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Miss Magnolia, Atlanta Age and Occupation: 28, Public Affairs and Government Relations Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Lobbyist Engagement Date: December 1, 2006 Wedding Date: January, 2008 Blogging Since: September 6, 2007 Venue: catherdral ceremony/private club reception About Me: Mr. Magnolia and I are thrilled to be planning an evening, winter wedding for 200 people in Atlanta. We both work in politics and share a love of University of Georgia football, pop culture, and good food! I'm a runner who adores wedding magazines, bad reality television, and a good glass of wine. Most of the time I like to think I'm pretty organized, but between wedding planning, house hunting, and a full-time job, I'm being put to the test!
About Mrs. Magnolia

Work It Out

November 15th, 2007 @ 1:31 pm by Mrs. Magnolia

As a busy bride-to-be, I hate to admit it, but the first thing to go from my crazy schedule is my daily workout. I have a trainer, but since we moved into our new house, it’s become more difficult for me to get over to the gym, so I’ve cancelled… several appointments. (I know, I know!)

If we hadn’t just switched back over to Standard time I would be okay, because I love to run outside after work. However, it gets dark way too early now, and I don’t feel safe doing so. Running in the mornings is an option, but I’m not really a morning person, so the idea of getting out of my nice warm bed to run 3-4 miles doesn’t exactly sound appealing to me.

Here’s the thing – the wedding is less than two months away, and I’d like to tone a bit before then. What to do, what to do?

The other day, I had a brilliant idea – the On Demand service offered by my cable provider! They have a module titled “Exercise TV,” which includes workouts and fitness programs any time you want to access them! So, this morning I got up and went out to the living to browse through some of the offerings. I settled on two segments: a thirty-minute Carmen Electra Cardio Striptease, and a ten-minute butt and thighs blast.

I have to say, I absolutely loved the Cardio Striptease, which surprised me! I’m even thinking about purchasing a DVD or two!

Next on my On Demand list will probably be either a belly dancing workout or one of the ballet-inspired segments, since I danced for ten years when I was a kid. Speaking of which, I’ve been eyeing this NYC ballet DVD for a while…

What creative ways do you get around your busy schedules to fit in workouts? Have you used workout videos before? If so, which ones are your favorites?

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20 Responses to “Work It Out”

1.
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quynhie

I have the ballet workout and it’s awesome! You can do a classical music version or a more contemporary up-tempo version. It’s REALLY relaxing to do for a morning workout and I saw improvement in my flexibility within a week of doing it.

 
2.
stargazerlily
Member
stargazerlily (message)  946 posts, Busy bee

You’re so motivated, Miss M! I make it to the gym about 4 mornings a week but I only run and ride the bike, which of course does nothing for my arms….

I’m considering asking for a Wii for christmas and wearing 1.5 lb arm bracelets while playing Wii Tennis to get a arm workout.

Because, I’m SO SO SO UNMOTIVATED to get in shape. You’d think the expensive dress and all those pictures that will be taken on the big day would be motivation, but unfortunately, I will NEVER GIVE UP my Bean Burritos and hours on the internet!

Oh, but I forgot to mention that my MOH, a friend, and I are going to train for a triathlon in April, which means training begins right after Christmas. That should slough off some pounds!

 
3.
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Kate

If I’m thinking of the same ballet dvd, the one connected somehow to Sarah Jessica Parker (i never understood that…) then I think it was very hard to follow. It’s more of a movie than a workout tape. Maybe they changed it? Or maybe I was watching the wrong segment.

 
4.
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Mo

I’ve been trying to get into the on demand workouts as well, since it’s so frickin cold here, but more often than not my living room is so cluttered with stuff that it’s hard to do the moves that require stepping to the side! Basically I just have to force myself to do it… Good luck Miss M!

 
5.
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Tberry

I have the NYC Ballet one as well. It is fantastic. I will admit that I havn’t used it since we moved. We moved from a house with a large living room to an apartment with a much smaller living room. Sadly there is no room to do workouts. I cannot even lay down between the couch and the TV (and I’m only 5ft tall!).

 
6.
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c-girl

My fiance and I exercise together so it’s a social activity. Our hour at the gym 2-3 times a week is part of our shared pledge to avoid the Newlywed 30. (It seems that a lot of newlyweds, including some of our friends, put on a ton of weight and we are determined to avoid it!)

 
7.
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Jen

are those free on Comcast?

 
8.
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Miss Magnolia (message)  252 posts, Helper bee

Jen, we have a digital cable package with HD-DVR (yes, we love our tv!), and On Demand is included. I think as long as you have a Comcast cable box, you have On Demand. Basic cable, not so much.

 
9.
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Helene

I just tried doing this yesterday!! I was so excited when I found out about it and scrolled through the selections - the ones you mentioned are all ones I wanted to try, since I love dancing and have done both ballet and belly dancing in the past. Then there’s the part of me that’s curious about the striptease ones.. hehe.

But was so bummed when I tried selecting classes and it told me I had to have a subscription… I thought it was just included? There are other shows I can watch on demand without having to pay anything.. I called comcast and they said it’s an extra $15.99/month to add this. I was so sad! That’s more than what I pay for my gym membership, which includes a bunch of classes, so I couldn’t justify the expense.. may have to look into the dvds though, b/c it would be so nice to be able to workout at home when I’m too busy to make it to the gym.

 
10.
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Helene

Hmm Miss Magnolia - just saw your response - I definitely have a cable box, and On Demand, but it won’t let me select the Exercise TV segments. Maybe it depends on where you live? (I’m in Chicago)

 
11.
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kleverkira (message)  331 posts, Helper bee

Honestly, it’s not creative, but I just make myself go to the gym after work and on the weekends. FH is really dedicated about going too so that helps me when I’m feeling less than motivated. So far I’ve lost 10 pounds between working out and eating better.

One thing that FH and I do is that we have a racquetball date on Friday evenings. The gym isn’t crowded, and we’re very competitive so the trash-talking starts early (we’re so competitive that we don’t keep score because we would just get upset) and it keeps us motivated. It’s also a good way to take out a week’s worth of work stress (I’ll admit that I have written the name of my boss on the racquetball before). We work up a sweat, shower and change, and then go out for dinner. It’s so much fun!

 
12.
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Chrissie

I know what you mean about running in the dark. I run with a friend and our dogs, so we figure there is safety in numbers!

 
13.
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Melissa

re the NYC ballet dvd - i recommend getting the second one over the first. The first is treated more as a regular ballet class in that while the narrator says left, and wants you to move left, the dancers demonstrating the steps move to the left too, THEIR left. It can get confusing if you’re not used to it.

http://www.CollageVideo.com is great for picking out videos - you can watch a little clip and (usually) read a lot of reviews.

 
14.
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Bee
Mrs. Emerald (message)  901 posts, Busy bee

hrmm, I’ll have to check out what is offered through my On Demand exercise options!! I havent looked at it in months. I’ve always been interested in the Strip Tease one =)

 
15.
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Linda

So funny. I was looking through the Exercise TV last night on On Demand. I choose one of the power pilates workouts. Not too tough. I used to take pilates last year. I loved it. I’ll keep using the pilates class OnDemand for now.

 
16.
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Member
jma19 (message)  498 posts, Helper bee

I also discovered the Exercise TV - I need to look tonight to see if the Striptease is offered free. Such a perfect beginning to the night that will end with me sitting in my butt watching Grey’s and working late. :) Thanks for the heads up!

 
17.
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workout mommy

I love Exercise TV!!! It is so convenient and gives me no excuses for skipping a workout.

I also try to do little things throughout the day, like lunges, squats, push ups, crunches, etc. (especially when watching TV at night)

I have a blog about fitness for moms, but the information is for anyone. Please stop by and check it out.

:) Lisa

 
18.
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Mango

I have all of the Carmen Electra aerobic stripteases - they’re literally not worth the cds they were burned on…mostly watching Carmen prancing around, you won’t break a sweat at all! Cute outfits though, I’ll admit. The ballet workout is good, but I usually get bored after the floor part - I like real ballet classes better, personally.

 
19.
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CamilleC

I love the OnDemand Exercises. My faves are Start It Up by Debbie Siebers, In Home Walking with Leslie Sansone and my new favorite, Ballet Strength with Jennifer Galrdi. I’ll have to try the NYC one.

 
20.
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anaj95

I have tried so many different ways to exercise and keep coming back to doing home videos. My faves are:

-Plantinum Series Steel videos (some are better than others)
-Leslie Sansone videos
-Turbo Jam videos

I would love to get a Wii, but I don’t think that DH is getting my subtle hints. =)

 


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Mrs. Magnolia Miss Magnolia, Atlanta Age and Occupation: 28, Public Affairs and Government Relations Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Lobbyist Engagement Date: December 1, 2006 Wedding Date: January, 2008 Blogging Since: September 6, 2007 Venue: catherdral ceremony/private club reception About Me: Mr. Magnolia and I are thrilled to be planning an evening, winter wedding for 200 people in Atlanta. We both work in politics and share a love of University of Georgia football, pop culture, and good food! I'm a runner who adores wedding magazines, bad reality television, and a good glass of wine. Most of the time I like to think I'm pretty organized, but between wedding planning, house hunting, and a full-time job, I'm being put to the test!
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