Rockin' Body Day 7

Today is rest day!! AMEN! I'M TIRED TODAY! 

My Brugada Syndrome is acting up and I need to get ready for my Hernia surgery.

Rockin' Body Day 6

To say I had a tough night would be an understatement.  

 Why do people promote co-sleeping with their children?!  I've never co-slept with Kal Kal till last night and it was only to monitor him.  We have a King size Memory foam craftmatic bed sofa bed that should have been big enough for me and an 2 year old.  But instead, he wouldn't stick to his side of the bed and kept trying to squeeze me off the bed!  He: butted me in the head, gauged me in the eye, picked my nose, hooked my mouth, spat in my face and kicked me in the stomach.  Forget child safety!  What about my safety?!  I woke up bruised and was so achy you'd think I just did three rounds of Insanity in a row!  I might have to co-sleep with him again tonight and I'm thinking about wearing protective gear...

So no, I didn't have a good night.

I've never had a workout that could get me out of a funk.  I've never had a workout that I can truly say I enjoy.  Rockin' Body is trully something else.  I know I've been making fun of it and to be honest, I still do but this workout has been the saving grace this weekend.  So the Kal Kal went down for her a nap, I kicked T out of the living room so I can do Disco Groove with Shaun T.  I don't even mind the cheesy rapping/singing in the beginning.  In fact, that gets me ready and I'm already smiling when he starts.  

I LOVE THIS WORKOUT.

It is so fun...I'm so happy I started this program...I really do smile all the way through and 35 minutes goes just like that.  Couple of things to suggest if you are thinking of trying out this program:

1. Don't tie your hair up.  Let it just go wild!  I've always had my hair up in a pony but today I just didn't feel like and I felt like a rockstar!  Seriously, something about hair swooshing right and left made me feel like a goddess.  I didn't even mind eating my own hair.  It tasted like strawberries in case you were wondering.

2.  Go barefoot!  All the sliding and hopping has caused me some problems in my cross trainers so I just decided to get rid of the shoes.  It feels so much better!  I can move around more easily and not worry about blisters.  It's also been kinder to my feet.

3.  Don't take it too seriously.  You have to just let the music lead you and if you don't do a step right, who cares!  Half of the time I'm waving my arms in the air like a crazy monkey but I just go with it!  

4.  Witih all the hair swooshing and tousling , keep your eyes open because you might get dizzy...like me who lost my balance cuz I was 'in the moment' and again, smacked into the wall.  The wall and I are becoming best friends.  

5.  Again, like all of Shaun T's workouts:   Hold your core in.  Not only does it protect you, in Rockin' Body, it makes me feel really banging sexy when I'm moving my hip side to side. 

Even though it's been a hellish day, I had so much fun doing Disco Groove, I felt invigorated and energized.  Even my husband had no idea why I was so happy on 3 hours of sleep.  

I expect tonight to be another long restless night. 

♫♫ Play that funky music, white boy... ♫

ROCKIN' BODY DAY 5

I was exhausted last night after Rockin' Body.  I barely typed up a blog post then basically crashed on the sofa till THE BOY WOKE ME UP.  I have been sleeping so well (well, in the hours that I slept before Kal Kal wakes up...) since doing Rockin' Body.  I just pass out!  

But Rockin' Body really does put a smile on my face.  At first I just couldn't take it seriously but I've accepted that is the point!  It is suppose to be fun and lighthearted and cheesy.  When the music starts and seeing Shaun bopping up and down doing his moves, I can't help but have a massive grin on my face.  

Today's workout was called Shaun T's Dance Party and it was!  He is really charming and he does make you want to groove.  You can easily burn very little calories doing these workouts because you could just step side to side and not really put any effort in.  Unlike Insanity, you have to jump, you have to do push ups, you are almost forced to push yourself.  With dancing, you have to mentally tell yourself, jump higher, hop wider, wave your arms bigger, twist your hips sexier, etc.  You're not just doing hip thrusts, you're doing it with good form and a little bit of 'flava'.  

He is the only man I know who can make a warm-up and a cool down looking that sexy.  It's not just 'let's walk four steps to the right', it's 'c'mon girls, show me your sexy walk.  This is your stage, give it some attitude!'  You can't help it but do!  I'm walking left and right like I own 'the club' ie my livingroom.  I was raising the roof like I was a hot MC in some sexy NYC club.  I was dancing so hard, I think I'm ready to audition for So You Think You Can Dance!  

This workout, like Insanity, is nothing like I've done before.  I've done Zumba but this is so much more fun.  You have to get over the cheesiness and you have to accept his background dancers just look like they're crazy. Tanya looks even more fish like and Vanessa...oh my god..what is that girl on?!  I don't think she can close her mouth...I really just want to run on stage and slap her and scream, SNAP OUT OF IT!  Sorry...a bit aggressive, probably...

The audience bit...that's just entertaining.  I don't understand they have men in the audience because they looked so out of it!  I mean I think they enjoy watching the girls dance on stage but Shaun is the main focus and that man makes love to the camera/audience like his life depends on it!   Some of the camera works where they zoom in the audience, you always see a group of women whistling and woooing and all they're missing are a few dollar bills. But next you always see a guy, not a group of guys, just one two guys on either side looking so uncomfortable...I wonder what they told these guys to get them into the audience in the first place!  

As if you can't tell, I am really enjoying this program so far.  I have a great laugh, it always makes me smile and even on nights where I'm really tired and a bit dreading the whole idea of working out, I press play and Shaun T's energy just sucks you in.  

I'm getting my Disco on tomorrow morning...it's gonna be off da hook!  (I try to be cool...I'm really not cool...A-Bomb will find that out for herself when she grows up...) 

Rockin' Body Day 4

It's 9:30pm so I'm exhausted...going to bullet point this...forgive the stream of consciousness...

• Tonight was Party Express + Booty Time.  In layman's term: You danced like you wish you could dance at a party and your booty worked overtime.  

• I channelled my Inner Beyonce to complete this workout.

• I thought I looked so freaking sexy till I saw my reflection on the TV.  I kind of looked like a blowfish um...with legs and arms...and a butt.

• I have a new person to hate:  Her name is Vanessa.  At one point, she looked like she was a monkey hoarding fruit. 

• Shaun T has a great butt. 

• I feel a bit naughty after Booty Time...I think it was the Dirty Wine or in my fabulous trendy accent:  Dutty Wine

• He disguised squats and lunges with some flavor.  But Shaun...they're still damn squats and lunges!

• I can't believe my body is this sore from an exercise program titled Party Express and Booty TimE

• I think I'm going to pass out.  

Rockin' Body Day 3

I danced like a Disco queen today.  But Shaun T was definitely the Queen of the night...

This is my favorite video so far but I have only done four.  Today was Disco Groove + Hard Core Abs.  And I enjoyed every single second of it.

Flamboyant Shaun is so funny and so sassy I want him as my best friend.  We did some big dance moves today and I really don't think I've ever had so much fun working out.  

This morning, I showed Jez a bit of what I did yesterday.  Okay, not just a bit, I showed him my 'jazz moves'.  It's basically you do a short sprint with your legs closed then quick sprint with the legs open.  You also open up your arms as you open the legs.  It sounds complicated, it's not.  It sounds goofy, it is.  Jez asked if I 'make the face' when I dance, the answer is yes.  Apparently I make a very stupid face where I pucker up my lips and bop my head side to side. 

I didn't care about my face the second the video started.  He was pulling out some classic disco moves except with a lot of energy.  A little bit of arm swings in half circle is actually quite exhausting.  A little bit of cha cha actually does burn the thighs.  I didn't even mind his back up dancers who some would probably find quite annoying.  But they're so cheesy I can't help but be cheesy with them!  They flicked their hair, I flicked my hair, they waved their hands up in the air for no good reason, I was waving like waving was going out of style.  They grinned, I grinned bigger.  I probably need to get my Halloween wig out just to get the full effect. 

There were many moments but the pinnacle moment of it all?  When Shaun screamed...

"I'M COMING OUT!' to the song, um...I'm coming out.  I nearly choked from laughing.  The second moment?  He said, 'you cute?  Cuz I'm cute.'  Yes...yes you are...hahaha, seriously cheesy but so funny.

Hard Core Abs were alright.  It's only 10 minutes long so he didn't have much time to queen out the whole workout but my abs and my legs were feeling it. He was a bit more "Insanity Shaun" so it was a nice break from 'oh my god love me cuz I'm awesome and fab-u-lous' Shaun.   

I couldn't believe I burned 407 cal in the end.  This first week is all about learning the moves so I am again excited about tomorrow!  

♫I'm coming out...I want the world to know...got to let it show...♪♪ 

Rockin' Body Day 2

So this week is EARLY EARLY MORNING WORKOUTS, as T has swim lessons all week. So today was Mark, Move and Groove + Party Express.

The first one was just a warm up, reminding you what you should be expecting in future workouts.  The Party Express was just...freaking hilarious! So I guess every video starts with Shaun singing/rapping...thank god for fast forward.  Man, I love you but...singing/rapping...no...

Then follow by the strangely happy English man again...and Shaun kicked him off the stage.  I'll tell you one definite good thing about this workout:  I don't have to wish for his shirt to be off.  He was only wearing a vest...open...and um...I witnessed his pecs dance...boy, did that make my morning!

Oh, you're curious about the workout?  Um...Party Express was 25 minutes and it went by so fast I had no idea what happened.  He teaches you steps and you go through several combos and it was soooo much fun!  I was jumping, I was sweating, I was totally giving it all I got!  I did do the following though...

1. Punched myself in the head during a 'Lasso' move.

2. Punched myself in the thighs when I did the 'Whipping'

3. Punched myself in the elbows when I did the 'Rockin' Body'

Yes, I punched myself...accidentally...a lot in 25 minutes.  But I was laughing so hard because I looked so uncoordinated I looked like an marionette doll being controlled by a maniac.  And Shaun kept saying, 'ya know what I'm sayin'?'  Honestly, no...I really don't...did he say hop?  Or step?  Or jump?  Or rock?  Oh, he's making his chests move...let's just stop and stare...

Im realizing that I''m really not awake this early in the morning and my dance skills are truely tested at this hour. LOL

Still, a work out is a work out and I have no clue how I burned nearly 300kcal in 40 minutes.  

I am excited about tomorrow's 'dance moves' and what other injury can I bring upon myself.  

P.E.A.C.E. O.U.T.  till tomorrow...uughh!

Rockin' Body Day 1

The program is for 30 days and you work out 6 days a week.  Each day is a combination of  videos and I've no idea how long they are going to be.  Today I had to do something called 'Mark, Move and Groove'.

I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at a program.  It starts with...you ready for it...?  Shaun T...RAPPING!  Yes, he was rapping and hopping and I have no idea what he said but I just stood there staring at the TV with my mouth wide opened going 'HUH'?!  Then the camera showed some English guy sitting in the audience (yes, it's like America's Got Talent or something' surrounded by women talking about how excited he was to get those tickets. He waited THREE whole days!  Then you find out he's like the MC or something...and he introduced Shaun T....who then skipped onto the stage and started 2-stepping...

He also has back up dancers with overtly wide smiles who all looked like they've been on some caffeine trip for days.  And yes, there is Tanya...who was wearing a short plaid skirt bouncing on stage!  How hard can this work out be if she could do it in a  SKIRT?!  There's one guy on stage other than Shaun and he just looked like he had no clue how he got there. Then there was one more...who, if you could believe it.. looked like an older version of Sporty Spice and hopping around like an sex crazed energizer bunny, with her big bulging eyes and really shiny teeth...

These people are going to be with me for the next 30 days...ay ya ya...omg!

The workout was 15 minutes.  Yup, that rights, 15 minutes.  It was more of an intro thing.  He shows you the steps and then in the end you put all the steps together and almost form some kind of a dance routine. Because it was only 15 minutes, I really 'danced' my little booty off.  When he said strut to the front, I strutted like I was on stage in Vegas.  When he said shimmied the shoulders, I shimmied so hard I think I pop my shoulders. When he grapevined, I made the grapevine looked gooooood.  In short, I thought I looked like a sexy dancing monster.  All before 9am.  

15 minutes went by quickly and I couldn't believe I actually burned just over 100kcal.  I didn't even feel like I was doing anything!  I had so much fun and laughed so hard.  Shaun T is as encouraging as always but definitely flamboyant and was not afraid to show it.  To be honest, I enjoyed watching him sa-shay'ing on stage...I know, I'm obsessed.

Tomorrow is also Mark, Move and Groove but also with something called Party Express.  I don't know what it is but I am excited!  

Day 5 Hip Hop Abs

So I just finished my fifth day. I have to say I feel GREAT. I'm doing other work outs in addition to hip hop abs, but the extra stuff is mostly cardio. Today I went to Six flags with my boys.  It stunned me how many calories I burned walking at the park.  I burned over 300 calories at the park.... For some reason, my mind is blown by this. It has to be because Hip Hop Abs is geared towards a type of interval training. I can only imagine how many calories someone can burn doing Beach Body's high intensity interval program, Insanity. Perhaps I'll try that when I'm in better shape.

I'm down 5lbs!! What what!!

Day 3 Hip Hop Abs- I feel great!

Well Shoot. I woke up this morning and I felt awesome! My abs felt tight, but not sore and I have a ton of energy. I think the high amount of protein I ate yesterday may have something to do with that, but we'll see. I do have some soreness in my shoulders and arms. It must be the weighted gloves! That was unexpected, but no complaints here! Every little bit helps.

NEW MEAL PLAN

So I decided today was the day I would really started eating different. So Im going to eat every 3 hours. I will have 4 shakes and two small high protein meals.

8am-Inspire shake

11am-Shakeology

2pm-Crabcake lettuce wrap

5pm-Inspire shake

8pm-Chicken and Sweet potatoes

11pm-Shakeology

I did decide to skip ahead and do Fat Burning Cardio 2 again today. My coordination was slightly better this time around. I'll get it down eventually. I still feel like I may need more of a workout besides this exercise. Maybe its just because i feel like I'm just dancing. According to iphone I only burned 484 calories. Maybe tomorrow I'll try to do the next Hip Hop Abs exercise (Ab Sculpt) as well as take my boys for a walk. I'll play it by ear!

Day 2 Hip Hop Abs

So I decided to see what Level 2's Fat Burning Cardio was all about. It was SO fun. Shaun T is as charming as ever and just a delight to follow. Let's be real...HE SEXY AS ****!!!  You have to do these fun combination moves while remembering to consistently "tilt, tuck, and tighten" your abs. I felt a little goofy as I was trying to get the hang of it, but I know that in a few more days, I'll have my rhythm down. I'm just use to dancing. 

So on the plus side, after two work outs I totally felt it in my abs. My stomach was really tight and that seems promising! If my abs feels that tight after every workout, then I'll definitely become a believer. The only catch is, should I stick to the schedule or should I skip ahead to month 2... Perhaps I need the extra challenge? I think we'll see how I feel tomorrow. Who knows?! I may wake up in the morning and have the sorest stomach ever. Time will tell! 

So in summary, I went off book.. and jump to level 2.
The level 2 workout today was about 45 minutes long and I burned 511 calories. 

Day 1 Hip Hop Abs

I got up this morning bright and early. I weighed myself, took my "Before" pictures and then took my measurements. Talk about a dose of hard reality. Needless to say, I became quite motivated to start this program and do it right. 

Before I get into my first impressions of Hip Hop Abs, let me give you a little background about myself. I'm actually quite an active person. I own a dance studio. I dane everyday. I LOVETO DANCE, I HATE TO WORKOUT!! I'm also 60lbs overweight. I've got wide hips, a big old butt, and my abs aren't as strong I want them to be. The goal with this program is to lose weight and gain a rock hard core. That's the dream! 

So with that in mind, let's get into my first day. 

The way Hip Hop Abs works is during the first month you do the basic program and then at the start of the second month, you graduate up to more advanced work outs, labeled "Level 2." So, for example, day 1 of month 1 is "Fat Burning Cardio." Day 1 of month 2 is "Fat Burning Cardio 2." The Level 2 exercises are longer and include more intense cardio routines.  

I had a slight fear that today's basic Fat Burning Cardio workout wouldn't feel like enough for me. To start, it is only 30 minutes long and I normally like to work out for 1.5-2 hours. But, I dove right into it with my hopes still high, wearing my Garmin Forerunner and heart rate monitor to keep track of my caloric burn. And while I did burn a surprising 318 calories during the 30 minute workout, it still didn't feel like enough. That couldn't be my only exercise for the day.  But hey, I worked out. 1 step at a time.

Today I Choose ME!

In the last 4 years, I have been through so many up moments, down moments and moments in between. And every time I've looked back I realized the times that I flourished I had more Faith then Fear and I concentrated on ME versus EVERYONE ELSE. So on July 8th 2016 I decided to be grateful and take control of my own happiness by TAKING BACK MY LIFE AND MY HEALTH! So today I choose to be #1 in my life, be grateful, happy, healthy and lose weight!

So my realization...THIS IS ME!

I'm a 39 year old mormon black female. I'm married with two kids and two dogs. I am a 19 year dance studio owner/teacher at Miss Chianti's Dane School Of Maryland. I've been married to husband James for 9 years and we have two sons a 2 year old (Kal, Kal) and a 3year old (T). We struggled with infertility for 5 years. After several IVF attempts and various infertility drugs my miracles were born (naturally...LOL! no really COL!! $80,000 in the hole!). Since 2014 I never could get those extra 60lbs off then... I had family/"friend" problems, business problems, marriage problems and just when I thought I was going to lose my dang mind, I was diagnosed with Brugada Syndrome a heart disorder and had an ICD implanted in March of 2016. After genetic testing.. It confirmed I have the SCN5A Gene - mutation change which is Brugada Syndrome, and I also have the SCNNA3 Gene - variant uncertain significants seen in patients with Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), both cause sudden cardiac death.  In July of 2016 I decided I had enough!