Billy!! Well based on what you said, I'm not advising him to start off with - but I love his videos.

Have you tried out any yoga ones?

I agree with your husband, but I am with you on being more fit, healthy and living life to the fullest. You go girl!!

tina

Billy who? If you mean the Tae bo guy, I couldn't do him because he torqued my knees really badly.

I'm groovin' on the Rael System 27 Pilates DVD recently -- although there's a part of it I just have to sit out because of the stress on the back (no surgeries, but two herniated disks). Maybe if you start with the System 7 or System 17, it would be good. I find him really outstanding because he tells you precisely where to focus, which muscles to use, etc.

I also lean heavily on Leslie, modifying her stuff to make it more intense (higher legs, hands over head, or using weights, or using the belt when she's not, etc.) I can still work up a pretty good sweat and workout, and I'm using my brain because I'm always trying new things *while* she counts out the miles for me :)

Hi Tina,

Thanks for the encouragement!

Are you talking about Billy Blanks Tae Bo? Also when I googled I got a Billy Sunday Mars "Fit for Love." The pic on the cover could get my engines revved. :)

And no, I haven't tried any yoga ones. I have a mental image of people in contortions I'm scared I would never be able to get out of, if I was even successful in getting into them. But maybe I should look into some.

Just as a start-Put on your favorite music and DANCE! I like Bob Marley for this.

My daughter (19) and I (48) both like 10 MINUTE SOLUTION 3-dvd set. Includes pilates, target toning (weights) and carb & calorie burner (cardio). You can do 10 min at a time or all of them together for 3/50-min videos in the set. Fun, challenging and the instructors aren't annoying.

Check out Gilad. I assume he has DVD's -- I record his shows on a fitness channel on TV. His TV shows are 1/2 hour (including commercials) and are geared to specific body parts -- so one show might be "hips, thighs, and shoulders" and another might be "buttocks, abs, and chest" or whatever. I try to do two of them at a time. He mixes some traditional low-impact aerobics with some weights.

Sorry! I just realized you asked for CDs and we're all telling you about DVDs. I don't know any CDs. I just load up songs on my iPod and walk (when it's not 20 degrees outside, that is).

Oh boy, I am really showing my ignorance. Yes, I meant DVDs.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

barb, Collage Video sells all kinds of exercise videos, and you can preview clips of the videos there. There are loads of reviews too, so you can you can see what other people's experiences with a particular video have been.

Here is a link that might be useful: Collage Video

Awm03, what a great link!! Thank you so much!

I have to do a bunch of stuff today, but when I get some time I will definitely be checking it out more, and putting in an order. The previews of the videos really gave me a chance to see what is actually on it, and if it is right for me.

I want to someday be able to do that ballet movement workout! In my twenties I did ballet (classes, never performance) and just loved it. It never occurred to me that someone would develop an exercise video based on classical ballet movement.

Given your back issues, I'm going to make a suggestion, tho it's an oldie (I used her video back in 80's) it's very low impact. (Had a back problem then, so got sidelined from gym.) Just checked, and she's still around. ;) The woman who developed this method had back issues. Very low impact but very deep toning.
Callanetics

Once I got rolling again, I was totally hooked on The Firm. They were young then, coming out of a studio in Charleston, SC. You can do with or without hand/ankle weights. I reached a point where I was doing step aerobics (only their 'step' was a bench a good 18" high) with 7 to 10 lb weights in my hands. Best shape I've ever been in. Geez, I miss those days. :/ I never pursued other exercise videos beyond that, like them that much. One thing I really liked was the low key approach. No one shrieking and screaming, no music blaring and vibrating the walls. (That just drives me crazy personally.) They can and do keep you moving and motivated, and if they haven't changed, it's with subtle music, soothing voice, sort of yoga on steroids, lol. ;)

I have 5 favorite videos from the 80's I've used religiously and rotated. Unfortunately The Firm doesn't have my videos at their site anymore. But if they are like they were then, they are good. Build up slowly, at your tolerance, routines are easily tweaked for that. Guarantee you will have sleek lines n firm tone. ;)

Which ballet video, barb? The NYC Ballet one? I was previewing that: it would be so nice to work out to classical music for a change, plus it looks great for flexibility and strength.

Awm, no not the NYC ballet. I had quickly checked out the top 10 videos, and there was one by Jennifer Gardi with a ballet workout. It is ranked as int/adv, and I don't think I am there, at least not yet. But it would be nice to aspire to it.

I am going to check out some of the videos that people have recommended. I like the idea of the 10 minute workouts, because that gives a lot of flexibility with time schedules. Even on the busiest day, I should be able to get at least 10 minutes in.

And I want to check out the links that Moonshadow provided. I quickly looked at the page and saw "injury free." That's for me!

Thanks everyone for your imput. I am planning on ordering several to give me a variety to choose from. I feel pretty motivated at this point to make some good changes.

I love the Slim in Six series. In fact, I need to pull them out and use them again!

Since you like Leslie, do you have her "5 Mile Fat Burning Walk" DVD? It's my favorite because it's high energy and has better music than her others (imo). I "do" 2 to 5 miles a day and am getting pretty decent results. The miles go by quickly, it's very easy to do and you'll work up a good sweat.

Has anyone ever used ChaLEAN Extreme from BeachBody?

I am thinking of ordering that. I need to build some muscle. I use the treadmill generally for cardio.