FIRM Believers Meet Here- Part Three

[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:
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 the FIRM 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), to name just a few.

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).
Link to second thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?38204-FIRM-Believers-Meet-Here-Part-Two).

[Firm Believers]

Active Members

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:
Miscellaneous Information: in 2000 I did a pilgrimage to the FIRM. Took classes and met instructors

lbs27
Me: lbs27/36
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

Reenie
Me: Reenie, 29
Using The Firm since: off and on since January 2004; restarted fall 2010
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, the Wave, many props and multiple other miscellaneous videos
Favorite Firm Instructor: Alison Davis, Allie Del Rio, 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; Cardio Overdrive from TransFIRMation
Total lbs/inches/body fat lost/gained:
Miscellaneous Information: I love Spark People (http://www.sparkpeople.com) for tracking exercise, calories burned, and entering food and water intake (currently doing about 1500 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:

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:
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]

SAVED (just in case ;) ).

[Firm Believers]

OPEN FOR POSTING! :D

I removed inches/pounds lost from each member's info in the second post since it was horribly outdated. Please let me know if you would like me to update anything in your information or add anything to the thread. :)

[lbs27]

:eek::eek::eek: um, my age needs to updated. Holy crap, is this thread really 4 years old? I'm 36. Ugh. It's funny I'm never sure how long I've been doing the Firm for, but now that I see I was early 30s when I started it certainly explains how it's not really doing for my body this time what it did last time! :p

[Firm Believers]

Updated. :)

[Reenie]

Lori Yup, I think this thread will actually be five years old coming soon! :D I'm sure you're being too hard on yourself about your body; you should post a pic! ;)

Checking in with Rock It Off with Alison for 311 cals. Even though I have a few foot slipping issues, I really do like that one. Alison is so easy to follow and encouraging.

[Jill1228]

Just subbed. I've gone through quite a bit. Battled (and am still battling) major depression. No motivation. Couldn't find joy in anything. Dealing with IF didn't help matters. I know losing weight would help. You get a BFN, get depressed, eat. It's a f*cked up cycle

And DH was out of work for 4.5 months. The job market in California sucks

He got a job offer in the Midwest and we moved to Iowa 2.5 weeks ago.
That's what's going on with me

[Jill1228]

Checking in today with Cardio Party

[Jill1228]

Rest day today. Raking leaves for exercise

[Reenie]

Jill I hope that you have a good doctor and/or therapist who can help you through. Depression is a big problem in my family; my mom was clinically depressed in 2007-2008 to the point where she couldn't go to work or anything... something as simple as taking a bath would be her one major goal (and sometimes accomplishment, sometimes not :( ) for the day. I am so sorry about your experience with depression and the infertility issues that compound it. My DH was also out of work last year (from July of 2009 through February of 2010), and you're right, the job market in general sucks. I am glad that your DH also found work (even though it meant a move). Are you in eastern or western Iowa? I'm in Chicago.

Like Jill, today is my rest day. I may take her lead and rake leaves; I always do my workouts after putting Tim to bed, though, so it will be dark... maybe I'll wait until next weekend and do it while DH is home and can help...

[Reenie]

Um, duh, Jill, I just noticed you are specific in your location! :p

[lbs27]

Jill -I'm so sorry you're dealing with a whole ton of emotional crapness. Like Reenie, I hope you have or find someone you can talk through stuff with who can help you. Depression/anxiety runs in my family and I had major anxiety when I started grad school - the kind where you know you're being unrealistic but can't stop yourself. It's so hard. I can't imagine dealing with IF on top of it all. I'm glad your DH found a job though even if it meant moving. Hopefully you can use it as a new start and it doesn't make things worse for you.

Checking in with this morning's UCB - I still really like that one!

Has anyone here ever worked with a personal trainer? I'm considering it. I just feel like what i'm doing isn't working - my weight is "ok" but my pooch and love handles are just horrible. I know dieting would help but I also feel like I could be doing "better" working out if that makes sense. I really wish I like running and felt like keeping it up in the winter - I saw some girl running on the way home, it's raining and she had a miner's light on her head. All I could think of was, do you really need to run that bad?! :p Clearly, despite doing 6 or so 5ks this summer, I'm not there yet. :p

[Reenie]

Checking in with DCA. I forgot how much I like that one! 441 cals burned.

Lori I agree, I NEVER get sick of UCB! As far as a personal trainer, I have not worked with one, but I would totally love to do so! Previously, I would have been too shy/unsure of myself, but now it's more of a scheduling issue. Eh well. My BIL is very good friends with a personal trainer who is a good guy, though, and he is in amazing shape; I will tell you since they were roommates in college and after hearing BIL talk about what his friend ate and suggested that people eat, the trainer will probably mention diet. :p Not what anyone wants to hear.

[Jill1228]

Things have gotten better depression wise. I still have my moments. Haven't felt the need to find a counselor since I moved here. In the summer it was bad

Check in yesterday with HD Sculpt express

[Reenie]

Glad you're feeling better, Jill.

Checking in with a little more than 1/2 of Sculpt-ilates. I just wasn't feeling it, plus I am leaving in the morning for my annual Christmas shopping trip, and I have to do stuff to get ready. Tomorrow's my other off day for this week. Talk to you all on Sunday! :D

[lbs27]

Reenie - I could probably figure this out but I haven't had my coffee yet. Which one is DCA? That's a nice calorie burn!

Thursday I did Jillian's cardio workout and was off yesterday. Today will be Total muscle shaping and maybe JF Abs. Tomorrow I think I'll do Jillian's YogaMelt. Did it for the first time last weekend and really liked it. It was hard on my arms/abs, not so much a cardio workout, but that's ok.

ETA: Never mind, I realized when I was doing TMS that DCA = Dangerous Curves Ahead. That's not one of my favorites, but that's a lot of calories burned, so maybe i'll add it back in more often! :-)

[Reenie]

Lori Yeah, I saw that YogaMelt on Collage Video and wondered about it; I am actually ordering myself some meditation-type yoga DVDs because my stress level has been through the roof.

Does anyone have Calorie Explosion? I am taking an unplanned day off because I am tired, it is late, and I got scared of the reviews (I've never done it before) on Collage. :o :p

[Reenie]

I got my FIRM Express for Christmas (present to myself :p) and started it yesterday with all of the resolutioners. HAHA.

OMG, it is HARRRRRRRRRD. Lori I think you would like it since you like the Shred... I believe the workout format is not too different.

I did Cycle 1 Ignite Cardio + Sculpt yesterday for 196 cals (for 20 minutes!), and I did Cycle 1 Cardio plus Pump It Up from the Kickstart Your Metabolism DVD for 303 cals today (30 minutes total). These things are NO JOKE. I know I've slacked in the past few weeks, but DANG, I feel like a total beginner.

[Reenie]

Checking in with FIRM Express Cycle 1: Ignite Sculpt (20 min) for 154 calories. I started with the Beginner 2 rotation, but maybe I'll bump up to Intermediate after another week or so...

[lbs27]

LOL, Reenie! I bet you're right - it sounds like they pack a full workout into express time. I find that Fat Blasting Cardio is a little like that as well, but these sound harder. It's funny, yesterday I did the Shred Level 2 and 3 back to back (which I've never done before!) and they are both so hard. Jillian even says "you want a 20 minute workout? Then you have to give it everything you have for 20 minutes". I like them though. I was curious about the Express workouts and whether they would just be shorter versions of normal workouts. I think I might have to get them! I saw there was a new toning one too - I think with Alison(?)??

[Reenie]

Yes, FBC is hard, but these are a totally different category if you ask me! I am glad you are liking the Shred; the FE workouts have "bursts" where you push yourself as hard as you can for 8 seconds and then recover for 12 seconds. They are, in some ways, very different from other FIRMs.

There are 13 FE workouts in the set: three led by Emily, three led by Rebekah, three led by Alison, three led by Kelsie, and a bonus led by Jennifer. Emily, Rebekah, Alison, and Kelsie each have a cardio, c+s, and sculpt.

There are a few new ones: there is a kit that has a weighted gloves workout led by Rebekah (not available through Amazon, I don't know why; it is on collage, though, and another one [maybe totalfitnessdvds]); there is a kit that has a weighted ball workout led by Emily; there is PowerBurn 45 which has Alison on the cover but it is just a repackage of three formerly released workouts (Cardio Inferno with Sue Mi from the TransFIRMation set; Cardio Dance Slim Down with Allie from the pink FIRMs; and Ultimate Fat Burning Workout with Alison from the pink FIRMs); Calorie Explosion led by Alison which I think is classified as cardio; and Target Toning- Zero in Ten led by Emily and Rebekah and are sculpts. Hope that helps.

Some people on the FB message boards were complaining about the price since it is essentially 13 20-minute DVDs with no equipment; I was a little surprised, but really, I didn't mind that much. I mean, I could have NOT bought them if I so chose. They ran a pre-sale special for FB message board members which was I think $80+shipping; that special is over, and now FB message board members get 10% off. This is one time when I am glad that I didn't wait to see if the special got better. :p They also will be airing an infomercial some time later this month (it will be posted on the FB message board prior to its airing, so if anyone is interested, let me know and I will post the info when I find out).

Hope everybody's having a great day! Today is one of my scheduled rest days for the week, and I am THRILLED for it! :D

[Reenie]

Checking in with FIRM Express Cycle 2: Accelerate Cardio+Sculpt for 178 cals. Loved it. :p

[Reenie]

Checking in with FIRM Express Cycle 2: Accelerate Cardio for an estimated 200 cals. HRM konked out halfway through the workout. I was not happy. :mad:

[Reenie]

Checking in with FIRM Express Kickstart Your Metabolism: Shortcut to Flat Abs (58 cals), FE Cycle 3 Cardio with Alison (165 cals), and FE Kickstart: Pump It Up (95 cals). Feeling good. I lost 3.5 pounds in the first week, and my work pants feel a little looser. I had gained some holiday pounds, so I am happy. :)

[Reenie]

Still plugging along here, just not sure if anyone else is stopping by and I've been busy with starting more ( :rolleyes: ) grad classes this week; anyway, can't remember everything, so I'll just check in with today's FE Ignite C+S and Accelerate C+S for 410 cals.

[Reenie]

Bueller? :p

Checking in with yesterday's meditation and yoga.

Today was FE Ignite C+S and Accelerate C+S for 376 cals.

[Sue]

Hey Reenie! It's been a crazy month or so... DH was preparing for an overseas business meeting so that ate up of lot of him time and then he's been gone for a week (getting back today!!) so hopefully things will get back to normal. That way I can get my a$$ out of bed in the morning and workout!! I am fat and disgusting and feel like crap.

[Reenie]

Sue, I am so grateful for some company in here! :D I really hope getting back into the routine is easy for you. I know it's been much harder for me since becoming a mama; I'd start with good intentions, but it'd fall by the wayside. Maybe you could just start with the express/short types of workouts. I am sure that you are not fat or disgusting, but I'm sorry that you feel like crap, and I know I always feel better within the first week of being back into the routine.

We got a treadmill. I did that on Thursday (can't remember how many cals off of the top of my head), took yesterday off because I am taking Tuesdays and Fridays off unless I feel like adding an extra in (but I am back in grad school [again... now working on Masters+15], so I had to do my homework last night by midnight, which of course I procrastinated on), and today I just did a short 20-minute FE Cycle 1: Ignite C+S for 164 cals. Gonna watch the movie Social Network that DH just picked up from the Red Box.

Hope everybody else is doing well, too. :)

[lbs27]

Hi ladies!

I'm still here. :) Let's see, last week I did 30-day shred levels 2 and 3 on Monday, Firm Total Muscle Shaping on Tuesday, Cardio Dance Fusion (most of it, I was running late and skipped the last segment with all the plies that I hate anyway), off Thursday, Jillian's No More Trouble Zones Friday and Jillian's Banish fat today. I'm feeling really sore though so I think tomorrow will either be off, or Jillian's YogaMelt if it's still on On Demand. I'm trying to do more of either the 30 day shred or Jillian's cardio workout and see if I can drop a few pounds (still, ugh). I'm also trying to decide if I want to start running again once it gets warmer. Mentally I know I should and I want to but I don't want to. :p I'm hoping to sort of get back to a 5K distance relatively quickly in the hopes of getting up to a 10k over the summer, but I have no idea how hard/easy it will be to get back to it. We'll see.

Reenie - still contemplating getting some of these express videos. Which ones are you liking the most?

[Reenie]

Checking in with 40 mins on the treadmill for 356 cals.

Lori Good to see you, too! You are rippin' it UP! :) As far as the FIRM Express workouts, I really like all of them (except one of Rebekah's- I think it's the cardio but it could be the sculpt; it definitely is NOT the cardio+sculpt- anyway, it has these crazy leg thread things); I have modified a couple of things because I can't maintain proper form the way they do it, and I don't want to hurt myself. I'm not sure if it's the pace or that I'm definitely not as strong right now as a FIRM MI is. :p You know I'm a cardio girl at heart, but I am really, really loving the cardio+sculpt vids. They haven't released them to retail yet, and when they do, they will do it in bits and pieces, not all 13 at once. The first two are going to be released in March; I think I read on the FB message board that it's the c+s from Emily and Rebekah, but I could have that wrong. Anyway, if so, I would TOTALLY buy that DVD because those workouts are AWESOME (Rebekah's has this fun "volleyball" segment that I really like :p ). The FIRM Express is supposed to have an infomercial airing sometime soon. Do you have a DVR? I could let you know when it's going to air when they post it on the FB message board. I can't believe I'm about to say this, especially since I already own the FIRM Express, but I am totally going to DVR the infomercial so that I can watch it. :o I am the biggest nerd ever.

[Reenie]

Checking in with yesterday's Cycle 1 C+S and Cycle 2 C+S for 361 cals (I think).

Also checking in with today's active rest; I dusted off an oldie, Ab Sculpt with Lisa Kay. :)

[Reenie]

Took yesterday off in exchange for a workout on Friday (boo, but it's the end of the semester and I had to do grades, so I had little choice).

Checking in with today's FIRM Express Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 Cardio+Sculpt for 367 cals.

[lbs27]

Checking in - Monday was Jillian, Tuesday was Get Chiseled, yesterday was off and today was Dangerous Curves Ahead. Now, to the reason yesterday was off - last weekend I found a yoga workout on On Demand - YogaWorks for beginners. Really liked it. So Monday I did 30-day shred Level 3 in the morning and then at night tried the YogaWorks SlimDown - I totally love it. It's about 45-47 minutes long but totally doesn't feel like it at all. The instructor has this cute little voice and over-enunciates everything which cracks me up. INhale stretch, EXhale, fold. So funny. I didn't think anything of it since I didn't really sweat or get out of breath, but holy hell, I was so sore yesterday! :p More sore than when I tried Jillian's YogaMelt. So, tonight I did it again. ;) Definitely want to add that to the routine.

Thanks Reenie! Great job on the workouts! I know what you mean, I hate when I have to change my schedule b/ life gets in the way! Hmm...I think for an express workout I would also like C+S despite my loathing of S - LOL! But, in a shorter workout I like more bang for the buck and even though I'm sure I'd be huffing and puffing after a cardio only express, I agree that C+S is worth it. I will definitely look out for the videos and yeah, definitely post a date for the infomercial when you get it - I'll watch with ya! :cool:

[Reenie]

Lori Can you send me a link to that workout? I can't find that exact title, but I did find "YogaWorks Body Slim," and I am uncertain if that is the same thing. I am interested because I am not someone who LOVES yoga, but I would like to incorporate it more into my routines...

[lbs27]

Hi Reenie - I'll try to find a link, but I think that's the one. I guess they have YogaWorks DVDs available but not sure where - there are 3, Yoga beginners, Yoga Body Slim and Yoga Abs (the little blip I saw looked good but haven't tried that one yet).

ETA: Here's the link from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/YogaWorks-Everybody-Body-Andrea-Ambandos/dp/B002P8LKBI/ref=pd_bxgy_d_img_b.
The girl looks totally different on the cover than in the video! Check out the reviews - you'll see it's not like relaxation yoga, but more C&S yoga. It alternates between "slow burn" (think holding warrior poses) and cardio (sun salutations and movement). I wouldn't say my heart rate gets really high, definitely not like a Firm or Jillian workout, but you can feel yourself getting heated.

[Reenie]

Lori Thank you so much for posting that. I am definitely putting it on my list; if I don't beat my brother in this challenge (ends Valentine's Day), then I'll buy it for myself instead of making him buy it for me among my other winnings. :p

40 mins treadmill Friday night and C1 and C2 C+S today. My HRM is downstairs, but I think they were both in the 350-375 range. I am exhausted and going to BED.

[Reenie]

I am sucking at posting. Sorry.

Checking in with C1 and C2 C+S for 375 cals. We had almost 21 inches of snow here from about 1 p.m. yesterday until about noon today. Tired.

[Scoutesina]

Oops, I guess I forgot to subscribe to the "new" thread! I was Firming two days a week at home last semester to fill in the gaps with the exercise schedule at the wellness center where I work. This semester, they have the perfect schedule for me: Zumba (which I LOVE) MW at 5:30, aqua tone TR at 5:30, and PiYo (pilates/yoga) F at noon. I shouldn't have to exercise at home at all this semester....except during breaks and when things get messed up with my schedule and I can't make it to those classes, which I am starting to worry about.

So....I need some new workout DVDs! I moved and no longer have a VCR, and all my Firm stuff is on tape. The thing is, I am in a second floor condo now so I am a bit worried about causing noise for my neighbors. I do have a rug, but I was thinking I might need to look for some DVDs that are not quite as "stompy"! :) [For those of you who know/remember me and might be curious, I am newly separated and over the moon happy about it!!!! :D]

Lori - YogaWorks looks good--I'm putting that on my list!

Reenie - I haven't been keeping up with the latest Firm stuff. They don't all use that rocker thing now, do they? I was afraid of that--seemed like a twisted ankle waiting to happen. Do you have any you like that seem mostly downstairs-neighbor-friendly? I do need to get back to do some weight-bearing exercise since my bone density continues to be crappy...

[Reenie]

Scoutesina! Your classes sound WONDERFUL! :) Congrats on the separation!!!!! :D Yeah, their newest workouts do not use the Wave. I am trying to think of what would be good with downstairs neighbors.... are you looking for sculpt, c+s, or cardio? I love the TransFIRMation set because they don't use anything but weights; I honestly can't really help you with thinking about stompiness because I workout in the basement, so it is not a thought that often crosses my mind. I am pretty sure that BSS3 is VERY stompy, but I feel like BSS1 isn't so much; some of BSS2 is. I am not much help. :p

[Scoutesina]

Reenie - Aw, thanks! I was desperate last night (they were doing couples Zumba for V Day....no thanks!) so I stopped at Wal Mart and bought the only FIRM DVD they had: Power Half Hour with Emily. I also got one of the Jillian Michaels ones Lori uses but now I can't remember which one I ended up getting...I think it was 30 Day Shred.

I did the FIRM one and wow, Emily seemed like she was on crack! Moving and talking SO fast! I think I will like it once I learn it better, and it doesn't seem like one you'd get bored of in a hurry, but I got frustrated at a few points because by the time I'd figure out what we were doing, we'd be switching to another move. I don't think the stomping is going to be a huge issue, as I have a big rug that seemed to dampen the noise. We'll see....I don't think my downstairs neighbor was home yet either! The new space worked much better though--I have a lot more room laterally and more room vertically too. I still hit the dangling ceiling fan pull, but not as bad as the house, where I used to constantly hit the light fixture while using the step.

I thought TransFIRMation was the series with the T-shaped fanny lifter with the incline? I never bought that, I just have an ancient step I use. To answer your question, Reenie, I guess I need all 3 but my favorite tend to be c+s. I do need to do some weight-bearing stuff for my crappy bones, but I like the all cardio ones too for days in between when you are supposed to rest your muscles. Sometimes on those days, I would just do a mostly-cardio tape and not use weights at all, bc I don't think I had any FIRM workouts that didn't use weights (other than Ab Sculpt maybe).

So my goal weight from 2006 was 150 and I'd been varying between 149-153 for the last few years, then last November I decided to track/slightly limit calories again bc it was creeping up to 154 some days. Nothing happened for a few weeks, then I suddenly lost some right around Thanksgiving (the magic of eating too much stuffing???), and now in the month I've been living alone, it's dropped some again even though I'm not tracking calories anymore. I was so excited to see 140 yesterday! I don't think any lower than that is sustainable for me (I'm 5'11") but I so wanted it to get in the 130s so I could take a pic of the scale :P But dangit this morning it was back to 142. Funny how that pissed me off whereas a month ago I would've been thrilled with it. LOL.

This won't be a good week bc I have to go out of town, but I'm so glad to have a couple DVDs now and I can at least do those this weekend after I get back, since there aren't any weekend classes at my work.

[Jill1228]

I admit I haven't totally unpacked since our move. My wooden fanny lifters haven't been reassembled. I also haven't found my plastic fanny lifter. I have been using the TransFIRMation DVDs (one without steps and stuff), the treadmill and I do a pilates class through the city on Tuesday and a yoga class on Wednesday

[Jill1228]

My doc has tweaked my meds and stuff. Since mid December, I have gotten rid of 17.2 pounds :D

[Scoutesina]

Congrats on the loss, Jill!

Tuesday is my at-home exercise day now, so I tried the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD, just the level 1 workout. That is a hard 20 minutes! I liked it though. I also bought a belly dancing DVD that doesn't seem like much work, so I probably should've done a segment off that too since the other workout was so short but....I didn't. Maybe next time!