the FIRM Check-in Week 2

[MelanieC]

Good Morning Firmies-

Well this morning I got up at 5am and did Complete Aerobics and Weight training. (My knee feels pretty good, thank goodness)!

Got DS6 up for Kindergarten and he was a little off. I asked him if he was ok, if he felt sick he said no. Took him to before school care and he threw up when he sat at the table to eat breakfast. So now I am home today.

I love how I feel when I get up early. It feels like such an accomplishment.

Tracy- I am so glad you got up and exercised. I know it's tough when you keep putting it off. Isn't that such an awesome feeling when you accomplish it!! Great job on 2 months of FIRMing!! Way to go!

Amanda-Take your time. Go slow. It's ok if you don't finish. I promise that you will get stronger, and the day you complete it you will feel so wonderful! Way to go, you are on your way! If I get up at 5am I can't eat prior. But if I workout after 7am, I definately eat prior. Have a little protein and carbs. I drink 1 cup of water prior and 2 after. Then when I have breakfast I drink my 4th cup of water. I think being hydrated also helps you feel less shakey. Keep up the great work.

Sueg- http://www.firmdirect.com/vip/#1
You do have to put in a credit card, so make sure you cancel it if you decide not to do it.

Also, I lost 2.8 this week. Woo hoo! I owe it all to the FIRM. I only have 6.2 left to get to my WW's goal. Thanks everyone for encouraging me to get up and just do it!
Great job everyone!

 

[MelanieC]

Hey guys,
Here is a great thread from the FIRM believers club from Nancy Tucker, one of the FIRM instructors about tripping over the Fanny Lifter and learning the steps. I thought this would help some of us.

Here is what Nancy wrote:
Have you ever tripped over your Fanny Lifter while climbing it? Have you always been under the impression that the "mamba, cha-cha" was a south-of-the-border delicacy? And how the heck does anyone kick AND dip without wiping out?

If you're feeling like a klutz, believe me, you're not alone! Learning the video moves can be quite a challenge, both mentally AND physically (not to mention a bit degrading!). But before you get too frustrated, I want to let you know that there IS hope!

I've listed a few tips below for conquering choreography and avoiding collisions with your Fanny Lifter.

1. Before doing a video for the first time, sit down and watch it at least once. Take notes that may might be helpful later on and pay particular attention to the beginner modifications.

2. In doing the moves, try to master the lower body action first. You can always add the upper body later.

3. Take it one tune at a time. If you keep stumbling over a particular part, stop-rewind-and-try again.

4. If you get confused during cardio segments, do what you can and then either march or run in place. The idea is just to stay in motion and keep your heart rate up.

5. Set up a mirror in your workout space. I know that it helps ME a lot if I can see my feet in a mirror, particularly during step.

These are just a few ideas to encourage you. Believers, if you have some to add, we'd LOVE to hear them!


Here are some of the good replies from others with good ideas:

'keep your sense of humour'. Sometimes I think that's what got me through it, that and marching in place, lots of marching in place!

you don't have to add-on (esp. during step work!) For example... You finally get the hang of the L Step and then a straddle is added...you try it and are like what the ???!!!??? Don't worry about the straddle, just to the L so you keep moving. Try the L Step/straddle combo later when you can do it slowly and then try to add it in next time...If you can't add it, do not worry - you will eventually! Just keep moving!

One thing that has really helped me has been to know the names of the moves and listen carefully when the instructor calls the move.

I tell myself, before I start the workout, that "This is JUST a video. I will NOT let it conquer me or intimidate me!"
Sounds like a small thing, but it really makes me have a positive mindset and feel good that I'm in charge of the video. Not the other way around!

Hope this helps someone!!

 

[ZerasPride]

Melanie thanks so much for sharing this info with us!

I can do most of the moves in my sleep but every once in a while I trip up and find myself wondering what in the world happened! I want to add to my FIRM collection and one of the reason I have not is that I am so happy to have mastered the moves on the tapes I have, I don't really want to start over and be a rookie again . These tips will help me when I'm ready. Thanks again! Oh, and congats on your loss!

I'm taking today as one of my two rest days for the week but I am fighting feelings of wanting to go home tonight and do body sculpt anyway. We'll see what happens.

Good going everyone! Let's keep up the great work!

 

[luvmydogs]

Hi FIRMies! Glad to see so many of us are Firming together!

Hey Melanie! I'm glad your knee is feeling better! I've stopped doing the add-on videos, too. I think all the extra stepping and plyos were what was killing my knees and back. Knees are better, back's still a little sore, so I'm just modifying. I just love CAWT! I caught the last 15 minutes of the BSS3 infomercial yesterday, and heard Emily say she's barely 5 feet tall. I had no idea she was that tiny. And man, doesn't she look GREAT for just having a baby--where's her tummy?! And Melanie--you only have six pounds to go?!!!!!! OMG--that's GREAT!!! You'll be there before you know it, and I know your committment to consistent exercise is a big reason why you're so successful--you're an inspiration!

Those are some great tips from Nancy (Calorie Killer with her is a tough little 30 minute workout, and I really enjoy the moves). They must hear a lot how people have a hard time with the moves at first! Keeping a sense of humor is a definite must! I always watch the video and look for "trouble spots" to work on before I actually do it. It really does help, although I still fall all over myself for the first several times. But they're the first workouts that I've found to be such fun, and I've seen such great results with them, that I don't mind the hassle of getting all the steps down. It's good to have a laugh at yourself once in a while!

I did Maximum Cardio Burn + Abs this morning. It's the first time I did it without messing up on the front/back foot touch thing (if you have this video you know what I mean!). Up until today, I just looked like one big goofy windmill trying to do these moves. My favorite part is during the abs/oblique section when Allie keeps saying "hiccup." Tomorrow I have CAWT planned, and I always look forward to that one.

Have a great day FIRMies, and keep up all your hard work!

 

[Cinderelli]

I did Cardio Sculpt yesterday and today. I actually upped my weights a little starting last week. I was previously only using 2 and 5 lb weights, but started with an 8 lb weight last week. I almost immediately started experiencing knee pain again (I started wearing a knee brace when I started Firming again, but haven't needed it if I keep to under 8 lb weights). I decided to go back down to the 5 lb weights for my lower body workouts, but am using the 8 lb for many of my upper body workout sections on Cardio Sculpt.

This must be a common problem since I've seen comments about knee pain. Melanie - is this a problem you are experiencing as well? Any suggestions? I'd love to amp it up a little for the lower body, but don't want to do any permanent damage to my knees, either.

I switch to Ab Sculpt tomorrow and then do Cardio Sculpt Thurs & Friday. I'll probably take the weekend off.

Thanks and Good Luck to everyone!

Lissa

 

[Blueeyes101817]

im doing so bad on this challenge..i had to stop for a couple of weeks bc i got sick..and now i cant get myself started gain....so now im 1/5..STILL...i gotta get motivated again

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning FIRMies!
Today is an off day for me, but I thought I'd stop in and say hi!

Melanie~ Thanks for the great info! It helps to know that even the instructors feel challenged by the exercises at times. And only 6.2 pounds to reach your goal! That is wonderful! Keep up the good work!

Luvmydogs~ I have been looking for the infomercial everywhere! What time did you see it on? I'm trying to get a feel for the new system before I buy it.

Jen~ I hope that you are feeling better now. You can get back into the groove again!

Keep up the good work everyone! Have a great day!

 

[sueg]

FIRMIES!
Today is an off day. I slept well last night & feel great, although it always feels a little strange when I don't start my day with exercise. If all goes well, I think it's Stephanie Corley & Super Body Sculpt tomorrow. Maybe I'll try 5:15AM, so I can do Upper, Lower & Abs.
Melanie,
Thanks for the FIRM link. I think I'll wait until we return from WDW, (3/13 to 3/20) before I sign up. That way I won't lose a wk of my month free trial. I love the tips from Nancy. I guess you got them from your FIRM club membership.
ZerasPride,
I know how you feel about staying with the tapes that you have mastered. I felt the same way & after a really rough routine with a new tape, I always ask myself why didn't I just stay with the tapes I know. But when I'm clear headed, I know trying new tapes is the right thing for me. Boredom could cause me to lose interest in exercising. I'm happily in SB Phase 3 (although some would say that I've set a less challenging goal weight & I could be thinner) and I know that my commitment to exercise is the only way to stay there. I gave away almost all of my plus size clothes (mostly to pregnant co-workers LOL)and I'm not going back. If feeling goofy, in the privacy of my family room, during a new routine is the price that I must pay, so be it.
Have a healthy & happy day! SGG

 

[cinmell]

Hello everyone!

Well I did the ab sculpt yesterday and Monday along with watp because I was not ready to try the cardio or body sculpt again. I finally tried the cardio sculpt today and I finished it! No, it wasn't perfect. On the moves where I would get stuck or uncoordinated I just marched/walked in place or just concentrated on the leg movements and forgot about the arm and it was easier. I'm thinking I'll try the body sculpt on Friday but that's the one I have the most trouble with but I guess practice makes perfect .

Melanie, thanks for that information on getting thru these videos, it really helped. Keep up the great work everyone!

 

[luvmydogs]

Morning FIRMies!

Hi Cinderelli! I think you're being very smart by going back to 5lb. weights for your lower body work. Knees can be so easily stressed and injured that it's best to do what your body is comfortable with. You can also modify the lunges, squats and dips by not going as low. You'll still be getting a great workout and won't have to worry about those tricky knees. And don't forget to rest them if you feel you need to! Congratulations on moving up to 8lbs. for your upper body--all your hard work is really paying off! You're doing a GREAT JOB!

Hi Blueeyes! Put the past behind you, girl, and don't look back! Don't let yourself get frustrated for what you "should've/could've done"--it does you no good! Get back into the swing of things again and start slowly if you need to. If you were ill and haven't exercised, you may have to work up to where you were before--but that's OK! Join us here on the FIRM thread for motivation and encouragement--I know it helps me! We also have a WISH Chat Committment thread in which we support each other's daily/weekly committments to eating well, exercise, or whatever else we may need to work on to achieve our goals. You don't have to be a WISH Chatter to join us there, and I can tell you that there is no way I'd be doing as well as I am if it weren't for that thread! The people there are just wonderful!!! Melanie, who started this FIRM thread, is a poster there as well and she can tell you how terrific everyone is there, too! We'd love to have you anytime!

Hi toystory! I hope you're enjoying your rest day! I read the FIRM Ya-Yas Reader's Forum, and someone had posted a list of times that BSS3 would be on. I caught the last half of it, but really want to see the whole thing. The last date I knew it was on was 3/1--on the Food Network of all places. Others have reported seeing it on Lifetime and The Inspiration Network. If I see anymore info. on new times, I'll definitely post it or pm you! Keep up your AWESOME WORK!

I did Body Sculpt this morning, and had forgotten how tough that lower body can be! For those of you that have that video, I didn't think I was going to make it through the second set of leg presses--my thighs were starting to shake! I think I'll be adding that to my rotation, making it 3 AWT, 2 Cardio, and 1 Sculpt weekly. Seems like a good balance since my main goal now is adding muscle. I don't want to look like Governor Arnold or anything, but I am enjoying bulking up a bit.

Have a GREAT DAY FIRMies and keep up all your hard work!

 

[ZerasPride]

Good afternoon FIRMies!

I did the cardo sculpt (can you tell it's my favorite?) work out this morning. Feel great as usual. Yesterday was a rest day and I felt a little "off" all day. I know I need to take at least take 1 day to rest but I miss the energetic feeling I have all day when I work out.

Sue - you are inspiring me to try a new tape! I want to wait for onederland and maybe that's what I'll make my reward for getting there, I'll buy myself a new FIRM work out video. You don't meet people on SBD - Phase 3 too often. Congratulations for getting to goal and being on maintenance! It must be a great feeling. I've set my goal weight pretty high for my height but it's something that I think I'll be comfortable with. I've lost 37.5 pounds and people compliment me all the time, I think I look like I have lost a lot more than that thanks to the FIRM workouts so I can probably weight a bit more than someone else my height but look as small if I keep up the workouts.

Kim - I feel the same way about Body Sculpt! That is a tough tape. I'm concentrating on upper body right now and just thinking about doing that tape tomorrow, I can feel my arms turning to jello!

Everyone keep up the great work!!!!!

 

[s&k'smom]

I would like to join this thread. I love the Firm tapes I have about 8 of them and plan to get more (waiting to pay off credit card). I found the rush I get after working out with one of them great. I'm so happy I found this thread.

 

[septbride2002]

I will be doing Total Body Sculpt from BSS2 today - although I have to admit she isn't my favorite instructor Still no fanny lifter yet so I will be concentrating on arms and doing the floor work. I'll try to improvise without the fanny lifter (thank goodness for my hope chest - I sit on this for the sitting exercises and it is working out good so far.

~Amanda

 

[sueg]

Septbride2002,
It's a shame that your fanny lifter is taking so long to arrive. I used to think that I didn't need a fanny lifter & used a kiddie chair from DS's Fisher Price table & chair set. It worked OK, but now that I have my fanny lifter, I can't imagine being without it. I've even threatened to take it to WDW w/ us, but just imagine trying to talk your way thru airport security w/ a fanny lifter.
I decided that I'm not buying a sculpting stick but I bet if I bought one, I'd be posting how I can't imagine how I lived without it. SGG

 

[MelanieC]

Hi FIRMies,

This morning was Maximum Cardio Burn plus Abs. Boy could I feel the Abs today, probably because I added FIRM abs later in the day. I could hardly get through the ab work, especially when Allie was doing the hiccup part. Thanks to Kim commenting on the hiccups, I tried to push through them as best I could.

Yesterday I was home, and was bored since my son slept half the day. I was previewing some of my new DVD's and jumped in and did Lower Body Sculpt 2. I loved that tape. It's all floor work! I also tried out #1 on FIRM Abs and then also threw in Lower Body Sculpt 1 and of course I had to try it along with her, but I used only 3 pound weights since I had already done Complete Aerobics and Weight Training. I moved very slow as not to overwork my knee.

Last night after I put the kids to bed, I also practiced the first 3 sets of Super Cardio Sculpt. I am bound and determined to learn it, and I don't want to add it to my rotation until I do. I think I have those down. I really LOVE the 3rd set where you walk around the fanny lifter. I love the music to that one. I just wish Nancy wasn't in that. I do not like her voice. It's way to slow, and super southern, but yet she does super fast cardio moves that I can barely keep up with! I kept pausing and rewinding and doing this really helped.


ZerasPride-You are catching what LuvmyDogs and I have.....FIRM fever, where you want to do them even on rest days. I hated exercising, but the FIRM is so fun and you feel so awesome in between that you hate not doing them! I bet you do look like you lost more due to the FIRM. That's how it was for me last fall after I had been doing it for 2 months. I was in smaller clothes at that weight than the last time I was at that weight. By 1 -2 dresssizes.


Kim- I really like Body Sculpt. When I did that tape last Thursday, my leg was shaking and it was all I could do to finish. I know I don't get that bad with Total Sculpt! She really works you on that one! I was amazed at the workout I got with that Video!!
I think I forgot to answer a question of yours a few days ago when you asked me how I liked Nancy's tapes. Well I don't really like her as instructor. Her voice is sooooooo slow and very southern sounding (more than the other girls). Especially when she says her name! When I first did Super Cardio Sculpt, I hated it, but now that I have been practicing the first three sets I feel a bit better about it. I also put in Calorie Killer a few nights ago, and felt the same about it. Nancy leads that one too. I guess it will come from just doing them. Once I learn them, I probably will like them more.

cinmell- definately work at your own pace. Only proceed when you feel ready! Glad you got through Cardio Sculpt. I promise that once you get the moves down, you will feel so good and actually look forward to doing them. I am learning a few new tapes as well, and they really aren't as much fun until you get the moves down.

sueg- I agree on waiting till you come back. I really do like the FIRM club because you get information from them, which is very helpful. Yep, that is where I got it. How do you like Super Body Sculpt? Is it a good workout? How does it compare to Body Sculpt? I will have to try that out one of these days. I don't do as many full Sculpt days, so there doesn't seem to be as much time to try the new ones.

toystoryduo- Enjoy your rest day! I need to learn to do that, for some reason I have a hard time. I did have several rest days this week though.

Blueeyes101817- You can do it, I have faith. Just think of us when you are ready to exercise again. I agree with Kim about the chatters thread. That thread has helped me so much. It is just the best, and I honestly wouldn't be exercising today if it wasn't for them motivating me!

Cinderelli - definately back down on the weights. Workouts can be so tough on your knees. You know, I am not sure why my knee got hurt. It was fine on Saturday after my workout and then I ran up and down the stairs. A little later I had knee pain. Not sure if it was because of this. Last fall I added weights to WATP's and hurt my knee the same way. You have to be so careful about form. Definatley watch the 8lb weight, especially on lunges and leg presses.

Keep up the great work everyone.

 

[s&k'smom]

Good morning, did the Body Sculpt Blast (30 minute tape) this morning. Feel great. Has anyone done some of the older tapes. They seem more available in the stores. I know there is a new system available now and I've been looking for the infommercial on tv. Have a great day.

 

[sueg]

S&K mom,
I love the older tapes. I'm the happy owner of FIRM Parts 4pk. a boxed set of 4 tapes: Upper Body, Standing Legs, Tough Tape2 and 5 Day Abs. I bought it, over a year ago, in Best Buy for $20 & it was the best $20 that I ever spent because it started me on the road to FIRM fitness. Upper Body was the first FIRM tape that I mastered & I've recently returned to Standing Legs, a tough lower body workout. Since I don't want to buy a sculpting stick, I was researching some of the older tapes to add to my collection. The best info I've found about FIRM tapes is not the FIRMdirect website, but at CollageVideo.com.
I kept my promise & got up earlier (5:20AM) & easily fit in Stephanie Corley Super Body Sculpt - all 3 segments. Still finished in time to wake up DSs. This is one of my favorite tapes & I can't believe that I thought it was not for me when I first tried it.
As I did SBS, I hit my hand on our ceiling fan & knocked one loose globe into another globe. It seemed like nothing broke & I continued on. After DSs left for school, DH went downstairs to do the Upper Body portion of SBS. He had to stop after 20 min. because he cut his hand on a glass shard in the rug. Apparently, the light globe chipped & neither of us noticed the glass on the rug. He's fine now, although he bled quite a bit. So I guess exercise can be both good & bad for you.
Have a happy & healthy day! SGG

 

[s&k'smom]

Thank you so much. I've seen them at some of the sporting good stores and I will definately pick them up. I am also going to get a heavier weight for some (definately not all) of the exercises. Let's just say I need to "firm" certain areas. I have the classic potato shape (must be my Irish roots)

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning FIRMies~
Today will be Body Sculpt w/Jen after House of Mouse is over. Tomorrow will be Ab Sculpt and my Two Month Clippie! Hooray!! I still haven't seen the new informercial yet so if someone can post the times or PM them to me, I would appreciate it. Have a gr8 day!

Tracy

 

[septbride2002]

Today is a rest day for me! But I wanted to let everyone know yesterday I did the entire Body Sculpt tape from beginning to end. Still no fanny lifter and I'm sure that makes a difference on how hard you work - but I did get it done. There was a whole segment where I just marched because I couldn't figure out the steps. Give me a couple of days.

Tomorrow is Cardio w/Sculpt tape - I'm going to try to get up early but I make no promises.

~Amanda