Wow! This is a busy thread!

Since this is New Year's Eve, and tomorrow is the day that many of us designate as 'the' day to make changes, I thought I'd share my exercise success story.

My New Year's resolution for 2004 was to lose weight. I weighed 215 and was in a size 24. I found a program called BODYPUMP (it is trademarked in all caps...) and within 8 months I was a size 12 and was on my way to take the training to become an instructor. Here it is, New Year's Eve 2005, and I have kept it off for a year and a half now! This is a minor miracle for me, because I have been heavy all of my life. I was in Weight Watchers when I was 6 years old, and in 40 years, there have only been about three times that I lost enough weight to be considered a 'normal' size. It totally blows my mind that I not only have kept the weight off, but that I also have become a fitness instructor. People are floored when they see my 'before ' and 'after' pictures at my gym. It's so strange to be talking to someone about dieting and exercise, and then they look me up and down and say, "Of course, you don't have any clue what it's like to be overweight."

I absolutely love BODYPUMP, and am delighted to see it mentioned in some of the other posts here. It's a one-hour, weight lifting class that exercises every muscle in the body. You only have to do it twice a week to get fast, noticeable results. (Results are hindered somewhat if you end the day with a Sara Lee cheesecake...) But I haven't had to give up a single carb. The class uses great music, and there is a high entertainment factor. There are rooms full of people who have been doing this for years, and still aren't tired of it. It's an international program, and is much newer to the US. If you want to find a club near you that offers BODYPUMP or other Les Mills (BODYPUMP's parent company) programs, they have a web site that contains a club locator, and plenty of info about their programs. (www.lesmillsusa.com) I've recently started teaching another one of their programs called BODYFLOW, which is a Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates mix. My flexibilty and balance have improved, and I've had improvements in my abs that I thought I'd never see without cosmetic surgery. I've had similar improvements in my bust line, which has become much less 'gravitationally challenged!"

My mother, who used to be an inactive Senior, started taking my BODYPUMP classes as soon as I became an instructor to be supportive of 'her little girl.' My mom suffered from osteoporosis for 7 years, and was taking hardcore medication and eating properly with no success. 9 months after BODYPUMP, she went for a bone scan and her osteoporosis was gone! BODYPUMP's weight-bearing nature is what did it. I'm sure she could have had similar results in a weight room, or with weights at home, but the program is just plain fun. Most exercise regimens fail because they're boring. But I have never even once had to force myself to go to a class, or get excited about a class I am teaching.

I didn't mean to write a novel, but I am obviously a 'raving fan' of BODYPUMP. I'm over 40, and I'm in better shape than most of the people I know who are half of my age. I'm the oldest instructor at the gym, but I'm known for being the most energetic and enthusiastic. Most people don't believe I'm in my 40's, and usually guess my age at about 34. It's hard for me to believe that two years ago I was in a size 24, or that at my largest I was in a size 28. Every month I get to witness both women and men ranging in ages from teens to 75 achieve their goals, and the joy that comes with their accomplishments.

I wish everyone here a happy New Year, and hope everyone is able to find a good exercise regimen that they truly enjoy and can stick with!