Where The Change Happens
Posted: November 16, 2011 at 7:54 amIt’s kind of funny. I become a certified personal trainer and the first workouts I turn to this week come from someone else.
The book came in for me at the library last week and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t wait to give the circuits a go.
Making The Cut includes a lot of information about eating styles and other general fitness methodologies and how they help improve fitness. It has some useful facts in there, but the workouts mainly captured my attention. They looked INTENSE!
The workouts are broken down into a push-pull format, each with five circuits consisting of 3-4 moves each. In other words, tough stuff!
The pull circuits focus on the chest, triceps, and shoulders; the push focuses on back and biceps. Both workouts include legs and abs work. The original circuits include extra cardio, like sprints and plyometrics, but I cut those out since I had other cardio on plan. I didn’t even need the extra cardio. My heart rate soared!
Here’s a brief overview of the two circuits I did:
Making The Cut Circuit One (Push Focus)
Making The Cut Circuit Two (Pull Focus)
I highly suggest looking into this book if you want details of the different moves, the layout of the workout, and additional workouts. I can’t wait to try them all!
And I want you all to know, I only rave about these workouts because they are so challenging. I had to take numerous breaks to catch my breath and make sure my arms didn’t fall off. I found my arms shaking by the third circuit in both. Heck, Monday’s even felt intense enough to make me slightly nauseous. Not that that’s necessary to have a challenging workout.
I wanted to cut it short and call three circuits good. Then, I remembered a super inspiring quote.
Fitting that the quote comes from level three of Jillian’s 30 Day Shred workouts. I must have a girl crush. 
But, seriously. How TRUE is that quote? If we want to improve in our fitness, we have to push outside the comfort zone. We have to test our limits and go a little beyond what we think we can handle. We have to get uncomfortable.
I wanted to stop, but I kept going. I left the gym shaking after both workouts, but feeling more accomplished for it. I know I improved my fitness just a smidge with those workouts. Sometimes I love a leisurely workout purely for fun. But the workouts that get uncomfortable…well, they bring a new level of fitness. Little by little. Every time.
Uncomfortable. It’s where the change happens.
- How often do you get uncomfortable with workouts?
- What celebrity do you crush on?
Tags: books, circuit workout, fitness, fitness plans, motivation, review, strength training
A late but huge CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Love the quote, a friend of mine told me if you’re not doing at least 1 thing you hate in every workout than you’re not making progress. I think of that quote often!
Hmm, neat quote! I’m all about quotes (slightly obsessed), so that’s right up my alley, haha.
I love that quote…unfortunately it’s SO true, haha. When I feel the pain, I realize I’m getting stronger and my body is changing, rather than adapting.
I think that quote is fabulous!
Hard workouts are the best–they make me feel strong, fit, confident, and sexy!!
This circuit sounds awesome!
You just keep going strong. It’s so neat to see the transformation! It’s hard to believe you’ve given birth to 2 kids!
I love Jillian Michael’s workouts. I’m all into her Shred ones but I’ve heard good things about this book.
Hehe I also love Jillian–I think she’s my old high school cross country coach’s long lost soul mate! I’ve never tried any of her workouts as my itty bitty apartment isn’t quite compatible with fitness dvds but you’ve got me curious about her book!!
Good quote!
I think you have your push/pull muscle groups backwards. The tri, chest, shoulders, as well as quads are considered push. The back, biceps, and hamstrings are pull. Just want to keep ya honest!
Oh I love quotes! And thanks for a look at Jillian’s book – I am a big fan of hers!
Ps- it’s totally right on the graphs…the push/pull nonsense. My husband says I’m hypersensitive about fitness info and shouldn’t have said anything…sorry!
No worries. I’m completely fine with constructive criticism, although thanks for also coming out that I did in fact have my info correct. 😉
That quote rocks! And so does Jillian and her workouts. I ahve to remind myself that it’s okay to be uncomfortable in my workouts. I’m usually teaching a class so sometiems it’s hard for me to push myself when I’m not infront of people. 🙂 Love this…….
I have a serious crush on Bob. 🙂
That quote is too true–if I never pushed myself to run that extra 5th mile (out of my comfort zone) I never would have ran the whole race I ran recently!! Thanks to pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I now run a little bit of a longer distance than before and see changes in my breath and speed! 🙂
MTC is a great workout and following it helped me reach my very first goal weight. Love circuit tx
I have such a crush on Jillian Michaels – she rocks!
“get comfortable with being uncomfortable” I really like that.
Love this Tina! Great fitness inspiration quote. I’m going to remember this one!
I haven’t been getting too uncomfortable with workouts lately but have been meaning to kick them up a notch!
I’ve had this book for a while and read it all but never tried any of it. Thanks for reminding me about it, I just may need to do some of these workouts now.
[…] THIS WORKOUT posted by the lovely Tina over at Faith, Fitness, Fun. I misunderstood the workout- so I did both […]
Jillian’s my favorite too!! Love when she says that quote in the 30-Day Shred. That’s when I start pushing even harder! Those workouts really do look intense. I’m sure I’d be more than dripping!
I wasn’t a huge fan of Jillian from her Biggest Loser days (I liked her, but her yelling rubbed me the wrong way), but I heard her speak at an event a few years ago and she totally won me over. She has a great story of her own and came across as so kind and caring–totally different from TBL image. She had a book signing and stayed until the very last person and took time to chat with and encouage every one.
I try to remind myself to push through hard workouts at home instead of quitting. I think that’s where a class can be better than home workout. I will keep this message in mind!