All about oxygen

June 3, 2003

June 10, 2003

June 17, 2003

June 24, 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* Oxycise! by the Book!
*B* Progress Report
*C* New OxyPals!
*D* OxyTips
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I feel very strongly that proper breathing is a master key to good health." ~ Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.

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*A* Oxycise! -- by the Book!
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Wouldn't it be great if everyone who does the Oxycise! program could spend an hour or two with Jill Johnson, listening to her own success story, and receiving personal help, tips and encouragement from the creator of Oxycise herself! As impossible as that might be, given the ever-increasing numbers of Oxycise! fans throughout the world, there IS a way to receive lots of help and encouragement and extra motivation from Jill Johnson... by reading the book that started it all!

Reading "Oxycise!" is the next best thing to having a personal Oxycise! training session with Jill Johnson! What would you pay to spend an hour with Jill? $20? $40? $50? Well, for just $14.95 you can have access to Jill's words and encouragement any time you wish! And when you read "Oxycise" you feel like Jill is right there with you. In her introductory letter at the beginning of the book, Jill begins:

"Dear friend who would love to lose excess weight once and for all, I have written this book for you..."

"As you read Oxycise! and make it part of your daily life, I want you to imagine that I'm right there with you. I've learned that I don't have to physically be there with you for you to have success.... Implementing Oxycise! into your life will not merely benefit you personally... important as that is... it will also benefit everyone around you.

* Everyone around you will benefit from your increased vitality and joyful living.

Just yesterday, we received the following enthusiastic endorsement from one of our customers:

"Hi Julie- this is Suzi Marsh-Hatty, the jazz vocalist/vocal coach. I finally read the book that accompanied my initial Oxycise! program (ordered in 2000 -- I think) Please tell your readers to READ THE BOOK-- it will change their inspiration. I'm a motivational coach, as well, but I had not read Jill's book until last week. Just knowing that the Oxy breaths are creating a great abdominal workout plus knowing how much more aerobic the body becomes (140% more than the stationary bike) got me out of the gym quicker and onto the VCR (Oxycise! tapes) more readily and more joyfully. I'm officially doing "O!" at least once a day (and of course in the car and while on stage). I'm teaching my voice students how to hold notes longer and soon they'll be ordering their own "O!" products.

"Please tell all of your followers that the BOOK has the most concise ways of motivating people to be consistent!!! I wish I had read it when I received it- but I guess I wasn't ready for that until now- thank you for your dedication and inspiration."

For a more detailed description of what's in the book "Oxycise!" please see
http://www.oxycise.com/store/oxybook.htm

"Dear Oxycisers,
Hello, and greetings from another Oxyciser in Littleton, Colorado. I have just discovered Oxycise! .... I was waiting for an hour in the Motor Vehicles line in order to renew my driver's license, and I noticed a lady doing the breathing while reading the book. It was pretty cool the way she didn't care if anyone looked at her or not, she was into her breathing! We started a conversation, and she let me read her book while we waited in line.

"I am sure you have hear this before, but the benefits were IMMEDIATE for me, and I knew in my heart of hearts that Oxycise! was going to do all that it claimed for me. I am telling you, when I started the breathing, it was like someone turned up the knob on all my senses... my vision got sharper, my sense of smell was heightened, it was like the fog had been wiped away and I was really present at the moment. I instantly felt more alert, more alive, and more happy! People who don't Oxycise! might think this was weird or exaggerated, but I think you will understand what I mean. I was hooked.

"I am turning 50 years old in September, and I am a single mom of 2 wonderful but dyslexic teenaged boys, who often need extra help with schoolwork. In addition to teaching school (middle-school language arts!), I also work a part time job in order to pay for the braces, the lacrosse equipment, etc. I had my boys late in life (35 years old) and close together (15 months apart), and I am not kidding when I tell you that I cannot remember a time in the last 14 years when I have not been totally, physically and emotionally exhausted!! Many nights, I had to take a short nap on the couch just to muster enough energy to make dinner for the boys and help them with their homework. Feeling the surge of energy is literally a godsend to me. I do not have to live my life through a haze of exhaustion, dragging myself from one place to the other, counting the hours until I can sleep again. That is no way to live!

"I know by visiting the Website that the benefits of Oxycise! are legion; I know that I am, even as I write, reaping the benefits and that in time there will be firming and toning, weight loss, less illness and many, many more benefits but let me tell you this: If the only benefit I get from this program is energy, it is priceless and a gift from God! That in and of itself makes doing Oxycise! invaluable and worthwhile. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for bringing this program to the "average American citizen" like myself, who cannot spare the time or money to join a fancy club or go to a spa for weeks at a time. "Real" people are doing this program every day and living their lives more fully because of you! Please know that (here is one small change I have noticed) instead of taking my boys to lacrosse games and sleeping in the car while they play, now I bring the dog along and we are on the grassy hill, cheering the boys on. What a blessing for my sons! I also have the energy to sing in the church choir (wow! What oxygen does for singing!) and run the vacuum cleaner so my house looks cozy and tidy when we come home at the end of a day. Quality of life is so important, don't you think?

"Sorry for 'rambling on' but I guess you get a lot of ramblers, don't you? Thanks again and God bless you for bringing this to all
of us."

"As an update, I have found that in times of stress, my reaction is to shallow breath (it's like a panic reaction) but the deep breathing not only calms me down, but helps me sleep better and work better. It is somehow very centering, if that makes any sense. It also reminds me to "do one thing at a time." As a single mom working 2 jobs, I need that reminding all the time! I am amazed at the way the breathing seems to work different initially on different people--with some, it's the weight that is affected, with others it is the lessening of joint pain, with people like me, it's like a natural tranquilizer. Somehow, it must go to work on what we need most! Then, as you continue the breathing, in the weeks and months the benefits keep appearing.

"Thanks for giving me the opportunity to help others, too. I know I am always inspired by going on the website and reading how others are getting help. It's also a great way to get inspired, and keep up with the breathing."

We'd love to hear from you! Send your Oxycise! progress reports to mailto:julie@oxycise.com or mailto:Oxytalk@oxycise.com

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*C* New OxyPals!
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Would you like to give and receive support from your very own Oxycise! penpal? Visit our OxyPals webpages and meet individuals from your own area and locations around the world who are looking for new friends.

We have recently added new OxyPals from New Zealand, Arizona, Hawaii, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and New Jersey!

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*D* OxyTIPS
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When you breathe in and out deeply, do NOT move your shoulders up and down. Instead, you should feel most of the "action" happening in your mid-section, just below your rib cage. If you place your hands on your sides, below your ribs, you should feel your girth EXPAND as you inhale, and then tighten and decrease as you exhale. Make sure you RELAX your abdominal muscles (very important!) when you inhale. You MUST relax your abdomen in order to breathe in deeply and fully. It's AFTER the inhale that you will put your abs to work doing the Lift and scoop, along with the rest of the breathing steps.

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

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* Start Breathin'!
*B* Progress Report
*C* Health Tip
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*A* Start Breathin'!
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I just did an Oxycise! workout a few hours ago and I'm still feeling "revved up." It's amazing how a 15 or 20-minute workout can make such a positive difference in your attitude and energy level all day long! I feel better, I have more energy, I am accomplishing more than I usually do. Oxycise! is a natural and healthy "mood elevator" that lasts all day!

I could kick myself for not doing this EVERY day. My biggest Oxycise! "hang up" is not DOing the workouts more consistently, or more correctly, not starting the workouts. Once I BEGIN a workout, it's really not that hard to keep going. I start a tape and hear that familiar Oxycise! theme music begin, then Jill appears on screen, bursting with enthusiasm, and it's almost impossible to refuse her! I GOTTA start breathin'! And by the time I've done 2 or 3 body positions, I'm thinking, "Hey, this is great!"

So what's my problem? It's that very FIRST body position, the most difficult one of all, the "put-the-Oxycise!-tape-in-the-VCR" position! That's the KILLER!!! I've decided that this single action is probably one of the most important things I can do every day for my health.

So I hope you will join me in committing to do at least ONE "rep" of this position every day!

Ready? (Big inhale!)....pick up that workout tape (you can do it!!!) Insert tape into VCR!.... and begin!!

Mary R. Miller, from Lexington, Virginia may very well be our "#1 Oxycise! Fan." She says, "I tell everyone about Oxycise!... My friends tell me I should be on your staff because of my enthusiasm." Mary has graciously allowed us to share her letters and writes,

"Feel free to share my comments. If my enthusiasm encourages anyone to try or stick with Oxycise!, I will be happy. I think it is simply the best, most upbeat way I have found to get in shape, stay in shape and maintain good health!"

"I am probably your number one fan. I also like receiving your encouraging e-mails. Just know that I am doing my part in spreading the word about Oxycise! to anyone who is interested. I just sent a copy to my sister-in-law and my daughter. The truth is, I think telling others about the benefits of Oxycise! is the best gift I could give anyone.

"Yesterday, I sent you a copy of the letter that I give to friends when I give them a copy of Oxycise! The main reason I wrote the letter is that I have friends that do not necessarily need to lose weight, but my personal feeling is that Oxycise! can benefit everyone! I am sure it is the promise of "weight loss" that originally introduces people to Oxycise!--or causes them to buy their first video. But I think it is good for you even if you don't need to lose weight! It strengthens you to help you cope with the stresses and strains of everyday living. So many folks I know have difficulty with their backs, shoulders, knees and legs. If they would
only take the time to do a simple 15-minute Oxycise! routine everyday they would strengthen their muscles and prevent--or help reduce--many of their problems.

"It goes without saying that Jill's breathing routine is terrific. Many doctors recommend "deep breathing", but none that I have discovered so far have given us a pleasant and easy way to accomplish this. Few people I know would sit for fifteen minutes and just do deep breaths.

"Jill has invented the perfect solution. First, fewer repetitions of each exercise-most of us can manage "four" of anything, but eight to twelve, forget it! Second, the positions and stretches actually distract you from the fact that you are doing deep breathing, so it is not boring. And finally, the desire to breathe correctly distracts you from any positions that might be a bit challenging, so you stick with it.

"On my shelf are several exercise videos that were never used more than once. They were either too silly, too difficult, too boring, or too long. The very first time I tried Jill's "Level One", I knew that her Oxycise! routine made sense, and would be something that I would not mind doing everyday. I promise you, that it is not even a question in my life. I make time for Oxycise! every morning. And I go through the day feeling great.

"My mother and sister put on weight around their stomach as they got older. I thought this tendency was my genetic destiny. (It is not fun in your fifties to look like you are five months pregnant!) And then I started Oxycise! My stomach muscles became stronger, and my tummy started shrinking. I have only lost about ten pounds, but my body is in better shape and stronger. In debt I am to Oxycise!

"Soon I will order a copy of Oxycise! for my doctor. I really think that physicians should know the many benefits of Oxycise! for their patients. Talk about "Preventive Medicine!" And, if obesity is the number one health problem in our country, women and men desperately need a tool to help them obtain and maintain a healthy weight and stronger body.

"Diets are not the answer to losing weight. Without exception, everyone I know who has lost weight by "dieting" has gained the weight back at the end of the "diet." Committing to a healthy diet is a worthwhile goal for everyone, but until that happens we all need help to get started losing weight. I think that Jill's breathing and exercises help you get started, and hopefully for most, a healthier eating pattern will follow. As you get stronger, you feel great, and there is added incentive to feed your body in a nutritious and sensible way.

"And radical exercise programs are not the answer for permanent weight loss either. They may help with weight loss at first, but few people are going to stick to an exercise routine that takes too much time or causes pain. Enter Oxycise! The commonsense,easy to stick with approach to a leaner and healthier body!

"Julie, may you and Jill, "Have a great day!" Thanks to Oxycise!, I enjoy a "great day" everyday!

If you would like to read more of Mary's comments, see www.oxycise.com/Success/FAN1.htm

We'd love to hear from you, too! Send your Oxycise! progress reports
to mailto:julie@oxycise.com or mailto:Oxytalk@oxycise.com

There's no question that Oxycise! combined with healthy eating will work even better than Oxycise! alone. But "dieting" can actually make weight problems even worse. So what's the answer?

Many scientists and researchers are now recommending that we eat more "low glycemic" foods and that we balance these foods with moderate amounts of protein and "healthy" unsaturated fats (such as those found in raw nuts, avocado, olive oil, and fatty fish like salmon.) The "glycemic index" of a food has to do with how long it takes the body to convert that food into glucose. Low glycemic foods are unlikely to cause a rise in blood sugar and insulin levels. They take longer for the body to process, so they help you feel satisfied longer. Low glycemic foods include things like whole grains, fresh fruits, most vegetables, beans, brown rice, lean protein, and so on. (Notice that this list sounds a LOT like the foods Jill recommends in her book "Fuel for Success?")

"High glycemic" foods, on the other hand, are quickly transformed into glucose by the body, and cause a rise in blood sugar and insulin levels, followed by a big drop in blood sugar. This can make you feel even MORE hungry, so you are more likely to overeat. High glycemic foods include white flour, sugary sweets, starches, pastries, cookies, and other highly processed foods.

High levels of glucose in the diet have been linked to high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and suppression of "good cholesterol" levels. Some studies have also linked high-glycemic diets to various types of cancer.

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

Website: www.oxycise.com
Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://www.oxyciseplus.com/newsletter.htm

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*A* Breathe Deeply for Better Health
*B* Progress Reports
*C* Health Tips
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"When the body is totally deprived of food, the metabolism slows and life can be sustained for several weeks. However, when the body is totally deprived of oxygen, metabolism comes to a halt immediately and life can only be sustained for a few minutes. Does it not make common sense that the way we breathe day-to-day has the most dramatic effect on our body's health and metabolism than any other single process?" -- Jill R. Johnson

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*A* Breathe Deeply for Better Health
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"Oxygen plays a pivotal role in the proper functioning of the immune system. We can look at oxygen deficiency as the single greatest cause of all diseases." -- Stephen Levine, molecular biologist and geneticist, and Dr. Paris M. Kidd, Ph.D., "Antioxidant Adaptation"

"All body functions are breathing related. Proper oxygen delivery to all parts of your body is crucial to health and well-being. Aerobic exercise increases the body's available oxygen and therefore promotes wellness. Delivering oxygen to the body is the responsibility of the respiratory system. Breathing is the process by which air enters the bloodstream, via the lungs. Thus, proper breathing, and correcting common breathing disorders, is the ultimate form of aerobics." -- Dr. Robert Fried, "Breath Connection," Insight Books, 1990, p. 52

"Deep breathing techniques which increase oxygen to the cell are the most important factors in living a disease free and energetic life... Where cells get enough oxygen, cancer will not, cannot occur." -- Dr. Otto Warburg, President, Institute of Cell Physiology, Nobel Prize Winner (Dr. Warburg is the only person to ever win the Nobel Prize twice in medicine and he was nominated for a third.)

"Deep diaphragmatic breathing stimulates the cleansing of the lymph system by creating a vacuum effect which pulls the lymph through the bloodstream. This increases the rate of toxic elimination by as much as 15 times the normal rate."
--Dr. J.W. Shields, MD, "Lymph, lymph glands, and homeostasis." Lymphology, v25, n4, Dec. 1992, p. 147

"According to scientists, extra oxygen along with a cleansing diet can return balance to the body." -- Elizabeth Baker,"The Unmedical Miracle: Oxygen." Drelwood Communications, p.80.

"Oxygenation through deep breathing boosts the immune system and can rid the body of chronic illnesses." -- Dr. Sheldon Hendler, MD, Medical Researcher Cell Oxygenation, Author of "The Oxygen Breakthrough"

"Breathing correctly is the key to better fitness, muscle strength, stamina, and athletic endurance." -- Dr. Michael Yessis, Phd., President Sports Training Institute, Fitness Writer - Muscle and Fitness Magazine

"I originally purchased the first level Oxycise! about three years ago, and lost 26 lbs following the program. (The most amazing part was that my feet and ankles, which had been chronically swollen for years, deflated in three days!) And I've been able to keep off 20 lbs of that since then. I felt less 'swollen' all over as well, and found I had less pressure and pain in my feet, ankles, and knees as a result. I also experienced less heartburn as I lost weight. For me, Oxycise! has been a very positive thing!"

"I started Oxycise! 2 years ago in January. I immediately started seeing my fitness level go back to what it once was. I lost 20 pounds, 20 inches, went down 2 sizes and felt great. Through a tough winter, the routine began to be a challenge. We had been promised a house and after 17 years the owners changed their minds about us buying it. So we spent the winter house sitting. During that time, I still helped run a dog team, which kept me in terrific shape. However that ended in March. I started walking a mile daily, but not with the same results. So back to Oxycise! which is what got me into shape in the first place. It keeps the muscles in shape. Last weekend I hiked up a mountain with my husband. I kept up with him the whole way. Thanks Oxycise! It will just stay in my routine no matter what exercise I do."

We'd love to hear from you, too! Send your Oxycise! progress reports
to mailto:julie@oxycise.com or mailto:Oxytalk@oxycise.com

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*C* Health Tips
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Doctor Recommends Deep Breathing for Patients with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

According to Richard Podell, M.D., disordered breathing is one of the vicious cycles that CFS and FM patients experience. "More than half of our patients with FMS or CFS develop a disordered pattern of breathing. They take very small rapid breaths using the small muscles of their chest instead of slow, deep breathing with the large muscles of the abdomen. These changes are subtle and most people who "hyperventilate" in this manner don't realize that their breathing pattern is out-of-synch.

"Shallow chest breathing makes people feel tense. Slow, deep abdominal breathing creates feelings of calmness. Disordered breathing can also cause a broad array of frightening symptoms including mental fog, dizziness, irritability, chest pain, feeling numb and more. Worsening symptoms then disrupt breathing further."

(Source: www.ImmuneSupport.com. Read the complete article
at http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/4563 )

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

Website: www.oxycise.com
Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://www.oxyciseplus.com/newsletter.htm

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* The Fine Art of Breathing
*B* Progress Report
*C* OxyTIPS
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"I LOVE Oxycise! I've recommended it to four friends who have sent for the Level One tape. I just ordered the Level Two tape yesterday... I think this is one of the best exercise programs for people of every age!" ~ Jody Fisher

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*A* The Art of Breathing
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We breathe in and out about 20,000 times every day, without giving much thought to this essential function. But many people are breathing the wrong way -- that is, getting less oxygen than their bodies need!

Studies show that anxiety sufferers tend to take shallow breaths from their chest. This can lead to hyperventilation, which causes a loss of carbon dioxide in the blood and can result in intense physical symptoms that are very similar to panic attacks.

Jill Johnson has written,
"Our society has become a bunch of chest breathers and hence suffers from numerous maladies including obesity, hyperventilation, and panic disorders. Chest breathing means you only expand the rib cage during breathing. Even though it may look more dramatic, it is an inefficient form of breathing because only minimal air can enter and leave the lungs, which results in shallow and rapid breaths."

People who practice shallow breathing are receiving less oxygen than they really need. Why? Because shallow breathing uses only the top third of the lungs, where there is less blood flow. To access the lower lobes of the lungs, where the blood supply is rich and the oxygen-exchange is much more efficient, you have to take in deep, full breaths.

How is your own breathing? Take a breath and see! If your chest or shoulders move when you breathe, you're probably breathing from your chest. The good news is that correct breathing can be re-learned, and Jill Johnson can teach you how!

The whole Oxycise! program is based on deep breathing. An Oxycise! workout combines the power of deep breathing with a gentle, non-impact aerobic workout that increases toning, strength and flexibility. Best of all, it provides extra life-giving oxygen to every part of your body!

"I'm thrilled to be halfway to my goal of losing 70 pounds!!! I'm 47, and have a hip injury from an accident several years ago that prevents me from other exercises and even walking much of the time. Oxycise! has been a wonderful way to get rid of the burden of extra pounds that was only hindering me further.

"I've been using Jill's book, "Oxycise!", and I use the message board often. I've really appreciated the support and encouragement that I have found there. Another important part of the board is the tips I've picked up there on how to make my Oxycise! workouts more effective. I can't do all of the positions in the book, but just repeat the ones I enjoy doing until I have 30 reps done.

"For calorie guidelines, and ideas of what types of food to put together for each meal, I use the ChangeOne plan from the January 2003 issue of Reader's Digest. You just make one change per week until you have a healthy eating plan. It's much easier to make changes gradually, than to abruptly try to change your eating habits. I only eat things I really enjoy, so I'm not as apt to feel deprived. I didn't have to start eating lots of different foods either, but just learned to watch portion size, to not double up on starches in my meals, and really eat more fruits and veggies. Once in a while I go through a spell when I want more goodies than I know I should have, but it helps to have an Oxypal to write to. My Oxypal also explained why our bodies must have time to adjust to weight loss, in the form of plateaus. When you understand that a balance must be found, it's not so hard to patiently wait it out.

Additional comments:
"I do not have a way to watch videos, so I only use the book. For variety, I just do my Oxycise! in different places, my favorite place being in the living room with a beautiful view of the countryside. (We live waaaaaaaaay out in the country, and you can't see any neighbors!)"

We'd love to hear from you, too! Send your Oxycise! progress reports
to mailto:julie@oxycise.com or mailto:Oxytalk@oxycise.com

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*C* OxyTIPS
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One of our customers has made some recent improvements in her breathing technique and has given us permission to share her comments. She told us, " Maybe it will save others the same frustration I was having for so long."

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"After all these months of doing Oxycise! and not really seeing any results, I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. I was 'adjusting' my breathing... i.e., I knew I would need extra air for the 3 small inhales [sniffs] at the end, so I saved some. I did the same with the exhale. I don't think I really even was aware I was doing this until one day it just struck me that those extra breaths probably weren't as hard as they should be to do. So the last couple weeks I've been doing Oxycise! as it is probably meant to be and suddenly I'm starting to see some results ... the facelift effect, some tightening of flab, etc. Here I had been ready to give up on Oxycise as I just figured it 'didn't work for me.' "

Remember to inhale fully, then add the extra sniffs, and to do complete exhales before you add the extra puffs.

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

Website: www.oxycise.com
Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://www.oxyciseplus.com/newsletter.htm