Start! Walking with Leslie Sansone 1 & 2 Mile Walk

Made for Exercise TV in conjunction with The American Heart Association, "Start! Walking with Leslie Sansone" contains two indoor walking exercising programs: a one mile "gentle" walking program and a two mile "brisk walk". Each walk is hosted by Leslie by herself and features a clock in the left-hand corner of the screen that counts down the minutes left in the program. Also included on the DVD are five mini walk/workout tips (Leslie mentions in the introduction a three mile walk but that is not included on this DVD). One Mile Gentle Walk: This is a nice energetic one mile walk that takes about 21 minutes (Leslie says it is a 15 minute walk but the 21 minutes include the warm-up, cool down, and stretches). The routine includes Leslie's four basic steps: walk in place, side steps, kicks, and knee lifts, as well as kick backs, walking forward and back, and upper arm movements. What I like about this one mile walk is that Leslie incorporates a few movements that make this a gentle yet somewhat brisk walk: double side steps, double knee lifts, and tap outs. Not only does it make you feel good about the one mile exercise but helps prepare you for some of the steps when you are ready to tackle the two mile walk. Two Mile Brisk Walk: This is a nice two mile indoor walk (it takes approximately 32 minutes to do) that gets your heart rate up and makes you feel like you've accomplished something at the end of the routine. Again it features Leslie's four basic steps as well but also adds in kick backs; double side steps; single knee lifts/double knee lifts/four knee lifts; side steps where you put your heel down in front; and tap outs that turn into lunges. Each mile takes about 15 minutes to complete and the second mile is more intense than the first. The cool down period lasts about five minutes including two and a half minutes of stretches. All of this makes for a nice brisk exercise program. Five mini walk/workout tips: These tips include Beginner Stretching; Brisk Walk Alternative for Beginners; Easy Walk to Stay Flexible; What Makes a Power Walk; and Anatomy of a High Knee March. Each of these is very brief (less than three minutes) and I really didn't find any useful information included. Summary: "Start! Walking with Leslie Sansone" contains two very good exercise routines for both beginners and long-time Leslie Sansone fans.

I love Leslie Sansone's walk programs, and they have motivated me to exercise daily which I am sure has improved my overall health and stamina. I began with the Walk Away the Pounds 1-mile, and 2-mile walks, and just love that one which is still my favorite so far. Although I'm active, I am not the sports type, and I was not getting enough exercise period. The 1 mile walk was do-able, and because I was able to do that without becoming exhausted (okay maybe just sore muscles but that is good!), I was able to bump up to the 2-mile walk within 4 weeks. I am still doing the 2 mile, now 6 if not 7 days a week and love it! This video is somewhat similar to the Walk Away Pounds and different music, but in this one, Leslie is walking alone not with a group of walkers. She is just as personable, upbeat, and motivating as ever, and the music is updated from the other video. The thing I REALLY like and is important to me, is that each of the 1 and 2 mile walks, have their own individual warm up and cool down, which makes the workout seamless. You can pop in the video and select 1 or 2 miles and go straight through from there. In some of her other videos, the warm up and cool downs are separate segments and you have to pause to select them with your remote and it just doesn't work as well for me. I also notice in this DVD that both workouts are a little bit faster paced and slightly more intense than the Walk Away Pounds workouts, so they are a bit more challenging for sure. Either way, if you have trouble getting motivated to exercise like I did, try Leslie Sansone workouts. The one mile gets you started and once you master that, you will move on to the 2 mile with no problem, and go on from there! Leslie's personality is just wonderful, she's a real person, and with her, you know you CAN do it and you WILL do it! Love her videos!

This video was recommended for me by a weight-loss expert, in a program initiated by my insurance company. I am a 58-year-old who is diabetic and trying to lose about 40 pounds. Prior to using this video, I normally walked about 1/4 mile a day, to and from work. I sit at the computer a lot, and consider myself "out of shape." With my diabetes and osteoporosis, the recommendation is to walk. At the same time, weather in our area is a bummer, too hot, too cold, rain, snow, you name it, it keeps ME from going out on the streets. Come to think of it, very little puts me out on the streets in public to exercise, so I guess this is a good idea. Before I began, I watched the short series of Mini Workouts/Tips. I was somewhat disappointed that the one called "Brisk Walk Alternative for beginners" was a very short description of how to walk, not a timed walk. So I began with the 20 minute beginners walk. I lasted 10 minutes and 20 seconds - without doing a lot of the extras Leslie recommended to "power up" our walk. The second day I lasted a bit longer, and so on. She DOES carefully demonstrate each of the four moves (basic walking, side to side, kick, and knee lift) as you begin. She later adds in other moves, both hands and legs, which give you a full-body workout. I ran the video on my computer and needed about a 4 foot by 4 foot area to "walk" with Leslie, so you can perform these walks in any location. I wear my "jammies," but do put on healthy footwear before I begin, since this is higher impact and you need good shoes to walk. Once you have the basic moves down, you can turn off the sound and listen to your own music, OR you can continue to listen to Leslie and the music that she incorporates to help you keep your pace. The video allows you to do the 20 minute Beginners walk (1 mile), the 30 minute Intermediate/Brisk Walk (2 miles) OR you can do both (for 50 minutes). For anyone who wants a good aerobic workout, this is a very good, well-rounded video. If you are limited in mobility, you can actually sit in a chair and do your "walking" and movements and get a more limited, but still beneficial workout. You just have to be able to move your legs back and forth like you were walking. If you are AT ALL like me, you will need a reminder. Buying the video won't help you to get fit. You actually have to open it, put it in your DVD player, and YES, you have to walk along with it. (sigh)

Great simple workout, easy to follow and not boring. Leslie mixes up the moves and gets the whole body involved with side steps, knee lifts, oblique twists and arm movement, making the walk more intense than a typical stroll around the block. Her words are informative and encouraging. I like the timer on the upper left of the screen, it is motivating to watch the clock count down. You have the option to take a quick 20 minute 1 mile walk or a longer 40 minute 2 mile walk. This option makes me feel good about telling myself I'll do a second 20 minute walk later on that day, since I'm not always up for doing 40 minutes at once. The 20 minutes includes the warm-up, the walk, and the stretch, so it's good to get in and get out all in 20 minutes. The pace of the music increases and decreases along with the workout's intensity and cool down, so it's a good way to keep you matched up to Leslie's speed. I would suggest this to anyone who likes to walk and who is looking to do something rather than nothing at all for their workout. I travel a lot for work so this DVD is great for me. Now I have no more excuses! I can take a walk no matter the weather or location!

This is a great series for people just starting to exercise or those who have health and knee problems that can't stand up to more rigorous cardio. As someone who is overweight, but not in horrible shape, I found the 1-mile a little too short to work up much of a seat. It definitely got my blood flowing and was a nice, short walk when my time was limited, but I recommend Leslie's 3+ mile videos for those that want to push themselves harder. This video is still valuable for when I have limited time but still want to exercise a bit, so it's not without merit. Leslie does a good job of bringing all your muscles into play in your lower body through side steps and knee lifts. I hadn't realized just how weak my outer thigh muscles (fascia?) were until doing fast-paced side steps for an extended period of time. Like always, Leslie shows the viewer how to modify and intensify the workout by crouching down more and picking up your feet. You can also maximize the workout by adding hand weights to the arm movements or even ankle weights. Some people have commented that they find Leslie a little grating with her quirky comments and hyper-positive attitude, but I enjoy it. She makes me smile and feel motivated and that's great. I can easily stay on top of this workout and feel like I'm excelling in it which is better than some of the Jillian Michaels' videos that I feel like I can't yet keep up with. (I'm not the most coordinated person in the world, I admit.)

I used to do this 2 mile walk when exercise tv was still around. I really miss that channel some days! I'm currently overweight, and I've decided to make it a priority to move at least 30 minutes most days. These walks are really helping me stick to that commitment. So far I've been walking 5 days a week. I've only been at it for three weeks, but for me, doing any exercise for more than two days in a row, or even continuing through the weekend is HUGE. I've been renting the 1&2 and 3 mile walks from the Instant Videos on a weekly basis, but I've decided to purchase the DVD soon. These are not the most exciting or challenging workouts I've ever done, but I always feel good after I've done it. Leslie talks through most of the workouts as usual, but she is encouraging and her cues are almost always spot on. These particular walks only feature Leslie, which I happen to prefer. I enjoy these walks because they are so easy to follow. I do find that the one mile walk is a little too short for me, but if I ever needed to break up my 30 minutes of activity, the 1 mile walk is perfect for that. I find that the two mile walk is perfect for my schedule, and most days it speeds right by. I'll admit there are some days I wish that clock wasn't in the upper left hand corner! I picked up Zumba about a few months ago, hoping to get myself motivated to consistently exercise again, and while I do enjoy that series, I just don't find myself sticking to it the way I can with these workouts. Call me uncoordinated, or short on floor space, or just plain boring, but most days I prefer this straight forward, no frills, no brainer workout. I'm always glad I've made time to walk.

I chose this workout dvd after reviewing others as well. Leslie is like your walking buddy--there to encourage and spur you on. The one-mile was a challenge at first, but I mastered it quickly. After one week doing the one-mile twice a day I moved on the the two-mile brisk walk. Boy--what a time! It is only 10 minutes more than the one-mile, but the pace is much livelier and works all those muscles even better. She adds a few new movements with the arms and legs to add intensity. It is excellent. I was sweating after the two-mile. She definitely keeps you hopping (not literally!) and works you to promote that healthy heart, which is the main reason I purchased the dvd. It will be nice to tone up as well. My husband is attempting it also--we are both 58 years young and in good health. I highly recommend this for anyone wanting to add some physical exercise to the daily routine without having to leave home and make a huge investment in clubs and equipment, as well as time.

This video is the first work out video I have ever tried. I am a 54 y/o female who has about 100 lbs to lose. I walk everyday either on the treadmill in my garage or in the neighborhood. I turned to this DVD because it was 100 degrees outside and i did not want to miss a day of working out. I did the 2 miles and it felt great. I was surprised at how fast the 2 miles went. I like the time dials and the mile markers to show how far I have gone. Great work-out. Good for beginners. Simple steps and you can go as fast or slow as you want. Leslie Sansone is a great motivator. I like the one and one. Tomorrow I will try it on mute with Zumba music. Edit--------> fast forward 6 months This video was the spring board for me to finally getting a gym membership and losing the weight. i have lost 100 lbs and now want to lose another 50. The video got me into making the habit of working out everyday. After 3 months of doing this video, I was ready to try something different. Instead of getting another tape, I decided to try a class at the gym and the rest is history. I now work out about 2 hours/5 days a week and am constantly challenging myself to up it. I would have never done that without this motivator.

I had bought this dvd specially to go through the winter season when the weather is not that greater outside. I like it a lot. The first part in particular, because is short and easy to do. Although, it is recommended for twice a day, I try to do it at least once, but not always happen. The second part is longer and faster. Basically are the same movements of the first part but performed at a quicker pace. Leslie is pleasant at explaining, encouraging and energetic at the same time. I highly recommended.

This video is very easy to follow, and makes exercising fun!

Great thanks

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