My name is Jen. I'm 23 years old, a mom, college student, and web designer. I enjoy my pet ferrets and video games (especially RPGs including World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy).

I joined the forum because I need to be around people with common goals. Hopefully we can encourage each other to eat right and exercise.

An average weight for me would be between 120-125 lbs. At my lightest I was 105-110 lbs (which doesn't concern me), but I don't want to be 150 lbs anymore (I'm 5' 2.5").

I don't have any workout/walking buddies anymore. I have lots of workout DVDs though, including:

10 Minute Solutions Pilates
10 Minute Solutions Fat Blasting Dance Mix
10 Minute Solutions Kickbox Bootcamp
Carmen Electra's Aerobic Striptease Disc 1
Polecats 1 Beginning Pole Dancing
S Factor 1 and 2
Cardio Striptease Workouts (4 disc set)

Kickbox Bootcamp is pretty intense cardio. Pilates seemed helpful (if I'd stick with it) with core strength and flexibility. Dance Mix seemed like moderate intensity aerobics, but didn't like the dance moves. Aerobic Striptease was light intensity. Polecats was a moderate to intense core strength workout. S Factor was a mixture of light, moderate and intense core and flexibility work (DVD 2 is much more intense). Cardio Striptease was also a mixture of light, moderate, and intense. The DVDs a marked with a get cute/sexy points because you're learning "sexy movements" which makes the workout more fun.

Most of these DVDs are pretty good and would probably help with toning up/fat loss if done regularly. That's my problem: exercising regularly. Not to mention my eating out of boredom and stress. Also genetics, as both of my parents are overweight.

Well, that's a little about me. Tell me about yourself.

Welcome, fellow Texan! Sounds like you've got some great exercise motivation. There is an exercise thread if you're looking for buddies with that. This is a great place for inspiration and motivation.

I currently live in Idaho, but I live the first 28 1/2 years of my life in Texas (Corpus Christi to San Antonio to Austin). And I have family in Corsicana. Welcome to the group. This is a great place to get support from others in the same position.

Hello, Jen -

The most important factor to me in starting an exercise program was making a commitment to do it. Really, truly, it is the only thing that got me started. I exercised because I had made a commitment to myself that I would do it for 4 weeks. I rewarded myself (I had a sticker chart to track my cardio, upper body, lower body, and ab workouts) with rewards to prompt me to do MORE exercise, like gym clothes and new songs for my MP3 player. But the real driving factor was that I committed to exercising 5x a week for 4 weeks. And I was not willing to break that, so I did it. After that, it was so much a habit that it wasn't so hard anymore. Really!

Anyway, look around, find a spot, and settle in. Keep posting and you'll be working toward your goals in no time!

I'm from tx too! welcome! this is the BEST board ever!!

I'm a native Texan living in the Pacific Northwest. I call it "North Texas."

I'm also in Texas (Austin).. so hello there!
We have a lot in common. I'm into RPGs too. I'm also 5'2.5. Also in Texas.. And right now I'm 156 pounds, my starting weight was 180ish, and my lightest was 115. It's a small world.
(I don't do workout DVDs though, I do DDR and elliptical for exercise)
See you around!

Glad you found us! I have those 10 Minute Solution videos too. I'm with Amanda - you need to make a commitment - schedule exercise and DO IT! It isn't about motivation, or feeling like it, or finding what is the perfect exercise for you - it is about sticking to it.

But - hear me on this one - there is nothing wrong with actually LIKING your exercise. Which of the videos do you enjoy most? Which sections of the videos do you go back to over and over? Which ones do you hate?

Now, find other videos or exercises that are along the ones you like. Mix it up a bit. Exercisetv.tv and collagevideo.com are two good places to see snippets from different trainers, different styles and types of videos. You can also rent videos to find more faves.

For instance - I found I really love the dance videos - so I got more of those. I like pilates on the balance ball better than on the floor.

Keep it up - exercise is so important. And it does make a BIG difference

ferret...I noticed where you are....mmmmmmMMM...the bakery there..MMMmmm..OMG

Thank you ladies, for the sweet welcomes (and smart tips).

I may start a diet blog, journal, or something where I can write how much I work out each day. I'll feel accomplished if I get in 30 minutes, 3x/week.

Today after writing my intro I did about 25 minutes of the Kickbox DVD.

Very nice to meet you ladies I'll talk to y'all later

Welcome to 3FC!