Hey Jillybean!

[AngelaP]

I received my Sweatfest DVD's yesterday and popped in the Sculpt workout for a preview. YOU LOOK FANTASTIC!!!! I read your "Coming Clean" post and Tracey's forum and I really admire your courage. All that you have overcome, your hard work to get in such great shape for the videos and the "now what?" feelings.

Now, HOW IN THE H#@@ DO YOU KNEEL ON THAT STABILITY BALL? I swear, I tried it and it seems impossible. Being able to do that is one of my goals for the summer. Any tips - or is it just a matter of practice?

Great Job!!
Angela

 

[smg1]

Hi Angela
I was thinking the same thing How am I ever going to kneel on the stability ball....... I guess practice. Which women is Jillybean in the dvd. I did parts today of Sculp after MM and enjoyed it but has for kneeling on the ball I may just have to sit or stand I will keep trying

Susan G.

 

[crazystepr]

Jillybean is the woman on Tracey's right (our left) in front with the long hair (I think it's in a braid) and the rockin' body!! haha . She looks amazing and let me tell you--I will NEVER master that kneeling on the ball thing!!!

Allison

 

[jillybean]

First of all, thank you so much for your compliments and words or encouragement! I got some great tips from Tracey and I will now share them with you.

Okay, I started kneeling in a doorway. I would get on the ball gripping onto the sides of the doorframe and then, SLOWLY, try to let go a little (sometimes with just letting one hand go free, sometimes trying to release both). Next, I moved out of the doorway and began to balance in front of the couch or a chair. I’d get onto the ball myself, and then have my husband hold my hands. Again, SLOWLY, I’d have him release one or both of my hands. Knowing he (or the doorframe) was there to ‘save me’ were I to fall upped my confidence.

Two other tips – make sure your ball is full and dig your toes into the back of the ball. After awhile, you’ll be able to balance without your toes touching the back of the ball. Not only will this tax the core muscles – but it also does wonders for the quads!! I kind of think balancing on the ball is like riding a bike. I didn’t get back on the ball after filming for quite some time (burn out, I guess) – but once I tried it again, I got up there like nobody’s business.

Just keep at it!! I made sure I practiced at least every other day (if for only 2 minutes a day) – and it paid off!

Trust me – if an unstable, weeble wobble like me can learn this – ANYONE can!

 

[smg1]

Thanks for the Tips Jillybean. I think you are my new idol

Susan G.

 

[jillybean]

I don't look like that anymore!!! TRUST ME!!! Oh well, it was a great experience and I loved every minute of it.

Plus, I had the best roommate ever.

(Allie, did you get your book??)

 

[crazystepr]

Jilly--
I got the book and you are so amazing! It is fantastic (and sooooo funny!) Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

Allison

 

[WD]

Jillybean thanks for the ball tips. I have been through this 3 times and I still balance and end up catching the floor with one toe part of the time You did an awesome job. I bet you still look great.

http://wd.1ww.us
http://1ww.us/logo2.gif

 

[jillybean]

Truth be told, I look like my before picture. I'm still fairly strong but I currently have little definition because of the excess fat I've put on since the video. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of gal so when I stopped training and dieting down for the video - I went in the opposite direction and hit the couch (and the Little Debbies)!

But being a part of Sweatfest was a great learning experience. I'm beginning to realize that health/fitness does not equal striving for perfection. My eating's slowly getting back on track and I'm working out like I used to. I *hope* to sometime soon be somewhere in between how I look now and how I looked for the video. And just to clarify, I'm not saying I looked 'all that' in the video; I'm simply saying that, for me, that body type does not come naturally; I worked really hard for Sweatfest. But as I've said, I wouldn't trade the experience for the world!!! I got to meet so many great people. All the background exercisers were wonderful, super fun and humorous folks - and Tracey herself is an absolute doll! (I even met Greg Twombly, as he's Tracey's producer!)

Also, though I wish I wouldn't have gone in the polar opposite direction after the filming (i.e.: binge eating), it is comforting to know that I can, when I put my mind to it, achieve a goal.