I don’t consider myself a super picky person. I’m truly only picky over a few things:

• the texture of foods
• men (good thing I found one that lived up to my long list of expectations!)
• jeans (the one clothing item I will splurge on)
• product reviews

I regularly get pitches to review different products on the blog. I have gotten very good at saying “No Thank You” and moving on in many of these situations. I will only accept things to review that I could see myself naturally using, liking, and discussing on the blog. For example, I have turned down a fairly well paid review of Slim Fast because it’s a product I know I wouldn’t choose to use on my own and I don’t really jive well with the product’s message. Then, I get opportunities to review things like a new workout. A new workout geared specifically towards my problem area (da booty) and from a company I have worked with before.

Those types of products I happily agree to review and get excited when they show up on my doorstep. And they have never let me down…until now. It pains me beyond belief that I must enter into the realm of the negative review - something I carefully try to avoid with my nit-picky approach to product pitches. Nonetheless, here we are.

Exercise TV offers a plethora of great workout options, including many free clips and mini-workouts, on their site. I think they have great material overall, so I couldn’t wait to try out the full version of the new Butt Bible workout they launched for the summer.

The workout includes 6 circuits – 3 upper body circuits and 3 lower body circuits, which cover different levels of length and intensity. For some cross training one day last week I opted to complete the 40 minute lower body circuit since I have a good fitness base and wanted a longer workout than the 20 or 30 minute options. Within 5 minutes I had to grit my teeth and convince myself to make it through the thing. Why?

The instructor, Pauline Nordin, had completely unnecessary language and motivational tactics. I can’t even tell you how many times she cussed. Nor how many times I had to roll my eyes at her saying to stop whining because everyone wants “to get a butt like hers” and that its a “status symbol” we should all shoot for just like a big house and nice car. Come ON!!!! Seriously?! I personally don’t find someone saying I need to look like her to look good much motivation at all. It just ticks me off. I know looks are a big motivator for many and something most fitness instructors in workout videos will comment on, but the Butt Bible and Pauline Nordin took it to excess.

As for the workout’s effectiveness?

Forty minutes of straight leg work does give a workout. However, there wasn’t any real innovation to the moves or layout of the exercises. The DVD simply went through 3 or 4 straight sets of typical lower body exercises – step ups, lunges, one legged deadlifts and squats, plie squats, and hip thrusts. Personally, if I’m not getting something innovative from the workout, I would rather do my own thing and save the money. I appreciated that the workout did train my booty like it claims, but it didn’t really hold my interest or make me want to do it four times a week as the video’s program suggests.

The Butt Bible DVD workout certainly didn’t suit me with its need for a little more variety and a lot more class. With all of that said, I can see how this video set would be a decent choice for someone looking for an effective workout with a basic layout and wishing to simply follow a DVD. And someone not turned off by the style of instructor mentioned above. Sorry, Excercise TV, but this one was a bust in my honest opinion.

• What types of things are you picky about?
• Have you ever had to give a bad review of a product?

I’m a wordy gal. In high school, I got the stink eye from teachers talking or writing notes to friends. In college, I chose Spanish education as my major because then I could learn another language to rattle off my thoughts and have a career where I would stand up and talk all day. I now have a husband who I drive crazy with the whole talking in bed thing. I have a mini-me I chat with all day…even if it must come in a high-pitched squealy voice while pretending to be a pig. This girl can talk.

Despite knowing all these things, it still somewhat surprises me that I inevitably find myself with more I can say. When going through my pages and pages of old posts to come up with my 7 links choices, I realized exactly how much I can talk. Write? Talk? Whatever. There’s a lot there. While many posts run along similar veins – daily life, body image, workout ideas, oatmeal – I still haven’t run out of different posts to share. How?!

beach blogging…

“Ideas For Posts” Draft 
I have a running list in Windows Live Writer of blog topics that pop in my head. Should I admit that list has over 30 bullet points? The random ideas that cross my mind get stored away so I never run out of writing material. Although my fingers apparently can’t keep up.

Series
I have a few different series of posts that I have picked up for the blog, which helps me always have a post ready for writing. I have done series such as 30 Days of Self-Love in the past and the Strenghts Out Loud more recently. I have also posted regularly my body part exercises (like the recent one on ab exercises) and participated in WIAW.

Don’t Say No 
If I find myself thinking a lot about something, even slightly uncomfortable topics – like menstrual cycles, feeling fat, or binge eating – I write. I don’t say no because I’m unsure how others will respond or worry what others will think about my vulnerabilities. In fact, I thrive on such posts because I know those posts that dig a little at the things many of us think but have difficulty putting into words need to come out. 

Have An Overall Blog Focus 
I blog about life and attempting to keep balance with my eating habits, fitness goals, and enjoying it all in the process. I will always have something to talk about on those general themes because every day involves them. Knowing these are the main focus of my blog, I can seek out fitting topics – creating a new healthy dinner or snack idea or whipping up a  new workout routine.

The Everyday Stuff Counts 
Every post doesn’t have to be rock-star inspiring material. In fact, it shouldn’t be because then things get a little overwhelming. I take the stress off myself and know that simply divulging my life makes for fun, worthy material as well. The common interests bind us all together after all. I personally prefer blogs where I can get to know the person behind the blog more, and that style naturally suits me as well. So I will happily put up posts with my cute kids, mommyhood moments, or simply crazy life snapshots – like that time Walmart made me cry. If you’re going out and living life, there will be something to blog.

He Gives It To Me 
Above and beyond all of that, though, my blog comes from Him. I actually start off most weeks thinking what in the heck will I blog about this week??? Then, by Tuesday afternoon, I find myself adding to that never-ending list I mentioned earlier. I fervently pray over my blog. I pray for God to use me and this blog to share my life and messages He has for me. And without fail, He has given me things to say. Not to go crusading around in an attempt to get people to believe what I believe…not in the slightest. He gives me the words to hopefully bring a smile to someone’s face, act as a shoulder for someone to lean on, or be an understanding heart for someone who needs one. I do believe every word and every message - no matter how big (overcoming binge eating) or small (singing “Can’t Touch This” in my head during workouts) - comes from Him.

• If you have a blog, where do you find inspiration for topics?
• Are you talkative, quiet/reserved, or a mix of the two?