Special Interest > Health Special Interest > Food & Drink > Body Care & Diet > 2004

Advantages: deep relaxation, can help you stop smoking
Disadvantages: you might not be the right kind of person it will work on

...Allan Carr's book and the Paul McKenna Quit Smoking DVD. By the time my quit smoking day arrived I was so ready to give up, I could have stopped earlier. But I didn't, I had a plan and was sticking to it. I even bought a pack of 10 the night before to last me until 'quitting time'. It was just after 12 noon on 27th March 2005 when I calmly smoked the last cigarette in the pack, scrunched up the box, took the ashtray from the garden (never smoked ...
...the car and remembered the Paul McKenna DVD. By the time I was ready to sit down and watch my body was shaking uncontrollably. I knew it couldn't be nicotine craving as tests have shown that nicotine leaves the body within 48 hours. It was either the rest of the cr*p they put into cigarettes or my psychological dependency. The DVD starts with testimonies of people who were successful after using Paul McKenna's DVD. Then the man himself comes on and ... Read review

Advantages: 15 minute workouts all at different levels from beginner to intermediate.great for busy people
Disadvantages: n/a

I Came across fitness instructor yogini hemalayaa on sky channel 288 I liked the workouts so purchased her DVD for something a little different. The whole DVD runs for 47min and Starts with an introduction then three 15 minute workouts all at different levels from beginner to intermediate. Exercise one will help you burn fat and lose weight in your buns and thighs. Exercise two is a cardio workout and will help you burn calories, exercise three is ...
...it, its great for busy people or if you have just started exercising you can start off by completing one 15 minute routine 3 times a week to get you started then progress to 30 minutes and then the full routine if you wish. I like this DVD because it is varied it combines a twist of yoga which gives you greater mobility while toning your stomach, hips and thighs and I like the shorter workouts so if you have little time you can still fit in a little ... Read review

Advantages: Great adventure movie
Disadvantages: Not to everyones taste.

...sequel to their previous adventure Long Way Round. The bikes are a newer model than they used on the Long Way Round and have snazzy paint jobs, one is blue and the other red. They also have a bit of zebra paintwork on eone bike and leopard on the other. The DVD features episodes 1, 2 and 3 on Disc one along wtih some extras. Disc two has the rest of the episodes, namely 4-6 and also some extras. The case is the same thickness as a single DVD so ...
...If you have the DVD's Long Way Round this collection is a must but also stands up on its own perfectly well. Having the extra features allows you to feel more involved with the journey, you get to take in the cultures of the many places they travel through. These features are alot of unseen and footage and also extentions of what was omitted in the television show. There is a photo gallery and maps showing the route that the intrepid travellers ... Read review

Advantages: Fun, inspiring, great workout
Disadvantages: Could get boring if you rely on the DVD alone

...Introduction Here we see Natalie at the start of her weight loss journey, she talks us through what she has done to lose the weight and how she has been doing the workout 5 times a week. She also has her final weigh in with the trainer at this point. Warm I found this warm up great fun. The banter between Natalie and Dee is amusing and with great moves included like the "shoulder shimmy" you don't really notice that you're warming up. Sweat ...
...this point I was expecting Natalie to talk about her eating plan, however you just get lists of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks up on the screen. Good if you want to follow some exact meals, not so good if you're looking for some kind of strategy. Overall I really enjoy this DVD. As with any exercise DVD you'll get bored with it if you're doing the same thing and listening to the same jokes every day, but it's great to use a few times a ... Read review

Advantages: Bollywood behind the scenes, Arty, Shilpa Looks amazing
Disadvantages: Not V easy to follow, no warm up / cool down, voiceover can be patronising

Available on Amazon for £13.98 and available new & used from £10.77. I would save your money though. I was very disappointed by this DVD. I found it pretty dull and had the distinct impression that it had been made to be watched rather than actually followed as an exercise routine. It basically consists of Shilpa doing the yoga moves in various arty locations with a male voiceover throughout. It was difficult to follow as the voice often talks ...
...explaining what you're supposed to be doing, annoying because whilst carrying out some of the moves you can't look at the telly too! I have also given this DVD a lower rating because of the lack of any kind of warm up and cool down. The whole thing starts off with a back bend which, in my opinion, can be quite dangerous if you're not warmed up properly. If, however you're the kind of person who's interested in buying the DVD for a bit of eye candy ... Read review