Review: Jay Johnson's Boot Camp Fitness: Ultimate Body Vol. 1

Y'all. The trainer for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders just kicked my ass, but in a good way! My New Years Resolution is to get back into shape and lose the 16 pounds I've gained.

The Jay Johnson Boot Camp Fitness DVD I ordered arrived yesterday and I was so excited to try it today. "Boot Camp" workouts are a pretty big deal here, but due to my work schedule, there's really no way for me to join a class and still have time to get ready for work.

I already liked what I had seen of Jay on DCC and figured I'd give this a try. Note: the DVD was $15 when I ordered it, and know it's down to $11.50, which is a hell of a deal.

I couldn't find a detailed review online, so I thought I'd just do one myself.

Things you need to know: Jay is chit-chatty, and military. And hard-core. And his wife is the hot blonde on the cover with him. She helps lead as well.

You really don't need any equipment for this, and although some of the demonstrators do use hand weights from time to time, those of us trying to get back in shape certainly don't need them to get a good workout. Jay does want you to download his guide (I'll insert the address later, but I'm too sore to get up from this chair right now) and learn the moves before you begin, but I didn't do this and it wasn't that big of a deal. If you are fairly coordinated, you can pick it up.

The workout is divided into five sections, and there's a countdown bar at the bottom of the screen to let you know how much time is left in each section, which is GENIUS. Gave me something to look forward to.

First section: Prep. 4:45. Basically some warm up cardio-type moves. No stretching.

Second section: Abs. Around 12:00. I love that they did abs first. I always get worn out and since abs are at the end of most DVD workouts, I tend to turn off the DVD and skip that part. No chance of that here.

Third section: Legs. Around 14:00. Holy hell, this is rough. Jay does his exercises in "cadences". Like 1 2 3, 1, 1 2 3, 2, 1 2 3, 3, and he does five of them. Then he gives you 30 seconds to do as many of that move as you can. It's a little crazy up there on the screen with 4 people going at their own pace, but I just picked the super-ab-cut lady and followed her during the free-for-alls.

Fourth section: Cardio. Around 14:00. He does what he calls a "pyramid workout" and does the cadence thing again. With the first exercise, you do 20 of the cadences. 10 second break, and then you do 19 of the next exercise. 1o second break again and you do 18 and so on until you get to 10 and that's your last one.

Fifth section: Recovery. 4:00. Here he does stretches and chit chats some more.

I think Jay and I are going to be good friends. I really think this workout is going to shape me up. But it's not for the faint of heart- be ready to really work out.

Workin' On My Fitness

Lipstick asks: ......what is your running/workout schedule? Do like mornings, evenings, run around your neighborhood, treadmill?

Well, Lipstick. My schedule is pretty much "fit it in where I can". Weekday mornings are out since I'm already getting up at 5:45.... I simply can't make myself get up any earlier than that! I've also pretty much cut out organizations with weeknight activities-- like being a sorority advisor and Junior League. I really just need the weeknights to spend time with my family and take care of myself. (Although sometimes I do make exceptions for meetings with beer involved, like PTO or a miscellaneous girls night.)

Mon: I pick up kids and Mr. Sasha works out after work
Tues: Mr. Sasha picks up the kids and I work out after work
Wed: I pick up kids and Mr. Sasha works out after work
Thurs: Mr. Sasha picks up the kids and I work out after work
Sat: I meet a friend to run at 7:30 am
Sun: try to fit a run in if possible

We typically share dinner responsibilities and try to eat around 6:00 Monday-Thursday. Neither of us typically exercise on Fridays, as beer is usually in our future.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, if it's a nice night, I'll sometimes try to run outside after dinner.

As for where..... that all depends on the temperature! I'm super hot-natured and hate getting too hot- it makes me feel sick. If it's nice outside (read: cooler than 70) I'll try to run outside, listening to an audio book (currently: Sophie Kinsella's Can You Keep a Secret?). If it's too hot or too cold or rainy, I'm all about the treadmill with a fan on my face! I've got tons of good TV on my Tivo I can watch while I run.

I'm trying to work in some strength stuff, but honestly, running is my true love. I get bored of Minna or Kathy Smith or the Firm gals. They just don't hold my attention. I'm not tired of Jillian yet, but she's only 20 minutes long......

So how do you all fit it in?

P90X?

Does anyone know anything about P90X?

Mr. Sasha is convinced that he needs this. Just like he "needed" Windsor Pilates......

I will of course google it, but just wondered if anyone I "know" via this blog might have personal experience.

Weekend Update

Saturday morning I ran in a 5K and shaved a minute off my time from last week. I still need to shave another 1 1/2 minutes off to be where I was in the spring. This heat and humidity is terrible- I love to exercise in the cool air, so I can't wait for fall/winter because I know my time will be better.

Shannon's friend Em, Shannon, me, Missy, Bridget

Saturday evening was the first home football game, and girls, it was HOT! I had not been to a game since the fall before WC was born (3 years ago!) and I was excited to go to the first home game this year. We had a great time. A little before half, Mr. Sasha noted that it looked like rain and we should probably head to a restaurant and grab some dinner before heading home. We dashed in one of our favorite places just in time- it started monsooning just as we sat down. We were lucky! Most people got absolutely drenched!

Today, I finally got around to doing Day 1 of One Hundred Pushups. It wasn't so bad- but I imagine I'll be sore tomorrow. I'm really excited about this goal and now that I've finally started, I'm going to keep on track and tell you all about my progress!

I'm need to go check on the kids- they are being quiet and that's scary- but I need to tell you about some jeans I found for beyond cheap that don't gap at the back! Since I've got hips and some junk in my trunk, most jeans don't fit me right and I can always stick both hands in the gap that's created in the back when I sit down. Terrible. I hate jean shopping. But I took a chance on some long-shot jeans, and I need to tell you all about them.... They are less than $20!!!!

Stay tuned!