For 2009, I have a plan for better health.  As nurses, we have alot of stressors for our back, we're tired both before and after work.  My pilates ball is wonderful for this.    With this cheapo contraption <I got mine at KMart for about $8>, along with a couple of small hand weights you can have a total gymn workout.  If you get your pilates ball, there are tons of exercises to focus on certain areas.  My favorite thing is for a full stretch lying on the ball looking straight up, then rocking on it to stretch out your full back.  

For those who have desk jobs and you get that between the shoulder blade pain, its great.  You have the ball behind you and press up against the wall................start with the ball at the shoulder blace and just do 'circles' and mini squats. 

Your can work on your abs without discomfort to your back............great work out without injury. 

For strengthening leg muscles, squats using the ball for balance against a wall as well.

I have a gymn membership that will expire on New Year and I'm not renewing it because of this ball.

http://www.everything-pilates.com/exerciseballworkout.html">about-pilates.com/exerciseballworkout.html

I also think an aerobics plan is necessary too.........for the actual calorie burning and for heart health.  Aerobics is the only form of exercise that has been proven to improve your heart muscle and the blood vessels condition as well.  This info is from the American Heart Association.

Funny I found this. I just finished my Turbo Jam Kicken Core DVD. It uses aerobics, cardio and the ball. Its great if you need a low impact and she is such a good motivator when I start feeling lazy. I started to lose weight but the weight came back as I started to tone up. But thats a good thing. I don't really think I need to lose weight but I do need to get rid of some flab! LOL. So my resolutioin next year is to excercise more and quite smoking. Gonna be tough!

Trumpter...........I was thinking the same thing about our own biggest loser thingie.  The only thing is I dont want to tell anybody what I weigh   On the Leslie Sansone dvd's.............I had a cardiac rehab patient who used those and said it was a huge success and  his losing 100#.   When he told me this, I was shocked.  He looked great and said before he started that program, he couldnt even walk across the room without having breathing problems.  Its Jan. 2nd and I havent had anything choclate today <I need a 12 step program for chocolate>. 

Amen! Lets get moving!

I just started weight watchers and use the walking dvd . I am amased at how easy it is and I have lossed 8 lbs this week. My sister has lossed over 75 lbs and is still going strong. keep up the good work.