I'm Like SO Hard Core

I've been trying to exercise regularly these days. Normally the winter months are time for hunkering down and hibernating, but this winter I decided to take a different route. I figured the exercise would help with my RAW as well as get me in shape, improve cardiovascular health, manage the crazy amount of tension and stress I deal with every day at work, give me more energy and help me sleep better. And it really has (gosh, I shudder to think about how I would feel if I hadn't been exercising 4-5 times a week).

I can't afford a gym membership right now, which is fine because let's face it, I feel guilty leaving the puppies alone again after being home all day. Plus, once I get home, especially in the cold weather, I really don't want to leave again. Yeah, I'm kinda lame that way.

Since I have a Netflix subscription, I decided to check out the plethora of workout DVDs available. After I "wasted" a couple of my at-home DVDs with lame yoga workouts a while back, I checked out the videos I could view instantly online and have since found a few I love.

Crunch Super Slim Down with Ellen Barrett is probably my favorite. It's billed as a "Pilates yoga blend," which I really like. I've tried Pilates and yoga DVDs that were so boring I couldn't bear to finish, but this workout is a nice mixture that keeps you moving. There is someone demonstrating modifications in case you're new to the workout or need a little less of a challenge for whatever reason. I like that I can change things up that way. Plus Barrett's style of instruction is easy to follow and is NOT irritating or overly peppy. It's a challenging workout when you "keep your core strong and pulled in" and after 40 minutes, I feel like I've gotten a good workout without feeling exhausted...instead I usually feel energized!

Another Ellen Barrett video, Crunch Burn & Firm Pilates, has also been on my go-to list of workouts. This is more of a cardio workout filled with Pilates-inspired moves, as opposed to actual Pilates (apparently some people ripped this DVD up in their reviews because it "is NOT Pilates". OK, sheesh). I like this video too, but I do it less often than the others partly because I get tired of doing squats and lunges (there are a LOT of squats and lunges). The last 10 minutes is supposedly mat work, but I've skipped it to do something else or stretch/cool down on my own. Again, love Barrett's style!

Lastly, I love Crunch Candlelight Yoga with Sara Ivanhoe. Hmm. Apparently I've become a huge fan of Crunch workouts... they're not even paying me to say this (I wish)...

Anyway, this video is all about relaxation. Who doesn't need more of that?! Ivanhoe (who I think is Marisa Tomei's twin) emphasizes that you're there to relax and breathe and even says, "close your eyes, there's nothing to see on the screen." How often do you hear that on a workout video? She also stresses the importance of going at your own pace and stretching as far as "feels good to you right now." OK, yes, Ivanhoe is wearing a bunch of bracelets that jingle and clink on the floor sometimes... and yes, sometimes her soothing, calm instructions in her Marisa Tomei-ish voice grate a little on my nerves, but it's not too bad. I love that this video really helps me get stretched out and relaxed. In fact, when I really feel hard core, I'll do 40 minutes of Super Slim Down, and then another 55 minutes of Candlelight Yoga, just cuz it feels so darn good!

Those are a few of my favorites at the moment. I like them so much that I'm thinking of buying them for my very own! Have any of you tried these? Got any faves of your own? Do tell...