[mamaley]

anyone else doing the firm, and want a place to ask questions, share progress, get encouragement, share knowledge and all that?<br><br>
i've only done one so far, lol, just got the bss2 in the mail last week and did total sculpt on friday. i was so sore the next day that i did a 20 min winsor pilates video and rested all of sun. but now it's mon and i'm doing emily's workout.

 

[fatzoe]

I used to do some Firm videos before my daughter was born. I really loved them and did notice results. They really make you sweat and you feel like you are getting a great workout. We just had a garage sale over the weekend and my treat to myself was to get some new videos. I found the sculpting stick at Target and it came with 3 videos for about $40. I just bought it yesterday and plan on doing the video later today. I know what you mean about being sore after it. I already plan to just do some yoga tomorrow. I'll try to check in every once in awhile.

 

[fatzoe]

I just did my first new Firm video and I'll have to give it a thumbs down. I usually watch my videos before I do them (which DH finds amusing) but the kids were all settled so I decide to just take advantage of the time. I did the the Maximum Cardio Burn plus Abs. I didn't like it at all, it had too much step-aerobics in it, which I don't like. Oh well, I reviewed the others and they look good. Just thought I would share.... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[mamaley]

is that the one with allie? (if you do the firm, you're supposed to know all the lead ladies names, lol)

 

[willowsmama]

I keep trying to get through Total Sculpt. So far I can get 40 mins. through.lol<br>
I am completely choreo challenged so I take a long time to *get* this videos.<br><br>
Cardio Burn seems to be the fastest paced one. Total Sculpt is the slowest. i'm hoping to be moving on to another one by the end of the week.

 

[khrisday]

I just saw the fat burning Pilates video- anyone try it?

 

[mamaley]

i did the complete aerobics and weight training with emily tonight. i liked it, although i totally can't get my feet and arms right in one of the cardio parts! i mean, sheesh, i took dance for a few years and i'm still having troubles. but i hear that you just keep practicing and you get it. i still loved it though. it totally made me sweat, but i felt good, not like i was dying or anything. and there's so much variety that i don't get bored. i like that about winsor pilates too. i did tae bo back in the day and i would get bored doing 20 reps of the same ol thing. im just like that though.<br><br>
i can totally handle cawt without the weights. i wonder what it will be like when i add weights. maybe i'll wait a long time for them, lol.<br><br>
i want APmom (i can't remember her whole name!) to post here. her results have been awesome.<br><br>
i haven't tried the firm pilates yet. i wonder what it's like. i think i'm going to make it to where if i keep this up regularly for a certain amount of weeks, i'll treat myself to a new video. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> any suggestions of what to get first? i only have the bss2. i guess i should wait a while to ask that question though!

 

[MarineWife]

I got the 3 firm videos for christmas year before last. All my friends were mad at my dh for getting it for me but I asked for it. LOL I did some of them (can't remember which ones now) a few times but then got pg. At least one was hard to do without the step thingy they have. He got me a step and some weights this year. I keep planning to start them again but so far haven't found the time with my 5 month old. So, how do you ladies get through them with your children underfoot? Another problem I have is that I don't know how you are supposed to use them. Do you do a different video each day or do you pick one you like and stick with that every other day? I didn't get any manual or schedule sheets. Can anyone tell me how that works?<br><br>
I've heard from several personal trainers (my dh being one) that The Firm is the best home video system for getting in shape. I used to lift weights at the gym 5-6 days a week and it's hard for me to switch to a more aerobic style workout. I've got 20-25 lbs to lose from being pg.

 

[mamaley]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">o, how do you ladies get through them with your children underfoot?</td>
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it is SO hard. the only way i do it is when dh watches them when he comes home from work. if one of them is awake, they refuse to let me do it, lol.<br><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">Another problem I have is that I don't know how you are supposed to use them. Do you do a different video each day or do you pick one you like and stick with that every other day? I didn't get any manual or schedule sheets. Can anyone tell me how that works?</td>
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do you have the body sculpting system 2 (BSS2)? if so, it says to do Total Sculpt one day, rest day 2, do Complete Aerobics and Weight Training on day 3, rest day 4, and do Total Sculpt again on day 5. On their calendar they show day 1 being a monday and day 5 a friday, with sat and sun both being rest days.<br><br>
sometime during the next week you add the third tape with allie (the cardio one) and then alternate the 3 of them.<br><br>
for the first 3-5 workouts, follow the beginner person on the tape and don't add weights.<br><br>
if you don't have the BSS2, i would alternate the 3 tapes.<br><br>
keep in mind, i just started this, so i'm just telling you what i've read. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[willowsmama]



So, how do you ladies get through them with your children underfoot? Another problem I have is that I don't know how you are supposed to use them. Do you do a different video each day or do you pick one you like and stick with that every other day? I didn't get any manual or schedule sheets. Can anyone tell me how that works?<br><br>
I'm only doing one till I can do the steps properly. then I'll add another. After I'm good with all of them ,I'm planning rotating 2 a week.<br><br>
I try to work out while my 3 month old naps and I let the 2 yr.old destroy the house.Not the best solution but it works.

 

[MarineWife]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>willowsmama</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I let the 2 yr.old destroy the house.Not the best solution but it works.</div>
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:LOL<br><br>
I tried to do my yoga and pilates DVDs a couple of times while my baby napped but was invariably interrupted so I gave up. For me, it's worse to get halfway through a workout and have to stop then to just not do it at all. With my older ds, who is 13yo now, I did Denise Austin's TV show every day. For the life of me, I can't figure out how I ever did that? It's been so long I can't remember a thing.<br><br>
I'm not sure which one I have. I lent it to a friend and need to get it back. It has 3 DVDs, one is weight training, one is cardio and one is abs. I didn't get any instructions. Does one of the DVDs have instructions or do you have a manual? I looked on their website and think they had something you could order that came with a schedule. I'm not sure why I didn't get that with mine.<br><br>
BTW, are any of you bf? If so, how has the exercise affected that, if at all?

 

[TeaBag]

I have several of the Firm videos. I have the BSS2 ones and I bought a few of the older ones because they were shorter and I could do them on my *rest* days. As I got better with it, I found that I didn't need or want the every other day off. Now I'm up to about 5 days a week, most weeks 6 days. Although to be honest, I am being VERY bad over the last week and a half, as dh got home after 4 months away, and I am enjoying the time with him. He went back to work yesterday and I'm back on my schedule, but I am having to make some changes due to not working out consistently for the past 1.5 weeks. Here's my rotation before he got home.<br><br>
nak, sorry<br>
max cardio burn 3 X per week. Honestly, I LOVE that one, but I love aerobics, especially step, so it works for me. I do total body sculpt one day per week, everyone I know loves Jen, but she's my least favorite...then I do complete aerobics -n- weight training the other two days. I don't use the sculpting stick a lot during Allie's workout. During the fanny lifter segment, I use 10lb dumbells in each hand. I also do the entire workout with 5lb ankle weights on each ankle. I started out adding 2lbs, then upped it to three and then to 5lbs. I also use the ankle weights while doing Emily's routine.<br><br>
Now, yesterday, I started back with Emily, and I left off the ankle weights. Today, I did Allie and again left off the ankle weights. Tomorrow, I will probably take a rest day and then do Allie and then Jen and then Allie again and a second rest day. After that, I'll try adding the ankle weights and see. Also, now that dh is home, I can get out on my bicycle, which I did this morning and while it didnt' get my heartrate up much, it did feel GREAT! And on Saturday morning, I've signed up for a belly dancing class that is offered downtown. So I am varying my workouts quite a bit.<br><br>
Don't know if I helped anyone, but it's good for me to refocus after being *off* for a while. It's not like I *didn't* work out, but workouts consisted of cleaning out the garage and basement, moving air conditioners, etc...:LOL It does feel good to get back into my routine!!

 

[TeaBag]

Oh, forgot to add, I am bfing. Actually tandem nursing my almost (in four days) 2 year old and my 9.5 month old. I haven't seen any impact on my milk supply. If anything, I have an increase of milk on my workout days, because I drink so much more water. HTH>

 

[Susana]

I'm a Firm user! I have the 3 tapes that came with the fanny lifter-Body Sculpt with Jen, Cardio Sculpt with Allie and Ab Sculpt with Lisa. I also have an older tape called Super Sculpting. I swear, I love these tapes. I need to get more, I am so used to doing these 4 I can say what the instructors say when they say it.<br>
I've been at the Firm for 4 months now. I've lost 14 pounds and have gone from a size 16 to a 10 and those are loose!<br>
I also do Denise Austins Pilates tape a couple times a week. That workout is doing wonders for my pregnancy pooch.<br>
I'd love to get on board with a support group here..<br>
this morning I did the lower body portion of Body Sculpt, tonight I did the pilates and the upper body part of Body Sculpt. I'm pumped tonight!<br><br>
BTW, I think Jen is my favorite...I want to look like she does!

 

[mamaley]

apmom98, glad you shared your routine! i haven't done allie's yet, but i liked cawt more than total sculpt, even though i liked total sculpt. when do you think it's ok to start doing the workouts two days in a row?

 

[mamaley]

hi susana! glad to have more experienced firmies here

 

[TeaBag]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>mamaley</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">. when do you think it's ok to start doing the workouts two days in a row?</div>
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When you feel it. That's how I did it. I think I followed the routine they give you when I first got it, and then after the first two weeks or so, I felt I didn't need that whole day off in between. That's when I ordered the shorter videos, 30-40 minute workouts were perfect for my *off* days. I didn't use the shorter ones for long, just a few weeks, and then I was doing the hour long ones daily. Now, I just have the shorter ones for days when I absolutely NEED to workout, but just don't have the time for an hour due to appts, kids, naps, whatever. Just listen to your body, when it's time to add more, you'll know it.

 

[Susana]

Hi mamaley <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br>
thanks for the welcome!<br><br>
I want to ask those who have the sculpting stick, do you really like using it? In other words, is it really worth the cash? I have dumbells and like using them for upper body and arms, but they are sorta awkward to use when doing lower body (you know when you have to put them on your shoulders to do hover squats? Yeow!!)<br><br>
I definitely need some new tapes. I want to work on my legs and backside more-they are my difficult spots.<br><br>
When I first bought this Firm deal, I tried doing it like twice and packed it away, I thought there is no way I could get into such a workout. Started back up this past February and could only do a little each day. It is so hard.<br>
But I'm loving it now <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Good to have you all here to talk to about Firming!

 

[mamaley]

question: i've been doing the firm every day and have done all 3 on the bss2 set once each. i. i've only finished one of them because once i accidently turned the video off and the other time (today) dd needed to nurse. i have to admit that today was cardio with allie, and i wasn't crushed that i had to sit down and nurse dd.<br>
i was sweating like a pig, and i hope it's not my imagination but i do feel my muscles getting stronger (i was doing 20 min pilates workouts before this for a couple of weeks). but i'm worried that i'm not going to see great results if kids keep interupting me, etc. i guess something is better than npthing, right? i'll just keep doing it, and surely i'll finish more than not. i guess i just need some reassurance that these past two times made a difference even though they were cut short.<br>
wow, that took a lot of words to say that. i have work-out brain. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[MarineWife]

I definitely think something is better than nothing. The only concern I have with being interrupted in the middle of a workout is that you don't get the chance to cool down. If you have been going hard and fast and all of a sudden have to stop for your dd, maybe you can try just walking around the house slowly a few times with her in your arms to slowly lower your heartrate. Once you've finished nursing her you could lay on the floor with her while you do some easy stretches.