Plus Size workouts by Debby Mack! BRAND NEW for plus size and beginner women workouts

I was on the collage video website today and noticed two new dvds.  (I frequently go there to look at upcoming and newly released workout dvds-yes I have an addiction to workout dvds).

The title “Plus Size Workouts” caught my eye of course, so I clicked on the info and watched the video clips. I was so impressed and pleased that Debby would make these dvds because I feel like there’s a real need for exercise dvds for plus size and/or beginners.

When I first started exercising a couple years ago I was at 250 pounds and I tried to jump into running and bootcamps and kept getting discouraged because I would get hurt or have asthma or knee pain or back pain. Finally my husband told me I just needed to start with basic workouts and work up to harder things instead of jumping into everything. I have a real issue when workout dvds say they can be “for everyone”, just do “modifications”. I’m sorry but when you have alot of extra weight, it hurts to do body weight exercises. It hurts to run and jump. Its discouraging to be out of breathe after exercising after 5 minutes. I agree it’s important to try new workouts and not limit yourself, but not every workout is appropriate for every person. I kept trying new things and kept getting hurt because I was so out of shape and so heavy; I didn’t know what exercises to do or how to start. I was introduced to Leslie Sansone walking dvds and just did them for several months until I lost over 50 pounds and physically felt better and had more stamina to do other workouts.

So because I have been plus size, I can totally relate to the frustrations that women feel about working out-being able to follow the instructor and that shes clear and not going too fast; and physically be able to follow along and do the exercises that shes doing.

I had a delightful conversation with Debby today and she will be sending me some dvds for blog review and a giveaway. So be on the look out for future blog posts about these dvds.

Here is the information about her two dvds and ordering information from collagevideo.

I’m helping to spread the word so that Debby’s dvds can be successful and so she can make more dvds in the future.

Details:
This is a well-rounded routine that works at burning fat through the cardio section and increasing muscle strength and endurance through the towel toning segment. This workout is ideal for plus size beginners. The cardio section includes low impact moves that incorporate arms and legs and gradually introduce movement across the floor. All the moves in the cardio section are previewed in the warm up to increase success during the actual workout. These moves include step touches, v-steps, kicks, and taps of heels and toes. Debby builds on these basic moves by going back and adding the arm motions on a second pass through. The warm up blends into the start of the cardio section. The movements are well cued (Debby says, ‘kicks are coming up’). Debby starts most of the moves in place and then adds movement. Examples of this include knee raises in place that progress into walks forward and two knees in place, kicks in place that transition into walking forward and back with the addition of higher kicks and lower kicks to vary the intensity. Squats are also utilized with an invitation to jump the legs back together as the fitness model on the left side demonstrates. Wide walks and narrow walks eventually transition into wide based football runs. Also included are side leg taps with bow and arrow arms as well as sets of lunges with single and double taps. There are a few higher impact options as well as cues to make the moves more simplified if needed (Debby says, ‘you can keep your arms low if it is too confusing). The towel section uses a hand sized towel and incorporates the use of isometric work (keeping the towel taut) as the exerciser progresses through traditional exercises such as biceps curls, lat pull downs, and squats. The towel toning segment even includes standing exercises for core. 
Buyer’s Guide:
Plus +Size Workouts Back 2 Basics is a well-rounded low impact cardio workout for beginners that includes a standing towel toning section. Debby has a calm way about her while being friendly and encouraging along the way. Debby is clearly working out right along with you and it is encouraging to see her as she moves and sweats through the entire workout. She provides cueing for good form (‘body stays tall’) and cues the next move before it appears (‘kicks are coming up’). I like that there are a few higher impact options and these are modeled by the background exerciser on the left. I also liked the different intensities presented with the kicks (kicking high and low) and squats (jumping in) to vary the workout level. The workout seems to go by fast and there is good flow. The breaks in the towel toning section are only long enough to give the arms a quick shake before starting the next move; this is very successful because this is how strength is gained. This workout is really well done for plus size beginning exercisers. 
Warm up and cardio: 30 minutes
Toning and Cool down: 10 minutes

$10.99 

Details:
Debby Mack teaches the workout with two backup exercisers in an indoor setting. The workout is filmed from a front camera with a few close up shots during toning section. Debby speaks very clearly and directly throughout the workout. She gives matter of fact encouragement such as, “that’s it”, “you’ve got this”, “the lower we go, the harder it is.”
The mini combinations are simple in nature and allow beginners to easily follow the program. The mini-combinations (4-8 count average) tend to start standing in place with movement gradually added. For example, four punches in place progress to four punches with a walk to the other side. There are no surprises in the movements however this is appropriate for a beginning level workout. There are no modifications in the workout other than two instances: one exerciser does not use weights in the toning section, and one exerciser adds a jog in place of a walk at one point.
The moves are very basic and include sidesteps with various punches, 3 steps and various kicks (done in warm up, cardio section, and cool down), v steps, front and side punches with weightshifts. All the basic punches are included: jab, cross, upper cut, and hook. The basic kicks include front kicks and back kicks only, there are no side kicks. The bonus toning portion of the workout includes biceps curls, wide military lifts, overhead triceps, squats, and front and side leg lifts in a standing position with the support of a chair.

Buyer’s Guide: 
Plus+Size Workouts Cardio Kick achieves a cardio effect through basic low impact moves combined with basic kicks and punches; a bonus toning section focuses on arms and legs. There is not a lot of instruction for how to kick and punch (i.e. “do not extend your arm all the way”, so be certain to practice these moves safely ahead of time), however the basic foot work is well broken down. Debby does give a little more instruction during the toning section. Some of the moves in this workout are repetitive. For example, the three steps and a kick are done in the warm up, cardio, and cool down sections of the workout. The toning section targets arms and legs, however some level of core strengthening would better round out the workout, so you might want to have your favorite core segment cued up afterwards. This workout would be a little more motivating if Debby and her participants were more energetic, but it does have a nice progression of movement. Debby is clearly able to teach in an organized fashion and is able to break down moves for beginning exercisers.

Warm Up and Cardio: 33 minutes
Cool Down: 5 minutes
Bonus Toning Segment: 10 minutes.

$10.99
http://www.collagevideo.com/products/debby-mack-plus-size-workouts-cardio-kick

Check out her Facbeook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Plus-Size-Workouts/120738564612032?ref=br_tf

And her website here:
http://www.plussizeworkoutdvds.com/

 

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Week 1 #JillianMichaels #bodyrevolution last week

I started my first week of Jillian Michaels Body Revolution this week! I also continued to do some Jessica Smith TV challenge videos and the daily squat challenge with PopSugarFitness.

I LOVED my first week of Body Revolution!! Jillian is not as hardcore and mean as I thought she would be. I am scared though because she keeps saying that week 1 and 2 are easy compared to the rest of the program. Yikes! I bought this program online a couple of years but was always scared to start it.

Every time I did a video I tried to progress with my hand weights so I felt like I was making progress. I did take 2 rest days this week so I haven’t tried her cardio 1 dvd yet. Jillian is very inspiring and very clear with demonstrating each move. She typically shows how to do moderate and advanced moves for each exercise as well. I would not consider her “family friendly” because she does use swear words through out the 30 minute program so if my kids are around, I turn the volume really low.

Here’s how my week looked for July 6-12: 
Monday
Body Revolution disc 1 with hand weights; day 6 & 7 squat challenge, and JS abs buns thighs cardio video. 
Tuesday
Body Revolution disc 2 with hand weights and band; JS cardio ball blast video. 
Wednesday- rest day

Thursday
Body Revolution disc 1 with hand weights; 25 min Jessica Smith video.

Friday-rest day
Saturday
Body Revolution disc 2 with hand weights and band; day 9, 10, 11 squat challenge.
Some of my food this week:

How did you do with your personal exercising and nutrition goals last week? 

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week 4 recap #nataliejillfitness Instagram Challenge and Round 2 of #7dayjumpstart

Here is my week 4 recap of the Natalie Jill Fitness challenge I finished up in June.
(June 23-June 28th workouts)

You can find all the challenge videos here:

Monday
30 mins Leslie Sansone, 10 min butt lift workout and Natalie Jill challenge.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday REST DAYS
Friday: 
Leslie Sansone 30 mins and Natalie Jill Fitness workout
Saturday:
30 mins Leslie Sansone, Natalie Jill Fitness workout and swimming. 
Round 1 of my results for 7 day jumpstart are here: 
Did Round 2 and did alot better with my eating. Didn’t lose any weight (I didn’t exercise every day)-instead I maintained my loss from Round 1 so I’m happy with that. As you can see from some of my pictures, I didn’t follow the program 100% but I tried to follow it closely and substitute approved foods from the list. 
I will continue to eat like this because I’m pleased with how easy this program is to follow and how good I feel. I definitely recommend this program!! 

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Week 1 of #piyo with #chalenejohnson as well as #JessicaSmithTV challenge and #popsugarfitness #squatchallenge

This was my exercise routine for Sunday June 29-Saturday July 5th.

I started my first week of PIYO, along with doing some Jessica Smith TV youtube workouts and PopSugarFitness July squat challenge. 
I posted a youtube video of my PIYO kit but here’s what my deluxe kit comes with. 
The calendar I made for the PIYO two month challenge. 
Sunday workout: 
Align: The Fundamentals
Monday workout: 
30 mins Leslie Sansone, 10 mins Natalie Jill Fitness video. 
Tuesday:
PIYO Lower Body, 1 mile Leslie Sansone, 20 mins Jessica Smith TV day 1 challenge. 

Wednesday: 
PIYO upper body, JessicaSmithTV day 2 challenge, Day 1&2 squat challenge
Thursday: 
1 miles Leslie Sansone, PIYO sweat, day 3 squat challenge 

Friday:
2 hours plus of yard work and house cleaning for 4th of July! 
Saturday: 
JessicaSmithTV day 5 video and day 5 squat challenge

How I felt about PIYO this week:
I have been super excited to try this program and have posted alot about it!! This was my first week and the workouts were good but not “wow” like I wanted them to be. I’ve been doing Natalie Jill Fitness for the past 4 or 5 weeks which is just using body weight, and I’m burned out by doing that. PIYO is also using just using your body weight, so I was a little bored and restless with doing PIYO. It’s not a bad program, I know it will help me in the future, and I will not be returning it; it’s just not a program I want to do right now. I will be switching to a program that uses hand weights instead.
**I am not a BB coach. All opinions are my own and any BB links posted do not benefit me in any way**

How I felt about the JessicaSmithTV challenge this week:
Been doing her workout videos off and on for years and love her!! All of her videos are family friendly and she’s encouraging and enthusiastic. I will continue to do her challenge videos off and on this month.

How I felt about the squat challenge this week: 
LOVED it!! It’s not hard on my knees and it’s a great warm up before I begin my other workouts for the morning. I will hopefully stick with this challenge the entire month!

What workouts did you do this week?

Have you heard of PIYO or Jessica Smith TV?
(any BB coach links will be deleted in my comments below as I do not allow soliciting on my page)

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Penny Wise-Windy City Neighbors by Neta and Dave Jackson

I read this book in one night because I was caught up in the story line about the Jasper Family and how the book was going to end.

I haven’t read anything by this author and although this is book 3 in the Neighborhood Windy City series, it could also be read as a stand alone book.

The Jasper family is a family of 5 who are Godly, kind and overly busy! Throughout the book the mom struggles with every day balance and trying to get things done for her family, work, and church responsibilities.

It was a good reminder for me to not be so busy and  that I need to prioritize my own life before my two boys get older. Just reading about Mrs Jasper’s daily schedule made me anxious! LOL.

Some events towards the end of the book help Mr. and Mrs. Jasper prioritize their life and recognize God’s help in their lives and struggles. I really enjoyed reading this book and will be making a trip to my local library to find more books by this author.

You can read about this book and series here:
http://www.daveneta.com/books/Neighborhood/Neighborhood-series.html

About the book: Penny Wiseintroduces us to yet another family in “the neighborhood”—the Jaspers, busy with demanding jobs, busy with church, busy volunteering, parents of three active teenagers, juggling sometimes crazy schedules. All good things. Until all those “good things” feed into a series of crises that affects the whole family. Something’s gotta change!

The third in the Windy City Neighbors series, Penny Wise is a contemporary peek at an urban family wrestling with the spiritual and practical challenges of real life. The series employs the innovating storytelling technique of “parallel novels,” each with its own drama and story arc, but whose characters’ lives become intertwined with their neighbors and affect one another. Welcome to Beecham Street—a typical, isolated American neighborhood that is beginning to come out of its shell . . . for better or worse.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/yLCKz 

About the authors: Dave and Neta Jackson are award-winning authors living in the Chicago area where their parallel novels from the Yada Yada House of Hope and Harry Bentley series are set. As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books.
Find Neta and Dave online: website

I’m a blog book reviewer for LitFuse Publicity so I was given this book complimentary in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

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