exercise 
No Comments Taking The Biggest Loser Challenge
The P90X debacle left me with some alternatives as to which direction I could go as far as an exercise program, but for now, P90x is out of the picture. For now.
Most department stores will have a section with some kind of exercise DVD’s and while shopping one day (okay, tagging along while my girl shopped), a DVD selection caught my eye. The Biggest Loser Boot camp Workout promised to deliver a fat melting workout if you followed their 6 week program. I had heard about the television show, however, I had never seen it and didn’t really know what to expect. For $15 I picked up the DVD and committed myself to a 6 week program.
It was a 3 phase program, becoming progressively longer and more difficult as you went. I guess the idea is that after one 2 week phase, you will be ready for the next one. Good idea. As with anything, there are good parts and bad parts. This happened to be a circuit training workout, and I still question some of the exercise selections. Plenty of squats, some light weight exercises, and isotonics. The isotonics were the most difficult things to do, and as far as fat shredding, I wonder how effective it is. Obviously, there is some value to those types of exercises, but they seemed out of place in a circuit training, fat burning work out. One thing it will do is cause you to drop down to lighter weights. A lesson learned.
I followed the program dutifully 3-5 times per week for the entire 6 week period. What were the weight/fat loss results?
I lost nothing. Not an ounce. It was very disappointing given the fact that it was actually a pretty good workout. The sweat poured every workout, which was some kind of miracle, considering that it went from one exercise to another without break. Another problem I had with the program. Not even time for a sip of water unless you paused the DVD. That aside, I was sure that there would be some fat burned, or some weight lost. Not according to the scale. I can’t blame the program. Again, it was a fairly strenuous workout. No, not a Navy Seal workout, but certainly a calorie burner.
Not for me though. It brings up the importance of diet. It had to be the diet that prevented me from losing anything. Or was it? Here is my other theory: I work in an office, and am very sedentary all day. I used a pedometer one day and found the average number of steps at work was around 1800. You think that sounds like a lot? Those steps add up fast. Maybe my metabolism slowed to the point to where any fat or weight loss is now very difficult. I am thinking of mixing up the 3 levels for another 4 weeks just to see if the program actually did kick start my metabolism and if results will come faster now-or at all. If nothing else, the program did help me get more fit. The weights and cardio conditioning did make me a little stronger and did increase my aerobic capacity. Other than the isotonics, not bad; might be worth your while. The great thing is that you do not need to think about how your workout will go. Bob (the star of the show) will take you by the dumbell and work you hard. There are four of the show contestants on the DVD who will work out right along with you. In the end, yes, it is worth a try, and you certainly do not need to be overweight like the contestants on the t.v. show to take advantage.