"Last year at this time I felt so hopeless and depressed. I spent most of my day in a recliner because my legs hurt so bad from carrying around the extra weight. I had lost a very dear friend from complications after she had her stomach stapled. That made me even more depressed because I was gonna have the same surgery. The feeling of hopelessness is such a lonely feeling. Being as much overweight as I was made me feel like I was in a prison within myself. There were many things I couldn't and wouldn't do. My daughter even had to help me cut my toenails and sometimes help me tie my shoes.
"I look back now and try to better understand why I let things go that far. There are no answers, I just did. I would try this diet and that diet and lose a few pounds and then gain back double what I lost. I felt useless and my family was so afraid they were going to lose me due the weight I was carrying around. Every time I would tell them I was going to lose weight they would support me. Then the disappointment of failure would not only hit me but it would hit them as well. It's kinda like the boy that yelled wolf too many times and after a while they thought, 'Well I guess this is just gonna be the way Mom wants it to be.'
"Well something happened last year at this time that I really can't explain. I got this overwhelming feeling that I wanted to live. I wanted to see my grandkids grow up. I wanted to experience the feeling of feeling good for a change. I saw my first Oxycise! infomerical in December of last year. I really watched it and decided I was gonna try it. My first month of Oxycise! was done in a recliner. All I did was breathe and do pelvic tilts. I also started drinking a lot of water and watching what I ate. The weight started coming off.
"The next month I was able to do Jill's tape. I admit it was hard the first couple of days but I made my way through it. As the weight was coming off I felt better and better. I was able to do more for myself and I was getting my confidence back. The smile on my family's face was getting bigger and bigger. I realized this was something I had to do on my own. I love my family so much and I thank them so much for their support and their everlasting love.
"When I started my road to better health I weighed 356 pounds. As of today I weigh 209. I still have a ways to go but with all the love and support I have received I know it will come sooner or later...But I feel like a new person and I have been let out of my prison. I look forward to waking in the morning and playing with my grandbabies and caring for them. I have made a lot of special friends this year that have supported me this year..YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE and thank you. Most of all I wanna thank Jill Johnson for inventing something that saved my life. Jill, may God bless you -- you are an angel, MY ANGEL. Julie thanks for answering my e-mails when I felt in the dumps.
"People, this has worked for me as it can for you. If you are thinking about trying the Oxycise! program I give it both thumbs up. Join me in my journey to better health and as Jill says -- KEEP BREATHING --I know I will thanks to Jill."
Janie began getting healthy and losing weight a couple of years ago, using a combination of aerobics, strength training and healthy eating. She had already lost 85-95 pounds when she discovered Oxycise! and has since made Oxycise! an integral part of her fitness routine, losing an additional 80-90 pounds.
"I have lost 175 pounds now and Oxycise! has been an important part of my routine for over a year. I tell people about it all the time! It literally changed my workouts. It increased my endurance for aerobic capacity. It also puts me in a better mood and motivates me to work out longer.
"I really do view Oxycise! as an essential component of my fitness routine. There are also times that I just do the breathing but not the stretches. I've done that for periods of more than an hour before and have come away with a genuine sense of euphoria. It clears my head like nothing else.
Beginning Statistics: Weight - 400, Size - 52/54
Before Starting Oxycise!: Weight - 305-315, Size 30/32
"In total, I have lost 24" off my hips, 16" off my waist, 15" off my bust, 15" off my chest (ribcage), 14" off each thigh and 6" off of my upper arms. I am now a size 20 (about a 16 on top) and I weigh just about 220. My goal is to be about a size 14 then we'll see from there. Don't know what my weight will be, since I'm pretty muscular now."
"A few years ago, I tried a different breathing/exercise video program, with little success. About two months ago, I pulled my videos out again in hopes that perhaps "this time" things would be different. Maybe I needed to do something differently to get different results. I decided to surf the Internet to learn more about how oxygen affects weight loss. That's when I came across your website!
"After spending about 2-1/2 hours at your website, learning about how Oxycise! works, reading some of the testimonials, reading Jill's story and seeing Jill's before and after photos (I want to look like that!), the seed was planted to try Oxycise!
"The next day, I wrote an e-mail message to Oxycise! to ask more about the program and was pleasantly surprised to see a response within less than 24 hours from Nancy and Julie--"real people" who sounded very down-to-earth! I think that's what finally sold me on ordering the Oxycise! program--the great service and the caring responses I received.
"I ordered the Oxycise! Level One and Level Two videos, the audio tape and the Oxycise! book near the end of May. They were in my mailbox by May 31st and I started the program on June 1st. (Ironically, it was June 1st, 1983, when I met my husband for the first time! I was a size 5-7 then and very happy with my weight and appearance.)
"I usually do either Oxycise! video at least once a day, sometimes both, and at least six days a week, alternating each video for variety. (I haven't used the other program since starting Oxycise!) When I'm driving in the car 15 minutes or more, I do the Oxycise! audio tape. When I started the Oxycise! program, I marked my measurements in red marker on one of the measuring tapes provided so I could clearly see my progress.
"As of July 1st, (one month later), I had lost over 5 inches in total (I have been measuring myself in six areas), with the majority in my waist and my arms. It's wonderful to see the new marker line moving away from the old measurement--in the right direction! My hips and thighs have been more stubborn with very minimal inch loss. However, my cellulite in these two areas has noticeably improved. My legs look more toned and they are starting to show better definition--I'm on my way, anyway.
"I have not lost any weight yet, in fact I have gained two pounds, but I recognize that I have been eating more calories than usual and, as confirmed by Julie at Oxycise!, muscle weighs more than fat. My abdomen, especially my waist, is much more toned and looks flatter than it has in some time--my husband has also commented that he's noticed a difference.
"The best part is that I went to the store to buy a pair of shorts and I have lost one size! I even tried on a different pair of shorts in size 10 to make sure it wasn't just a different fit. I can't tell you how thrilled I was! I have been wearing a size 12 for the last two years and this is the first time I was able to wear a size 10 in probably ten years! (The clothes that I am wearing now are probably going to soon need to be taken in or replaced. Darn, I hate to shop--just kidding!!)
"When I came back to work from the store, beaming after buying my new shorts, I told some of my co-workers and they wanted to know what I was doing! I explained the Oxycise! program and demonstrated the Basic Breath. I told them how easy it is and how little time it takes to do each day. They were asking how to visit your website. One of my co-workers explained the concept to her aerobics instructor who believes it makes sense as she uses deep breathing for healing.
"Another benefit has been the increased energy level. When I feel really tired at the end of the day, I do one of the Oxycise! videos and feel energized and ready to go again!
"Over the years I have tried many other programs with very little long-term success, some with no success--if I lost weight, it came back with a few extra pounds. In fact, when I told one of my sisters that I was starting Oxycise! she said, "It's just another flavour of the month. You've tried the Jane Fonda workout, aerobics, the stepper, Body Flex, etc., and now this. Well, let me know if it works." Well, IT DOES! I am amazed at how simple it really is and how little effort and time it takes. It's hard to believe something this easy works! This is something I KNOW I can stick with!
"I only did the other breathing program when no one was around because of the strange breathing technique and facial expressions needed to do it as it is taught--I found it was just too embarrassing to do in front of or within earshot of others. With Oxycise! I don't feel embarrassed or self-conscious, I "just do it!" Jill is down to earth and explains everything so well and the other participants on the videos are easy to relate to.
"One of the things I have found that keeps me so motivated is to read the testimonials on your website. Everyone's success level is different but encouraging. I have spent more time at your website visiting each section, enjoying all I have read. Your website is wonderful and very well organized! I also enjoy receiving your OxyChat! newsletter. It's nice to keep in touch with you! It's also neat to read the e-mails sent in to the OxyCenter with questions/answers, and words of encouragement.
"It's exciting to be doing something that offers so much hope to shed these unwanted pounds I have carried around for years. I want to feel really good again about how I look and enjoy shopping again for new clothes and not feel embarrassed to try on or wear a bathing suit. I know in another month that I will have lost more inches and hopefully some weight, and if not, then I know it WILL happen in time! By June 1st, 2000, I want to look the way I did when I first met my husband, and I believe I will. Regardless, I feel more energized and encouraged than I have in years!
"Thank you, Jill, for making your program available to the public. I will continue to tell others about Oxycise! and look forward to more successes. Meantime, I will continue to "keep on breathin'!"
Susan Robertson
Susan's Update from the Message Room (Including Congratulations and Comments from Jill)
This is THE BEST program!!!!
"Well, Oxycise! has done it again for me!!! Today, I went to the store to buy myself some new jeans since all my other jeans are too big now, and lo and behold, I've dropped another size. I actually got to buy a Size 8 pair of jeans--I haven't worn a size 8 since before I was married! That's two sizes I've lost in just 2-1/2 months! I swear I was almost touching the ceiling when I left the store!
Isn't it fun??? I remember the first time I fit in a size 12. I tried on several 14's and they were too big, so I started looking at the size 12 rack.
I kept thinking the the sales clerks were staring at me thinking, "What is that fat girl think she's doing trying to fit in a size 12."
I took 2 or 3 pairs of jeans into the dressing room, and they fit! I didn't trust the size yet, so I literally tried on 25 pairs of jeans in size 12 before I admitted to myself that I was actually that size. It was amazing to me.
"Yes, it was amazing to me, too (and fun!) I had to tell the clerk why I was so excited about trying on jeans!!! I told her all about Oxycise! and what a FANTASTIC program it is! I tried on a couple of size 10s before I realized it wasn't the make, it was ME! I had SHRUNK!!! I couldn't believe I was actually going back to the racks for the smallest size they sold! I still have more inches to lose and toning to do, but I'm still on a cloud thinking about it!
"I know my goal to be the same size I was on my June 1st, 2000, anniversary (one year Oxycise! and 17 years since the first day I met my husband) is totally within my reach, probably sooner!
"If I can do this program, ANYONE CAN!!!
"Thank you again, Jill!!! (Can't thank you enough!!!)"
"I was depressed and desperate about my weight and had given up on any social life at college. I sought out your program and did everything you said. Within three months I lost a total of 40 pounds and 6 inches from my waist! I've maintained that for nearly a year without a lot of effort and can fit in pants I wore in 10th grade. In fact, a pair of shorts that I couldn't even pull up over my hips are now baggy!
"It is so fun to be able to hike and run and do other activities now. But the most exciting of all is I'm getting married next week! If I hadn't made these body changes, I would have never had the confidence to meet my new husband!"
"I have been doing Oxycise for about 2 ½ weeks now. Being a Personal Trainer, Assistant Manager, and the club Aerobics Coordinator, I stay in pretty good shape. But I quit doing all forms of cardio and weight training... I wanted to see just how good it worked, so I became my own experiment...
"After doing it for just 2 ½ weeks, I went from 111 lbs to 109, from 25" to 24" waist, from 35" hips to 34 ½", and from a 21" thigh to 20 ½". But even better than all this was having members and one of my fellow trainers notice the difference. She walked by and squeezed my arm and did a double take because of the way it felt. She said, 'What have you been doing? Your arms feel great.' When I told her I hadn't as much as lifted a weight in a month, she almost fell over. It's been little comments like this that have encouraged me and proven that others notice too!
"It has also helped me with my hypoglycemia and my energy level. I was diagnosed about 2 months ago and I get terrible shakes and fatigue if I don't eat every 2 hours. I no longer get the shakes every 2 hours. I find that I can go longer before my symptoms begin to surface. This has made a world of difference at my job because I stay so busy.
"I'm so excited about this program and just can't wait to share it now that I know FIRST HAND how great it works!"
Lori gained 50 pounds during a difficult pregnancy and went from 140 to 190 lbs. Three months after her baby's birth she still weighed 190 lbs. She began using Oxycise! and has taken off 41pounds.
I asked Lori to send an email listing any other benefits she has noticed...
"Increased energy, less mood swings and moodiness, much more patient with kids and husband," increased self esteem and image, much better flexibility, better performance in other forms of exercise (I do jazzercize now too), easy to do at home with/without kids, doesn't cost anything, and eases PMS symptoms. Whew!! I didn't realize how long the list would be!"
"...here are some nice 'after' photos taken during our vacation a few weeks ago... I still have a little way to goal, but that's down to a Large/XL from a 1-2X; notice the definition in my neck, decollatege, face, and the loseness of the clothes in the waist/abs; the tightness in my arms, and those 'OXYCISE LEGS"!!! I'm most esp. proud of those, thanks to the lower body workouts!! Even my ankles are smaller; the tightness and toning is all over, and I think, quite obvious; I owe much of it to Oxycise!
"...the legs are definitely a result of the lower body workouts; in a matter of months, I'm down 15 pounds and as many inches; I've spoken to Jill several times on QVC, am an active participant on the message board, and have nothing but great results using Oxycise. As a recent widow and mother of 3, I know how important it is to take care of oneself; Oxycise helps with that on so many different levels."
Thanks,
Helene Ilg
Bloomfield, NJ
Message board post by Helene:
"...my legs are tight, tone with no sign of cellulite anywhere; everything just 'smoothed out'; it's interesting, because for a while there, the lumps and bumps were so bad, I was considering surgery, so it's a respectable change that I know will last as long as I keep at it."
Since starting Oxycise! Elaine has lost 26" (34" overall) and 34 pounds (45.8 lbs. total)
She writes,
"I started Weight Watchers weighing 172.2 lbs. age 39...About a month later I saw Jill on TSC and ordered Oxycise!. I started Oxycise! along with my Weight Watchers program...
"I now wear a size 5 or 7. Wow, I feel like a new person. Oxycise! has done wonders for me. I have so much more energy, more stamina, I sleep better and deeper. I have just a general sense of well being that wasn't there before.
"Recently I have been competing in x-country ski events. I felt a little wiped out after but on the drive home I decided to do my commuter tape. What a great idea that was. By the time I got home I felt absolutely wonderful.
"I would like to thank Jill once again, for her wonderful program. It has changed my life for the better. Recently I introduced a friend to Oxycise! and she is down 4" in two weeks. Now she is becoming an Oxycise! faithful. I really attribute Oxycise and Weight Watchers for the wonderful changes in my life. Even my husband says my attitude is better."
Message board post by Helene: