** November 2011 - Update **
Can't believe it's been 5 YEARS since I started!! Right now I'm into Turbo Fire/Turbo Kick, Insanity, & Body Pump (weights). Every Saturday I host a Free Fit Club in Arcadia CA to help keeping me accountable.  I'm feeling so blessed that I get to use the place for free, and my boyfriend is very supportive. He is also into fitness and currently doing another round of Insanity.

** October 2009 - Update **
So excited to be in the TURBO FIRE DVD!! (A new Beachbody home workout DVD coming in Spring/Summer 2010, an advance level of Turbo Jam).  I never burn so much calories in a workout before. Love the burn, love the intensity, love the FIRE!

** August 2009 - Update **

Exercise routine:
4-5 days/week cardio 45 minutes (SI6/TJ/HHA/swim), Weight 3 days/week.

Current Goal:
Maintain, build more muscle mass.

Meal Plan:
Sensible eating, still watching carb intake unless it's indulgence days.

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I decided to post my thoughts on Slim In 6 here since so many ask what is SI6. For those who also use the program and want to add to what I posted here, feel free to IM me. ^_^ Thanx for reading.

SLIM IN 6 (SI6)

• What is Slim In 6?
  A workout DVD produced by Beachbody
  
  
• What does the routine look like?
  SI6 involves basic movements in exercise, such as lunges, squats, crunches (standing and laying down), biceps/triceps curls. The workout is a combination of cardio with resistance training (using your natural body weight, focusing on the movement and contraction of the targeted muscle groups, and using resistance band - can be substitute with dumbbells). It will take you from warming up, working out and cooling down (with stretches and some yoga).
  
  
• There are more than 1 DVDs... Where do I start?
  There are 5 DVDs (or 5 workout selections): 3 main workouts, 1 for stretching (Slim & Limber), and 1 for abs (Slim & 6packs).
  
  The main workouts are: Start It Up (SIU), Ramp It Up (RIU), and Burn It Up (BIU). These segments are designed with increasing intensity and pace to build up your fitness level. Starting with SIU, a 25min of workout at beginner pace. Then RIU, which is faster and longer at 45min. There are more arms exercises added during this phase. Finally BIU, a 60min of fast pace workout that will pump your heart rate up.
  
  **Note: At this stage, if you were to go back to do SIU or RIU you should feel the difference in the pace. SIU will become snail pace for you :)
  
  
• How do you use the DVDs?
  There usually is a calendar/booklet included in the DVD set (unless you get it 2nd hand or bootleg from eBay) which time-lined the exercises for you. Basically you do the exercises 6-days a week with the 7th day resting. Start with 1 week SIU, followed by 2 weeks RIU, then 3 weeks BIU. The 2 other DVDs are extra workout that you can add to the main workouts, or to do on the off days.
  
  Note: Personally, I would suggest do the routine at your own pace. If everyday is too much, scale it back to every other day. If 6 days in a row is too grueling, and you are hurting (not just sore) then take a break every 3 days. And so on. Basically use your common sense. Everyone is different therefore the time-line may not work as well for everyone. Even during the workout, Debbie keep stressing to "Do it at your own pace". That means both the frequency and the actual pace of the workout.
  
  **Suggestion: Learn the stretching routines from Slim&Limber DVD to replace the stretching part at the end of the main workout. It is a longer stretch routine (about 10min) and more thorough. I feel the ones included at the end of the main workout is too short, especially after BIU.
  
  **2nd Suggestion: If you want to concentrate on the abs, replace the floor crunches segment in the main workout with the Slim&6packs routine.
  
  
• I got the meal plan that also says I should fast for 2 days before starting the workout. Is it necessary? Will I still get result if I don't do it?
  I don't think Debbie would suggest you to fast or follow a certain diet for no reason. Those meal plans supposed to help you riding on a faster track to the result. However, as the disclaimer stated: Results may (and it will) vary. Many of us (including me) in the "Anyone doing Slim In 6?" thread didn't fast or follow SI6's meal plan. And many of us still achieve result.
  The meal plan is basically a sensible eating schedule of healthy food. Far from what you think of 'fad diet'. IMHO if you already follow a healthy eating habit, just stick with what you do and you will be pretty much doing what the SI6 meal plan suggested. With any other workout-meal plan, the only way to achieve any result faster if you can manage to eat 'clean' throughout the program. That means: Discipline is the main key. No cheating is allowed. Ever. :p

Personal Note on SI6:
I've been using SI6 since mid December 2006, about 30 days into my fitness program. Prior to SI6 my exercise has been focusing too much on cardio and lower body weight training. SI6 provides me with a whole body workout routine.
I didn't follow the time-line given with the program, and did it as I saw fit for my own schedule/routine. I did SIU about 7 times within a span of 2 weeks. About 4 times into SIU my right knee was giving me a bit of a problem. So I took a break from SIU. After I felt comfortable with the moves then I moved on to RIU. Lingered there for 15 times or so, about 3 weeks, before braving for BIU. Even now, some sets, like the lunges, I do it at my own pace. Slower and concentrating more on forms and the muscles works best for me rather than maintaining the speed.

Would I attribute the result I've achieved so far solely on SI6? No. I still do cardio along side SI6 routine and other weight training when I have the time. I can say, however, that since I started on a whole body workout my progress accelerated and I began to notice small changes in my shape and felt a huge different in my body.

Would I achieve the same result using other whole body workout routine? I don't see why not. It boils down to discipline. Doesn't matter if you have a PT if you still don't go to the gym for your fitness appointment. Same thing with SI6. You have to find a workout routine (something) that suits you, not just your needs. That way you will be able to do it and stick to it.

Any workout DVDs can answers your fitness needs one way or another. But, not all of them will fit your style, not many of them you will like for personal and/or fitness reason.


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Why am I here?
Self-improvement

I want to get into shape & feel better about myself. I am not overweight, but want to get into the habit of living a fit & healthy life.
I know I can be better and I am going for FIT. ^_^b

Stat: 5'-2"; 106 lbs; born in 1972.
Goal: To get Lean-Mean-Toned BLT (butt-legs-thighs)
Goal Add (1/15/07):Balance diet: 40carb/30pro/30fat
Effort: Watching food intake, smaller portion per meal, make sure to eat breakfast & eat enough PROTEIN all the day, no carbs at night.
Exercise: Cardio 4-5x per week about 250-300 cal burn per session - follow by SI6 workout routine at least 4-5x per week -resistance training especially for lower body.

Updates: Thighs 20" - 20.25" (-1.5 to -1.25 from start)

1/15/07 BF%: 18.7%
Caliper measurement: Thigh 22, abs 13, triceps 13, Ilia 12.

The bulk of fat still reside on my thighs, just like before :/ (although back then it was 27 for thighs). Definitely need to do something about this. I really believe the key is to tweak my diet.
On side note, I am amazed that my BF% is below 20% I think the last time I checked (before I started this whole routine) it was like 24 or 27. I hardly have any muscle mass, I was lighter but softer.

For you who comes across my profile, please let me reaffirmed to you the truth-reward-joy about living healthy and in moderation ~ Truth that it works ~ Reward you will get when you stick to it ~ Joy when you reach and maintain your goal. Well, I am not at the last bit yet, but I am confident for nothing (insane) I have tried before has ever worked.

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c('')('') Good Luck!