FIRM Believers Meet Here- Part Two

[Firm Believers]

We are a group of women who use The Firm series to lose weight, tone up, improve heart health, etc. The purpose of this group is to provide support and to make us accountable for completing our work-outs.

Let's use this group thread to discuss our favorite videos, tweaks we've made to using the videos (added ankle/wrist weights when not called for, increased other weights when we need to boost our workouts), review new videos, share our calories burned (if you have a heart rate monitor) and other successes.

Feel free to join at any time. Don't feel obligated to read the whole thread; just post on the last page with the following information (feel free to add or omit information as you see fit):

Me: name/age
Using The Firm since:
Why I use The Firm:
Why I love The Firm:
Firm Stuff I own:
Favorite Firm Instructor:
Favorite Firm Video:
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008:
Miscellaneous Information:

Please post all updates in red.

If you don't have Firm videos or equipment but you'd like to get some, there are multiple places where you can purchase them. To name a few, you can support CC and buy from Amazon (http://www.constantchatter.com/shop/), you can buy directly from their website (http://www.firmdirect.com), you can buy from Target (online (http://www.target.com) or in-store), you can buy from individual sellers on eBay (http://www.ebay.com), or you can buy from Collage Video (http://www.collagevideo.com).

Also, if you'd like to share motivators, books, recipes, websites, tools, or anything else you can think of that helps you stay motivated, please do!

Your threadmistress is Reenie.

Link to first thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28567).

[Firm Believers]

Active Members

bensgirl1222
Me: Jessica (25)
Using The Firm since: August/September 2008
Why I use The Firm: Trying to lose a few pounds and get into better shape
Why I love The Firm: I will be able to use it at home when DS takes a nap.
Firm Stuff I own: The TransFIRMer System with 3 DVD's
Favorite Firm Instructor:
Favorite Firm Video:
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: I was 108 (lowest I've ever been) but since DS doesnt nurse as often anymore, I gained about 5-6 pounds (since nursing burns calories).
Miscellaneous Information:

Jill1228
Me: Jill
Using The Firm since: on and off since 1999 (now back on dammit)
Why I use The Firm: It is NOT boring and it is a great timesaver. Oh yeah if you stick with it, "results, results that you can see"--Susan Harris
Why I love The Firm: I can do it in the privacy of my home. The instructors are not barbie dolls. It is NOT a fad
Firm Stuff I own: Every damn thing the FIRM has ever put out. Including old school rotation calendars, VHS, DVDs, catalogs, books
Favorite Firm Instructor: Tracie Long and Allie
Favorite Firm Video: Maximum Body Sculpting with Tracie
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: -12 pounds
Miscellaneous Information: in 2000 I did a pilgrimage to the FIRM. Took classes and met instructors

lbs27
Me: lbs27/32
Using The Firm since: Um, can't remember, I think December 04 for the regular series and I bought the Transfirmer about a year after that, I think
Why I use The Firm: Used to go to the gym for aerobics classes and stopped when I changed jobs. I love this because the moves are a lot more like classes than other tapes I've tried
Favorite Firm instructor: I like Allie, but not all of her tapes. I also like Stephanie and Lisa
Favorite Firm Video: AbScuplt, Jiggle Free Abs, Ultimate Calorie Blaster, Supercharged Sculpting
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: -0 lb

meagle
Me: 30
Using The Firm since: January 2005
Why I use The Firm: When all the New Year's resolutioners hit my gym in January, I just want to stay home. The FIRM let me do that in 2005 and I got hooked, although I head back to the gym a bit more after everyone else gives up each March.
Why I love The Firm: I see results quickly and I don't need to be motivated to get dressed and drive to the gym. I can just put on my scuzzy clothes and pop in a DVD.
Firm Stuff I own: System II (Fanny Lifter + Stick), System III (Box), System IV (TransFIRMer), miscellaneous non-prop DVDs released in 2006 and 2007 (with Alison and Allie)
Favorite Firm Instructor: Pam
Favorite Firm Video: Jiggle Free Buns (TransFIRMer)
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: -0 lb

mom2amelia
Me: Cyndi 38
Using The Firm since: December 2007
Why I use The Firm: seems to get good feedback and I want something for home use
Why I love The Firm: I'll love it if it works.
Firm Stuff I own: TransFIRMer and the accompanying videos, and Total Body Time-Crunch and Bootcamp Max Calorie Burn (on their way to me)
Favorite Firm Instructor: So far, Allie
Favorite Firm Video: Aerobic Body Shaping
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: -0 lb
Miscellaneous Information: I am a serial dieter/exerciser and I'm determined to make a permanent lifestyle change so I can be healthier and set a good example for my kids

Reenie
Me: Reenie, 27
Using The Firm since: off and on since January 2004; restarted January 2007
Why I use The Firm: to lose weight, tone up, and be heart healthy
Why I love The Firm: most of the instructors look "real,"� I see results quickly, privacy of using at home, convenience of being at home
Firm Stuff I own: BSS I and videos, BSS II and videos, BSS III and videos, Transfirmer and videos, TransFIRMation system, many props and multiple other miscellaneous videos
Favorite Firm Instructor: Allie Del Rio Pointer, Stephanie Huckabee, and Nancy Tucker
Favorite Firm Video(s): AbSculpt (Lisa) from BSS I; Max Cardio Burn (Allie); Fat Blasting Cardio (Lisa) from BSS3; Express Cardio (Stephanie) from BSS3; Ultimate Calorie Blaster (Stephanie) from TransFIRMer; Calorie Killer 1 (Nancy); Super Cardio (spliced tape) from Cross-Trainers
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: -0 lb and -0 inches
Miscellaneous Information: I love Spark People (http://www.sparkpeople.com) for tracking exercise, calories burned, and entering food and water intake (currently doing 1200-1550 kcal/day, 55% carbs, 15% protein, 30% fat); I also LOVE cardio, like ab work, and HATE sculpting

Scoutesina
Me: Scoutesina/33
Using The Firm since: Used it from Jan.-July 2005, am trying to get back to it at least a couple times a week
Why I use The Firm: The tapes helped me lose 35 lbs. over about 8 months last year. I've kept it off with walking, but I need to get back to weight-bearing exercise, especially tummy and upper arm toning.
Firm Stuff I own: I'm such a cheapskate, and I'm adamant that being healthy doesn't have to be costly. I bought 7 or 8 Firm tapes off half.com (thanks to a heads-up from my pal Reenie--most were about 99 cents plus $3 shipping). I use my trusty ten-year-old Denise Austin step instead of the Fanny Lifter, a broomstick and 3-, 5-, and 10-lb. hand weights instead of the Sculpting Stick. I don't have any of the newer Transfirmer series tapes so I don't know how/if I could improvise those.
Favorite Firm Instructor: the blonde lady with the Southern accent. It's been so long, I can't remember her name
Favorite Firm Video: I have some of the older ones but can't remember the names of my favorites. My least favorite is a really, really old one that's all arm-work, but sadly, that is what I need most.
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: -0 lb

Shannon Michelle
Me: Shannon 23
Using The Firm since: hmm about 2 months
Why I use The Firm:keeps me motivated
Why I love The Firm:i can feel the results
Firm Stuff I own: 4 videos
Favorite Firm Instructor: Allison Davis
Favorite Firm Video: Maximum Calorie burn Bootcamp
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: 25 pounds
Miscellaneous Information:i have about 10 pounds to go, and im looking for tips, tricks, support, and motivation!

Sue
Me: Sue, 34
Using The Firm since: early 2006
Why I use The Firm: to lose weight and tone up
Why I love The Firm: the results!, convenience
Firm Stuff I own: Transfirmer and videos, random DVD's
Favorite Firm Instructor:
Favorite Firm Video: Ultimate Calorie Blaster
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: -0 lb
Miscellaneous Information: I am also doing WW, I haven't been too motivated during the holidays, but it's time to kick it into high gear. During the summer when I was doing WW and The Firm, I lost close to 20 lbs. - and I was nicely toned.

[Firm Believers]

Need Updates!

311girl update needed!
Me: Angelique
Using The Firm since: end of November 2007
Why I use The Firm: I can do it in the privacy of my own time whenever I want and I can save money by not paying a monthly gym membership
Why I love The Firm: the exercises mix everything from dance to kickboxing and pilates and more; the instructors are "real"
Firm Stuff I own: The TransFIRMmation kit (4 DVDs, weights, starter booklet)
Favorite Firm Instructor: not sure yet; I haven't worked out with them all
Favorite Firm Video: Cardio Overdrive
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: -0 lb
Miscellaneous Information: also on the Weight Watchers Flex plan

amtaylor update needed!
Me: Amber - 28
Using The Firm since: Tonight 8/7/07
Why I use The Firm: A few people asked "are you pregnant?" Nope... gave birth 22 months ago I also really enjoy classes, but don't have the time to go to a real gym
Why I love The Firm: Something about it caught my eye a few years ago.
Firm Stuff I own: The transFIRMer and the 3 DVDs that came with it
Favorite Firm Instructor:
Favorite Firm Video:
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007:
Miscellaneous Information:

bamboo update needed!
Me: Bre/28
Using The Firm since: About 6 months before my wedding (2004), and just started again
Why I use The Firm: It felt like the best in-home workout of a bunch of workout tapes I tried back before my wedding. It's winter and rainy where I live right now, and I'm still holding onto some baby weight I want to lose.
Why I love The Firm: Good workouts, and I really like the mix of weights and cardio.
Firm Stuff I own: Fanny Lifter and Ab Sculpt/Cardio Sculpt/Body Sculpt DVDs
Favorite Firm Instructor: Allie
Favorite Firm Video: Cardio Sculpt, it's a little bit of everything
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007: none yet!
Miscellaneous Information:

bethnjim update needed!
Me: Beth/28
Using The Firm since: 3/3/07
Why I use The Firm: Because when I used it before my wedding, I saw huge results within 10 workouts
Why I love The Firm: It is designed for women and it seems to target the areas I carry fat in
Firm Stuff I own: I own the first series they came out with that included the box
Favorite Firm Instructor: Allie
Favorite Firm Video: Cardio
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007: Let's see, I started at 255 and I am now down to 230 so that would be a -25. I have dropped from a 22-24 to a 16-18.
Miscellaneous Information: My husband and I are starting to try this summer for a baby, which is why I want to be in shape.

cha4ya update needed!
Me: Chawon Smith/29
Using The Firm since: November 2006
Why I use The Firm: I wanted to loose weight before my 30th birthday.
Why I love The Firm: I am in the best shape of my life now!
Firm Stuff I own: Incline box, bar, videos
Favorite Firm Instructor: Pam ?
Favorite Firm Video: Like them all
Total lbs lost in 2007: 26
Miscellaneous Information: I use the firm video twice a week, and I also run 5 miles three times a week. I have seriously transformed my body. I am leaner more tone, and I can fit into old pants from my college days! I can also wear a bikini now!!

cocoa femme update needed!
Me: Bree, 29
Using The Firm since: This coming Monday (1/8) .
Why I use The Firm: I plan on using The Firm, because of the "results in 10 workouts" promise. We'll see...
Why I love The Firm: I haven't used it yet, but I love the convenience of doing it in my own home. Hopefully, I'll get some results.
Firm Stuff I own: I have the TransFIRMer Series (including 4 videos and the TransFIRMer).
Favorite Firm Instructor: Not sure yet. I'll let you know.
Favorite Firm Video: TBD
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007: TBD, but I'd like to lose 15 - 20 lbs.
Miscellaneous Information: I haven't started The Firm yet. I plan on doing so on Monday.

Foley42 update needed!
Me: Lindsay/24
Using The Firm since: I've had it for a year, but used it less than 10 times.
Why I use The Firm: I need to get my butt off the couch!
Why I love The Firm: upbeat, you can use in it in the privacy of your home
Firm Stuff I own: TransFirmer and 4 DVDs

[Firm Believers]

Jeannina2798 update needed!
Me: Jeannina 37 years old
Using The Firm since: 1989
Why I use The Firm: Love it! Can work out at home!
Why I love The Firm: Love using weights, sooo empowering, great instructers!
Firm Stuff I own: Every thing they ever made pretty much...over 80 DVD's, still have about 20 VHS, all original weights, barbell, ankle weights, wrist weights, wooden steps, all heights, towell, clothes, hat, rotation calendar, catalogues, all 3 new steps, sculpting bar, wooden dowell, ball, and all 12 fitprime workouts also, which are from the original firm inventors, I am sure there is more I can't think of now! LOL
Favorite Firm Instructor: Allie
Favorite Firm Video: Always loved the originals, Vol 4,5, and 6, ut love new ones too!
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: not sure really

Jenn-A update needed!
Me: Jennifer - 29 (30 in April!!) Age is just a number
Using The Firm since: 1995 on & off
Why I use The Firm: a complete total body workout & you will find results if you are committed & change your eating habits (I hate to admit!)
Why I love The Firm: same as above
Firm Stuff I own: The fanny lifter & the BS videos, the transfirmer with all 5 dvd's, the transfirmation with 4 videos, CD Slim Down, Bootcamp Maximum Calorie Burn, CD Fusion (just got it!), Total Body toner, Slim & Sculpt Stability ball, Total body time-crunch, JUST ORDERED: Core Solutions, Burn & Shape, Cardo to go ( I hope Annie is not so boring), Balance Trainer Kit, Cardio Sculpting Balls Kit, & pre-ordered cardio overdrive.
Favorite Firm Instructor: Allie & Allison w/o a doubt
Least Favorite Firm Instructor: (I added this one) Annie Lee
Favorite Firm Video: Cardio Party & Hard Core Fusion (I love the way that Allie is so positive & uplifting & it's about being healthy, not just looking good.) (I like most even though I tend to call them bad words & wonder how they can complete these workouts w/o breaking a sweat, like maybe the studio is freezing cold!)
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: started out at 170, down to 150.2 as of 3/25/08 -20lbs. & -16"Miscellaneous Information: I have been married for 11.5 years & we are still honeymooning Patrick is the love of my life & I couldn't do w/o him. I have 2 beautiful, healthy daughters, Abigail - 7 & Emma - 4. My goal for 2008 is to get back to a healthy weight & feel good about myself. My girls are always asking why mom doesn't wear a 2 pc. bathing suit, so I have committed to making this the year! The firm is so uplifting & positive & very addicting.

Lily update needed!
Me: Erica/27
Using The Firm since: Just ordered it online.
Why I use The Firm: To lose my baby weight.
Firm Stuff I own: Excercise Ball & DVD's
Favorite Firm Instructor: Not Sure Yet
Favorite Firm Video: Not Sure Yet
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007: -1.5 so far

Lizzie Beth update needed!
Me: Beth/32
Using The Firm since: used it for about 6 mos. until I got pg w/ my first daughter, Susannah
Why I use The Firm: It doesn't seem as cheesy as the others
Why I love The Firm: Good workouts, and I really like the mix of weights and cardio.
Firm Stuff I own: Fanny Lifter and the stick thingy
Favorite Firm Instructor: Allie
Favorite Firm Video: Cardio Sculpt
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007: no idea
Miscellaneous Information: I had my second daughter, Kate, last November

meggers update needed!
Me: Meghan/28
Using The Firm since: first used it in 2003
Why I use The Firm: I have a lot a weight to lose
Why I love The Firm: It works
Firm Stuff I own: Fanny Lifter, Sculpting Stick, The Box, & a bunch of DVDs
Favorite Firm Instructor: not sure
Favorite Firm Video: not sure
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007: none yet
Miscellaneous Information:

phoenics update needed!
Me: phoenics/34
Using The Firm since: 1999, but I fell off and have decided to pick it up again in 2008
Why I use The Firm: When I started to use it in 99, I did 10 workouts and lost 1.5 inches from around my hips - INSANE! And when I did those 10 workouts, I did them without weights. Eventually I worked up to weights, but then my life changed drastically (switched grad schools, had massive stress, etc.) and never got back into it again, even though the results were so great. I remember being winded having to go up 3 flights of stairs at our department building when in grad school and then after 2 weeks, I could basically run up them!
Why I love The Firm: Uh - I guess the above. But to elaborate, I love the fact that I gain muscle and lose fat with this routine. I used to have a very sculpted body (well, my abs were ripped and I had very defined legs). I also love the fact that the videos are not fad-ish. They simply work and it's almost like you're training for something. I had taken up fencing (epee and foil) and I slacked away from that too. I am hoping that by using The FIRM religiously for 3 months, that I might be able to go back to my fencing class about 30-40 pounds lighter and be able to wield my epee and foil much better (they get heavy). So, I not only want to lose weight and tone up considerably, I want to be in peak condition to take up fencing again.
Firm Stuff I own: Tortiose/Hare, Upper Body/Standing Legs, Low Impact Aerobics, - I own so many I can't remember them all. And it's been a while since I've used them that I can't remember all of the names. But that will change.
Favorite Firm Instructor: Janet Jones Gretsky - she was the first tape I got and something about her voice and tone - 'It's tough isn't it...' as she looks perfect with no sweat, lol!
Favorite Firm Video: Low Impact Aerobics. But I also love the Standing Legs and Upper Body vids because they combine a lot of routines into a shorter one. I just can't do an hour-long workout. 40-45 minutes works for me in the mornings.
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2008: -0 lb
Miscellaneous Information: I turn 35 in February and I really want to drop the weight I gained while in graduate school (which is a lot). Grad school also coincided with a relationship that ended badly in 2001 (when the weight gain basically stopped - hmmmm). My ex had HORRIBLE eating habits. Horrible. He ate late in the day, skipped meals, etc... and I picked up those bad habits when I used to eat six small healthy meals a day and I was also very active. I want my pre-graduate school and pre-ex-fiance body BACK!

zoeyzo update needed!
Me:31
Using the firm since: 5 weeks ago
Why I use the firm: I need to lose the weight that has been creaping up over the years
Why I love the firm: It challenging and I can do it at home after work
Firm stuff I own: Transfirmer and 3 videos that come with it
Favorite firm instructor: Allie
Favorite firm video: Supercharged Sculpting
Total pounds lost: 11
Total Inches lost: 6

[Firm Believers]

Second saved :)

[Firm Believers]

OPEN FOR POSTING
C'mon, you know you wanna join! :D

[Reenie]

From the old thread
Checking in with ABS. Wasn't feeling it today, but managed anyway. I'm thinking I need some new cardio+weights videos, along the lines of ABS and CAWT. I still like the Bootcamp but am getting a little bored with ABS and CAWT was never a favorite. Any suggestions?
Didn't want to short you of responses, Lori, so I hope you won't mind that I moved this over here. :)

[Sue]

Holy crap!! A new thread!! Be back later to check in with my workout...

Congrats on losing the 4 pounds Reenie, hopefully with a couple of days of good eating and working out, I lose a few myself!

[Sue]

UFB this morning for 353. I'll update my stats after work...

[Reenie]

Checking in with FIRM Cardio for 231 cals; not a real burner but I could feel my muscles trembling on a few.

Great job on the pre-work workout, Sue. Still crossing my fingers for the late schedule for next year so I could do the same. :)

[meagle]

YIPPEE for the new thread! ScS tonight for - gosh, I can't remember. It was 250 or so. More soon!

[Sue]

JF Arms this morning for 190. I'm going to do another tonight, maybe Total Body Time Crunch, I haven't gotten to that one yet...

[Reenie]

Express Cardio for 223 and FIRM Abs segment 2 for 35 cals. :p

meagle and Sue Great job on the workouts! :)

[Sue]

TBTC for 359 tonight... First time doing the workout, got a little messed up on some of the footwork, but overall not a bad video.

We're on a roll Reenie!

Hey Lori, where are you??!?!

[lbs27]

I'm here!! :D :D

Great job on the workouts ladies! I can't believe we're on our second thread--that's so awesome! Thanks Reenie for staying on top of it (yet another thing to stay on top of!). :)

[Sue]

FBC this morning for 297. I took yesterday off, muscles were sore from TBTC and I didn't get a lot of sleep the night before. I'm going to try to fit in another workout tonight to make up for it.

[Sue]

Yeah, I have a death wish... Super Cardio for 561 tonight :eek: You can SO tell I don't do it very often :p Then I did most of Ab Sculpt... I have a get together tomorrow night, then my DH's holiday party on Satuday night, so I'm preparing!

[lbs27]

Sue--holy crap! Great job and great calories burned! :D

[Jill1228]

I did the Express version of Cardio Overdrive. i also did 15 minutes of weight work. Burned 316 calories

[Sue]

Checking in with UCB for 359.

Lori I KNOW!!! I do SC once in a blue moon, so I'm not as used to the moves.

[meagle]

Not doing so well with workouts this week... :( DH had surprise surgery to remove his appendix on Wednesday, so much of my usual workout time has been spent at the hospital and/or nursing DH. I'm hoping to do something small today, maybe even one of my 15 minutes for dummies workouts. If there's a silver lining, it's that I haven't been eating a lot.

[Sue]

meagle I hope DH is feeling better soon!

TBTC today for 408. I had the get together last night and ate like a pig! Crackers, cheese, pepperoni, pigs in a blanket, cookies... I am so happy I ate light yesterday. Tonight is my DH's holiday party - with WI tomorrow! Eating light again today, hopefully there will be some good stuff for me to eat so I don't gorge on the bad stuff!

[lbs27]

meagle--wow, I hope your DH is back on his feet soon!

Sue--great job with the workouts. How do you like TBTC? Can you give me a brief recap/overview? Is it cardio and weights?

Checking in with SuperCardio today. I did it first thing this morning before coffee and breakfast and I was huffing and puffing! I like that it gets my heart going but it's really because it's all jogging and jumping around like an idiot. I'm not sure I feel like I'm "working" other than that. Oh, and the constant upright rows and bicep curls and glute lifts. I find jen's section with the hamstring curl/upright row and whatever the leg thing is/bicep curl part especially particularly hard. And of course, the damn plyos. ;)

[Sue]

Sue--great job with the workouts. How do you like TBTC? Can you give me a brief recap/overview? Is it cardio and weights?

I like it... The cardio takes a little bit to pick up, but this was my 2nd time and I pretty much had it down. It's cardio and weights, broken down into 4 sections - 2 of each, alternating. The way that they always "add on" during the cardio segments, she adds on in the weights. One body part, then add another, then sometimes adding a third.


Checking in with SuperCardio today. I did it first thing this morning before coffee and breakfast and I was huffing and puffing! I like that it gets my heart going but it's really because it's all jogging and jumping around like an idiot. I'm not sure I feel like I'm "working" other than that. Oh, and the constant upright rows and bicep curls and glute lifts. I find jen's section with the hamstring curl/upright row and whatever the leg thing is/bicep curl part especially particularly hard. And of course, the damn plyos. ;)

That kills me everytime!! The 5 glute lift repeater segment knocks me on my butt all the time!

[lbs27]

Checking in again with Ab Sculpt. :p Sue--thanks for the review, maybe I'll pick that one up. Yeah, the 5 glute repeater is a pain also--overall, I like the variety of the different sections, but I think within a single section there's a lot of repetitive stuff.

[Reenie]

I've had an upper respiratory infection all week, and having trouble breathing as a result, so I didn't work out.

lbs27 Ugh, Jen's section kills me because it is SO much longer than the others. I think the one I hate the most is where you run forward, plyo, run backward, plyo.

Sue Great loss this week even with your events! :)

meagle Hope your DH is on the mend.

Jill Great job on the workouts!

[Reenie]

OMG, I gained 5.6 pounds and 6.5 inches in the last four weeks! :eek: That's what I get for skipping about half of my workouts over the last two rotations and eating like a major pig! Blah. I have to get this back off (how come it piles on so much easier and faster than it comes off?! :mad: )

December 2: Calorie Killer BURNED 325 CALS
December 3: Total Body Sculpt plus Abs BURNED 277 CALS
December 4*
December 5*
December 6*: Maximum Cardio Burn plus Abs
December 7*: Complete Aerobics and Weight Training
December 8*: Super Cardio BURNED 514 CALS
December 9: Aerobic Body Shaping plus bonus lower body workout BURNED 401 CALS
December 10: Fat Blasting Cardio BURNED 218 CALS
December 11: Hi-Def Sculpt BURNED 205 CALS
December 13: Ultimate Calorie Blaster plus bonus abs workout
December 14: Complete Body Sculpting
December 16: Super Cardio
December 17: Super Body Sculpt
December 18: Express Cardio
December 19: Hard Core Fusion
December 21: Total Muscle Shaping
December 22: OOT- CARDIO
December 23: OOT- CARDIO
December 24: OOT- CARDIO
December 26: OOT- CARDIO
December 27: OOT- CARDIO
December 28: OOT- CARDIO
December 29: OOT- CARDIO
December 30: Body Sculpt
December 31: Ultimate Calorie Blaster plus bonus abs workout

So that's my plan. I will be leaving December 14 and coming home December 16 for my annual Christmas shopping trip, and I will be leaving December 21 and coming home December 30 for Christmas travel, so we'll see what I can get in while I'm at the mercy of my hosts in two different homes.

I also added two workouts and plan on taking my measurements on December 31 so that I can total my yearly losses.

[Reenie]

Checking back in with Calorie Killer for 325 cals.

[Sue]

I took today off, with the threat of yucky weather I wanted to get out of the house and go where I needed to.

Reenie You'll get it off in no time, once you get back into a routine :) I'm a little annoyed with my WI, when I weighed myself Sat. morn I was 130! I guess with the late eating, it didn't have a chance to work it's way out and I'm sure all the sodium filled foods didn't help either!

[lbs27]

Checking in with CAWT with Emily "the sculpting stick is so versatile" Walsh. :D Eating hasn't been great--work was really busy this week and I never went food shopping for the week for some reason which meant, skipping 2 lunches because I didn't have time to run across the street to get my Lean Cuisine. :o I really hate doing that. My weight is pretty stuck at this point, I can't seem to get down to what I was about 4 months ago--I think because I eat to maintain and not lose. Hopefully I can keep it up during the holidays--luckily I'm not feeling like indulging in the goodies, so hopefully that will help. But MIL always has tons of really yummy homeade cookies and I know I hit those hard last year. :o

Great job on the workouts and loss (I'm guessing!) Sue. Reenie--I agree with Sue, I think you had said this last month would be tough with 2 thanksgivings and comps, plus your usual busy-ness. So, I'm sure once you get back to your program, the weight will come off. :)

[meagle]

Checking in with the express version of COD tonight for 212 calories. I also did about 30 minutes of weights on Friday evening - mostly upper body but also some abs and some lunges and squats.

Thanks for all the well wishes for DH! He's doing much better. I'm kind of mad at myself because I definitely could have done a DVD on Saturday but I just didn't feel like it. It's been quite a while since I only did two FIRM workouts within a week and I'm having flashbacks to what happens when I slack off like that. :( I know it's just one week, but I've been making such progress lately.... The good news is, my new videos from Amazon have already shipped, so they should be here in the next couple of days. There's usually nothing like new workouts to make me feel better and keep me out of a rut.

I hope to be back with shout outs later. Great job on all the workouts over the past several days, gals!

[Reenie]

Checking in with Total Sculpt plus Abs with Jen for 277 cals. I figured out why I hate sculpting videos so much... I like it when my heart gets pumping from the cardio, and I don't get that so much with sculpting. I know I'm using heavy enough weights because my muscles often tremble on the last rep or two, so yeah, I just don't prefer scupting.

Sue Yeah, we had that storm on Saturday. It was nasty! Very, very icy and dangerous because the ice covered snow. But then yesterday it was 50 here and rained to wash it all away. Crazy!

lbs Ah yes, the homemade Christmas cookies. Which are your faves?

meagle I know what you mean about just not feeling it. Don't be like me... it wasn't a pretty measure-in. :p

[Jill1228]

Checking in with FIRM Basics Fat burning

It is sudden but I am going on vacay starting Saturday night. This past Friday, DH's mother was dx with pancreatic cancer. she always wanted to go on a cruise so DH is sending her on one. I will be escorting her...tough work if you can get it

[Sue]

Checking in with Bootcamp for 460 calories...

Reenie One of our dogwoods snapped in half from the weight of the ice! We didn't get hit too bad, more of an inconvenience.

Lori Mmmm cookies!! I have to plan my baking schedule for the season, I hope I can behave myself! I'm going to be making 5 kinds of cookies, a couple of bar cookies and a pie and cakes!

[lbs27]

meagle--great job with the homemade workout additions!

APhiJill--sorry to hear about your MIL's diagnosis--I hope she's ok. Very jealous about the cruise! My parents just returned from a 10 day cruise on Sunday and they're cruising to Italy and Greece in the spring--how awesome does that sound!!

Reenie--Woot on the workouts! :D I hear ya on the cardio, but for me it's more about the variety within the video. I don't mind the sculpt only videos--sometimes my heartrate gets up a little--it's the cardio+sculpt that I hate. :p

Sue--Yay for Bootcamp! How do you like it?

Yeah, holiday cookies. :) Last year I discovered a recipe for cranberry-orange biscotti that were amazing. Wound up making several batches. I also made a couple new desserts for T-giving last year and made them each as a trial run, so that was where the weight gain came in. My MIL is a big barefoot contessa fan (as am I), so a lot of the cookies were hers: butter cookies, rugelach (which were so good!), coconut macaroons..hmm.. those are the ones I remember. I'm having a craving for the biscotti again already. :rolleyes:

[Sue]

I like it, but the plyometrics and lunges kick my butt!!!

[lbs27]

Yeah, that segment where you lunge and jump and then switch legs and lunge and jump hurts like a bitch! Why is that so hard?! :o

[Sue]

I haven't made it all the way through that one yet :o If I try, I feel like my legs are going to give out on me!

[mom2amelia]

Can I join? or at least follow along and post newbie questions every now and then? I just bought a transFIRMer and the accompanying videos. That's all the Firm stuff I have so far, but I'm looking to get more. Currently, I work out at the gym about 5 days/week. I wanted some home workouts because I can get that done early in the morning before the kids wake-up and still have my whole day to get other stuff done.

Anyway, I've done all 3 of the videos that came with the system. I can't remember the titles, but I just did the sculpt one today. It wasn't horrible. I liked it much better than the straight cardio one that almost killed me!! I was expecting to like the cardio the best, but I wasn't wild about the instructor. The cardio-sculpt was good, but I spent half the video trying to catch up!

So, I need to lose about 15 - 20lbs and I want to get some muscle definition. Anyone have suggestions of must-have videos? I have the step thingy and some weights, but that's it for my home equip.

Oh, I'm Cyndi btw.

[lbs27]

Welcome, Cyndi! Your avatar is so cute! You're more than welcome to post any newbie questions--we're a very friendly and helpful bunch. We also have a variety of interests as far as the Firm goes--some like cardio, some like sculpt, etc. As far as the Transfirmer videos go, the cardio+sculpt one does take some getting used to--they move between segments pretty fast! I like Ultimate Calorie Blaster from that series, but Stephanie is definitely not my favorite--particularly in that video. There are others where I find her leading less annoying. :D

[Reenie]

Hi Cyndi! If you want to be on our members page up front, do you want to fill out the membership info:

Me: name/age
Using The Firm since:
Why I use The Firm:
Why I love The Firm:
Firm Stuff I own:
Favorite Firm Instructor:
Favorite Firm Video:
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007:
Miscellaneous Information:

(Oh, BTW to other FIRM Believers, I will be changing the Total lost in 2007 to 2008 when we get to the new year if you want to track yourselves).

Anyway, as Lori said, we'll be happy to help you with anything you need. I find that I need a couple of tries with any new video because I usually hate them until I get all of the moves (um, I'm a bit of a perfectionist :o ). Some of it will be personal preference... like I HATE sculpting and LOVE cardio. But I know (and have seen!) the benefits of both. Might I suggest that you also take measurements in addition to doing the scale? Some months, I've made very little progress on the scale but lost several inches (although the last month I gained all over the place... but that was about poor eating choices in addition to workout slack off).

Taking today off since I had grad school tonight. Class tomorrow, then again next Wednesday and I WILL BE FINISHED! :D

Jill So sorry to hear about your MIL. :( My BF's mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last Thanksgiving and is still holding out strong. I hope you all can enjoy the cruise.

Lori Yum, anything cranberry orange is good in my book. I have a recipe for cranberry cookies with orange glaze that is pretty yummy!

Sue Ugh, I hate plyos, they always kick my butt! (ETA: OMG, totally just chart-stalked you. :eek: :D)

[Sue]

Welcome Cyndi!!

Like Lori and Reenie said, we all have certain types of workouts we like... My likes and dislikes are based on what works best for my body. I tend to bulk up easily, especially in my legs, so I prefer cardio and cardio+sculpt videos, I rarely do a sculpt workout unless it's upper body specific. I usually modify the legs workouts - lighter weights - because the cardio is usually is enough to tone my legs, especially with the step. OTOH, I like my upper body very toned, so I tend to up the weights in those segments.

I took today off because my DH was up late last night watching the football game and woke me up at midnight when he finally came to bed. I'll probably double up on Thursday to make up for it.

Reenie I KNOW!!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek:

[lbs27]

Sue--:eek:!!

[Sue]

Sue--:eek:!!

I KNOW!!!!!

[meagle]

Sue - :eek::eek::eek: ;)

Welcome Cyndi! It's not a TransFIRMer system video, but I love Total Body Time Crunch. It's a newer DVD released this year. You just need weights and some room to do it. There's also a shorter, 'express' option. I recommend it to everyone, even those who usually don't do the FIRM.

Reenie - I can't believe you're so close to being done with grad school. That's FABULOUS!

Jill - I'm sorry to hear about your MIL's diagnosis. I hope the cruise is wonderful for both of you.

Lori - Mmmmm.... Biscotti. You're really evil for putting that in my head.
------

DH is feeling tons better. He's not 100%, but it much closer to 'normal.'

Checking in w/ the real express version of TBTC (not just my 'eek! - it's been 30 minutes already, time to quit' version) Monday for 165 calories. I did the new Total Body Toner tonight for 352. It is intense, probably because it's Allie. I don't think I've really seen her do anything that was billed as sculpting. I really enjoyed it, though. There were lots of new, fun moves and it was a good workout without making me ache while I did it. I was even able to do all the ab work! I'm starting to get the hang of real planks vs. cheater/beginner planks.

I was bummed because I also got Cardio Sculpt Fusion but from what I can tell, it's Total Body Lite, which I already have! (Guess what my sister's getting for Christmas. :rolleyes: ) I know the FIRM has repackaged titles before, but I've never seen them do that within the same calendar year. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. :mad:

[Jill1228]

Sue :eek: :D

I did Cardio Dance Slimdown last night--I am in the process of moving the workout room. I was able to use a portion that wasn't carpeted. I am glad no one was watching :D

Can I vent about MIL?
Her doctor still has not called her to discuss treatment options or prognosis...WTF? I told her to call him and she was like "it is so hard to get hold of him". BULLSHIT. The squeaky wheel gets the greast. Grow a pair and f*cking call him already. Don't stop until you hear his voice. Hell, we have unlimited calls to Canada so it ain't on your dime (or ours)

Ok vent over
I am about to head to WW

[mom2amelia]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I'll have to come back and give my stats at some point, but I'm running out the door.

Welcome Cyndi! It's not a TransFIRMer system video, but I love Total Body Time Crunch. It's a newer DVD released this year. You just need weights and some room to do it. There's also a shorter, 'express' option. I recommend it to everyone, even those who usually don't do the FIRM.

Thanks for the rec. I'd actually like some vids that don't use the step because the space I use for videos is really narrow and I find myself bumping into the couch, a lot!

I didn't workout this morning despite hauling my fat tush out of bed at 6am (even though my 1 year old had me up at 4am screaming - her, not me). We got a new-to-us TV last night and my DH and step-dad never tested the dvd player when they hooked it up. Forget that it took me 25 minutes to figure out how to get the frickin thing to show a video, once it started playing THERE WAS NO AUDIO. :mad: I was sooooooooo pissed. I ate a fat ton of potato latkes (pancakes) last night in celebration of the first night of Hanukkah, knowing that I was going to do a hour of cardio and burn those suckers off in the morning. So now I am just a big fat potato latke.

ok, now I really have to go. Thanks again for the welcome.

[Sue]

Checking in with UCB for 350 tonight.

[lbs27]

Got home early from work, had a crappy day, am totally PMSed and didn't have to cook, so I worked out. :D Checking in with UFB. I am still completely in awe of Alison's body. She's really in good shape, but I also think she's really tall which helps her look leaner. At least that's what I tell myself. :p

[Sue]

Sorry you had a crappy day, Lori. I love Alison's body too! Not too thin, nicely toned, great abs!

JF Arms this morning for 231. I was going to double up, but I'm a little tired :)

[mom2amelia]

Sue - don't overdo it!! ;)

I did Aerobic Body Sculpt - or something like that - with Allie this morning. I like that one a lot. I don't know my calories because I still don't have a HRM. I was hoping for one for Hanukkah, but I don't think I'm getting one.

Do these videos make anyone else really hungry? I swear I've been hungrier in the past week doing these videos than I ever was with my workouts at the gym.

ETA:
Me: Cyndi 38
Using The Firm since: December 2007
Why I use The Firm: seems to get good feedback and I want something for home use
Why I love The Firm: I'll love it if it works.
Firm Stuff I own: TransFIRMer and the accompanying videos, and Total Body Time-Crunch and Bootcamp Max Calorie Burn (on their way to me)
Favorite Firm Instructor: So far, Allie
Favorite Firm Video: Aerobic Body Sculpt
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007: -18 lbs
Miscellaneous Information: I am a serial dieter/exerciser and I'm determined to make a permanent lifestyle change so I can be healthier and set a good example for my kids

[Sue]

I'm trying not to :) But I'm gonna do it while I still can!

UFB this morning for 373.

[lbs27]

Sue and Mom2Amelia--Great job ladies!

Mom2Amelia--Bootcamp is one of my new favorites--it's hard! I think I'm going to ask for TBTC for Chanukah/Christmas--it seems to be a favorite around here! :)

ETA: Checking in with UCB. I'm glad I fit in 2 Firm workouts this week in addition to biking--I made chocolate chip cookies on Tuesday!

[lbs27]

Quiet in here... :)
Checking in with Max Cardio Burn and JF Abs. Still feel like eating everything in sight (PMS) and trying to be good. Got a Chanukkah present shipped from my grandparents on Thursday--chocolate covered strawberries--yum! It's funny, they got me, my sister and my parents gifts from Edible Arrangements, and they all got fruit arrangements (like where they put the fruit on skewers to look like flowers) whereas DH and I got chocolate and fruit. I'm the skinny one of the family, so I guess that's why. :rolleyes: I think there are 12 strawberries, but half are white chocolate which I don't really care for, so at least I won't eat the *whole* box. And DH won't help since the chocolate is contaminated by fruit. :rolleyes: I told him to just eat the chocolate (which is actually really good, not fake tasting) and he won't even do that since it will have strawberry on it. :D

[Reenie]

Checking in with Super Cardio for 514. That's bittersweet because I have always wanted to burn more than 500 in a workout and it's a first, but at the same time, I know I wouldn't have hit that if I hadn't let my fitness level decline a bit in the last several weeks.

For anyone who has Comcast On-Demand in her cable package, I noticed that they have 15-minute FIRM segments of Bootcamp Max Calorie Burn, Cardio Dance Slimdown, Cardio Overdrive, Hi-Def Sculpt, and Total Body Time Crunch; they're perfect for previewing, IMO. To get there, get to your On-Demand menu, select "Sports & Fitness" category, select "Exercise TV" category, and then select "The FIRM." In that category, they'll show you the video choices. Cool! I previewed TBTC last night. :)

meagle Hope everything is going great with your DH!

Jill Have a fantastic time on the cruise!

Lori Yep, I would be thrilled to have Alison's abs. I also think that Rebekah has an AWESOME body (I think hers is my fave of them all). Great job on the workouts. I love the edible arrangements fruit arrangements. :)

mom2amelia So annoying about the no audio. :rolleyes: I hate it when I'm all motivated and then something out of my control gets in the way. You still have a few more nights of Chanukah, right? Maybe the HRM will still happen. But if not, maybe you can get it for yourself as a reward when you reach a mini-goal or something? I am definitely hungrier with The FIRM than I ever was with Curves or straight cardio. Maybe it's the weights? I'll get you added to page 1 member list right after this post. :)

Sue Glad to hear you're listening to your body and continuing to FIRM. I will be really interested to watch your experience because I hope to follow your lead.

[Firm Believers]

Updated.
Welcome, mom2amelia! :)

[lbs27]

Reenie--great job with Super Cardio! :) And thanks for the tip about On-Demand! I do have it and have looked through some of the health and fitness but it's been awhile and the Firm wasn't there when I looked. I will definitely check it out since I just asked for TBTC for Chanukkah/Christmas--woohoo! I don't know which one Rebekah is--I don't think I have any videos with her in it? Off to watch Firm on On Demand...

ETA: Is Emily pregnant (or just had a baby) in TBTC? Also just realized that Rebekah is leading TBTC--yeah, she's definitely got a nice body. I'm tired just watching the warmup. :)

[Reenie]

Is Emily pregnant (or just had a baby) in TBTC?

You know, it's funny because I asked my DH if he thought that when I was previewing it. I remember reading that she's always had trouble with her weight, and all of the others in that video are really super-slim and toned in the tummy, so maybe she's just normal. :)

But I would be thrilled if she were pg since (if you remember) I e-mailed The FIRM a while back to suggest that they do some pregnancy videos. :D

[lbs27]

yeah, but the end of the preview I didn't think she was. Once they started doing the ab stuff on the floor, her stomach flattened out. I read too that she's had trouble with her weight, plus she's short, so I think she's just not ultra skinny like all the rest--that Rebekah is tiny!!

[Sue]

Hey everyone!! I took this weekend off, we've been running around - getting the xmas tree, shopping, cleaning and decorating... After 2 days off, there will definitely be a workout tomorrow!

Reenie Wow, the pressure :) !!! I hope to keep it up through the pregnancy and I need to work my abs more consistently. I asked my DH for a stability ball for xmas :) The only real "symptom" I've had so far is just feeling a little tired, so if I get up in the morning, I sure take advantage of it because I will probably be exhausted that night!

Another one here that thinks Rebekah's body is awesome!!

[lbs27]

Hey Sue--Just curious about ab work and pregnancy. Are there things you can/can't do? Or is more that you can do things up to a certain point in time?

[Sue]

It depends... Some say to not do anything while lying supine after the first trimester, I have also read that if you follow how your body is feeling, then it is OK. So I figure get the ball just in case :) I got Exercising Through Your Pregnancy (http://www.amazon.com/Exercising-Through-Pregnancy-James-Clapp/dp/1886039593/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197234086&sr=8-1) and it says there really isn't anything you can't do, pretty much listen to your body and modify where you need to. Now if I can find time to read it at some other time besides 10pm, so I can actually read more than 2 pages without falling asleep!

[Reenie]

Checking in with ABS plus the bonus lower body segment for 401 cals.

Sue No pressure intended. :) Hey, did you ever have your battery replaced on your HRM? My low battery sign came on today, and I am so sad to think I'll be without it.

[Sue]

No, I never did... I need to send it in soon though. I keep forgetting to.

[lbs27]

Thanks, Sue!

Great job with ABS, Reenie!

Checking in with Bootcamp. After all my extra exercise this week, the scale didn't budge. So I'm sure if I was better about eating, I may have lost something. But maybe the exercise kept me from gaining at least.

[Sue]

Great job Lori! She kicks my butt every time in Bootcamp!

TBTC this morning for 371.

[lbs27]

Sue--I know. ;) It's funny, Bootcamp is definitely one workout that is harder for me depending on what time of day I do it. I actually worked out a little earlier in the afternoon on Sunday that usual, so I think I was still high on coffee and muffin from breakfast and I got through it without too much pain. Of course, the lunge jump lunge combo still burned like crazy---I'm think that one will never NOT hurt!! :D

[mom2amelia]

I must not be subscribed to this tread, because I missed like 6 updates!

Reenie- Thanks for adding me. WOAH on an over 500 calorie burn. Chanukah is over for me - I got new UGGs - but I might just buy that HRM myself. I'm dying to know what I burn each time. Some days I feel more winded with the sculpt video than the cardio!!

I did ABS with Allie yesterday and UCB this morning. It is the dumbest, simplest moves that I just cannot get. Allie does this box step thing. Seems very basic and yet I'm tripping all over myself. I'm planning to do sculpt tomorrow morning, and then Wed will be a rest day.

What does everyone do rotation wise? I mean, do you do cardio-sculpt, cardio, sculpt, rest, repeat, or some other variation? I'm getting two new c/s videos, but then I'll have 3 c/s, 1 s, and 1 c. I feel like I want to set up a calendar, but I'm not sure what the optimal plan is. Should I be working out more than 3 consecutive days? Can/should I do c/s twice in a row? I like those the best, so far. I get 5-6 workouts in a week, depending on the week.

[Reenie]

Checking in with Fat Blasting Cardio for 218. I planned a short one for today because I knew I'd have to write this paper, but I should remember in the future that I could do that one twice on a day if I wanted a longer workout for a good heart-pumper. :p

Good job on the workouts, Lori, Sue, and mom2amelia. :)

mom2amelia I know exactly which step you're talking about because I did ABS yesterday. I had a hard time getting the hang of that one, too, but now that I have it, it's pretty fun. :) The sculpt videos sometimes get my heartrate up quite a bit, too, which is good; when my heart rate wasn't really going up from them, I knew I needed to increase my weights. As for videos, just remember not to sculpt two days in a row and take at least one day off per week. It depends on what you would like to focus on; I usually don't do more than one sculpt per week, and I love cardio. For a six-day workout week, I might rotate this way:
Day 1: C
Day 2: S
Day 3: C
Day 4: C/S
Day 5: C
Day 6: C/S
Day 7: off
For a five-day workout week, I would just take day 3, 4, OR 5 off and keep the rest of the schedule.

[meagle]

Just popping in with TBTC tonight for 367 calories. DH is recovering from his surgery and might return to work later this week but I came down with a stomach bug last Thursday... It wasn't too bad as those type of bugs go, but I didn't eat a 'real' meal between dinner on Wednesday night and dinner on Saturday, just liquids, toast, etc. Needless to say, not good for exercising. I finally felt normal Sunday (and ate three square meals) and did some weight work Sunday evening. Hope to post more later. Life is just nuts right now.

[mom2amelia]

I did Supercharged Sculpting this morning. I really like the sculpting videos because I feel like you're in and out! Although, man that one makes me sweat!

I think I need one or two more plain old cardio. Any recommendations? I am indifferent to the transFIRMer, so step or floor work is fine with me.

[Scoutesina]

Peeking in to say I did Total Sculpt Plus Abs with Jen last night. I haven't been cleared to do step so I just did the step aerobics segments on the floor, but my doc said it would be good to add in some squats and lunges twice a week, so I busted back into my Forbidden Firm tapes box. Felt great and so far my hip is no sorer than usual. Yay! Now if only I could keep my eating in check...

Great job on the workouts, everyone!

[Reenie]

Checking in with Hi-Def Sculpt for 205.

meagle Glad to hear you and your DH are feeling better.

mom2amelia Fat-Blasting Cardio and Express Cardio are both fun and they use the FIRM box (the TransFIRMer, essentially, just not as sturdy). I love Super Cardio (called Super Cardio Mix on DVD) because it rocks in terms of calorie burn, and Max Cardio Burn plus Abs (with Allie) and Calorie Killer (with Nancy) are great; all three of those videos use the Fanny Lifter, which is the TransFIRMer, but not as long (it's more of a cube when stacked). You could definitely modify to use your TransFIRMer. Cardio Overdrive from the new series (with Alison) is also fun.

Scoutesina Woot! Game on! :D That is excellent. Good job on modifications.

Must.finish.last.paper....25 hours from now, I will be a Master's grad! :p

[Sue]

Woo Hoo Reenie!! You are so close!!!!

Checking in with Max Cardio this morning for 302 and Bootcamp for 427 tonight. I indulged in some brownies last night and today, so I had to burn a little extra :)

[lbs27]

meagle--glad you and your DH are on the mend!

mom2amelia--I second Reenie's recommendations (and would definitely defer to her as far as those go). I use the Transfirmer for all of the step workouts now as it's much more stable and doesn't slide all over my wood floor like the Fanny Lifter does. :p For some moves you may have to turn it longways to use it.

scoutsina--Yay! Welcome back to the dark side! :D

Reenie--holy crap, you're almost done! Yay! What are you going to do to celebrate? Great job on managing to fit workouts it--though if I were you I'd probably work out to avoid the.last.paper. :D

Sue--oh man, you're going to be giving me major guilt for the next 9 months. If you're doubling up, I have no excuse not to get my lazy ass out of bed and do something! :o Great job!

Today was an off day for me, I modified my routine a lot last week and actually worked out 7 days in a row! :eek: I'm thrilled but not sure I can do it again this week, the stars just sort of aligned last week! I'm going to try and move the DVD player into the guest room where the bike is and make myself do a couple of Firm tapes a week after I get up to let the dog out, instead of going back to bed! we'll see... :p

[mom2amelia]

Reenie -thanks for the suggestions! Yay for being so close to D.O.N.E!! I hope you celebrate BIG.

Sue- how do you fit in two in one day, and how on earth do you have the energy?? I was falling asleep on the couch at 4:00 today (while my kids watched mindless drek on TV) and it reminded me of my 1st tri with second DD. NO way could I have gotten off of that couch to work out. Not if my life depended on it.

lori- 7 days in a row? Holy wow! Wtg.

[Reenie]

Okay, so my paper's not quite done yet, you know how it goes, do a little, surf a minute... anyway, for anyone who still has a VCR around to use for FIRM videos, it looks like FIRM direct is getting rid of their VHS inventory, which means awesome deals! (http://www.firmdirect.com/firm/ecs/main/clearance.html) They have packs, like upper body pack and lower body pack and (my favorite :p ) cardio pack (9 VHS in that one for $28). I think they're really great deals! If I didn't already have them all, I'd go for it.

Sue, Lori, and mom2amelia Thanks!

Sue You are one tough mama! What are you doing for your calorie intake right now, if you don't mind my asking? And also, do you eat before your morning workouts? This is a major factor for me; I need my food to settle or I get really nauseous, but then that wastes time, but if I don't eat, I get all dizzy.

Lori :o on the deferrment. I hope I don't come off as a know-it-all; not my intention. :p Awesome job on the week-long stretch. I'm with you; now that grad school will be over and I won't be up so late studying all the time, I'm trying to see if I can coax myself to moving my workouts to the AM.

[meagle]

Cardio Party tonight for 334 calories.

Reenie - I just came across that deal tonight, too, and was headed here to post it. I also noticed Allie is no longer listed as a Master Instructor. :( Also, there's a new link now about the FIRM studio on the site. Interesting the little changes they work in. Congrats on being so closed to being finished with grad school! You're my hero!

Sue - I'm super-impressed you're keeping up with your workouts. Do what your body tells you, but I wanted to mention that DH's cousin-in-law that introduced me to the FIRM did FIRM workouts throughout her entire pregnancy even though she was in her early 40's! Her doctor thought it might have prepared her body for the relatively easy labor and delivery she had.

Scoutesina - Glad to hear your hip is improving and your doctor gave you the go-ahead to break into your verboten box!

Cyndi - I third Reenie's suggestions. I'm also a fan of Jiggle Free Buns and Jiggle Free Arms. They're quick and fun and combine cardio and scupting. Both are designed for the TransFIRMer.

Lori - Congrats on your streak! You should reward yourself, girl!

[Scoutesina]

Reenie - Sending you lots of good paper-finishing thoughts. Thanks for the heads-up on those tapes. I still use VHS in my workout area, so I need to figure out what I have and what I don't and place an order before they're gone for good!

Sue - Major props for doubling up. And anyway, what good is life without an occasional brownie? :p

Lori - Yay for 7 in a row! I think working out in the morning is such a good idea, but my night owl body feels otherwise.

Cyndi - I realized I mostly have sculpting combo tapes, but I do remember Maximum Cardio Burn being good (in a torturing kind of way :D). My plan is to do cardio three days a week (two days on a stationery bike and one day walking) and two sculpting tapes a week. Although sometimes I get bored on the bike and lift some hand weights at the same time, which gets things out of whack since you're supposed to give your muscles a day of rest after weight lifting. Someday I will figure out the perfect routine.

meagle - That's sad about Allie. I wonder what happened?

I think the Firm studio is very close to my doctor's office. I should look into going there in person one of these days.

Was laying on the couch at 10:00 last night, bored. Too early to go to bed, so I thought of you guys and decided to do Ab Sculpt. I still have this idea that I should do that every night before bed, since it makes me feel so relaxed afterwards. So far that hasn't happened though. :p

[Sue]

mom2amelia I'm usually wiped out by 8pm :) But yesterday I had some energy - probably from all the sugar!! I usually work out in the mornings , I'm up at 5:30am - I used to temp, but now it's just habit. If I don't do itin the morning, I won't work out after work.

reenie My goal is to maintain for the 1st trimester, so I'm trying to eat at the higher end of my range. This week will be an experiment, to see how much I have to eat to compensate for the exercise, so I might end up losing. I don't know if I'm going to use babyfit, all my foods are already saved in SP!

meagle I am definitely following my body. I can already feel some changes, so I've been modifying some of the higher impact stuff. I find myself getting tired quicker. But I plan on keeping it up throughout, for as long as my body lets me :)

UCB this morning for 353.

[mom2amelia]

35ish minutes of ABS before DD#2 started screaming hysterically! Today was supposed to be a rest day anyway, so I'll just do UCB tomorrow and be back on track.

Reenie - how's that paper going? Can we have a virtual party for you yet??

meagle - I wonder what happened to Allie. Isn't she like everyone's favorite? I've been waffling on JFArms/Abs/Buns. How long are they? Abs isn't cardio, right? But the other two are? I'm so indecisive.

scoutesina WTG on ab sculpt at 10pm! By 10pm I'm toast.

Sue ah temping at 5:30am. I remember those days! I get up at 6am just to work out so that I can have it out of the way before the kids wake-up. It's a struggle to get out of bed every.single.time. Today I was so excited to work out in the afternoon during naps, but Phoebe foiled my efforts by waking up way too soon! I think 9:30am is my ideal work-out time (the time I'm usually working out at the gym) but I can't swing that at home.

[meagle]

Cyndi - JF Arms and Buns are just over 30 minutes each. I think JF Abs is about 25? I'm not particularly a fan of that one, but I know other ladies here are - because it's all abs - no cardio really, except in the warm-up - and there's a lot of plank-y type stuff.

Scoutesina - It will be an interesting day indeed when I decide to do a workout at 10:00 p.m. because I'm bored. Seriously, where do you find such motivation? It's awesome!

Sue - Glad you're following your body's cues. I just wanted to pass along the info - I have it tucked in the back of my own little head for if/when I'm pregnant as motivation to keep it up.


ETA: JF Arms tonight for 220 calories. Finally - more than two (2) workouts in a week!

[Scoutesina]

Pshaw, Cyndi & meagle. I could never work out early in the morning (oh how I wish I could), which I guess is why I have too much energy at night. :p

Yay for your workout streak, meagle. And your ABS, Cyndi. 35 minutes is a lot better than nothing.

Sue - You rock to keep working through your pregnancy! Ten years from now, your little one will hear some Firm music somewhere and find it oddly familiar, yet impossible to place.

----
Spent all of last night buying a Christmas tree, rearranging furniture, cleaning the house, and unstopping the tub. Does that count? :p Am going to do everything I can to work in some time on the bike tonight despite my avalanche of overdue holiday errands.

[mom2amelia]

I did NOTHING today. Unless you count catering to two sick kids. Fun times!

I got TBTC and Bootcamp in the mail today!! Which one should I do tomorrow morning?

[lbs27]

mom2amelia--great job on ABS--I agree 35 minutes is great! Congrats on the new tapes arriving. I don't have TBTC, but I do have Bootcamp. It's hard and I'm not sure I could do it first thing in the morning (though others here do). But, it is one of the few workouts that I actually feel energized after, so who knows?

meagle--yay for 2 workouts in a week! It must feel great to get back into it.

scoutsina--um, yep, cleaning and rearranging furniture definitely counts. :D

I biked this morning and did situps with the intention of doing JF Arms when I got home from work. We got a killer storm today and I knew I'd be leaving work early so I figured I'd have plenty of time. Um, not so much. It took me nearly FIVE HOURS to get home from work, a commute that takes ~40 minutes on a good day. :eek: Holy crap. So, needless to say my plan didn't work, but I made myself do JF Arms at 9:30 tonight. Blah.

[mom2amelia]

did Bootcamp-MCB this morning. It was ok. I was expecting it to be much, much harder than it was based on the online reviews. Don't get me wrong, it was hard, but it didn't kill me. Of course, that could be because it was my first time and I missed some of the moves, so I didn't actually DO every single exercise. One move - dip jump somethingorother did actually almost kill me!!

reenie - what's the word? Are you celebrating?

[lbs27]

mom2amelia--yep, that's the move the kills me (and Sue, I believe) every time. Dip-press-dip-stand and then you add the hop. Oh my god, it does not get easier. What an awful move. :D

[Sue]

Yup, I hate it too!!

God, I've been awful... Life has gotten in the way yesterday and today - no workouts. And I feel like crap because of it!

[lbs27]

Sue--I like the addition to your signature! Congrats on having a due date--my friend had her baby this past Aug. 15th and my b-day is the 27th, so it's a good month. :) I didn't realize you had so many pets (I'm assuming that's the other 6 you're referring to!).

I really wanted to do a Firm video this morning, but I woke up with a horrible headache. Lasted all day and when I got home I just didn't feel like doing anything. So, today's an off day. Oh well.

[Sue]

Thanks :) Yup, the other 6 are our fids - 3 cats and 3 dogs, that's our Rory in my avatar. Our anniversary is 8/10 and my DH's birthday is the 26th, so it'll be a busy month :) My first appointment is 1/2, it was supposed to be yesterday, but I couldn't get there with the snow! One good thing about charting, I know when I O'd so I could figure out my EDD. Now if I can get back to my journal :p

I hope you're feeling better! Headaches suck when they're that bad :(

[lbs27]

Sue--I can't imagine 6 pets! I have my hands full with one tiny but demanding dog! I bet it's fun though. You should definitely get back to journaling--nothing like a big life event to make it happen. :)

Reenie--did you fall under your desk?! Come out and tell us you're DONE!!

Checking in with SuperCardio and JF Abs. I'm sorry, I like SuperCardio and know it's great for calorie burn, but the instructors just drive me crazy. The only one who shows any enthusiasm is Jen and she's certifiable and her section is painful for other reasons anyway. :p :o Allie drives me nuts and Dale is also just odd...there's this one segment where she does a wide march and then says "add the triple" and it's almost um...sultry the way she says it. Hi, I need some motivation here!! Anyone else notice the calls and the instructors in this one or is it just me? I definitely like some videos than others even when it's the same lead (e.g. don't like Stephanie in UCB but really like her in JF Arms), but this whole tape just bugs me. But, unfortunately, I don't know the moves well enough to just check out and follow along, I still have to listen! :p

[meagle]

Sue - I can't imagine having six pets either! We have two kitties and they're plenty. Of course, neither of them is really a curl up-type cat - the one that's slightly older (and almost 3 y.o.) is quite an acrobat and the younger who (who just turned 2 y.o.) is very demanding, especially when I'm doing chores.

Lori - Super Cardio is the only workout I have that has any of Dale and I just think she's odd overall. I know what you mean about the instructors. I mean, I don't even like Allie in it and I usually enjoy her workouts.I think maybe 'back then' they were just going for kind of a different style? What kind of gets me is that they try to make the entire workout kind of calming but it's freaking intense cardio!

I did Hi-Def Scuplt today for 319 calories and Cardio Inferno for 309 calories. Tomorrow might be Total Body Snow Shoveling, with FIRM Master Follower Meagle. :)

[lbs27]

I did Hi-Def Scuplt today for 319 calories and Cardio Inferno for 309 calories. Tomorrow might be Total Body Snow Shoveling, with FIRM Master Follower Meagle. :)

Heh, that's funny! Great job on the workouts--that's a lot of calories burned for a sculpt workout--is it cardio also? You're exactly right about all the calls in SC being "soothing". It's really weird though since it is so high energy. It does bother me though, since I really like Allie, but not in this one!

[lbs27]

Cardio Party tonight for 334 calories.

Reenie - I just came across that deal tonight, too, and was headed here to post it. I also noticed Allie is no longer listed as a Master Instructor.

I forgot about this. I looked on the website and while she's not listed, she's ALL OVER that site, including the pic right above the list of bios. The list also looks short, so maybe it's in progress?

[meagle]

Lori - I thought the list looked short, too, but I couldn't figure out who exactly was missing from it... Sue Mi wasn't listed when I was considering purchasing some of the newer stuff during the summer months, but her image is all over the website, too.

As for Hi-Def Sculpt, I had to look up the last time I did it to make sure today wasn't a fluke and discovered I also paired it with CI last time and the calorie count wasn't a fluke. Anyway, HDS is not really cardio but there is a lot of 4-limb in it which always gets my heart rate going. Plus, you use the same weights almost the whole time - 'medium.' I used 8 lb weights and it was pretty challenging - I change to 10's for whenever Annie said to double up only because two 8 lb bells get to be a bit much in one hand.

[mom2amelia]

Tomorrow might be Total Body Snow Shoveling, with FIRM Master Follower Meagle.

LOL!!

I did TBTC today for the first time. I thought it was kinda meh. I did sweat a lot, so that's something. I think if I had a HRM and knew how much I was burning, it would change the way I felt about certain videos.

I have 6 tapes now, and one on the way (Super Cardio Mix, I think) and I want to come up with a month long rotation, but I can never remember which videos are c-s and which are just c. I think I only have two that are just cardio, but I wish they were coded on the box. I think Tuesday I'm going to combine Express Cardio (is that the name) with Super Charged sculpting. Seems like that would be a good all over workout.

Sue - I can't fathom 6 fids. We have one dog and he's plenty! Yay for a due date. How are you feeling?

[lbs27]

mom2amelia--I know what you mean about c vs c&s. There are some videos, like Ultimate Fat Burning that could be considered either depending on the weight you use. Like with a 3 lb, it could be just cardio, but with a 5 (maybe) or 8 I would consider it cardio-sculpt. Bootcamp I consider cardio sculpt, as I do ABS and CAWT. UCB I count as cardio since I only use 3 lb weights for that one. Super Cardio is definitely cardio, though again, with a heavy weight there's definitely some sculpting going on. So yeah, it's hard!

meagle--thanks for the review of Hi-Def sculpt. :)

[lbs27]

Checking in with ABS. Didn't give it my all though, just kind of went through the motions. :o

[meagle]

Slush Pushing Lite today for 147 calories. The wintry mix we had between snows greatly reduced the actual snow accumulation, so there was not actual snow shoveling. I would have done a FIRM DVD, too, but I was feeling yesterday's double in my legs.

[mom2amelia]

UCB for untold number of calories. At 6am it was kicking my tush all over the place. I haven't done it in probably a week, and it was twice as hard as the other two times I've done it. I'm dying to know how many calories it burns. Maybe TBTC is sneaking up on me and that's why today's workout seemed so hard. I was really out of breath at some points.

I also shoveled snow yesterday - while my sick hubby and kids watched from inside the warm house - so that counts for something, right?

lbs- ABS without enthusiasm is still better than no ABS!

meagle - you crack me up!

[Jill1228]

I am back but my luggage didn't make it on the flight with me. it was put on a later flight and will be arriving in the early hours of tomorrow morning

[Jill1228]

Checking in with a new rotation. I jacked one of the ones on their site and modified it

Today I did Body Sculpt 327 cal

[mom2amelia]

I didn't wake up early to work-out, but then I fit it in during my little one's nap. I did Super Charged Sculpting and the Cardio Express (or is it Express Cardio?). I thought Stephanie was freaky in that video, but it was ok. I felt like both videos together gave me a decent workout. Of course, I'd love to know how many calories I burned.

APhiJill- did your luggage show up? What a PITA.

[Jill1228]

mom2-it showed up this morning around 2 am

[meagle]

COD Express tonight for 219 calories. Baked tons of cookies in the last week and only ate a few... It's funny how many more cookies I ended up with since I wasn't eating dough like there was no tomorrow.

Welcome back Jill and your luggage, too! I'm glad it caught up with you. Great job hitting the workouts, too.

Great job with the sculpting and cardio double, Cyndi!

Reenie - Where are you?!

[Jill1228]

I was seriously expecting to be up when i went to WW this morning. i was stunned to be down .6 :D

Checking in today with FIRM Pilates 134 calories

[lbs27]

APhiJill--Welcome back! How was the cruise! I can't believe you came back and had a loss! :D

Meagle--great job on the workouts AND the cookie-avoidance. :D

mom2amelia--woohoo--great job doubling up! I agree, sometimes I breeze through UCB and other times I'm cursing Stephanie by the end.

So, I managed to get up and do a Firm video in the morning before work yesterday--UFB. It definitely seemed a lot harder and I'm not sure how I'd do with a cardio sculpt with heavy weights first thing in the morning. But, I'm aiming to do a couple a week. Today I biked in the morning and did JF Arms tonight. Tomorrow I'm planning UCB for the morning.

Ok, Reenie--I'm getting worried here, where are you?!

Sue--how are you doing?

[Sue]

I'm here!! Sorry, things have been crazy with the holidays and I've been so tired at night... I've worked out Mon-today. I have noticed that my calorie counts have been low. I don't know if it's because my HRM needs a new battery, I haven't been working that hard or that I've quit smoking and my beginning HR isn't as high - or a combo of all 3!!

I've been terrible with my eating the past few days, tonight I have 8 - yup, that's right 8 - cupcakes. I feel like I'm going to vomit.

Reenie - where are you??!!?

[meagle]

Bootcamp MCB tonight for 428 calories. That one is never easy for me.

Sue - Great job on the workouts! And I'm so glad to hear you quit smoking - that's fantastic news! :D :D

Lori - Gosh, all this peer pressure with more people jumping on the a.m. workout bandwagon... I'm accepting bets on how long it will be before I start getting my @$$ out of bed to join you all.

Jill - Congrats on the post vacation weight loss.

[Sue]

Sue - Great job on the workouts! And I'm so glad to hear you quit smoking - that's fantastic news! :D :D


I ain't gonna lie... IT SUCKS. But being PG, I thought it'd be best to quit :D

[mom2amelia]

I did Bootcamp MCB this morning. I was so winded in parts, but the plyos were easier than last time. Not easy. Just easiER.

Jill- WTG on vacay weightloss!!

Lori- I'm doing UCB tomorrow morning too. I hate that video, but it's my only cardio-only besides Cardio Express, and I want more than 30 minutes. I'll think of you while I'm cursing at Stephanie.

Sue- good for you for quitting smoking. I had a co-worker at my old firm who smoked all through her pregnancy (with twins). Honestly, it was painful to watch.

meagle- one good thing about the AM workouts is that you rev up your metabolism early in the day, so theoretically you burn more during the day. The flip side, for me, is that I'm starving all day. I'm sure I consume more than the "extra" burn!!

[lbs27]

Sue--congrats on quitting! Baby will be happy. :) And hyper after all those cupcakes. Can you say you only ate 4 and baby had 4? :D

I have to be honest, while I do workout in the morning (currently bike, hopefully Firm 2 or more days), I go into work a lot later than most people. I work in a lab so unless I have a meeting or something, it really doesn't matter when I arrive as long as I put my time in and get everything done. Because my commute sucks, I go in later and leave later to avoid traffic as much as I can. That's why it's better for me to workout in the morning. Lately though, things are slow, everyone's out on vacation, so I've been leaving really early and getting some night workouts in here and there. Anyhoo, I wanted to come clean, because I definitely do NOT get up at 5 or even 6 to workout. :o

mom2amelia--so my least favorite part of UCB is when the step is in vertical position and you're stepping up, straddling and off, and then stepping up and doing heel drags. There's this part right before the last time through where Stephanie says, "you can do it, one more time through here we go you can do it", where I'm like if you say you can do it one more time I'm going to lose it. Listen for it tomorrow--I'll think of you too!!

[mom2amelia]

I hate UCB. I don't even mind Stephanie as much as I did in the beginning, but I just hate that video. I don't know why. It's just a sad state of affairs when I'm looking forward to planks!! Anyway, I did it. It's done. I'm achy.

Lori- I actually like the heel drags. I feel like I get 5 seconds to reboot. But I do hate the 2nd set of tall box climb as a whole!!

[Jill1228]

Sue, quitting smoking ain't easy. I been there and done that!

Checking in today with Cardio Sculpt

[lbs27]

mom2amelia and APhiJill--great job on the workouts!

Checking in with UCB yesterday and Bootcamp and AbSculpt today. I'm tired. :) I've moved all my stuff into our guest room so I can start doing stuff during the week and there is this heat vent right where I stand. And it's painted over/broken so I can't close it. It sucks.

Driving to PA tomorrow until Wednesday, so not sure I'll get anything in between tomorrow and Thursday. Blah.

Hope everyone has a great holiday! :)

[meagle]

Great job on the workouts, ladies!

I did Express TBTC Friday night for 127 calories and CBS today for 322 calories. I'm thinking about packing CI and COD in case I can fit them into our travels.

Don't know when I'll post again, so happy holidays!

[Jill1228]

I did Cardio Party for 366 calories

Wishing everyone a great holiday

[311girl]

Hi, everyone!
Me: Angelique
Using The Firm since: end of November 2007
Why I use The Firm: I can do it in the privacy of my own time whenever I want and I can save money by not paying a monthly gym membership
Why I love The Firm: the exercises mix everything from dance to kickboxing and pilates and more; the instructors are "real"
Firm Stuff I own: The TransFIRMmation kit (4 DVDs, weights, starter booklet)
Favorite Firm Instructor: not sure yet; I haven't worked out with them all
Favorite Firm Video: Cardio Overdrive
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007:
Miscellaneous Information: also on the Weight Watchers Flex plan

[Jill1228]

Welcome Angelique! Glad you are here!

Checking in today with Jiggle Free Abs

[mom2amelia]

Welcome Angelique!

Jill - great job on the workouts.

I did Super Cardio yesterday for the first time. Besides Allie, I didn't recognize any of the instructors. I barely recognized her. I really wish I knew how many calories I burned.

Today was a rest day b/c my kids wouldn't give me a 5 minute break.

[Firm Believers]

Updated.

Welcome, 311girl! :)

[Reenie]

Welcome 311girl! Glad you're here!

No time for individual SOs, but just wanted to say a big thanks :D to everyone for your concern about my absence and good wishes regarding my M.Ed. Good news: I have my M.Ed.! Bad news: you'll have to excuse my absence (even for a few more days!). Right now, we're in FL visiting MIL for the holidays, but I haven't been around before due to a family crisis that I've been tyring to help deal with. I really can't wait to get home and back into a routine with my FIRM videos... sweet DH even said he'd like to try out doing my January rotation with me to see if he likes it because he's looking for an interesting/inexpensive workout option.

Hope everyone's enjoying this time of year, and I'll definitely be back on December 30. :)

[mom2amelia]

Reenie- I hope everything is ok. I'm glad you checked in, and congrats on your M.Ed!! See you on the 30th!

I did ABS yesterday. It felt like a good workout, but I did something not-so-good to my right calf. I can barely walk on it. I stretch diligently, so it's just one of those things I guess. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to exercise for a few days though. I feel so icky when I don't work out, so I'm kinda bummed, but we're going to my ILs for the weekend anyway and there's no where to do tapes there, so I'd have missed two days regardless.

[lbs27]

Welcome, 311girl!!

mom2amelia--hope your calf feels better! That sucks!

Reenie--I'm so glad you checked in! The Jewish worry gene was starting to kick in. Sorry to hear about your family crisis--I hope everything is ok.

I'm back from PA, finally. Didn't do any exercise while there other than a 1 mile walk with everyone and the dogs yesterday and some situps last night. Came back this afternoon, got on the bike and did some free weights. needed to ease back in. :p Will hit the Firm tomorrow. Managed to not eat too badly, though I did hit up MIL's cookies pretty good, but tried to counterbalance by not eating huge meals. I don't feel nearly as large as I did last year! :o

[meagle]

Welcome Angelique!

Thanks for checking in, Reenie! Congrats on receiving your M.Ed.!

Sorry to hear about your injury, Cyndi - I hope you're recovered soon!

Waves 'hi' to anyone I missed.

I did COD on Monday. Not sure about the calories because my HRM wasn't playing nice. I am recovering from my second bout of the stomach flu this month. Not fun. :( My broth and toast diet has helped me lose a couple pounds, though, so I guess there is a bit of an upside, right? I hope to do a workout sometime this weekend, assuming my recovery continues.

[lbs27]

Checking in with Super Cardio. Ugh. :) I think I'm getting a couple of DVDs as a late Chanukkah present from my parents so I'm hoping to add some new cardio to the mix as this is definitely not one of my favorites. :)

[311girl]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone!
I did Cardio Overdrive last night. I may take it easy today because I think my cold/congestion is coming back. We'll see. Maybe at the very least I'll do one of the express versions.

[lbs27]

Checking in with Max Cardio burn (minus abs) and JF Abs. I could totally get used to this no working thing, it makes it easier to work out! :D Of course, I also don't have any kids, so being home is a lot easier.

[lbs27]

Happy New Year ladies!! Here's to a healthy 12 months for all of us! :)

Checking in with ABS on Sunday and yesterday was a rest day. Today will either be some time on the bike or UFB, or maybe UCB. Something without heavy weights. I feel like since I've upped my Firm workouts and also some of the weights during the workouts that I've put on a little muscle. Which is good, but I know I can easily put on a lot of weight that way and get bulky which I don't want to do. Meanwhile, I'm staying away from the scale for another week or so--I've been indulging the last few days, but I'm giving myself through today and then getting back on track. :p

[Jill1228]

Hey y'all!
Happy New Year! It means getting our butts in motion!
Reenie, congrats on getting the M.Ed. I am proud of you!

A new year is here and a new leaf has to be turned. Screw losing weight. It is about getting healthy. The weight loss will fall into place.

My problem is sugar and i am working like a mo fo to get rid of the simple sugars in my diet.

As far as working out, I am committing to walking 30 minutes a day. No excuses and non negotiable. I now have to figure out a schedule to add my FIRM DVDs in the mix

Tomorrow at my WW weigh in, it will be my new starting weight. I will take picture (not for human viewing) :D and measurements

I might do a quick FIRM tape tonight. I did my walk this morning (39:04 minutes). I am also doing a lot of positive self talk. Did a lot while walking today. hope no one was behind me or they would think I am insane! :D

[meagle]

Happy new year!

I did ScS on Sunday for 191 calories. On Monday, I went to the Y for a year end weigh in and spent 25 minutes on the eliptical and then about 10 minutes doing some upper body weight work. I forgot to take my HRM, though. Today I did Cardio Sculpt Blaster, which I picked up @ Target this afternoon, and the express version of Hi-Def Sculpt for a total of 354 calories.

I discovered during my weigh in that I lost 20 lbs this year!!! I knew I was close, but our scale at home isn't super accurate - you can step on it three times in a row and get three different numbers, about 3 pounds different - so I always use the one at the Y. That's 10% of my body weight! My goal for 2008 is another 10%, which will be a BMI of about 23.8. After that, my goal is maintenance and being healthy.

[Reenie]

Hi everybody! Happy New Year!

Checking in today with Cardio Overdrive for 432.

Time to start over with measurements, so anyone who wants to keep track, I'm resetting the front page goals for 2008.

311girl Hope you're feeling better!

Lori Great job on the workouts. I know, I didn't want to weigh-in today because I have been eating everything :o I have undone so much, so I have to get back at it.

Jill Sounds like an excellent plan. The before and after pictures really help me, even if they aren't for public consumption.

meagle Hope your tummy is better.

mom2amelia Hope your knee is okay to workout on now.

Sue Hope you're doing okay out there.

Scoutesina Hope everything is going great! :)

Since I got the new FIRM videos for Christmas, I wanted to do the TransFIRMation system for the month of January, so here's what I've slated for myself (oh, and for 2008, I'm going to go by full months for rotations and weigh-in and measure, I think):

Jan. 1: Cardio Overdrive (COD) BURNED 432 CALS!
Jan. 2: Hard Core Fusion (HCF) BURNED 433 CALS!
Jan. 3: Cardio Party (CP) BURNED 346 CALS!
Jan. 5: Total Body Time Crunch (TBTC) BURNED 347 CALS!
Jan. 6: CPBURNED 303 CALS!
Jan. 7: Burn & Shape (B&S) BURNED 252 CALS!
Jan. 8: COD BURNED 371 CALS!
Jan. 9: Total Body Toner (TBT) BURNED 207 CALS!
Jan. 10: Cardio Inferno (CI) BURNED 186 CALS!
Jan. 12: HCF BURNED 334 CALS!
Jan. 13: CI BURNED 216 CALS!
Jan. 14: TBTC BURNED 261 CALS!
Jan. 15: CP BURNED 286 CALS!
Jan. 16: Tight Buns & Killer Legs AND Core Solutions BURNED 171 CALS!
Jan. 17: COD BURNED 341 CALS!
Jan. 19: B&S BURNED 238 CALS!
Jan. 20: COD BURNED 334 CALS!
Jan. 21: HCF BURNED 276 CALS!
Jan. 22: CI BURNED 210 CALS!
Jan. 23: Hi-Def Sculpt (HDS) BURNED 161 CALS!
Jan. 24: CP BURNED 260 CALS!
Jan. 26: TBTC BURNED 275 CALS!
Jan. 27: COD BURNED 363 CALS!
Jan. 28: B&S BURNED 208 CALS!
Jan. 29: CP BURNED 296 CALS!
Jan. 30: TBT BURNED 186 CALS!
Jan. 31: CI BURNED 211 CALS!

[Reenie]

Okay, we can post again! But I can't edit my post to update my status, so TBTC yesterday (347 cals burned) and CP today (303).

Hope everyone's doing great! :)

[Sue]

Hey everyone!! Wow, I have been so awful... I am so freakin' tired I can't find the right time to work out. I'm exhausted in the morning because I can't sleep thru the night, I'm exhausted after work and crash at 7:30! Then add in the m/s that I get every other day :rolleyes: I have noticed on the day I have worked out, no matter, how hard I try - or how hard I think I'm working, I can't really exert myself that much. I did UCB last week and burned 285 calories!! That's it!

But I have decided to suck it up and deal with it... The goal is to do something tonight while dinner is cooking. Wish me luck!

[mom2amelia]

Sue- don't push yourself too hard. Any exercise is better than none, and the second trimester is the easiest of the three. The tiredness fog really lifts around 13 weeks and you should have a nice 3 months of feeling ok.

Reenie - how are you liking this rotation so far? Is it weird not to use the step?

I was sick for the first few days of the year, but have worked out the past 4. I know I did TBTC and Bootcamp, but that's all I can remember. I do not like TBTC, but I'll keep it in rotation anyway and see if it grows on me. ABS is still my go-to. I just like that one for some reason. I really must get an HRM. I'm sure that would influence my feelings about which vid I liked best.

btw, I have the same name on LJ, lest we lost access again and anyone wants to find me!

[mom2amelia]

Grr, I can't edit and I posted too soon.

meagle - congrats on the 20lb loss. That must feel so rewarding.

Jill - how's the walking going?

[phoenics]

How are you guys calculating your calories burned? I've always wanted to be able to do that.

Anyway, I was a Firm believer some years ago - but I fell off. Before I came home (parents home) for Christmas, I ordered some firm dvds because I remembered that the firm workouts were the only ones where I really lost inches (and fast). I had the tape versions, but I wanted dvds to travel with. Unfortunately they didn't arrive in time so I had to travel with my tapes.

I did a workout (I know, shame it's just one, lol) - Upper Body (it's an old compilation workout from some of the really old school firm workouts). It was GREAT! But since then I haven't done another one! I'm so lame!

I think mentally I keep telling myself that I'll do them once I get back home... ugh...

I need some motivation. Can any of you ladies tell me about this new FIRM transFIRMation system? I'm really attached to the old school workouts - but for some reason right now I have NO motivation! I need motivation... I wish I had an online workout buddy to bug me when I don't do the workout.

Anyway - what's this transFIRMation system supposed to do?

[phoenics]

I guess I should formally subscribe so I can at least be accountable:

Me: phoenics/34

Using The Firm since: 1999, but I fell off and have decided to pick it up again in 2008

Why I use The Firm: When I started to use it in 99, I did 10 workouts and lost 1.5 inches from around my hips - INSANE! And when I did those 10 workouts, I did them without weights. Eventually I worked up to weights, but then my life changed drastically (switched grad schools, had massive stress, etc.) and never got back into it again, even though the results were so great. I remember being winded having to go up 3 flights of stairs at our department building when in grad school and then after 2 weeks, I could basically run up them!

Why I love The Firm: Uh - I guess the above. But to elaborate, I love the fact that I gain muscle and lose fat with this routine. I used to have a very sculpted body (well, my abs were ripped and I had very defined legs). I also love the fact that the videos are not fad-ish. They simply work and it's almost like you're training for something. I had taken up fencing (epee and foil) and I slacked away from that too. I am hoping that by using The FIRM religiously for 3 months, that I might be able to go back to my fencing class about 30-40 pounds lighter and be able to wield my epee and foil much better (they get heavy). So, I not only want to lose weight and tone up considerably, I want to be in peak condition to take up fencing again.

Firm Stuff I own: Tortiose/Hare, Upper Body/Standing Legs, Low Impact Aerobics, - I own so many I can't remember them all. And it's been a while since I've used them that I can't remember all of the names. But that will change.

Favorite Firm Instructor: Janet Jones Gretsky - she was the first tape I got and something about her voice and tone - 'It's tough isn't it...' as she looks perfect with no sweat, lol!

Favorite Firm Video: Low Impact Aerobics. But I also love the Standing Legs and Upper Body vids because they combine a lot of routines into a shorter one. I just can't do an hour-long workout. 40-45 minutes works for me in the mornings.

Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained in 2007: I honestly don't know. I think I'm the same - probably because I keep losing and gaining the same 5-10 pounds!

Miscellaneous Information: I turn 35 in February and I really want to drop the weight I gained while in graduate school (which is a lot). Grad school also coincided with a relationship that ended badly in 2001 (when the weight gain basically stopped - hmmmm). My ex had HORRIBLE eating habits. Horrible. He ate late in the day, skipped meals, etc... and I picked up those bad habits when I used to eat six small healthy meals a day and I was also very active. I want my pre-graduate school and pre-ex-fiance body BACK!

[Jill1228]

Welcome Phoenics!
mom2amelia-walking is going well. I just want to get myself acclimated to doing something daily. Since weather was bad this weekend, I have done a couple of FIRM DVDs. it is nice today but I didn't feel like going out so I did a DVD

Yesterday did Cardio Inferno and burned 313 calories
Today I did the express version of Total Body Time Crunch and burned 175

I signed up for a yoga class and the first one is tonight

[Sue]

Great workouts ladies!

Welcome Phoenics & 311 girl! I use a heart rate monitor to calculate my calories burned...

Well, working out didn't happen today, but IT WILL TOMORROW MORNING! mom2amelia right now, I'd be happy with any exercise, but being hit with a bit of m/s and the fatigue, it's kicking my ass! I'm hoping I can get back into it, I'm taking B6 to help with the m/s and it seems to be working a little. I know that part of the fatigue and general yuckiness is because I'm not working out.

meagle Awesome weight loss!!!

[lbs27]

Hi ladies!

Great job on the all the workouts--what a great way to start the year!

Phoenics--welcome!

Sue--sorry to hear the m/s has hit. Hopefully mom2amelia is right and you'll feel great in the 2nd tri and make up for it!

Let's see. I've slowly been adding extra Firm workouts in during the week and it's going ok. Last week I did Super Cardio on Tuesday, biked Wednesday with situps and free weights at night, UFB Thursday before work, biked Friday (usually an off day but was feeling good). On Saturday I did TBTC for the first time. I think I like it but it wasn't what I was expecting. I felt challenged but I wasn't huffing and puffing like some of the other videos. But, I will say that I can feel it in my chest muscles so I must have done something. Yesterday I did BootCamp which kicked my booty as usual. Today was on off day.

The plan right now is to try and get in one or two videos this week--I tend to lean towards cardio and light/med dumbells for the morning during the week workouts so I don't feel like total crap. Something like UFB or TBTC I think I can handle first thing in the morning, but Bootcamp or SuperCardio would probably kill me (I'm not one of those people who feels on top of the world after I exercise! :p)

Keep it up ladies!

[Reenie]

Flying by with Burn & Shape (first time and HATED it; damn tricky choreography and she doesn't "layer" the steps very well. She's like, "Here's this step, great you did it once, now add these 52 steps!") for 252.

Welcome phoenics! :D We know our calories burned because we're using heart rate monitors (http://www.polarusa.com/products/fseries/f4.asp). The TransFIRMation system is their newest thing; it doesn't use a step. It does work the muscles a little differently, I have to admit. But I miss the step. Really, if you're interested, you could just buy the DVDs from amazon or collage or eBay; you can use your own weights. Glad you're here. You're gonna rock 2008!

lori Great job on adding FIRM during the week. I know it's so hard to change up routines!

Sue So sorry about the m/s. Have you heard of
Sea Bands (http://www.sea-band.com/seaband.htm)? A couple of different pg women I've known have SWORN by them.

Jill Great job on the workouts! Let us know how the yoga goes.

mom2amelia Yeah, this rotation is going fine. I do miss the step, but it's nice to try something else, you know? I love ABS, too, BTW. I really like the song at the end :o (You're all I'm dreaming of). Oh, and my name on LJ is autumnbride1113 but I am pretty LJ clueless and hope to keep it that way. ;)

Think I hit everybody. meagle, Scoutesina Where are ya? Did we lose you in the CC downtime? :(

[Firm Believers]

Welcome, phoenics! Because of the inability to edit posts, I can't add you to the members post on page one, but as soon as the function becomes available, I'll be sure to add you! :)

[meagle]

I'm here! Will post more soon, but here's what I've been up to...

JF Arms on Friday for 260 calories.

TBTC on Saturday for 367 calories - I skipped over the moving squats towards the end.

CI on Sunday for 297 calories.

Watched football tonight. :rolleyes:

[Sue]

Thanks, I'm going to have to pick up one of those Sea Bands, Reenie. I'll try anything right now... The m/s isn't terrible, but it's annoying.

LJ I'm clueless too, but I'm misssue23 :)

[meagle]

COD tonight for 453 calories. I've been eating terribly though. Thanks for all the compliments and congrats on the weight loss. It's kinda of strange - I haven't been this size/weight in 8-9 years and my goal weight is less than I've weighed since my junior year of HS.

Sue - I just wanted to chime in with my recs for the SeaBands. I used them when I was having bad medication-related nausea about two years ago. They worked like a charm!

Welcome phoenics!

Great job adding the workouts, Lori. TBTC is deceptively difficult, I think.

Jill - Great job on the workouts. Hope yoga went well!

Reenie - Have you noticed that it's easier to 'recover' from the TransFIRMation workouts? I am more likely to do longer/harder TransFIRMation workouts back-to-back, e.g. next day, and having expanded my non-step workout collection in recent months I think has helped my overall fitness since I can get more workouts in per week without killing myself. I mean, I know I'm getting good workouts, but I'm not all achy and tired from my workout like I am with some of the step ones. I've also found that when I use the step, it kicks my butt even more.


In the event of a CC outage in the future, I'm tuffers77 on LJ.

[Reenie]

Checking in with Cardio Overdrive for 371 cals.

meagle Good job on the workouts. I don't know, I think the TransFIRMation workouts are about the same regarding recovery time. What you're probably experiencing is that your fitness level has improved and so you would recover from anything easier. :)

[Jill1228]

Checking in with Cardio Sculpt Blaster for 273 calories

[lbs27]

Checking in with JF Arms in place of my usual Wed. free weights. Also biked this morning. Hoping to do a video tomorrow too.

[mom2amelia]

I haven't worked out in two days because my calf is acting up again and I've just been feeling ooky. We're out of town this weekend, so I probably won't exercise again until Monday. That'll be my longest stretch of time without exercising in probably a year. I'm kind of dreading it. I feel like exercise is the only thing that makes it possible for me to actually eat! I have no metabolism and without exercise I'd blow up like a balloon. If my throat doesn't hurt in the morning maybe I'll do a 6am workout before we hit the road. I'll bet that would make me feel better.

I'm adding all of you who posted a name to my LJ FL. I don't post very often, and when I do it's typically about my kids, but if you need me you can always find me there.

[Reenie]

Checking in with yesterday's Total Body Toner (207) and today's Cardio Inferno (186).

Jill and Lori Good job on the workouts. :)

mom2amelia Are you going anywhere fun? I think I'll get myself updated this weekend and add others to my FL on