Lydia

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Age: 39
Hometown: Sparta, NJ
Family: Married with Children: Girl 8, Boy 5, Husband 40
Occupation: Stay at home MOM, Brownie Leader, School Volunteer, fitness enthusiast
Fitness level: Intermediate / Advanced (on the verge of being advanced)
Collecting videos since: My first video was Jane Fonda's Low Impact Challenge (I think that's what it was called) back in 1986. My second video was the Firm vol. 1 (yes, I paid 49.99 for it) First step was Jane Fonda's Step & abs. Before that I would walk, jog and do my stationary bike. I also, did weight training and followed Rachel McLishes routines in her book Flex Appeal that was back in 80 or 81. So, I've been working out since 1979.
Number of Videos Owned: I currently own 136 tapes, I've sold about 10 in tag sales.
Current fitness goals: My current fitness goals are to become fitter, leaner and firmer. I would also like to get more flexible as I find that this helps in preventing injuries. Staying healthy emotionally and physically is also a top priority.
Loved ones' opinion of video habit: My husband couldn't understand at first why I needed so many videos, he felt you could only do one video at a time. But I explained how my tapes are of different intensities, different instructors and styles. Yada, Yada, Yada. I think he gets it now after 15 years. My kids think that everybody's moms has a workout room and tapes.

Lydia's opinions:

Current Favorites:

Step Works, Step Fit, Pure Strength Series, MIS, BodyMax

Favorites by Category:

Floor Aerobics: Donna-mite, Fat Blaster II, Kari's Great Moves ( all 3 in Series), Cardio section in MIC, Aerobox

Step Aerobics: Mega Step Blast, Step Heat, Step Jam, Step Max, Wedding , Power Max, Step Fit , Step Works, MIC, Interval Max ( well let me see did I forget one:-)) , CIA 9701, Kari Great Moves Step( all 3), Intense Moves, G Force Ultimate Step

Best Ab Workout: Cathe's ab sections ( I wish she'd come out with an abs video)

Best Upper Body: Pure Strength Chest, Shoulders & Triceps; Pure Strength Back, Biceps & Abs; Firm Upper Body

Best Lower Body: Pure Strength Legs & Abs ; Standing Legs

Best Total Body: Maximum Intensity Strength, Body Max, Firm Strength

Best Yoga or Stretch: Crunch Joy of Yoga, Power Yoga-Bryan Kest, Karen's Pure & Simple Stretch

Favorite Instructors

Cathe Friedrich, Kari Anderson, Gin Miller, Donna Read, Gay Gasper, Keli Roberts, Karen Voight, G-Force

Underrated:

Streamline Fitness: This tape is different and innovative, I especially love the 2nd section with abs and yoga stretch. The weights are appropriate for intermediate exercisers. The weight section is too easy for me now (since doing Pure Strength), but I highly recommend it to intermediates.

Donna-mite: This tape is so much fun. I fell like I'm not working out but dancing with a lively group. I know it's an easy tape for me now. But I often pull it out when I don't feel like exercising. It does the trick.

Cathe's Wedding Tape: Regardless of the hoky title this is a great tape for intermediates who want to get to know her style. It also has a great weight training section. I credit that section, for getting me back to weight training.

Biggest Disappointments:

Taebo (Basic): I had high hopes for this one. But, quite frankly I was a little disappointed. Maybe it was all the buildup and hype on it. I didn't find the tape challenging for me. Maybe Advanced Taebo would be better for me.

G Force Hi/Lo Challenge: I really enjoyed their other hi/lo tape but it was a little too high impact for me. I was really hoping to find this one as enjoyable as the other, but less impact. Well, I didn't care for it that much . I found the moves didn't flow together too well. I will give it another try, on a day I won't get too frustrated with it.

G Force Step Challenge: The challenge was trying not to get frustrated with this tape. Again it didn't flow as their previous step tape. I will also give this one a try.

Would love to see:

I would love to see more advanced tapes coming from my favorite instructors. Or any instructor for that matter. I wish they would stop catering to the powers that be, who decide that advanced tapes would not do well in the mass market. Cathe is the only one with the courage to cater to her advanced fans. Also would love to see more advanced weight training tapes. The more the better.

Words of Wisdom:

If you're new to exercise, start out slowly. Once you've developed a program and are a consistant exerciser, then rev up your engines. I recomend Kathy Smith's Getting Better All The Time, to beginners and intermediates. She has great ideas for starting out and improving your fitness level. I highly recommend periodization, aerobic interval training and anaerobic interval training, which are discussed in her book. These would definetly help you get into the next fitness level and break those plateaus.

Instead of losing weight, concentrate on getting fit and eating healthy. The two go hand in hand, as far as I am concerned. Getting there should be fun, do something you enjoy. Remember, that every workout does not have to be a killer. Alternate your intensities, as well as your activites. Include a wide range of fitness routines. Don't forget about flexibilty, it can prevent injuries. Above all, stay true to yourself.