I just got my starter package in the mail last night and read the book and watched the instructional video. I was wondering if anyone else had trouble with the diaphramic breathing? It seems backwards to me for some reason when I'm standing, however, if I'm lying down it seems natural! Is that normal? I've noticed that many have written Julie for tips, so I've done that also. Any suggestions? Guess I just need to practice the basic breath before I try the 15 minute workout?

Thanks,
Laura

Don't worry, almost everyone has trouble with the breathing at first. Are you holding your stomach in when you breathe in? I was taught to hold in my stomach (especially the lower stomach) and when I first started Oxycise, I couldn't get much air in. I finally realized it was because I was unconsiously holding in my stomach. That's why Jill says to relax, but if you don't realize you are doing it, you think you ARE relaxing

Alicia

Start weight=292(June,2002)
Current weight=251
Current goal=250
Ultimate goal=135
Inches lost=34 3/4

"When you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences" (Dr. Phil)

Thanks, Alicia! I'm already getting better at it. For some reason I get going better if I exhale first! It's like a running start for me or something! (lol) Whatever works best, I guess! I'm going to work on the basic breath some more tonight and then try a few positions in the morning. I'm going to weigh and measure for a starting point tomorrow too.

Laura

Absolutely! I think the breath is so important. When I slacked off on the breath I didn't lose at all. But when I breathe with gusto & correctly, I start to lose again.Now to control what goes into my mouth.
Shelby

Laura, I just started and I have the same exact trouble. The people in the video make it look like they know what they're doing and it's so easy. But it's really hard for me to get that "lift" thing coordinated. I think if it weren't for that, the breathing cycle is relatively simple. Anybody agree?

Also, I have found for the past couple of days since I started, that I'm really focusing on my breath throughout the day. In fact, it's kind of distracting. Like I will suddenly stop and realize I'm chest breathing at my desk. Or when I lie down at night, I'm thinking, "Am I breathing okay?" It's so funny to consciously think about it. Does this happen to anyone else? I hope it will eventually get more natural!

Yes BigBethel, I do notice I'm paying attention to how I breath. Let me just also add that I have been o'ing on and off for 2 years. Each time I go back to it, I do it longer, I like it more, and I still loose inches if I stay w/it consistently. However, I've actually just this time (my fifth attempt to stick w/it in two years), realized that I DO NOT NEED TO HOLD MY TUMMY IN WHILE INHALING. I didn't even realize I was doing it until this week (on my third week now! ). Now I go out of my way to breath in deeply enough to feel my stomach extend "out" before I suck in and lift. It's like 1-breath in and feel stomach push out, 2-suck in tummy...THEN- three-LIFT and hold! It's helped a great deal this time around. I'm getting much more air.
Best wishes all,
Suzi K.

Yes Big Bethel....It took me a while to get the hang of it. But I just practiced until perfected! I used to have to think about my stomach moving out when I inhaled, now it just does it naturally. Don't worry...I thought I'd never get the basic breath down, but I did!

Laura