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Post by geha on Apr 21, 2005 23:03:24 GMT -5
I have real difficulty getting started with an exercise program even knowing that once begun and continued I feel and even look a lot better. In the past I have walked with a friend (when the friend was available) and done weight training. The exercise bike I have is painful to ride so don't use it as often as I could. Living in a foreign country with a husband that worries I am not sure if he would agree to my walking alone so may have to stick with indoor exercises some of the time. Anyway...was wondering what others in this group might recommend to "get started" again with exercise. There are no real options for exercise groups or videos available that I have seen or would be interested in here so... Thanks!
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Post by girliepurple on Apr 22, 2005 7:08:02 GMT -5
Hi, Cathy in Lebanon, I'm Cathy from NJ, USA -- there really are no options for you as far as videos? Couldn't you get some via mail, catalogs? Unless you're not into videos but there are so many -low impact, weight training, stability ball, pilates, aerobics- and that might be your best bet if you have to exercise mostly indoors. I love the Firm and have so many of their videos, plus the fanny lifter and their new transfirmer, you should check out their site firmdirect.com. Also Collage video has a whole catalog of videos from everyone and they actually do them all, so they tell you in detail about them, you can even watch parts on-line. Try collagevideo.com. Good luck!
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Post by geha on Apr 22, 2005 7:37:08 GMT -5
It really is a problem doing videos here...don't have access to them and can't order them BUT might check and see if I can find any good ones when I go back to visit family in the States...or...just go back to working with weights again using the books I have purchased on the subject. Also need to find a good stretching/yoga/pilates type book in the future.
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Post by janek46 on Apr 22, 2005 9:57:03 GMT -5
Buy some of the Walk Away the Pounds dvds when you come to the States to visit. They're a good way to get started. And they also come in VHS. One of the dvds has a 1, 2, and 3 mile session on it. You can work up to 3 miles at your own level. Btw, when are you coming to visit and where does your family live? Don't mean the street address just wondering what state you were coming to visit. Have a great time while you are here!!
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Post by Durania on Apr 22, 2005 11:05:37 GMT -5
Are books any easier to get? Leslie Sansone has a book also...I think it's called Walk Away the Pounds. It describes her walking program, which can be done indoors or out, and it can be done with or without her videos.
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Post by geha on Apr 22, 2005 13:12:48 GMT -5
Janek46 - I will be in Hillsborough, NC; Omaha, NE; Paradise, CA; and Leucadia, CA for sure on this trip. While in those cities visiting mother, brother, sister, son, daughter & son-in-law I might travel to other cities Now, the question is WHEN I get to travel and that could be in a few weeks, after harvest or during the cold season of winter. While in the States I will try to check out bookstores and DVD/videos for exercise options. Durania - Books are more available than they have been in the past but what we REALLY need is something like Barnes & Nobel...then I would be in heaven! Sometimes I just wish for a public library but suppose if it existed here all the books would be in Arabic and I wouldn't be able to read them anyway Thanks for all of the ideas! I asked my husband today if it is okay for me to walk in the village and the response was YES in the village but NO to the fields and back roads. He even mentioned going with me from time to time. I think that very soon I will be starting in with weight training again and walking and having this group to talk to about what I am doing is going to help!
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Post by sulee on Apr 22, 2005 20:34:06 GMT -5
Hi Cathy,
I am an avid exerciser and when I can't get out for whatever reason, I really enjoy the billy blanks tae bo dvds as well as the pilates and yoga offerings from stott pilates... I get all my stuff from amazon.com or amazon.co.uk, if for some reason the machines in lebanon use a European format. And stott has a website as well. (stottpilates.com)
If you supplement your village walks with dvd, I'll bet you'll feel great.
sulee
ps I'm in Nebraska, newly!!
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Post by janek46 on Apr 22, 2005 21:50:32 GMT -5
Cathy, I am from NC originally but now live in Mn. My family still lives there, in Garner and in the Pittsboro area. Have fun wherever and whenever you get to the States! And I was wondering..how did you end up over there? It must be quite different and exciting at the same time. Just curious, you don't have to answer if you are uncomfortable with it And...glad your husband says it's safe to walk....good for you....
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Post by geha on Apr 22, 2005 22:27:37 GMT -5
janek46 -
I met my husband (visiting from Lebanon) while he was on vacation in 1977. He started on the east coast and ended up on the west coast. I was introduced to him at a "family dinner" that turned out to be a table set for two by the swimming pool...dinner set up by a female cousin of his that married one of my parents' family friends.
The first time we met he asked what I was looking for in a husband.
The second time we got together he mentioned that he felt we had a lot in common and should pursue the thought of interacting by mail and consider the option of marriage.
The fifth time I was with him was when I drove him to the airport and said goodbye to him at which point he said he wished he could put me in his pocket and take him home with him to Lebanon.
In the spring we met in Europe as he had business there, went to meet his family in Lebanon and became engaged.
In June of 1978 we married and moved to Lebanon.
Since then we have had 2 children (son 23 & daughter 25), been evacuated from Lebanon during the civil war with only one suitcase and two children, lived in the US for a few years, moved to Jordan for one year, lived through the Gulf War in Saudi Arabia during our 5.5 years in that country carrying gas masks with us wherever we went, and returned to Lebanon so our children could experience a bit of life in their father's country before leaving for college in the USA. Soon after returning we all experienced the Grapes of Wrath invasion in southern Lebanon. In 1999 we started building our home outside of Beirut in this small village his mother grew up in.
Lebanon reminds me of a small California with wonderful fruits and vegetables, the ability to water and snow ski in the same day, so much history it boggles the mind and wonderful people to get to know.
Probably more than you wanted to know...but it is really my life in a nutshell.
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Post by mylikeit on Apr 22, 2005 22:54:22 GMT -5
Cathy, I do encourage you to check out WATP, tae bo and the Firm. I use all three of these on VHS and/or DVD. They provide a well rounded workout repertoire. You can get lots of Firm tapes, and there are now quite a few of the tae bo ones, too, so no need to be bored. To do Firm, you'll need some dumbells and also a barbell (optional but helpful) and the Firm tall step (a 2 piece step they call the Fanny Lifter) (you can sub any aerobic tall step for the Fanny Lifter, though the FL itself is pretty cool). See Firmdirect.com or the collage video site mentioned above. Just adding my dittos to the great advice above.
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Post by mary on Apr 23, 2005 10:40:34 GMT -5
Cathy, One more suggestion, Yourself fitness! You can get the PC version, since you already have the computer. They also make a game version. I like it because it incorporates, weights,cardio, yoga and pilates. It is set to your ability and varies each time. $29.95 alot of work out cheap. I have a lap top so I can take the computer to any room to do the work-out. Now I just have to do it!!
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Post by janek46 on Apr 23, 2005 10:48:16 GMT -5
Cathy, it sounds like a good 'made for tv 'movie!! What actress would you like to play you? It would have to be someone who could be a family person and also be very adventurous. Kinda like Jamie Leigh Curtis and Arnold S. in the movie they made together.... However it happened, I hope you're well and happy. That's what matters most.
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Post by geha on Apr 23, 2005 11:43:47 GMT -5
Wow...someone in Nebraska (maybe we can meet when I visit my son in Omaha)...and someone that exercises! DVD's...have to figure those out.Don't have the machine or a laptop but...perhaps in the future. Sometimes I think a jumprope? Walking? Chasing Chickens...those should be enough? Also, carrying the laundry up 2 flights of stairs when I *do* laundry and then hanging it under the eaves should be enough Mary - I can relate to "now I just have to do it." Today I did do some stretching exercises (not a lot) but do feel that my hip that was tight is much happier. Tomorrow...onward and forward with something new to add to the exercise repertoire. With a son being a body builder and ex-personal fitness trainer I do have a wealth of information to draw on...just need to activate that information and use it again! Janek46 - Wouldn't a movie version of my life that first has to be written in book format be great? I could become the new best seller, find an actress to be me and then share my wealth with the world (hah). However...you are very right...being happy is the ultimate goal...being happy with the who, the what, the where and the why of me...not always easy but definitely worthwhile! Thanks all for being here!
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Post by janek46 on Apr 23, 2005 16:24:06 GMT -5
No book needed! Just write the screenplay, sell it to Hollywood and voila! instant success!!...LOL
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Post by Rita on Apr 23, 2005 20:28:53 GMT -5
I second the suggestion for Yourself!Fitness. As long as you have a little room in front of your computer, you can exercise. The program will adapt to your level, and it's very interactive so if something is too hard or too easy you can easily make a change right on the spot. It's like having your own personal trainer. I highly recommend it.
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