ThisNext Blog

One of the most delicious snow-day rewards is that rare opportunity to watch lots and lots of daytime TV, preferably while reclining on the sofa in your pajamas and O.D.-ing on comfort food (grilled cheese + tomato soup = snow day perfection). It doesn’t matter if you don’t even enjoy games shows or soaps - just the fact that you’re watching either instead of sitting behind a desk somewhere is cause enough to feel all giddy and triumphant.

But if you’re the type who can’t stand to slack off all day, it’s super-easy to work in a workout without ever having to step away from the TV - or out of your pajamas, even. In that hour between “The Price is Right” and “Days of Our Lives,” pop in a DVD like the one found in Gaiam’s Core Training System Pilates workout. “It combines abdominal strengthening, resistance training, stretching, sculpting, balance and non-impact cardio,” says wendyleonard. And those components may yield a world of health benefits: “Enjoying regular physical activity, along with making good dietary choices, is the closest thing we’ve got to a magic bullet,” our shopcaster insists. “Yes, you’ve had the power all along (thank you Dorothy and Glenda) to potentially delay - or even prevent - the onset of many chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and colon cancer.”

ThisNexters steviewilson and acidspit are also plugging pilates, with the latter noting that “I hate cardio work, but have found pilates to be a joy.” Adds the former: “This workout give me flat abs, sculpted legs & but and strong core. Strength is key.”

If you’re more of a yoga lover, check out the intenSati Intention & Power DVD selected by crazyd. “When I’m not practicing yoga, I’m working out to Patricia Moreno’s Intensati,” she says. “It’s an empowering combination of affirmations, mudras, and kick butt cardio. Love it! Love it! Love it!” Or get bouncy with the Yoga Ball Kit, which features a balance ball, pump, mat, chart, and DVD. “I love my Yoga Ball. It saves my back after sitting in a chair writing for 8 hours a day,” says lisaweinberger. “It allows for stretching and core strength training.”

For a different take on core-strength training, consider The Ultimate Body Rolling Workout, a pick from caro. Featuring “all kinds of cool exercises that you can do for massaging, toning, etc. within a small space,” the book offers simple, ball-based moves for the back, hips, abdomen, buttocks, legs, feet, neck, chest, shoulders, and arms.

And to magically transport yourself from your cold-weather climate to a tropical paradise, say “aloha” to the Hawaiian Videos’ Hilo Hattie - Hula Workout for Weight Loss DVD. “Shimmy and shake and lose weight. Sounds good to me,” says Laptopbride. “Honest to goodness all I can think about is Elvis in Paradise Hawaiian Style.” And, hey, anything goes after you’ve just made it through Showcase Showdown.