Before heading out for my beach trip, I received a little something special in the mail.

Natasha from Physique 57 offered me a Physique 57 workout DVD to try out and review on the blog. I had heard others mention how much they adored the challenge of Physique 57 workouts and my intrigue quickly grew. I believe in trying new forms of fitness to continue to grow in strength and challenge our bodies in new ways. So, I happily accepted the offer and couldn’t wait to break out the workout.

Since I wouldn’t have access to a gym during my vacation, I figured completing the DVD as my strength training on the trip would work perfectly and give me the chance to fully try out the workout. Plus, I knew it would travel well as the workout calls for minimal equipment – a lightweight ball, 3-5 pound hand weights, a mat, and access to the back of a sturdy object such as a chair or couch.

the ball – seems so innocent, but a powerhouse tool in disguise 

During our afternoon down time I popped in the DVD ready to see just what this Physique 57 workout could deliver.

I have a confession. I didn’t expect much of this workout. I thought it would be a neat way to switch it up, but not something I would love. I have my Cathe addiction after all. I will admit when I make a wrong assumption and, boy, did I assume wrong.

Tanya gave great motivation and instruction throughout the DVD and really created a comprehensive workout for the body. She focuses on good form, provides alterations with modified moves or challenges, and keeps the workout progressing smoothly. She knows just when to give you that little extra oomph without sounding annoying. I also appreciate that she emphasizes the hard work and consistency it takes to reap the full benefits of the workout. I love a realistic instructor who helps you believe in yourself to work harder.

And you will work hard. The 57 minute workout goes through a few different sections. You start with the warm-up which goes through some planks, standard squats, push-ups and arm weights. Yes - that’s all just the warm-up!

New rule: on vacation, wine bottles make the best form of weight resistance. Or they work in a pinch when you realize you left your 5 lb dumbbells at home. No matter what though, my arms were a-quivering by the end of the moves!

Once you finish the warm-up, you move to a lot (lot lot lot) of pulsing squats and leg lifts/hicks with and without the ball. Let’s just say chilling in a squat on your tippy toes while squeezing a ball with your inner thighs sounds fine and dandy. In reality, you will want to hurl that ball at the screen for the fire in your legs…but then remember how its helping your booty so instead grit your teeth and bear the (good) pain.

Eventually the DVD ends with some more upper body work. You complete more things like push-ups, triceps dips, and planks along with a series of core work that I can’t even begin to describe. I believe the best work for the core comes less with crunches and more with moves that focus on pulling in the core and tightening overall. Physique 57 provides just that and after 10 minutes of their abdominal moves I already felt like I had a tighter stomach. I honestly don’t think I have come across a more challenging abs focused workout on a DVD.

When all was said and done, I admitted that Physique 57 owned me. I fully intend to continue incorporating the workout as an additional challenge and variety. I’m pretty, okay very, picky about workout DVDs. I didn’t expect Physique 57 to impress me this much, but it certainly did. It’s a winner!

And speaking of winners – one of you will win a Classic Full Body Physique 57 Workout DVD of your own. Three ways to enter below -

• Leave a comment telling me a new workout you have tried recently.
• Tweet the following: I would love to try @Physique57 so I hope to win this giveaway from @TinaFFF - Leave a separate comment letting me know you tweeted.
• Like FFF on Facebook and leave a separate comment saying so.

Giveaway open to US residents only. Ends Sunday night at 9 PM EST. Winner announced on Monday morning. Good luck!!!!

One of the things I enjoy most about our annual beach trip comes with the chance to dress up for dinner a few nights out of the week. As a stay at home mom, who bums around in workout clothes all day long, I don’t often get myself all gussied up. I do enjoy doing so from time to time and vacation gives me just the opportunity.

Last night I pulled out one of my all time favorite dresses. I got it from J.Crew 4 or 5 years ago, but it has such a classic style that I still love it. I zipped it up and instantly felt a boost of confidence. Rocking a dress doesn’t happen often for me. Although, I must admit – as nice as it feels to dress up, it makes me appreciate dressing down all the more. I always can’t wait to get back home and into some comfortable digs!

I guess low-key suits my style better. In fact, I find myself choosing low-key over done-up quite often. Take Peter & my couples dinner from G-Pa this week. Every year G-Pa gives each married couple $100 to use how they want towards a dinner out together. Every year Peter and I go back and forth on how to use the money. Go all out one a dinner for two at a nice style restaurant we would not typically go on our own? Or hit up a favorite, albeit more casual, place and pocket the cash? What do you think we did?

We hit up the old favorite! We both love love love good pizza. Genovese’s Italian close to our condo delivers with good pizza, so we chose to go there for our dinner since we get a fix on nicer places during our family outings other times during the week.

We decided to start with an eggplant rollatini for an appetizer.  It had eggplant rolled with romano and ricotta cheeses, topped with a marinara.

It was just okay. We remembered after the fact that Genovese’s doesn’t have great Italian food - just great pizza. For our main dish, we ordered a pizza with light cheese, whole wheat crust, spinach, onions, olives, mushrooms, and pepperoni.

I gobbled up two large slices and saved the rest because I started feeling full. Yet we all know a separate compartment exists in the stomach for dessert. Despite both of us filling up decently on good pizza, we found ourselves hitting up a frozen yogurt joint to finish off the night.

I loaded up my cup. They know how to get you with those extra-large cups! I easily got suckered in to piling up my cup. I started with a reasonable portion of white chocolate and cheesecake yogurt flavors. Then, too many toppings appealed to me and I kept adding more and more on to my yogurt, leaving with a loaded bowl. I couldn’t leave behind brownie bits, cookie dough, peanut butter chips, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch toppings!

I have never seen any of those at a yogurt place before!! And they totally made my yogurt. I managed to eat the whole thing. It’s a gift. Our dressed down, low-key dinner date couldn’t have made me happier. Any date that includes frozen yogurt and chilling with my wonderful husband works for me – dressed down in all its glory.

• What is your style? Do you like going more high-end or low-key?