail that section.  In 4 there is also a few boxing moves.

I'm pretty excited to start seeing some results!

I did do 30 minutes of the MJ Experience before I did Bikini Bootcamp.  And now I can't feel my legs!  I skipped most of the ab section though.  I have to work my way up to doing that.

Workout minutes: 90 minutes

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 69: Michael Jackson the Experience

I am TOTALLY addicted to this game!

3 hours I did this game with little breaks in between! It was actually when I stopped to do Just Dance 2 that the dances were putting me into overdrive (and my kids play better at that one than MJ so I had to go hard).  I LOVE every routine, even the easy (slow) ones where in the videos he did not dance much so they had to come up with some simple moves.

My fave may be Dirty Diana, but I also like Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean because who did not try to imitate those dance moves!  But then, all the Off the Wall album songs would be next. OMG, what can I say. Love Michael! His music! His dancing! Yep, I have it bad.  And I am a true fan, not fair-weather, I always was on his side, through it all.

I wish I knew how many calories I burned. At least 1,000! I know I weighed myself when I got home because I felt bloated from eating pretzels, and then ate a salad, played the Wii for 3 hours, weighed myself again because I knew I dropped lots of water weight and yep, down 2 whole pounds.  So I am drinking heck of water right now to hydrate my body.  So trust me, this is a real, REAL workout!

I'll be raving about this workout in many more blogs I'm sure.

Total workout: 3 hours! Woohooooo!!

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 67: Wii Fun tonight

I think I did way too much tonight but had so much fun!

First, Michael Jackson the Experience.  What a workout!  I love, love, love it! I am a BIG MJ fan and loved his dancing in videos. Now I can do it just like him!

There was a warm up, but it was static stretches which you should NOT do in a warm-up! Dynamic stretches AFTER you warm-up by doing light activity.  I had done some light walking in place before the stretches and I did not hold my stretches because the body is not warm and that's just no good!

After that, I had to figure out where to go first, then I selected my first song, Billie Jean which I believe was medium difficulty (wasn't paying attention).  It was fun and reminded me of the video.  At the end they rate you on a scale of 5 stars and I only earned one.

Then I did Thriller and it was so fun! I believe it was under the "hard" category, but if you know the whole dance routine to the video, it may not be as hard.  Welll, uh...I'm not that great at it, but I did receive my highest score and 3 stars!

Then I did Wanta Be Starting Something (medium) and had 2 stars.  Did it two times and 2 stars each time.  Bad (medium) I received 3 stars.  Dirty Diana, and you could pick to shadow Michael or the female dancer. I selected the female and that was cool.  It was like MJ and I were doing a duet.  I have to try that with a partner!  I only received one.

Then I did m FAVE MJ video Remember the Time. It was HARD! Fun, but geez, I thought I knew that whole routine, but of course it's slightly different.  My arms were getting a beating.  I only got one star.

All in all about 45 minutes.  I would have done more, so man more songs to pick, but I wanted to review the other games.

Next was Just Dance 2.  Never had any of the dance games, these are all my first.  I liked it, but it will take lots of practice to get most of those moves.  And I wish I knew more than like 1 of the songs.  I did about 7 songs for about 25 minutes.

Last I did Zumba Fitness.  Wow!  I LOVE it! It was hard.  I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner unless a) you pick up dance moves quickly, b) you just love to dance no matter what or c) you're just doing it for fun!  This is quiet the workout and just like the classes I took.  This is a MUST if you are a zumba fan and can't make it to a class.  Try it!

I only did 20 minutes....and barely.  My whole body was on fire at this point and  could barely raise my arms.  I was about to quit just as I noticed I was on the last song so I decided to stick with it.

There was a GREAT cool down that was perfect after my long workout.

All these work great as a workout.  I recommend them highly!  If you like to dance like me, get ready to sweat it out!  Also, in between songs and set-up, KEEP MOVING! Walking in place, walk side to side, grapevine, walk in  circle, whatever, just MOVE!  You have to keep the workout cardio by staying in motion.

Total workout time: 90 minutes

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 65: Some of this, some of that

That's how my workout was tonight.  Some of this, some of that, a little of this and a whole lotta fun!!

Since I bought 3 new Wii games online yesterday, I figured I better get the dust off that things. I did Wii Fit until the games arrives.  Hope they really inspire me to do more.

As if...as if I don't do a lot anyway!!  I did 35 minutes of WiiFit.  Then I decided to do Hip Hop ABS instead of HUSTLE, just because, I have to keep it interested.  Not that I am bored with Hustle because I have like a gazillion workouts!  But look at Shaun T and those abs!!

I did a 45 minute workout of that. I absolutely love, love, love HHA for different reasons than I love, love, love HHH. HHA takes its name serious, it works the ABS! Man, I was really feeling it.  It's like doing 1,000 crunches standing.  Love it!

And if that was not enough, I did a 20 minute Turbo Jam workout, why, just because I can!!  I have all this energy, I probably could have done a longer workout but I am also working on getting to bed at a decent time.

Total workout: 100 minutes!!

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 40: Piyo and Hustle?

You can do it too!

Is this girl out of her flipping mind? I received my Piyo workouts in the mail today and was so excited I wanted to do it immediately (well, not at work, but when I got home).  But I also wanted to do my regularly schedules workout as well

10 minutes BL 30-Day Jump Start Cardio Level 2
70 minutes Hip Hop Hustle 9 (Yep, did the whole thing, both hustles and the show....minus the cool down)
35 min PIYOOOOO! (Imagine me yelling this like the Yahoooo commercials, LOL! This is how I like to say it)
15 min WiiFit plus
20 push ups on Wii (Wooohaaa!)
15 crunches (so wimped out here. I plan on making it to 100 a night, yeah,right!)

What I like about Piyo? The moves really work the core and that's my favorite muscle group to work.  What i don't like is the learning curve to get these moves down.  I spend time looking up at the TV watching the moves, I can't get it correctly.  i know over time, this gets better, so I just kept at it.  Thankfully, they have a person doing modified moves.  I don't know if I can ever get to an advanced level.

Lots of yoga moves I am familiar with (P90X's Yoga X helped a lot for that) and some Pilate's moves as well.  And it was fast! I thought the workout was 60 minutes, so imagine my surprise when it was over after 35.  But hey, any longer and I might have wimped out anyway.

I'm amazed I did the Hustle for 70 minutes!!  WHAT?? This girl is crazy right.  Anyway, when you are having fun, it's not like a workout! I'm spreading the Hustle love wherever I go.  Try it!  Now!

Total workout minutes: 130 minutes!

I'm killing this challenge! Was 30 minutes a day, then 60, so next month I am upping it to 90 minutes a day (and probably will aim for close to 2.5 hours)

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 39: Pulling out all stops

Just felt like giving it my all today.  Did Wii Fit skateboarding for 30 minutes, and if you know this game, it can be tough, especially for that leg that pushes off on the board.  It's very sore.  I finally made it past the beginner and to the advanced.  Woohoo!

But that wasn't enough!

I want to continue doing the Biggest Loser 30_Day Jump Start, and I figure it's only 10 minutes a day and then I can do something else.  So I did the 10-minute Upper Body section and I liked it.  Because it's so fast, I tried using heavier weights versus when I do P90X.  You also need a stability ball, and I have one, but I used my step and I was fine.  This workout was fast, it worked my arms and shoulders and I got to move on to something else.  I still prefer P90X Shoulders and Arms to really work my upper body.

So after that workout, I put in Hip Hop Hustle 11.  I know, I know!  How many times can I do this?  ONE TRILLION, and I am on only like 10, so I have a ways to go, LOL!  I am able to really rock this out now, added my own "swagger."  I am also starting to call out the cues, at least for the warm-up I did.  The Show I was more into the dancing and making it my own.  I did a whole 60 minutes!

30 min Wii Fit
10 min Biggest Loser Jump Start
60 min Hip Hop Hustle 11
Wii push-up and jack-knife challenge (20 each!)

GO HARD OR GO HOME!

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 38: Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start

Changing things up a bit. I have 4 new Biggest Loser workouts and decided to do one.  Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start  is a series of five 10-minutes workouts that you are supposed to do one a day.  I have to say this, it's definitely for the beginner, which I am not.  After a couple of tries with this one, I will be giving it away (would give it away now but I want my money's worth).  Duh moment for me! Jump Start actually mean JUMP STARTing a new fitness regime.

I only did the first 10 minutes, though I wanted to do the whole thing.  I needed to take it easy today anyway.  The Level 1 Cardio is led by BL finalist Tara.  It is five 2-minutes cardio blasts.  They were pretty easy and not too hard, and I had to pep up some of it (and take down some when my ankle started to hurt).  All in all, I'd do it again, but I'd have to put more into it.

On another note, Ali, BL's first female winner, looks awesome!! Love her!!  She leads 2 of the five workouts...she would motivate me.  She was the only one "skinny" all the other contestants were still bigger and it must have been filmed in the middle of their season.  I can't remember who was on what season, so yeah, have no clue.

Tara was okay leading the workout.  She's no Jillian or Bob.  And why have bob on the cover, he does not lead any of the workouts. 

there is a bonus pocket cookbook that looks good.  I may try a few recipes.  Oh and there are some extras on the DVD.  Bob has motivational tips (maybe that's why he is on the cover), his diet tips and training tips.

Also today I did the WiiFit Plus for 20 minutes, and had step practice (which I only count a portion) for another 20 minutes.

So 50 minutes.  I'm good!

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 37: No dance training needed!

I worked it out today!!

Before I did my "official" workout, I did Wii Fit for an hour.  And when I count it as a workout, I don't play around, I BURN some calories.  The skateboard game, surprisingly burns major calories.  If I sweat like I'm in a sauna and need to take frequent breaks, I know it's a good workout. 

So then I put in Hip Hop Hustle 11 and did another 60 minutes. So into that one right now, and I can finally do it like I know what I am doing.  Woohoo!  I ROCKED IT OUT today!  I added my own "swagger" and that really helps me.  My ankle is still not 100% but it felt better and so on some moves I have to modify.  They do a lot of twisting of the feet.  Looks good, but hurts.

If you've been reading my blogs...come on, I know I have a few readers...then you know I plan on becoming a certified Hip Hop Hustle Instructor (also Turbo Kick, but I'ma have to do that with no practice).  But I have never danced in front of people in my life!  I've never taught anyone to dance! I have done a few warm ups here and there, but not teaching someone how to break down moves.  I keep asking myself if I can really do this.

Well, now that I have the moves nearly 100% down, I think I need to practice calling out the moves.  I'm usually quiet when I do my workout.  I count in my head.  Maybe that will help me feel comfortable teaching.  I have never done this people.  So scared!

The only thing that keeps me going is my passion for the dance, so that drives me.  I hope it drives others.

120 minutes total!

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 36: Get the Wii Outta here!

Ummm, okay, so Saturdays are typically my take it easy day, but only if I have been hitting it hard the rest of the week.  Since that was the case this week, I played on the Wii for my workout.  Now don't get me wrong, not saying that this is a BS workout, because it's not.

I mostly did my fave, kung fu and the Perfect 10 games, but then I got totally into the skateboard game.  I finally made it past the third level! In fact, I made it to level 7...but I still suck!  Only 2 stars out of four.  What the heck must I do to get 3??  And then after that, will I ever make it to 4??

My ankle is still sore and wrapped real good, and most of the games on Wii were irritating it.  Skate boarding was fine..for awhile, but not after like the 10th time.  In fact, my other ankle was taking a beating because you have to push off on it like you're really skate boarding.  I was so sweaty!  I had to cut down the heat, and turn on the ceiling fan AND strip off my shirt!  Do this workout!

I did a total of 62 minutes and I was feeling it!  I also played golf and that works my abs real good.

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 34: Fight through the pain

Well, I guess I did.  Ankle is still sore, except I really don't know if it's just my ankle.  My whole heel hurts. Ugh!  This could be bad!

So I went with upper body workout only today. Doing P90X Shoulders & Arms for 35 minutes followed by the Wii for 40 minutes, which was mostly boxing and kung fu.  So yes, this was a great workout day.  I don't know what else to do but give my ankle/heel a break and try not to do anything that would agitate it.

But I will find a way to get in at least 60 minutes!

75 minutes today.

100-Day Exercise Challenge Day 17: Same old same old

I have been doing Wii since Saturday so no real new workouts to report.  I like it because it is fast, fun and not like a workout.  I am not burning as many calories as I would like, BUT I am burning more calories than if I do nothing.

Tomorrow will be another long day and time will be limited.  To do something different, maybe I will get on the bike for 30 minutes. 

Just get it done!