stupid question. but.. what are walking poles?

There are no stupid questions, Slimdown! Walking poles are basically hiking poles that are recently enjoying a revival as a walking accessory. There've been some articles in national mags about this, but it's really been around for years. Basically, you just take two hiking poles along on your walk and kind of use them like cross country skiing. I got some because I'd read they helped people with knee and hip pain to walk more comfortably, as well as burn more calories by carrying the extra weight and using the upper arms. I have knee problems and some other stuff and though I used to run, etc., I had become increasingly less mobile. The walking poles gave me confidence that I would not fall down and hurt myself and did as promised burn more calories (a bit more, I think) and are lots of fun and look cool (or strange, depending on your point of view). I love walking with them and keep a spare pair in the car for ersatz hikes (I travel in rural areas on my job on a daily basis). You can get really good ones from Exerstrider (I think it's exerstrider.com) and Fittrek and some are available at Popular Outdoor Outfitting. The best ones have springs in them to cushion shock for the arm region, but I don't need or use these, just the less expensive ones that are still very nice.

Happy trails! Walking is the best!

I have the Walk Away the Pounds 2 mile tape and I love it. I don't use weights right now since I just bought the tape on Friday, but I still get a great workout. It's easy to follow. I can't wait to work up to the 3 mile tape. I haven't seen the abs tape, but if I find it I think I'll buy it. My abs could use the work.
Steph

You may want to check if your Library has any of the video's
so you can try/test before buying your own, I borrowed for
two weeks and was able to keep them another two. After
the four weeks, I was sure I'd both continue and enjoy the
walk aerobics enough to buy my own. I have the one, one and a half, one and a half set; the walk set for over 40's;the walk and fit fat burner; and miracle mileand plan on getting more because she makes it so much fun and it goes so fast for me
now that I've done them for a while. Doing a mile in twelve min's
was so exciting for me because I never really exercised before
WATPs. Hope this helps

Slim down- i didn't know you were WATP too! Jeez, it's getting popular huh?

Well I got my videos 8 days ago and have managed to do a mile or 2 for 6 days straight. I am really enjoying it.

I haven't had an exercise streak in a very long time and even days when my diet has been subpar I have WATP.

And I "think" that my arms look better.
Already? Is that possible?

So now the big Q has anyone gotten the abs contraption and tapes yet?

I'm starting to feel tempted.


SunDrop

I just wanted to add my two cents, I have both sets of tapes and I really don't see much difference in using the belt or weights. This is just my opinion but I get just a much of a work out regardless of which I use. I do think both are a great workouts and love the fact that I'm getting strength training and cardio at the same time.

Thanks SEMO!

I did the 3 mile wed and I'm planning it for today as well. I have been on the 2 mile and still finding it challenging but I was tired of the same moronic chatter so I popped in the 3 mile and decided I'd quit at 2 miles and do a cool down. But I just kept going, I kept thinking I'll stop as soon as we put the weights down, but then it was cool down time on the tape and I thought wow, I just did the 3 mile with weights. I rock! I was a little sore and tired for a while afterwards, I ate a banana (not on my low carb plan) to pep back up.

I have stuck with this for almost 2 weeks, sadly that's like a record for me.
Tues and Thurs I do Pilates.

Anyway I just had to share my 3 mile story, my DH was very unimpressed I'm afraid. You have to know the tapes to understand my accomplishment.

SunDrop

I gave my 1 mile to my neighbor so I wouldn't be tempted to take it too easy.

3 miles!!! that great Sundrop!!! I am still doing the one mile - but I've now added the weights

Dana

Thanks Dana. I had my own little party.

Guys, this is totally reshaping my body, I can't believe it. I lost 4 pounds this week, but better than that is that my butt is smaller, I put on a pair of shorts that have fit for quite a while and my Dh walked up and said "your @ss is disappearing honey!" and there was a bunch of excess fabric so yes it is!

Just bought the tapes today. I plan to use the 3 mile tape everynight after I put my 2 year old to bed. I'm in pretty good shape, just need to get off my butt! The pounds are creeping up by doing nothing!

Heidi
165/165/135ish

Ihave the 1, 2 and 3 mile tapes. Right now I do the 2 mile on Mon and Friday, the 1 mile with weights on Tues, Thurs, & Sat, and the 3 mile on Wed. I'm going to keep this routine for a few weeks and then mix it up a little probably by switching out a 1 mile day for the 3 mile.
Steph

The 3 mile tape is not hard to do at all! So easy to follow, I can do it! Yay!

Hope to post the same tomorrow!

Heidi

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since I've been on here because I forgot my password. Then the light bulb came on and here I am. Had to drop a line about Leslie's workouts!

Dana-Are you the one from Green Bay WI? I grew up in a small little town North of GB in Oconto. Have you heard of it? And how about those Packers? I'm still a big fan and hope my son will play for them in the near future.

Sorry for getting carried overboard but when I see someone from Green Bay I get excited. I've been living in CA for 20 years now but I miss WI and someday will move back. Now let's get back to the topic. I have almost ALL of Leslie's workouts so if you all have a question on them ask away. Her older videos are more like the old fashioned aerobics. She even has some jogging in some of them and the workout gear they are wearing is, well, funny! But I guess the funniest part is that I remember wearing that stuff. I really love Leslie's workouts and they are the only thing that I've stuck with. I do at least 1 mile a day and aim for 2 to 3 with one of her 4 miles on the weekends. I've gotten great results and the butt is the first thing to shape up and then the legs. It's a gradual change but I'm liking it especially seeing that it's something I want to do. I also do toning with an Ultra Glide and have been wanting to get the Pilates Performer from QVC. Does anyone own this? If so is it a good machine? I would love to join you all if you don't mind. It will keep me motivated to be surrounded by fellow Leslie walkers!

Rose

Hi Ladies:

I just got my first 1 mile walking tape and I really like.

I usually ride a bike about 6 miles a day + and it has been really good for losing inches. But now with it getting darker earlier and the weather kinda getting lousy I was wondering if doing the 1 mile per day going to be good enough or should I do it twice.....or what. 1 mile of walking just does'nt seem that much, but at the same time it is a good workout.

Any suggestions would be great... thanks.


Suzanne

I love WATPs!! I do the 2 miles with weights and have done the 3 miles w/o weights. I want to do it a few more times before I add weights. I just love the tapes. I can do it any time of day, any weather outside. And best of all, I can do it!! DM