South Beach Diet - What is your favorite exercise video?

I am so excited...I just found my TaeBo tapes that I bought a few years back and never used!

What exercise videos do you like? Does anyone use the Firm?

I'm looking for videos that will firm me up as well as are for cardio.

I used to do the MTV Dance Party ones years back. At the gym, they have one that looks fun but I can't bring myself to do -- it involves bouncing on this mini-half yoga ball type thing.

If I jump anywhere, by huge b00bs [that will NOT lose anything size wise] will smack me in the face and knock me, and possibly my neighbors, out.

I taped Bodies in Motion for years -- I have a drawer full. And if I ever get the house built, I'll have room to do them again :cb: They're great because they work everything! And in just 30 minutes, I could do them when I first woke up -- before I had time to talk myself out of it. :lol:

I absoutely am IN LOVE! with Walk Away the Pounds!!!!!!!!

I think I am addicted....... :lol:

Im a Walk away the pounds addict also!! Leslie is wonderful and peppy and I get a good sweat going :)

I love the tai bo tapes, too!
I bought myself a couple of belly dancing videos a while ago (Neena and Veena), but still haven't tried them. I've only watched them whilst eating Bridge Mixture.
They look really good, though. :D

Geeze ellis :rolleyes: How long ago did you buy those tapes again? Tch! Tch! I am nagging you to get moving now...step away from the bridge mixture! :D

My favorite tapes are the Goddess Workout bellydance tapes, Neena and Veena Bellydance tapes and Windsor Pilates.

Crap! What are you doing sneaking around in South Beach, Mauvais! :rofl:

I bought the Tae Bo tapes and was too heavy to keep up -- I felt frustrated and quit -- then sold the tapes on eBay.

Story of my life!

Good luck ellis -- maybe you can teach me someday!

Jenn, I have to admit, I did those tapes when I only weighed about 175. I'm about 30 pounds heavier now, and I don't know ... maybe I could still do them. They did give me a very real feeling of empowerment. I felt I could kill someone with my kick. ;)

I have the Neena and Veena Bellydancing (fitness for beginners - fatburning) also, I love it but I cannot do very much of it, it's pretty intense. I also do yoga for beginners and love it.

The FIRM tapes are excellent- I have a set of 3 that are beginner tapes. They combine low impact aerobics, weights, ab work..... they are excellent workouts.

I also like WATP- I have the 2 mile tape, which is a good little workout.

This thread has been sooo helpful to me. I have been looking to buy some new exercise tapes but did not know what to buy.

I just bought 2 of the Neena and Veena bellydance tapes and the leslie sansone 2 mile tape off ebay (got a great deal too like 5.50 for all three)
I figure I should do good at the bellydance tapes since by belly can pretty well dance on it's own (or the fat can anyway! shake, jiggle, jiggle) lol. :lol:

Thanks again!!

Beth

Hi, chicks. Long time lurker, 1st time poster -

Anyway, I also use the FIRM tapes, and they're great. If you try one with any cardio/step, commit to trying it 3 times before giving it up. The footwork has me stumbling at first, but once you get it your mind stays occupied and you hardly realize you're working your butt off!

Good luck!

:spin: Jen

ellis- you know me : fair skinned, redhead, don't go out in the sun much but I do lurk on the beach under a big umbrella, with my sunhat, sarong, pitcher of ice cold martinis and a good book dahling :cool:

I do occasionally brave the sun and post you all a note now and again.... keeps things interesting and you on your toes :lol:

Mauvaix, you little devil! :devil: Good to see you (and your martinis) on the beach! :D

So, being someone who usually avoids exercise like the plague, I was also avoiding this thread, but figured I would take a peek. I'm surprised by how fun some of these tapes sound! Especially fun when watched while eating bridge mix! :lol: I'm so with you on that, Ellis! Belly dancing does sound like the thing for me...my belly dances on its own, so it shouldn't be too hard... :lol3:

Seriously, how hard are the bellydancing tapes? Could a newbie exerciser use them? My big issue is that the only big space I have is in the living room, which is narrow and carpeted. Could you do the WATP (by the way, how do you walk two miles while watching a video? This TOTALLY confuses me! :?: ) or bellydance videos in that environment? I just might need to buy a couple videos for those rainy days when I can't go out!

Walk away the pounds is good. TaeBo kicks my butt, I can never get through the whole hour. Windsor Pilates is good, people think pilates isn't exercise because it isn't cardio, but it will get you in great shape and let you see results within a week or two. Bellydancing is fun. This is my week regimen...so it is safe to assume my neighbors think I'm crazy, I'm always kicking or twirling around my living room!

Okay...my interest is aroused. Can any of you describe the bellydancing videos? I'm afraid that once I start shaking, the ol' belly won't ever stop.
(Not to mention that I would have to do this one when everyone is out of the house!)

Kimberly, sounds like fun!

So...is your living room huge, free of furniture, and without a rug? How do you find the space to move and what kind of shoes do you wear to avoid twisting an ankle on the rug?

Mauvaisroux looking up from her book and martini....

-Belly dancing is an great way to get exercise. It is suitable for most body types and age groups. You can join a class or buy a beginner's tape and you can exercise at home. You don't need special equipment or outfits. I dance in a pair of yoga pants and a tank top with a georgette scarf or a sarong around my hips. Some people wear those indian cotton gypsy skirts too.

I take two classes per week but I practice at home using the neena and veena tapes and the Goddess workout tapes. You can actually dance in about 4 feet of space.
I live in an apartment so my livingroom isn't very big - I have hardwood floors but if you dance on carpet I would recommend either ballet slippers or those Isotoner slip on fabric shoes (usually found in the slipper section of department stores). I started out with chinese slippers and I now have gymnastic shoes which are cloth and slip on (they me $18.00).

There used to be a Bellydance thread under the exercise forum. It had a lot of good info advice and recommendations for video tapes, etc. I will try to find it and bump it up for you. :D

It is a very beautiful dance, great music, and I feel invigorated after I have worked out. I have rarely ever felt sore afterwards and have gotten a good all over toning workout in the earlier stages and as I have progressed it has become a good cardio workout too.

Beach gal- I bumped the thread up for you, it is awfully long but there are some good suggestions and some websites if you want to check them out.

Here is a sampling :

Another tape I would like to recommend is called "Magical Motion" and the instructor is named Atea. It is not in an exercise format, but a real dance instruction video, and shows all of the basic
moves in bellydance. -Aphil

As for videos that I have..... i have the basic moves videos from the twins.... but the one I like the most is "THE GODDESS WORKOUT"... angel

Jen-for starting out, I would recommend:
Bellydance Fitness for Beginners-Basic Moves taught by Neena and Veena, which is in more of an exercise video type of format. You are exercising with a few basic dance moves added in. They also have a set of dance instruction tapes, and you would want to start with their instruction tape called "Basic Dance." It is in more of a dance lesson type format. - Aphil

"I also think that she would be proud knowing how much you thought of her dancing and looking sexy at 50 something! Bellydance looks beautiful on everyone-delicate or large boned, tall or short, older or young, and heavy or thin! "-Aphil

- I found the Bellydance Fitness for Beginners DVD's at Amazon.com for 16.99 each (each DVD contains two of the videos). I think I'm going to order them! -clk chef

Mauvaisroux
(settling back into my book now and having my martini freshened by the cabana boy ;) )

Thanks for the help, Mauvaix! I think I need to look into that! Whenever I am dancing, I definitely do not feel like I am exercising, just having a blissfully good time! And the tip on wearing slippers makes perfect sense.

Hey, no fair getting a cabana boy! :snooty: Maybe if I learn to seductively roll my hips he'll come with a Pina Colada for me? :idea: (if there are cabana boys, there have to be OP Pina Coladas, too. Fair's fair. :lol: )

Mauvais, do you prefer Neena and Veena or the Goddess tapes? On Amazon, it seems that the majority of reviewers of the basic Goddess tapes find that the camera work makes it very difficult to see what she is doing. What are your thoughts on that? :D

If Mauvais can bellydance in HER living room, ANYONE has enough space! :lol: Mauvais has the COOLEST apartment, and it's FULL of crazy and funky things. :smoking: Red, tell them about the pepper sauce.

I want to get one of those chain/belt thingys with the coins. And a skirt. And something for my head.

BTW, Mauvais, did you ever sew anything with that gorgeous fabric you bought ... was it LAST summer, or the year before? :D

I would go for the Neena and Veena tapes but make sure you get the actual bellydance ones since they have some fitness tapes based on belly dance moves as well but they are more of an aerobic workout than instructional dance. Start with the beginners tape.

I enjoy the Goddess tapes but she is a bit new age (talking about chakras and stuff like that) which isn't everyone's cup of tea and sometimes the camera work stays on her upper body when she is doing a lower body move and I am thinking - " darn it just pan down and show me what she is doing with her feet!!!!!"

I think the Goddess tapes work better if you have some basic knowledge - I use them to hone the skills I already have and practice away from class. I think if I was a beginner I would find that they don't break down the moves enough and that the instructor goes to quickly sometimes. Also she doesn't really explain the basic stance which you NEED to do to avoid hurting your lower back.

Remember to always warm up and stretch before doing anything! The one thing about the Windsor Pilates tapes that bugs me is that they just jump right in - there is no warm up so I have to do my own before hand.

oh ellis, :o Thanks for your kind words about my eclectic little place.

My husband collects hot sauce and friends keep bringing him bottles from around the world. I would guess that he has over 100 different kinds now. And yes we do eat them - we currently have 3 open bottles in the fridge. Along with some Indian curries and a jar of hot pepper jelly - we just bought a bottle of raspberry hot dessert sauce which supposedly is very good on ice cream :flame:

I do have plans for that lovely chocolate brown and gold sari material that I bought on our last Dim Sum outing - I am just waiting until my dance teacher/professional seamstress has time to make my outfit for me. I have made a couple of things myself but I don't want to risk this particular material - I would rather have her do it since she is a graduate from fashion design school and actually sews clothes and costumes for a living. I am hoping to have it done by the fall. :crossed:

Ooh, hot stuff! DH loves super hot food, but I'm not as big a fan. He is currently obsessed with Bobby Flay's Jalepeno powder. That stuff packs a huge kick!!!

The material sounds amazing, Mauvais! I am actually a fabric hog...though I rarely get around to doing much with it. Would love to see your outfit when it is done! Ellis, go for that costume! Bet your DH would go nuts! :flame:

Mauvais, thanks for the tips. That's exactly what I was thinking after reading the reviews. Decided to get the Veena and Neena fitness bellydance videos and their Basic Dance video, too. Once I feel more competent with the basic dance, then I figure I can buy the beginner Goddess tape and see how I do. Some of the commenters on Amazon seemed to think that the cameraman was a bit obsessed with Dolphina and so spent more time on her face or chest than on her body doing the actual movements. :lol: I found that rather amusing and a testament to the power of a woman who believe in her sexiness! :D

Mauvais, where have you found classes? Were they at a local gym or a local dance studio or somewhere different entirely? We have a tiny community here, but I bet there are classes up in Ithaca!

I actually take classes at a local community centre. :)

We can start you off with a chain belt ellis- there is a place here in town that sells them though I have found a cheaper place in Kingston. I can pick one up for you next time I go there :D

Laurie, you should SEE their hot sauces!! They're all on a big shelf, and the bottles and labels look SO cool!! It's like a piece of art!

I'm a fabric hog, too. I buy it on sale, and then it sits there waiting for the "perfect project". I've got shelves full of lovely fabrics... waiting... :rolleyes: I'll die, and the fabric will still be there...

Really, Mauvais!? Thanks! How cheap are we talking here? I don't want you to hand me a bill for a hundred bucks. :lol:

I've noticed that with the camera person, too! Ummm... hello! I don't want to see lovely Neena and Veena's FACES!! I want to see their FEET!! :rofl:

ellis- can you leave me your fabric in your Will? :D The belts in town usually are $40-$50.00 but I saw some in Kingston for around $20-$30.

The hot sauces usually have funny labels and names like Vampfyre, Bat's Brew, *** in the Tub (picture of man cooling butt in washtub) :shrug: and other fun stuff like a sauce from Jamaica that has a rastafarian hat and beaded dread locks as the cap, one from Texas that has a cowboy hat as the cap, and one shaped like a stick of dynamite. We even have one that is soooooo hot that you have to sign a waiver when you buy it saying that you will not taste it right from the bottle :flame:

Not all of they are super hot though - we have a garlic one that is medium and more of a flavorful spicy than a burning spicy. :T

Your collection sounds superb! I love the rastafarian one...that is awesome! (Rastafarian men are yummmmy :T )

Mauvais, I would be glad to leave you my fabric. I have so much! Right now, I have a yard of colorful fleece and some squeakers that I want to make into dog toys. Really not sure what to do next! :lol: They have this gorgeous batik fabric at Jo-Ann's...all different colors at once with an overlay of shiny copper or gold decorations. That would make a beautiful skirt for belly dancing!

I did some poking around and found some belly dancing classes in Ithaca, but nothing on Saturdays. It would be hard to get up there mid week. Wish there was something in town!

ellis- can you leave me your fabric in your Will?

Sure. I will also provide you with the exact date and time of my impending death. :D

:rofl:

Ellis, no fair! *sputtering*

First of all, I think, as a fabric hog who intends to follow your obvious wishes by not touching the fabric during its lifetime, I deserve to receive your fabric. :D

Second, no fair making me spit out water! :lol:

Great ellis- by that time I will have sewn the fabric that I already have! :lol:

Beach gal- Since I am living closer to ellis it is only right that I get the fabric and save her Estate the shipping fees! :rofl:

That fabric at Jo-Ann's sounds gorgeous!

And we all know how much it costs to ship things from Canada to the States, not to mention the time it takes (do they use a slug???) and the G.S.T., P.S.P., P.M.S., and A.B.C. taxes they add on...

Do you know that one time my grandmother was forced to pay $25 (Canadian, thank God!) in taxes/fees on a box of homemade cookies she was bringing into the States for us? And she paid it...my Bubbe is a wonderful lady, but not very fiesty. I would have kicked 'em in the shins and ran for it. :lol:

Okay, Ellis can give you the fabric. Just don't use it up too quickly, 'kay? :D

Geeze - I would have kicked up a fuss and said - look, it cost me $5.00 in baking ingredients and the labour was free so there is no way these cookies are $25.00!!!!!! I can't believe they made her pay that! :mad:

That's CRAZY, Laurie! What a sweet grandmother you have! If I'd been her, I would have just eaten them all right at the border. I'll bet that border guard was thinking, "She won't pay THAT, and she'll leave them at the border, and then I can eat them!"

I'm changing my will, and will split the fabric between the two of you.

Mauvais, hold off on the tummy chain for a while. I may not be able to pay you back. :lol3:
In the meantime, I'll make myself one out of some string and a few beads and coins.

Hon, I won't be going to Kingston for a while :lol: You could always buy a light shawl from the Sally Ann and sew some coins and beads on it then tie it around your waist - a lot of us dancers make our own stuff :D

ellis - what colour would you like...give me a couple of options...:D

Thanks, gals! :goodvibes: My Bubbe would be very appreciative of your kick-*** attitude. ;) I can just imagine my dainty little grandmother eating each cookie with a tiny tea napkin! :lol3:

So, if I took a shawl with fringe, I could just knot coins and beads and such on the fringe, right? Sounds like a fun project! Any suggestions for fun things to use for noise? I was thinking of those asian coins that have a sqare hole the middle along with those Indian bells. Hmmm... :chin:

What about plain ol' bells, Laurie? :D

Mauvais, I LOVE pink! And gold. And green. You know that red is my favourite colour, but it clashes with my rosacea. :lol3: