Winsor Pilates

[Pensee]

I just received the videos. Yes, I ordered it because of the infomercial. :p The main reason is because the type of excerises shown on the infomercial seem to just go with "my style" of exercising, if that makes any sense. I tend to be drawn to floor exercises that tone and stretch the muscles. At least, I was when I used to exercise consistently.

I've done the basics video, the buns & thigh video, and the abs video. The buns & thigh video is so far my favorite. There were a few abs exercises that I can't do because of my back. (I have post-scoliosis.)

I also ordered these vitamins when I ordered the videos. Even though it's only been a few days, I can attest to the vitamins' effectiveness. I've tons more energy. The vitamins rock.

Has anyone else tried Pilates? Any suggestions?

[Anne]

I saw that commercial too. It looks interesting! I didn't order them though because I already have a couple pilates videos that I haven't used yet :( and figured I better use what I have before I invest more money I don't have into something else. LOL

Did the vitamins come with the videos? What kind are they?

~Anne

[UberHouseWife]

I've heard of Pilates, but haven't tried it. I'm not even sure what kind of exercises are involved... Also, I've been tempted to try yoga, to help me focus and tune into my body. Anyone tried yoga?

[Pensee]

The vitamins didn't "come with" the videos, but when I called to order the videos, they asked me if I would like to try them for like $5 for the first month. I said yes for some unknown reason, b/c I usually don't "do" promotional offers.

Anyway, they are GRN VitaPower (http://www.vitapower.com). It's actually both vitamins and minerals. They come in a big canister. The canister contains little packages. The packages contain 4 different kinds of supplements. The supplements are: antioxidants, energizer (daily supply of all 8 B Vitamins), superjuice (daily supply of your 5 fruits and veggies), and multiminerals. You take one package each day.

Before I started taking them, I felt that I was barely getting through most days. I'd go to school, and if I was able to come home and feed my animals & myself, clean the kitty litter box, shower, spend 30 minutes on schoolwork & go to bed, I was doing good. (And I usually get home before 4:00!) It honestly didn't matter if I slept 4 or 10 hours. I felt pretty much the same: exhausted. I'm only 23! But one thing the pamphlet that came with the vitamins said made a whole lot of sense. It said that if you're always tired all the time, and depend on caffeine to get you through the day, but your energy still runs out, you might have a B vitamin deficiency. The B vitamins are the ones that are responsible for breaking down fats & carbs into useable energy. Because the B vitamins are water-soluble, they don't stay in the body that long. It also said that vegetarians have an increased risk of having a vitamin B deficiency. (I'm a vegetarian.) There were other categories for having the increased risk, but that's the one that fit me. I promise that I could tell a difference within a matter of hours. I was taking OneSource, a multivitamin I bought from Walmart. That was not helping me at all, as far as energy goes. The difference is astounding. I can't believe I have this much energy!

UberHW: I've done yoga before. I liked it A LOT, but my schedule conflicted with the yoga class schedule and it was really hard for me to make it. I would do it again if I found another class that I could actually attend.

[selah]

I love doing yoga, in fact I wanted to join a class because the primary reason I don't do it as often as I'd like to is laziness! But all the classes offered at my university's gym conflicted with my schedule.

When I do yoga I notice my flexibility increasing and certain muscles getting more strong. It also is a great way to meditate and focus on God, while getting more in tune with your body and its needs. I just bought a "yoga for beginners book" and a yoga mat and I was ready to go! I'd recommend a book over a video, just because the books I've seen are more comprehensive and you can feel a little more free to hold the position for the right amount of time for you. When I tried the videos, the person usually didn't give very much information about each pose and I was always rewinding or fast forwarding because she went too slow or too fast!

[UberHouseWife]

Do you recommend doing a class over doing it by yourself? I like exercising alone much better, but that's because I'm self-conscious...

[gracie]

I have the Denise Austin Pilate video and it's great. It will hurt your muscles, though! I was so sore the next day (I'm sure that if I had kept it up it would have gotten better). However, I just have trouble with doing exercise videos and I have trouble going to classes. I'm double in trouble then! LOL

[Juliet]

What is the name of the Denise Austin video? If it works as good as the Windsor Pilates why pay a lot of money to buy something off of the tv when I can go to a store and buy one.

[gracie]

Hey,
I think it's called "Pilates for Every Body". You can do a search at Amazon for Pilates as well. Here's a link:

Pilates search at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=ilj-20&keyword=pilates&mode=blended)

I wonder what the difference is between these Pilates videos and the Winsor Pilates?

[selah]

Uber--I've never done a class so it's kind of hard to say! It might depend on what your goal is somewhat. A class might be good to get you into it, as well as experiencing a kind of fellowship with the other members of the class. You'd be learning under a human being of whom you can make requests and ask questions instead of the dull glow of the t.v. screen with a video playing :)

But I, like you, am self conscious about taking a class. And doing it alone really isn't that hard, if you read the instructions for each pose carefully, as well as any warnings that might apply (there are modifications that certain people, such as those with heart problems or pregnant women, may need to make). And then there's also the issue of timing. A class may be good because it may push you to hold the pose longer than you would if you were alone, but then again once you're really in tune with your body I think you know how long you need to hold a pose!

Ultimately, I'd say, if you're really uncomfortable in front of others, go with the books first. Once you're comfortable in your ability to execute basic simple poses you could try a class (I am going to try a class one of these days!) and see what works best for you :) Many friends of mine who are in a class 2-3 days a week also practice yoga on their own 2-3 times a week.

[UberHouseWife]

Thanks! I might buy a book then... :) I'm also thinking about trying a Swiss Ball, or Medicine Ball. Anybody used those?

I know, I know... I'm full of questions today! LOL

[arielgirl]

Pilates....oh that word just makes me want to scringe. I got this pilates video and I did it for about two weeks. I cannot do most of the lower body positions because I have no balance and would fall over. The woman on my tape is a nut case and she says things like "do you feel that delicious stretch?" to which I say back to her..."you are a psychotic witch!" and when she says stuff like, "hold this pose for two breaths" and then she talks through one breathe and doesnt count that one so you are really holding for three. To which call her a lousy liar. Then she says not to extend too far and listen to what your body is telling you. To which I say, "my body is telling me that I hate you." But anyway, it could be that I just have a really bad tape...:rofl:

As for yoga, I have always wanted to try it, but people are always telling me it's "evil" what is that about? I have never understood that.

As for Windsor Pilates, I saw the whole tape set at Target, but forget how much it was.

~Amy

[UberHouseWife]

I have such terrible balance... now I'm nervous. LOL Maybe I shouldn't try it afterall... :p

I think that the people who think yoga is evil haven't taken the time to look into it, they just trust what people told them, and there are a lot of closed-minded people out ther giving out advice..

[Multimom]

I know I sound like the pooper in every party here, but when you purchase vitamines that "promise" extra energy, please read the lables and look for ingredients like

ephedra, or Mau Wang. Both these ingredients are only steps away from "meth-anphetamine" and should be used with extreme caution even in the healthy adult.

There have been reported cases of serious health problems and even death associated with both of these ingredients.

Some people take them with no problem others suffer severe ill effects. Use them with all caution.

[Juliet]

I was at Target yesterday and saw the Windsor Pilates for $39.99. So basically you say the books are better though? I knowsomeone said that the Denise Ausin video is good. But for us beginners what is recomended? Sorry for all of the questions.

[Pensee]

Originally posted by Multimom
I know I sound like the pooper in every party here, but when you purchase vitamines that "promise" extra energy, please read the lables and look for ingredients like

ephedra, or Mau Wang. Both these ingredients are only steps away from "meth-anphetamine" and should be used with extreme caution even in the healthy adult.

There have been reported cases of serious health problems and even death associated with both of these ingredients.

Some people take them with no problem others suffer severe ill effects. Use them with all caution.

Yesh, you party pooper! :p I'm just kidding. Nah, I did check the label. Trust me. They don't really promise extra energy any more than any other vitamin supplement does. According to the label, it's ALL natural. I can tell by my body's reaction if I take anything with ephedra in it. My heart starts racing and I get shakey. Nothing like that happened. My heartbeat seems to stay regular and I don't get shakey. I just have more energy. I forgot to take it yesterday, and boy could I tell a difference!!!!!

[UberHouseWife]

I just bought the Denise Austin Pilates video online yesterday! I'll let you all know how it is once it gets here & I try it a few times... :D

[selah]

According to the label, it's ALL natural

Isn't even ephedra all natural? Well even if it's not, another important caution is that just because something is natural doesn't make it good for you either. Many plant extracts can be extremely toxic if ingested in high enough concentrations. I am not saying there's anything wrong with the supplements you're taking Crystal but I just wanted to make sure everyone knows that just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it isn't potentially harmful.

Sincerely,
Kathryn "joining the party pooping with Leann"

:Party: :beanie: :rofl: :jester: :gift: :sing:

[selah]

As for yoga, I have always wanted to try it, but people are always telling me it's "evil" what is that about? I have never understood that.

It stems from a mix of eastern religions (my understanding) such as bhuddism and taoism, and a spiritual part of the discipline encourages meditation and poses with the goal of attaining enlightenment. Some yogic practices are very spiritually based and some leave that element out completely. Most disciplines have varying amounts of the spiritual/physical. But if you take a yoga class at a gym or university, it's unlikely to have any spiritual aspects. Also, if you buy a book that has spiritual stuff in it you disagree with, simply ignore that part of the book (what a novel idea!!).

Bottom line--because there is often a spiritual side to yoga that is not Christian, many people believe yoga is evil and should be avoided at all costs. I believe individual discernment should reign :) and this is especially the case because my experience with the meditation part of the yoga poses is that I feel more connected to my self and to God.

[Multimom]

ignore that part of the book (what a novel idea!!).


Very PUNNy

[UberHouseWife]

kipepeo -

I like that outlook! :)

[arielgirl]

Thanks for the info kip, I thought it was something along those lines. The reason I was thinking about it was because there is this christian radio show around here (the same one that caused that discussion on another message board, lol) and the question that day was if this new thing called Christian Yoga was a good idea. The general consensus was no. That it would somehow draw you away from God or something, who knows. I give up on figuring out logic like that. I think I will get a book and try it though. I am too self conscious to take a class, especially with my lack of balance.

So is Denise Austin annoying, thats what I want to know. I have this kickboxing tape, and I generally enjoy that, but this woman who has a line of fitness videos (i cant think of her name) is so annoying that I hate that tape. She just ruins it she is so annoying and perky. I think that someone who has a good presence for exercise videos is Billy Blanks. Even though I usually have to do the tape two times to get an actual workout, he is really encouraging and likable and makes it fun. But anyway, my point is that an annoying host can ruin a great form of exercise.

~Amy