HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!! 
My morning has been BUSY! (Hence, the late breakfast post.) Our friend and real estate extraordinaire, Marie, arranged for another showing of our apartment this afternoon, so I’ve been running around cleaning up and tackling the enormous pile of laundry in our bedroom. The upside of showing our apartment so often is that it forces us to keep it nice and clean! 
Breakfast
I started my morning with a fantastic bowl of banana oats. In the mix today: banana, ground flaxseed meal, chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla extract, non-fat milk, and, of course, two scoops of Teddie peanut butter. So good!
And, as usual, breakfast included iced coffee with vanilla soy milk.
Workout
I had planned to go to the gym this morning, but when my husband told me it was 11 degrees outside, I did not want to bundle up and venture out. A couple of months ago, the folks from Physique 57 sent me a few of their DVDs to try out, so I finally gave one a whirl this morning. It was NOT what I expected!
Kelly Ripa (who I am meeting in less than 2 weeks!!) swears by this workout, but I’ve never been a huge fan of exercise DVDs. I know some people love them, but I always seem to get a better workout at the gym or outside. So, I was really surprised when this workout KICKED MY BUTT! Holy crap! 
From the website:
Physique 57 is a focused and proven cardiovascular program of isometric exercises and orthopedic stretches. Physique 57 tones your seat, abdominals, thighs and arms; strengthens your legs and back; and improves posture to produce a beautiful, sexy body. Our interval training sets use your own body weight for resistance, and through dynamic exercises your muscles are targeted and overloaded to the point of fatigue, then stretched for relief. We call our process Interval Overload – overloading the muscle to create long, lean sexy muscles.
This workout actually reminded me a lot of Body Pump with the idea of “interval overload.” You work your muscles to fatigue– just like Body Pump– but with Physique 57 you (mostly) use your own body weight.
I was absolutely shocked that this workout was so difficult. My muscles were burning! I must have said the f word in my head about 50 times! (I said it at least once out loud!) I even stopped a few times to rest, which is totally unlike me– usually, I just fight through it. I also loved that this workout incorporated quite a bit of stretching into it. I’m a seriously slacker when it comes to stretching, so it was really nice to get some in this morning. It felt so good!
Anyway, this workout made such an (unexpected) impression on me, I am adding to my weekly workout schedule for Lose the Dough. It’s ridiculous! I’m still in shock!
Snack
After my workout, I refueled with a chocolate-raspberry-spirulina smoothie. In the mix was a container of Chobani raspberry yogurt, chocolate whey powder, spirulina, non-fat milk, and ice. The chocolate and raspberry flavors dominated the smoothie. Delish! 
Off to work!
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I’ve never heard about that workout so thanks for sharing. I usually get bored with workout DVDs. I have the 30 Day Shred which I like but I only use it every so often. You’d think working out at home would be appealing but it doesn’t usually do it for me. Happy Friday!
yay! thanks for the great review! I too REFUSE to go to the gym when it’s that cold outside, so I recently started the SHRED (posted review on my blog).
But I get sick of things very quickly so I’ll most likely be purchasing this to add to the rotation!
Have a great day, pretty girl!
That smoothie sounds so good. Hope everything goes smooth today!
Such a pretty view of Boston from your window!!! It is freezing here in NYC too, brrr!
Yay for P57!! Such awesome classes and I’m glad you liked the DVD. Might just have to spring for it since I can’t afford to go to the classes all the time!
Have a great morning
Where do you find your spirulina?
I may have to check that video out and add it to my collection of eff word-inspiring workout regimens.
@Jessica @ How Sweet: iHerb. Check out my posts from earlier this week!
That DVD sounds like an awesome workout! I’ve doing Jillian’s 30-day Shred and I LOVE that you get a great workout in only 20 minutes. Who doesn’t have 20 min?! Hope you apt. showing goes well!
Wow, very cool to discover something new. I’ve never even heard of this DVD series.
Ok, if you AND Kelly Ripa (so cool you are meeting her!!) think this workout is tough, I kind of want to try it out asap. Do you need lots of extra equipment?
You have just convinced me to buy those dvds! I am a huge fan of Kelly Ripa’s and found out about P57 a while ago. I saw that they had dvds, but the set was $50 (kind of expensive when you are saving for a wedding) A few blogs have have contests to win the P57 dvds but I have not been so lucky. After reading your post I am going to get them! They have a facebook page and all the comments are so positive. I think it will be a great addition to the Lose the Dough plan!
wow, sounds like a great dvd! I’m always looking for great dvd workouts, so thanks for mentioning this one!
I absolutely adore that picture of your breakfast with the dark city behind, with just a touch of city lights.
WOW I need that video! Must do some snooping around online to find a cheap DVD!
Wow, I’ve heard a lot about Physique 57 re Kelly Ripa but I didn’t know they had DVD’s. I thought it was just an elusive and expensive class in NYC. How do you get the DVD’s. Can you get them online? Thanks Tina!
I definitely agree. I feel like I don’t get as good of a workout from exercise videos but I just may need to try that one out!
Now I want to try those dvds…
I thought about you while I ate breakfast this morning – I made carrot cake pancakes! And thinking about you inspired me to make coffee which totally rounded out the meal, so thank you!
P.S. Also, you would probably really like the pancakes. http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=873550
I’m always looking for “tough” DVD workouts! It’s always hard to find…
I’ve never heard of that DVD but I don’t really like working out at home in general. If it was that great maybe I’ll check it out though!
That DVD sounds fantastic!! I’ll have to get that one for the days when I’m in the house.
Ummm… RAspberry Chobani?! I haven’t seen THAT one before??? Where did you find it!!
I live in NYC and have been pondering whether I should try a Physique 57 class. Your review might just be the push I need to try it! I need to work on my core strength – my ab and back muscles have been getting fatigued during long runs….
I am not a huge fan of workout DVD’s either. I have friends swear by them though-so maybe I should try them out someday. You have recently gotten me hooked on bananas in my oats-I typically do not add them, but it gives it great staying power
Good luck with the apartment showing!
That sounds like my kind of DVD
I’ve tried Jillian’s 30 day shred and was definitely yelling back at her through the tv.
Have a good Friday!
Where is this raspberry chobani?!? Yum!
I hope the apartment showing goes well
And I can’t wait to hear about the NY trip with Kelly Ripa! I really wanted to enter that one, but it’s right after we get back from another trip which would have been NUTS!
Happy Friday!
I have those DVDs too! They are HARD! I had my doubts but my friend swore by those classes and she was right!
that’s awesome that you found a good workout DVD. i agree w/ you about always getting a better workout outside or at the gym. this DVD might be work lookin’ in to!
I actually liked that about trying to rent out our townhouse…we always had it spic and span plus we had “staged” it and an extra clutter and crap was put away. Loved having it so clean and organized! Of course it isn’t always that way in real life…but was nice while it lasted.
I am trying the 30 Day Shred DVD for the first time today…hope it is as good of a workout as what you found!
Courtney
adventures in tri-ing
That’s quite an endorsement. I think I’ll have to try that Physique 57 some time. I’ve never heard of it.
Can anyone else recommend some good exercise DVDs?
I have never heard of that DVD before, but it is good to know that there is another tiring one out there!! I HATE DVDs that leave you feeling like you got an ‘eh’ workout. I would rather go to a class or create one.
Yuuuummmm about that smoothie. I can’t believe youre meeting Kelly in two weeks! I’d be flipping out. (No pressure.) My apartment is so small there’s no room for workout DVD’s but I think they’re a great alternative. This Boston Bluster must pass soon! Brrr.
That dvd is officially on my list! I’m always looking for challenging home workout dvds so thanks for mentioning it!!
I think I’m going to invest in some protein powder stuff after seeing SO many heathy bloggers drink it, I was even researching it last night
Have a good day!
great review…i would have never guessed it…i don’t like video either. Do you need any ‘tools’?
your smoothie looks amazing!
I got Physique57 a couple of months ago and I had the same reaction! Kicked me all over the place! I try to use it once a week and I take the shorter 30 minute full body workout DVD with me when I’m traveling. I LOVE them – her abs are a great inspiration!
First, your smoothie sounds incredible!
Second, I must get Physique57 when I can workout again. I’ve heard Kelly Ripa talk about it on the show millions and millions of time but I wasn’t sure. Now, coming from you, I can trust that it’s a great workout! I actually love workout dvds. And one that kicks your butt… oh you hate it but you love it! Thanks for the great review!
You mentioned that you need little equipment…what equipment do you actually need?
that’s awesome to hear about the great workout! i’m always on the lookout for a great DVD since i don’t belong to a gym
hope you have a fantastic Friday!
I love DVD’s that kick your butt…I have been doing the 30 Day Shred and it is fabulous.
i’ve been doing those physique 57 dvds for about 2 months about 3x/week in addition to my 5 days a week of cardio and i saw a huge difference after about a week in my strength and definition in legs, arms and abs that i could not achieve in my gym’s strength classes, its so easy and definately a great alternative when you just can’t get to the gym. i also love that it includes lots of stretching in the workout between intervals, so i don’t need to do stretching after i’m done. i was working muscles i never knew i had! i’ve been getting compliments on my arms too which before were just skinny, but are now defined! physique is supposed to come out with some more dvds this spring too i heard! yea!
The view out your window of the city looks pretty =)
Your apartment’s view of Boston is great! And I love your description of how the Physique 57 workout affected you. I’ll have to check that out.
looks like pilates!!!
Great review of the Physique 57 DVD! I’ve been wanting to take a class at their studio but haven’t gotten around to it. If the video is such a great workout, the class must leave first timers unable to walk!! Sounds great!
I agree with Hillary – your view is stunning!
That’s funny–just yesterday I told my husband I wanted the Physique 57 DVDs for Valentine’s Day. I have been taking a barre class at a local studio and I definitely see a little bit of improvement in certain areas that I just could not target through Body Pump or cardio alone. But I can’t always afford the class. Now I can’t wait to get my present!
I’m such a Texan… it was 33 degrees this morning and I was such a baby about it. 11 degrees sounds really horrible! Thanks for the video review!
That sounds awesome! I LOVE body weight exercises, I think they’re incredibly effective. Definitely going to consider buying this DVD!
I’ve heard really good things about that workout– they were on Martha Stewart the other day!
Any workout that Kelly Ripa does is okay by me
I actually like workout DVD’s. Right now I’m doing the P90X DVDs with a friend and they are kicking our butt!
Physique 57 is my favorite workout class in NYC! I used to go all the time. I really need the dvds!
How lucky are you to get to meet Kelly Ripa? She is on my list of people I would LOVE to meet!!
I love Cathe’s workouts. Man, there are no low impact DVD’s in her series. Put up your pink dumbbells!
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