Favorite Workout Items: Videos and GIVEAWAY

workout

My workouts began over 30 years ago after the birth of my son.  I gained some a lot of weight.  Alright, I gained 54 pounds!!  I felt awful, hard to get around, out of breath and only 22. 

During my pregnancy, my father had a massive heart attack at the age of 49.  And one of the things he said to me, after he came out of bypass surgery was, “I want to live long enough to see my grandchild grow up.”   I would hear that in my head over and over and decided, it was time to loose the weight. But, still didn’t do anything about it.   I was over 200 pounds at the time and was still wearing maternity clothes months later. And then the day came.  I had gone to the doctor for a visit and he just flat out told me, if you don’t loose the weight, you will end up like your father.  That hit me hard. 

So, my life long health journey began!

Since I lived in the country and it being the 80’s, the workout age was booming.  But, us country folk didn’t have any fancy work out places, so I had to figure out a way to work out at home.  Some how I cam across a small catalog called Collage Video.  It was full of videos that I could do at home.  I had no idea there were that many different workout videos to choose from.  I choose a couple that were beginner/intermediate level and my love for working out began. 

I loved popping a video in my VCR three times a week at home, not having to pay gym dues or having to drive somewhere when it was cold outside.  I ended up losing about 40 pounds and keeping it off.  I also learned I had the gene for high cholesterol and really watched what I ate.  I still loved my cheeseburger or chocolate now and again, but not all the time and the workouts helped me control my weight.  I have never or will I ever be a size 2.  That body is not normal for me.

Then my life changed drastically……..

MENOPAUSE!

As I approached the mid 50’s, I noticed the pounds started piling on again and before I knew it, my trunk was carrying 20 more pounds of junk!!!  I noticed my knees were hurting more and I also started getting lazy on my workouts and I would maybe walk 1 day a week.  I was still moving around, but my body does not like carrying that extra weight on it.  And then on top of that, I had my first bone density test and it shows the beginning stages of osteoporosis and my cholesterol was creeping close to 200.  Even though I LOVE not having a monthly period anymore, not having estrogen in my body, is slowly taking its toll.  I was always so good about taking calcium and doing weight bearing workouts, but my bones are showing signs of getting older. 

My checkup this year was certainly an eye opener and I needed a new plan of attack on keeping my body healthier.  I needed to get back to my regular workout of 3 times a week and weight bearing exercises.  I also walk at our community pool once a week.  Love that workout!  Easy on the knees and even though I love to sweat, you stay cool in the pool.  🙂

workout

So, I went back to Collage Video and picked up videos for walking and for someone my age.  A couple of women instructors I love working out with now is Leslie Sansone and Debra Mazda.  They both fit my style, their instructions during the videos are great, very motivational, and I love how they have people working out in the videos that aren’t a size 2!!  You are walking in place but they change up the routine with different moves to keep you interested and before you know it, you have walked 3 miles in the comfort of your home.

When you go to Collage Video, you will find videos of every genre of work out.  Weights, aerobics, yoga, dancing, stretch and step workouts are just a few and for every age. Even workouts for pregnant women.  They come in beginner, intermediate and for your work out maniacs there is advanced work out DVD’s.  I loved using videos from The Firm, Kathy Smith, Karen Voight and many others.  One of my favorite parts of the website is you can watch a clip of the video you may want to purchase and get and idea of what its about.  If you have any questions, please give them a call.  They are always so helpful and there is also a chat button on the website.

 For those of you who are really wanting to make a difference in your weight, Collage Video offers $100 every month to one person for their “success story” and also a $100 will go to their favorite charity.

The wonderful people of Collage Video has also offered one video from their collection to one lucky reader.  The giveaway will run from Jan 6 to Jan 13 at midnight. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lets get to moving those bodies!

Tammy

29 Comments

  1. I have been walking/running for an hour on my treadmill and trying to get 10,000 or more steps in every day.

  2. Stopping by from Creative Kids Pinterest party. I love Collage Video. I still use my old trusty VCR and Leslie Sansone videos. My husband thinks its pretty funny but he can laugh all he wants. It’s helpful and its been a money saver. Every thrift shop and garage sale has cheap vhs exercise. So I can keep my ‘home gym’ stocked full of interesting videos without a hefty price tag.

    1. Thanks for stopping by Chrystal. We still use our VCR too!! I use to have a lot of VCR tapes from Collage, but they started breaking and I just decided to bit the bullet and start using the DVD player. Some things are hard to give up sometimes. 🙂

  3. I like when I see a workout video where not everyone is tiny! These look like great videos:) Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. Your post is now pinned to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board.

    1. Me too Rachel. Thats why I enjoy these so much. I feel if there are others my size working out, that is a huge motivator.

  4. I have been taking daily walks in the park. I’m hoping to stick with this and turn the walks into runs.

  5. I don’t have an exact workout plan. I just do what I feel like whether it’s walking on the treadmill, or doing a exercise DVD of yoga or zumba. Thanks for having the giveaway.

  6. I hear you girl, it’s my challenge too! (in fact read, “Never Wear Someone Else’s Nylons” on my site http://www.amothersshadow.com to see what happened after my last baby weight gain….)
    Stopping by from 733 Blog Party. Happy New Year and cheers to losing together!

  7. I am hoping to get to the gym more regularly and on the days I cannot get there to do an at home workout.

  8. I am just trying to do some sort of exercise each day and trying to keep it fun, and find new things I might enjoy

  9. I have severe debilitating RA but am not yet in a wheelchair full time, so I move and stay active as much as I can, and get to the city pool to do “Water Walking” classes a few times a month. http://mylifeabundant.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-monalisa/icons/wpml_yes.gif

    1. Collage Video has videos for people who need to sit and work out and other problems. You should look at their specialty videos.

  10. I don’t have one right now, I am 8 months pregnant, but I would like to start one after I have the baby!

  11. I’m a runner. And last month I had tendon surgery on my foot. So my workout plan is put on the back burner right now! As soon as I’m back at it, I’ll start running again, and probably add a Pilates or crossfit class to round things out!

    coriwestphal at msn dot com

  12. Before the clocks changed and it got cold I was running. I’m needing to start a plan back up again. I should force myself to do some videos while it’s yucky outside.

  13. Yes, I have a workout plan. I workout at home with videos 3 days a week and go for a long hike 3 days a week.

  14. Oh thanks for sharing about those videos! I can see how they would be really useful on those days it’s too cold to drive to the gym, or baby is sick, or whatever! Thanks for sharing with the Weekend Blog Block Party! 🙂

Comments are closed.