July 2004

As I did First Place with my partner Aletta, I looked for a workout routine that would mesh with my schedule. Before moving to my new home, I had a gym that I would go to while my son Matthew was in preschool. However, my new lifestyle and schedule was such that gyms wouldn't really work for me anymore.

I decided to try exercise videos. I had a couple of my own, but I wanted more variety. So I went to the local public library, and they had quite a few to choose from. While using their videos, I discovered a series of workouts called "The Firm" and was totally hooked. My husband Jonathan was very sweet and later let me buy a set of DVDs and an aerobic step of my own from The Firm's Body Sculpting System 3. I just loved them and actually looked forward to exercise!

Later on I also discovered a website called VideoFitness.com. Through this website I've learned alot about video fitness and the various workouts available. They also have a section on the web page where you can swap videos with other members. This has enabled me to increase the diversity of my collection, which is great for challenging my body. I also recommend the web site CollageVideo.com. There you can also learn alot about video fitness, get videos that are unavailable in regular retail outlets and even preview clips before buying.

I think the neatest thing about video fitness is that my consistency in working out has improved dramatically. In First Place we are to aim to work out 3 to 5 times a week, for at least 20 minutes at our training heart rate. I've always been happy to meet that goal-- at least 3 times a week. Getting in 5 workouts on a regular basis was pretty rare. Since discovering videos, I consistently work out 5 times a week, for 30-60 minutes each time. I rarely dread it, and when I do, within 5 or 10 minutes of starting the video my attitude has changed. I've also seen much better results in my body's composition. I did do weight lifting and cardio at gyms in the past, but I never saw the results I'm getting now. I guess it's all about consistency, motivation and intensity, and I'm getting all 3 factors with these videos.

Here are my favorite video series and/or instructors:

The Firm
Petra Kolber
CIA: Creative Instructors Aerobics
Crunch
Reebok
The Method
WHFN: Women's Health & Fitness Network