Almost ashamed to admit how long the O tapes sat in my closet. I was doing O until my Mom died Christmas 2001--then I stopped. Depression had set in and I guess I just didn't care for anything anymore.
Recently, I was diagnosed hypo-thyroid and was put on meds. My doctor, God bless him, laughed at me when I told him all the times I tried to lose weight, all the money I spent and all the diets I tried to no avail. He looked at me like I was lying. Needless to say, this added to my depression and self-loathing.
A few months ago, I got laid off from my job. This put me into another tailspin--temporarily. I discovered that this was God's will and that my job, in addition to my other stresses, was really poisoning me psychologically and physically. About a month ago, I pulled some of my exercise tapes out of mothballs and figured I'd start working on ME while waiting to hear from a few jobs I applied to.
I had to laugh. I think Richard Simmons is pretty cool, and I know he has helped a lot of people but for cryin' out loud, you have to be a freaking choreographer to follow his exercise routines. I gave up and just watched the tape.
I then came across the Oxycise tape and popped it in. I was able to do it without too much trouble and realized that this is a more realistic workout for someone who needs to lose over 150 lbs. I even broke a bit of a sweat, so I'm assuming I'm doing it right. I modified some of the positions due to my knees and not being able to get up off the floor once I'm down there. (LOL, I can picture myself calling 911 to get me off the floor like that old lady in the commercial).
I'm starting to notice a difference in how my clothes fit and I have more stamina. Hopefully, this means that my metabolism is kicking in. I have some problem spots (my stomach and thighs. Ugh!) but I'm not going to let myself get discouraged. I'm forging ahead and am now sticking to a low-carb lifestyle which works for me because of my hypoglycemia. I simply CANNOT eat carbs for breakfast or lunch otherwise I get shakey. At night, I have a good supper with some good complex carbos.

I guess I just wanted to say "thank you" for Oxycise and for developing a program that is both challenging and easy on the joints for those of us with a LOT to lose and everything to gain! God bless you, Jill

Thank you for posting this Janice! It sounds like you have come a long way and your attitude is so positive and encouraging! I'm glad you "rediscovered" your O! tapes and are feeling the benefits. Come join us in the D2L thread if you want....we can always use more support in there. Oh...and btw...I think I'd look for a new doctor that took me a little more seriously.

Hi, Janice! Welcome from me too! Ditto to everything Kelly said, about the dr. too. So many of them don't think about the fact that we are paying them to ridicule.

You have definitely had some tough challenges, but you can do this! You are already seeing results. Yes, it is great for people who have a lot to lose, but I also think it's great no matter how much or little you have to lose. It's the best!

Low carbing works great for some people, me included.

Good luck! Jennifer

Hi Janice!

I hope you're still checking the board. Come and join us for encouragement and support! You have an interesting story! I'm glad you're already having good results, and wish you the very best!

Susanna

Hi Janice,
I could have written your post, except for the part about the death of your Mother. I hope I don't have that challenge any time soon. I have managed to loose a little weight in the last two years, 35 lbs, by doing a low carb routine. But since Chrstmas, 8 of those 35 lbs have come back. I am also having trouble getting back to Curves. Talk about wasting money! I just can't seem to find the time. I keep thinking about those Oxycise tapes that I have sitting in a drawer and I want to start again. I even have one of the Easy Does It tapes. But I have such a problem with allergies that all the deep breathing seems to aggravate my sinuses. Does anybody know of a solution to that problem? I've got to do something. I don't want to gain my weight back. I still have so much more that I need to lose. I am 55 yrs old and have all the aches, pains, and stiffness that makes me feel old. Right now, my allergies are so bad that I am battling fluid in my ears that makes me dizzy. I am actually afraid to exercise. Am I hopeless?

Hi Kathy!

Have you talked to your doctor about taking prescription meds for your allergies? My allergy and sinus problems tend to be seasonal and can usually be treated with OTC stuff. In fact, using saline spray and doing Oxycise has always helped the stuffiness in my nose.

I think you need to give your O! tapes a chance. I would think it would be one of the safest forms of exercise you could do if you were feeling dizzy. Just modify the positions where you are sitting or on the floor.

I don't like to think anyone is hopeless!!! Come join us in the D2L thread. You'll find LOTS of support and encouragement there!

Hi Kathy!

I agree with Kelly! I think that O is the best answer for you! Even if you do it lying in bed, so there's no danger of falling from dizziness, you'll have the benefits of the oxygen. I really hope you get the help you need so that you can enjoy better health! 55 is young yet!!!
Please let us know how things are going.

Susanna

Thanks for the advice everyone. I decided to go to the doctor for the dizziness and fluid in my ears. It had me really worried. He gave me steroids, antibiotics, and more allergy medicine. Hopefully, that will clear it up. It's been five days since I went and I still have pain in my ears, so I'm not going to do anything right now that would mess things up. But, I think the saline spray thing might work when I try Oxycise again. I don't know why I didn't think of it before. I've tried other allergy nose sprays that didn't help, but the saline might since I can use it as often as I need to. Thanks.