Moving my Body: Slim in 6 First Impressions and Review

As I mentioned in my post the other day - it was my birthday and I gave myself the gift of starting a new workout! I chose Slim in 6. I got fired up and purchased it at the beginning of December after my third round of Thanksgiving dinner. It took me a couple days to mentally get over the fact that if I had started then, I'd be nearly done by now.

It's something I had tried about 10 years ago during my college years. So long ago I had VHS tapes (now I have no way to play them). At the time it just wasn't for me. Back then, I fell in love with Tae Bo instead. I bet my downstairs neighbors still talk about my after-work stomp-fests. I remember not being very enthused about Slim in 6 at the time. But I was young, strong, and ready for intensity. Now, I'm older, slower, and dragging around a post-baby body I'm a little unfamiliar with.

So I gave it another shot. The videos are freshly shot (I assume anyway, since there's a Shakeology plug during the cool down) and shorter from some reviews.

Slim in 6 is a series of videos, and you do one for two weeks (or until you outgrow it) then move on. So the workouts are always fresh, and your body doesn't get used to the same series of moves. The workout is divided up into sections of like moves: plies, squats, lunges, weighted upper body moves, abs, stretching.

Day 1: First Impressions
I started at the beginning...with Start it Up. Debbie Seibers is the instructor/host. She's gorgeous. Almost unreal. She's nice enough, and gives some nice pointers along the way, but doesn't bring a ton of energy to the party.
 

Jane Fonda at 74 at Cannes in 2012. "Still think I'm basic, bitch?"

Or maybe that was me. The workout is pretty basic. I would say I was getting bored, but I was sweating, so I was working hard enough to not be bored. I'm used to more something more intense like Turbo Jam or dancy like Zumba. The moves were really basic - squats, lunges, side stretches, Toy Soldiers... I kept crankily thinking of them as Jane Fonda moves. Then I remembered that Jane F'ing Fonda is 75 and looks way better than most people do in their entire lives.

So I figured I could give these basic, pedestrian moves a try. If I could look half that good, I'd be a happy lady. I still struggled to stay interested though. Especially when the workout started winding down with about 10 minutes left. More so when I realized there was 6 entire minutes of stretching! What?! Seemed like a lengthy cool down, until I realized how much my body needed it. I struggled to hold some of the stretches I'd had no problem with my entire life.

I ended the workout feeling like I got over the biggest hurdle: starting. But I was humbled by my body's reaction to what my brain deemed "a basic workout." It reminded me again that I really am Starting at Zero. 

Day 2: Now We're Working 

My new kicks are getting a good workout

I went into the second workout feeling ok. My knees were a little sore. Like I said, there are A LOT of squats, plies, lunges...lower body stuff that works the biggest muscles who burn the most calories. My knees were making terrible, terrible noises. Half the battle was getting over the sound of gravel grinding on bubble wrap that was emanating from my knees with ever bend.

I started to notice the music now that I was familiar with the moves. It's terrible. It sounds like boring stock stuff. Plus, I think they shot the video without music at all, so the pace doesn't totally match the backing track. Luckily, at the beginning of the video, you can choose the option to play it without music. Then you can bring your own tunes to the party.

I found day 2 already easier. I wasn't quite as spent at the end. Feeling stronger already!

Day 3: Music is Magic
For the 3rd day, I went with my own playlist instead of the stock stuff. New music really really really helped. I always connect really strongly with music as a workout. It pushes me, energizes me, makes me fantasize about being a badass on a stage. I put an older gym playlist on shuffle, and I was no more off pace than the music that came with Start it Up.
A sample of songs in my playlist that worked well: 

Santogold: Say Aha

The Jam: That's Entertainment

Gwen Stefani: What You Waiting For

The Dead 60's: Riot Radio

The Ting Tings: Great DJ

During this round, I was really starting to feel how weak I am in my core and lower back. Once I drowned out the terrifying noises coming from my knees, the hardest part of the squat sequence has been keeping my form. Maintaining a straight back and tucked core is harder than it's ever been. Maybe it was the almost 10 lb baby I carried in there? Ya think? My abs were mostly just tired and I had to work to keep form.

During the ab section, I'm starting to feel a little soreness in my muscles...in a good way. It's a nice reminder that I'm making progress and working muscles that haven't worked in along time.

Day 4: Break
My mind and body were at a breaking point. So I just set aside the recommended calendar. Those things hurt me more than help me. Usually, I'd panic. "Ermagahd I just skipped a workout. Do I start over? Do I have to tack another day on?!! Arrghh!"  Now I'm older and wiser. Forget the calendar. I'm doing my thing. I'll kill it tomorrow.

Day 5: Back On
I hit play once again on Slim in 6's Start it Up. I was still tired though, so it was kind of an effort to peel myself off the couch after getting my work done. I used my own music again, and It helps SO much to get me pumped up. I jazzed up the moves (throwing a little punch here and there instead of just crossing my body with my arm) to entertain myself and let myself fall into the music more. Maybe too much. I kind of fudged the bicep curls while I belted out one of my favorite guilty pleasure Car-eoke songs  (Carrie Underwood's Before He Cheats - embarrassing admission for this indie pop princess). But when I got to pushups, I found I could do more than the first day. Hooray for little victories! 

I was so energized after the workout that I went and ran around outside with Doggy Drama for about 15 extra minutes. Good for her, good for me too. We both needed a jolt of fresh air and time away from our couch divots.

Day 6 & 7: Off/Birthday in NYC Adventure

Hadn't been back to NYC in over a year. I used to go once a month at least!

OK, so I'm supposed to do this 6 days a week. But on Day 6 I went to New York to celebrate my birthday - which meant TONS of walking in heeled boots. More about that in tomorrow's post. In summary, all the walking, fork lifting, and glass raising was my workout. Day 7 was recovery day from that - my knees were SCREAMING from the combo of walking, boots, and being absent from city walking for well over a year. Plus my stomach wasn't loving the indulgence aftermath.

2 days off won't ruin my progress though. Going back to lace up those sneaks again!