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Member since:01.09.2004
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You know so often we resolve to lose weight, make a halfhearted attempt to eat right and then succumb to the first piece of chocolate that winks at us from the supermarket shelf. I know that’s always been my problem. I suppose I just couldn’t find the right motivation. I tried the odd exercise class, you know the ones I mean, they state that they cater for beginners and when you get there the whole class is full of 5ft 6 inch stick insects, complaining about the size of their backsides to anyone who will listen. I mean come on, why is it always the wafer thin people that complain about their weight? I think it is because we fatties don’t need to tell the world we have too much cushioning, it’s obvious for everyone to see. You get past all that, the music starts and suddenly you find yourself in a scene from Fame with routines that have you out of breath before the first five minutes. Too hard, too fast and too much trouble.
Anyway back to the review. I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid about 5 years ago, one of the major symptoms of this is weight gain. Add that to packing up smoking and discovering suddenly that food didn’t taste like cardboard and a depression that had me hunting for chocolate and before you could say ‘Lock the fridge’ I was very overweight.
When I started to put my life back together after a really bad bout of depression I decided that losing weight was very close to the top of my ‘must do’ list.
I’ve tried exercise DVD’s
and video's before, let’s face it there are so many on the market. It seems that as soon as someone experiences more than 15 minutes of fame they jump straight into legwarmers and wiggle their way to exercise heaven. I find most of the ones I’ve tried are that boring that I just can’t be bothered to put them on. I knew that as well as eating healthier it was important for me to get much more exercise but I had got myself to a place where I was out of breath just walking to the top of the road.
Rosemary Connelly’s Ultimate body workout is something special. What impressed me immediately was the way that before the workout began there was a section where she explained a few of the more difficult moves nice and slowly. This was great for me because I have this problem where sometimes my brain forgets to tell my feet which way to go and I end up in a heap on the floor. By the time I’ve mastered the step they’re doing something else. There are also the usual warnings about checking with your doctor before exercising and not working out if you feel ill or sore.
The video is split into three sections. The first lasts for half an hour and is an aerobic fat burning workout. It sounds like a long time doesn’t it? It’s not, and what I like about this workout is that there is a clock on screen that counts down, so that you know how much you have done and how long you have left. I found this really motivating to start with because when I started to give in I could see the clock and knew that I was more than half way through and heading for the goal posts. Rosemary talks you through each different step and has four ladies with her, each working at different levels of fitness, from the most basic to a much more active routine. What impressed me so much about this one, compared to others, was the amount of time given to warming up, stretching and then the cool down at the end. I am a qualified gymnastics instructor and I know the importance of warming up properly. I loved the way that the routines worked in time to the music. The music was really modern with songs from Steps and Yazz and Tamperer. The first time I completed this routine I finished with a smile. It was fun. The routine gives you a really good workout and you feel like you’ve spent the time dancing rather than working hard. I know what you are thinking, she must have been much fitter than she was letting on. I’ll let you into a secret. I was 17 stone when I first started using this programme. I was really surprised how quickly I felt fitter and was able to progress.
The second section is the full body toning session. Again the girls that are with Rosemary work at different levels. You just have to pick the one that works best for you and follow that one. This workout lasts 20 minutes and with the use of a pair of small weights, or water bottles if you choose, the programme works to tone the muscles, gently yet effectively. Again the music is really cool and again there is great emphasis on effective warming up, stretching and then cooling down. I found the exercises easy to follow and more importantly they didn’t push me too hard. Rosemary encourages you to work, she doesn’t yell patronizingly as some of the others I have tried did. There is a section for tummy’s that I found really useful. The exercises were gentle but effective and I found I really enjoyed the workout.
The third section is for pregnant ladies and for people who don’t perhaps have a full range of movement and need to exercise from a chair. I have to say I have never done this one but again the music is cool and again there are other people for you to follow.
So did it work for me?
Well I have to say that it took about a month before any major difference, although I did start to feel better after the first week. I did one programme one day and the other the next, making sure that I got the benefits of both the fat burner and the toning. After about a month I discovered I had a waist and I lost an inch off my bottom. Honestly I was astounded with the difference in such a relatively short time. Before I knew it I could seem my feet, without sitting down and shoving them out inf ront of me. That was the catalyst I needed to get me going and I then stuck to the programme and only missed 2 days a week to allow my body to recover. I started to lose weight, feel great and feel much better about myself. I joined a local gym and finally found a couple of exercise classes that were right for my level of fitness. I can now walk quite happily to the top of the road without getting out of breath and I feel much stronger.
I’m not saying that this will work as well for you as it did for me, although I don’t see why it shouldn’t. I can tell you though that I’ve not had any problems with pulled muscles and I’ve not really hurt the next day. This is of course because of the excellent warm up, stretches and cool downs with this programme and also the excellent way that Rosemary explains the body’s posture and the way we should position it while excercising.
It's available on DVD and Video. I bought this from Woolworths and it cost me just over eleven pounds. It is definitely the most used tape in the house and even though I now do other classes and go to the gym, I still pop it in at least once a week and give it a go. It’s great fun and it worked for me. You should try it.
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Wow sounds like a great workout video. I have to agree that the constantly running DOWN clock would motivate me too. However, I still find it far better to just walk to work everyday, and always try to get there in a certain time, and maybe even a little sooner on some days. I used to clock myself more than now, but just getting the walk seems to work wonders. I just like the idea of actually ACCOMPLISHING something whilst exercising ie forget the stationary bikes and give me a real one that goes somewhere any day! Nice review, and it would probably be something nice to add to my regular activities, I should think. Thanks for that. TA
Connoisseur_Haggler 17.10.2004 16:10
You've really motivated me with this review -as like you I have old videos I dont use as they are boring -but this one sounds interesting. After having my baby I put on lots of weight and have joined a gym (which I enjoy) but sometimes I just cant get there so at times like that doing a workout at home would be ideal! I'll start moving the furniture out to make room......
When dieting guru Rosemary Conley declares that theUltimate Whole Body Workoutis her last ... more
fitness video, cynics might either be relieved that the population is finally to be spared her evangelical diet-speak, or conclude that she's "past it". However, ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
When dieting guru Rosemary Conley declares that theUltimate Whole Body Workoutis her last ... more
fitness video, cynics might either be relieved that the population is finally to be spared her evangelical diet-speak, or conclude that she's "past it". However, ...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Rosemary Conley's ULTIMATE Whole Body WorkoutThis video is truly the Ultimate Whole Body ... more
Workout, with something for everyone!Rosemary Conley is the United Kingdom's leading diet and fitness expert with 30 years experience in this field.Do you want to ...
To get into shape follow three programmes which consist of an aerobic workout designed to ... more
burn fat and make you fitter some body conditioning exercises to tone up those problem areas plus a chair workout for those with restricted mobility or who are u...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![Rosemary Conley's Ultimate Whole Body Workout [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78529124.jpg "Rosemary Conley's Ultimate Whole Body Workout [DVD]")
Sep 18th, 2004
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