After losing the first 10 pounds I decided I needed to add a workout routine into the mix. Just eating healthy wasn't going to cut it. Plus I wanted to be toned. Who doesn't?
I had recently moved and the gym I used to belong to didn't have a location in the area. Bummer. I didn't really like gyms anyway. I used them mostly for the treadmill and elliptical, but I could run outdoors. I wanted a different type of workout. To be honest I don't really know how most of the machines and the gym work properly anyway. I feel a little awkward and I feel a little insecure. I know some people go to the gym without a care in the world and rocky heir workout. But me? Nope.
I wanted something I could do at home, but which workout would be good for me? I've dabbled with those Insanity workouts before, but they were killer. AND they were 60 minutes. I know I should make the time, but just getting into something is hard, and I thought this may be setting myself up for failure. I wanted something shorter that would still give me results. I had been hearing rave reviews about two shorter programs: T25 and P90X3. T25 is a 25 minute a day program by Shaun T, the creator of Insanity. P90X3 is a 30 minute program by Tony Horton - you guessed it - from the original P90X.
I was leaning more towards T25. I already was used to Shaun T from doing the previous Insanity workouts. I knew the workouts would be hard, but they would also be 25 minutes. I talked to Caitlyn since she had been doing T25 and she absolutely loves it. I decided I would try this one out. I ordered the program and some more Shakeology and waited impatiently for it to arrive.
Then it arrived! The program is a 60 day program broken down into two parts, Alpha and Beta. The Alpha is your base. That is what you start with on your fitness journey.
Day One: Alpha Cardio.
This workout is no joke. It was hard. There's a lot of moving and jumping and there's no breaks. There is a modifier, however, for those of us (like myself) who cannot do every move perfectly. Even with the modifications you still break a sweat and you still burn some serious calories. 262 calories in 25 minutes? I'll take it!
Day 2: Speed 1.0
This one keeps your heart rate up. Again, you're moving continuously for 25 minutes. The workout is hard, but just when you think you can't take anymore - 25 minutes has past and your workout is over.
And I also just want to put in a side note that I LOVE the words on my new shirt!
Day 3: Total Body Circuit
Out of the Alpha workouts this one is the hardest for me. I have very little upper body strength and the pushups, even when done with modifications, still make my arms feel sore. The whole workout, however, is not just upper body, so that is just a portion. I CAN still get through it which makes me have a love/hate relationship with it. I hate that its hard but yet I love that its hard at the same time. I love it because I know I'm pushing myself and going to be getting great results. I hate it, well, because it can be hard. Again, 25 minutes goes by SO quick.
Day 4: Ab Intervals
I'm pretty lucky that I have a somewhat strong core. I usually have an easier time with ab workouts than most. This one was still hard for me and I still had to modify at times. For me, it was the easiest of the alpha workouts, but my boyfriend (who is doing this program with me) found it to be the hardest for him. Obviously everyone is different and each workout will feel different to everyone.
Day 5: Double Down Friday. Lower Focus
On Fridays you are supposed to do 2 workouts. If for some reason you can't get both workouts in, the program says it's ok, do the other one over the weekend. I have an odd work schedule so I did one of the workouts Friday and one Saturday.
Lower focus was crazy! I was hating lunges and squats AND Shaun T! I pushed through the workout and i 25 minutes I was done. I felt good.
STATurday
On Saturdays, or STATurdays, you are supposed to track your progress. I didn't think much could have changed in just 5 days - especially since I hadn't done one of the workouts (I made it up later that day).
Boy was I surprised! My weight didn't change much, but I was losing inches. ALREADY! I had lost 2 and 1/4 inches off my waist alone! That was crazy!
I was loving this workout! It had only been 5 days, but each day I was looking forward to actually doing the workout. It didn't feel like a chore. Another thing I noticed is that my leg muscles felt sore! I would have thought with all that running I had done I would have had stronger muscles than that! Apparently I was working different muscle groups and I really liked that idea! I'm really excited to keep moving forward with T25 and share my results with you.
Is there a workout you love?
