Currently I live in France, just outside of Paris, where the gyms are grotesquely overpriced and outdated. The pollution and overpopulation discourages me from regular walks and other outside activities. As a result, I've branched out into the world of exercise DVDs. You really can find some horrible exercise DVDs out there… trust me.

 

The mad craze to put out home workout videos in the 80's resulted in way too many headband and legwarmer routines. Many of these have been repackaged and simply copied onto DVD to look new, when in fact you can still see the actual tracking lines from the video tape when you pop in your DVD.  Not to mention the music!

 

First thing I do when I look for an exercise DVD is to check the original release date. This will save you great waves of disgust and disappointment.

 

The 3-2-1 workout by Prevention Fitness Systems is about a year old and is made buy actual fitness professionals who know what they are doing.

 

I have lost 200 pounds in the last three years, and as I've whittled myself away I've also firmed up quite a bit. However, a few weeks ago my husband remarked on my firmer fanny and several people at work commented that I looked smaller, but indicating that in fact I seemed to look "shapelier."  I've been using this DVD for eight weeks.

 

Since I weighed over 400 pounds originally, my weight loss is an ongoing process where I stabilize for a while and then loose more weight, then stabilize again. With this DVD I've noticed that I haven't actually lost a great amount of weight scale-wise, but my shape has significantly changed and I've gained noticeable muscle mass. These are the things that are important for healthy long-term weight loss.

 

What is a circuit workout and what does 3-2-1 mean? Each circuit of the workout focuses on a different part of the body.  You start with 3 minutes of cardio, with an emphasis on the arms for example, then 2 minutes of strength training, focusing on arms again, and then 1 minute of core/abdominal exercises. There really is no time to get bored.

 

The instructor, Chris Freytag, is easy to follow. Although the first time you do the warm-up it might seem like things are going a bit fast, everything will flow after doing the DVD a few times. Moving while stretching is also a more effective way to warm up.

 

Throughout the DVD there are modifications to the regular exercises demonstrated, depending on whether you want to bring the workout down a notch or move it up a peg. If you don't have time to go through the warm-up, 6 circuits, and the cool down, you can choose to just do the warm-up, a circuit of your choice, legs for example, and then the cool down. A little exercise is better than nothing if you only have 15 minutes before you need to hop in the shower.

 

All you'll need to do this DVD is a little space and some hand weights. If you are a complete beginner you can go ahead and skip the hand weights at first. Also, you'll be getting on the floor for the core body sections, so you might want a mat or a towel. Don't forget the most important part of your workout: Drink a full glass of water before you start and keep a bottle of water next to you. You'll have time between each circuit to grab a quick drink. Keeping yourself hydrated is one of the most important things for exercising efficiently and for healthy weight loss.

 

Jennifer Lamari is a freelance writer living, teaching, and fighting the forces of evil noise and air pollution in Paris, France. She writes informative articles on health and education as well as the occasional piece of flash fiction. She has lost 200 pounds without the use of any fad get-thin-quick diets. To read more from this author about healthy living and culture shock visit her musings at:  Musings and Information