ChaLean Extreme Challenge

[lbecker28]

I just bought this and wondered what weights to start with. The previous dvd I used 2,3, and 5lb weights. There were lots of reps, but I am not very strong. Suggestions please?

[3tikes]

I had to restart the south beach diet to "refocus". So I am eating my veggie carbs, but today I will add in a fruit. Honestly though, I think I will see a stall on the scale due to building muscle, holding water, etc.

[luvmyhorse63]

KBragg, I am trying to stay under between 30-40 grams of carbs per day, but yesterday I allowed myself a little more (oatmeal) because I felt so fatigued. I'm still only in the Burn phase so I don't know yet whether going too low in carbs will interfere with the workout in later phases. I guess you could try it and see how you feel.

lbecker28, I think you will need a set of 10lb weights and later you will probably want to go heavier. I'm not super-strong either, but I'm finding that for lower body I sometimes hold both my 10lbs with a 3lb weight on top of it just to get heavy enough for fatigue. I don't want to do that long term because it's awkward, but until I can buy more weights it's fine. Remember, the purpose of this is to lift heavy enough or you may not get the results that you want. The movements are slow enough where you shouldn't get hurt if you use proper form.

[NikisMom]

I am eating maintenance level carbs but my goal really isn't to lose weight, it is more to reshape my body. I will say that on days where my carbs are lower I feel more fatigued but that is just me.

lbecker28 - You need to do the fitness test, this will help you establish a starting point with your weights. The first week is when you will make your necessary adjustments. Remember, the goal is muscle failure, not fatigue. If you make to 12 it probably isn't heavy enough.

[jbird3]

So glad to find a ChaLean Extreme thread, I ordered mine 2 weeks ago and it's still not here...irritated by that...I emailed them to see what the deal was today. Meanwhile I was going to do another round of p90x until I realized I was pregnant Jan. 4th. So I need to scale back a little and I thought ChaLean would be perfect because it's still going to work me hard but the workouts aren't as long as the P90X ones and probably not as many pull-ups and push-ups...I don't know you'll have to let me know...but either way I can improvise. I love Chalene, I've got TurboJam also, though I hear Extrmeme is entirely different which is ok with me, I like focusing on strength training more than cardio anyhow.

And to all those out there that don't see there weight go down like they hope no worries. I did an entire 90 days of p90X....saw AMAZING results and only lost a total of 5 lbs but my body was shaped differently so stop focusing on the scale and use your measurements....though with P90x I didn't even need to measure myself because the results spoke for themselves.

I wish everyone luck and I wish my freaking DVD's would arrive already. I did P90X leg workout day before yesterday and I'm still whincing in pain....lol...the good kind...but nonetheless I'm looking forward to something different for a change.

[3tikes]

I was actually lifting before, so I am decently strong. I pretty much stay with Chalean, if she says 17, I do 15 because I don't have her weights. She explains "failure" pretty well. At first, if I didnt go heavy enough to fail, I rewound the tape and redid that exercise with a heavier weight. The highest weight I have used is 25lbs. and that's if you're doing two lowerbody combined exercises.

[3tikes]

jbird3, CONGRATULATIONS! I was interested in the P90x, but thought the workouts seemed long. There are a couple burn workouts in chalean extreme that are 46 minutes, but only for 2 days. There are pushups in burn phase. I don't think there will be pull-ups, but I haven't watched the other phases - I only checked to see how long they were. My concern is that you will be lifting heavy weights when pregnant - maybe check with the doc? You should be proud that you are still workout out!

[jbird3]

Thanks for the congrats. What they say about lifting while pregnant is: if you've already been lifting it's fine (20-30lbs should be max with dumbells and of course that is only if you already have the strength built up - in other words if you aren't there yet - don't try to build to it while you are pregnant). Listen to your body, don't hold your breath and obviously nothing that is really straining. With P90X, I was using 25 lbs on many of the sets and needed 30 lbs (but never went to buy them) so I'm fairly fit to begin with. But I'll be doing more reps at lower weight til I get to the burn with ChaLean, so if she's done at 15 reps and I don't feel the burn yet, I'll just pause the DVD and keep going til I get the burn. Or I'll use bands, which while I don't like them they work very well.

I plan to keep running as well as long as it feels comfortable. And when it doesn't I'll just speed walk.

I was under the impression with my first pregnancy that I needed to stop working out and wow was that a HUGE mistake as My big HUGE ass was evidence of and a 50 lb weight gain. By the 3rd pregnancy I worked out the entire time, gained 18 pounds and didn't even look like I had just had a baby the day I left the hospital. So I've learned my lesson.

No worries, I know a healthy baby is more important than me not getting huge, but I start out about 15 pounds heavier with this one than I should've so I'm going to be EXTRA careful not to gain too much. 20 at the most is my goal...hopefully only 15 though since i started overweight. I'll keep you updated. I've swarn off sugar like it's poison and will kill me and that alone should help.

~Jenny

[MLE777]

Originally Posted by laurakitty

Where did you find the adjustable weights? At the moment I only have 7 lb weights, but I think if I am going to start this I will need something I can make heavier.

Everyone's results are making me so eager to start this!

I bought the Reebok adjustable weights at Target. They were $59.98 each (on sale). Each one goes up to 25 pounds (5-10-15-20-25). I also bought 2 pound wrist weights, that way when I'm between one of the 5 pound increments, I can go up 2 pounds instead of going up 5 pounds. So now I have 5-7-10-12-15-17-20-22-25-27. HTH

[MLE777]

Jenny, with my first pregnancy every one told me "eat all you want, you're young, you'll lose it quick." Uh, yeah, sure. I gained 50 pounds and there is still 10 of it that I've never lost (10 years later). With my second child, I worked out and ate right and only gained 25 pounds and lost it all within a month If the weights start to get to heavy (as you get further along), you could always switch to the bands. There is a modifier in every workout who shows how to do each move with the bands.

[3tikes]

I have the chalean gloves - I think they are a pound each? Then I could add those if needed - thanks MLE! You know, I think I'm decently fit, but I STINK at pushups, but I keep trying.

[NikisMom]

Originally Posted by MLE777

I bought the Reebok adjustable weights at Target. They were $59.98 each (on sale). Each one goes up to 25 pounds (5-10-15-20-25). I also bought 2 pound wrist weights, that way when I'm between one of the 5 pound increments, I can go up 2 pounds instead of going up 5 pounds. So now I have 5-7-10-12-15-17-20-22-25-27. HTH

What an awesome idea!! I was looking for a work around when I am in between, I didn't think about wrist weights. I will have to make a trip to Walmart

I am almost done with Burn, week 4!!!

[lildragonfly]

So how are your results for people that are into it a few weeks?

[MLE777]

I think I'm smaller (haven't officially measured yet, will on Saturday). I did buy some size 8 Old Navy pants at the beginning of the month and they are way to big on me. They just hang. Luckily, when I bought the 8's (on sale) they also had a pair of 6's, so I bought them both. I haven't been brave enough to try on the 6's yet. Baggy 8's just are so much easier on the ego then to tight 6's

[luvmyhorse63]

I'm definitely smaller, too. I'm starting week three tonight and I won't weigh or measure until after week four. But my waist is definitely much smaller and I am seeing definition in my arms lets and abs. I'm loving this!

[lildragonfly]

Sorry to keep asking questions but I want to be exact on how I do. I do low carb mostly up to 50 carbs. Do you follow closer to her diet , low carb, or michi ladder or some other plan. I want the results. Tonight is my official 2nd workout of week one so Im excited that you are already seeing results that quickly. I have about 30 lbs to lose though so I hope I still get same results.

[3tikes]

Originally Posted by MLE777

I think I'm smaller (haven't officially measured yet, will on Saturday). I did buy some size 8 Old Navy pants at the beginning of the month and they are way to big on me. They just hang. Luckily, when I bought the 8's (on sale) they also had a pair of 6's, so I bought them both. I haven't been brave enough to try on the 6's yet. Baggy 8's just are so much easier on the ego then to tight 6's

I couldn't agree more!!

[MLE777]

Lildragonfly - I'm following Tosca Reno's Eat-Clean Diet. I eat a lot more carbs then most people on this board, so I'm not a good example. The less meat I have in my diet, the better I function. (Plus, I don't eat dairy at all)

[lildragonfly]

Originally Posted by MLE777

Lildragonfly - I'm following Tosca Reno's Eat-Clean Diet. I eat a lot more carbs then most people on this board, so I'm not a good example. The less meat I have in my diet, the better I function. (Plus, I don't eat dairy at all)

Thank you for telling me. I love Tosco. I have her books. I am lactose intolerate so I limit dairy or have to take lactaid. Thanks!!

[NikisMom]

I did sneak a peak on the scale this morning and was down 2 pounds but I haven't measured. My clothes are getting very roomy!!! My husband and I are doing it togther and I can really see a difference in him, he says he can really see a difference in my body too. For the first time EVER I can see the definition in my Triceps

[MLE777]

Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but today I'm wearing my size 6 Old Navy pants (comfortably)!

[3tikes]

Congratuations Emily! And many praises to Chalean! Today is my day off - do you do any exercise today? Let me know your schedule, here is mine, the first two weeks, I was so sore I needed the days off, but today I feel okay.

M - Burn 1
T - Burn 2
W- Burn Intervals & Ab Burn (i think it's ab burn, its on the chart)
H - off
F - Burn 3
Sa - Burn it off and recharge
Sun -off

Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!! Got TOM today - not sure I'm even going to do a Friday weigh in. Maybe that's good enough reason to take today off as I have horrible TOM.

[lildragonfly]

I was wondering I was looking thru my dvds and I dont see one saying Burn interval but I do see Ab burn. Am I missing one? Today is the Burn Interval for me.

M- Burn 1
T- off
W- Burn 2
T- Burn Interval and Ab Burn
F- Burn 3
S- Burn It off and recharge
S- off

I have more to lose than most of you and so far not losing weight in fact I gained 2 lbs with this but Im still early on since this just my first week. I dont think Im eating enough so could be another issue. My clothes fit fine though so I think its just my muscle tearing and repairing.

[3tikes]

They yellow coded disc says Burn Intervals, Ab Burner, and Extreme Abs. Burn intervals is written at the top of the disc. You have it all listed right on your days of the week. I know when I was my sorest (if that's a word), that I didn't lose either, but I could tell my clothes fit better. I really think this is one of the best workout programs in terms of results and like-ability.

[lildragonfly]

DOH I overlooked the writing on the top of dvd rofl. I am somewhat sore. I do know on some of the weights Ill have to go higher soon. I underestimated my own strength. And I am shakey doing the push ups lol.

[Keri K]

I am part way through week 3 of the Burn phase and I am loving these workouts. They are kicking my butt. The scale is down 4 lbs (with TOM I might add) since Jan 5th but I feel tighter everywhere but especially in my upper body. I am really looking forward to the Push phase and want to order the deluxe DVDs.

Shout out to Kass! I am on your mom challenge thread elsewhere.

[3tikes]

I'm not sure what the deluxe dvd's are...........I also have extreme motivation, and a fat-burn challenge/get lean intervals/i've got abs.

[Keri K]

The deluxe dvds are more cardio and ab workouts. There is a blank spot in your case that would hold the deluxe dvd. Of course, it's like $50 or so.

[3tikes]

My case is full so I'm assuming I have them........when I ordered, I did take the offer with the "extras", So I have 8 dvds.

[MLE777]

Ooh! I want the Deluxe workout!

Today is my last day of the Burn Phase! I did Burn It Up this morning. I'm about to head out to run 3 miles during lunch, then tonight (or tomorrow morning on my rest day) I'll do Recharge. I run 3 miles during lunch about twice a week. Actually, it's more of a run/walk I have asthma and the combination of asthma and cold air kills my lungs during the winter so I have to stop every quarter mile and walk for a minute or two. Here's my Push schedule:

S - Push 1
S - Rest
M - Push 2
T - Burn Intervals (A.M)/Abs (P.M)
W - Push 3
T - Burn It Up
F - Recharge

I typically throw in my runs on the two days of the week that we have the prettiest weather (today it should be 78 outside!)

lildragonfly - My weight can vary by 2 or 3 pounds on any given day. I really haven't lost much weight, but I've gone down a pant size, so something's working