ShapelyGirl Fitness WrapUp and Giveaway

After a month of reviewing the ShapelyGirl Walking Fit and Fabulous dvd, it's time for my final review. This workout is meant for beginners and for those at all fitness levels. I am the first to admit that I am no where near fit, so I can definitely say whether or not it is for beginners. I will only say that I need to become half the woman I am in size, and I also have some difficulties due to permanent damage to my foot (car wreck) and arthritis that sometimes makes sure I am aware it's around. So, this was a huge challenge. So, have the pounds melted away and I am suddenly more fit than I have ever been? Of course not! This is reality, and it took me more than a month to get in this shape. However, I do recommend this workout to any who want to get started.

When I saw this photo on the left, it reminded me a bit of the past month. I must admit that my journey has not been a progression up the steps, but up and down them. There have been a few of the "I won't do it!" days mixed in with the want to and try to days, but the satisfaction of  "Yes! I did it!" days are incredible! So, while I have had to cut back a bit this week due to a temporary health issue, I think I can safely say I have one foot on "I can do it" and one on "I will do it". This is a workout I will continue to use.

I have followed the blogs of the other women and everyone seems satisfied with the dvds they chose. Like me, many have had ups and downs, but Life Happens. Debra Mazda of ShapelyGirl Fitness knows what it feels like to be overweight, out of shape, and miserable. Each of her dvds are encouraging and stress the point that you need to get move and get healthy. Not everyone is going to be a size 2...or even wants to be a size 2. The important thing is that you eat right and exercise (hmmm...Mom was right!?!); the goal is good health.

GIVEAWAY: Debra is also generously allowing each of us to have a giveaway, if we choose. Of course, mine will be for the workout I did since it is the only one I can really tell you about. Don't panic if you think you are too out of shape for a workout video! The first week, all I could do was walk and make a few clumsy attempts at any other movement. There are also other premixes on here that you can use for variety or time limitations. The important thing is....move! You may not even need to lose weight, but this will help keep those muscles toned. Enter this easy contest and drawing will be held November 10, 2012 at 11pm.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The important thing is to never give up. If you have a set back, that does not mean it is over--it means you start again. You are a beloved child of God, and remember the words in Isaiah 41:10 ~ "Fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a free copy of this product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” I am part of the CWA Review Crew.  

Check out Debra's ShapelyGirl Fitness website: http://www.debramazda.com/

ShapelyGirls Fitness DVD: Week 3

 OCT 22 PROGRESS, STRUGGLES, and BREAKTHROUGHS POST

 Last week seemed to be more of a struggle than even the first. I had a lot going on with things I had to do, but also a lot of emotional and stressful issues I was dealing with...and not very well. So, I did not do as well as the previous week, but I didn't give up either. Monday through Friday, I did shortened versions of the dvd---sometimes until I simply had no energy left (or was interrupted again) and sometimes I did one of the pre-mix workouts. Those really are great, especially on days I just want something different. Saturday, I was at a family reunion, but did take advantage of the walking trails to get some exercise in...and a few minutes to myself; Having a reunion 2 weeks after the funeral of my aunt had many of us a bit tearful.

 Debra Mazda is good at encouraging others on the dvd to keep moving, so I did keep that in mind throughout the days I didn't want to do anything. Sunday was the only day I did nothing, but had a bit of an upset stomach, and exercise did not seem advisable. Today I read Debra's story on her blog: Fitness Comes In Many Sizes! and highly recommend it to others. Also check out ShapelyGirl Fitness on Facebook to find out more about Debra and the ShapelyGirl Fitness program and products.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of Walking Fit and Fabulous by #ShapelyGirl Fitness. I was not required to write a positive review. I am on the #CWAReviewCrew.

ShapelyGirls Fitness DVD: Week 2

OCT 15th PROGRESS, STRUGGLES, and BREAKTHROUGHS POST:

 SUCCESS!! On Monday I got through the entire  Debra Mazda ShapelyGirl dvd I am reviewing without stopping!! I may not have done every move the ladies on the video were doing...but I kept moving and doing my best. I proved to myself that I can do it.

Tuesdays are busy for me because I volunteer at a local ministry all morning, and it frequently keeps me on my feet.  However, I did do the 32 minute bonus video that afternoon.

Another terrific day on Wednesday! I was eating right and did the entire work-out...albeit I am still having to do some modifications. At least I kept marching when I didn't think I could do the rest.

By noon on Thursday, I wasn't sure, but suspected an alien had taken over. Instead of thinking how much I deserved a day off...esp with a dreaded trip to the grocery store looming...I was getting annoyed with people who interrupted me because I was actually looking forward to exercising!!  I got about 40 minutes in...and felt refreshed!!

...Then came Friday! 
Between having to take allergy meds during the night and waking up (barely) to a heavy rain, I got up long enough to eat, take regular medication...and crawled back into bed until noon. I basically accomplished nothing except sleeping and eating junk I shouldn't.

Saturday was... better. I ate a bit healthier, but I managed to put off the dvd until late....and I only did 20 minutes. I consoled myself with the thought that I had at least done something...before crawling into bed with a book at 9:30. I decided in the infamous words of Scarlett O'Hara,  "Tomorrow is another day!"

Today wasn't a drastic improvement, but it was an improvement. I did 20 minutes of Walking Fit And Fabulous Workout and was starting to feel fatigued, but for the psychological gratification and motivation I needed, I switched over to the 12 minute work-out.

I know that sounds odd, but I needed the sense of accomplishment! LOL! It beat the temptation to swoon into a maudlin fit of depression in the nearest chair!! The important thing is that I am moving forward. I'm not going to beat myself up if I have a bad day...but I will make sure I head into the right direction the next day. For me, this is more about changing a lifetime of unhealthy habits and improving my health. Losing weight is a must, but I have very realistic goals in mind. I'm too young to stay in my current shape, but too old to care about the opinions of pop culture. :) 

                                                                                                                 Disclaimer: I was given a copy of Walking Fit and Fabulous by ShapelyGirl Fitness. I was not required to write a positive review.

Goodbye Bacon

Since I am working on that ShapelyGirl Fitness dvd, I need to work on healthier eating too. This is also about discipline. (Yuck!) Sweet stuff is good, but my weakness is more for salty foods. No promises that I will stay away from pork forever, but I am going to TRY to avoid pig-related products for the rest of October. Well, except for pigskin--I can't give up football! (ROLL TIDE!!) LOL!

                           Good-bye bacon...for now!!

(A little melodramatic? HA!)
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Bacon's response?

ShapelyGirl Fitness: Week 1

OCT 8th PROGRESS, STRUGGLES, and BREAKTHROUGHS POST:

 Last Monday morning, I woke up with plans to start this week right and exercise my spirit, body, and mind: a new week, a new beginning. I turned on my computer to go to my daily devotion email, and saw that I had several FB messages from family members. The news that my aunt who has always been a 2nd mom to me was in a coma due to a ruptured brain aneurysm pushed all thoughts of anything else from my mind. Between numerous phone calls, setting up a message center for family to communicate on Facebook (and doing most of the updates), a couple of trips to the hospital, Aunt Sula passing away on Thursday, and the funeral...and a week that already was filled to the brim with other concerns...this has been challenging!

Needless to say, much of last week is a blur. However, I did at least part of the workout dvd 4 times last week. I am so horribly out of condition that I expected to struggle, but the emotional toil hit me even harder than expected. Some days I only did 15-20 minutes or used one of the shorter workouts. Right now I cannot do all on the tapes, but I keep trying. There were also a couple of those days when I would sit for a couple of minutes, and then get started back. But, I felt encouraged to keep going by Debra Mazda and the other ladies. In the past, I would have simply tossed this aside...and grabbed something to eat while bemoaning my inability to do this. Not only did I keep "stress eating" under the control much better, but I was able to bypass the temptation a few times and did part of the workout instead. I even lost 2.5 lbs this week.

 Sat. night I heard a message on Discipline by Ed Young Jr. A lot of what he said struck a chord, including, "you determine in advance that you are going to do it. No matter what. That works in everything. Your walk with the Lord, health, etc..." It is vital to make a plan...and stick with it! At the church I attend, the message was on JOY but this verse leaped off the page to me: "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things." ~ Philippians 3:19 (emphasis mine) How often have I been guilty of letting my thoughts slide to wondering what I will have for lunch...while listening to the sermon?  OUCH! I need discipline!!

However, I also thrive on humor. A friend who is encouraging and praying for me through this knew I was in desperate need of a laugh last night (and that I often have a cup of coffee in my hand!), and sent me this cartoon. So, it has been a week of sorrow, pain, and loss, but also a week of wisdom from the Word and pastors, encouragement from family and friends, and a new determination to press forward. I have the peace of knowing that my aunt loved and served Jesus Christ and that I will see her and other family members again when I go Home. Tears and laughter (sometimes at the same time) have been a major part of week one...but I have survived and will continue moving...

I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.  #cwareviewcrew #ShapelyGirl Fitness

ShapelyGirl Fitness

I am going to be starting something new to see if I can get a bit more discipline in my life. For the next month, I will be part of a group that is reviewing a series of work-out videos. We each got to choose the one that most interested us, and will be doing a blog each Monday through-out October. To say that I am twice the woman I should be is no exaggeration, but it is time to make a change. My goal is to get into better shape for the sake of my health. I have numerous health issues and regular exercise is one of the best ways to help manage them.

After looking over the choices, I wanted to select something that was reasonable for me. It is so easy to get "on fire" for a new idea, just to become discouraged at the huge difference between your hopes and visualization of what you plan to accomplish and the reality of just how much work is ahead of you. I admit that I hesitated in even applying for this, but was encouraged by Debra's philosophy and one comment in particular caught my eye. "Many years ago, I would eat all day long. I was depressed and extremely overweight. By moving and breathing I started to feel better physically and mentally. Once I was feeling better, I could make better choices in my eating - and in my life."  I know firsthand that this is true, but I also know me! I need commitment, accountability, and knowing that this is a group effort. I can't give up with all of these other ladies working so diligently. (yes, I am competitive. LOL! This isn't about who does the best; I am cheering them all on!! For me, it is about sticking with the program--- just like the others.)

This is also not just about what I can accomplish. I have a very good friend who has promised to pray for me daily, the support of the others who are taking the ShapelyGirl Fitness™  challenge, and I am relying heavily upon a favorite promise found in Isaiah 41:10. Fear may seem to be an exaggeration, but it is something I face: fear of failure to complete this, fear of starting something new, fear of slowly becoming more honest and vulnerable...the list goes on!! It took 50+ years for me to get into the shape I am, but my goal is to actively strive to be more healthy in body, spirit, and mind. Now I am not prepared at this time to give details other than I need to lose a minimum of half my body weight. I am also literally bigger around than I am tall!! However, instead of becoming overwhelmed at how far I need to go, I prefer to see what I can accomplish within a month of making healthy choices.

Debra Mazda's products are available at Shapelygirl Fitness Follow Debra Mazda on Twitter @DebraMazda or "Like" ShapelyGirl Fitness on Facebook.

I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.  #cwareviewcrew




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