My accidental Essentrics experiment

violingal3 · 10-25-17, 09:50 AM

Let me first say that in real life, I am an exercise nut who tries to fit in as much variety as I can and the thought of dedicating myself to just yoga or something like Essentrics has always been appealing, just not doable in my mind.

Well, I went away for about a month to visit my grandmother and I took a variety of "travel friendly" DVDs with me - everything from puke in the bucket cardio and body weight workouts to yoga and Pilates.

For whatever reason, I wasn't feeling the hardcore workouts. I really wanted to dedicate myself to yoga, but I didn't have a mat with me so the first few yoga practices were not enjoyable sliding around on the carpet or blankets I tried to use etc...

Luckily I threw in my Eccentrics Full Body Toning workout. I did this single DVD about 5-6 times per week for about a month. Maybe it was overkill, but it was what I had to work with. Pretty funny since I have hundreds of DVDs at home and struggle each day to pick out my workout.

I didn't have a set schedule, so if I couldn't do the entire hour, it was nice to fit in the 30 min segments during the day or evening when I had free time. And the beauty was no equipment or mat needed!

I am amazed at the results. I lost quite a bit of weight (7 lbs or so of those stubborn vanity pounds), I think the lower intensity did wonders keeping my appetite in check. My arm definition is insane. My hips, thighs and quads slimmed down like nothing else.

I'm pear shaped and those were my problem areas. By the end of the month even my tight yoga pants were loose!

With the consistency, I was able to build up my endurance and really focus on form and getting deeper into the movements (especially the arms, windmills, and airplanes). Since I've been home for a week, I was craving yoga and haven't done any Eccentrics. I thought I was going to have to work my way back into yoga after being away for so long to regain some flexibility. Not the case at all! My yoga is on a whole other level! I am amazed at how much length and flexibility I actually gained by doing Essentrics!

I am pleasantly surprised and it just confirms to me that less is more, especially as I age. My joints feel good, I feel limber and light. I will always love my sweaty cardio and weight lifting workouts, but I just feel better and more at peace with my mind and body with these types of workouts. I would encourage anyone to try Essentrics for a period of time and just take the plunge. I am going to have to reconsider how I balance my weeks and really dedicate more time to gentle workouts.

PhyllisG · 10-25-17, 10:20 AM

I have been doing yoga just about exclusively for more than a year now. Love to throw something else into the mix. I got the Callanetics Countdown and despite the raves have not been able to commit to it. So which Essentrics Full Body did you do? I just watched the clip fir the Esentrics Full Body Toning and that looked good.

Janine · 10-25-17, 10:39 AM

Thanks for sharing. I love Classical Stretch/ Essentrics and do it every day but always do cardio first and weights because I'm worried that it won't be enough alone. Your results are amazing! Maybe I should try that alone for a while and see what happens.

Joni O · 10-25-17, 10:56 AM

Wow! Congrats! I assume you did this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Essentrics-Fu...rds=essentrics

Pat58 · 10-25-17, 10:59 AM

Amazing results, thank you for sharing!

Sigh, if only I could commit to focusing on one type of workout ...

summer breeze · 10-25-17, 11:57 AM

Congrats, amazing results. Guess what workout I did today after reading your post?

momofcha · 10-25-17, 01:35 PM

Fantastic!!

I

that workout!

Usia · 10-25-17, 01:49 PM

That's really impressive! Congrats on your results and thanks for sharing! I have this DVD and will have to give it another go with some consistency.

violingal3 · 10-25-17, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joni O

Wow! Congrats! I assume you did this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Essentrics-Fu...rds=essentrics

Yes, that's the one!

superfit41 · 10-25-17, 04:13 PM

I am fairly new to Essentrics, but I have done that Full Body Toning workout a few times and I really like it. I have also been tempted to focus more on Essentrics/CS, but I just have not committed to it yet. I am so glad to hear that you had such great results!
Sherry

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10-25-17, 09:50 AM
violingal3 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Colorado	My accidental Essentrics experiment Let me first say that in real life, I am an exercise nut who tries to fit in as much variety as I can and the thought of dedicating myself to just yoga or something like Essentrics has always been appealing, just not doable in my mind. Well, I went away for about a month to visit my grandmother and I took a variety of "travel friendly" DVDs with me - everything from puke in the bucket cardio and body weight workouts to yoga and Pilates. For whatever reason, I wasn't feeling the hardcore workouts. I really wanted to dedicate myself to yoga, but I didn't have a mat with me so the first few yoga practices were not enjoyable sliding around on the carpet or blankets I tried to use etc... Luckily I threw in my Eccentrics Full Body Toning workout. I did this single DVD about 5-6 times per week for about a month. Maybe it was overkill, but it was what I had to work with. Pretty funny since I have hundreds of DVDs at home and struggle each day to pick out my workout. I didn't have a set schedule, so if I couldn't do the entire hour, it was nice to fit in the 30 min segments during the day or evening when I had free time. And the beauty was no equipment or mat needed! I am amazed at the results. I lost quite a bit of weight (7 lbs or so of those stubborn vanity pounds), I think the lower intensity did wonders keeping my appetite in check. My arm definition is insane. My hips, thighs and quads slimmed down like nothing else. I'm pear shaped and those were my problem areas. By the end of the month even my tight yoga pants were loose! With the consistency, I was able to build up my endurance and really focus on form and getting deeper into the movements (especially the arms, windmills, and airplanes). Since I've been home for a week, I was craving yoga and haven't done any Eccentrics. I thought I was going to have to work my way back into yoga after being away for so long to regain some flexibility. Not the case at all! My yoga is on a whole other level! I am amazed at how much length and flexibility I actually gained by doing Essentrics! I am pleasantly surprised and it just confirms to me that less is more, especially as I age. My joints feel good, I feel limber and light. I will always love my sweaty cardio and weight lifting workouts, but I just feel better and more at peace with my mind and body with these types of workouts. I would encourage anyone to try Essentrics for a period of time and just take the plunge. I am going to have to reconsider how I balance my weeks and really dedicate more time to gentle workouts.

10-25-17, 10:20 AM
PhyllisG Join Date: May 2005 Location: Woodstock NY	I have been doing yoga just about exclusively for more than a year now. Love to throw something else into the mix. I got the Callanetics Countdown and despite the raves have not been able to commit to it. So which Essentrics Full Body did you do? I just watched the clip fir the Esentrics Full Body Toning and that looked good.

10-25-17, 10:39 AM
Janine Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada	Thanks for sharing. I love Classical Stretch/ Essentrics and do it every day but always do cardio first and weights because I'm worried that it won't be enough alone. Your results are amazing! Maybe I should try that alone for a while and see what happens.

10-25-17, 10:56 AM
Joni O VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities, MN	Wow! Congrats! I assume you did this one? https://www.amazon.com/Essentrics-Fu...rds=essentrics

10-25-17, 10:59 AM
Pat58 VF Supporter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Connecticut	Amazing results, thank you for sharing! Sigh, if only I could commit to focusing on one type of workout ...

10-25-17, 11:57 AM
summer breeze VF Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005	Congrats, amazing results. Guess what workout I did today after reading your post?

10-25-17, 01:35 PM
momofcha Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Illinois	Fantastic!! I that workout! __________________ Sue "I'm just one workout away from a good mood." ~ Valerie Waters

10-25-17, 01:49 PM
Usia VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008	That's really impressive! Congrats on your results and thanks for sharing! I have this DVD and will have to give it another go with some consistency. __________________ Dana Avatar: Oliver!

10-25-17, 04:13 PM
superfit41 VF Supporter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Texas, and Mississippi	I am fairly new to Essentrics, but I have done that Full Body Toning workout a few times and I really like it. I have also been tempted to focus more on Essentrics/CS, but I just have not committed to it yet. I am so glad to hear that you had such great results! Sherry