..Yes..it actually Does work!!...

[Judie24]

I will definately try that site and see what it is all about. I also have disc problems! I have degenerated disc's and that also complicates the exercise thing. I have no doubt losing this belly would help ease that pain.

By the way any one who wants to know about the stroke I had can do a google search for--Beauty Parlor Stroke Syndrome--it actually has a name.

[sazzie]

Hi Judie,

I'm so sorry to read about your predicament, but I'm also pleased that you're reaching out to help yourself. That in itself is an accomplishment.

I wholeheartedly agree w/Gracie about T-Tapp. Definitely give them a call and explain your situation, and I'm sure that someone there will guide you in the right direction.

Please keep posting, as that can be a great motivator. We're here for you!!

[Judie24]

Good Morning! After reading some of the posts about the ss system, I remembered some other similiar exercises that I read about in the AARP magazine. These were things you could do while riding in a car so that you would not get stiff and sore from the ride on longer trips. Kind of stretching muscles, but also working them. I tried them on the next long trip we took in the car, and it did help. Those exercises plus the ones I read about here seem to be the same type of exercises. So yesterday I did those posted here plus the ones I could remember from before, and I have to say I really feel them this morning! My arms are really kind of sore! LOL Funny thing is, and if anyone else has found this happening with them please tell me, all day yesterday, I caught myself tightening muscles and holding them and repeating! It was like it was on my subconscience mind and was kind of taking over my body! I know that must sound nutz to you all, but really it is true. Even this morning I woke up, got my cup of coffee, sat on the couch and I found myself doing butt crunches! Next thing you know I was doing the arm exercises, and the butt/tummy ones! So before I even got the second cup of coffee I was done with the exercises! Please tell me I am not crazy and that somebody out there has had this experience!

[Bandy1]

I think you are crazy. LOL.

Actually, I even do them in the movie theater, so you are not alone. If I am doing anything for a long period of time, I find myself clenching muscles. What an easy way to get a workout! I feel it, and its a good feeling to know you are doing something positive for yourself, any time you want.

[Gracie514]

Originally Posted by Judie24

I will definately try that site and see what it is all about. I also have disc problems! I have degenerated disc's and that also complicates the exercise thing. I have no doubt losing this belly would help ease that pain.

By the way any one who wants to know about the stroke I had can do a google search for--Beauty Parlor Stroke Syndrome--it actually has a name.

Hey Judie ~ how are ya? I was just checking in to see if you contacted T-Tapp. I read a few articles on the beauty parlor stroke syndrome - OMG how scary! It said not to be laid back in the sink for longer than a few minutes. When I go I usually get my eyebrows waxed and I'm sitting there for about 20 minutes! Next time I'm going to make sure that I have a towel behind my neck and that I'm not hyperextended to reach the sink. Well, just wanted to see how you made out. Good Luck

[bfuser]

Just wanted to check in! I have been a body flex user since I found the program sometime in the 1990's. If I use it consistently I always slim down. I never bought the program but use the book.

Lately I have had to stop the program due to a muscle spasm in my back. Not from BF, but from lifting my grandson... I do have several books on isometric exercises that I use, but without BF I feel lost. I read on another exercise board that people who have done the BF program found the basic SS too easy and suggested starting out with the SS advanced DVD. One of the benefits of doing this is that the advanced SS DVD is only $19.99. So I ordered it and hopefully by the time it arrives my muscle spasm will be healed. Many veteran BF users on the other board raved about this one and recommended it as a better DVD that the basic SS that sells for more than $40.00.

Ruth

Only time will tell.. Will keep you posted when I start using it.

[2f2f]

I got my SS in on Monday and started on Tuesday - so two days down. My arms are a little sore :-)

[lemonmama]

Hi Everyone. You have a great thread going here!

I've been following (read: lurking) this thread for a while and have been doing the workouts detailed in the previous posts. I'm wondering if you guys can answer this question for me: Are these the only moves on the offical Shapely Secrets video?
1) Bent-arm lift
2) Tricep squeeze (arms behind back)
3) Rear-thigh squeeze
4) Weird face move

Is this basically the entire workout as seen on the video? Just curious.

Thanks!

[gina7657]

im gonna order this ......should i get the kit or just the Advanced Workout?

[bfuser]

Gina, If you are used to doing the body flex program with the breathing then order the advanced one. From what I understand you get a better work out and it is not hard to do. It will also save you a lot of money. Am still waiting to receive mine. It was ordered a week ago. The people I know who went straight to the advanced are all losing weight and inches. The people I know who bought the basic one then bought the advanced one all wish they had just purchased the advanced one first.

They put so much garbage in the basic SS to make it seem like you are getting a lot for the money. I don't need or want a pendant, cosmetic bag, or diet plan. Just the DVD.

[bfuser]

Just wanted to check back in. I got the Advanced SS workout. It came to $23.00 and change with the ground shipping. I received it about ten days from the day I ordered it. It is seven minutes long, works every muscle in the body, and I broke a sweat doing it. The workout was easy to follow and to imitate each position that Greer did. She started out without much in the way of explanation. It is awesome! So glad I invested the $23.00. I never bought the first workout, but from what I can see it isn't really necessary to have the first one prior to doing this one. I thought this one did more with the breath, but in reality it doesn't do anything with breathing. You just breathe normally throughout the workout. Now I must admit, the face one has me a little stymied. I am going to have to study that one a little more to get it right.


All in all a great work out at half the price of the original. If anyone else has the advanced I would love to hear your take on the face one. It must be just like the one in the original workout because she reminds us that it is one we have done before.... well, not me.

Ruth

[bfuser]

Just wanted to add that I was even able to this with my back issue. The spasm is almost gone, and the workout didn't seem to stress it at all.

[freeman525]

Originally Posted by bfuser

Just wanted to check back in. I got the Advanced SS workout. It came to $23.00 and change with the ground shipping. I received it about ten days from the day I ordered it. It is seven minutes long, works every muscle in the body, and I broke a sweat doing it. The workout was easy to follow and to imitate each position that Greer did. She started out without much in the way of explanation. It is awesome! So glad I invested the $23.00. I never bought the first workout, but from what I can see it isn't really necessary to have the first one prior to doing this one. I thought this one did more with the breath, but in reality it doesn't do anything with breathing. You just breathe normally throughout the workout. Now I must admit, the face one has me a little stymied. I am going to have to study that one a little more to get it right.


All in all a great work out at half the price of the original. If anyone else has the advanced I would love to hear your take on the face one. It must be just like the one in the original workout because she reminds us that it is one we have done before.... well, not me.

Ruth

Ruth,
Thank you for the info.
Janice

[bfuser]

You are welcome, Janice. I am now on my third day with the Advanced program. I think I am starting to get the face one . At least I can now feel where Greer says I should feel the muscles working. Does anyone else feel great after doing them? They seem to energize me for a few hours.

If you are think of ordering the advanced DVD first don't hesitate. It is great and a good way to save money.

[bfuser]

Just wanted to report back in after finishing my first week of SS. I did drop two pounds this week, but in addition to that I dropped one pants size. based on watching the SS advanced DVD I was able to better understand how to do the basic SS moves that someone was kind enough to post here.

I have been doing the basic moves in the morning when I wake up and alternating the face exercises by doing the two from the BodyFlex DVD , ugly face and lion face , on alternate days. I do the advanced SS in the evening always doing the face exercise on the advanced DVD nightly.

No one has commented that I look twenty again, but people have asked if I am losing weight.

Ruth

[RockyMtnAngelEyes]

Hi! I haven't been around for a while and I'm happy to see this thread is still around! LOTS happening in real life, some good, some not good..

I haven't been doing anything, but think I am ready to jump back in..

I never ordered the SS DVD's, and now I think I'm glad I didn't.. I think I'll go right to the advanced... Any one have one they are ready to get rid of???

[bfuser]

Just want to chime in here again. The advanced SS workout works the abs and waist much more than the basic SS. The basic really doesn't concentrate on the abs or waist. Since my weight issues are from thyroid I carry my weight in my waist and stomach making the advanced workout the best one for me.

Ruth

[Ragdoll24]

Although I have had the SS DVD for awhile, I am finally starting it in earnest today, thanks to everyones positive results on this thread.
Victoria Principal in 1983 wrote a book called "The Body Principal" in which she demonstrates & endorses Isometric exercises. I just purchased the book on half.com for less than $5.00 with shipping & handling

[bfuser]

Hi Ragdoll! I put off buying SS because I did not want to spend around $60 after shipping to get a DVD, cheap cosmetic bag and goofy pendant as extra "gifts". I just wanted the SS DVD. I was a body flex devotee for years and believe that Greer engineers the most effective workouts. After reading on anther board that the advanced DVD was better for the abs and waist, but still exercised the whole body I bought that one for $19.99.

The great thing about SS is that it does exactly what Greer says it does...It works multiple muscle groups at one time.

I have been doing it for a little over two weeks now and on Friday saw a friend I haven't seen in about a month. She couldn't believe how slim I look! It's been a long time since anyone has made that statement in relation to me

[wastednuffime]

Hi everyone!!

OP here...and VERY pleased to see that several of you have given the SS plan a try...

bfuser..., So happy to read about your results!!

let me share something, I used to do all my AB work on the floor, even after I started doing SS, simply because that was what my body was used to. Over the past 2 years or so, of all that daily Ab work, my stomach was indeed one of my best features. I've had people who knew me before...actually ask..."Where did your stomach go"?, as it has flattened that much ..

Anyway, about 2 weeks ago, when in a hurry, I finished my normal routine ( 40 minute brisk walk followed by my SS) I was about to get down on the floor to work my AB's , when i decided to just stand there and do the stomach holds X 4 to a count of 25 each... I squeezed as tight as I could and let me tell ya,..I truly felt it!! I got to the point now that I'm only working my AB's this way!! and when I'm doing other things like brushing my teeth, I also will hold and squeeze, release and repeat... Its quick, fast and yes...effective!! I've even varied the movements a bit to include my Obliques ,( by standing there, squeezing tightly and then doing knee lifts)..

One more thing I want to share,..a friend of mine has been taking a beginners Belly dancing class and finally convinced me to at least come and watch. I had declined her several times before simply because I thought One had to have the "perfect" Belly for it,...( found out..NOT so as there was bellies of all shapes and sizes )So anyway, I went and Wow those ladies were getting a really good work out!! I mean it "looks" so easy when ya see things like that on TV, but honestly in person, they were all sweating to some degree. Isolation and muscle control is key! The movements were so intense and yet so graceful and Doable....that I have decided to....Give it a try..::.....So...staring next month, I'll be taking a beginners class 2x week...I'll let ya know how it goes..

Best wishes and have a great day!! ~~ Hi and waves~~ Sazzie..

[sazzie]

OMGoodness, Anna!!!!

I gave up my walking today cause of the weather, and came on here instead, and here you are!! So good to see you!

I have to confess that I've been slacking as of late, and I do have a couple of excuses, but they are not good enough. We were out of town for a full week, and I did nothing, nada, zilch. The week before we went away, I was busy getting ready for the trip, and the same thing......OY!

My dh asked me why I wasn't doing my routine anymore. He always commented how good I was looking when I was doing my routine......walking and SS.

Ya know, one of my problems is I added too many other exercise routines, and then one day I just stopped. Too much stuff......just like in my garage!!

Making a long story a bit longer, I've decided to go back to my original simple basic routine of walking and SS. It was working, and I tried fixing it......

KUTGW Everyone, and don't stop like I did, even if you only do it 3 x a week!

SS works if you work it!!

ETA Anna, good luck with your belly dancing classes........you go, gf!!!

[Ragdoll24]

Bfuser, thanks for your reply. Glad to hear that your friend complimented you on looking slim, great results, congrats
I ordered the Advanced SS yesterday. I have just started the SS in earnest & with everyone's support on this thread I hope to keep doing it every day.
Sazzie, when I try to do too many things, I also tend to just give up. I need to "keep it simple" both with my way of eating & exercise

[wastednuffime]

Hi Sazzie..., back at ya girlie..

Good to see you posting this wonderful Sunday morning!!
Hmmm?,..so Ok ya slacked up a bit, NO biggie just do a little "Something" daily...till you are back in full swing again. May I suggest something I do...

I have what I tend to call my "light" ( aka..Lazy..) days sprinkled here and there in between my "Regular" days.. Like yesterday for instance, ( a light day) all I did was 20 minutes of walking at a fast pace...right in front of the TV no less ( while watching the news), followed that by SS, then my AB squeezes....and wa-la..in aprox 30 measly minutes..i was DONE!!

I've kinda taught my body to "crave" movement /exercise on a daily basis no matter what!!, matter of fact I almost feel kinda guilty if I don't...So I make sure that no matter whats going on, or went on or how busy or tired I've been, that I do a little of "Something" before I lay down that night. ( even if my eating was OFF plan..) I still held on to exercise...

DH can tell ya, he's caught me more than once...exercising 10:30 at night...Why?...because as I stated, I REFUSE to end my day...having done nothing in that regard....Call me ...but thats just me, LOL.

So call it your " your "lazy days", your "don't have the time" days, or your "trying to get back in the swing of thing" days.....whatever...and devise a simple routine that works every area of your body in a minimal amount of time...

I tell ya ( due to every fault of my own..)..over these past 2 years...the scale has not always been kind to me,..I would swing constantly with 3 to 5 pounds in either direction and last year over the holidays from November thru New years..after eating pretty much what i darn wanted most of the time, I ended up with an all time high... of a 14 pound gain , however oddly enough, my clothing still fit...I contribute that to my continued exercising...honestly....

well Ok...getting long winded here...boy once I get to yakking...theres no shutting me up.. Anyway BBL if I can.. ps; RagDloo24..

[sazzie]

Good points, Anna.......and, I have already taken your advice seriously!

As I was pouring my second cup of java this morning, I was contracting my abs, and then released. Couldn't do it for the full 25 seconds, but I will get there.

I am going thru a series of tests thru my naturopathic doctor, and he is unbelievably thorough. I think I've finally found someone who listens to me, and hopefully I can finally lose this last 20 lbs. that has plagued me since February.

I believe that was one of the reasons I slacked on the exercise.....thought I wasn't getting anywhere with it, but alas........I was so very wrong.

[girl81]

Originally Posted by bfuser

Hi Ragdoll! I put off buying SS because I did not want to spend around $60 after shipping to get a DVD, cheap cosmetic bag and goofy pendant as extra "gifts". I just wanted the SS DVD. I was a body flex devotee for years and believe that Greer engineers the most effective workouts.

bfuser,
may I ask why you quit bodyflex?