Zayna Gold Healing Through Movement

Today I have a guest post from my friend (and first editor) Nancy Kruh. I sent Nancy this DVD because she maintains a regular fitness program but also has had health problems that made her a perfect candidate to test this out. Thanks Nancy!

THE WORKOUT: Zayna Gold Healing Through Movement (Boston Body, $19.95)

REVIEWED BY: Nancy Kruh

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anybody, but it's tailored for people suffering from irritable bowel disorder (IBD) and other chronic digestive disorders.

THE BREAKDOWN: An IBD sufferer herself, Zayna is a Pilates instructor with studios in Boston and other DVDs to her credit. She created this video for people who may not feel like exercising but want to anyway, and for that alone, it's a creative and much-needed product. I've battled gastrointestinal distresses over the years, but -- full disclosure -- I tried out the video when I was feeling fine, so I had to keep a mindset about its purpose as I exercised. What I found was a good balance between caution and challenge. I felt like I'd had a workout, but it definitely didn't do me in, which is the sort of exercise I'm looking for if I don't feel well. It's also the sort of exercise that can help me feel better.

The 45-minute program is divided into four parts: upper body, lower body, full body (which combines the movements of the first two), and a core workout. The movements are mostly traditional exercises -- bicep curls, presses, squats, lunges. Because doing exercises while lying down can be painful for IBD sufferers, you're standing for all the exercises in the first three parts.

Zayna offers a calming, healing presence during the exercises, and she places a huge emphasis on breathing, which definitely helps the body relax and get the full benefit of the movements. This video is touted as Pilates-based, and it works the core, but if you're expecting any attention to flexibility, you'll be disappointed. In her intro, she stresses the importance of keeping the spine "supple and flexible," but there is no stretching in the entire video and only one exercise that requires even the slightest twist of the spine.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: A light glow. More if you choose to repeat any of the parts, as she suggests you do.

BUT IS IT FUN? Only in an "it's good for you" way.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You feel like you've accomplished something, which is a good feeling if you're feeling bad.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Comfortable clothes. Optional: hand weights (you pick the poundage) and mat or towel (for the core workout).

FINAL WORD: You'll probably get the most out of it if you're not feeling well. Otherwise, pick something with more spunk to it.

Jessica Smith and Peanut

My co-blogger Kritter turned me on to Jessica Smith, who is my new favorite fitness pro--and she has lots of great workouts available for streaming on YouTube. She's likable and low key, her workouts run from 10 minutes up, lots to mix and match, lots of variety and novelty, and Peanut, her dog.

Peanut is the star of this workout. Watch it, and then check out her others. Some of the workouts Kritter and I both like are Tank Top Arms, Barefoot Fusion Walk, Bikini Body Circuit. Lots and lots to choose from here. She also has some full-length stretches, which can be hard to come by. Haven't tried one yet but it's on my list.

10 Minute Solution Cardio Hip Hip

THE WORKOUT: 10 Minute Solution Cardio Hip Hop

REVIEWED BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Fine for beginners who can handle choreography.

THE BREAKDOWN: I realize that hip hop is a music genre and not a race, but I can’t help but note that lanky, blonde Heather Graham is not the person who pops to mind when I hear “hip hop.”

But never mind.

I enjoy the first two of five segments of this DVD, but Heather lost me in the last three. The problem for me throughout is that the steps that change too quickly. A couple more reps of each step thrown into the complete dances, and some better cueing (which foot, please?), would help. And, I realize, so would having more than one person demonstrating—sometimes tricky steps are easier to grasp out if I see them done by different people with different styles and bodies.

I think what we have here is the classic problem of the professional forgetting how hard some stuff can be for the amateur. Slow this down a little and have a little sympathy for the beginner and it would be lots of fun.

That said, I’m sure if were determined, I could grasp the dances eventually. But the harder the choreography is to get a grip on, the less of a workout I get, so I am not terribly patient.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: I worked up a sweat—from dancing and also from frustration.

BUT IS IT FUN? Parts, yes. And it was a lot more fun when I figured out what the “downbeat” she kept mentioning was.

WHEN IT'S OVER: I have to pop in another DVD to get a full workout.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Nothing but rhythm.

FINAL WORD: Could be better. Wish it were. But I'll keep it around for those first 20 minutes.
--
I have a new book out! It's called The Introvert's Way: Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World, and it's available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and a bookstore near you. (I hope. And if it's not, ask for it.)

Element Yoga For Energy & Relaxation

THE WORKOUT: Element Yoga For Energy & Relaxation

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anyone with a modicum of experience and flexibility should be fine with the relaxation segment; the energy segment requires strength and more experience. There is some discussion of form, but probably not enough for a rank beginner.

THE BREAKDOWN: This DVD includes two 30-minute practices in the pretty garden setting that all the element programs use. Yogi Tamal Dodge, who has been practicing since he was a child, demonstrates with his own voice over.

The energy segment manages to pack quite a bit of challenge into a short program, starting easily enough with some half sun salutations but moving quickly into planks, dolphin, crescent lunges and warriors, side angle poses. The most challenging part to me was the duration of each pose. This guy breathes slooooooowly. After explaining each pose, he’d instruct to hold for a number of breaths. By that time, I’m pooped and taking two breaths for every one of his.

The relaxation session is relaxing indeed, starting with upper back and neck stretches. Then a bunch of cat-cows, camel pose, a little down dog, a little sphinx, some half-pigeon and forward folds. It’s all about surrender and nice for the end of a hard day.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: I break a sweat in the energy segment. And I feel it the next day, too.

BUT IS IT FUN? I can’t call the energy program fun—maybe when I get better at it—but it’s nice to get a real challenge in a short program. And relaxation? What’s not to like?

WHEN IT'S OVER: There’s a little bit of groaning as I lift myself from the floor from the savasana after the energy program. The relaxation leaves me properly mellow.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Just a mat.

FINAL WORD: I have other challenging programs I prefer to this one, but will probably use the relaxation segment from time to time, since those are harder to come by.

Crunch Latin Rhythms Fat Blasting Dance

THE WORKOUT: Crunch Latin Rhythms Fat Blasting Dance

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anyone who’s gotta dance and enjoys learning choreography.

THE BREAKDOWN: Jennifer Galardi (and you know I'm a fan of hers) leads three Latin-flavored routines with her usual skill and likeability. Choreography—with interesting footwork, lots of hip action, and upper body flava—is not dauntingly complicated, but does require enough practice to present a pleasant challenge.

Galardi builds the dances at a reasonable pace, her cuing is excellent. Repetition as you learn the steps is part of the workout, and Galardi lets you know what body parts should feel the burn, which is helpful. (And we can all aspire to the pancake-flat abs she shows off in hip rolls.)

The DVD is the usual good-looking Crunch scene: a loft-like room with exposed bricks, lots cute cool chicks (and a guy). They’re fun to watch, too.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: As much as you want to, it’s all about your energy.

BUT IS IT FUN? So much fun. This has been among my two go-to DVDs for the past couple of stressful months. What better way to blow off steam than a little cha-cha-cha? (My other go-to these days is Kristi Yamaguchi.)

WHEN IT'S OVER: I’m sweaty and cheerful.

GEAR AND APPAREL: You’ll need a decent amount of floor space.

FINAL WORD: Love, love, love.

An Interview With a Big Loser: Abby Rike

By Sophia

I watch The Biggest Loser intermittently--I enjoy it when I stumble upon it but I'm not dedicated to it. But during a couple of sleepless nights this week, I watched several episodes on On Demand and for the first time, found it particularly motivating.

Here's a post on a site I blog for that discusses some interesting research on envy and motivation. It applies. You'll see.

I recently had the opportunity to interview a Big Loser (not the Biggest, but she's good with that), Abby Rike,  a motivational speaker who was in Dallas promoting her new book, Working It Out: A Journey of Love, Loss, and Hope.

Abby is 100 pounds lighter than she was before her stint on Season 8 of The Biggest Loser, but that was the least of her losses—before the show, she lost her husband and two children in a car crash.

At the risk of sounding overly Oprah, I have to say that Abby's positive energy practically beamed through the phone. Step away from your cynical side for this one.

Q: How’s the tour going?

A: So far the tour has been great. Very fast paced and hectic, but getting out and meeting so many great people, that’s really what it’s all about for me.

Q: Are you meeting a lot of people who are grieving?

A: I definitely hear a ton of grief stories. I hear weight-loss stories. I hear “I hug my children more and my husband more.” I get the whole gamut.

Q: Is it doing something for you to meet these people?

A: Absolutely! I was always such a social person and so connected. That’s why I do what I do now. You always want to feel like your life matters and that you’re serving and making a difference. I get this immediate and incredible feedback that blesses me beyond measure.

Q: Is it difficult to keep reliving this really awful moment in your life?

A: At times it is daunting, I’m not going to pretend. But for the most part interviewers have been considerate. I obviously have to tell what happened, but that is not where I stay. And that is what the message truly is, that other people can know joy despite hideous circumstances. Whatever devastation or whatever loss people have experienced--and it comes in so many different forms--there comes a point where you have to look at where you are right now, today, and count the blessings that you have. For me, that’s what had to happen. I had to shift my focus from what I’d lost to what I have now and make the most of this life.

Q: What are the blessings you’re counting these days?

A: Oh my goodness, they’re so great. Everywhere I go I seem to find one person that I just uber connect with. That is always such a blessing simply because I was so lonely for so long.

And then, just the opportunities that God has provided me. One of the biggest blessings is that this is certainly not a life I ever imagined for myself by any stretch of the imagination. I’m just so grateful for all the cool things that I get to do, that I never dreamt possible.  I sit back and scratch my head and think “This is such a surreal life right now.” As someone who never desired to be on TV, that was never my bag. I didn’t want to be on TV. Then I was on TV so that kinda sounds like an oxymoron… but that is was the path that I think I was supposed to go on and it’s been quite a journey.

Q: A lot of people, after a tragedy of such enormous proportions, wouldn’t think “reality TV.” Why The Biggest Loser?

A: Oh, it’s insane right? Who in their right mind does that? I mean, seriously—somebody who has a masters degree nonetheless! 

I was very overweight and decided I would join the gym because maybe I could just feel better. I went one time and ran into Brady and Vicky Vilkin, who had been on Season 6 of The Biggest Loser. I subscribed to her blog, and right about the time I thought “This is the hardest life, I don’t know how I’m going to do this,” I get this information about Biggest Loser open auditions. The timing of it all culminated together and I felt like maybe if I could physically feel better, then emotionally I could heal.

Then I auditioned, and I’d make it to the next round, and the next round, and then at the very end I thought “Oh my gosh, I think they’re really going to pick me. Oh no, uh-uh, I’m not doing this. I came so, so very close to saying “I’m not doing this.”

Q: What changed your mind?

A: I do not say this in a trite way at all…but you want to talk about some serious praying! “Do you really want me to do this, because I don’t want to go.” I did not want to go. but then I truly felt at peace about it. It was just one of those things.

Q: What was the hardest part of The Biggest Loser?

A: The production schedule and the lack of communication from home. We never knew what was going to happen, everything was hurry up and wait. That whole production schedule is insane to me.

And then the fact that we couldn’t call home. We couldn’t even get letters from home. I know people say “Why are people always crying on the Biggest Loser?” But that is because you are truly isolated in this bubble, and that was very difficult. I think that’s why the bonds that develop on the show are so strong so quickly.

Q: Are you still close to people  from the show?

I am extremely close to Shay Sorrells. She actually wrote the forward to my book and I wouldn’t have made it without her. She was my roommate and she became my family.

Q: Did you ever want to give up?

Oh, absolutely. The irony of it is, I could have gone home any other week prior to when I actually went home and I would probably have been a little grateful because I thought this is just too much, I can’t take this. The week I ended up going home was the week I was ready to stay. The ironies, the ironies of life.  That was the week I said OK, I can do this. I got this now. I’m getting my footing here.

Q: Is it tough maintaining your weight?

A: Yes. It’s a daily choice to maintain. I’m certainly not a skinny girl and I am perfectly OK with that, but being fit and feeding myself nutritious foods and exercising have become my new truth. That’s who I am now and it allows me to live a full life. I’ve been on the other end, where it was an effort to get out of bed. I don’t pretend that there aren’t hard days, but it’s a lot easier to deal with the daily grind when you physically feel better.

Q: What’s next?

I love that question because the fact is, I have no idea. I’m a public speaker, I travel all around the country, I have a website where people can book me and so I feel like my classroom has expanded. And then, of course, with the book coming out, that’s a whole new entity in and of itself.

I never envisioned this life so I can’t begin to fathom what the next five years looks like. But I will be prepared and ready. And hopefully I’ll be ready to take that leap of faith when needed. 

Xtend Barre Lean & Chiseled

Sophia reviewed Xtend Barre: Lean & Chiseled for The Dallas Morning News...you can read the review here if you have an account with the paper. Short answer: It's a challenging, unusual workout and I like it.

The Self-Compassion Diet

By Sophia

I did something radically different (for me) this morning.

Instead of wolfing a bowl of cereal while hunched over my computer—I’m busy, who has time to eat?--I closed my laptop, gazed out the window, and ate my shredded oats in yogurt one square at a time. I tasted it, enjoyed its crunch, and imagined its course from mouth to stomach.

Every time I felt myself tensing up (tick-tock, tick-tock, work is waiting!) I glanced at the clock. My little breakfast took all of six minutes. Which means I must finish off my breakfast cereal in two or three minutes, eating at my usual pace. Wow. Do I even chew?

I’m trying to learn mindful eating, and it’s not easy. But I have come to believe that really paying attention to our body’s hunger and satiation cues, to our food, and to our own cravings is key to having a healthy relationship with food. And that (along with exercise, of course) leads to a better body without a lot of deprivation.

That’s why I’m going off-script today to talk about a book called The Self-Compassion Diet: A Step-by-Step Program to Lose Weight With Loving Kindness, written by a colleague and Facebook friend, psychotherapist Jean Fain, LICSW, MSW.

Fain’s program is not a diet, but techniques to change your relationship with food and yourself. It has four components: mindful eating, self-compassion, social support, and hypnosis. (Fain, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a certified hypnotherapist. “No, I can’t make you act like a chicken,” she assures us in her YouTube Mindful Eating Trance video.)

The book, written in a friendly and reassuring tone, alternates theory and practice and is full of quizzes, case studies, guided meditations, “Thinspiration” sidebars, and, rather than an FAQ, NSQs: No Stupid Questions.

As the title indicates, self-compassion is an important player here--that is, not beating yourself up about food, or anything else for that matter. (In describing my usual breakfast pace, above, I first ended the paragraph by writing “And that’s gross.” But that’s not a nice thing to say about myself, and it’s counterproductive. If I’m so gross, will I bother taking care of myself? So I changed it. Self-compassion at work.)

I'm cherry picking through the book, finding ideas and inspiration that speaks to me. For a couple of days I kept a food diary of what I ate, when, my mood, and how hungry I was at the time. From that, I realized (to my surprise) how out of touch I am with my body’s hunger cues. One reason I eat fast is because I ignore my hunger until it hurts. Now, I’m trying to note when I’m hungry and take care of it with "delicious, nutritious food" before my stomach yells at me. (Next learning curve is stopping when I’m full.)

I’m also trying to eat mindfully. The operative word is “trying”--I’m not entirely successful yet, but that’s OK. Self-compassion again. I’m dabbling in the hypnosis part of the program, but I’m still a little tightly wound for that. I’m intrigued, though.

Mindful eating is something you could learn and practice on your own. But like any skill, professional advice and guidance is always useful because you don’t know what you don’t know. I like this book, and it’s already given me food for thought.

Jean Fain’s Video About Mindfully Eating a Twinkie

Give a Gift of Fitness 2010

By Sophia

Standard disclaimer: If you’re shopping for a gift, make sure the recipient wants a fitness DVD. Otherwise, it’s like saying, “Happy Holidays, Lardass.”

OK, now that we have that out of the way, here are some suggestions from my 2010 favorites. You can also check my suggestions for 2009 and 2008. Some of my oldest DVDs remain in frequent rotation. And you can never have too many, since staving off boredom is key to staying on the program.

Of course, you’ll want to package this gift with my fabulous Suit Up and Show Up T-shirt.

Cardio

I’m all about Dance Off the Inches: Country Line Dance Party these days. It’s just fun and if I really throw myself into it, I feel reasonably worked out by the end.

I should have known all about Billy Blanks, Jr.—inventor of Tae Bo. But I never did Tae Bo and I didn’t know about Blanks until this year, when his Dance With Me Cardio Fit and his Dance With Me: Groove & Burn crossed my desk. Much fun.

Strength

Though it’s aimed at beginners, done with gusto, intermediates will also benefit from Step-by-Step Strength Training with Petra Kolber. One of the many pluses of this DVD is that also provides sensible balance challenges.

Core Fusion Energy Flow Yoga is not for novices in fitness or yoga. It’s athletic, energetic, challenging and effective. Who knew a ten-minute workout could be so hard? (I also recommend Core Fusion Pure Abs and Arms because good upper body workouts are harder to find than lower.)

If you’re already a hardbody, or close enough to aspire to being one Personal Training With Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Training is 30 challenging minutes of combined strength and cardio.

Billy Blanks Jr.: Dance With Me Groove & Burn

THE WORKOUT: Billy Blanks Jr: Dance With Me Groove & Burn

REVIEW BY: Sophia


WHO CAN DO THIS: Easy enough for beginners, fun enough for intermediates. I found a couple of steps a little bit tricky to master, but not terribly.

THE BREAKDOWN: Three 10-minute dances—disco, African, and Latin—with warm-up and cool down. Each dance ends with a short toning “blast.” The DVD is customizable, so you can program the segments you want to do, and the order. You can also turn off Billy Blanks’ instruction if you want and just listen to the music. Not that the music is so great, but options are always nice.

I’ve been enjoying this DVD tremendously—well, most of it, at least. I can do the disco and African segments but things go horribly wrong every time I try the Latin segment, so I’ve been programming that one out. (This is an ongoing problem for me. I just don't have the Latin beat in my blood.) I also stick mostly with the low-impact alternative, to save both my knees and the bric-a-brac, since I can shake the floor with too much leaping around.

The routines are built slowly enough but energetically and the steps are fun. The dancers are much less distracting than they are in the last Billy Blanks workout I reviewed. Blanks has a likeable, happy vibe and his cuing is good. The cardio toning segments are a good touch—arm toning after the disco segment (ouch), lotsa squats after the African segment, thigh toning after the Latin segment.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: I can work up a good sweat.

BUT IS IT FUN? Absolutely.

WHEN IT'S OVER: I’m not in peak condition at the moment, so two segments (done energetically) plus warm-up and cool down leave  me pleasantly wobbly.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Most of the workout can be done on a fairly small area of uncarpeted floor, although parts of the Latin segment takes more floor space than I have to go forward and back.

FINAL WORD: I’ve been doing this one lots and probably will do it lots more.

Element: Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners

THE WORKOUT: Element: Pilates Weight Loss for Beginners

WHO CAN DO THIS: Beginners to Pilates, not beginners to exercising.

THE BREAKDOWN: About 20 minutes of Pilates-based cardio and 20 minutes of mat work add up to a just-hard-enough workout by Brooke Siler, who owns the AB Pilates Studio in New York City and has trained Kristen Dunst, Lauren Hutton, Madonna, blablabla.

Pilates is like being beaten bloody with soft pillows. It looks so easy, hurts so bad…good...bad. The cardio workout is done standing, with big but highly controlled twists, bends, squats and lunges. Although I have done only a smattering of Pilates, the mat work seems straightforward and traditional—the hundred, roll ups, leg circles and stretches, sawing and rocking, a few push-ups. It’s relatively painless, in an exhausting way—it goes quickly and, best of all, feels effective.

Siler’s movements (done silently with voiceover and mildly irritating music) are mercilessly precise, but the high bar she sets is motivating. Her instructions are clear and expressive; at various times you draw circles on the ceiling, crash like wave, and brush crumbs from your thigh.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Plenty of exertion, plenty of sweat. Surprisingly. But then again, I live in Dallas and it’s summer. I’d be sweating anyway.

BUT IS IT FUN? Sure, why not.

WHEN IT'S OVER: Your muscles will be talkin' to you.

GEAR AND APPAREL: A mat or carpeted floor.

FINAL WORD: Like it a lot.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Aligned and Well: From the Shoulders Up

THE WORKOUT: Aligned and Well: From the Shoulders Up

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anyone can, and it's good for everyone.

THE BREAKDOWN: This isn’t exactly a workout; it’s an educational product. Watch it, learn how to do the stretches and alignments, and then make them part of your life.

This is one of a series of Aligned and Well DVDs by Katy Bowman, M.S., a kinesiologist and biomedical scientist—she studies the engineering of our bodies and how we move. These prescriptive programs target various problems, including diabetes, foot pain, pelvic exercises for men and women, painful hands, balance, and more. (You can see samples of all the DVDs at the Aligned and Well website.)

“From the Shoulders Up” is help for headaches, eye strain, “foggy brain,” and a lot of other things suffered by those of us who hunch over a computer all day. (Or a steering wheel. Or a school desk. Or...?)

Bowman is straightforward and informative, explaining what good alignment looks like, why it helps, and how to get there. She demonstrates the exercises in an exercise studio in heaven: a square of wood floor enclosed by filmy white curtains. Pretty.

The moves are simple, feel good, and seem smart. I like making floor angels, and think everyone needs to learn “head ramping,” to set your head properly atop your neck and shoulders.

Once you view and learn the information and simple exercises you may not need the DVD anymore, but then you can do someone a gooder and pass it on.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: N/A.

BUT IS IT FUN? It’s pleasant and informative.

WHEN IT'S OVER: You’ll be more aware of how your body works.

GEAR AND APPAREL: A bolster or pillow(s).

FINAL WORD: I may check out others in the series, perhaps for feet or hands.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Step-by-Step Strength Training with Petra Kolber

THE WORKOUT:Step By Step Strength Training with Petra Kolber

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Beginners can do it but, with the right weights and attitude, intermediates will find it useful too.

THE BREAKDOWN: So much going for this DVD. It has four strength and toning workouts: two 20-minute full-body workouts; a ten-minute upper body; a ten-minute lower body, and a bonus five minutes for abs. It's just enough to be effective but short enough to not be as incredibly boring as strength training can be. Plus, I always like Petra Kolber’s workouts. Every one I've tried has been snappy, efficient, and creative.

One full-body workout combines upper and lower body moves—your basic lifts and squats. The other adds balance challenges, which is a useful novelty. Balance is increasingly important as we age, and it can be improved with practice. Here, Kolber has you stand on one and foot and then the other as you lift and squat, and adds some diagonal moves that further challenge balance. Very smart.

The 10-minute segments are nothing earth shaking, but Petra is chipper and helpful and it all goes by quickly and pleasantly. Five-minutes for abs is not a lot, but at least you can feel good about yourself if you tack it on to whatever else you do. Sort of.
THE SWEAT FACTOR: The more segments you do, the more you sweat, of course, But one 20-minute segment, if you really try, can give you a good glow.

BUT IS IT FUN? Fun enough. It’s not not fun.

WHEN IT'S OVER: If you’re hit-or-miss about strength training, as I tend to be, you might feel your muscles for the rest of the day.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Light weights (I used five pounds), a chair, and a mat. And you don’t even really need the chair if your balance is good. Or the mat, actually, if your floor is carpeted.

FINAL WORD: Yay.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Keeping Fit in Your 50s

THE WORKOUT: Keeping Fit in Your 50s - Aerobics, Keeping Fit in Your 50s - Strength, Keeping Fit in Your 50s - Flexibility

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: Anyone

THE BREAKDOWN: I was excited to hear about this three-DVD collection. Like many people in their 50s, I've been working out since the 1980s, when Ken Cooper coined the term “aerobics” and Jane Fonda first put on legwarmers. But, also like many of my peers, I find that programs aimed at people half my age can be rough on some parts of my anatomy--in my case, my knees, which have been doing their job for a long time and are wearing out. So I thought this program would factor in our changing bodies to help us keep active ("Keeping Fit...") while not hurting ourselves.

Well, no. The name for this series should be “Getting Fit in Your 50s,” since it is basic, basic, basic, presented in a Romper Room voice by exercise physiologist Robyn Stuhr. Model Cindy Joseph also demonstrates, but she looks awfully fit. She probably isn't starting from scratch, either.

The workouts, backed by throbbing porn-movie music, are repetitive and tedious. I managed to go into a Zen state during the strength training with weights, but I had to push myself through the aerobics and the flexibility program was so drab, I gave up. If they're trying to inspire couch potatoes, who might benefit from this basic training, shouldn't they have made the workouts a little bit fun? Shouting “Woo!” and “Yeehaw!” doesn't help. And for me, advanced add-ons weren't enough to salvage the workouts.

And perhaps most misguided are all those lunges. Lunges! Even Jane Fonda in her legwarmer days hated those, and here they go on and on and on and on … oy, my aging knees. Of all the standard exercises, that's the one for which I most need a substitute. Besides, after all these years working out, haven’t we earned something less odious?

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Yes, I got sweaty.

BUT IS IT FUN? No, I didn't have fun.

WHEN IT'S OVER: I was pretty sore for a couple of days after all those lunges, lunges, lunges. I have no doubt these workouts would do their job if I ever did them again.

GEAR AND APPAREL: The strength workout requires weights, a strap or towel, a chair.

FINAL WORD: I still think a series tailored to people in their 50s is a great idea.

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Fighting Workout Boredom

 By Sophia

Here's why I love having a library of DVDs, and why I love 10-minute formats.

My workout this week is a little cha-cha warm-up with Dance off the Inches: Dance It off Ballroom. Then I get some upper body with a chapter from 10 Minute Solution: Knockout Body. Then 10 minutes of lower body with 10 Minute Solution: Fat Blasting Dance Mix. That's 30 varied and somewhat vigorous minutes.

It's a beautiful day so I look forward to walking the dog later. (He insists.) That will add another 30 minutes to an hour, depending on my mood and schedule. And if I need to get the kinks out later, I'll try to squeeze in a few yoga poses.

Variety works for me.

For my full reviews of the DVDs:

Dance it Off Ballroom
Knockout Body
Fat Burning Dance Mix

Don't forget, you can help support this site if you buy your DVDs by clicking through the link above.

Give a Gift of Fitness '09

By Sophia

First, my standing disclaimer when it comes to buying fitness videos as gifts: Be sure the recipient actually, actively wants a fitness DVD. Otherwise, it’s just an ugly hint.

That said, here’s a gift list of DVDs that I’ve tried this year (or that I tried too late to put on last year’s list) and would recommend. And since a good workout never goes out of style (not so the fashions), check out last year’s list as well.

Just starting out

Nobody cues better than Petra Colber which makes Cardio for Beginners that much better for beginners. Broken into two ten-minute segments (one dance, one “athletic”) and two 20-minute segments (ditto), the workout is fun and useful.

Hemalayaa is one of the more appealing fitness pros out there and her Bollywood Booty is just a silly fun way to get the heart going.

Dance Off the Inches Dance it off Ballroom also makes the workout more frolic than work for the dance-friendly.

Needs new motivation

I love Ten Minute Solution Knockout Body. You get to punch out some aggression, the weighted gloves are a fun gizmo, and it’s a good upper body workout. Because the gloves are included, this is a gift with a little extra flash.

Fat Burning Fusion is an interesting Pilates flow that melds strength, stretch and cardio. Familiarity with Pilates and yoga are a plus.

I don’t know about you but, for me, lifting weights is tedious. But brisk and efficient Kathy Smith: Total Body Lift makes the job less onerous.

Only the strong survive


Jeanette Jenkins will charm the pants off you while kicking your butt. Jeanette Jenkins Sexy Arms, Abs & Legs is a full hour of smiling through the pain. “How do you think Madonna got so hot?” Jeanette taunts amiably.

I can’t finish all the reps of anything in the excruciatingly subtle Core Fusion Pure Abs and Arms, but I keep trying. This is not only a tough workout, but you need to know how your muscles work to do it justice.

Element: Yoga for Weight Loss is not my favorite-ever yoga DVD, but it’s a sensible, brisk flow that would surely live up to its promise if you stick to the program.

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Dance Off the Inches: Dance it off Ballroom

THE WORKOUT: Dance Off the Inches: Dance it off Ballroom

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: This low-impact cardio workout is suitable for beginners who enjoy mastering footwork.
THE BREAKDOWN: Ballroom dancer Kristina Milova starts the workout with a fairly slow cha-cha, moves into a moderately paced salsa and culminates with a brisk jive segment, each about ten minutes long. She builds each routine slowly and if you have experience with dance aerobics you’ll probably be able to master the steps fairly easily. A step guide can help with any steps that give you trouble—which for me was the entire salsa segment. The cooldown ends with a flourish: the ballroom dancer bow. I plan to master that for use in a variety of situations.
My only quibble is with the cueing—it’s always a beat too late and sometimes unclear. Which beginning are we taking it from--the beginning of the entire routine or of the segment she’s teaching? And if we’re going back to the very beginning, a little reminder of where we start would help. I suppose if you do this DVD regularly you’d learn and this would no longer matter.
THE SWEAT FACTOR: If you’re not a rank beginner you’ll want to give it your all and do all three segments to work up a sweat.

BUT IS IT FUN? It is.
WHEN IT'S OVER: You’ll have a glow.
GEAR AND APPAREL: You need enough uncarpeted floor to go about four steps forward and side to side. But you can fudge it in a smaller space.
FINAL WORD: A pleasant little workout for anyone who doesn’t really like working out.

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Exhale: Core Fusion - Pure Abs & Arms

THE WORKOUT: Exhale: Core Fusion - Pure Abs & Arms

REVIEW BY: Sophia


WHO CAN DO THIS: Not a rank beginner. An aspiring intermediate, certainly. An insane hardbody, yes, you too.

THE BREAKDOWN: This is all so low-key and quiet; no jumping around, no flailing, just voiceover instructions and lots of little bitty intense moves that … oh my, they hurt. I have yet to complete all the reps in any one of the ten-minute segments. That’s right. I can’t complete ten minutes. Core Fusion creators Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp very gently and genteely kick my ass.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m always in the market for upper-body workouts and the chapters in this one are Upper Body Weights; Upper Body; Abdominals; Abdominal Curl with Leg Variations (that even sounds hard); Upper Body, Back, and Hip Stretches. The workout is done barefoot (they’re wearing socks—maybe the studio is cold) with light hand weights and a resistance band, which comes with the DVD.

I’m a big fan of the band. For some reason, I find it much less tedious than hand weights. Still, I can hang with their weight segment—even if I don’t agree that moves working more than one set of muscles are “double the fun,” as Fred claims. For him, maybe; I just keep my eye on the prize and push through.

The second upper body segment uses the resistance band. As with the first segment, there’s nothing tricky to most of the moves; you gotcher hammer curls, yer rows, yer flies, yer triceps (“one of the defining moments of the section,” Fred says).

Exercises in the abdominals segments, which also use the resistance band, are more unusual. Some of the moves barely move—they’re about “strength and stillness.” The second abs section ups the exertion. Even Fred admits to “burning.” Reminders about form are helpful, as are variations for the weaker or stronger. The final stretch is nothing fancy, just pleasant.

Sit and watch this DVD and it looks like these two aren’t doing much. Try it and you realize that every little bit hurts.The presentation is pretty but I could live without the tedious porn-soundtrack music.

By the way, Core Fusion is a proprietary class of the Exhale Spa, so if you have one near you, you can try these moves in a class setting.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: Who would think moving so little could make you sweat? It’s the sweat of exertion.

BUT IS IT FUN? Not fun like dance aerobics but not tedious.

WHEN IT'S OVER: Ooh. Ouch. Eek. Can’t wait to do it again.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Light hand weights; resistance band (included); mat (optional); towel or yoga block.

FINAL WORD: A big YES for this one.

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Yoga Emergency--Arms & Shoulders

THE WORKOUT: Yoga Emergency- The 12 Minute Workout with Kristen Eykel- Arms & Shoulders

REVIEW BY: Sophia

WHO CAN DO THIS: You can.

THE BREAKDOWN: This is one of a series of 12-minute workout DVDs, each focused on a different area. There’s not too much to this DVD--it really is just one 12-minute stretch for the neck, arms, and shoulders. But if you hunch over a computer for hours like I do, it’s just what the yogi ordered.

Kristen Eykel is lean and pretty, she demonstrates the seated workout in front of a fountain while some kind of tubular bells play in the background. The stretches are basic, basic, basic—some head rolls, some twists, some eagle arms. Nothing you can’t do yourself, to be sure, but it’s nice to have someone coaxing you along. You could even keep this at your desk and use your DVD drive to run through it seated, just modifying the twist.

The bonus tracks here are a two-minute tip about reflexology; one about aromatherapy, with a tip for easing a stress headache; and some tips and stretches for easing the physical stress of flying. The five-minute interview with Eykel also is worth a listen, to get a handle on her philosophy.

The meditation segment is nice because once she stops talking, you get just the sound of birds. However, she doesn’t end the relaxation so you’re on your own. After lying quietly for what seemed like a longish time, I opened my eyes and peeked at the TV screen, which displayed directions for returning to the main menu.

Since the workouts are so short, this would be a good series to collect: Back, Full Leg Stretch, and Hips. There’s also Yoga Emergency- The 12 Minute Workout with Kristen Eykel- Pregnancy; Eykel specializes in yoga for pregnancy.

THE SWEAT FACTOR: No sweat.

BUT IS IT FUN? Sure.

WHEN IT'S OVER: I was a little less tight, but it’s going to take more than one 12-minute session to loosen up these hunched-crunched shoulders.

GEAR AND APPAREL: Nothin’ in particular.

FINAL WORD: Easy and nice and I’ll probably pop it in now and then, during work breaks.

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