the Firm check in Week 3

[MelanieC]

Today is normally my rest day, but I really had full intentions of getting up at 5am. I couldn't do it. So I guess that today will be my rest day. It's probably good to get back into my normal day's off anyway.

I want to do a Cardio/sculpt tape tommorow so I am either going to try Firm Cardio or Firm Strength, or go with my old standby Complete Aerobics and Weight Training.

Zeraspride- I bet in no time you will be completing that video. I agree, it's so hard to force yourself to get up early. I try to get up at 5am. Just couldn't do it today.

Tracy- If your feeling yucky, take the day off and enjoy it. Trust me, pushing yourself is not good. My knee still sometimes bothers me because I pushed it one day and did 2 tapes and ran up and down the stairs. I think the stairs is what did it. I still am suffering because of it. Listen to your body!

Tigerbear- Isn't the FIRM just incredible!!! I agree, I have never found anything that gave me such quick results. I still have SO FAR to go, but I can see difference and I feel like a million bucks. I love doing them because they are fun, and keep me wanting to do more. No other workout has ever done that.


Sueg- Have a wonderful trip, I really hope your headcold goes away. Disney and colds don't mix. Just think how much easier walking around WDW will be now that you are FIRMing! Have a great trip!!

s&k'smom- Isn't MCB plus abs so much fun! Allie really motivates me! Having goals really helps with the motivation. You are doing fantastic!

Kim- OMG, no VHS!!! I am crying for you. Trust me, I totally understand your pain. I also say you should call up Best Buy and ask to talk to the manager. Tell them that April is unacceptable and that you must have a loaner VCR and your health and Sanity depends on it! That would be like starting all over, and we both know how hard it is getting started. Is there not a place in your house that you could use another cheapie VCR if they wont' give you a loaner. I think they are pretty inexpensive right now. It might be worth it to look into one under $50. I think they make them that cheap now??

Cheryl N. WI- Way to go getting up early!!! Don't you just feel so great all day long after that? I do!!

 

[danicaw]

This is just the thread I needed to read.
I finally took the shrink wrap off my Firm DVDs last weekend and got motivated.
I gained 40 lbs while preg. with my son (who is now 9 months) and its about time to get it off. I have been playing around with diet and working out but summer is coming and I am ready to get serious.
Finding time to workout is a bear. I am impressed at all you early risers who work out before the rest of the family wakes up. I am soo lazy when it comes to sleep. I have a good amout of time when my little guy goes down for his first nap, so I am claiming that for working out.

I did Total Body Scult plus Abs on Monday and although I missed a few steps on the aerobics section, but I will get it one of these days.
My plan is to rotate through the 3 DVDs I have (BSS II) on Mon, Wed, and Fri. and ride my recumbant (I am sure I spelled that wrong) bike on Tues, Thurs, and Sun for a break.

This week was a bit of a let down as Tuesday I came down with a yucky cold and am still fighting off congestions.
Can anyone give me tips to beat the soreness. I was really really sore on Tuesday, mostly in the thighs, it was hard to sit, ouch!
Wed it eased up a bit but I think squats would have been pretty painful. So, Monday we try again.
I am so glad I found some people who are doing the Firm and enjoying it. I hope to come back and check in next week.

Thanks for the motivation.

 

[MelanieC]

Good morning FIRMies,

Today was FIRM Cardio for me. This is one of my new ones. I received 10 new workouts while I was out of town last week.

Here is my review of this one. I really liked it. It's not like the newwer firms and I still hate that old mansion set they use. Too much too look at. The outfits they wear are not as bad as the old 80's things, but still not as nice as the newer firms. I really like how they wear all the same type colors in all the new workouts. Looking at too many different colored outfits gets hard to notice what they are doing because your eye draws to the colors instead. This is definately NOT cardio. It is a sculpt/cardio tape (only about 9 minutes of cardio). This is a crosstrainer and can be used one day and the FIRM Strength the next day. They focus on different muscles in each so you can use them this way. Nice way to get two sculpt/cardio's in two days in a row. I did however fall off my box during the one cardio segment. I was too busy watching them and again I had a hard time keeping up (they are too fit, lol) and just tripped while going up over it and luckily my couch caught me. Only lightly scraped my knee on the box. Got right back up though, went back and did that part again. Made sure I watched the box this time. I really loved the floor work at the end of the workout. I need to get some ankle weights (many of the older firms use ankle weights). There is some serious floor table glute work. I didn't use ankle weights and my buns were sore! I can only imagine that this tape would give you super tight buns when you use ankle weights and incorporate it into your rotation. There was also a lot of great upper body weight work. Seemed to use different muscles once in a while than the newer workouts and I really felt some of them. All in all, it's not quite as upbeat and fun as the new stuff, but I really liked it and it will definately become a tape I grab often.

Tomorrow, if I can force myself to get up early, I am going to do FIRM Strength. I will let you know how that one is. From reading the Firm Ya-ya boards, it seems that people like it.


Danica- Welcome to the FIRM thread. Glad you are going to join us! This thread is definately a motivator! Doing the FIRM you will loose that 40lbs in no time! For soreness, just watch your body. This will happen in the beginning and will subside. I rarely get sore anymore (except my left knee bothers me once in a wile). I get now where I hardly know I worked out afterwards because I am not sore at all. It just depends on what muscles you are working and how much you are lifting. Soon I want to throw in a 10lbs weight here and there. Also, try checking in with us once a day instead of once a week. I really find that makes me accountable and I look forward to completing my workout and posting.

 

[sueg]

Danicaw,
Welcome to our FIRM thread. We are here to help or just plain listen. My suggestions for aches after a tough workout is simple: 2 Advil (if you can take them) a soak in a hot-as-you-can-stand-it tub & forcing yourself to workout the next day, despite the aches. It really helps.
FIRMIES!
This is my last post from home. I just stole a few minutes from last minute compulsing/packing, to check in. I was up at 5:30AM & did the complete Cardio Scuplt w/ Allie. It's a good workout. I threw Ab Sculpt w/ Lisa Kay into the suitcase, in case we get a VCR in our unit. If not, it will be alot of walking & some visits to the "gym" to do some weights from memory.
Have a happy & healthy day! SGG

 

[septbride2002]

Morning! Sorry I haven't been around this past week. I've been really busy. I did my tapes 3 days this week and that was my goal. I did maximum cardio burn this morning and man that one makes you sweat.

~Amanda

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi FIRMies!
Well, I did manage to get Cardio Blaster in on Friday and I also did the 20 minute Windsor Pilates workout. I'm glad that I exercised, but was exhausted the rest of the day. I'm taking the weekend off to recuperate and hope to be back in the swing of things on Monday. Hope everyone has a great weekend! Keep up the good work!

Tracy

 

[luvmydogs]

Hi FIRMies!

You have all been working so hard and are doing such an AWESOME JOB!!! WOO HOO!!!

Melanie! You sound like you are feeling so much better. I'm sure you're glad to be getting back into your normal routine again. You're taking things day by day and I'm sending you some Georgia sunshine to keep the blues away!

On behalf of my VCR, I accept your heartfelt condolences. I talked to a manager at Best Buy to no avail (I tried to be assertive, yet sweet and cute but he didn't care! ), and ended up buying a cheapy $20 VHS player at WalMart. I did Total Sculpt + Abs this morning and it felt really good to exercise after a few days off.

I really wanted to take the time to post to everyone individually--I'm so happy that everyone's doing so well! I am in the middle of a wicked argument with dh (for three days now!), and I feel so grumpy and tired and mean (I wouldn't be mean to you, I just feel like being mean when it comes to him! ), and just want to snuggle up on the couch with my dogs--they're nice to me no matter what!

Sorry for the vent, everyone, it's just been a yucky few days. Please know how PROUD I AM of all of you! I usually take Sun. off, but I think MCB is calling me to make up for the last few days of inactivity.

Have a great Saturday night FIRMies, and I swear I'm usually not one to ask for prayers or PD (goodness knows there are so many people with troubles MUCH GREATER than mine!), but if you have any good thoughts to spare, could ya' send some down my way? I'm just not feelin' the love lately.

Well done FIRMies!

P.S. Edited to add: I bought my first bikini yesterday!

 

[ZerasPride]

Good evening FIRMies! No work out for me today. I take one rest day, usually Tuesday, and then Saturday can be working out or resting. I chose resting. Can't wait to do ab sculpt tomorrow and might even squeeze in body sculpt. We'll see.

Welcome Danica - I have to second the soak in a hot as you can stand it tub. That has worked wonders for my poor bottom. Those hover squats are murder!

Kim - you poor thing. I'm sending lots of loving vibes your way. Marital relations can be difficult sometimes. I went suit shopping tonight with DH and it was uh, interesting to say the least. I guess I am learning (after 10-1/2 years of marriage) that men
really really are from Mars and women from Venus (rolling eyes but smiling). I'm sure the two of you will get past this!

See you all tomorrow!

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

I did Super Body Sculpt today again. I am starting to get the moves down better and am not as sore afterwards! I am debating if I should keep doing this tape or maybe next week give one of the other ones a try again.

Melanie, thanks for the review on Cardio, I'll have to check and see if I have that tape. A friend gave me a lot of tapes a few years ago and I was always afraid to try any that had Cardio in the name because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up with the different moves but if I have this one I will definitely give it a try in the near future.

Danica, just stick with it and the soreness will improve. I just started doing the FIRM again on Monday and was pretty sore on Tuesday, not too bad on Wed. and then repeated the same tape on Thur. and again today and I'm just a little sore. I can feel that I am working muscles that I haven't worked in awhile and that is a good feeling . Start out not using weights like they say and also the first few times when they have the fanny lifter put together for the "step ups" I just used the taller blue section so it wasn't so high to step up on. Today I did those exercises with the fanny lifter fully assembled and I definitely felt it more. This is a GREAT thread and very motivating! Welcome to the FIRMies!

Kim, your first bikini, how exciting!!!!!! I bought one a few years ago and wore it on 1 vacation and then promptly regained the weight I had lost. I am hoping to lose enough weight and FIRM up to feel comfortable wearing it this summer! Sending you a great big and some PD that things get better between you and your DH and I will keep you in my prayers too!

Cheryl

 

[MelanieC]

Good Sunday Morning.

I did FIRM Strength today. It was so tough!! The area above my chest, where the arms are connected too (have no idea what they are called) were so sore today. That's from the FIRM Cardio yesterday, the upper body was a killer. Well so was this one. The look was exactly the same, and they used a barbell, so I improvised and used two 8lb dumbells. Turns out after the dumbell work, they did the exact same exercise with heavy weights that I was doing in its place. Thank goodness it was only 8 more reps. I think I will be really sore in new places today. These two tapes FIRM Cardio/FIRM Strength are really GREAT in my opinion. They were tough, and I really felt them. They worked parts not worked in other FIRM video's. The Strength one I did today had some floorwork that worked the inner thigh. Cardio had some floor work that worked the back of the legs and butt. Funny, today's a bit more cardio work (they added light 4 limb work). Tomorrow will definately be cardio to give my muscles some much needed rest. I do love when I feel like I had a good upper body workout. I feel really strong afterwards.

Kim- Things are definately getting more normal, and I think making myself exercise when I could have choose to turn off was good for me. Those good endorphins really help. Having kids and having to go back to work, especially when DH was away really forced me to get back into the swing. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. I am so lucky to have such a great WISH family! Dh is home now, so thankfully I get to take more care of ME now. Sorry you and DH are having an arguement. Hopefully you will make up and get your LOVE soon! Dh goes away on military training often, and boy does that make him miss us. He is always mushy afterwards. Glad you got a cheap VCR. I know it would have ruined your momentum not to have your VCR till April. Sucks to think they wouldn't help you. DARN Best Buy.


Cheryl- as much as I know you really want to keep using the same tape. I find myself wanting to do this too, really try to add a new one and alternate it with the ones you already know. You really need to crosstrain. It also helps you not to get bored. Go at your own pace though. If you need a week or two to get totally comfortable with the other one.....take it!!

ZerasPride-Don't rest days feel so wonderful! You are doing so terrific! Keep up the great work!

toystoryduo- Definately rest the weekend. The FIRM teaches that REST is key. Rest is needed to restore the muscles. Keep up the great work!

septbride2002- I love Maximum Cardio Burn. I may just do it tomorrow. Seems like forever since I have done it! Just remember, visit us when you can, we know how tough it is to be busy!

Sue- Have a wonderful vacation! Can't wait to hear from you when you get back! Have fun!

 

[luvmydogs]

Good Day FIRMies!

Hi Lisa! Enjoying your day off?! You have been working so hard that you certainly deserve it! Thanks for the kind thoughts and encouragement--you've been married the same amount of time as I have! You enjoy your rest day, and thanks for coming by to give us some cheer!

Hi Cheryl! You are working so hard, and I'm really impressed! I agree with Melanie. I think you should check out some of your other tapes to give yourself variety and to keep your muscles shocked and confused. By coming at your muscles in different ways, you'll keep 'em guessing! You'll see greater results, won't overtrain, and you won't get bored as readily. I think you and I need to get together in our bikinis this summer--don'tcha think?! Hmmm...I bet you'll look GREAT, however I'm afraid the sight of my naked thighs may frighten children and small animals I thank you for the PD and prayers--they are really appreciated!


Hi Melanie! Every day you sound better and better, and it's such a good thing to see! You could have so easily (and understandably) shut down, but instead made a choice that would help you both mentally and physically. Melanie, you are SO STRONG! I'm glad your DH is home now and you'll have more of that ME time that we all need so badly--you certainly deserve to be taken care of! Thank you for the words of encouragement about my DH (FYI--"D" does not stand for "dear" lately!). Things are better today, but we're both still grumbly. I really wanted to call him A BIG WEENIE this morning, but I held back--I guess that means things are getting better!

Well, my $20 VCR and I made it through MCB + Abs this morning! I usually rest on a Sunday, but felt the need to make up for my lost workout time this past week. I love that video--even though I'm always ahead a half-step on that dang Step-n-Scoop! Tomorrow will be Complete Aerobics & Weight Training--love that one, too!

Keep up all your AWESOME WORK everybody, and thanks for all your kind thoughts and good wishes!

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi fellow FIRMies!

I've only got time for a drive by right now. I did BSS1 ab sculpt this morning and it was a great work out! Tomorrow is cardio sculpt. I'll check in tomorrow. I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Time to get ready for another work week!

 

[toystoryduo]

Good evening FIRMies!
I know that I said I was going to wait until Monday to exercise, but I broke down and exercised today. I used Cardio Sculpt Blaster and Ab Sculpt. The week ahead looks like a very busy one for us so I decided to go ahead and get a head start on the week.

I'm heading for bed in a few minutes, but wanted to stop by and say hi! I'm half asleep as I type now..... Have a great day tomorrow and keep up the good work!

Tracy

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

Hi everybody Today ended up being an unplanned rest day for me. I had intended on getting on the treadmill today but just didn't have the time with church and errands and laundry and getting DD ready for the upcoming school week, (she has a lot of tests coming up this week) and then spur of the moment she and I decided to go see the movie I Was a Teenage Drama Queen and then we had to go grocery shopping after that, Yikes it really wasn't a very restful day LOL. Tomorrow I will get up and do a FIRM tape before work. I might give a new one a try!

Cheryl