PiYo: A Review of the 60 Day-Program

On September 15th, I restarted the PiYo Beachbody Workout program plus Shakeology after quitting after just a few days in July due to a hamstring injury (this was related to a fall and not to working out.

A few weeks ago, I completed the 60-day program plus Shakeology.  Here are my thoughts on the program as well as my results.

WHAT IS PIYO

Piyo is a fusion of pilates and yoga.  You move through the poses quickly to achieve a great cardio workout while using your own body weight to build strength.  As seen with yoga, you will also improve your flexibility and your balance.

A PiYo Challenge Pack includes:

• 9 different workouts - these workouts range are typically 20-30 minutes long
• A meal guide with recipes
• 30-day supply of Shakeology-vegan and regular flavors, a nutrient dense meal
• Access to a small Challenge group on Facebook that includes support, health tips, recipes, and accountability

What you will need: enough space to take a large step to each side-about the length of a coffee table.  A yoga mat is optional, but I prefer to use a super think 3/4-inch non-skid mat that I bought off Amazon.



WHAT FITNESS LEVEL

I know that some of these moves look difficult, but do not think that PiYo isn't for you!  When I started, I was a bit intimidated until I watched the introductory workout.  Chalene Johnson, the instructor goes through each movement teaching correct alignment.

Truth: I am only able to do the PiYo Flip on this side only.

PiYo is ideal for any age group and for any fitness level.  I have customers in their 60s.  I have people who have never workout before and people who have been killing it with Insanity and P90X. If you have never done yoga or pilates, that is okay.  There are modifiers that you can follow until you can move on to the regular and even more advanced moves.

Prior to PiYo, I could barely hold an unmodified version of side plank.

PiYo is also great for people who already practice yoga and pilates.  Chalene Johnson demonstrates how to make the movements more advanced.  Remember that this is a fusion of the two and you will get a very different workout than if you did yoga or pilates alone.

You work all major muscle groups with this one move. 

Joint Injuries and Arthritits
I was really worried about my ability to do this program, but I needed something that was low impact for my arthritis.  As many of you know, I have two herniated discs in my lumbar spine, spinal and hip arthritis, and sciatica.  I have tried several treatments and believe it or not, each of my doctors recommend core strengthening exercises.  PiYo will indeed give you super strong abs of steel!

With the arthritis, I made sure to modify some of the poses to prevent hyperextension of my back.  A few of the modifications that I make are shown below.

As will all of my workout programs, I drink my all-natural Shakeology for breakfast or for a post-workout meal.  Occasionally, I'll have a second one for dessert because it is that good and I have lots of late-night comfort eating issues.  Knowing that I am feeding my body with essential vitamins and minerals, Omega 3 fatty-acids, phytonutrients, proteins, fats, and complex carbs contributes to my ability to workout each day.

I love all of the different recipes for Shakeology.
It is like having a different breakfast every morning:
Thin Mint, Chunky Monkey, Mocha Dream, Salted-Caramel, Chocolate-Covered Strawberries. ..

MY RESULTS

I lost 5.5 lbs bringing my 7-month weight loss to a total of 26 lb. I also lost a total of 5.5 inches (my body seems to like the number 5.5) from a combination of my chest, waist, hips, arms, and legs.

My arms, abs, upper back, and legs are now very strong and toned!  I really started to see muscle definition around week 2 and continued to firm up throughout the whole program.

My endurance, strength and flexibility are better than when I was a dancer during high school.  I never ever thought I would get that flexibility back.

Joint pain: this is amazing!  Of all the things that I had tried--steroid shots, physical therapy, ice/heat, medication, and TENS unit, the one thing that has helped my back and hip the most was/is PiYo.  The Lower Fix and Sweat are my go-to workouts now when my back is bad.  It is amazing how all of that medical intervention couldn't bring me what PiYo could!

Hamstring Injury:  My hamstring had slightly atrophied from the injury and my strength was shot.  My flexibility, nonexistent.  After the 60-day PiYo program, my hamstring is much stronger and I have gotten some of my flexibility back.  I don't think I will even have full range of motion back, but I did get most of it!

So many ways to stretch, sculpt, and build leg and butt muscles

MY OPINION

If you are looking for something that is high impact like Insanity or T25, this is not it.  This is low-impact.  It is about as low impact as you can get.  Some of the workouts seem to be more strength and flexibility oriented than cardio.  I would say that of the 9 workouts, about 4 of them are cardio which was something I didn't really expect.  All of the workouts get your heart rate up, but those 4 are truly, full on, cardio.

Working on those abs of steel!

Since I had done yoga before, I thought that the Lower Define was easy.  The rest were challenging so don't be fooled by that Lower Define!  As I was doing Upper Define and Sweat, I thought they weren't too hard, until the next day.  You do use muscles that you never thought you had and those muscles will be toned.

You will only get out of it what you put into.  In any workout program, you have to push yourself!  That also includes keeping your eating in check which is why I like the meal guide that comes with the PiYo and of course my Shakeology.  You do need to do your workouts 4-6 x a week (the program guide calls for 6 days a week, but I like to take more rest days) to really get the results.

Even my daughter enjoys PiYo.
Every morning she rolls out the mat and practices
her own version of the moves.

WHERE YOU CAN LEARN MORE

To learn more about PiYo or any other Beachbody workout program or if are interested in a FREE coach who will help you develop goals and work through your struggles, you can contact me at:

annatheurer@beachbodycoach.com

To learn more about my monthly fitness challenges, the free accountability group, health tips, and meal and Shakeology recipes, visit Anna Theurer Fitness & Well-Being Facebook page.

To read my thoughts on Shakeology, check out my Shakeology Review blog post or contact me at the email address above to learn more or get the ingredient list.
(pssst, did you know that Ellie likes her chocolate shakeology with peanut butter and bananas?)

Check out my coaching buddy, Sonomi!  

My next Challenge Group will start just after the New Year on January 5, 2015.  A perfect beginning to the New Year and a perfect way to knock out those New Year's resolutions!  If interested, be sure to contact me so that I can answer your questions and get you all set up for the Challenge as with the delayed mail due to the Holidays, you will want to order soon to get your program in time.

Want to see more of Ellie and the Theurer clan?
http://www.facebook.com/annatheurerfitness
http://www.beachbodycoach.com/annatheurer
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Chronicles-of-Ellie-Bellie-Bear/216738345037166

Updates all around

*TMI alert: this post will have a bit of a poop discussion.  If you are squeamish about issues of the bowel, please skip that section.

Ellie's GI Update:

A few weeks ago, Ellie had a follow-up appointment with GI.  We discussed how small doses of Miralax cause explosive diarrhea, but she will then suddenly become extremely backed up.  Once she goes 2 days without a BM, she will become resistant to high doses of Miralax + Exlax.  There is no explanation for this.  In fact, 3 GI docs have no clue.  Bear is an enigma.

Currently, we have had a few weeks of very loose stools.  Some are so loose that they run down her leg into her shoes.  They go up the back of her pants and lower part of her shirt.  Several sets of pajamas and clothes have met their untimely demise.  As have 3 sets of boots. The bedroom carpet has been shampooed 5 times.  We now have very clean carpets and I am grateful that we own a carpet shampooer. FYI: Pet Enzyme Cleaner is awesome for human excrement as well.  I am petrified that this will happen at school for all the other kids to see.

Additionally, in one month, Ellie lost nearly 2 lb. The first pound happened in the week between her anorectal manometry and the last bought of constipation.  She was eating.  Then, she stopped for a few days.  For a few weeks after that, she was getting around 400 calories.  A 4 year-old should consume 1,400 calories/day.  Children with Down syndrome have slower metabolism by about 10% unless they are active.  Even still, Bear should have been getting closer to 1,000 calories/day.  She would ask for food and then it would sit there.  She would throw a brownie in the trash and ice cream in the sink! Within the next 3 weeks, Bear lost nearly another pound.

Ellie's GI doc was rather alarmed.  He reviewed her Upper GI from 3 years ago (back when she was Miss Spits-Up-A Lot) and saw that her small intestine had localized WBCs.  This could have been an early sign of celiacs.  Add in the alternating constipation and diarrhea plus the weight loss and there was a suspicious of celiacs disease.  Ellie has been screened in the past for celiacs as this is very common in people with Ds.  Her test was negative.  That being said, it is possible for there to be false negatives.  The true test is an upper GI with a small intestine biopsy.

The GI doc ordered 5 vials worth of blood work--most specific tests for celiacs, IgA stuff, tests that looks for inflammation, another thyroid and Vitamin D, and the usual CBC and metabolic panel.  All tests came back negative.  Chances are with the 2 celiac screens being negative, Ellie most likely does not have celiac disease.  In the meantime, we have been encouraged to feed this child anything, ice cream, desserts, anything with a heavy caloric content.  Of course this goes against the very foods  she willingly eats--berries.

Tragedy: the icing is touching the cake

Two dear friends of mine spoke with me extensively on the phone.  I am forever thankful for their support, prayers, and advice.  We hypothesized that the unstructured summer routine could have been affecting her eating habits.  As it turns out, they were right.  The day school started, Ellie ate some lunch!  Then she would have an afternoon snack and even dinner.  A later dinner, but a dinner nonetheless!  She is now getting close to 800-1,000 calories and so I hope that there will be some weight gain.  Some days are still rough, but I think the structure and peer pressure of classmates eating have triggered something.

My Back & Hamstring Update:

Five weeks ago, I fell and managed to severely strain several areas of my hamstring and obturator externus muscle.  After 2.5 weeks of crutches, I was cleared to walk very very short distances.  My pain was intense.  Both hamstring and back.  The hamstrings, quadriceps, core, and hip flexors help support the back.  By injuring the hamstring and groin muscle, I affected the stabilization of my back. Physical therapy was tough in that I could only do a few exercise because there was a concern that I would further damage my back.  I lost so much strength and mobility of my right leg.  I couldn't drive more than a few miles.  That slight pushing on the gas and brake pedals utilized my hamstring too much.

Left: hamstring & ischial tuberosity
Center: Obturator Externus msucle
Right: Sacroiliac

One week ago I saw my physical rehab doctor.  He told me it was time for a second opinion as my options are exhausted.  Not what I wanted to hear.  He also recommended a steroid shot in my sacroiliac joint [SI] and in the ischial tuberosity bursa [back of the upper thigh].  The shooting nerve pain that I experienced with both shots suggested that there were the inflamed areas causing my intense, debilitating pain.  Sure enough 3 days later, my hamstring pain significantly decreased and today my hamstring is pain -free.  I am able to walk further distances and this week I can start doing squats.  I never thought that I would be so excited about squats!  By the end of next week, I may be able to restart my PiYo workouts which really help my back.  My back still isn't great.   The mornings are okay, but the evenings are horrible.  I still can't drive more than a few miles but, Andrew has been a big help in taking Ellie to therapy and helping out around the house and my mom flew down from St. Louis to help out.

A week ago, I couldn't extend my leg at all.  Progress!

Being unable to workout has been very difficult.  It has been 5 weeks.  The PiYo was one of the main therapies that helped my back.  I have been trying so hard to maintain my healthy lifestyle.  Normally, at this point, I would have given up. Fallen off the wagon.  Returned to my stress-eating ways.  Fortunately, I stocked up on my chocolate shakeology and have been experimenting with various recipes to shake it up a bit (more on this in a future post).  It has prevented me from binging on donuts and ice cream since I have the chocolate flavor.  Amazingly, I have lost an additional 3 pounds in the last 5 weeks and I attribute this to the healthy eating and Shakeology.

I need to get back to this!

As my friend Mary always says "Forward With Hope!"

Digging Out of a Hole and the quest to live forever

In slightly less then 2 months, I have managed to lose 15 lbs and over 17 inches from my chest, waist, hips, thigh and biceps.  My BMI is finally in the normal range and my waist circumference no longer has me in the danger zone for heart disease.  My risk for diabetes had drastically decreased.  I have more energy than before I had Ellie and you all know that I need a lot of energy to stay on top of The Chunky Chicken's antics.  My anxiety is at an all time low which says a lot given the fact that I often blog about my battle with depression and generalized anxiety disorder.  Most shockingly, I need less coffee to get through the day!

Forever keeping me on my toes.

Why am I telling you all of this?

1.  The fact is, I need to live forever. I am not going to lie. I must outlive my daughter.  Don't get me wrong, the idea of watching my Ellie pass away before me does not give me great pleasure and it does keep me awake at night.  Having a child special needs is a different kind of parenting worry.  As Ellie ages into older adulthood, she will require more care and possibly supervision.  I need to take care of her for as long as possible before my health deteriorates as I do not want her to end up in a state-run nursing home with no one watching over her.  Additionally, living forever also entails being healthy!  It does no good to outlive your daughter if she is stuck having to care for you!

2. I am a quitter.  At least when it comes to healthy living.  I ate horribly.  I indulged in Ritter Sport chocolate bars.  Bad days and pain = chocolate Amy's ice cream.  I was in grad school and didn't make working out a priority.  I started Zumba a few years ago.  Got rear ended and was incapacitated for 4 months.  Took me even more months to restart.  That lasted a few weeks before I got rear ended again.  No working out for several more months because I "just didn't feel like it'.  Then I started Insanity which I loved and lost 2 lb a week just working out twice a week, but then the holiday's hit and that was that.  Quitting is easy, but I was tired of starting over.  Each time I quit, I would gain the weight back.  I am done with that!  Done!  Over!  Finished!


3. I have been able to do this through the support and encouragement of friends who want to adopt a life style modification for themselves and I want to pay it forward.

http://www.teambeachbody.com/annatheurer

Two months ago, a friend of mine said she signed up to do the 21 Day Fix Challenge.  Peer pressure got the best of me and I thought "why not? I can do anything for 3 weeks!".  Three weeks is what it takes to change most bad habits and establish newer, healthier ones.  The 21 Day Fix is a part of the Beachbody fitness programs.  Think of Insanity, P90X, and Turbo Fire.  I had 7 different 30 minute workouts and an eating guide.  Oh and Shakeology.  Chocolate shakeology.  Yum!  I have trouble sticking to things (remember Zumba?) and getting to the gym was becoming impossible due to the class schedule and Ellie's schedule conflicting.  That and those classes are 60 minutes!  In the safety of my own home, I was able to work out with Ellie sitting on my chest or imitating downward dog.  Girlfriend has me beat on flexibility!

I was/am a member of a FB group with people also in the challenge.  We would post when we worked out and recipes.  I would sign on and see that so-and-so did Dirty 30 after working a 12 hour shift.  Peer pressure!  So of course I had to do Dirty 30.

I have completed 2 rounds of the 21 Day Fix Challenge and I actually lost more weight and inches the 2nd round.   I am now a Beachbody Coach that helps manage a closed Facebook Accountability group called Forward Motion Fitness.  There are people who are looking to lose weight, eat better, get new recipes, run, walk, or use Beachbody workouts such as T25, Les Mills Body Pump, or the 21 Day Fix.

Let's all just take a moment that I am mortified and
am in shock that I actually posted this!  I didn't even put
this on my Facebook page :-/
note: that is my swimsuit bottom and not underwear!

4. Arthritis is a literal pain in the butt or hip or back or knees and physical activity, core strengthening, and stretching can alleviate this crunching, burning pain.

Remember my herniated discs and arthritic back?  I was able to modify my workouts to be low-impact.  Think marching instead of high-knees.  Sadly, the last 3 weeks I have only been able to work on arms and chest due to my back issues.  I am able to walk in short burst throughout the day as too much walking, sitting more than 20 minutes, and prolonged standing increase my pain.  Now that the epidural steroid shots are slowly working their way along my nerves, I hope to start up with the newly released PiYo.

http://www.beachbodycoach.com/annatheurer

I have been waiting months for this work out program.  It is a combination of pilates and yoga which builds strength and increases flexibility without burpees!  I loathe burpees and mountain climbers.  Low impact, high intensity, no weights, 8 different workouts.  I am so excited to get back into working out!  This mama bear is striving to be a MILF :-P

5. Finally, a not so thinly veiled ulterior motive: I am now an independent beachbody coach.  Remember how I mentioned Shakeology earlier in this post?  I am addicted.  Before my lifestyle modification, I was gorging on Ritter Sport candy bars and Amy's double chocolate ice cream.  No brownie could go uneaten.  I crave chocolate.  Right now I drink chocolate Shakeology which came as part of my 21 Day Fix Challenge package, but you can buy it individually and in different flavors.  It is not a weight loss drink, but it can be used as a meal replacement.  I drink mine for breakfast because I tend to feel queasy in the morning and not eat which leads to overeating later.  It has high protein, tons of fiber, pre/pro-biotics, and digestive enzymes.  Mostly I like the flavor and sneak in spinach and fruit too.  So, addicted.  By being a Beachbody Coach, I get a discount on all beach body products such as PiYo and most importantly, shakeology.

http://www.beachbodycoach.com/annatheurer

Additionally, I am hoping that my story will maybe help encourage people to adopt a health lifestyle. Even if it is just changing one thing such as drinking more water or cutting out soda.  Because, you know, you want to live forever and a healthy forever!





If any of you would like more information on fitness programs or shakeology or are interested in doing a Challenge (and added to the FB group), you may visit www.beachbodycoach.com/annatheurer or email me at annatheuerfitness (at) gmail (dot) com.  Or you can visit my Facebook page www.facebook.com/annatheurerfitness