Charlie Brooks - Before And After Workout (DVD)

...be, sort of similar to Charlie so I needed some kind of help.

I had flicked through Heat magazine around Christmas time and noticed the list of fitness & workout videos, I narrowed it down to 4 Colleen McLoughlin's dvd, Davina Mccall, Jordan or the Charlie brooks dvd. After looking on DooYoo and Ciao for some help I then went to Amazon and the Charlie Brooks one looked more like my kind of thing. I didn't want to pay £13 for it though ...
...is a pink cover with Charlie from a sideways view on the left hand side, looking worn out with a bit of a stomach and then to the right her face on with a toned stomach looking, tanned, happy and in good shape. I believe that there has been no cutting off by digital editing but this is true. The back cover is a little note from Charlie. The DVD consists of approximately 5 ten minute workouts, some run a little over.

At the menu section, ... more

I have never been someone who I would consider overweight but I have one of those figures which go up and down as in, I am thin but if I don't watch I can put on some weight. Lately after Christmas and eating one too many takeaways I started to notice a bit of a mini stomach form, nothing too big but the slightest sign of getting bigger I always take action. Usually I want to keep fit but a personal trainer costs a lot and the gym I never know what plan to do and even when I used to go there I got too muscular that I wasn't happy with the results. I would say that currently I am 2 stone heavier than what I should be, sort of similar to Charlie so I needed some kind of help.

I had flicked through Heat magazine around Christmas time and noticed the list of fitness & workout videos, I narrowed it down to 4 Colleen McLoughlin's dvd, Davina Mccall, Jordan or the Charlie brooks dvd. After looking on DooYoo and Ciao for some help I then went to Amazon and the Charlie Brooks one looked more like my kind of thing. I didn't want to pay £13 for it though incase I didn't like it so I settled for a second-hand copy on eBay which in my opinion looks almost as good as new and is in better condition probably or just the same condition as any store bought.

So the DVD cover is simple enough it is a pink cover with Charlie from a sideways view on the left hand side, looking worn out with a bit of a stomach and then to the right her face on with a toned stomach looking, tanned, happy and in good shape. I believe that there has been no cutting off by digital editing but this is true. The back cover is a little note from Charlie. The DVD consists of approximately 5 ten minute workouts, some run a little over.

At the menu section, you can play the whole DVD through or just go straight to the workout. At first I decided to play the whole thing through to get an idea of the kind of exercises I would have to tackle, it looked quite fun and I wasn't put off by what I was seeing, it looked achievable is what I am trying to say unlike some fitness videos.

At the beginning we see the days when Charlie first tackled the workout, her and her trainer Dee Thresher who seems friendly enough. She was a lot bigger to start with and they take her measurements then, a month goes by and she is weighed and we see she has lost weight then another month goes by and Charlie is happy because she has reached her target weight and looks genuinely like she has come through a lot to get to this stage. S she says if she can do it so can we. I don't ever get the impression when watching the DVD that Charlie is a liar and that she is selling this DVD as a fraud just to make money but I feel she really wants everyone to do what she has and to follow this plan with hope. I was persuaded and so the day came where I was to start.

WARM UP
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At first we see Charlie in her white halter-neck with shorts on looking slim and the same with Dee in shorts too also looking thin, I look and hope that it does the same for me. So the warm up begins, it seems easy enough and goes by quickly. This just takes you into the workout so it shouldn't seem too difficult. Ever since day one of this section I've still felt the same afterwards. It warms you up as it is meant to and also introduces you to some moves which will be used in later sections. There are stretches, some marching, twists, all seems fun enough. This lasts for 10 minutes like all sections then it ends. I usually take 5 minute breaks between all sections because doing them all through with no break would kill you. The warm up is long enough but not tiring so you might not need as long a break after but I like to balance it.

DISCO
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This section is quite fun but isn't my favourite. We learn some moves which make up a routine and then by the end we repeat this routine about 3 times, she does the routine bit by bit so that eventually it is all put together. I agree with what Dee says throughout, it's all about the effort you put into it, if you don't put all your energy into the moves and also have fun no fun then you won't get the best out of it. I feel I try my hardest and try to put my energy into the moves to make it like a workout. I like this section but it lasts the longest and by the end gets repetitive, I still don't find this ridiculously exhausting, it definitely gets the energy levels up higher by the end though. I find this section fun as it is meant to be. I like some of the twists and clapping in this as I feels like a disco and is a new method to workout which I haven't done before, it makes a change from the usual stretches.

COMBAT
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This is my favourite section of the whole DVD. I think it's because it it is dfiferent, it makes me feel fierce and really builds the energy up. It gets your anger out from the day and also I feel it is working. There are a lot of punches, kicks and jumping and by the end I'm usually quite tired but not so much that I have to pause and take time to recover. It is a good section for building up the muscle in your arms and thighs. It's all quick moving and to me this section is not so repetitive and usually passes quite quickly although I'm still glad to hear her say it is finished.

HI-INTENSITY
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This section is the level that you definitely feel most at work on. The name says it all and at first there are a few side steps and when I first did this section I was thinking oh it'll be ok. I hate the repetitiveness of the side step and drags as I find them boring. Then you start doing jumps and star jumps, the move called the sumo when you sort of jump forward in a crouched position and curve in your arms sounds silly but it is tiring as well as the star jumps in sets. Altogether this section is exhausting. I remember the first 2 times I had to pause this section twice to regain my breath but Dee always says if it's too much for you pause and take a break. I now feel after a couple of weeks I no longer need to pause. I'm still not a huge fan of this section but that's only because it is tiring but probably the most effective.

PILATES COOL-DOWN
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This section is a nice break after the section before but it's still not as good as combat to me anyway. It is a few calm stretches then you get down on the floor and do a couple of push ups and then some other stretches, one I just can't seem to do no matter how long I follow the DVD maybe after a month I will. It ends of with you doing leg stretches and Charlie says she felt this section toned her stomach most after her pregnancy. She noticed results after 2 weeks, the leg exercises you can really feel working your stomach. By the end I am glad to sit up turn my head as she says then it ends and you think thankfully it is over. I like the relaxed way about this section, Dee talks in a much softer voice and you won't sweat on this section.

Charlie says the workout should be done 2 to 3 times a week so I usually do it 3 times because I really want to get in shape quick.

The workout is not easy at first on all sections because you are watching the screen to see you are doing things right and I paused to make sure I got the hang of some moves. Now I find I sort of know what is coming so I focus more on the actual exercise. It's like all exercise the more you do it the more you work your body up to it and so it is not as exhausting.

The background of the whole thing is some building with a lot of light and the theme seems to be pink and white which is quite nice. I just exercise in my living room and find it easy enough but it all depends on your room and the layout. I have a carpet in my living room and still find it ok on this.

One thing I definitely recommend is that you drink lots of water while exercising I am always gasping for water and especially after the high intensity section. I usually go through a bottle of water on every workout day which I don't see as bad. The workout takes up a lot of time if you don't have any. I usually pick days I know I won't be rushed because it is important to do all sections to get the best out of this DVD. I usually take just over an hour to complete the whole thing which is ok on days off but not on others.

Dee Thresher is clear on speaking and ads her own input and advice at times which is helpful she also counts a lot which is good because it's easy to follow without looking to see if you're keeping up and once you learn the name of steps it's easy. Dee and Charlie seem like good friends and they have their own chats throughout which is funny and seems natural. It's better than them keeping silent and not talking at all.

One thing I'm not keen on with the DVD is the music it is quite irritating at times and when I really can't be bothered I create an iTunes list and go through my workout just watching the TV and doing it with my own music which can be nice at times and makes you want to work out more. I feel the music on the combat section works though because it fits in with the moves and is less distracting.

There is a diet that goes along with this workout and there are some good options for all meal times which seem nice enough. I don't always stick to the diet on the DVD though as sometimes there is no time. I tend to eat healthy but in my own way and don't feel it has affected my results.

So the part you want to hear has it actually worked. Well I am ending my second week of the DVD and as Charlie said I do feel my stomach is looking more toned and less flabby and also I feel more healthy and toned all over. I have also lost 5 pounds in 2 weeks which to some may be just not enough but for me is really great and I enjoy doing the workout. I would recommend it to those not looking for too strenuous a workout with some fun and honesty.

The DVD can be bought on http://www.amazon.co.uk or you could do the same as me and go to http://www.ebay.co.uk and buy a second hand or new copy cheaper than in stores. Mine cost £6 with postage and I was happy enough. Good luck if you try this.
 

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