Minna Optimizer – Balanced Blend

This one WORKS… Highly Recommended!
This is an excellent video for someone who wants to get fit and lean without fancy dance steps. I bought this DVD because of the good reviews given to it by others and I was not dissapointed. The music wasn’t overpowering, the backup people weren’t annoying, and Minna wasn’t overly peppy. I cannot stand it to watch super-perky instructors that stare at you like a frightened deer and give off this attitude like if you don’t do the steps they’d shoot you in the feet.My favorite workout on this DVD is the “Fat Eliminator” segment. It combines strength moves and cardio for a balanced workout that you can really feel. After over 2 months of doing this video at least 4 times a week, I still find myself sweaty but energized after doing it. This segement has a lot of jumping, lunges, and squats, so if you have weak legs or knees then be careful and watch your form. I am a totally un-coordinated clutz when it comes to dancing or any complicated moves, but these moves were straightforward and I picked them up right away. I actually liked this DVD so much that I bought a copy of the “Fat Eliminator” video for my friend and now she does it every day. I am 5’4″ and used to weigh 128 lbs and now weigh 124 lbs. Yah, 4 pounds doesn’t seem like much to most people, but I am a lot leaner and muscle weighs more than fat. My waist was 29-30″ and flabby and it is now a tighter firmer 27.5″-28″. My flabby but was 39″ and it is now a very firm 37″. I started doing this video without a specific goal, and just wanted to see what I could do with my body if I did it 4 or 5 days a week. I eat a well balanced diet (which I did before, but I still sat around too much), so I guess don’t expect results if you still eat garbage. I have so much energy now that I just want to tell everyone to go out and buy this video! I can’t wait for Minna to come up with a few more videos like this!Oh I guess I should say a thing or two about the “Strength and Grace” portion of this. I have only done this part a few times mostly because I find this segment to be a lot of yoga. It does have some good pilates in it. It almost feels like you’re not doing a workout when you are doing it sometimes, but other times you can really feel the burn. I almost find myself more tired after doing this portion because it really challenges the muscles. If you are a fan of Pilates and Yoga, then you should like the “Strength and Grace” portion.I also own Minna’s Emergency Workout but I don’t use that one quite so much because it is longer and the cardio requires that you do some salsa and mambos and I am a clutz. I also recommend “I want that Body” by Tamilee Webb for some extra sculpting exercises if you want to really firm up. I do that DVD almost as much as I do the Minna DVD. This is a program that works. Try it!

Fitness DVD or Children’s Book?
There is a mix-up on the amazon listing. I thought I was ordering Minna Lessig’s fitness/workout DVD entitled “Optimizer Balanced Blend”, which is what is described in the text/written portion of amazon’s product description. Instead, I received a paperback children’s book entitled “Little Brave Sambo”, which is what is photographed in the illustrated portion of amazon’s product description. Amazon needs to correct its listing so that the customer understands that it is for the children’s paperback book, not the women’s exercise DVD. I’ll keep the book and give it to a cousin who has a toddler. I’d love to figure out how to order the Minna Lessig DVD. Thank you! My 3-star rating is for the quality of the amazon listing, not either the book or the DVD.

This workout is great because I can do all the routines and it is not too difficult; easy to follow and good cues by the instructor. You can get a steady 30 minute workout every night if you want to. This workout includes all parts of your body with strength and cardio rotations, and has a 15 minute optional weight program. Minna is friendly and positive and I look forward to working out with her every night. Also, there is a second – 30 minute yoga inspired workout which I also like as a great option for my off days. It covers more stretching, balance and flexibility; not cardio in this second workout. Not traditional yoga, but I enjoy doing it for my off days to fine tune my body. If you are looking for consistency in your workout plan this workout DVD is a good choice.