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
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I think I’m the last person on Earth who doesn’t have twitter (no internet at home) but I liked you on fbook 😉
I didn’t follow along this time around since I am already training for a half marathon and have signed up for exercise classes on my off days – but next time, its on!
I’d love more videos of how to do the moves- I’m completely uncoordinated and seeing someone do it helps so much more than still photos.
I didn’t follow along because I am just starting a new journey and don’t push myself as hard alone as when I am in a group setting. I have been setting my face off at spin 4x a week and need to get more into strength workouts.
and I’m following you on Pinterest. I love your Workouts Board
I’m much more of a video gal, just helps to see the moves acted out rather than trying to figure out from a picture. Loved Winter Shape Up! Thanks so much!
I loved having a schedule for the week even if I did have to modify days/order to fit my schedule. It gave me a good skeleton schedule to work from.
I also really liked the extra ab burner, cardio drills and interval workouts to keep things exciting.
Loved it!! Sad it’s over and can’t wait for the next one!!!
I follow you on Pinterest!
I loved all 4 workouts. I found the ones that included videos of some of the moves extremely helpful. Thank you!
I didn’t start following along till the very end so I didn’t comment about my progress on past posts. I have trouble pushing myself alone. I like videos! It’s much easier for me to see everything demonstrated! (I’m a visual person)
I follow you on pinterest!
I loved the poster style layouts you had for the workouts. Some of the moves I wasn’t familiar with and a video may have been helpful, or a step by step photo demo. All in all I was a big fan of the workouts. This was my first time joining in the fun and I’m hooked!
I actually started WSU, but then I had to stop because I got the flu! So I haven’t worked out at all in a couple weeks. But I’ve been following along to keep up my motivation. Your workouts look AWESOME and I can’t wait until I can get in a great sweaty workout! I’m just going to start from the beginning tgis weekend. I appreciate all you do and your hard work creating these workouts and great community. Thanks, Gina!
I loved the format for this WSU. It was a great mix of video and pictures. I’m sure its super time consuming making a video with all of the moves each week so I thought it was a good idea adding in the warm up for week 1, it was fun to be able to do it “with” you. Maybe next time there could be 1 more warm up video that you can go with everyone? It would be neat if next time it were possible to film the workout video and schedule it so that everyone tries to do it at the same time or maybe try some live streaming or something? I don’t know how any of that works so it might be impossible lol. One thing I really liked about last years Summer shape up was the way you presented the meal plan in a schedule type format. I’m an all or nothing type girl so everything has to either be written out for me step by step or I just do my own thing.
I loved everything about wsu though and ultimately wouldn’t change a thing! Its kind of fun that they are a little different each time 🙂
I loved and was grateful for having “something” planned out for me–it helped me focus and commit to changing up my fitness slump.
I agree with more videos. It is like having a personal trainer!
Hi Gina! I didn’t specifically follow WSU, but I used it for ideas to add into my training, it’s been great! The recipes/meal plans are good too, but I’ve always loved getting recipe/food ideas from your blog. Thanks for all the hard work and time you put into it!
I already follow you on Pinterest! 🙂
I loved having a schedule for each week that I could shuffle around to fit whatever was going on that week.
As far as the workouts, it was really helpful to me to have a short video that showed how to do each move and then a list of each move to do. I could then watch the video the night before I tried the workout the first time. Then in the morning, I just needed to look at the list to know what to do next. I save the workouts to my Evernote account so when a couple pictures were posted to show each workout, it was a little harder to follow. BUT – you’ve done all the work to put the workouts together, which is awesome! I can easily handle a couple pictures 🙂
Thanks for another awesome shape-up!
Following you on Pinterest!
I am following you on Pinterest- love it!
I didn’t specifically follow all the workouts but you gave me some great ideas to incorporate into my routine. Thanks!
I did not follow along because I am dealing with pregnancy sickness and fatigue. I have managed to get in some workouts, but I couldn’t push myself with the WSU. Looking forward to the next though!
Hi Gina,
I was wondering where you received your Level 1 Raw Foods Chef certificate? I wanted to obtain one, however not sure where to go.
Thanks!
I follow you on Pinterest!
I loved the pictures and videos! Made the workouts so much easier to follow.
Loved the workouts – circuits are my absolute favourite! I found that having to refer to the “starting page” for new workouts/info wasn’t my favourite design, but I agree it’s tough to find a good format. Maybe a temporary button on the menu bar for the duration of the program?
And following you on Pinterest!
I didnt follow the plan to the T, but it was nice to reference for some supplemental workouts or when I was bored with what I am currently doing.
Thanks for all the time and effort it takes to plan these!
I follow you on Pinterest now!
Loved wsu!!! Appreciated poster style workouts…even a few photos help with guidance on the moves. Thank you!!!
Already follow you on pinterest 🙂
I’ve been following your blog for awhile now, but this is the first shape up I’ve participated in. I loved it! I had become bored with my workouts and this helped me change them up. I found them a bit difficult to locate and make my way back to, but it could just be that I initially read them in google reader and then access them on the site.
Also, I follow you on pinterest!
Love the detailed workouts!
I like the printable images with pictures of you doing the move! It’s a good way to jog the memory for those of us who don’t have too much experience with the various weight-lifting moves. I think that’s pretty much the best system along with a video for form, the only thing that would be better is if you flimed yourself teaching the entire workout – have you ever thought about selling your workout plans on a DVD?? I would buy it!
I could really use a new sports bra. I loved the WSU workouts. I especially love that you show pictures of yourself doing the moves. Sometimes I don’t know some of the moves but being able to look at you doing them in your photos helps!
I followed you on pinterest!!!
What I really loved about this WSU was the warm up video for Workout #1. I wished you had warmed up with us every week — that was fun!! I really loved the circuit style, taught me some new ideas. I was historically a CrossFit ONLY girl — but since getting an office job, I don’t always make it to class in the evening. The WSU gave me so much motivation and PUSH to go complete at least 1 round of the workouts at our office gym. We have a set of dumb bells and a few other items that were PERFECT for this challenge. Thank you Gina! The other thing I liked was the printable demonstrations of all the workouts. I’ve printed all the workouts to hang onto for future workout days. They’re great to have in my gym bag for a quick gym blitz!
I followed along but didn’t do the workouts – I would’ve LOVED to – but sprained my ankle doing a HIIT a few weeks ago and have been on a strength-only mission since then. My only suggestion would be to post more recipes/foodspiration…I really gravitate towards those posts. 🙂
Oh! And I just started following you on Pinterest! 🙂
I really enjoyed the poster board style which showed each move. It’s almost motivating in and of itself seeing you doing the workout. I would love to see more videos as well.
I loved the picture that you provided…it made it really easy to print out and take to the gym as a quick reference if I had any questions about what I was doing was supposed to look like! Thanks for everything!
followed you on pinterest as well!
I loved when the videos showed modifications of some of the exercises…I’m returning from a injury and this helped me tailor the workout to what I could do!
I’d like more videos!!!
I also follow on pinterest!
I loved the workouts! The only issue for me is that I live on a 4th floor apartment and I feel bad for my neighbors when I jump around/do high impact stuff (i.e. burpees). An apartment-friendly alternative would be great!
I like the format with the pictures so i can print it out and take it to the gym. This is the first shape up I’ve followed along (I’ve done your other workouts in the past but haven’t followed a schedule). It has been so fun and I look forward to trying one of your past shape ups next week!
I really enjoyed the workouts and thought they were a great progression. I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped with following along, but I’m definitely going to use the workouts in my regular routine. I find it really helpful when you write a short description of the exercise along with the picture. I can tell you work really hard on these workouts and I really appreciate it. You’re amazing!
I follow you on pinterest