This is the bb thread about mixing up the workouts -

http://forums.beachbody.com/eve/ubb....71/m/875101214

Ah yeah I read that thread. I think one of the tapes she is talking about is really old? Or maybe I just never happened to come across it.

I figured if something happened to one of my dvd's (it's working fine now, I think it was the cold temp in the attic) I'd try something like what she posted, but instead with Kathy's kickboxing and/or fat burning workout for the cardio, and Lift Weights To Lose Weight for the strength training.

Julie, I can't finish rapid fire triceps, either. I was disappointed in myself, but then I realized I weigh more than anybody on that video, and they probably couldn't rapid fire by butt either. I'm trying to just improve on the hard parts by one at a time.

Jennifer

Did the Pilates and Yoga yesterday - I really like that it's a break from the cardio/strength - I'm looking foward to those today.

I've never done Pilates or Yoga, and am dismayed at how inflexible I am. Guess it's good to know that! And since my abs are so out of shape (and they've gotten some work on the upper and lower tapes) I could only do one or two of some of the pilates moves last night. Another way I can track my progress by the end of the 12 weeks - I'll be able to do the tricep dips AND some of those pilates moves!

I realized that one of the things I'm stumbling over in the cardio is the kick-boxing, since I've never done that before, so the combination of the foot work and the punching is confusing.

What are you doing for your choice day?
Julie

Oh Julie, I'm awful at Pilates and Yoga. Worse at Pilates. I would like to buy a sticky mat before my next session. I think it might help because sometimes I'm sliding around all over the carpet.

I'm doing Power Push for choice day. I think I may get on the treadmill for the next one, though. I guess I'll just move around to various things each week.

You'll get used to the kickboxing. I did her kickboxing DVD in the past, so I was used to the moves. All of the kickboxing moves in this were in her past one. They do it again in the Power Push workout. I think it is for 7 minutes. Maybe it will help you to rewind that section and practice it on choice day. I've found the more coordinated I get, the higher my heart rate goes and the more I get from the workout. The kickboxing is easy once you get the rhythm down. After you do it a few times it will suddenly kick in, and you'll be doing it blindfolded!

I have skipped my last 2 days of exercise. I have really bad allergies right now. I've been sore, dizzy, achy, cold, tired and wimpy. My doctor changed me to a different allergy medicine, so we'll see. I'm feeling almost normal tonight, so I should be able to get back to it tomorrow without passing out.

Oh, Jennifer, I feel for you - this is the time when everything starts blooming. . .I really hope the new medication works.

I didn't have time for the upper body yesterday so I'm going to add it to 1/2 hour of cardio today - I think I'll try the steady strides, too.

It is so true that the better I get at the moves the more I sweat! Less fumbling I think. Also, my feet did slide in the yoga! Also, thanks for the idea of replaying the kickboxing segment to practice. I do remember some of the other sequences - like the lunge sequence from one of her earlier videos, so they are a little easier for me to get the hang of.

I think I'll review the power push tomorrow - if I still need a couple of days of Foundation - if I'm still sweating (and fumbling), it's still okay.

Julie

I haven't done P:U yet, but I wanted to interject that I've been doing yoga for about a year now. I marched into that first class and told the instructor I was the most inflexible person on earth, had bad knees, and of course it was obvious that I was still about 60 pounds overweight. I sort of dared her to make it doable for me. And guess what? IT WAS, and I haven't looked back. I've reaped so many benefits from that class, not only physically but mentally. DO stick with it and learn from it. It has informed my post-weights and post-cardio stretching, it has helped with the way I carry myself during the day, and my seated forward reach has increased THREE INCHES. I'm still more hamstrung than other people in class, there are still things my knees won't let me do, etc. But, it's amazing how much I enjoy class and how much I've gotten out of it.

And yes, you DEFINITELY need a sticky mat! A great source is Gaiam -- http://www.gaiam.com/retail/category...gaTools&Page=1. In addition to the mat, you might look at getting this video: http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product....91%2D0167+MSTR. You might find your practice more rewarding by using props, and this video can explain how to use them in various poses.

Funniegirl - thanks for the encouragement on the yoga and pilates - I had just about decided on the sticky mat as my feet were sliding backwards during one of the poses. I can already feel some improvement after just one week on PY - my breathing seems to be deeper (if that makes any sense), I'm sitting up straighter, and my balance is better. Maybe all this just means I'm more aware of my physical self???

Are you considering Project:You?
Julie

Hi,

For all of you who start yoga OR pilates - make sure you have sticky mat. It is not so much a convenience, but it is a safety issue. Also, make sure that if you have problems sitting cross legged - blanket under your sitting bones (elevating your hips) will help reduce tension. I do yoga for about 6 years now, and I am teaching classes for about 2 years and I've seen so many improvements in overweight people. One of my students is (i guess) in her 350-ties and she still can modify some postures accordingly.

Yoga clears your mind and soul - I always end my class with words - "close your eyes, imagine your favourite picture in front of you, look into details of this picture. Now ask yourself how you feel - if you feel good - take this feeling with you and leave all stress and tension in this room" - talk to yourself when you finish your practise - you will find such a mood improvemnts!

I recently discovered Pilates - Windsor pilates tapes - even though the workout is way to short, it is a good exercise!

Good luck,
Sandy.

Sandy - that was one question I had - I can use the same mat for both yoga and pilates, right? (I'm a little embarrassed for having to ask ...)

Julie

Julie, one of the biggest benefits of yoga is that it DOES improve your mind/body connection. That's true for anyone, but overweight or otherwise out-of-shape people need to reconnect the MOST. It's made a huge difference in how I think about my body, and in the way I approach all types of movement, fitness, etc.

I am considering P:U because I love Kathy so much and I have such confidence in her routines. However, I belong to a fitness center and have been on a kick of going consistently, so I don't feel a need to change anything right now. But, I'm thinkin' about it.

Funniegirl - I am thinking that exercise alone gives me a greater appreciation and mind/body connection.

However, I am bummed - since I couldn't get my sculpting tapes to work after I had done the cardio - I think the cardio may have overheated the VCR!

I really like this as it's a complete program - I think that after I finish the initial 12 weeks I may start the second half again after a rest week. (I am going to be traveling this summer, which will make regular exercise a challenge!)

Julie

Great point! You are exactly right. During the habit forming stage I think we are more inclined to think 'let's burn fat and build muscle and get to goal'. There's not a lot of thought in the middle about nurturing the body or connecting with it, and in many cases, not much deep commitment. With yoga, I'm learning more about my physical abilities (or lack thereof!), relaxation, and even appreciation for my body. Although yoga doesn't burn as many calories or build as much muscle as the other parts of the program, it is very beneficial in other ways.

Julie, did you try it again after the vcr cooled down? If it is broken, call customer service and get another. I read on BB that somebody had a defective tape (or dvd) and they expedited another to her.

Hi all -
I force fed it yesterday, and got the cardio and upper body workouts done - I am still wiped out after the first set of tricep dips - but did get it all done.

I've finally got most of the moves of Foundation down, so I'll move to power push next week. What a feeling of accomplishment - I can actually lift and move my body during some of those kickboxing segments!

Afterwards, I moved the VCR slightly - I think it was slightly out of balance - it seems to work much better now. It's an old VCR, at least 5 years old, so I probably will need to buy a new one soon. It's just a hassel getting it connected to the cable correctly, and all that stuff.

I have the yoga and pilates to do today and I am looking forward to it. Still no sticky mat - by next week.

Jennifer -you are right - right now I'm focused on losing weight! Although I really know that fitness and good habits are more important. . I've been a regular exerciser in the past, and let it all slip away. But the good thing about doing this particular suite of programs is that even after ten days I can see certain positive changes in myself.

Julie

Wheeeee, good for you! I can do the tricep dips, but not the rapid-fire dips. I think I do about 4 of them max! That's up from ONE, so it is an improvement.

Tonight I jumped ahead and did Long Lean for cardio instead of Power Push or Steady Strides (it was cardio-only day). Oh boy, it does require more coordination. It reminds me a little of her timesaver workout, which I totally sucked at. I expected to be more tired at the end, or maybe not finish it, but I did, so that is disappointing for my first try. However, since it was the first time, I probably didn't get the moves executed fully and didn't get all of the exercise. We'll see next week. I'll do it again for cardio-only day.

Today I managed 8 rapid fire tricep dips, so I'm halfway to goal. I sure hope these aren't in the hour long sessions.