Blu - Do you find that Turbo Fire has accelerated your weight loss? I was interested in that before I invest in it... and how do you incorporate it into the rotation?

Miss T, well my weight loss scale-wise has slowed down since starting CLX...but I'm still losing inches and I feel much more compact, which is probably a result of building muscle and water retention in the muscles as they recover. So I'm happy! But it's hard to say how TF has accelerated my weight loss, since my "loss" has slowed...I'm getting smaller, though, and that's the important thing and I think that's from not only the strength training but also doing additional cardio (i.e. TF and running) because I think CLX is too cardio-light.

I don't take two rest days, so I add cardio in one of those. I use either one of the TF workouts or Jillian Michaels Burn Fat Boost Metabolism, depending on my mood. And sometimes I substitute a TF workout for Burn Intervals.

I'm planning to start NROFLW after CLX, so the past 2 weeks I've been doing HIIT 15 after CLX lift days in preparation for that (HIIT after lifting is part of the program after stage 1). Two words: Jello Legs.

For me, it was definitely worth the investment. I love kickboxing and the routines are FUN and I definitely get my sweat on when I do them!

Yeah it was Turbo Fire. Hmm i'll have to think about it. Did Push Circuit 1 last night. OK, I have a confession to make. First of all, apparently I've been lifting heavier than I thought, b/c I was misreading the dial-a-weights. Sooo that brings on a problem. I've pretty much maxed out on the dial-a-weights we do have. They max out at 25 pounds each. UGH. Not sure what to do now. Also, another strange thing about Push 1, I didn't burn NEARLY as many calories as I burned in the Burn phase. So i'm thinking I'm going to have to up the ante a bit and throw in some extra cardio throughout the week to keep on losing. Not sure if you're supposed to do this or not, but my calorie burn was significantly lower than the Burn workouts.

Blu - What is NROFLW? And do you feel like Turbo Fire burns more calories or is more effective than Turbo Jam?? Just curious...

Miss T: my dumbbells only go up to 25s also. The range is ok for my upper body work, but not heavy enough for squats, etc. Since I'm not brave enough yet to try it with my barbell (I'm going to have to get over that--soon!), I've been putting weight plates into a backpack for extra resistance. I've also heard of people wearing a weighted vest. It's been working so far!

I've been adding cardio too and I don't think that's a problem as long as you're listening to your body to make sure you don't over train.

Yes, I definitely think TF is more intense than TJ. I have no idea what my caloric burn is (I envy your GoWear Fit!), but it gets my heart rate way up and I'm a puddle of sweat when I'm finished.

NROLFW is a weight lifting program (New rules of lifting for women). It's a book (good read) with a six month, progressively challenging lifting program. What I like about it is that it targets functional movements and big muscle groups. It's a follow-up book to the New Rules of Lifting. The workout programs in the books themselves aren't really gender specific, but the content of NROLFW is geared toward women. Depending on how NROLFW goes, I'm hoping to move on to NROL for my next stage.

Lol, I just realized I'm plotting out my workouts almost 2 years in advance (NROL has a year's worth of workouts). I NEVER would've thought I'd be doing that

Started week 2 of PUSH last night. And...I did...all 8 pushups...without letting my belly rest on the floor! That may not seem like much, but that is huge for me. The most I'd ever done before was 4 and last night I decided I was just going to grunt through and I did (literally). It was the first time in a CLX workout that I didn't have to pause during the pushup section to get all my reps in. It felt GOOD.

Blu - YAY! WTG on the pushups! I still can't make it all the way through... ugh. And I do the girlie ones. It's just sad. But i'm doin it! Those one-legged squats are WICKED!

I'm in Week 3 of Burn. I'm starting to feel my strength improve, which is really, really cool! My biggest weights hand weights are 12 lbs., which has been o.k., the last few weeks. I'm going to buy 20 lbs this weekend. I may need to invest in the adjustable weights, though. Maybe I'll cancel my gym membership and just buy those? I have been doing only home workouts for like two months and haven't even been to the gym!

Blu - Way to go! Push-ups are hard and it's great that you finished 8...so good!

Oh boy, I'm scared of the one-legged sumo squats.

Since I have so far to go, I'm hoping I'll lose a good amount of weight using this program. I've had great luck with Turbo Jam and I love the Jillian Michaels BFBM DVD (I might stop doing the Burn cardio and do that instead)...

Miss T: Thanks! And, yes, those one leggers are tough! NROLFW has a move called the Bulgarian Split Squat...basically, you're in a lunge position with the rear foot resting on a bench and the front leg does ALL the work--can't wait for that one!

Gerbies: I'm a fan of JM's BFBM too! I rotate that one or a Turbo Fire vid with the Burn Intervals too. I've had the same thoughts on my gym membership--right now I've got my account placed on hold to see how I feel this winter--I may want to use it then to continue my running once the days turn short and cold and (ick) wet. The adjustable dumbbells are a great investment, especially as space savers. They're not in my budget just yet, so I've been accumulating dumbbells and weight plates for my barbell--and I have to say, I love Craigslist...my home gym now consists of about 300 lbs between my assortment of hex weights and weight plates...all purchased off of CL for around $100. Love it!

I have a ways to go too, but I'm getting there! I finally made it to a 5K with my run/walk/run intervals the other day and I was so excited when I mapped my route and saw how far I'd gone! It feels so good to be getting stronger and building endurance--I'm doing things now that I never would've dreamed of being able to do a a couple years ago...and I'm doing things now that my skinny friends can't do, hee hee.

I love strength training and was so happy when Chalene threw her hand in with the P90X craze. Turbo Jam is the only aerobic program I haven't gotten bored with after doing it twice. And I'm always pouring sweat.

I got through three weeks of Burn when I had a seriously pulled muscle in my chest from doing a chest fly with too heavy weights. It has taken almost 2 months for the twinges to go away completely. Lesson learned there.

I can't wait to begin again. Something about Chalene saying just one more gets me swearing and doing just one more. That and being able to buy myself some more weights.

d-chan: so sorry to hear about your muscle pull. I've been scared of that myself! I was pregnant essentially from October 2008 until January 2010 (I had two premature babies) and only did cardio, so getting back into the strength training game has been a tough transition.

I haven't noticed huge body changes yet, but I keep telling myself that strength training is slower change, but lasting change. With having to lose the amount of weight I have to lose, the slower the better in terms how my body will bounce back. It is frustrating, though, how slow it's going.

I'm starting/restarting Chalene Extreme this week. I got through the first four days of the workout, then had to go on vacation. The four days that I did were HARD! Loved it The Burn Intervals kicked my butt, I can't wait until I drop more lbs and get in better shape so I don't feel like puking after doing those stupid sumo wrestler cardio thingies. I even got my husband to join in, he was huffing and puffing and sweating just as much as me, he actually enjoyed the workout and will do them again with me.

I'm trying to get back into shape after baby and c-section #3. I was on modified bedrest for 5 months with my last baby so my muscles and body basically atrophied. :P I've been doing other random and easier workouts for about a month to build my muscle tone and endurance back so I can take on the challenge of a 'real' workout routine without crippling myself. :P

My only complaint would be, like many others, the amount of free weights I will eventually have to buy as I progress in the program. But thats not really that big of a complaint, I'm not going to ***** too much about becoming strong enough that my current weights are no longer a challenge. So here we go to week 1 part 2. I'll post my 'before' measurements in a bit after hubby wakes up and can help me. I have alot of weight and inches to lose, but I've already lost 10 lbs and six inches last month doing the various yoga/cardio workouts that I found via 'exercise on demand' through my cable tv's on demand feature.

OMG - Push Circuit 3.. OUCH.... one legged lunges.

Is it just me or is Donna a lot more vocal in the Push videos?

Does anyone know whether you can shorten the number of weeks you do Push for? I would really like to drop weight quickly and I have read that you drop it a lot more quickly in Lean circuit. Just wondering?

BTW - I did a bazillion bicep curls yesterday.. HOW MANY DID YOU DO?!?!

Welcome Kyttensboys and d-chan!

Gerbies: did you get your heavier weights? I'm about the same size as you and, yeah, it can be a little frustrating going the slower route. I deliberately take away my weekly weigh-ins when I started CLX--I knew that I would most likely be retaining water in my muscles and I didn't want to freak out. At the end of the first phase I was down 2 lbs, but I had lost a pant size. I'll take it.

Plus, I love noticing little changes in my body. I did a stretch the other day where I kinda give myself a hug to stretch my arms and the fat that used to be on the back side of my armpit/upper arm/shoulder area is gone...it felt so weird (good weird!). AND...I have a cut in my arm...there's still fat on top of it, but I have a definite indentation that is NOT a fat roll. I love it. THAT is what helps keep me motivated.

Miss T: Yeah, those one-leggers are tough! As for skimping on the PUSH month, I think the reason people see the most loss in the LEAN month is because of all the work they put in the BURN and PUSH months..so I wouldn't skip ahead (it's all connected).

Me, battling a summer cold (I hate those), so I've been in bed all weekend. Feel a little better today, so I'm going to try to lift tonight.

Blu: Yes, the loss is SLOW! So slow, I'm feeling very demotivated. I might have to use the system for it's weight training and fully substitute her cardio for something more cardio-centric. I will also have to add in some more cardio sessions. I am not going to lose weight with just 2 interval cardio sessions a week. I've lost 4 lbs the last month. 4 lbs is fine, but not so much for a 270 lb girl who has not dieted in almost a year. I'm thinking I'll create some sort of hybrid with the three main weight workouts and still follow the calendar (i.e., 30 days burn, 30 days lean, 30 days push), but use my Turbo Jam and Jillian Michaels BFBM DVDs. I can't lose at this pace in the beginning and stay motivated.

Although, I have noticed the tightness in my legs and the same tricep cut in my arm (under the fat, of course).

O.k., I'll get off my pity box and get it together

Gerbies: Yeah, I think adding on cardio is key to getting maximum results with this program. I've actually been adding on cardio after the weight training segments as well as on my off days. The first time I did it, I thought "there's no way, my legs are toast", but I just waited about 5 minutes or so and I got my second wind.
I firmly believe in the benefits of weight training, so I'll keep it up even if it slows down the loss. I don't want to end up "skinny fat"!