Body beast: review

If you enjoyed P90x than body beast is for you. From the creators of P90x comes Body beast. Body beast is for intermediate to advanced groups. This program builds lean, strong muscles in 90 days. All weight training all strengthening your body.

There are 3 different types of calendars:

• Huge beast- for people who want to build muscle mass; recommended for men. 90 days
• Lean beast- For those who want to get ripped but loose weight recommended for woman. 90 days
• Beast up- for men and woman who want a short program but great results. 30 days.

Here are the programs.:

• Body beast basics- just some knowledge of whats about to come. 8 min
• Build chest/ tris- all about the chest and triceps. 49 min
• Build shoulders- build strong amazing deltoids. 38 min
  
• Build legs- shed fat and get those legs toned. 38 min
• Build Back/ Bis- work that back and those biceps. 50 min
• Bulk chest- a lot different than build. More weights and more reps. Different angles and every muscle on your chest. 30 min
• Bulk back- literally every muscle in your back will get worked. 29 min
• Bulk legs- cut and define every muscle in the leg. 40 min
• Bulk shoulders- added weights and lower reps. 35 min
• Bulk arms- get ripped and defined biceps and triceps. 36 min
• Beast abs- work on abs to lift more weights and improve posture. 11 min
• Beast cardio- get sweating with this workout that uses weights and cardio. 30 min
• Beast total body- work your head to toe. Every muscle. 39 min
• Rock a bye beast: beadtime stretch- specifically before bed. Stretch right before to get a good nights sleep. 5 min
• Lucky 7- work with 7 compounds and intense exercises. Creates and work muscle fibers to get lean, strong muscles. 24 min

Beast up:

• Beast up legs- longer, forced and super sets to get maximum results. 45 min
• Beast up chest, shoulders, & triceps- progressive sets, forced sets and tempo sets to help get major definition. 56 min

Body beast deluxe:

• Tempo chest/tris- Tempo Sets rely on the latest weight training science to work your chest and tris so intensely that you can actually feel your body getting stronger. 53 min
• Tempo back /bis- Tempo Sets rely on the latest weight training science to work your back and bis so intensely that you can actually feel your body getting stronger. 53 min

I did the lean program. So in my schedule it does not include the beast up, body beast deluxe and the beast ones. I did the bulk and build and the cardio ones.

My husband built our own rope climb
in our personal gym. 

The first couple of weeks were hard. I was so sore everyday, every muscle in my body hurt. Even ones I didn't even know worked that way. The Bulk legs workout is amazing. I have always had big, jiggly, fat legs. I wanted toned and beautiful ones. The build legs I did't really like it has way to many lunges in it. I hate lunges!!! I think the whole workout it lunges. So if my schedule says leg day I would do the bulk instead of the build one. I also feel like I'm getting more out of the bulk one.
Month 2 consists of shorter time but longer phases. Im really enjoying month 2; although I am adding in another cardio in it. 28 minutes doesn't seem long enough for me.
Before I started I was doing yoga poses that I could not do at all. I was trying to do the crow, headstand and fallen angel. I would always fall. After month 1 I am able to do all of them!! I can now go to crow to headstand back to crow without falling. That's how much upper body strength I got.

"You messed up your diet and you didn't exercise today- so what? You didn't ruin anything. Get back on track tomorrow. If you have one flat tire, do you slash the other three? OF COURSE NOT!"

This program is a lot different than P90X. This has less cardio days and focuses on certain muscles everyday. Also P90X has longer time and focuses on upper body and lower body instead of certain muscles. ( see P90X review for more info)
So the cardio and abs that are on here I didn't really enjoy. I did not get what I want out of the cardio. I decided to do a hybrid calendar with Cize. That will be on a different post for the review for that.

This program helped me finish my first Spartan race. 

Every couple week I would slowly up my weights. Since hes using the pyramid workout with the 15,12,8 and 8. I did 5 lbs for 15 reps than 7.5 for 12 reps than 10 for 8 reps than back down to 7.5 for another 8. Than at 3 weeks I upped it a little. Now I'm at 7.5 for 15 reps, 10 for 12 and 12.5 for 8. Man my muscles hated me that first week. Now when doing this Iv'e learned to be careful with my
weights. I have already hurt my shoulder and pulled a muscle deep in my shoulder blade ( upper trapezius). I started working on the muscles by rolling them and massaging them and they were good as new. So when upping weight please take your time and don't rush in like I did. On a couple workouts... I think build arms maybe... he does the pyramid system again but a little different 15,12,8,8,12,15. Wow that set always kills me. You start with light weights than work your way up than you do it backwards. Than on chest I think haha.. he does 5 sets of 5 reps without upping or lowering weights. So you choose a weight you can handle and do it without rest, its actually quite hard.

" when the scale goes up and the inches go down, it's  not weight gain it's results gain."

Month 3 I upped my weights again now I'm doing 10,12.5, and 15. 10s being my lowest weight and 15 my highest. I did back and a cardio workout and I was dying the next day. Also the next day it was cardio again and abs. So the day after that I could barley breath, talk and sneeze or even lift my arms up in the air. Underneath where my armpits are hurt so bad and my ribs!!
One thing that is very important is to do a lot of self-myofacial release or rolling. Especially before leg day. Muscle rolling makes a huge difference during this program. Less stiff, sore muscles and more lengthened and less tight muscles. You can do this for a warm up or a cool down. Now the program includes those but I liked to the SMR before I pressed play or after Iv'e finished the cool down Sagi provides. I had a lot of tightness on my upper back and my hamstrings so the SMR really helped with releasing all that tension.

" LADIES..... lifting weights won't make you big and bulky. You won't look like a man. You don't produce enough testosterone. It will actually enhance your feminine curves. Stop believing the false rumors." 

With this program I didn't "bulk up" like how men do. I toned up, created lean muscles and worked muscles I have't worked in a long time. This is a very good program to help you tone and to somewhat loose weight.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed this program. Although I really would have liked more cardio and leg day, I did get some of the results I wanted. I personally didn't see a change in my legs. I saw major results on my upper body. My back, shoulders, and arms got the most of it.    Below are my results.

Before

after

Review: Insane Focus (Shawn week)

This program was completely insane!! this program combined Insanity and Focus T 25 to create a 7 day, fat burning program. I had so much fun with this workout; there was so much support and motivation. Shaun was so supportive also in the program. He would do some insanity moves while teaching you to focus.
Here are the moves:

• Insane basics- New and old insanity inspired workout. 33 minutes
• Pure cardio part 2- Stay hydrated, this workout is non stop sweat fest. You knew pure cardio from insanity... now get ready for part 2!! 27 minutes
• Insane weights- Literally insanity with weights!! Phew!. 27 minutes.
• 25 minute abs- focus on core, pure abs throughout the whole thing. 25 minutes
• Rip sanity- More weights, more focus. Insanity asylum meets Focus T25. 43 minutes
• Speed 4.0- You knew speed 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 from Focus T25, get ready for the 4.0. Awesome music and intense moves. 31 minutes
• Dig deep- Strength, agility and cardio in one. Ba-na-nas yo type cardio!!. 27 minutes.

Every single workout in this program I absolutely loved!!!

Insane basics brought back so many... sweaty memories back from my insanity and insanity max 30 days. Within 10 minutes I was out of breath and sweating. 

Pure cardio 2..... ya so.... much.... cardio and sweat!! I loved every second of it. 

Insane weights was just pure awesome. I loved how Shaun combined some weights with Insanity. Some of the moves were from Focus T25. 

Abs was amazing and it felt like I was literally growing abs right there. 

Rip sanity was just like Focus T25 but with new moves. It was pure magic the whole time.

Speed 4.0... get this.... 8 different kinds of burpees in 4 circuits. It says a lot when the very CREATOR of the program killed himself. At the end they had to bleep him out and I laughed so hard. I loved it. 

Dig deep this was some crazy shit yo!!! crazy cardio and amazing feeling after. 

"When life knocks you down, do a burpee"

Insanity and IMX30 are about 60 days and Focus T25 is 90 ( broken into Alpha, beta and gamma) this program literally shoves all of them together in one week. If you have not done this yet, ya I recommend doing Insanity, IMX30 and focusT25 first than this one. You'll be more prepared for the intensity that this program has.

At the end of 4.0 one of the girls in the background (cant remember her name) she has blond hair. Well at the end of it she started crying and Shaun went up to her and asked her whats wrong. She says that a good friend of hers is giving up on chemo and wants to die. She just found out right before they filmed the workout. You would not believe Shaun's reaction and what he said. This proves that there are good people in the world. He was so motivating and was explaining that what she just did or what she is doing is all for her friend and mostly her. She is so strong.

"When you think you can't.. you better f@*&ing convince yourself you can and push harder"

As you can see below I had some amazing support from my friends. I loved every minute of the workouts. 

When doing this program it is best to have a lot of support and motivation. Trust me you'll need it; its best to have it especially when your gonna put your body through hell. 

I dont have a before and after pics. Once I do the hybrid calendar I will update and put in my results. 

Waffle iron hacks

I have made some of these recipes and they were so easy, fun and fast. It helps when I get home from work and I can cook a fast meal for my son and husband.

With my schedule I have to cook fast when I get home because I workout a certain time everyday. Than when I'm done I study my books.

Anyway here are the recipes I found:

Breakfast

• French toast waffles or waffle sticks- make french toast like normal but put it in the waffle maker. For sticks cut on the lines that are on the waffles. 
• Biscuits and gravy waffles- just place homemade or canned biscuits on iron and cook away. All you need to do is make the gravy. 
• Omelet waffle or waffle eggs- I grew up eating my eggs like this. My dad would always make waffles than waffle eggs or omelets. For some reason they taste better.
• Waffle hash browns/ 2 ways- use tater tots for fast and delicious breakfast or if you would rather use bagged or fresh shredded hash browns than go right ahead.
• Bacon waffle- I actually tried this and it depends on your waffle maker. I have a cheap waffle make and it did work but I like my bacon burned and very crispy. If you like the perfect bacon that this is the way to go. 
• Blueberry muffin waffles- Mix up some muffin mix and instead of putting it in the muffin tins put it in the waffle iron. Actually you can use any kind of muffin mix. 
• Cinnamon roll waffles- Homemade or canned just place in waffle maker and cook than top with frosting. Yummy easy dessert or breakfast. 

Lunch

• Quesadilla waffles- I've done a chicken tamatillo quesadilla and it turned out crispy and delicious. You can make any kind of quesadilla. 
• Pizza waffles- Ok seriously its like a calzone!! Use biscuits, place in iron and top with toppings and sauce and put another biscuits on top than boom! mini pizza.
• Grilled cheese waffle- yep just assemble your grilled cheese like normal but put it in the iron. 
• Cornbread waffles- make the cornbread batter and put in iron. Top with chili and cheese... yummy!!

Desserts

• Cake batter waffles- mix up some cake batter  mix and make some cake batter waffles.
• Brownie waffles- yep just add brownie mix and add ice cream on top mmmmm...
• Chocolate chip cookie waffles- Pre made or homemade cookie dough and ta da cookie waffles. 

That's all I've got for now will add more soon. 

Review: P90

This program is for people who don't want the intensity of P90X but want the same results. Month one is easy but it gets you ready for month 2 and 3. It gradually gets harder the more you go. This is for the beginner/intermediate level. It is a mix between cardio and muscle building. Dumbbells, resistance bands, door attachment, yoga mat and power stands ( i call them the perfect push up handles) are recommended.

Here are the workouts:
Month 1:

• Sculpt A- just getting prepared for the rest of the program. 28 min
• Sweat A- burn off all that fat that is not welcome. 25 min
• Ab ripper A- add some definition to that core. It may be short but it has a kick to it. 8 min

Month 2:

• Sculpt B- Builds lean muscle and power. 31 min
• Sweat B- Calorie burner, scorch them off. 32 min
• Ab ripper B- Get some major rock hard abs. 14 min

Month 3:

• Sculpt C- muscles go into overdrive with this workout. 42 min
• Sweat C- Burn more fat and test your endurance. 36 min
• Ab ripper C- adding even more definition to those abs. 15 min

Saturday special- done every saturday this is a high velocity workout that will make you sweat and burn calories. A great way to end the week. 25 min

P90 Deluxe:

• Speed sculpt- burn calories with this quick resistant workout. 25 min
• Speed sweat- melt more fat in less time. 27 min
• Speed abs- use 5 of Tony's favorite ab moves with this quick workout. 6 min
• Horton's greatest hits- learn all of Tony's favorite moves that will fit in your schedule. 37 min

Month one was quite boring to me. I felt like it was way to easy. Before I started this program I finished Insanity max 30 so I was use to high level cardio. Switching to this was nice the first couple of weeks but during the 3rd week I was starting to feel like I wasn't getting anything. I had to add more cardio to it every week. 

Although I really liked the ab ripper A I felt it every time I did the workout. 

Month two is a way different story. Longer workouts and harder ones too. I like it cause its gradually getting harder not just immediate hard. I loved all the workouts in this month. Sculpt B I had to switch between 10 and 5 weights cause there was a lot of moves I couldn't do cause it would hurt my shoulders. I feel this workout every time, and sore every time. 

Sweat B I would sweat a little but not poring out sweat. I enjoyed this one but I really enjoyed the sculpt one better. There is one move on this that gets me everytime. Its mountain climbers!!! that whole minute takes forever. 

Ab ripper B I am in love with. I love having my abs and stomach hurt after every workout. I love how he adds Ab ripper A and adds a couple more moves to it.

Month 3 is a KILLER!!!! I love sweat C. I am dying within 20 minutes. There are a ton of kenpo moves and some burpees. I love the kenpo in it, it makes it more fun and enjoyable. Sculpt C is longer and harder. The dolphin dips get me every time!! those ones are horrible!! I've noticed a little bit of yoga in it too. The dolphin dips are a yoga pose. Also the mountain climbers with sphinx... that one is murder on your core.
Ab ripper C they just repeat A and B but add more time and some new moves. Not to impressed with it.
When I first did Sweat C every muscle of my body was so sore the next day. It was an awesome feeling!!!!

Saturday special I didn't mind. If you don't put your all in than you won't sweat and get your heart rate up. 

Now during this program me and my husband decided to do a Spartan race. So now I'm doing double the cardio and a ton of upper body work.


I was on month 2 week 2 and i started using more heavier weights for the sculpt B. There were moves that killed me and I seriously couldn't even wash my own hair. Even picking up a spoon was hard. The scarecrow, 7/7/7 and thumbs up moves always got me every time.

To sum it up if you are wanting to do the p90x series I highly recommend doing this program first to help build up and get ready for p90x. When I did p90x this program didn't exist. Now that I've done it I can do p90x2. If you are already fit month 1 will not be challenging at all. Month 2 and 3 were more challenging and felt more worth the time.
This program was very enjoyable, tony is very motivational and funny. He does like to talk a lot; in between moves he talks and then you do the move.


Here are my results:
I maintained my weight from 140 to 143. I did not go above or below that for 3 months. I gained more muscle in my back and shoulders.
Before

                                                                                       
                       after