Yourself! Fitness review:5 stars (I look forward to this program every day!) - This program is incredible! I've always needed some type of outside motivator for my workouts (a person that is expecting me to show up, or a class I'm required l, Yourself! Fitness is the perfect version of that. You start off by doing a block of fitness tests to see where you are with different types of physicality (for example: flexibility, heartrate before and during exertion, etc.). After that each and every workout is tailor-made for you - you tell your new fitness instructor whether a certain section of a workout was too hard, just right, or too easy, and she makes note of that and changes the intensity/difficulty of that section for the next workout. You get to choose a workout focus as well, which is great, seeing that we're all looking for something a little different! For example, I know that it isn't good to target the same muscles in workouts on consecutive days, so I pick a few that I rotate between (core strength, weight-loss, and cardio), and therefore have so much variety (she changes the moves for each workout, as well as gives you the option of different environments for you to watch her perform these exercises in. There are also meal-plans and a meditation option where you spend time doing yoga/pilates moves while she is doing the same in a garden and water setting. I love how she cheers you on, it really doesn't seem to matter that I know she can't see me, because the program is, after all, asking me quite often how things feel for me and how motivated I am. I HIGHLY reccommend this for every level of exercise ability. It's just so fun, too!5 stars (Great progam if your willing) - The program is much better than a video. Perfect for people who arent sure about the gym yet and still want to be in shape. Personalized to YOU not your weight or gender to you only. Meals are very good and can be easy to make.5 stars (The novelty alone will keep you interested!) - I've been an on again/off again exerciser. I get frustrated with the time spent going to the gym, checking in, changing, etc. so I'd rather work out at home. I've got several videos, which I've stuck pretty well to, but Yourself!Fitness has allowed me to go a step further by keeping me exercising daily for 20+ days. I know that may not sound like much, but I'm very pleased with the committment I've been able to keep. Perhaps it's because Maya (the virtual trainer) responds so "humanly". I missed a work out one day last week, and when I logged in the next day she said "Hey! I missed you last time!" , almost as if she was really disappointed that I stood her up. Additionally, she sounds human, looks human and does human things...such as straighten her shirt between exercises, or tie her shoe, or tighten her ponytail. Again, this sounds a bit goofy, but the real-ness of her helps to make me feel like I really DO have to show up, that I'm letting SOMEONE down - videos and DVDs don't hold me accountable.

As to whether or not the fitness program is working or not - I can tell you yes. I really don't know how much weight I've lost, but I know it's enough that my pants fit differently, and that little "thing" on the side of my thigh (do we call those saddlebags? Yuk - such an UGLY word!) has dissipated. My shoulders and arms are changing shape, my calves are becoming more defined and I have lots more energy than I used to.

I typically work out with Maya everyday for 30-45 minutes, and I usually choose the workout she suggests for me. I toss in a flexibility workout once or twice a week, and the meditation garden (yoga) once a week or whenever I'm feeling particularly lifeless or taut from earlier workouts. I like the fact that in the Meditation Garden, Maya repeats the instructions the first few times - it helps get the moves right and puts the particular move into muscle memory so that it becomes easy to do it without her narration.

Note that throughout - and at the end - the program asks how you felt about the last section. Depending upon your answer, the next workout is modified to either slow it down or challenge you even more. I appreciate that it reflects my "mood" while keeping inline with the goals I've set.

The recipes that are provided are tasty and easy to prepare. I haven't yet found anything that requires a trip to a specialty store. The menu plan is easy to set up and follow - I'm doing a bit of a modified plan since I have a family who aren't all dieting. And there is plenty of variety so I don't feel like I'm only eating chicken and brown rice with a small salad day in and day out.

I seriously think that this is a wonderful program. I'm giving it great word of mouth among my friends. As I mentioned at the beginning, if nothing else, the novelty and freshness of the program will keep me interested for quite a while to come!
Yourself! Fitness Features:
Computer software (programs)
Cooking (Cookbook, Cook, Recipes)
Unlimited access to a virtual personal trainer
Meal planning and nutritional guidance
Dynamic workouts to keep you motivated

Yourself- Fitness is the CD-ROM version. The full version can be purchased by clicking on the "CLICK HERE TO ORDER" button below for around 29.99USD.