Goodbye Cindy Crawford, Hello Jillian Michaels

So maybe you're wondering, maybe you're not, about some of my resolutions. My resolutions or this year's goals as I prefer to label them, vary in scope and topic. There's some fitness/health of course, there's some decorating, some blogging stuff, some me stuff and the list goes on (and it's long). my goals are more like a bit of a to-do list or ideas for projects for the year rather than strict new guidelines to live by.

Fitness wise though enough is enough. I really do want to get a regular fitness regime in place.  don't get me wrong I'm not over weight or sedentary but just in need of some official "me" exercise time rather than everything being through a stroller walk or family time. It is great to be active, which I am, but I need to ramp it up just a tad ... oh and there are of course those five pounds that I would love to wave goodbye to. Hopefully they will be easy once the routine is in place.  So my goal: three 30-minute workouts per week with a good intensity to them (no leisure walks and no random squats in the kitchen and calling it a full workout!)  Actually what I wrote down is twelve workouts per month (not including family activities unless they are intense and long enough). By quantifying using a per month amount I can catch up if I have a hell of a week without feeling like i have failed.

Now to tell you about one of my tools and my new best friend - Jillian Michaels.  Just bought for $10! at Chapters the best (that I have discovered) at-home DVD for Moms and busy people that actually induces sweat.

Source

I've tried a lot of DVDs before - ones that were fun, but deep down I knew weren't giving me much of a workout, ones that were awesome but just too long and too hard to get motivated to do multiple times a week and that awesome Cindy Crawford workout video I religiously did in grade 10 ... This DVD, pictured above and performed twice thus far, I really like. True to its word - 20 minutes and you're done. Intense and definitely a workout targeting upper body, lower body, abs and cardio. There are three 20-minute workouts on the tape. I'll let you know how it goes, but so far so good. Definitely a recommendation from me.

Another idea I had was trying Booty Fitness Camp ... has anyone heard of this or done it? Would love to hear if you have? Please leave a comment. Anyone else have a go-to workout DVD?

Also, for any of you in the York Region area, Laura Lueloff, Personal Trainer Specialist featured during our Glitzy Blitz in December (click here for a refresher) has offered all Cashmere & Carrot Stick readers 15% off all of her personal training packages until January 31st.  I know Laura personally and she is passionate about what she does and will gladly help you out with all of your fitness goals. Check out her website and programs out at www.transitionfitness.ca/programs.html and tell her you heard about it here. Thanks Laura!