Re: New Member--seeking advice

[Guest guest]

Beth,

Congrats and good luck getting toned

for the wedding. I’m not sure what you have been doing before or whether

you have any weight to lose, but this is what I do. For arm toning a nice every

other day weight lifting works great. Or split it into two sections and really

work those arms, chest and back good. If I want toned legs I alternate so

I am lifting different body parts everyday or you can do a total body workout.

The Firm are great total body workouts, but for ultimate toning I go with Cathe.

Tummy is harder – if you have fat there it is hard to look unflabby

without losing inches. If it is mainly just untoned there are a lot of

options – my personal favorites are Pilates and anything using the

stability ball. I just got Yoga Booty Ballet (from www.beachbody.com) and I really feel these

in the abs and bum – not sure if toning is occurring because I’m

not one of those body types that is likely to get a six pack (I have an

hourglass figure so I went out of style 60 years ago lol). Tummy toning definitely

isn’t a strong point here. I tend to sort of shrug it off even though I

know it is necessary. You also have to remember that if there is extra fat in

an area you can’t just for example lose that jiggly bit on the triceps.

Maybe for you it will be the first to go, but maybe not. What kind of workouts

do you like to do? I am doing a toning routine this month and what I am doing

is Chest and Triceps 2 days a week, Back, Shoulders, Biceps 2 days a week, Legs

2 days a week (I am using the Gym Style series by Cathe for this part), Pilates

based exercises 2 days a week (on leg day), 1 day step aerobics, 1 day

kickboxing and 2 days light, floor or dance aerobics. Two weeks in I see a

difference in the arms so I hope to really see a difference by the end of the 6

week routine. Of course if I was new to exercising I wouldn’t do so much.

If toning was the goal and I had 10 months and had never picked up a weight I

would probably start with one of the Firm sculpting workouts and do it 3 days a

week alternating with cardio that I can do (probably walking) Also

remember that if you do lose a bit of weight you might be able to get your

dressed fixed - according to the design it might not be too hard. Only a

weight gain is near impossible to fix. Anyway let us know what you like

to do and maybe we can share some good advice..

Welcome to the list! BTW I’m

and live in the Netherlands

with my bf and 3 children. I have just reached an inch loss goal and am working

on toning and I decided I need an extra inch loss or two. Lol

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Neely

Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 7:03

PM

Subject: New

Member--seeking advice

Hello!!! I am glad to finally be sending a message! I have been moving

for the past few weeks and haven't had a chance to introduce myself

yet. My name is Beth and I have joined this group to get some

motivation and advice about " toning " up my body. I am getting married

on June 2, 2007 and already bought my dress!!! The areas that I would

like to improve on are my upper body and my tummy area, my dress is

strapless so I would like for my arms and chest area to get a little

tigher/firmer for the wedding! Because I already have my dress, I

can't really afford to lose much weight, it fits pretty well right now

and I've still got 10 months to go!! If anyone has any good advice

about tightening these areas up without losing a lot of weight I would

GREATLY appreciate it! Good job to those of you who have started and

maintained a workout routine, I am hoping to start mine this week!

Everyone's so nice and helpful, I can't wait to become a regular!

Thanks!

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[Guest guest]

Hi !

Thanks so much for your reply! I am glad to get some info on what workouts are good. I haven't really exercised in about 2 years!! Basically since I met my fiance! LOL But in the last year I have switched occupations from a "full-time" waitress to a full time Receptionist! So I lost a lot of my "regular" exercise from waitressing since I just sit at a desk all day now! When I did exercise I mainly did stuff at home, like sit ups, push ups and some lunges, squats, stretches and just some stuff I kinda made up. That worked really well and I have been TRYING to get myself to get into that routine again every morning before the wake up shower, but its been hard! I know I'm still young (just turned 24) but it seems the older I've gotten the less motivated I am! I did own a gym membership for a while and really liked some of the

machines there, like the treadmill, the stairmaster, the leg one (dont know the names....?) and that elyptical one that REALLY hurts! LOL, so I've also been thinking about signing up to another gym but the $$ situation right now won't allow for it. I did recently purchase a Yoga and Pilates DVD to do at home.....I forget the instructor ladies name.........but its kinda slow going with that one, I like a little bit faster paced stuff. As far as the toning I mainly want my upper body to look good in the wedding pix! Not all flabby ya know? The tummy area could just use some help because its more jiggily and fatter than its ever been! Thanks for your suggestions, I'm going to see about getting some of those workout DVDs you mentioned!!

I live (now..just moved) with my fiance and his father, also his little brother lives there and there are 2 tennants that rent rooms out! Its a little crazy but worth the rent! We don't have any children, yet, just our lovely doggie! I live in California, Sunnyvale is the city! Ok well way to go on losing an INCH! That is good progress! I wish you luck and motivation on your next one! Thanks again!

-Beth

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."

Rudyard Kipling

[Guest guest]

I’ve actually lost quite a few

inches. I went from a size 12+ (after having a child) to my goal of a size 4

(in pants, I wear a 12 still in the bust area – the bust doesn’t

shrink for me), but I’m not quite happy with my waist as of yet. It is

flabby and the 4s are not quite like I like them. I used to wear them on the

hips and now they fit on the waist lol. Of course I need new clothes anyway –

these are from when I was in my early to mid-20s (some are from high school) and

I’m 31 now lol. I always figured if they fit I might as well wear them. But

I think I will go out and buy new clothes when I feel less flabbly. I need a

new style. If you haven’t tried weights before The Firm workouts might be

a good place to start. You can start light and work up, heavy weights will give

you that toned look so if you should feel like you are working when you are

lifting. It is also addicting (for me at least) I think most people recommend

3,5 and 8 pound dumbbells to start, but if you are nervous about form you could

start with 1s (you won’t have them for long) Also there are good books

out there or internet sites that could help you develop your own program if you

are self-motivated (I like the tape so I don’t say darn my calves are

hurting, I’m stopping or I hate pushups so I just won’t do them lol)

You could also rent some and see what they do and see what you like. Other

people here will have great ideas and are more knowledgeable about what is out

there – my workout collection is small compared to some of these ladies

lol

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Beth

Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 8:42

PM

Subject: Re: New

Member--seeking advice

Hi !

Thanks so

much for your reply! I am glad to get some info on what workouts are good. I

haven't really exercised in about 2 years!! Basically since I met my

fiance! LOL But in the last year I have switched occupations from

a " full-time " waitress to a full time Receptionist! So I

lost a lot of my " regular " exercise from waitressing since I

just sit at a desk all day now! When I

did exercise I mainly did stuff at home, like sit ups, push ups and some

lunges, squats, stretches and just some stuff I kinda made up. That

worked really well and I have been TRYING to get myself to get into that

routine again every morning before the wake up shower, but its been hard! I

know I'm still young (just turned 24) but it seems the

older I've gotten the less motivated I am! I did own a gym

membership for a while and really liked some of the machines there, like

the treadmill, the stairmaster, the leg one (dont know the names....?) and

that elyptical one that REALLY hurts! LOL, so I've also been

thinking about signing up to another gym but the $$ situation right now won't

allow for it. I did recently purchase a Yoga and Pilates DVD to do at

home.....I forget the instructor ladies name.........but its kinda slow

going with that one, I like a little bit faster paced

stuff. As far as the toning I mainly want my upper body to look

good in the wedding pix! Not all flabby ya know? The tummy area could just

use some help because its more jiggily and fatter than its ever

been! Thanks

for your suggestions, I'm going to see about getting some of those workout

DVDs you mentioned!!

I live (now..just moved) with my fiance and his father, also his little

brother lives there and there are 2 tennants that rent rooms out! Its a

little crazy but worth the rent! We don't have any children, yet, just

our lovely doggie! I live in California, Sunnyvale is the city!

Ok well way to go on losing an INCH! That is good progress! I wish you luck

and motivation on your next one! Thanks again!

-Beth

" Words are, of course, the

most powerful drug used by mankind. "

Rudyard Kipling

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[Guest guest]

,

WOW! That is awesome that you made it to a size 4, especially after having a child! I hope I can lose all my "baby" weight when I have my kids, one day. Congratulations, that must have taken some discipline and lots of hard work and sweat!! I think I will start out with either 3 or 5 pounds dumbells. I've been trying to do some push ups too to get started on SOMETHING! I don't want to look super buff or anything, I just don't want to see that little piece of flabby skin sticking out between my arms and my chest, know what I mean? I'll attach a picture of my dress too! Don't feel bad about the clothes, I STILL have clothes from highschool too that I wear, or lately the right wording would be, I TRY to wear! lol OH yeah and renting some workout DVD's was a BRILLIANT idea! DUH, especially since I am a member of Netflix, so I'm sure they will have plenty to pick from. I still can't believe

I didn't think of that one! I guess moving takes a lot more out of ya that I remember! Thanks again for all of your help! There is one video I was curious about, or rather a workout style/trend, the strip workout videos! I wonder if they work? Do you happen to know anything about them? Thanks again and reply when you have time!

-Beth

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."

Rudyard Kipling

[Guest guest]

Welcome Beth :)I don't really have anything to add other than don't stress about losing too much weight. They can work wonders w/ making your dress fit and look perfect! So even if you lose more weight, it will all be good!

DarcyOn 8/7/06, Beth <wredheadgirl@...> wrote:

,

WOW! That is awesome that you made it to a size 4, especially after having a child! I hope I can lose all my " baby " weight when I have my kids, one day. Congratulations, that must have taken some discipline and lots of hard work and sweat!! I think I will start out with either 3 or 5 pounds dumbells. I've been trying to do some push ups too to get started on SOMETHING! I don't want to look super buff or anything, I just don't want to see that little piece of flabby skin sticking out between my arms and my chest, know what I mean? I'll attach a picture of my dress too! Don't feel bad about the clothes, I STILL have clothes from highschool too that I wear, or lately the right wording would be, I TRY to wear! lol OH yeah and renting some workout DVD's was a BRILLIANT idea! DUH, especially since I am a member of Netflix, so I'm sure they will have plenty to pick from. I still can't believe

I didn't think of that one! I guess moving takes a lot more out of ya that I remember! Thanks again for all of your help! There is one video I was curious about, or rather a workout style/trend, the strip workout videos! I wonder if they work? Do you happen to know anything about them? Thanks again and reply when you have time!

-Beth

" Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind. "

Rudyard Kipling

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Beth!!!

--- Neely <wredheadgirl@...> wrote:

> Hello!!! I am glad to finally be sending a message!

> I have been moving

> for the past few weeks and haven't had a chance to

> introduce myself

> yet. My name is Beth and I have joined this group to

> get some

> motivation and advice about " toning " up my body. I

> am getting married

> on June 2, 2007 and already bought my dress!!! The

> areas that I would

> like to improve on are my upper body and my tummy

> area, my dress is

> strapless so I would like for my arms and chest area

> to get a little

> tigher/firmer for the wedding! Because I already

> have my dress, I

> can't really afford to lose much weight, it fits

> pretty well right now

> and I've still got 10 months to go!! If anyone has

> any good advice

> about tightening these areas up without losing a lot

> of weight I would

> GREATLY appreciate it! Good job to those of you who

> have started and

> maintained a workout routine, I am hoping to start

> mine this week!

> Everyone's so nice and helpful, I can't wait to

> become a regular!

> Thanks!

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Neely wrote:

> I am getting married

> on June 2, 2007 and already bought my dress!!!

hey! congratulations beth!

>If anyone has any good advice

> about tightening these areas up without losing a lot of weight I would

> GREATLY appreciate it!

i think that i would do high rep/light weight training for its

sculpting benefits. i would be sure to still work my lower body

too, but put the emphasis on the upper body and core. there are

tons of upper body and/or core workouts out there! im not sure what

you might like, in particular. maybe go to collagevideo.com and see

what you can find (read reviews/view the clips) and we can also give

you opinions on things that appeal to you.

>Good job to those of you who have started and

> maintained a workout routine, I am hoping to start mine this week!

cool! what are your plans? (sorry if you have already said, and

ive forgotten!)

> Everyone's so nice and helpful, I can't wait to become a regular!

it is very good to meet you beth and i hope that you will post often!

:*carolyn.