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MARCH 2003

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OXYCHAT!
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March 7, 2003

Welcome to the OxyChat! Newsletter, a weekly publication to help you in your quest for the body you want and deserve!

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*A* You CAN Lose Weight!
*B* Progress Report
*C* Q & A
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"Just want to thank you for the greatest exercise program ever. I'm 62 and have been doing Level One for a couple of months. (I never got past a couple of days with other programs that were too long or too hard!) I wouldn't miss a day of doing Oxycise!" ~ Mary M. from Lexington, Virginia

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*A* You CAN Lose Weight!
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A friend just sent me an inspiring article by an unknown author. The writer described visiting a 4th grade classroom in which the teacher gave her students an unusual assignment -- writing down all the things they couldn't do well:

"I can't kick the soccer ball past second base."
"I can't do long division with more than three numbers."
"I can't get Debbie to like me."
"I can't do ten pushups."
"I can't hit over the left-field fence."
"I can't eat only one cookie."

Their lists went on and on, many students filling their papers. The teacher even joined in on the assignment by composing her own list of "can'ts." Then she instructed the students to fold their papers in half, and bring them to the front of the room. There she placed the papers inside a box. She then put a lid on the box, picked it up, and headed out the door and down the hall, followed by the students. She led them past the custodian's office, where she stopped briefly to borrow a shovel, and then out to a far corner of the playground. There they held a "funeral". The students took turns with the shovel, and they placed their box in the bottom of the hole. Then the teacher asked the students to bow their heads and hold hands as she read the following "eulogy:"

"Friends, we gather today to honor the memory of 'I Can't.' While he was with us on earth, he touched the lives of everyone, some more than others...

"We have provided 'I Can't' with a final resting place and headstone that contains his epitaph. He is survived by his brothers and sisters, 'I can,' I will' and 'I'm going to Right Away.' They are not as well known as their famous relative and are certainly not as strong and powerful yet. Perhaps someday, with your help, they will make an even bigger mark on the world. May 'I Can't' rest in peace and may everyone present pick up their lives and move forward in his absence. Amen."

The writer commented, "As I listened to the eulogy I realized that these students would never forget this day. The activity was symbolic, a metaphor for life. It was a right-brain experience that would stick in the unconscious and conscious mind forever."

At the conclusion of the "funeral," the teacher turned the students around, marched them back into the classroom and held a wake. They celebrated the passing of 'I Can't' with cookies, popcorn and fruit juices. She cut out a tombstone from butcher paper and wrote the words 'I Can't' at the top and put 'RIP' in the middle, with the date added at the bottom, '3/28/80.' She left the tombstone up all year, and on those rare occasions when a student forgot and said, 'I Can't,' the teacher would simply point to the 'RIP' sign. The student then remembered that 'I Can't' was dead and chose to rephrase the statement.

The writer concludes,
"Now, years later, whenever I hear the phrase, 'I Can't,' I see images of that fourth-grade funeral. Like the students, I remember that 'I Can't' is dead."

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Think you can't lose weight? Bury those thoughts!

You really CAN! And Oxycise! is the right road map to help you reach your destination!

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*B* Progress Report
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*** ALICE ***

"Dear Julie,
I can't thank you enough for the newsletters. The inspiration and reminder to stay focused is such a blessing. I have been on and off of Oxycise! for several months now. I just read Carolyn's letter and thought, gee that sounds like me. When I was doing Oxycise! faithfully I could really tell the difference. I felt like I was in super shape because I had so much energy. I didn't require as much sleep and woke up in the mornings refreshed and ready to go. I also noticed how I kept moving my belt notch over so I knew the inches were coming off as well. Then I fell victim to 'stress eating' and not doing my Oxycise! Between the high demands that came into my job and some personal issues I couldn't get enough comfort food. Well, of course I became more tired and had to move the belt back to the original notch. Last week I had a real heart-to-heart talk with myself. If you know something that works, then why stop doing it ? Sounds simple, but sometimes it is the hardest thing to really realize. So I started back on the program and love it so much. I don't seem to be able to fit in 15 min at a time, so I do several reps through out the whole day and also on my drive to and from work. A girl at the office commented the other day how great I was looking and asked what kind of diet was I on. I said none. Sure I am trying to stay away from those dreaded high carb comfort foods, but not totally yet. When I told her it was from doing special breathing exercises she was so funny because of the look on her face and comment, 'Get out of here.' We aren't exactly spring chickens so that verbiage alone was a shock, but the look on her face was priceless. I have given her the web site and she is very excited to get started. I, on the other hand, will stay on the program because I am my own witness as to how wonderful it is since I have seen it work and I have seen the results reverse when you don't do it. I have read before about how one should respect their body and give it what it deserves and needs. Through my off and on times with the program I have really realized my body truly loves and needs Oxycise! Thank you so for a great program, the newsletters and a new lease on life."

Sincerely
Alice in Atlanta

We invite all of YOU, our readers, to share your own Oxycise! experiences and comments. Write to Oxytalk@oxycise.com or julie@oxycise.com

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*C* Q & A
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Question:
"I began an Oxycise! session for the first time, and I found I had some questions as I did it. My main one has to do with the breathing rate. My normal breathing rate is 8-10 breaths a minute (I am already a stomach breather, and have a very large lung capacity). When I try to deeply breathe this slows down to 4 breaths a minute -- so my question is whether I should "try to keep up" with the rate that Jill does on the videos, or go with my natural rate?

Comments by Jill:
"It's alright to breathe at any speed that's comfortable. The important aspect is to breathe deeply and powerfully.

"The key to success with Oxycise! is to do it with LOTS of power. Really pump in the air and blow it out hard, and flex your muscles with lots of intensity."

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REMEMBER: You have a magnificent body. Treat it right!

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Jill Johnson
Oxycise! International, Inc.
8170 S. University #110
Littleton, CO 80122

Julie Gudmundsen,
OxyChat Editor
mailto:julie@oxycise.com

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OXYCHAT!
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March 12, 2003

Welcome to the OxyChat! Newsletter, a weekly publication to help you in your quest for the body you want and deserve!

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*A* Feeling Overtaxed? Take a BREATHER!
*B* Progress Report
*C* OxyTIPS
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Mary Ellen, age 55, does 2 Oxycise! workouts per day, six days a week -- one in the morning and another in the evening. When asked to choose her favorite Oxycise! workout, Mary Ellen replied, "This is a very hard question, but I would have to choose Level 3."

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*A* Feeling Overtaxed? Take a BREATHER!
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Take Ann's advice -- Oxycise! is a great way to get some instant "tax relief!"

February 19, 2003

"I work in a tax/accounting office and so this time of year is especially trying and stressful, however, I too am trying to do little doses of "O" each day. I'm not sure how many reps a day I do but when I start to feel worn out, tired or stressed beyond recognition, I do a couple of reps of "O" and find that I get re-energized enough to make it to the next melt down! We are going on a cruise after tax season and I will be in a better body and mind because of Oxycise! I know it works because I used to do it faithfully everyday at least once a day with little "O" sessions here and there to fill in, and was losing weight and looking and feeling wonderful. Unfortunately, I caught an awful cold and couldn't even breathe through my nose - thus making Oxycise a task
and finally gave up altogether. BAD, BAD, BAD!!! But now I am back on track and hopefully will stay there with your weekly newsletters as a helpful reminder that IT IS WORTH EVERY BREATH!!"

THANKS!
Ann from Iowa

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*B* Progress Report
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*** MARY ***

"Hi Julie,
You can share my comments if you like. I share my enthusiasm for Oxycise! with everyone I know. Week by week I can feel the core of my body getting stronger. The combination of deep breathing and exhaling, and the isotonic exercises that Jill has devised really are 'health-producing!' I wish I had started 20 years ago!

"Since I am a Colorado native, I also love seeing the Rocky Mountain scenery outside the windows [from the locations where the Oxycise! workouts were filmed].

"I plan to order soon, a copy of Jill's video for older folks (or those who cannot get down on the floor), so I will know if I can recommend that version to friends with limited capacity. Knowing Jill's work, I have a feeling that anyone would benefit from any one of her 15-minute routines. (In the past, I have volunteered to lead simple exercise sessions for assisted-living residents. I am confident that Jill's program would benefit these folks.)

"Sincerest thanks again, to Jill, for inventing a simple exercise routine that helps your body in so many ways without gadgets, expensive equipment, and ideas (and positions) that are absolutely foreign to most folks. Oxycise! is the best, and I hope to do it for the rest of my life.

"Thanks for the encouragement to 'keep on breathin' even with a cold. Jill is right, it probably will promote faster healing. My husband recently returned from a long trip with inflamed bursitis of the hip. I just know if I could get him to start Oxycise! that he could strengthen his midsection and leg muscles too. (Has Jill ever considered having a middle-aged man lead a small group of men in a video for men?)"

Keep up the good work!
Mary M. from Virginia
Age 62

We invite all of YOU, our readers, to share your own Oxycise! experiences and comments. Write to Oxytalk@oxycise.com or julie@oxycise.com

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*C* OxyTIPS
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It's not only tax season, it's also the season for colds and flu! If you happen to catch a cold or other illness, try to "Keep on Breathin' ," if possible. And if your nose is too stuffy, just use your mouth! Deep breathing will give your body the extra oxygen it needs to recover more quickly.

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On the subject of colds... and coughs, in particular. The next time you cough (or fake a
cough) place your hands against your sides, just under your ribcage and feel your diaphragm and abdominal muscles working automatically. Try it once more, and feel the "action" that happens just beneath your breastbone.

Using the combination of your diaphragm and your abdominal muscles together will add lots more power to your breathing!

Breathe in deeply, then pretend that you are going to cough (with the same muscular action as above), but instead of actually coughing, just HOLD your abdominal muscles in that tightened "about-to-cough" position. This is very similar to the feeling of doing the abdominal Lift, a very important part of the Oxycise! Basic Breath.

By following Jill's instructions you will know how LONG to hold the Lift, and when to RELAX it!

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If you've missed out on any newsletters in the past, you can catch up by visiting the archive section on our website. It's called "Index to OxyChat Newsletters" and it's located in the "OxyCenter" section. Here's the direct link: www.oxycise.com/Newsletters/index.htm

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REMEMBER: You have a magnificent body. Treat it right!

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Jill Johnson
Oxycise! International, Inc.
8170 S. University #110
Littleton, CO 80122

Julie Gudmundsen,
OxyChat Editor
mailto:julie@oxycise.com

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