Your 2009 workouts

I just did a workout on DVD by The Firm that came with my stability ball.  It was pretty good, but of course, a bit hard to stay on the ball when it came to push-ups, I don't know how you are supposed to keep the ball under your shins (balance maybe? HA!)  I did have fun rolling off of it, though!     I liked about half of the exercises, but thought a few were a bit unnecessary, like they were just looking for ways to use the ball the whole time when you might get a better workout without using it for some things.  I could combine some of the more efficient exercises with a different workout, though.  I definitely feel it in my legs, so I guess there must be some good parts.  I'm looking forward to working out with Davina when she finally arrives... 

(assuming you are fit and healthy, not pregnant ,  with no history of injuries or surgeries )

about  staying stable when executing stability ball press ups:
u need to start doing press ups on the floor, on your knees to start with .
the easiest way to perform a press up is in a box position , meaning on your knees and ur knees are inline with ur hips in a box position.
then once u are stronger progress it on your toes once you are able to do it on your toes progress it to doing it on a balance pad or half foam roll or a bosu trainer.
i would rather if you did basic balancing exericses before doing stability ball press ups cos it is a very advanced exercise.

then at the  last stages you would go on a stabilty ball.

the problem with these fitness dvds is that they dont progress it very well and they dont adapt it to the level that it claims on the cover of the dvd.

(assuming you are fit and healthy, not pregnant ,  with no history of injuries or surgeries )

about  staying stable when executing stability ball press ups:
u need to start doing press ups on the floor, on your knees to start with .
the easiest way to perform a press up is in a box position , meaning on your knees and ur knees are inline with ur hips in a box position.
then once u are stronger progress it on your toes once you are able to do it on your toes progress it to doing it on a balance pad or half foam roll or a bosu trainer.
i would rather if you did basic balancing exericses before doing stability ball press ups cos it is a very advanced exercise.

then at the  last stages you would go on a stabilty ball.

the problem with these fitness dvds is that they dont progress it very well and they dont adapt it to the level that it claims on the cover of the dvd.

Aha.... that makes sense.  Since the dvd came with the stability ball, I just assumed it was a beginner dvd (and many of the exercises were pretty easy, I only had trouble with the push-ups and the (I forget what they called them) ab roll-ups where you sort of roll the ball under you?  Those two exercises were the hardest for me, I couldn't stay on the ball.  I loved the squats and lunges.  But my legs seem to be much stronger than my arms or core muscles, so maybe that is why they were easier and more fun for me.  Since I didn't feel much tiredness in my abs after that workout (probably not doing some of those exercises correctly) I did some of the "ab ovals" I saw on the New York Ballet workout, which I really liked, and some regular crunches with twist, etc.  I guess it will take time to get the right forms since I am doing this on my own, but I find I am able to use my abs more rather than pulling out my neck, so I must be getting the hang of it!  The only sore muscles today are the outer thighs, and they are only slightly sore, so maybe it wasn't the best workout for me.  I should get some of the other dvds I ordered in the next day or two and will try those and see if I can find one I like better.  I also purchased some small handweights of different sizes, and have been trying to work out my arms a bit more. 

hi jewlz,
probably you you need to work on your core more. think of your body like a building , you need a strong base (your core ) before you start building the actual building (your arms and legs).

when i say core that doesnt  mean just  doing  abdominal crunches, i mean working on back muscles (erector spinae) , on your front : doing planks (start with doing it on the knees, pregress on your toes) , do floor bridge etc..  basically target you core stabilty .

i wouldnt do ball crunches if you are a beginner.

then again i am assuming that your fit and healthy with no current or past health problems  or surgeries.

hi jewlz,
probably you you need to work on your core more. think of your body like a building , you need a strong base (your core ) before you start building the actual building (your arms and legs).

when i say core that doesnt  mean just  doing  abdominal crunches, i mean working on back muscles (erector spinae) , on your front : doing planks (start with doing it on the knees, pregress on your toes) , do floor bridge etc..  basically target you core stabilty .

i wouldnt do ball crunches if you are a beginner.

then again i am assuming that your fit and healthy with no current or past health problems  or surgeries.

Hi Moon

Yep, I am pretty fit and healthy - just need to shake off about 10-15 pounds, not other major issues. Unfortunately, you are right, all the weight is pretty much in the middle and my core is pretty weak, balance is not very good for some exercises yet.  I will try to look up some exercises to work my core muscles besides just the crunches, incorporating some of those things you said.  I just purchased a cardio bellydance dvd, which also might help.  I tried the workout once when I saw it on the fit channel, and it felt so easy at the time, but my abs were pretty tight and sore afterwards, so I suppose it must be good for them, and I didn't even do any crunches!  It seems I had to keep the abs tight the whole time in order to do the workout.  Have you ever tried it?  Any good beginner dvds you would recommend?  Getting techniques right is a bit hard when you are working out on your own at home.  Thanks!

hi jewlz,
yes , i would def recommend belly dancing and any cardio exercise that doesnt involve high impact especially when you are a beginner. belly dancing works really well on the core so you will love it.  if you really get into check out your local council gyms they usually have belly dancing classes... as check in your local  area as it is so popular. find a walking partner to walk during the day with .  u could also go swimming in your local pool. there is also lost of aqua classes there . they are amazing for no impact cardio classes... etc


you could also go on bike rides or on walks on the weekend with your family , walk the dog, gardening (weather permitting) house work etc...  anything really to raise your heart rate for more than 30 min / workout is good 2-3 times / week.
just be inventive....

about your balance, try doing a single leg raise to start with. draw your abs in and keep them tight . keep an upright position.

i dont really buy any working out dvds  as i myself am a personal trainer.  shop around on amazon there are loads of dvds and feedbacks about them.


just take it slow with your training and  listen to your body  .  be patient with losing weight. you are on the right track. you will get there with persistance   

just take it slow with your training and  listen to your body  .  be patient with losing weight. you are on the right track. you will get there with persistance   

Thanks so much for the advice!  I do feel better already.  Had a doc appt this morning (and walked there and back even though DH offered to take me!) and when I told her about my diet changes, she was so impressed.  I weighed myself and have lost nearly 5 pounds since Christmas.  I'm really looking forward to that bellydancing dvd tonight!  Thanks! 

5 pounds! well done! just keep at it 

Congrats Jewlz, great work!   

Congrats Jewlz, great work!   

Congrats to both of us!  I read about your progress, too!  YAY!!!  We are doing great!   

BTW, that bellydance dvd was so fun!  At one point, she asked "what else could you be doing that is more fun than this?" and I couldn't think of a single thing.     It wasn't the sweatiest, most hardcore workout I have ever done, but it was fun and interesting.  Definitely good for someone just starting up a fitness routine. 

I'm back on the wagon here.

Used to be amazingly fit, before I got here and started having kids. 

Time is tight, so I fit in one of my DVDs everyday.

I like Karen Voight ones best because you can chose to do the entire thing or break them up into segments.

I have a Petra Kolber Trainer's Edge low-impact aerobics one (my knees are full of metal from 4 surgeries) and I manage that one 2-3 times a week and then the other ones - Voight, Method Precision Toning Pilates and Denise Austen - every day as well as some yoga poses at night for stress relief and meditation that I learned from Yoga Journal DVDs years ago.

REALLY want to get my fitness back and boost my mood the natural way.

Well done to everyone on the road to fitness, too!

Keep up the good work!

Those sound like some good dvds, expat.  I might look into those once I get into the ones I just bought (though it might help to get a pilates dvd now).  My plan is to start slowly, just doing the bellydance dvd 3 times per week and taking a few good walks during the week, and just build up from there once I prepare myself for it.  I am pretty sure the Davina workout is going to be challenging, so I thought I should focus on something a bit easier at first.  So many other times I just rushed in and burnt myself out straight away, so I am hoping this time will be a gradual move toward being as fit as a butcher's dog!   

Jewlz, i swear by bellydance for the core, i am stil doing it now while pregnant, i got a great pregnancy bellydance dvd and love it.

oooh another set of workout dvd's i like are the 10minute solutions, i bought them from amazon, great when you dont have a lot of time, they are 60 minutes split into 10 minutes sections so you can do as little or as much as you like.

Well, as much as I have been enjoying the bellydance dvd, I really wanted something a bit more challenging, so I stepped up to Davina's Super Body Workout. So here is my review, for those who are interested:

The dvd has several parts, two main parts - Super Fit and Super Sculpt, and then several smaller workouts for abs, legs, etc., which I didn't get to.
Super Fit is a hardcore kickboxing high-impact cardio that really kicks your butt. I wasn't quite ready for that! I did about 15 minutes and decided my fitness level wasn't quite ready to take it up to that level. Davina is totally fit and you could see she was struggling with some parts of the workout. It would be excellent for someone who is already in great shape and is looking for something a bit more challenging, and likes cardio that is more entertaining than running on a treadmill. Definitely not for a beginner!
So then I tried Super Sculpt on the same dvd - it was AWESOME! It's basically weight-lifting with cardio intervals and other sculpting exercises, focuses on the core a great deal, and keeps your heart rate up the whole time.  I absolutely loved it and didn't have any trouble with it at all. Loads of fun! I decided I would focus on that portion of the dvd, which seems pretty moderate yet really effective, until I feel more ready to tackle the first section. I haven't checked out the advanced abs, etc., but will do that once I feel I am ready for a bit more challenging workout.
I feel like I am finally finding a good workout for me - tailoring these dvds to suit my needs. My new plan is to do the warm-up and routine portions of the bellydance dvd just to get me warmed up and moving, then do the Super Sculpt portion of Davina's dvd, which takes care of crunches and other strengthening exercises but keeps the heart rate up and burns fat. Awesome! 

Which bellydance DVD are you using Jewlz?  I've got Cardio Bellydance with Dolphina, and so far I think its really good (although I've not gotten through the whole thing yet).  It motivates without the pumped up hype crap...     Its separated into different areas of the body that you're using, so you can break it up if you want to.