Winter Shape Up Recap + finale giveaway
Hi friends! It’s about that time: we have 2 full days left of Winter Shape Up! Make sure to end it with a BANG, mmm k?
Before I share some of my thoughts on this year’s WSU, I want to announce the winner of the BodyMedia fit giveaway! I got over 200 entries -and am in the process of writing back to all of them- and in addition to being fun reads, they were so heartfelt and motivational. I especially loved your personal fitness stories and funny pictures- some had me cracking up, and others made me look for the ninja cutting onions in here.
I loved putting the program together, and you’re the ones who rocked it out 🙂
Congratulations to China, who will be getting a Bodymedia Fit to track her progress and goals from now on.
Here’s what she sent in:
I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now (discovered it in 2010, and quickly went through and read all the archives), but this is the first year I’ve participated in a shape-up (or any of your workouts, really). I have some autoimmune health issues and exercise-induced asthma, which can make it pretty challenging for me to exercise at times. I got used to feeling slow, heavy and sick, and over time, I convinced myself that I didn’t have the strength and stamina for “hard” workouts. Even though I’m a health enthusiast, I thought that I had extreme limitations. I thought my future was to be sick, overweight and strolling on the treadmill for the rest of my life.
However, I’m really trying to bring about positive change in 2013, so this year I decided to go for it. When you announced the WSU, I told myself to just try it and see what happened. To my surprise, I’ve been able to keep up (even though I had to take an extra day off in week 3 to recover from illness) and I’m showing definite signs of improvement. My weight hasn’t really changed, but I’ve gone down to the last notch on my belt, my abs look flatter, and lunges don’t hurt quite as much as they used to. Overall, I’m feeling a lot better. There’s even been a totally unexpected benefit: my skin looks clearer and more glowy than ever. I think it’s because of all the hardcore sweating!
So, thank you, Gina. Not only for creating this amazing plan, but for giving me the confidence to try it and prove to myself that I’m far more capable than I ever thought. I can’t wait to see what week 4 brings! 🙂
She also sent in a pic from each week of the challenge:
Congrats, China! Send me an email and we’ll get your prize on the way <3
HUGE thanks again to all of the companies who participated in the giveaways:
and thank you so very much to mah girl and trainer inspiration Lacey Stone for hooking us up with a killer week 3 workout. Be sure to check out her app on iTunes if you’d like to see more from her- she’ll make your muscles cry tears of happiness and sadness.
Some WSU thoughts:
-Your comments/tweets and Instragram pics were by far my favorite part of the challenge. I always love to see what you’re up to- please keep checking in even after the Shape Up is over! It will be a good habit when Summer Shape Up comes around and I’m just not ready for #eatlikeaPRO to die, mmm k? 😉
-I LOVED the giveaways. It was so much fun to post them for extra boosts of motivation and is definitely something I’ll plan for next time. Summer Shape Up will coincide with my 5 year blogiversay, so the giveaways will be pretty legendary. Buckle up!
-It’s always tricky for me to find the best method to post the workouts. Video, printable image, text image, form cues…it’s a lot of info to deliver in a concise and organized manner. I just wish we could all rent out a gym in cyberspace and work out each morning. They would have childcare and time would freeze for an hour while we got in our sweat session. Sound good? If you have any preferences or ideas for next time, I’d love to hear them!
[Yay or nay?]
-All in all, I think this WSU was a huge success because you all worked so hard, cheered each other along the way, and made WSU so amazing <3 It was an honor to watch and shake my pom-pons (and my bom-bom) from the sidelines. Keep up everything you’ve done and remember than a ball in motion stays in motion. You’ve already completed the most challenging part by getting started, so just keep going. I’ll keep the workouts, meal ideas and recipes going, too.
For our last giveaway, Champion generously offered 25 of their Show Off Bras:
Beautiful spring colors, with a comfy and supportive design.
25 lucky readers will each get a Show Off Bra in a size of their choice. I think we all know that an awesome sports bra can make or break a workout. I still cringe thinking about that one time (only time) I tried to run in underwire.
Here’s how to enter:
-Leave a comment with some Winter Shape Up feedback so I can make it even better next time around! What did you like/dislike? Any ideas or changes you’d like to see? If you didn’t follow along, what was your reason?
-Follow me on Pinterest for an extra entry – leave an extra comment to let me know
-Have a friend enter for you. If that entry is one of the random winners, you’ll both be included in the 25 prizes
I’m closing the computer for study time, so if your comment doesn’t show up right away, I’ll approve any first-time comments in the morning!
I hope you loved WSU as much as I did <3
xoxo
Gina
534 Comments
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I’ve loved this WSU and I plan to repeat it starting next week. One of the best health tips I’ve ever heard came from you with eat like a PRO. I aim to do with with every meal or snack I have (well, except for dark chocolate). I like being able to print out the workouts if I need to, and I also like when you give video clips – especially of new moves so I can make sure my form is correct. Thank you so much and I look forward to SSU ’13!
I just followed you on Pinterest!
Honestly, I think the WSU program was perfect for me as a supplement to my usual running routine!
I follow you on Pinterest!
I didn’t follow along because I’m in rehab for an IT injury, but I have used many of your ab burners and other HIIT workouts posted, to great success! I’m a huge fan of the blog, as you are very down-to-earth while also being focused and knowledgeable. Would love a new bra too as I’m hoping to be back to running full strength again!
I follow your blog Gina,and love it! I follow you on pinterest too.You have a secret admirer,,me! 😉
I loosely followed the WSU and loved it! The only suggestion I would have would be to include video clips (instead of just pictures) for some of the less familiar workout moves.
I follow you on Pinterest!
I would love to be able to print the shape ups… Then I can hang them on my wall! I agree with Jaimie, though, video instruction would be super helpful for newbies like me.
I have loved this winter shape up! It has been so motivating. The various workouts have really helped with not getting bored. Absolutely love the saying eat like a pro. I have liked reading others comments to see how other people are doing. Bottom line, it helped me get on track! I have been trying to think how you could possibly make it better, and that is hard because it has been so awesome! One thing I did think of that might be fun is to include some sort of fit test (like what the Insanity program has) that we do at the beginning of week one and then again at the end of week 4. I know I have gotten a lot stronger in these 4 weeks!! This WSU rocked!! Thank you again for all your hard work putting it together!
I didn’t follow this time, but really enjoyed the clean eating tips/weekly plans. It was helpful for me in planning my meals. I plan to come back and do the workouts once I get started on my fitness plan.
follow you on pinterest
I follow your blog Gina! 🙂 And love it. 😉
I also follow you on pinterest!
I also follow you on pinterest!
I think you are already doing an awesome job with the WSU! Keep it up.
I follow you on pinterest!
I was initially toying with the idea of following the program, but ultimately wimped out and decided not to. My life just decided to get 5 times more stressful with now having to look after my grandma a lot more, meaning that I don’t really get to make the meals I want to from a lack of time (even though I’m still trying to eat as healthy as I can), and I still haven’t gotten an adjusted workout schedule hammered out yet. Basically, I have my couple hours off whenever someone else can come over. But I have used some of the other workouts you’ve posted, and I love them. They are exactly what’s needed when I want to supercharge a workout!
Picture (as above) + text > video! Especially loved your fuel menus – very helpful but not overly structured (helped me learn to figure it out for myself!). Thanks for all of your hard work 🙂
I like videos so if I’m unfamiliar with a certain move, I can watch you before I go to the gym. However, my gym doesn’t have very good service so I like workout and look at the pictures. The combination of the video and pictures is the best for me. I’m training for a half marathon so I wasn’t able to follow your plan as closely as I would have liked. I spent a lot of time running (ran 8 miles in 71 minutes today!) I did at least one of each workout though and loved it. Thank you so much for posting these. I can’t wait for the summer shape up!
I like the printouts with pics and excercise. Easy to print and take to the gym with me. I didn’t follow along because I am in the middle of doing the 30 day shred. But I like to go through your workouts and do them whenever I need a good effective workout.
I didn’t do the program but I did read the posts. I’ll try it next time though…I do like that you include food ideas along with exercise. 🙂
Way to go China! I can see your beautiful skin too and hope you keep it up. I workout with you and Gina but am a silent stalker…..great work!!!!!
I didn’t start following until after the shape up started..can’t wait to do the summer shape up though!!
I also followed on Pinterest!
I really enjoyed WSU! Videos are helpful, but the printable images/text have always been my favorites… I usually download them to my phone and swipe back and forth between pictures as i do the workout. I think it would obviously be more work, but ideas for workouts if people don’t have access to a gym or even basic equipment would be great… I guess that means more bodyweight exercises or something like that? I travel pretty often and it’s been helpful to me to have exercise options that I can easily do without much other than a good sports bra and shoes! Nonetheless… Thanks for all your hard work, energy, and advice over this month! It’s been fun!
I honestly can’t think of ANYTHING that would improve WSU. You have such a perfect & balanced take on fitness :).
Oh! There is one thing. You could make me a winner for e.v.e.r.y single giveaway hosted…yeah, that sounds fun to me :p.
Xxx
I really like the variety of the workouts. I also appreciate the pictures of the moves. They give me a lot of new ideas and inspiration 🙂
I follow ya on Pinterest, love!
I am very sorry to say I did not participate this time around – I do crossfit several times a week and didn’t know how I could incorporate an additional challenge in. I think next time around I will do both though – the more work, the better the reward. I love the layout you choose, especially once you started using the picture boards.
I also love the meal planning – I did use that several times.
Finally, I could really use a new sports bra!! I just found out Im with bebe (my first) and my tatas are SO sore… especially after a workout!!! 🙂
Thanks for being awesome! So looking forward to reading back over your helpful new-mom tips! <3
following you on pinterest too! 🙂
I wasn’t able to do this program because I simply don’t have enough time since school is KILLER! But I really like that you put so many different formats for the workouts — that’s helpful!
I thought that it was overall great and I really can’t think of anything that I would change.
I follow you on pinterest @runwithtongs
Loved WSU and am sad to see it go! I loved the week you added video. The pictures are good, but every week there was something I wasn’t sure I was doing quite right. One big thing I found confusing was where to check in. At first, I thought all check ins would be under the intro post, but then I saw you would link to it in your daily posts. What was confusing was that I read your posts almost as they pop up and then I’d do my workout at night and forget which one had the link in it, so I’d have to go through a few to find it. Other than that, I thought WSU was awesome! Looking forward to SSU!
I started following you in Pinterest too!
Following you on Pinterest!
I loved WSU! I haven’t challenged myself this much in a loooong time and this was the kick in the butt I needed to get back on track. I love that it didn’t seem too daunting for a beginner (and modifications were included), and the 4-week time-frame was perfect for a commitment-phobe like myself. I feel so much stronger and happier than I did 4 weeks ago, and have even gone down a pants size!
I can’t wait to see what’s in store for SSU!
I loved that the workouts could be adapted but still offered a more structured plan than if I were doing it on my own. Very organized and motivating – I’m impressed!
Love when you post videos they’re more helpful!
I loved the wsu, I only did bits and pieces because I started doing jillian michaels body revolution as well… I loved the videos with the proper forms and cues on it the best!
I follow you on Pinterest too!
I loved it! Would be great to see 2/3 workouts that target 2/3 specific areas for the next time, too!
I didn’t get to follow along because I still haven’t been cleared for full physical activity after pregnancy (only two weeks left!). I really enjoyed looking at the workout breakdowns for inspiration, and I’m definitely going to incorporate many of them into my fitness activities when I get the all clear.
I liked the reminders to meal plan, and I thought the “eat like a pro” slogan was great to emphasize. I like the pictures/videos and the program as a whole was well organized and put together 😀
I haven’t posted many comments throughout WSU but I’ve been following along and these workouts kicked my booty! I had a medical issue last year and wasn’t allowed to workout for seven months, now that I’m in the clear I’ve been using your blog for all of my workouts and LOVE it! I’m planning to repeat WSU starting next week to make it an eight week program instead of four…I’m determined to be looking better than ever in my bikini come summer. I really liked the warm-up video you posted because I tend to warm up the same way all the time and get bored with it. I agree with some of the other posters that videos would be super helpful for the moves that we may not have seen before. Maybe you could post a little intro video for the week demonstrating each of the moves. Keep up the great work Gina!
I didn’t get to participate because the timing didn’t quite work out but I loved the meal ideas you gave, and the stories of others who did. Super motivating! Also, I do not own a sports bra (I know! I’m way behind), so getting one would be awesome! I’m going to aim for the summer shape up. 🙂
OH. MY. GOODNESS. I can’t believe I won!! This is basically the most exciting thing ever. Thanks, Gina!! 😀
The WSU was great and some of the exercises had me shaking like no other! I would really love it if you could incorporate some tabata into WSU next time because tabatas are so tough. Thanks!
i loved how with the pictures there were always descriptions and numbers of reps included. i also liked how for week 3 there was also a smaller box with just the explanation. i always take a picture of it on my phone at the gym, so if i can see form cues or read a clear description that helps me as i go! wsu came at such a great time for me, i’ve been sick and this was a great way to get back into tough workouts. these workouts were so fun and efficient, and i definitely know i’ll keep them in my regular rotation! thanks again 🙂
I loved the WSU! It was great motivation during these cold months! I liked the format a lot, I found the videos the most helpful bc sometimes reading a description of a move wasn’t enough and I’d end up googling it instead! Thanks again for all your great workouts!