Biggest Loser Last Chance Workout Monday Routine: A Review

I've been a big fan (pun intended) of the Biggest Loser workout DVDs ever since I discovered the fat-melting, muscle-toning magic of the Biggest Loser Cardio Max DVD. Combined with the Biggest Loser Power Sculpt DVD, I lost over fifty pounds and my muscles were toned.

I decided to expand my Biggest Loser workout library with two more DVDs: Last Chance Workout and 30- Day Jump Start. Today, I did the Last Chance Workout for the first time and I'm going to go over what I thought of the workout.

I've never watched the Biggest Loser television show. I know what the premise is, and I'm supportive of the contestants meeting their weight loss goals, but I've never actually tuned in to catch an episode. The workouts came to me after some Google research to see what the best workout DVDs were for truly overweight people who needed to shed some pounds in a safe, effective manner. Biggest Loser workout DVDs kept popping up in all my searches, so I selected Cardio Max to begin with, knowing that cardio really melts the fat. I added the Power Sculpt DVD a few months later to help tone my muscles after my workout tolerance was piqued with the Cardio Max DVD.

After branching off into the Last Chance Workout DVD, I have to say, I'll be going back to Cardio Max and Power Sculpt from here on out. I think Last Chance Workout is intended for those who are most of the way to their workout goals, but just need an extra push to shed another pound or two, or need a shake-up in their routine. I don't have that satisfied feeling at the end of the Monday routine on Last Chance Workout that I do when I do the Cardio Max or Power Sculpt workouts. Last Chance Workout takes you through six circuits which consist of 30 second intervals of cardio moves, then 30 seconds of strength moves. This is a Jillian Michaels staple, one that I utilized quite well with her 30 Day Shred DVD (not associated with the Biggest Loser franchise, but an excellent workout DVD just the same).

I used Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred when I was several months into my workout regime last year and it hit all the right spots, shaking up my routine and waking up and wearing out muscles that had gotten used to the moves in the Cardio Max and Power Sculpt DVDs I was using up to that point. I think that is how Last Chance Workout will better benefit me, if I start using it a few months into my exercising rather than right now at the beginning. Those thirty second circuits, while keeping me from being bored, don't give me enough time to truly get the full effect of the workout.

If you're a beginner, I highly recommend the Cardio Max and Power Sculpt Biggest Loser DVDs first, then the Last Chance Workout later, after you're able to get through the three levels on the CM and PS. Its not that CM and PS are easier than the LCW, they just utilize longer circuits, so when you have to stop for breath before picking a move back up again, you still have a little bit to get back into the move rather than the DVD already moving on to another move. LCW moves too quickly for beginners, in my opinion.

You will stop to take breaths when you start out, you won't be able to complete all of the moves on your first, second, or even third try of the workout.The idea is that when the moves become "easy" and you're able to complete them successfully without feeling winded or sore, that's about the time you move up to the next level where you're going to be winded and sore all over again with new, harder moves. The problem with LCW is that it didn't give me a chance to feel winded and sore because when I had to stop for breath, I missed a move and half of the next one.

So, again, I would definitely recommend beginners who enjoy DVD workouts (and even if you think you don't, give the Biggest Loser workouts a try) I highly recommend the Biggest Loser Cardio Max and Biggest Loser Power Sculpt DVDs, then moving on to the Last Chance Workout and Jillian Micheal's 30-Day Shred after you've made it through the 6 week program for CM and PS.

Can't Wait!

I'm just so excited, I can't WAIT to walk into a store and know that I can fit the clothes they have there.

I can't WAIT to stand in front of a mirror with a smile on my face, knowing that I look good.

I can't WAIT to accept compliments from co-workers, family, and friends, because I know I"ve worked hard and deserve the positive feedback instead of thinking they are just "being nice".

I can't WAIT to feel like I deserve the amazingly attractive man I'm dating because I, too, will feel amazingly attractive.

I can't WAIT to wake up and just feel good to be awake and starting a new day.

I can't WAIT to feel that rush of adrenaline when I step on the scale and see that, yes, I DID IT.

I can't WAIT to sit in the desks at school and not worry that it's going to collapse beneath me and/or that my body hangs off the edges of the seat.

I can't WAIT to be able to run faster, jump higher, and exercise harder with a smile on my face because it feels so good.

I can't WAIT to wear my favorite outfits again.

I can't WAIT to feel my stomach turn in disgust when someone suggests eating fast food.

I can't WAIT to be able to wear sexy lingerie.

I can't WAIT to spend less money on clothes that are much cuter than the plus size clothes.

I can't WAIT to not have jelly rolls and back fat and armpit fat and ugh.

I can't WAIT to feel sexy again, in and out of clothes. 

I can't WAIT to succeed. 

For further motivation, http://pinterest.com/dreamngina/fitness-inspiration-and-motivation/

First Weigh-In and Start Up Pictures

This blog is a big motivator for me to struggle onward with this journey. So it's here that I will share my thoughts, goals, and pounds lost as I move forward to a happier and healthy life.

I did my first weigh-in this morning before breakfast.
Starting Weight (August 15, 2012): 265.5 pounds

Here are my "before" pictures, taken at my gym on August 13, 2012.

Here I go! :)

Day Three: I'm Feeling Good!

I'm sticking to my guns so far, and I'm feeling great! I've craved soda, but grabbed the water bottle instead. I've wanted to eat right before bed, have my usual bowl of cereal or sandwich before climbing underneath the covers, but I reached for a water bottle instead. (I'm not saying that water cures all cravings, but it fills my tummy in those two situations.) I've managed to stay away from sweets for the most part (except for one break yesterday with a rogue strawberry Pop Tart).

I've worked out the past two days on my break at work, and that felt great. Today, with no errands to run before work, I plan on doing a Biggest Loser workout DVD and then tonight at work on my break, doing some walk/light jogging on the treadmill. I want results and I want them fast (but not TOO fast). Working out twice a day and eating less has been the only way I've found to achieve that goal. I hear all the time about miracle diets, appetizer depressant pills, etc. but I don't buy into that stuff. Hard work, motivation, and drive are what I had to endure to drop the pounds before. I didn't keep all those pounds off because I stopped working hard. Plain and simple. It wasn't a failure in my methods, it was a failure in me. I quit on myself.

But I'm at the point in my life where I pick myself up, acknowledge my failure, but use it as fuel to push me even farther. I'm tired of starting over, so I need to go straight through to the finish line!

Today's Stats:


Wake Up: 11 AM
Breakfast: two pieces of wheat toast with butter and peach preserves, key lime pie whips yogurt, water
Work Out: Last Chance Biggest Loser Workout Level One
Lunch: salad (lettuce/onions/bell peppers/grilled chicken/shredded cheddar cheese/tomato basil vinaigrette), water
Snack: cup of pineapple chunks

Dinner: two tuna sandwiches with mayo and an applesauce, water

FINALLY!

It's strange how this sudden change of mood always seems to come out of nowhere. One minute I'm avoiding the scale on my kitchen floor, carefully walking around it and not looking directly at it, while treating mirrors in my house much the same way. I dodge away from the flashbulbs of cameras and feel horrified at the results of stealthy photographers who do manage to capture my likeness on film. I'm eating terrible food constantly, and sitting around my house doing absolutely nothing with all my free time.

Then something happens, and like a switch was flipped on within me, I'm shoved into a motivated streak that has me racing toward my finish line, full of fresh energy and resilience. Its hard to put a finger on, but something within me is finally tired of being down on myself and losing all the leadway I had made for myself last year. I lost over fifty pounds last year! I've gained nearly all of it back, but why? Why did I stop my healthy habits and sink back into these embarassing and deadly ones?

I can't answer that question, I can't place my finger on it. Laziness is probably the most obvious. But today something clicked. I didn't have an exercise partner, I've given up on letting that be my excuse. I didn't have anyone tell ing me I had to exercise, or that I should. I just decided that today was my first day, and I did it. I worked hard, I concentrated, I worked my muscles, I was drenched in sweat, and I felt great.

I. Felt. Great.

I have to remember that, because I know that even in the height of weight loss, it can be hard to step on that treadmill or do those jumping jacks. I have to remember the sense of accomplishment, the rush of adrenaline, the winks in the mirror as I strut into the changing room at the gym after a hard, satisfying workout. How did I forget those feelings? I can't forget again, I simply won't...

This is important.

This is my life.

Things are going well for me in other areas of my life. I have a nice apartment and a job that allows me to afford that apartment. I have a nice car, with a new stereo. I have money for clothes, and healthy food. I have a family who loves me and is there for me however, whenever, and wherever I need them. School starts again soon and that forces me into a schedule, which is only a beneficial aspect of living healthy. The ability to obtain a higher education and a mind that is still able to learn and retain is something I am grateful for and something I look forward to putting to good use once again. My GPA rose a bit from last semester due to really great grades, so that's great. I'm in love, I have a wonderful boyfriend, FINALLY, in my life who supports me and makes me feel like I can take on the world! So there's nothing stopping me now...

Here I go!

My goals are to lose at least sixty pounds by my next birthday (February 7th, 2013) and then an additional forty by May 2013. When I reach those goals, I will reward myself with one of three trips (depending on which is most feasible and expense-appropriate):

1. Cedar Point
2. Disney Land
3. Ireland

My plan for achieving those goals are simple and will become slightly more intricate and challenging as I plod along. At first, I will give up fast food and eating out at restaurants completely, and only getting salads when eating out as a social event. I will not drink sodas or eat excessive sweets. I will eat three meals a day, with a snack in between lunch and dinner. I will make all of my meals. I will work out twice a day, fitting in at least one Biggest Loser workout DVD.

Nothing is going to stand in my way, not even myself. I'm going to live out my twenties as a happy and healthy woman!

Sudden Realization

I fell off the wagon. I'm nearly back to my worst weight. I can line up the infinite amount of excuses and blame time constraints, the weather, Chick-Fil-A's delicious chicken sandwiches, or whatever, but it all boils down to the fact that yet again, I've failed myself.

I have no one to blame but me.

But I've come to that breaking point yet again. My high school reunion was quite recently and of course, many candid photos were taken. These photos opened my eyes to the whale I've allowed myself to become again.

So I have to recover, recuperate, and rejuvenate my efforts to better my lifestyle, better my health, and better my body. I only have this one life, why do I keep allowing myself to squander it? I can't think of a better answer to that question than the obvious and most truthful one: I'm lazy.

The guilt of being so lazy, though, is starting to tip the scale against being lazy. I can't stand myself. I can't stand that outfits I used to love wearing no longer fit. I can't stand that pants that were falling off of me now create a muffin top. I can't stand that I've lost that wonderful, beautiful confidence I was steadily gaining as I lost weight less than a year ago. I'm depressed all the time now, I lack energy and drive to do much of anything. I'm back in that rut from which I had fought so bravely to climb out of before...

But I'm still alive. I'm still able. I have another chance. I have to take it. So here I go!

Things I Learned on My Recent Road Trip

Ø  Letting my boyfriend pick the music during the drive was a pleasant surprise. We have similar tastes in music and I didn’t want to jump out of the moving vehicle to end my audio-fueled misery at any point during the trip, which was a drastic change from past road trip experiences.

Ø  Driving an hour seems like an eternity while simultaneously fighting off the urge to fall asleep from allergy medications. However, as soon as one is a half hour from home, it suddenly feels not-so-impossible.

Ø  The unbearable heat wave is bearable in a car without air conditioning… so long as that vehicle is rolling down the highway at 70 miles per hour with all the windows down. As soon as the car has to slow down or stop, instantly too hot to function.

Ø  I tend to overpack for trips. I was planning on bringing sandwich meat, bread, snacks, and several water bottles in a cooler. We didn’t need any of that and never once did I miss it or wish I had brought it.

Ø There's nothing sweeter then when my boyfriend (A) holds my hand while he's driving (B) randomly reaches over to rub my arm or kiss my shoulder while I'm driving or (C) opening Gatorade and handing it to me for a sip while I'm driving. He is so amazing.

Ø  I love thumbing through old photographs and hearing stories of relatives (even when they aren’t my relatives) and times gone past. It’s enlightening, it’s important to never forget the past, and it’s great fun.

Ø  Mom will always manage to return phone calls I made four days ago while I’m trying to have a vacation.

Ø  An art supply store is to an artist what a book store is to a writer or avid reader.

Ø   A comic book store is not just for super geeks and epic nerds. There are a lot of fun and unique board games there, and also rather racy comic books, which always manage to entertain me.

Ø  I love big book stores, small book stores, any sort of book stores. I also immediately manage to find the Sexuality section before any other and then look through every book they have, wanting to take them all home.

Ø  I can sniff out a bargain bin at a book store at lightning speed.

Ø  I think I like book stores slightly more than my boyfriend likes them, which is fine.

Ø  There’s something about being in a new place that makes me feel special. I can’t explain it, even though it was only an hour away, I feel suspended from my life, like my worries are so far away and out of my mind. I’m free.

Ø  New places, new faces, new foods, new moods, it all excites me. I love new experiences!

Ø  Even when my ear causes considerable pain and misery, I can still manage to have a great time when I’m around such fun people!

Ø  My boyfriend’s family is loud, proud, funny, and I feel I’m going to fit right in, because I’m very much the same way myself.

Ø  Turoni’s pizza is very delicious.

Ø  Cette pute m’a donne les morpions. Dirty French books are hilarious, you get to learn how to say really funny phrases!

Ø  The sleep right after a trip is somehow deeper and more solid. Waking up the next day isn’t as hard, I felt very rested.