On today's Chalean Extreme agenda were Burn It Off and Recharge. Before I do any of Chalean's workouts, I go to Extremely-Fit.com and read Robert Harden's reviews. He breaks down each workout and tells you every exercise that's in it, so I know what to expect. It also has some really interesting articles, so I use it to keep me motivated as well. Anyway, apparently Robert likes cardio because he rated this one highly. The thing is, cardio is kryptonite for fat people. We can strength train all day long- we're surprisingly strong, actually. We naturally build strength from carrying heavier frames, heavier clothes, heavier groceries...Also, I have a 2 year old that still insists on being being picked up on a regular basis, so I'm constantly lifting an extra 25 pounds.
The thing with cardio is that it works the heart, which is already overworked in an overweight person, so we fatigue very easily. Chalene weighs probably about the same as my left boob, and she's fit as a fiddle, so she and her equally fit cohorts breezed through this 30 minute workout. I, however, did not. I had to take constant breaks, and Chalene kept calling me on it. It's like she had cameras in my house, because she kept telling me to push through, squat lower, give more intensity. It's a good thing she wasn't here in person, because I think I would have decked her. I had already decided to skip Recharge and replace it with an Ab workout, because Recharge is mainly yoga. I couldn't give a damn about my flexibility, if I have rock hard abs.
I made it through to the end of Burn it Off, very discouraged, because I was reminded, yet again, of how far I have to go. I skipped the ab workout, but I will do it later. In fact I'll have plenty of time, because my in-laws are graciously taking my children for the night. Yay! Unfortunately, we have nothing romantic planned, because we both have tests next week that we'll be studying for.