Hi everyone,
Please give me some insight on the difference between the level 2 and level 3 tapes. Does level 2 have some building blocks for level 3? Should I choose level 3 if I'm already in good shape and just want a more challenging workout? Have you tried any of the area specific tapes? Any other insights?
Thanks,
Susan

Hi!
Once L1 is mastered, you can safely move on to any of the other tapes. I can only think of one position in L3 that is actually built on a L2 position. However, you could do it easily w/o having done the position in L2. Both tapes are a good general workout....working all areas of the body.
The area specific tapes really do concentrate more on those areas even tho they are good general workouts, too. I love the Ab&UB tape! As for L2 and L3....it's a toss-up...I love them both! I like L4, but prefer 2 and 3.
So....I probably haven't helped you make a decision! Here's one other factor to consider: In L2 Jill looks the same as in L1. L3 (as well as L4 and the ab and bun tapes) was taped later and she has a different look (different hairstyle, etc.)

Kelly

I think the difference in the levels isn't so much more difficult exercises but breathing with more intensity (or gusto as Jill says).

The exercises are different in each level, and some can be more challenging if you aren't as flexible but otherwise I think they are all fairly interchangeable.

I personally like the "Easy Does It" series of tapes because they are slower paced and more relaxing. I tend to do my workout before bed so these work great for me.

Tracey!

Thanks for the responses. I've noticed several people saying they exercise in the evening (even before bed). I've found the workout energizes me and I'm afraid to do it at night (since I'm a poor sleeper anyway). However, some days fly by and I did not get my workout in so it would be a nice option. Please let me know your experiences.

I prefer to do my Oxycise in the morning, because the longer I put something off...the less likely I am to do it. However, there have been ocassions that I've done my O! in the evening before going to bed. It doesn't keep me up when I do. If anything, it relaxes me and relieves tension. Does it make sense to say that something can both relax you and energize you?!

Kelly

I don't like doing the regular workouts before bed (level 1, 2, 3, etc), those do stimulate me quite a bit and it takes longer to fall asleep.

The Easy Does It workout is done at a much slower pace and it's not quite so quick to move positions and the like, it relaxes me far more.

Tracey!

I usually do my O in the evening about an hour before bed. I wait till my kids & husband are asleep and I am relaxed. I sometimes do it when my youngest son is napping in the middle of the day, but I don't feel as relaxed. (I know the little one is gonna wake up and stress me out again! Right now I'm a stay at home mom so I tend to accomplish the most when everyone is sleeping!

If you are looking for a challenge b/c you are already in decent shape, then I would recommend buns & thighs I. I have the entire series of tapes including all levels and target spots minus the easy does it tapes. I even think buns and thighs I is more challenging and productive than buns and thighs II.

I exercise in the morning b/c I am also not a very good sleeper and it does get me going. Further, I have always read that you should exercise in the morning (before breakfast) to burn more calories. I know Jill says it doesn't matter if it is on a full stomach but this is what I have always heard and read for any exercise.

(In Jill's defense, any exercise at any time is better than none.)

Sincerely,
Annabella

I used to always do it first thing in the morning because, as someone else said, the longer I put it off, the more likely I wouldn't do it at all. But, since the days would sometimes be too busy, I took to doing it at night, after the kids were in bed. It is a LOT easier to pop in the tape if you don't have to wrestle with 4 kids over the remote control!

Most recently, I'm still doing it at night. It doesn't keep me awake (I have a baby to do that for me! ) and I can pretty much get the whole 15 minutes in uninterrupted.

Take care everyone, and KEEP BREATHIN'!
Susan in Kuwait

I find that I enjoy working out in the morning after breakfast before shower and then again at night after the baby is in bed. In the morning it gets me going and focused and in the evening it seems to relax me and clear my head (like a meditation). Doing it twice a day seems to also give me more benefits with weight loss (When I stick to it!) I hope that finding this board to post on will make me more accountable.

I haven't gotten to do the Level 3 tape yet (that's for next month), but I find that I like the Level 2 video better than Level 1, so I started with that. The only one that kills me is the King Tut with the overhead stretch! Yeow!! However, I know as I get stronger, it won't bother me as much.

When I first started Oxycise, I would have good intentions to do it daily, but it would be bedtime and I hadn't done it. I finally decided that I would do Oxycise whenever I could do it, but I would never let 9 p.m. pass without doing Oxycise. That was all I needed to stay on track. And now I have to stop enjoying the messages, because it is 8:34 p.m. by my computer clock!