More New Workouts Pt. 2

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

Last week I shared my experiences with several workout videos I borrowed from the library in Trying Some New Workouts.  Well, I've got a couple more to talk about today: one from the library, and one given to me by a friend several years ago--both on T'ai Chi.

Energy Boost For Seniors (2003):  When I picked this DVD, I thought it would be easier because it was geared toward seniors.  I figured it would be slower-paced and easier to follow.  Overall, it was very good.  It did start out slowly with basic moves, but then progressed to other moves requiring a great deal of balance, at least from what I could tell.  My balance isn't good, as I've mentioned before, so the more intricate movements later on tripped me up.  It may not prove to be an issue for most, unless you have significant trouble balancing on one leg.  The music and narrator's voice were both soft and easy to listen to.

T'ai Chi Chih--Serenity in the Midst of Acitivity (2004):  I've had this DVD for several years, having received it from a friend who attends a T'ai Chi class.  I like everything about this video except that the woman's voice is a bit too whispy for my liking.  There is an introduction explaining T'ai Chi Chih, a Practice of the 19 (cover says 20) movements, and Chapter Selections.  I like the Chapter Selections because you can pick one movement at a time and practice it over and over without having to rush to keep up with the sequence of movements in the Practice section.  I liked all the movements except the Taffy ones.  I got all confused and tangled up on those.  And I couldn't do the movements requiring standing on toes.  But I did like the explanations and speed better on this one than the Energy Boost For Seniors.  

I would recommend either of these DVDs as they are pretty easy to follow overall.  It just takes practice.  And you can always alter the movements if you can't do a certain one exactly right.  For example, I just stayed with my feet flat while doing movements that required standing on toes.  Do what you can.  That's better than doing nothing at all because you think you can't.  Give it a try.  You may be surprised at just how much you really can do.  Have fun!

I'll be back soon with my thoughts on Chair T'ai Chi.  Just got the book yesterday but haven't had the chance yet to dig into it.  See you soon!

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Have you viewed these DVDs?  If so, I'd love to know what you think of them.  Hope to hear from you!  Take care.

Trying Some New Workouts

Hey there!  I hope you're having a good week.  Last weekend, my husband and I went to the public library.  I brought home six exercise/self improvement DVDs.  This is new for me.  I don't usually exercise to videos, but I'm always looking for new ways to jazz up my workouts, so I decided to explore this avenue to fitness.  I'd like to share with you my opinions of some of these DVDs. (I haven't finished two of them yet--more on them later.)

Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Body & Soul Fitness: Fat Burner (2006):  First of all--WOW!  It includes an introduction, super charged warm-up, a super, super charged workout, and a cool down and stretch.  The aerobic routine wasn't too hard to follow at first, but then the instructor seemed to speed up and up and up, even leaving her team stumbling and trying to keep up now and then. Great routines, lots of energy, appealing music, but beginners may have a hard time to keep up (although one of the team members does regress some movements to show that you can do this routine even if you're a beginner, which I liked).  I like that the DVD has a warm up and a cool down period.  You're going to need it for this high intensity routine.  Something else I liked is that the exercise team members were healthy looking, fit, but not super slim except maybe the lead instructor (a bit).  They looked like normal, fit people, not models.  Will I continue with this workout?  No.  I've decided there was a reason why I hadn't taken an aerobics class or gotten into aerobics videos before now--I don't enjoy them.  But if you're into aerobic exercise, like classes, and are moderately to very fit already, I'd say give this video a try.   

Zumba--Beginners (2004):  This was the next DVD I tried.  The guy started speaking in Spanish which threw me at first, but a member of his team translates what he says into English.  The instruction is done slowly at first, then it's sped up so you can see how it will look when done at a regular pace, which I liked.  The segments are quite short to prevent boredom, but long enough for you to get the hang of what is involved.  Unlike the Body & Soul Fitness DVD, this isn't a full on aerobic workout.  Rather, it's basic instruction for the total newbie.  I linked to the 2-DVD set Zumba--Beginners and Zumba--Advanced on Amazon.com just because it's the only one I could find that pictured the DVD that I borrowed from the library.  I may try a DVD that includes actual full on routines similar to the Body and Soul Fitness one just to see how that would go.  Zumba--Beginners didn't convince me to take up Zumba, but maybe a different one would.  We'll see.  I might stick to dancing to my favorite music on my own without having to mess with learning specific steps.  I think that would suit me better.  

Pilates/Yoga for AnyBody (2005):  Next up!  This one has an instructor introduction which I liked.  She talks about how she came to combine Pilates and yoga and so on.  It has a "Before We Begin" section on what's needed for the practice, a warm up, strength and endurance routine, flexibility routine, and a cool down.  I've never tried Pilates or yoga, so this was all new to me.  And I realized while attempting the movements that I'm much less flexible than I thought I was.  I got myself tied up in a few knots with this one.  Ah well, it was good for a laugh and I got a great workout.  I was surprised how tired I was after such a low key workout.  I think with practice I could enjoy Pilates and yoga, but separately.  She's an excellent instructor.  I didn't really like the combined routine, though; maybe because I've never practiced either one.  I think I would much rather try beginner yoga and beginner Pilates individually.  

Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Relax Mind & Body: Meditations to Soothe and Center (Inner Mastery Series) (2007)  This is a nice one.  There are two guided meditations (Levels 1 and 2 Skills to Soothe and Center).  She's knowledgable, thorough, explains everything, takes it slow, and speaks clearly.  I'm no expert, but I've practiced meditation off and on over the years and this is up there with the best DVDs I've tried.

So, there you have it.  What do you think of my selections and reviews?  Have you tried any of these DVDs?  I'd love to try others.  Any suggestions?  What are your favorite exercise DVDs?  I'd love to hear from you.  Be sure to leave a comment below or email me at iwrite41@yahoo.com.  Thanks!  Take care.

My Stress Busters

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Although some stress is healthy, continuous stress can cause health problems such as high blood press and depression.  Here's what I do to de-stress.

1.  Write it down:  Keeping a journal is a great way to relieve stress.  If I get bogged down with a lot of stressors, I write down each one and then, beside it, a possible solution.  It enables me to get the worries out of my head and onto paper or computer screen.  When I organize them, and really think about how to fix them, it makes them seem much less intimidating and worrisome.  No, all problems can't be solved by a simple phone call, for example, but this exercise tends to help lessen the intensity.

2.  Talk it out:  I tell a trusted friend or family member about my concerns.  I even have done a fair bit of talking to myself, taking both sides of an issue. Sometimes just talking things out will help me work through my problems, find answers, and make me feel better.  When that hasn't helped, I've consulted my  physician for an evaluation and been referral to a psychologist (Let's just say I had some big-time issues with being born with spina bifida.  It's still no picnic, but I've adopted a generally positive attitude about it).  Talking things out with a professional can put things into prospective and help me discover ways to solve problems.  Getting professional help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of being serious about getting help.  Helping yourself can benefit loved ones as well.

3.  Daydream:  I have used daydreaming for stress relief practically my whole life.  I think I spent too much time in a dream world, though.  Basically, when I wasn't in school, I was up in my bedroom creating a whole different world for myself in which I was totally healthy and popular.  Years later, a psychologist told me that's actually a healthy way to deal with stress.  I never smoked, drank alcohol, took illicit drugs, or practiced self-mutilation.  I daydreamed.  I had no idea I was doing something healthy.  Go figure.

3.  Guided relaxation:  I've got CDs and books on relaxation techniques which have helped somewhat.  One exercise that worked the best was to imagine my feet sprouting roots, grounding me, relaxing me.  I've never been able to stick with meditation though.  My mind won't quiet down long enough to concentrate on it.  But I do think meditation is a viable option for stress relief. 

4.  Go for a walk:  Whenever I'm stressed, a walk helps immensely.  It helps clear my mind and provides exercise at the same time.  It doesn't have to be a strenuous walk; I just keep a pace that's comfortable.  Sometimes a walk helps me think of fresh new ideas on how to solves problems, while others times it helps me to forget the whole crazy situation and just enjoy the natural surroundings and sunshine.

5.  Work out at the gym:  Stressful situations can put a damper on my motivation.  When I force myself to go to the gym even on the most "blah-feeling" days, I come home feeling refreshed and much less stressed out.  A good workout can really boost my mood and enegy level.  Plus, getting out and seeing acquaintances at the gym can be a picker upper, too.

6.  Watch something funny:  There are certain TV shows and movies that crack me up.  Watching any old thing doesn't cut it, though.  It has to make me laugh from down deep.  It can't just spur a, "oh yeah, that's funny, haha," response; it has to be "the-cats-are-looking-at-me-like-I've-gone-completely-insane" kinda laugh where I can't stop, can't talk, can barely breathe.  That's what de-stresses me.  Two movies that have succeeded in the past have been "Sister Act," and "American Pie."  I was surprised that I found American Pie so funny, because I'm not usually the party-hearty-high-school-antics-movie type of person, but I about died laughing through that whole movie.

For more information on stress, check out this fact sheet from WomensHealth.gov  Stress and Your Health Fact Sheet, 

I'd also like to hear how you de-stress.  Feel free to e-mail me at iwrite41@yahoo.com, or post your responses in the comment section below.  Have a great weekend!  Take care.