REFIT Revolution {Review}

What is REFIT Revolution?

{Photo Cred: REFIT Revolution}

What is the flow of a typical class?

Our class started with a light cardio dance workout, moved into a light strength workout, and ended with stretching and a couple minutes of quiet time. We also started and ended with a brief prayer time.

What makes REFIT Revolution unique?

{Photo Cred: REFIT Revolution}

According to their website, REFIT Revolution is designed to be used as a fitness ministry or fitness with a purpose. It was a great change of pace to workout to worship music and it was fun to hear hip hop style Christian music that was great for the cardio dance portion of our workout.

My Breakdown...

I left my fitness tracker at home...whoops...so I don't have an accurate calorie burn for you. What I can tell you is that, for me, this was an easy workout. It was relatively simple to follow and I didn't find any of the moves physically challenging. You can expect to be moving constantly for an hour and you'll definitely work up a sweat. 

Would I go back?

I can't say that this is a workout that I will incorporate every week, but, for me, it would be a great recovery workout. Perfect for a day when you're too tired to get in an all out workout but still need to log a workout. While I don't think I'll be adding this one to my regular routine, it was fun and great way to work out with my girlfriends. 

What should you wear? What should you bring to class?

Where what you're comfortable in. You'll need full range of motion. I chose a loose tank top and yoga pants which were perfect. Be sure to bring a mat (or they suggested a towel) for the floor work you'll be doing at the end and don't forget your water. 

What are the benefits of REFIT Revolution?

REFIT Revolution is meant to be a workout for real people and I would definitely say it definitely is. Anyone, at any fitness level, could come in and successfully complete this workout. If you're new to your fitness journey this would definitely be a great place to start! 

TurboFire {Review}

During my 3 Day Dance & Diet Challenge, I tried and reviewed TurboFire so this time around I wanted to try more than workout, something different than what I tried last time, but also wanted to take it easy because my muscles are still on fire from POUND Fitness!! So, 3 workouts later, here's my review of TurboFire!

WHAT IS TURBOFIRE?

{Photo Cred: Beachbody}

The workouts are a combination of kickboxing, dance, HIIT drills, and plyometrics. The music is fun and mixed so that it corresponds perfect to the choreography. 

WHAT IS THE FLOW OF A TYPICAL CLASS?

The TurboFire Low HIIT workouts alternate between low and high intensity. During the low intensity, you learn the choreography and "mark" the routine. The the alarm rings and you're looking at 30-40 seconds of running through the routine with increasingly high intensity. This is repeated in several cycles, which makes the drills easier to follow. 

WHAT MAKES TURBOFIRE UNIQUE?

{Photo Cred: Beachbody}

MY BREAKDOWN...

Low HIIT 20 - Calories burned: 128 - This was my favorite of the three workouts. It was constant movement but the drills were easier to follow. I seemed to pick this one up right away.

Low HIIT 25 - Calories burned: 144 - This was much more intense than Low HIIT 20. It involved a lot more range of motion and plyometrics galore!

Stretch 10 - Calories burned: 47 - This was probably the most thorough stretching workout I've ever done. Talk about serious relief!!!

I can honestly say that I have never felt so good after a workout. I had so much energy and it was easy to jump in and try more than one workout. While the workouts were certainly challenging, I felt amazing afterwards!!

{Photo Cred: Beachbody}

WOULD I DO TURBOFIRE AGAIN?

This was no easy workout! You are constantly moving and while the low intensity parts are a great time to catch your breath, you're still working hard. I loved all three of the workouts that I tried and will definitely be doing them again. I think Low HIIT 20 was my favorite, but I also loved Stretch 10. My muscles have been tight since I did POUND Fitness and that workout felt amazing!

While I will definitely do these workouts again, I would warn you that the choreography is not that easy to pick up. Luckily, they're repeated several times, but by the time I really got it down it was time to move on. I imagine it would take a couple of times to really get it down pat, but I think it's worth the effort. Not to mention, once you get the moves, it's so much fun!

{Photo Cred: Beachbody}

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR? WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED?

You can wear anything. You'll most likely be at home when you're doing this workout, so just get comfy. You'll be moving a lot and need full range of motion, so be sure the clothes you choose are not restricting.

You don't need any special equipment, but consider comfortable shoes with good grip. You're lifting your knees a lot and doing some serious jumping. You want to make sure you're not going to slip. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Research shows that you can actually achieve more results in a mere 15 minutes of interval training (3 times/week) than the girl jogging on the treadmill for an hour! Not to mention the after-effects!! All that intense exertion kicks your body's repair cycle into hyperdrive. You're burning more fat and calories in the 24 hours after a HIIT workout than you do after, say, a steady-pace run! These are only two of the awesome benefits, but there are so many more!!

{Photo Cred: Beachbody}

PiYo Drench {Review}

WHAT IS PIYO?

{Photo Cred: Beachbody}

This was my first PiYo experience. I followed Beachbody's Challenge Du Jour and tried out PiYo Drench. The best way I can describe it would be a fast-paced yoga workout. There wasn't a lot of holding awkward poses for obscenely long periods of time. You're constantly moving and all of the moves were easy to follow. 

WHAT IS THE FLOW OF A TYPICAL PIYO WORKOUT?

The workout was super easy to follow. As the time counts down it lets you know exactly what area you're working on; core, legs, strength, balance, etc. Each section starts out slow and working on repetitive movements that get faster and faster until you've completed the workout. 

WHAT MAKES PIYO UNIQUE?

{Photo Cred: Beachbody}

MY BREAKDOWN...

I burned just under 400 calories during PiYo Drench and it certainly lived up to it's name because I was definitely drenched with sweat by the end of my workout. 

{Photo Cred: Pinterest}

WOULD I DO PIYO AGAIN?

While I can say with total certainty that yoga is still not my thing, I actually enjoyed this workout. It was challenging, it was fast-paced, and definitely high intensity. I would absolutely do this workout again!! It won't be part of my daily routine, but I will definitely be mixing it into my weekly routine.

{Photo Cred: Pinterest}

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR? WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU NEED?

I wore workout capris and a sports bra. Shoes are optional and about halfway through I did decide to ditch the sneakers. As long as you're comfortable, you should be fine. 

No equipment is needed but a mat is recommended and be sure to have your water close by.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

I was super sore after my POUND Fitness class, so this workout was perfect to stretch out those tight muscles. It was still challenging, but it also gave my muscles time to recover and help relieve some of the tenderness I was feeling. 

This workout is a great way to work on your flexibility while still getting an awesome high intensity workout. Chalene is easy to follow, the moves are relatively easy to execute, and that makes this a super effective workout. 

{Photo Cred: Pinterest}

Lemon & Herb Spaghetti Squash with Baked Salmon

As long as I can remember I've been a pasta addict. I'm a firm believer that you can pair pasta with every single meal and for years that's exactly what I did. But earlier this year I discovered spaghetti squash and that changed everything. I've used it in place of pasta for months now and I love it. I'm actually surprised to admit that I don't miss pasta AT ALL!!! That's huge for me. #carbqueen

Today, I'm sharing a new recipe with you that pairs my favorite spaghetti squash with a baked salmon and a delicious sauce that I also used in my salmon burger recipe. This meal was so light and delicious and even the mini enjoyed it!

Ingredients:

2 small/medium spaghetti squash

4 small/medium salmon filets

Olive oil

2-4 cloves garlic

2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets

2 large lemons, 1 sliced/1 for juice to top salmon

1/2 c Pinot Grigio 

1 c Greek yogurt

1 tbsp dill

1. To make spaghetti squash, preheat oven to 350 degrees and cut squash into rings. Scoop out seeds and cover (or spray) lightly with olive oil. Top with salt and pepper. Bake squash in the oven for 45 minutes or until tender. The squash should easily pull away from the sides with a fork.

2. While spaghetti squash is baking, create a nice size foil bowl shape to bake the salmon in. Place the salmon on the foil, lightly brush with olive oil and lemon juice, just enough to coat the filets. Top with salt & pepper, as desired. Once spaghetti squash is done baking, close the foil bowl to keep the heat in, place on middle rack and bake for about 20 minutes on 350 degrees until salmon is firm and flakes easily with a fork.

3. Meanwhile in a large skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and broccoli florets. Saute until broccoli is cooked through. 

4. Add cooked spaghetti squash, garlic, Pinot Grigio, and lemon slices to large skillet. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes.

5. In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt and dill. Set aside.

6. Place baked salmon on bed of spaghetti squash and broccoli. Top with Greek yogurt sauce and serve.

POUND Fitness {Review}

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to take my first POUND Fitness class. One of my September challengers, told me about this class early on in our group and invited me to join her. 

It was awesome and the hour long class flew by. We tried to get more of this month's challengers to join us, but tight schedules and a school night made that difficult, but they all wanted to know what they missed. 

WHAT IS POUND FITNESS?

WHAT IS THE FLOW OF A TYPICAL CLASS?

We dove right in at the beginning of our class. The instructor, Katie Queen, gave us a quick rundown of the moves used in the upcoming routine and we got busy. The routines gradually get harder and the music more intense as the workout progresses. By the end, my legs were like jelly!!! We finished up with a fun cool down. 

{Thanks for the invite, Brooke!}

WHAT MAKES POUND FITNESS UNIQUE?

This class was unlike anything else I've ever done. It was relatively easy to follow, but INTENSE! I honestly walked in expecting it to be pretty easy. I mean, fitness is my thing, surely hitting some drumsticks on the ground would be a piece of cake. I was wrong, y'all!! 

MY BREAKDOWN

We burned about 445 calories during the hour long class and had a blast doing it!! Even the moves that were a little difficult to figure out were just something to laugh about. I never felt uncomfortable if I couldn't get something and Katie was a great encourager. She gave me pointers and shared modified moves with the group so that someone at any fitness level could participate. 

{Photo Cred: Katie Queen}

WOULD I GO BACK?

You bet! This class was AWESOME!! Don't get me wrong, I love my Beachbody workouts and most days I would rather be working out in my home with Tony Horton, BUT this class was such a fun way to mix it up and spend time with friends. I'll be incorporating POUND Fitness into my weekly workout schedule. 

{Even the mini got in on the fun!}

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR? WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING TO CLASS?

I went with a loose tshirt and workout capris and that was perfect. I was comfortable and didn't have to adjust my outfit at all. There is a lot of bending over so I wouldn't recommend shorts. Shoes are not required, but I was glad to have my tennis shoes on.

Definitely bring your water bottle and $6 for the class. If you like it, she even offers a punch card that rewards you with a FREE class! I'm not sure if prices vary for different locations though, so you may want to check with your own local instructor to see if their fee is different.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

30 Days of Fitness

Today I'm setting an ambitious goal for myself and I'm hoping that by sharing this crazy goal that maybe some of you will join me and we can hold each other accountable. Today, I'm committing to working out every single day for the next 30 days. This is ambitious not only because it means no rest days, but also because right smack in the middle of these 30 days I have a trip planned to New Orleans to celebrate my best friend's 30th birthday. So there's definitely potential that I could fail. This won't be an easy thing to accomplish, but I'm willing to give it a try. 

{Photo Cred: Pinterest}

In addition to committing to working out every day for 30 days, I'm also going to commit to trying different workouts. I'm going to make use of Beachbody's Challenge Du Jour, keep up with my POUND Fitness classes, and find opportunities to try new classes and workouts during the course of this challenge. You can follow my journey here, on Facebook, or find me on Instagram (@alinamfthompson). If you have a workout you'd like me to try and review, comment below and let me know. If I can find it, I'll try it!

{Photo Cred: Pinterest}

My goal, beyond just completing this challenge, is to review all of these new workouts and let you know exactly what I think about each one. I would love to have you guys join in on this challenge. Try some new workouts and let me know exactly what you think of them. Don't be afraid to think outside of the box and try workouts you ordinarily wouldn't. If you share your photos on social media, I would love to see them. Feel free to tag Get Fit With Alina (FB: @alinat0952 or IG: @alinamfthompson)!

{Photo Cred: Pinterest}

This won't be an easy journey, but where would the fun be if this was easy? I know that I run the risk of failure. I know that putting this out here without a guarantee of success might not be wise, but it's real. And at this point, I hope that's exactly what you've come to expect from me. So, if I'm struggling, you'll know. If I'm succeeding, you'll know. And even better, if I fall flat on my face doing some crazy workout, I promise to try and get a picture for you!!

{Photo Cred: Pinterest}

Seminole Spicy Beer Chili

We're just a day away from the first official day of fall and it's football season, y'all! That means it's time for tailgating treats and my wardrobe is pretty much exclusively garnet and gold until January. 

{At our first game in Tallahassee, FL}

One of my favorite things about football and fall, is the food! I'm slowly getting on board with the pumpkin stuff, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about chili. Oh, the chili!!! I think my least favorite part about summer is that it's too stinking hot to eat chili. So today, I'm sharing my favorite chili recipe...but heads up, it's not totally guilt-free. 

Ingredients:

2 lbs lean beef (or ground turkey) 

2 red onions, chopped

29 oz diced tomatoes, in juice

30 oz tomato sauce

30 oz spicy chili beans, drained

1 c diced jalepenos

1/3 c chili powder

1 tsp paprika

2 tbsp red pepper flakes

1/4 c worcestershire sauce

1.5 tbsp Tabasco Chipotle Hot Sauce

1.5 tbsp Texas Pete

12 oz beer (I typically use Heineken usually, but we recently toured the Sierra Nevada Brewery so today's batch used their Oktoberfest)

**Watching your waistline? You can definitely leave out the beer. In my opinion it does completely change the taste, but it's still good without it. It just takes like a totally different chili recipe.** 

{Touring the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Asheville, NC}

1. Set your crock pot on low. Add diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, chili beans, beer, chili powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, worchestershire sauce, Tabasco and Texas Pete. Stir.

2. Brown ground beef (or turkey) in a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally until evenly browned. Drain grease and add to crock pot. Stir.

3. In a skillet over medium heat, saute onions until soft. Add jalepenos. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer about 5 minutes and add to crock pot. Stir.

4. Let cook on low for 8 hours. 

{Enjoy!}

Challenge Group Sneak Peek, Part 2

Yesterday, you guys got to laugh and the hilarity of our wacky water challenge and today I'm going to share some of the other awesome things my challengers have been posting. This group has been so active, so fun, and best of all every single one of them is in there daily encouraging one another. People that have never even met each other are cheering one another on and building friendships. It's a really beautiful thing to see! They're sharing struggles and helping each other push past barriers, they're sharing some of the most delicious recipes I've ever seen, and watching them compete to see which team is the daily winner has been a hoot and a half. They love the points!!!

The struggle was real for one challenger who made sure her grocery shopping left her with a house full of clean eating foods, but what she didn't account for were roommates with a "slightly" different diet. She was brave enough to share with us when she caved and devoured a pizza. And the response was as amazing as her authenticity. People were encouraging her to shake it off and not give up and reminding her of all the awesome things she had already accomplished this month.

They're daily sharing their water intake, tricks for staying hydrated, completing silly challenges and sharing their workouts. And having Beachbody on Demand has been a great way for them to try new workouts and mix up their routine. 

They're working on more than just their nutrition and fitness. They're also spending daily time working on their minds. Personal development is such an integral part of our challenge groups. They've shared Bible studies they're working on, blogs they've written, and more. We even have several girls in the same Bible study so it's given them another venue to discuss what they're learning.

And the food, y'all. It's incredible!!! They make the most incredible food!!! I feel like my mouth is watering every single time I check in on the group. And they share the recipes too!! 

We're having a blast this month! Ready to make some changes, see results, and have a blast in the process? It's time to join my October Challenge Group!! My challenge groups are a great way to learn some new skills, get encouraged to start and sick with your fitness journey, and reach your goals. You won't want to miss the next group! Follow the link above or email me for more information.

#bestchallengeever

What better way to introduce next month's challenge group than to let you check out what the current group is up to! And since this group has been so awesome...this post is really two posts! Earlier this week they had another wacky water challenge that required squats every time they went to the bathroom. Hilarity ensued and it was quickly dubbed the #bestchallengeever by several of my challengers!

{Even Ma got in on the fun!!}

We're having a blast this month! Ready to make some changes, see results, and have a blast in the process? It's time to join my October Challenge Group!! My challenge groups are a great way to learn some new skills, get encouraged to start and sick with your fitness journey, and reach your goals. You won't want to miss the next group! Follow the link above or email me for more information.