August 6, 2009 By april
I took yesterday as a Rest Day from Chalean Extreme. I did do a little bit of exercise; wanna know what it is??? I can’t tell you what it is yet. Stay tuned!!! ;o)
Today, was back to Burn Circuit 2. In case you’ve forgotten, this is the work out that focuses on biceps and triceps and I LOVE this work out. I know I said it last week. I don’t care. I love it. ;o)
I can already tell that I’m getting stronger, and I totally need to get my ass out and get some heavier weights. I’m using my 10′s for most of the exercises, and while I reach failure on some of them, I don’t on a lot of them. My body isn’t going to make the changes that I want it to unless I’m using the right equipment.
Since, I’m getting the hang of the routine now, I find that I concentrate on the exercise and have good form, but I can also allow myself to listen more to Chalene. I noticed today that she really wants to teach you about each exercise. To me, this is important. I like to know what the importance of an exercise is, what muscle groups I’m working (if I don’t already know), and the constant reminder of form. I find that now that I can listen to her instead of just watching the exercise and trying not to fall over. And by listening to her, I can concetrate more on doing the exercise correctly with good form.
One question I do have though: All of you exercise DVD people…why are you ALWAYS smiling during these work outs? I see you smiling on the TV and I think, what the hell is wrong with them? I’m in full concentration mode, breathing hard, and grunting. I look up and see you smiling like it’s a piece of cake.
Overall, I’m feeling really good. Stronger. And I THINK I can already see some changes in my arms!! I would love to have some really toned arms! *Fingers crossed!!*
August 2, 2009 By april
Day 5 – I actually switched this to a rest day. I like having Saturdays to rest, so you may see me do this from time to time. Also, I was SO sore yesterday that I’m not sure I could have lifted heavy weights anyway. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body.
Day 6 – Today was Burn Circuit 3. The work out itself concentrated on the shoulders and the legs. I love working shoulders, so it was a good work out, but I don’t want to concentrate on this in my post. One of the reasons that I wanted to document this program was so that you could follow along. You’re going to see highs and lows during this with me. And today was a low.
Without going into great detail, today was stressful for me. I felt like every time I turned around there was something that was either going to annoy me or frustrate me. After a few hours of this, enter bad mood.
I didn’t want to work out. I would have rather crawled into bed. But because I made a promise to myself (and you) to complete and document this, and because I took yesterday of, I knew the work out had to be done.
So, I dragged my feet back to my room, dragged my work out clothes on, dragged my feet back to the TV, and put in the DVD.
And I worked out.
They are so right when they say exercise will improve your mood. It really does. Chalene addressed this herself in the cool down of the work out. It was like she knew I had a crap day and was talking ot just me. She was right, though. I don’t feel as stressed now. Before I felt like 1000 pounds was weighing me down, now it’s not so bad. I feel lighter. And that feels good.
Now, I see that tomorrow is the Recharge DVD and I’ve heard from a friend that has already tried this program out that Chalene was a little sneaky and has put some yoga into this program. I’m not a big fan of yoga, but I’ll try it. 
)
July 29, 2009 By april
When I saw on the Chalean Extreme schedule that today was a rest day, I was a bit confused. No program I have ever done has the second day as a rest day. Usually the rest days are in the middle of the week and the end of the week.
So, I direct messaged Chalene Johnson on Twitter and asked. One thing that really impresses me about Chalene is that if you ask her a question on Twitter, she answers you back. Fairly quickly, I might add. So, if you’re not following her, do it, k? ;o)
Her response to my questions was that having Day 2 as a rest day is just a suggestion and that based on your individual schedule is how you should determine which day is your rest days. (And she said that all in 140, people.)
Typically, I would not rest on Day 2, but after catching up on some much needed sleep this morning and my afternoon became a little busy, I decided that for this week, I would make Day 2 my rest day. And since Chalene suggested it, it’s okay. Right?
So, next, soreness factor from yesterday. I am a little sore in my shoulders and chest, but not at all in my legs. I wish I were more sore, but I know that I’m not using heavy enough weights. I used all 8′s and 10′s yesterday and judging by how sore I’m not, I know I need to buy 12′s.
I wish I could afford the mondo weights that they use in the program. Seriously, go here, scroll down a bit and check those puppies out, but until I can, buying 12′s should do the trick.
I guess that’s it for Day 2. I’m actually excited for Day 3 to get here!!