Hi - this is my 1st time writing. So far, I've just done the commuter routine. I work two jobs so time is limited. After two weeks I weighed myself & was surprised to find I'd lost 7.5 lbs. I have hypothyroidism & want this to work so badly. I was overjoyed at first thinking "this really does work," and sent for the remaining levels (even though I hadn't done level one yet), however since then, it's been nothing. I also used to get fast food breakfasts almost daily & I stopped cold when I committed to doing the commuter routine. Anyway, now I'm wondering if my weight loss was due just to not having McDonalds for 2 wks.
I keep reading the testimonials & have not given up yet. Would I be better off focusing on doing Level 1 versus the commuter, or just doing the commuter as additional breaths? I've seen some testimonials where they didn't seem to notice much difference until they switched to another level.
Also - a question on the commuter routine - do you attempt to tuck in your pelvis & squeeze buttocks for all positions? - otherwise, what is the difference between the butt squeeze versus just the basic position.

Hi EMJ!

Welcome to the board!

I own the commuter routine and a couple of the DVDs (I had all of them at one point). When I was consistently losing, I was doing the DVD at least once daily, often twice (Level 3 is my favorite workout). I did hit a plateau at one point and found it to be several more weeks before the tape measure/scale showed any progress, though I could see and feel good changes happening!

That said, I do recall Jill Johnson or her assistant mentioning once that the breathing is what makes the difference and burns the fat, not the body positions per se. There is no magic position -- simply getting all 15 minutes (or 30 reps) of breathing in daily will make a difference on one level or another! Feel free to do what feels best to you. Results will come in time; some folks just lose faster than others.

As for the commuter routine, I personally find it hard and/or distracting to do the tilt and squeeze while driving! When I pop in my commuter CD, I focus simply on breathing in and out as deeply as possible.

Hope this helps, and hope to see you around the board.

Hi Tammy -
Thank you for your response. I think I'll try to do the level one as soon as possible, and maybe still do the commuter but just breathe deeply as you do. I've been doing it consistently since mid February - 7 days a week and that's why I'm really hoping for some weight or inch loss as I desperately need some motivation and to stay positive. Again, thanks!

Forgot to mention it in my last post, but another thing you might consider is giving yourself a day off each week so that your body can adjust!

I clearly remember that when I hit my plateau, I had been O!ing twice a day with zero days off; the tape measure began moving again, but only when I finally allowed myself a "rest day" every now and then!

Glad you're here. Keep up the great work!

Hello and welcome to Oxycise!

Another member asked a similar question regarding plateaus a few months ago and I have posted my reply below:

This is a good example of what can happen on your scale when you are building muscle and losing excess fat at the same time. Most people over 40 NEED to build extra muscle -- we begin losing about half a pound of muscle per year, starting around age 30! And when you lose muscle your metabolic rate will automatically decrease. So you can actually GAIN excess fat, just eating the same as you always have. (This may be a big reason for "middle age spread.") But if you can add back some muscle mass (by doing Oxycise! or other strength-training exercises) you will help your body burn extra calories 24 hours a day. And your body will look more shapely, even if your weight doesn't change. Keep in mind that a lean muscular body will weigh more than a fatter body of the same size and shape, because muscle is more dense.

As you watch for Oxycise! results, be aware that it's totally normal for both weight and inch loss to fluctuate up and down from one week to the next.... it's the long-term results that matter.

Jill Johnson has commented that when she lost weight with Oxycise! she was VERY diligent about doing her workouts and yet there were often days and even weeks when she didn't see any change at all on the scale. At other times she would see inch loss, but no change in weight. But as she continued to do Oxycise! consistently, the tape measure and scale would eventually start to show signs of progress again. Jill finally succeeded in losing almost 50 pounds during a six-month period!

Another way to measure your progress that is extremely helpful would be to test and monitor your body fat percentage. Many gyms and health clubs have the necessary equipment to do this. One customer lost 16" in 4 months, but no weight at all! Yet by re-testing her body fat percentage, she found she had lost 6% body fat, even though her weight had not changed.

What you want to see is a slow downward trend over a period of time, even though your day-to-day and week-to-week changes may seem inconsistent.

Slow and steady is the best way to achieve permanent changes!

"When you get to a plateau, think of it as a landing on the stairway to your goal. And maintenance is a lifelong plateau, so a bit of "rehearsal" for maintenance isn't the worst thing in the world." - anonymous

Keep on Breathin'!
Kirstine
Oxycise! Staff

I also wanted to add that in order to achieve your best results it's very important that you use real intensity in both your breathing and in doing the body positions whether you are doing the Level One workout or the Commuter Routine. Powerful breathing combined with real muscle work will make your workouts most effective. Be sure to really flex and contract your abdominal muscles with each breath! Really tighten up your stomach after the initial inhale and exhale with resistance(pretend you are blowing out through a straw). You should really feel your stomach contracting on the exhale.

Treat each Oxycise workout as if it were your first time (be careful not to get lazy with the workouts.)

I wish you great success with the Oxycise! program and hope to see your success story in the near future!

Kirstine