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Hometown: Lake Hopatcong, NJ but grew up in Buffalo, NY
Family: Married to John, with twins Jonnemarie and Sabrina born 3/26/95, Gracelyn and Cameron (b/d 1/20-23/99) and Ethan and Cole, born 10/9/00
Fitness level: Advanced
First Video Purchase: In around 1987, it was actually the Jane Fonda LP,
which I put on tape and did religiously for a while. Then a work friend
introduced me to The Firm, Volume 2. I lived for new FIRMs to come out, but
when I discovered step, I found my niche AND the weight finally came off.
Number of Videos Owned: A lot more than 100. I've traded and/or given away many
more.
Other Fitness Activities None really
Loved ones' opinion of video habit: My husband never really notices if I
get new tapes, or that they've outgrown their original home. I handle the
money and I guess he just trusts my judgment! My girls love it and are
well-trained to leave me alone, but only if I promise to call them for the
stretch segments.
Donna's opinions:
Current Favorites:
I love Cathe's tapes, usually whatever the latest one is. I also love CIA
for the variety the tapes have given me in my cardio workouts. CIA 9004 was
the first tape that convinced me I really could do hi/lo. CIA 9001, 9801,
7002, 9804, I could go on and on about how many CIAs I love.
Favorite Instructors
All-time favorite: Patrick Goudeau. When is this guy coming out with more
tapes? I've even done his toning segment in 9001 just to get more of him.
Underrated:
Gay Gasper. She just has a way of making even basic moves seem fun. I have
her LaToya Jackson tape and I really like it. She's intermediate, really,
so I use her short tapes for warm-ups to other step and hi/lo tapes. I'm
still looking for a one-tape version of The Next Step.
Biggest Disappointments:
CIA 8003; it just didn't grab me as much as I expected it, too, but I need
to try it again now that I'm more accomplished at hi/lo, but I did think
the step section was kind of uninspired.
Would love to see:
- A tape of just warm-ups and a tape of just cool-downs to use with all
those CIA segments!
- More serious body part strength videos, like the ones Cathe is coming out
with.
Best Motivation:
This forum and a constant variety of tapes. Believe it or not, there are
days that you can look at 100 tapes and STILL not want to do any of them.
Words of Wisdom:
Consistency is key. But consistency does not mean if you worked out five
days last week, you have to work out five days every week for the rest of
your life. It doesn't mean that if you did three cardio workouts and two
strength workouts for the past six months that you have to continue with
that schedule. It DOES mean that you strive for the big picture -- a
lifetime of fitness. And that can mean that sometimes you don't feel like
lifting weights and do cardio for two weeks straight. Or that you spend a
week doing nothing but 20-minute workouts because your life is out of
control. Or that you spend the summer walking instead of stepping. It might
even mean you --gasp! -- take a month off. None of these things mean you
have failed your fit self; learn to be flexible and forgiving when your
body and life need or demand it and always take pride in your most
important accomplishment: You care enough about yourself to be fit.
