My Exercise Guru…
I just did something that I haven’t done in two months. I exercised. I was really getting disgusted with myself so I got up and went looking for my old friend, Denise Austin. You know, she’s the perky little blonde gal with the raspy voice. I like her ’cause she’s not a hard body. She actually looks like a healthy female. On top of that, she’s happy and encouraging, I always feel emotionally safe with her. Some might think her over the top enthusiasm is a little patronizing, but I don’t mind it. She’s someone I can always return to, knowing that she won’t judge me or ask me where I’ve been for 2 months. Plus, and this is a big plus, she likes Idaho potatoes!!! You gotta love that about her, right?
I’m pretty sure I have the complete collection of Denise Austin on VHS. Nothing beats having to forward and rewind the tape, and the tape quality — one word — superb. My favorite is simply called, “SIZZLER.” (No, not the restaurant chain.) It’s 45 minutes of cardio interspersed with weight lifting routines. She has two other “friends” working out with her, Kelly and Jeff. I’m not exactly sure why Denise invited Jeff since his face turns tomato red halfway through the routine and you can tell he’s sweating like, well, like a man doing aerobics on the beach in Hawaii. It’s a little embarrassing, but not as embarrassing as when Denise makes mistakes and the camera man has to shoot her from the neck up. Other than those slight problems it’s a great work out.
Every time I rewind it I worry that it might be the last time I see Denise on that stretch of Hawaiian beach. At some point, I know the tape is gonna break, it’s inevitable considering everything I’ve put it through. Until that day, I plan to enjoy the routines that Denise has carefully choreographed to timeless classics like Donna Summer’s, “She Works Hard For The Money” and The Weather Girls, “It’s Raining Men.” (Yes, I’m kidding!)
I’m back, I’m motivated and one day, but probably never, I’m gonna look like Denise Austin on the cover of Sizzler from her “Hit the Spot” Gold Series. In the meantime, I’ll keep huffing and puffing and marching in place when I don’t know what’s going on.
Do any of you have exercise routines on VHS or DVD that you’d recommend?
The PINK method offers a few workouts that I like.
Great! I’ll look into that. Thanks!
Awre, Jeff… He’s adorable. This is so cute the way you write about it. But I know this is some serious business. Keep it going! I’m a Denise Austin fan also. I never exercised to her tapes. I just liked watching her because of the reasons you mentioned — because of her voice and she’s cute but not insanely cut. And when she talks about Idaho potatoes, I believe her.
Yeah, for some reason she doesn’t bother me like some of the others. She seems nice and honest and never show offy — like she really wants you to succeed. (Do you think I’m reading too much into it? haha!)
Thanks for the encouragement, Sandee. I’m sure tomorrow I’ll be a little sore.
Way to go, Lisa!
Just one question: VHS?!?
Haha! isn’t that what it’s called? You know, VIDEO TAPE! LOL!
Aww, I loved Denise! I was a big fan of the Cindy Crawford tape, and I think I did the Cher tape too. Yeah, I know. Must’ve been a big hair thing. Jillian Michaels has one out called 30 day shred (or something like that). It’s tough, but will get your tushie in shape.
My daughter loves Jillian. She definitely knows how to get results. But she might be the anti Denise! Haha! Just the name, “Shred” scares me, but I’ll give it a go. Sometimes I enjoy getting my butt kicked.
I never saw the Cindy Crawford or Cher videos. They’re probably so dated now, I mean the way they look. It would be worth watching just for a laugh!
Don’t laugh, but I loved Richard Simmons too. Well, I guess you can laugh, it’s ok. I loved the “real” music and people in his videos. Not much of a butt kicker, but good for sweating, you know, like to the oldies. 😉
Oh, trust me, I’m not laughing because I loved that one too! Haha! I like the diverse group of people and I never felt intimidated. I’m guessing the same for you? Hey, sweat is sweat. You can make something as hard or as easy as you want.
Alright Grippy. I’m with El Guapo though. The other day someone asked if I had a VCR. What the heck is a VCR?
Haha! I’m just an old fashioned girl, stuck in the 80’s.
It’s weird having to explain that as soon I was old enough to have my own stuff they didn’t sell tapes anymore. I bought a DVD player my first year of college.
I some how just cannot do those home work out tapes. I laugh way too hard at myself and I am soo uncoordinated. ( VHS?? No dvd??)
I choose to make an ass out of myself in public, walking with my ipod and sometimes singing.
carry on rockin mama… vhs and all (smiling)
Thanks lady. I know what you mean about home work out tapes. They’re sort of goofy. I have all my tapes dating back to the 80’s, I just can’t part with them. Like I said, one day I suspect they’ll break, probably when I’m in the middle of a grape vine! Haha! Believe me, I walk with head phones on, too. Walking is much more dignified, but it means I have to go out in public — that’s not always pretty. Haha!
Idaho potatoes, and VHS tapes, in the same post.
This is definitely the Internet.
I know, it makes me sound like a pioneer woman. Haha! My VHS tapes have really held up for the most part. I’m sure one day they’ll be in a museum.
Wow, Denise Austin! I’ve not thought about her in a while, Grippy. She is very very perky. I like The Firm DVDs and remember the Step Aerobics that (was it Nike?) out; I think that was the 90s That was a great workout set in some kind of industrial-like setting and weird camera angles. I prefer to go get it over with at the gym. Sigh. I used to enjoy it but now, ugh. Congrats for doing that! I love riding bikes when the weather’s nice too, not hot, not cold — that sweet place in between. Happy Workout!! (yeah, right). :).
Haha! Denise Austin is a good old friend. Seriously, I do other things like Curves, the Gym, go for long walks, and I even have a stationary bicycle and elliptical thing at home, but when I fall off the wagon, I always return to Sizzler. LOL! It’s so antiquated but it’s a good overall work out and at the end she sounds so happy and proud that I did it – you gotta love her.
Miss Denise was actually the first person i ever worked out to on video.. I really like her approaches to health and fitness..Yes she’s bubbly, but after Army drill sergeants I love that about her. If I can recommend a system I use (not bragging, but it got me in biff-buff shape) and I’m almost 2 yrs in, it’s a book called
“New rules of lifting for women: Lift like a man, look like a goddess”…http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Rules-Lifting-Women/dp/1583332944
It starts off slow and within 6 weeks the jiggle is g-o-n-e 🙂
I love exercising at 5:30AM for just 30 minutes (I was very fond of my wii for a couple of years) – I love T’ai Chi and trying to incorporate exercise as part of my daily routine – like biking where ever I can – I hate ‘going to the gym’ – I think just doing something at least 30 minutes a day is the goal – something sustainable that you can do for the long haul. Good luck!
I agree, that’s the right attitude. I like Zumba and dancing, too. To me it’s a mental game. I need to feel good about myself in order to want to take care of myself. Everything falls into place after that. It’s when I get low and stressed that I end up avoiding exercise. I can honestly say, that I’ve been working out since I was 14. I used to be a long distance runner in college. I think, for me, it’s a way of keeping myself emotionally healthy. I’m one of those people that needs it for my mental health, probably more than my physical health. haha!
Definitely mental health! I have looked at the ‘insanity’ dvds but could not realistically maintain that level of exercise for the long haul.
That’s so cool – I always wanted to be more of a runner but I’m built very dense – I run about 2-3 miles at a clip…
In college I was long and lean, and basically flat chested. Not so much anymore! I could probably, if I had to, run for a couple of miles, but I’d have to harness up the girls, and batten down the hatches, if you know what I mean. haha!
Oh you betcha…and I didn’t run at all when I was young and looked like busty la wappa…
hahaha!
I’m a fan of workout videos and I have a few that I love (mostly on VHS). They are old so I’m not sure if you can still find them but Crunch Boot Camp workout is a great 30 minute workout combining cardio and strength. Cher’s New Attitude Step workout is also great, and it includes a separate short challenging ab workout and a separate lower body workout (I usually just do the step and ab workout). Cher doesn’t teach the class but she is in the class. I like the music which is mostly classic rock. Ali MacGraw did a yoga tape that is excellent as well. Yoga journal puts out some great yoga videos. The most challenging workout I’ve ever found is the original Firm workout. Collagevideo.com is a great source for workout videos.
Keep up the workouts! Exercise is one of the best natural highs.
Thanks, Sandy. You’re the second person who’s mentioned Cher, so obviously it’s worth looking into. The music is definitely important to me and this is where Denise Austin fails. The video has to be just the right mix of elements; music, routine and people. I don’t like it when I sense that the people are acting, you know what I mean? I also like the idea of a 30 minute Boot Camp Crunch. I think if you push yourself, 30 minutes is the perfect amount of time.
Over the summer I had back problems and then a nerve issue in my face and that’s all it took for me to fall off the wagon. It gets easier and easier to talk yourself out of exercise when you feel like crap. After my return yesterday, I felt so much better – just even psychologically speaking. It’s like I took my power back : )
Good job, Lisa! 🙂
My generation doesn’t know this type of work out anymore, I’m afraid. But you can alwyas go for the ‘How Mike Got Abs’ video on YouTube of course.
Thanks NBI!
I actually do all kinds of things, but since I hadn’t done any form of exercise in two months I figured I’d return to my old friend! haha!
I agree that Jillian’s 30 day shred is good. But Bob’s biggest loser workout is supreme! It’s one of the best ones out there for sure! And Julianne Hough’s dance DVDs are really really good. But I don’t think the DVD player is working well in the stooge. 😦
Yeah, I don’t know about the DVD player in there, but the VHS works! Haha! My good old tapes. Good times.
I do basic stuff–pushups, situps, the stuff you did in gym class. Then, I have coffee and toast and curse. That is my favorite part of ‘working out’. I can never run, never could–a)bad knees b)the girls. Even in high school when I was only 108lb, I was chesty, so, no running for me!! I do like ot walk, and, find listening to books on tape helpful when I do. Name Redacted did the PX90 thing, or, at least he started. I think he made it to Day 5, then, gave up. (so the kids tell me)
PX90!! hahaha! I always think I should do that and then my smart brain kicks in. I’m at the point right now that I need to do something that makes me sweat but not that kicks my butt to the ground and has me begging for mercy. Haha! I try and mix it up as much as I can. lately I’ve just been in a bad cycle of talking myself out of it – I think when I had the back issue and then the facial nerve problem, yadda yadda! Haha! it’s time to get back with the program. I can tell because my clothes are getting a bit tight! LOL!
This is why we have elastic and lycra!!
Oh, you don’t need any specific tape or DVD. Just pushing the buttons on the machines for either of them is enough exercise for me – but I do prefer a TV remote for a really good workout. (You think I’m kidding, don’t you?)
Haha! I suppose that’s better than lying there comatose!
This is actually hysterical. You and your way with words! We love Denise Austin in our house because she promotes the “Idaho Potato,” in national TV commercials. I also like her party girl, gruff voice. She sounds like she has been screaming in a bar all night long. YES!
Oh my gosh! The party girl voice! That’s the best description. I love that Elizabeth is doing a blog, GLITTERCOUNTS. It’s perfect. Make sure she let’s Lily know. I’m gonna visit right now.
Meredith decided to start a blog. I had no idea. So…when you see “glittercounts” it’s actually, “Marya.” Who knew?
Wait just a minute, I saw Meredith but I thought Elizabeth. that’s hysterical. Start them young. And by the way, she probably has better things to say than half the people on here. Mazel tov, Meredith!
LOL Lisa! I’m picturing you marching in place when Denise makes mistakes and they have to shoot her from the neck up! LOL!! I have to get that video! I must. I’m going to start working out with her too. She likes Idaho potatoes and she sounds just like a regular person! A regular person who has a red-faced stalker pretending to be into exercise — but I always like a little drama in my exercise VHS’s. 😀
I told Lily after I worked out that this video had some worthwhile things to post about. On close examination these tapes are pretty funny! I’m glad you appreciate the fact that Denise likes potatoes as much as I do.
The sound quality is so bad and my knowledge of exercise moves and anatomy is not great, so for a long time instead of “front raises” I heard, “like raisins.” Instead of “rectus abdominus” I heard “breakfast of dominoes.” I could go on, but you get the picture. LOL!
I hear that P90X is good. Do you have 3 hours a day to workout 6 days a week?
My sister watches the workout channel for routines. I’m pretty sure she starves herself and that’s the main reason why she’s real thin now.
Good for you giving exercise another shot. Find something you enjoy doing and even if it doesn’t give you the fantastic results you were looking for it’s still a good thing to at least be active.
I agree. I actually exercise more for my emotional and mental well being than anything. This 2 month stretch that I’ve taken off has left me feeling out of sorts and kind of grumpy. I definitely need to get my heart rate up and sweat once a day to be happy and balanced.
Thanks for your wise words and encouragement. Always appreciated.
Grippy, I need to ask….are you dissing Donna Summer and the Weather Girls? Please say I read it wrong, please?!
Haha! Timeless classics. I think Richard Simmons uses that very music. ‘Nuff said.
phew!!!
I have so many tapes I wish I could watch but I finally gave them to Half Price (and got a dime for them I bet). I used to do prenatal yoga to a DVD while preggo with Eebs but I got frustrated doing one routine all the time. And I really counted the time and felt like 45 minutes was long enough to lose my mind. Now I go to an hour class at the Y and it blows by like nothing. Weird. Maybe I like going to class because I think the instructor thinks I’m funny and that’s enough to motivate me to go every week. It was nice not having to get dressed to do exercises in my own living room. That is, when the dogs gave me some space to stretch.
Yeah, there’s something to be said for staying at home and being in your pajamas. I wish yoga was my thing but for whatever reason, I’m not good at it. I think I’m too much of type A personality- I’m not patient enough to hold a pose for more than 3 seconds! Haha!