Hello All,

I'm wanting to know what you do to get toned. I can't afford a gym membership while I'm doing MRC. I have been doing Richard Simmons' Totally Toning, but to be honest it totally bores and annoys me. Does anyone have a preference as to what video or exercise routine you do, that has good results?

No but I'll be interested to read what people say too. Thanks for posting!

Okay, cannot attest to this, as I am just getting started with it, but fully believe it will be beneficial. My favorite counselor at MRC used to be a fitness trainer. She highly-highly recommends the BOSU ball, priced at about $100. I believe it will help me put an end to my tummy. I am down 60 lbs since August, but the tummy thing needs some really specific attention. With that said though, you can use the ball for both balance toning and cardio. It comes with video demonsrations, but you can find all kinds of interesting bosu ball videos on youtube. Maybe this might be what your looking for.

All the best! --Joy2MeNu

Our center's director has a gal come in a lead a yoga class twice a week. We tease and call it yoga aerobics because she really does give us a good workout. I'm looking for a good yoga video or TV show for when I do not get this 'free' yoga class.

Thanks for the help so far.
I actually did a lot of research on home workout videos. I'm kinda of interested in The Wave by The Firm. Has anybody tried or seen this. It looks like it would give you a really good workout and on top of that, it looks fun.

Disclaimer - haven't tried it - but you might look at T-tapp; I was reading about it on another site and poked around a website, where the instructor had a number of demos you can look at. Anyone out there had any success with T-tapp? I was interested in exploring more about it.

I actually love the Tae Bo DVD's. I have the Boot Camp series and it has "Body Bands" that you do the exercises with. It is the best group of DVD's I've ever done. And it's really is a lot of fun!! I've gotten great results from it.

I was, even at my high of 276lbs, very used to hiking and long walks and being "active" -I have enjoyed Rodney Yee's yoga workouts, Steve Ross on Oxygen network, I have a workout DVD by Jackie Warner that is butt-kickingly great, and I use Shape magazine's workouts as well.

Good luck!!

I have the old Power 90 at home. I think it's great. It's weight resistant bands or free weights. My center recommended 20 min of light weights and the sculpt part of the program is 25 min with stretching. It gets repetitive but I like getting into a normal routine. I haven't tried the new Power 90 but I heard it's intense.

I also do turbo jams. It's an intense cardio work out. It's also by Beachbody. I've heard that zumba is good too- but it's more cardio.

I've also tried pilates and yoga for weight loss. Those are good but I need to feel like I'm moving more.

Have you looked at craigslist for some cheap exercise equipment? I got my stationary bike from my parents. It's a schwin circa 1980 but it's a work horse and should last a long time.

I know Curves is usually pretty inexpensive. I think I paid $20 a month. It's a circuit of machines- all easy to use. It's an all female workout place and they recommend a 30 min workout so it's perfect to do over a lunch break if one is handy to your work.

Good ideas all,
Thanks for taking the time to let me know what you like. A lot of suggestions, so I have no excuse for not being toned now..

NotaFatBride...Funny you should mention Turbo Jam. I have this DVD. I just found it deep down in my video cabinet yesterday. I pulled it out and did half of it..It's a good workout. I think this one is a keeper.

I just got the Your Shape program for the Wii with Jenny McCarthy. I'm hooking it up this weekend, so I'll let you know how it is...

I bought Slim in 6 (part of the Beach Body program). I did it for about 3 weeks, and then I decided I need to focus on losing weight and THEN toning. It is intense....it combines cardio, yoga, resistance bands and it has a portion that focuses specifically on abs. It is awesome! It's just like any other DVD...it can get repetitive, it works!! I have a friend that lost about 40 lbs using it and changing her diet. It's about $60 for the DVD, but you also get the resistance bands with it. Just another option I wanted to throw out there

Also, I have heard a lot about the Striptease or Chairdancing videos They look fun....and it looks like a good workout! I have thought about trying these....which I am sure my husband woud love

Yeah my husband would love that last one..

Sounds good. I'll have to check those out.

Thanks

I really like the Wii fit Plus, Jillian Michael's Shred and Zumba!

I have a couple of the Biggest Loser DVDs and I really like them. Probably because I'm one of those people who feels like they know people from TV But I like having Bob and Jillian in my living room with me. They have a whole line-up of crazy workouts. They're customizable and kick my butt (though, I just started it too).

Also...I suggest the library. Check things out, see if you like them and if you do, buy them. If you get a dud...no harm done