Sorry for the long post....

I've always had great results with Oxycise in the past. Then something happens to make me discouraged (personal drama, not seeing 50 lbs drop overnight, etc...), and then I get lethargic. So I stop for a few weeks, and when I realize that Oxycise has been great all along, I start again, and by that time I have to start ALL OVER AGAIN. I'm sure lots of you can relate.

This year was tough, moving back home can throw a big curve in your life. And I wasn't getting as much out of my O! workouts as I used to (wasn't breaking a sweat anymore, wasn't feeling energized). So I've been, how can I put this, not as consistent as I'd like to be.

Well, lately my workouts have been great, I feel elated when I'm done, I feel my heart rate rise, my abs burning...I've been feeling like things are really happening by the time the tape is done.

And only last night did I realize what I was finally doing right again. When I lived alone, my living room had lots of windows with floor to ceiling curtains. Everywhere I turned, there was a curtain, every O! position I did, there would be a curtain in front of me. And I remember my workout goal would be to make the curtains move with every exhale. I would stand about 5 feet away and would force that breath out to make them rustle. When it didn't move, I knew I needed to make the next exhale more powerful. I even used the curtains to keep my posture. When I exhaled, I would pay attention to see where the impact seemed to be....if it was too low, I would lift my head and correct my posture. I lost A LOT of weight in three months and it must have been because of that extra effort.

Where I workout now doesn't have the luxury of floor to ceiling curtains all over the place. I work out in my basement (the only place I have privacy) with a 2x3 window. That's it. Well, just a few weeks ago I exhaled and the curtain on that small window moved.

LIGHT BULB WENT OFF IN MY HEAD!!!!!

I remember that that's what I used to do in my apartment, and started again. It's tough now because I can't keep track of every position, but it has really made a difference in my workouts. Just this week I've lost another 3 lbs!!

So maybe this can help someone who's going through a discouraging time, who's on a plateau, who wants a more of a challenge. Try to make your curtains move!!!!!! Or in my case, try to blow the wall opposite you down. I'm going to set up something (light fabric or even sheets of paper) around the room so that for every position, I can make sure I am exhaling forcefully.

I hope this can help someone who doesn't think this program will work for them. It will work!! You just have to find the right amount of effort your body needs to make to start getting great results!

Take care everybody!

Good to see you back! That is a really encouraging post!!! My home is filled with blinds rather than curtains, but I am going to find some way to inspire myself to really use gusto in my breathing.
Thanks for sharing that with us! Hope to see you posting more often.

Kelly

This is just awesome! Thank you so much for posting this!

I read how people can do O while standing in line at the store, etc and I wonder "HOW the heck they do that?" because I'm SUCH a loud breather. I tend to really go for big inhales and exhales to get the maximum amount of air into my lungs.

In one of the EDI tapes Jill says to one of the participants "Good job Patty (I think) I can see the tree leaves blowing over there!" and this reminds me to really pull in the air and push it out again.

Keep it up! This is awesome. I'm going to find some strings or something to hang up around my workout area.

Tracey

Thanks for the info, Sandy! I really do think that makes a big difference, and I will definitely try to breath a lot harder and louder this week!!

Laura

I love it!!! I have 1 or 2 people I would love to literally "blow away". I know that sounds nasty but I mean with great big breaths. What a stress reliever. Thanks for the tip and keep on O'ing.

Wayoata

I also want to be included in thanking you for the advice on my powerful inhales and exhales. I too believe that is the dividing line between me having a good oxycise workout and an exceptional one. I want an exceptional one, so starting today, I will begin my powerful breaths, and watch the blinds blow.

Tracey,

I couldn't agree with you more. I don't understand how people say they can do it while waiting in line at the grocery store. I was Oxycising at the copy machine once (at work), and one of my co-workers came out of his office (no modular walls) to come see what I was doing...it was so funny. That's how loud my exhale/inhale was. BTW, Sandy, that's a wonderful idea about blowing the curtains. I never thought of that before. Maybe I should hang a picture of my former supervisor on the curtain...LOLLLLLLLLLL.