I just recently purchased pilates (for dummys) and I seem to have a hard time doing any sort of stretching exercising due to my bad spine and rigid bones, I am just not flexable!

Does anyone recommend a tape thats very easy/gentle for some one like me ?

Thanks, Leens

You may have seen this on the boards before, but Walk away the pounds with Leslie Sansom (sp?) are really good, easy, beneficial videos that are easy to follow. Leslie is so upbeat, that it keeps you going. I ordered mine from QVC..and they do have a website so you could look them up.

I have good ol' arthur in my thoracic spine..so I do alot of SWIMMING..which feels so good to my back. Not sure if you have a healthquest with a lap pool in your area. I know some college's will let the public swim for a small yearly fee?...Also more and more hospitals are adding therapy pools for patients with back problems..and having classes such as joint action. For me, it takes alot of the stiffness away...Like you, I would like a short land exercise that will give my body more flexibility?..I posted a thread soo maybe we will get some good responses?

I would stay away from PIlates/Yoga, if you do not want to stretch very much. Stick to low impact cardio, etc. Also, try to lightly stretch before and, more importantly, after your cardio session. You will loosen up, loose weight, and hava friend join you. It can be very fun you know. I meet with friends, work out, and ONCE a week we meet for a coffe drink or small little desert treat that we have rightfully earned....

Walk away the pounds is a great Easy but effective video to do. They have tons of options and levels. I usually do the three mile but just bought the four mile at Target for ten bucks today.

Hey Leens -

If you'd like to do pilates, Gaiam has a video called Pilates for Weight Loss that's great. They show you three different ways to do every exercise so you can pick your own level. They're also really good at explaining how to keep your body positioned and not hurt yourself. It's really amazing how quickly your strength and flexibility will increase.

Good luck!!!

Walk away the pounds is a good video... Basically any type of exercise video that does not cause any pain will help you both lose weight and develop more flexibility while improving your overall health. Keep up the good work, and spread the word that exercise is the way to go for maintaining health. I think you can cut out all the foods you want, but you need exercise to really make an impact.

Thanks everyone. My doctor told me a few years ago to stay away from anything that bounces, jogging, cardio, etc..

I do have the Leslie Sanson tapes and I love them, they are much more gentle then even Richard Simmons (which I gave to my sister).

I am looking for something thats probably not even out there, something I can kinda unwind and do thats easy on the ol bones.

Thanks again