's Miracle Mile

[Guest guest]

I got this 1996 VHS tape from my WW buddy. I'm not sure how long she's had it, probably a long time knowing her, but it was still sealed in the shrink wrap! I've never done it before and didn't expect much from it because it shows an older man and middle-aged exercisers on the cover. I don't know who they are, but they're not in this workout which turned out to be quite a gem! It is a very energetic 1 mile walk, complete with mile markers every 1/4 mile and even the speed at which you are walking shown at those times. She does the 4 basic steps but also tap-outs (which I love and always add power to), double side-steps, walking kickbacks and other less basic variations on the basics. She doesn't even start out just teaching the 4 basic steps, that actually comes after the energetic but short warm-up. The music was pretty good and the set was different from others I've seen (can't describe it now but it was interesting). She introduces the backgrounders as all people who have lost weight (I assume using her walking program) and it includes a very slim looking Kay (who had lost 30 lbs). There was another one that looked very familiar and very fit but I can't remember her name. Another had lost 100 pounds and another 80 lbs. Both looked like they had a bit more to go which was fine because they didn't look as much like fitness models as the others and I think the mix of bodies worked well too. I got energized by the movements and music and put a lot more oomph into my movements than did but the workout was definitely not low intensity (compared to other 1 mile walks) on its own. After the stretch there's a toning section she says is 5 minutes long. You do static lunges on each leg, then 2 sets of pushups (I did 9 on my toes then 14 on my knees, she shows it on the knees but also shows a more beginner option and discusses advanced as being on toes) then a bunch of basic crunches. I learned something new about lunges from too! She said something about how the back leg is only meant to support you and the front leg is the one doing all the work. Meanwhile, my back leg was the one getting seriously fatigued so I realized I was doing something wrong and started lifting my toes off the ground as I went to go up from the lunge. I kept my weight in my working heel and really felt it the right way then. I think I'm better with dynamic lunges but I was definitely off on these so that was very cool to learn! This definitely goes on my shelf as a keeper! :-)