Have you quit your Tae-Bo? Why did you stop? Do you want to go back? Did you try and go back and then stop again?

What are your Tae-Bo frustrations?

-- Anonymous, October 25, 1999

Answers

I am so with you on this one, Pamie.

There must be some serious cosmic Tae Bo energy in the air because I popped my wussy-ass Basic tape in last night for the first time in three or four months. And it really, really kicked my butt! I don't remember sweating so much before...

Why did I stop? I got lazy. Why am I starting again? Because Billy wants me to be a punk rocker. I mean a conquerer.

Jackie

-- Anonymous, October 25, 1999

I did it once. I confirmed what I already knew -- I can't work out to a tape because I get bored. I must watch bad television while I work out. So I'm back to my old routine, and I'll probably give Billy to the Goodwill.

Sorry, Billy.

-- Anonymous, October 25, 1999

I tried Tae-Bo. I liked it.

But I've given up.

I did Tae-Bo when I had a living room and a bedroom. Now I've got a living room which I sleep in that I share with 2 other people. There are maybe 30 square inches of free space here. Billy himself couldn't do a monkey punch in this place.

Bryce

-- Anonymous, October 25, 1999

I bought the damned tapes. I used them, once. Now they sit, in front of the tv, mocking me.

I should use them. Lord knows, I need the excersize. But Billy irritates me. A lot.

I have been very bad.

-- Anonymous, October 25, 1999

I'd like to gloat. I'd like to say that I've been doing Tae Bo religiously over the whole summer. But I am as weak as everyone else. My roommate who used to Tae the Bo with me moved out, and it takes a little more motivation now.

That's not to say that I gave up, it's just that I slowed down to once or twice a week. I had the same reasons as Pam- I was doing a show and a film- but now the show's over and the movie only shoots on the weekends right now, so I don't have an excuse. Then there's the added incentive that I had to buy a VCR because my other roommate refused to let me use his (he said it would wear it out, as if Billy's tapes take more out of a VCR than his watching 'Citizen Kane' twice a week) and I would hate to have that $ go to waste. So now I'm back on the train, or at least trying.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 1999

PAMIE!

I am with you! It's time to get back on the Tae-Bo wagon. I am ready. We will be conquerers once again. Why did we stop? Billy and I had practically the same conversation a week ago and I felt so ashamed. When I was doing Tae-Bo religiously and drinking nothing but water - I felt really good. I had so much energy I walked around the house baiting the cats into kickboxing matches. I always lost but, I was doing ok...making a name for myself. And then I was in the wedding I was trying to get skinny for and I got home and ate my own body weight in chicken fingers. Billy, when he came to my dream last night, he didn't even recognize me. "Oh hey fat girl, where's Allison? Have you seen her or did you eat her?"

It's time to rock on. I even went out today and got some cds to use when I can't stand the music any longer. Ultimate Dance Party and (although I was embarassed to buy it) that Ricky Martin cd with that "Cup of Life" soccer song on it. I had to get it psyche me up - it really helps to hear him shouting "DO YOU REALLY WANT IT?!!??!!?"

-- Anonymous, October 26, 1999

I never took Tae-Bo myself, but I watched a group of women in my gym at work try to get an entire aerobic work out in seven minutes on a tae-bo tape. I was working out on one of the machines, reflecting that you CAN'T get an aerobic outwork in seven minutes---it takes twenty minutes minimum.

--Al Nova Notes.

-- Anonymous, October 26, 1999

I think that my excuse for stopping tae bo is an acceptable one... I'm pregnant...

So... Billy, I promise, as soon as my baby arrives.. I'll prop him/her up in a bouncy chair and the baby can watch me round house kick to your heart's content!

I'll be ready I swear!

-- Anonymous, October 26, 1999

Yah, Yah, I fell off the Tae Bo bandwagon this summer, too. Mostly because all of that indoor-sweating and sweltering was getting me down. Instead, I took up running 7 km in the river valley 2-3 times a week. But now all the leaves have fallen, and it's going to snow here any day, so I'm back at it. I'm not as enamoured of Billy anymore, either. I need those new Live tapes or something, but I can't afford. And Al, tell your workmates that they're crazy to get in all their workout gear for 8 minutes -- it's clearly meant to be added onto the Basic workout!

-- Anonymous, October 26, 1999

I suck I suck I suck. I let Billy down. I went on vacation and then I was sick and then I started getting too bored doing the same tape and then I kept getting home too late and sooooo so many excuses have I.

I want to know the sweaty joy that is Tae-Bo again. Hello? Thighs Inching Towards Toned? Where are you? Where did you go? I miss you. That fat ass that has taken your place is familiar to me, but oh, it is not loved. It's like that old auntie that won't stop asking you when you're getting married. I wish it would just leave me alone and let me live in peace with my pencil skirts. I miss you, Arm Muscles. I really really do.

Oh Billy, won't you take me back? Couldn't you somehow take away that part where I hate you and I want to die and would give anything to make it stop -- let's get right to the part where I'm feeling coordinated and buff, and look forward to our little dates every evening, shall we?

-- Anonymous, October 27, 1999