Suggestions for workout DVD

[Therese's Mommy]

Alrighty, I need to drop some weight and get into shape.  It is time to stop fooling around, this fat is not going to just magically drop off of me :)

A little history:  currently I am 4'11" (that unfortunately is not going to change) and weigh in just under 160.  When I got pg with my first in '04 I weighed 140 but was solid muscle.  At that time I was using a Soloflex (yeah, so '80s) 3 times a week, playing some really intense racquetball at least an hour a day 3-4 times a week and running once a week.  My weight was certainly not what the charts would say was my ideal, but I could see my stomach muscles and my back was solid, no flab at all.  Three pregnancies later and I am a soft 160.  My doctor said that for my body type my ideal weight is 125-135, which I have to agree with unless I get as muscular as before, then 140 would be ok.

I have tried walking, but since I want to get into this now walking is not an option.  My neighborhood is not conducive to walking this time of year at all.  I need something I can do at home and doesn't take a long time (I have read that P90X workouts are long).  I know there is no magic bullet.  I know I am going to have to work, I just can't do something that is going to take a lot of time each day (kids are all home, I homeschool).

I have never done well with purely cardio things.  I was always an athlete (and a good one), but I have never had a lot of success with plain old cardio workouts.  My house is small and I don't want to have to buy a lot of equipment, but I wouldn't mind having to buy some hand weights.  I have nowhere to put up a pull up bar.  I still have the Soloflex but we currently have nowhere to put it up.

My goal is to get stronger and also shed this fat.

Ok, with all this in mind, which DVD(s) do you suggest?  My dh said that he was looking for things for the kids to get me for Christmas, so I am hoping to give him ideas for workout DVDs.  Thanks!

Beth

[nola79]

I have heard a lot of good things about the 30 day shred, and it is short. I just got it in from netflix, and I'm going to start it tommorrow.

[wendyland]

30 day shred is great and has 3 different levels.  I like it because it doesn't have too many fancy foot moves and doesn't require much space. 

[nolansmummy]

I think all Jillian MIchaels Dvd's are great. She has quite a variety now.

I like the 30ds when i need a quick workout, and No more trouble zones when i have a little more time (its 45min). Both only require hand weights. I have 3,5, and 8lbs , but one set works fine too.

Collagevideo.com is a great place to check out workout dvds. They have tons to choose from and they have clips so you can watch them before you buy.

[TrishWSU]

I like JM 30 Day Shred and Yoga Melt Down for quick work outs and they require little space and only hand weights (30 day shred; yoga melt down you really don't need anything.) I also like to download some of the free work outs on the Women's Health website. They have some that are either just body weight or use hand weights. Sometimes I like to combine a few of the shorter work outs to make a longer one; and sometimes it's nice to just do a 20 minute work out that leaves me sweaty and exhausted :D

[Runningmommy]

If you want something that is going to work and short on time with the bonus of being free!  check out bodyrocktv.com for free workouts that are new most days of the week.  usually 12-20 minutes (plus warm up and cool down if you do them) of drip sweat.  Uses body weight to work out (her very early videos have weights if you want to go back a few years in her vids) and sometimes she uses pull up bar and some other things but also shows other ways to do it like a broom stick across two chairs for low pull ups, etc. 

  It's the only time in my life that I've gotten compliments from friends and strangers on my arms (which I used to be called string bean arms!!) and body (even compliments from several people on my BUTT! :bigeyes)  

Good luck!

[maudez]

I'd try the power yoga and strength training classes (online, live and interactive) at http://www.Physiic.com rather than do a DVD. Personally, I have a whole library of workout DVDs that have collected dust. The actual live class setup makes me feel more accountable, and I like getting feedback. It's a great site -- new, but they really offer a lot.