“Was I skeptical? Yes, and heartily so! In fact, except for the fact the Jill Johnson seemed like such a NICE person, I can’t imagine what it was that compelled me to order. (I generally watch infomercials to be amused. Ron Popeil never fails to make me giggle.)

“I ordered and decided to give it two months of effort. After all, what’s fifteen minutes a day? BUT–I was stubborn and skeptical, and refused to do ANYTHING else. I wasn’t going to change my eating habits, I wasn’t going to add any additional activity or take any supplement other than what I generally take. It was going to be the 15 minutes of Oxycise! working or nothing.

“The first couple of weeks I didn’t lose an inch because I wasn’t doing the breath right. I was SURE I was, but I was sneaking exhales on the three sniffs and inhales on the three puffs. I WAS getting a lot more oxygen than I was used to, though. I had swollen lymph glands in my neck from trying to get the flu, and they disappeared in the first three days. I also increased my water dramatically, to 96 oz. Previously, water was merely a vehicle for turning ground beans into coffee.

“Near the end of the second week, I found this site. It’s WONDERFUL! The people are friendly and encouraging and helpful. And Julie, the Patron Saint of Oxycisers, is always there to answer questions. She also forwarded a tip sheet on breathing that got me on the right track.

“What a difference doing the breath right made! I could FEEL it when it was right. It wasn’t so much being sore–like with other excercise–it was a good feeling.

“Okay, so what happened? It’s been two months. And really, that’s not counting the first two weeks–and not counting a four day period when I couldn’t breathe from allergies …and another four day period when I kept putting it off and never got around to it. Here goes:

“I measured my rib cage, waist, hips, upper arms and thighs. From these I have lost 16.75 inches in what amounts to six weeks of regular Oxycise! AND that is Oxycise! ALONE, once a day. The only other thing I did was add drinking water (and running to the toilet until I got used to it).

“In addition to the inch loss (I do not weigh…EVER) I have noticed a dramatic increase in energy. My concentration has improved (Oxygen is actually getting to my brain now). And I know I am increasing in muscle because the ‘Squush Potential’ is almost gone. (You know what the ‘Squush Potential’ is? You measure the right way, then measure again, squushing your innards until you almost cut off your circulation. Right before you lose consciousness, you have your ‘Squush potential.’ I used to could get a good three or four inches of potential–now I can barely squush an inch.)

“So, to anyone out there wondering ‘Does this really work?’ I can tell you this: it is sure working for me. And I am not even the model Oxyciser. As far as I am concerned, it is a miracle.”

“I first heard about Oxycise! from residents last summer. They brought me the Oxycise! ad from the Parade section of our local newspaper; the Ocala Star Banner. It made pretty big claims about weight loss. People seemed interested, so I decided to put it to the test. I organized a class around the Level One Oxycise! Program. In November, I trained 150 people to do Oxycise!. Breaking it down into groups of 20-25, we weighed and measured everyone. I explained thoroughly the breath and we practiced it together. Next, we went through the positions slowly giving everyone a chance to ask questions along the way. Working with seniors, my guidance gave them a better grasp of what they’re doing and confidence. After the initial training, they had 3 opportunities daily to view the Level One workout tape. I usually do the class with them and help with the cueing. Some were discouraged by the quick pace and felt they couldn’t keep up. I encouraged them to keep trying and not to worry about getting every little sniff or puff.

“In February, we weighed and measured everyone again. The results were not dramatic, though almost everyone lost some weight and inches. Take into consideration we conducted this experiment through the Holidays.

“What’s amazing are the other health benefits. Included is a copy of our community paper. On page 8 is an article I wrote about our results from the Oxycise! program (phase I). It will tell you about some of our impressive results. [See article below]

“Because of that article I had to schedule 6 more training sessions, so far. That’s another 150 people and we’re already getting results from the February 20th training group. One woman hasn’t slept more than 2 hours at a time for 8 years. She has tried to get help from doctors, sleeping clinics, even hypnotists, but nothing has worked. Well, the night before last she slept for 6 hours, a new record for her. A diabetic man was taking 6 insulin shots a day. After one week of Oxycise he is down to 4 shots a day.

“I hate to start the day without Oxycise. It wakes me up and gets me ready for the day. I think clearer and definitely have more energy. I feel firm through the waist and lower abdominal area. The staff and the residents of On Top of the World and myself are truly enjoying your program. Thanks!”

“The World News/On Top of the World”
Health & Fitness
Article by Teri Havener

I am very pleased to share with you the results of our Oxycise! experiment.
“Oxycise! experiment? What’s Oxycise?” Please allow me to explain.

Oxycise! is a new exercise program that combines a deep breathing pattern with relatively easy isometric, toning and stretching exercise. It’s a 15-minute program to be done daily. The exercise positions are standing, sitting on the floor and using the wall. The positions may be modified so you don’t have to get on the floor. There isn’t any aerobic activity involved—no running, jumping or constant movement. The idea is to increase the oxygen level in your system to speed up your metabolism, resulting in weight loss.

The advertisements made some incredible claims: “36 lbs. loss in two months, 15 lbs in three months.” One woman claims to have lost 142 lbs. Jill Johnson, the creator of the program, claims to have lost 45 lbs. in six months.

I was skeptical, but residents kept asking me about the program. I decided, let’s put it to the test. I trained almost 150 people to do the program through November. We weighed and measured everybody. On Feb. 6 we weighed and measured again. Unfortunately, only about 30 came back for the second measuring. Some chose to do the program at home. I’m not aware how they have progressed. Weight loss was not dramatic over all. Almost all lost at least a couple pounds, some more. I suppose that’s not too bad considering this experiment was conducted over the holiday season. I was more impressed by the inches lost, particularly in the lower abdomen and hip area. Even more impressive were some of the other health improvements. Everyone seems to agree that they have more energy. Some commented that they didn’t feel as good on days they skipped Oxycise! People with sleeping disorders or difficulties completely eliminated the problem or saw great improvement.

One gal with lymphodema saw a lot of improvement. Swelling in her arm had gone down. Her doctor wanted to know what she was doing. So, she demonstrated some of the Oxycise! program. A test revealed that her blood oxygen level had gone up. Scientific proof!

I listened as they talked about their firmer abdomens, improved posture, flexibility and range of motion of their joints. Someone said that her chiropractor noticed that the shape of her body was changing and wanted to know what she was doing. Singers and those with breathing problems were able to get more air. Someone else said she used to get cramps in her calves all the time. Not any more! It made me realize I used to get a cramp in my left food during a certain stretch. Not any more! Several people said their blood pressure went down. One man told me his blood glucose level had gone down from 130 to 103. Also, his cholesterol came down from 220 to 202. This has been the best report he has gotten from his doctor in years. Wow! I was amazed at what I was hearing. I asked the group if they were interested in continuing the program. A resounding “yes” came forth.

In my early 50’s I really started to feel the mental effects of aging. At 54, I started Oxycise! I am now 57. After I started Oxycise! I regained the ability to think clearly and to respond quickly to events at work and in my personal life. The ability to concentrate and focus returned and even improved from earlier years. After Oxycise! I could reduce the “frazzle” of stress and more and more eliminate it. After Oxycise I can see the big picture and follow through. After Oxycise! I can keep my sense of humor and lose the worry and upset over little things. After Oxycise! I have a new patience and insight. My grown kids are gong, “Wow – Mom, what happened?” After Oxycise! I was promoted and am dealing with a much higher level of stress and responsibility. Before Oxycise! I couldn’t bike up the hill in our neighborhood. Now I go on long bike rides.

When I first started doing Oxycise!, the folks around me were shocked by the difference in my attitude and serenity. Some thought that I had gone on medication. People have commented about bright eyes and enthusiasm and stamina and being the ‘go to’ person.

Lots and lots of people in your column report the same mental health and alertness results that I achieved. However, I think that too many people reading your column are worrying about their waist size rather than the quality of their lives. Get calm, get happy, get relaxed and in control of your life. Feel good physically and mentally – you naturally lose the tendency to eat “anxiously” while gaining the ability to follow through on a plan. Find and love the beauty that surrounds you. Have the energy to greet the sun in the morning and listen for the first birds to chirp. Relax while others about you stew. Folks, the weight loss follows after that, but you are so in tune with the people and events around you that you can put that into perspective as well and like yourself on the inside first.