Chat with Barry Jay - October 21, 2008

Barry	Hi there we'll be getting started in about ten minutes. if you early birds wanna start submittin' questions, go for it!! Barry it's great that you all are here already, please feel free to start submittin' questions, we'll get officially started shortly :)
Bootcamper	Hi Barry... I am curious as to what is the best exercise that will tone the front of your legs?
Barry	Good question; squats are great for that but if you have never sat against the wall, "wall sits" I call them, they're great. You sit with your feet below your knees, thighs only slightly, almost parallel to the floor, lower back against the wall. Great for the knees too; therapeutic.
Bootcamper	Hi I lost over 100lbs, I now have saggy arms, and chest. what is the best way to firm and build muscle at the same time, I also have all four bands thank you.
Barry	First off CONRATS!! GOOD FOR YOU, THAT'S AWESOOOOME! Now for your answer. Patience. Your body is changing, clearly and everything takes time and consistency. Use the bands, the strongest ones you can; and keep at it, that with exercises like pushups and tricep dips, you'll see it all come together. PLEASE keep me posted, I wanna know how you're doing.
Bootcamper	Hi Barry! I received your videos a couple of weeks ago and I like them, but I wondering how ling it takes to see the toning action. I lost 35lb in one month after my husband died and I have all this skin.
Barry	I'm sorry about your husband and glad you are taking care of you...that's important always. And congrats on the weight loss, also impressive!!! If you're like me you're impatient! I want what I want when I want it. Every "body" is different, food makes a big difference. Workout daily and you'll just start seeing the change. Could be weeks or a month or so but it will happen! Promise.
Bootcamper	When are you going to open up a studio in NYC? I have recruited so many of my friends to your videos and we would love to do the classes in person!
Barry	We are doing our BEST. It's a hard city to find a good place but we are relentless. It will most likely be within the coming year. thanks for asking and stay tuned!!
Bootcamper	Is it best to workout in the morning or at night?
Barry	Well, the best answer to that question is: when you can, workout. Sure, morning shocks your body a bit more but truth is I know people in great shape that can only workout at nights including yours truly. So just do what you can when you can and enjoy the benefits.
Bootcamper	Barry, I always thought you shouldn't workout the same muscles 2 days in a row. So my question is why the calendar shows adding an Upper Body Mission Specialist workout on day 8 and then doing Fat Blaster Red on day 9. Can you explain why this is okay to do Upper body 2 days in a row?
Barry	The upper body is a big area and resistance training also makes it ok. we always use our muscles in the upper body even if we break up arm day and shoulder day and chest day...
Bootcamper	Hi Barry! I just want to say I'm so thankful for your fat blaster videos. I've lost 24 pounds and counting.. thank you.
Barry	THANK YOU!! That's great and I love hearing success stories. So tonight post your success story and before we're done here I will pick one person to send a free Barry's Bootcamp tee shirt to.
Bootcamper	What do you mean by the strongest bands for the extreme 1000, the black bands?
Barry	Well there are different levels/intensity's of each band and you can use up to three bands at once...depending on how strong you are feeling that day :-)
Bootcamper	How many calories do we burn in the fat blaster workouts?
Barry	If you go to fatburn.com all the caloric burns are listed but it depends on your height, weight, what you do etc. you can find accurate answers for you personally, there.
Bootcamper	Hi barry, i eat healty and very seldom ice cream or snacks , i am doing the dvds i to 5 days , but not seeing result , what should i do? i get depressed when see others can lose 100 ibs and i can't even lose 5 lbs !!
Barry	Are you using fatburn.com and dr. gourmet? Food is much of our result and I always go back to patience. You need to be consistent and persistent and trust me it will happen if you're eating right.
Bootcamper	Barry, Is it possible to tone the lower abs after having a C-Section? After 60 days of your videos I am finally seeing some nice toning in the mid ab area but have not noticed much change in the lower. Will I ever be able to have a flat lower stomach?
Barry	Also were you going by the scale? Cuz you know how I feel about the scale :-) Yes you will, it of course like everything else takes time and that area takes the most time, especially probably because most of us are hyper aware of that area :-) but if you are already seeing results in the mid, just keep going, you should see results in the lower sooner than later. The body simply is on its own schedule of change, we just gotta do the work and not give up.
Bootcamper	How much weight can the transformer hold? I am 210lbs and I need to lose about 100lbs and I always am scared that the transformer will burst :: ohmy
Barry	350 lbs is what it holds and I was scared I was gonna break it too in the beginning, hehehe.
Bootcamper	What do I do after week 5 according the calendar, how do I incorporate the belly blast, booty blast, code red and extreme 1000, What routine should I follow?
Barry	Variety!! They're all good, you can repeat the calendar and add in the others as your schedule permits once or twice a week, they are there to keep you on your toes with your workouts, there are so many ways to break up this workout and we encourage you to discover them all. Phyllis I hope that answers your question too.
Bootcamper	Hi, I am on day 27 of the work out and have lost a total of 16 inches so far, I am so stoked.
Barry	YOU'RE A ROCKSTAR. That's so great, and motivating I'm sure!!
Bootcamper	Barry, How does a person get started without over doing it?
Barry	Oh just begin, your body will talk to you and you need to listen to it. Sore is good, you'll know bad pain if you feel it. always check with your doc first before starting a workout program of course....but I've seen all shapes and sizes just go for it and they survive. We are humans; pretty durable.
Bootcamper	Hi ya Barry! Is it okay to build muscle even though I have a huge amount of fat or is it best to wait to lose some weight first? Will I look bigger?
Barry	Building muscles burns fat really. The most efficient way. It's a process. You might for a moment in life appear bigger though you're losing inches. The muscle will continue to build, the fat go down and you'll gravitate towards your goal with right eating. Keep me posted here!
Bootcamper	I have been doing your videos since I delivered my baby 4 months ago and the results have been amazing! Everyone keeps asking me how I did it and I just refer them to your website :) How many days a week should I be doing the videos to maintain all of my hard work?
Barry	FIRST OF ALL CONGRATS ON THE NEWBORN!!! YAY! As for your question; I'd keep going 5-6 days a week for now, because its mentally good as well as physically and 4 months is still pretty new to it all...the first year really pretty much no less than 4 days per week I'd suggest.
Bootcamper	Barry can you give us some of your best diet tips?
Barry	Sure. Favorite question of mine!! I don't eat sugar. At the end of the day its calories. I don't take in more than I am burning. Dairy maybe once a day these days, with taking breaks from it all together for the sake of faster metabolism. No diet soda. Do i sound boring yet? I'm not!! Promise! I love to eat. I eat egg whites, turkey bacon, avocado, mushrooms, greens (spinach a fave) and sometimes fish, mostly chicken. When I really want a treat I choose something they make nowadays that's sugar free. I do eat fruit in the morning sometimes, but just a portion, not too much. Maybe a banana. That help?
Bootcamper	I am skinny fat.......and I was wondering what diet I should follow one to bulk up or the one that come with your videos
Barry	I love the term skinny fat, that's amazing!! Okay, as for your answer. With food it really all boils down to mostly the same thing folks. Right eating is pretty clean eating; its chicken, fish, greens and egg whites with some fun side extras once in a while.
Bootcamper	Barry, I've been using the green bands for about 4 months now and want to know when I should go to the black bands. Also, I am doing the code red this week and it really kicks my butt. I love the feeling of working out and how great it has made me feel...
Barry	Thats awesome!! Well if I were there with you it would be easy to tell ya but since I'm not, you gotta be honest with yourself (always really) if its getting too easy start incorporating the black band. Do what you can. If you mix it up at first fine, if you can do the whole thing with it, great. If you can do some exercises only with it, fine...just begin.
Bootcamper	Is diet soda really all that bad for you? Wait I do have one more question. What's wrong with diet soda. Does it make you crave carbs or is it just bad for you?
Barry	Both. Okay I will expand!! The aspartame can make most people crave sugar. The carbonation is not great for digestion, it can make a lotta peeps hungry. I found with me, that I drank more water as soon as I gave it up. Today I drink ice tea or water only, except for my one a day beloved sugar free red bull hehehe. I'm only human.
Bootcamper	I've been noticing that my inner thighs seem bigger. I'm not sure if it's from doing the booty camp in combo with running? Now I've added in spinning to try to tone but not look muscular. Is that what I should do?
Barry	Spinning. Bye Bye. Spinning will build yer legs up, especially the hills. I've seen it on a lotta gals in class. As soon as they give it up they start shrinking down in that area. If big legs are a problem for ya, that won't help. However if you don't have big leg issues, then go for it.
Bootcamper	Why doesn't the number on my scale ever move even though I lost inches.? I know, I know who cares about a number on the scale but when will the muscle start burning off the fat and budging the number? I'm sure the girls in the video aren't weighing in the 150's... its frustrating
Barry	GET. OFF. THE. SCALE. That frustration is why I hope you stay off it. You're doing great. You are losing inches. Muscle weighs more. You are just weighing a mass number. Get your body fat tested. That will be more motivating and honest.
Bootcamper	Barry, I know that after some time of doing the same routine and eating the same foods, your body will hit a plateau. How does a plateau work exactly? I mean, if you're still taking in less calories than you're burning, shouldn't your body weight continue to drop? How does a plateau prevent your body from losing weight when you're still taking in less calories than you're burning?
Barry	Plateau's are part of the process. No one likes them. The initial weight comes off pretty fast then we hit that point where what we eat and how we are working out gives us the body we have. BUT....it does get moving again. The plateau isn't preventing your body from change, its part of the change....those who are persistent and consistent break their plateaus. Of course we can always shake things up but adding more cardio or upping those bands when possible.
Bootcamper	Barry, a trainer at my sisters gym believes in detoxing the body for 5 days eating mostly fruit and then and veggies (raw) later on in the day but never together. Then he gradually adds 2 protein servings after the 5 days. Does this sound unhealthy? By the way, he is making a fortune off of this!!!
Barry	I mean from what you've written it sounds 'ok' as a cleanse sure....but not a change of eating habits. If you get eating really right after that you should be ok.
Bootcamper	Hi Barry, I am just starting out with fat blaster DVDs and I am not able to do all the exercises with the same intensity..Is it ok? I am trying my level best... within how many days should I be able to catch up?
Barry	Yes. You just said the magic words: you are doing your level best. That's all any of us can do. I tell people never to beat up their starting place, applaud it, its great, its where you are starting from and the journey goes on from there!! Keep me posted!!!
Bootcamper	I am so excited about your videos. After working out in a gym for 8 months I have seen more results in just 60 days w/ Barry's Bootcamp! Last year I was diagnosed with a low acting Thyroid. I tried everything to loose the weight. i was even a regular at the gym and was just not able to get it off. In 60 days, I have dropped 2 full dress sizes, a total of 21 lbs and an overall inch loss of 14 inches. I am very pleased with the results obtained from your videos. I have since cancelled my gym membership and hold bootcamp classes at my home for my friends!! Besides, I love all the compliments coming in! ::biggrin
Barry	OMG you're amazing!! I wanna keep that and read it when I NEED motivation!! Incredible!! And thanks for sharing that. Our moderator is pretty swamped with questions; thanks for being patient. I'm typing and thinking as fast as I can!! :-)
Bootcamper	Barry, would I be over doing it if I did cardio a few times a week in addition to Bootcamp? I am not new to exercise and have been doing various types of cardio 3-5x a week consistently for a few years.
Barry	You should be fine if you are already used to it. Though if its street running, maybe add inserts if you don't have them or switch to a treadmill once a week to give the joints a break.
Bootcamper	I'm having a hard time getting motivated. I feel like it's going to take FOREVER to lose weight. I hear all of things like "lose 25 pounds in 30 days". I just don't know how to get started.
Barry	You already got started. You are here now and you have the dvd's. Stick them in girl and get going. Do your level best like our other bootcamper said and pat yourself on the back. Don't get down, get inspired by others. If I was able to get in shape anyone can, believe me. Just focus on the goal. Get the pants or dress you wanna fit into and take it one day at a time. Keep me posted. I really wanna hear your progress! Remember if it happened for others it will happen for you.
Bootcamper	When I get home from work I don't have enough energy to work out. What can I do?
Barry	Set that alarm earlier and get up! You might find you love mornings. if not, just do it tired at night. Eventually you'll just see results even though you're tired and you'll get motivated by that and eventually the energy will come. Maybe take a quick power nap for 20 minutes then do it??
Bootcamper	If I eat well all week long but have treats over the weekend am I canceling everything out? I hate to diet. I am a picky eater I do not like eggs, milk, cottage cheese, regular cheese, fish or nuts.
Barry	Rhonda, that depends on how many treats. A treat, fine. You're not canceling everything out but you are definitely giving yourself extra work and yeah, might be throwing 'some work' out the window. Junk food is sometimes a sign you're not eating enough and your blood sugar drops and you know it'll pick right up when you have that candy/treat and its energy. You need to break away from it, eat enough of the right foods that give you energy....
Bootcamper	Hi everyone. Sorry, I'm late. My new T-Mobile Android G1 phone just showed up at the door and I lost track of time. Thanks to Barry's Bootcamp for this forum and all the motivation from people I've gotten on the forums, I'm down 17 pounds in two months!
Barry	As for the picky eater. Make a list of what you do eat that's healthy and build from there! The forums are great and we have them there for you, using them keeps you connected to your program and others on a mission like yourself. Glad you are getting something from them.
Bootcamper	How do you feel about protein bars when you are on the go.
Barry	Well when you are on the go, if its that or nothing, sure, have the protein bar. I'd make sure you have the right ones around though, I don't eat them really; but I'd find the ones that are sugar free or almost no sugar so you don't grab the wrong type in a hurry.
Bootcamper	Barry if you have a day that you aren't feeling so great and miss a day of working out would you suggest doing both fat blaster videos in one day to catch up?
Barry	Just workout today. If you feel like adding a run in or something to make up for lost cardio or whatever sure but don't be hard on yourself. We're gonna be working out for the next 40 years of our lives. LOL. You're right. Thinking normally gets me into trouble anyways, hehehehe
Bootcamper	Hi Barry - I started the fatblaster and mission specialist workouts on September 1st. I have lost 12 pounds and a ton of inches. I am hooked!!!! I really did not have the time to workout so I workout at 4 AM. every morning. Like you say, you have to make the time (21 minutes). I have unstable ankles and sometimes I cannot do the lunges and the exercise "sex on the beach". Is there an alternate exercise I can do for each of these exercises? Also, I am following your eating plan.
Barry	Wow you're great, 4 a.m. That is definitely making the time!! You go!! Well the dvd's offer moderations on the exercises but if that's still not good enough for your ankles, try using the ball standing up to help stabilize yourself. Try the lunges in place, do you know what I mean?
Bootcamper	Barry, Why not the scale?
Barry	Several reasons. I mean A) its just a mass number. Sure when you're getting started and you see it go down, its fun, motivating. I get it! But then it goes up then down, then maybe up again, then doesn't move....
Bootcamper	What about the scale when we go to the doctor? The doc's will be looking for a healthy number. What do I do?
Barry	And it zaps many peoples motivation, breeds frustration AND its not even the honest number. GET BODY FAT TESTED. Watch your clothes fit differently. Measure inches! Well good question Maddie; we have to remember we are dealing with people's weight goals and fat vs. muscle; so the scale ain't gonna really be the tell tale. The docs looking for how much mass weight your hearts carrying around I think, so there ya go... and again for those overweight and losing, sure you'll see the numbers move downward for a while and that's fun but trust me, I've seen it. Suddenly that same happy camper gets down and then feels defeated because of that scale number.
Bootcamper	Hi Barry! I'm on day 3 and I love this workout. I am a mother of 2, a 5 and 2 year old, I am 25. This is the only workout I have done that kicks my butt. This is the only workout that I've done that my abs actually get sore from, and I can already feel them tightening up. I just got finished doing the code red and mission specialist abs and I feel great. Thank You!
Barry	Sure! And sore is GOOD too, you must be hitting the abs right on with the workouts... you're a great example for the kids I'm sure!
Bootcamper	I really need motavation- every night i think of working out in the morning- but every morning - I change my mind.
Barry	Results are motivating. We have to be people of action. Just do what you know is the right thing to do and focus on the goal. Tell friends and family what you're doing and ask them to gently check in with you, get a friend to do it with ya if you know someone. Change your mind again and change your body. I know it's hard, then try workout out at night before bed. Get a calendar and mark each day you workout, you'll wanna see that calendar marked up. Tell a friend you will give them 100 bucks if you don't hit your goal by so and so time...
Bootcamper	Do you mean stand transformer up and bend down moving leg back and forth?
Barry	Yes!!!
Bootcamper	How can I get my husband to work out with me.
Barry	You can't. Sorry. He has to want to. However, do it, get your great results. You'll feel great and sound great and he may just join in on his own.
Bootcamper	Barry, just a comment for the people who wonder why they shouldn't be on the scale: I've seen my weight fluctuate by up to 7 or 8 pounds in just a matter of one day due to sodium and alcohol intake (It was a wedding :D ). That's all weight that comes right back off once the excess water is gone, but for someone who doesn't do their research and doesn't understand that, gaining 2 pounds can be very discouraging. You're better off just staying off of the scale completely.
Barry	There ya go folks. Voice of experience!!
Bootcamper	I am a nurse and sometimes I don't have time to stop and go to the bathroom what can I get that I can put in my pocket and throw in my mouth.
Barry	Never mind my loaded answers :-) Well fruit can be good. A peach, banana, apple. Whatever you like. they make some pretty good healthy veggie drinks with real veggies and maybe carry that around. Also I know it's hard but sometimes you just gotta take 5 minutes (5!!) for yourself to eat so you can be your best for your job and others... Trader Joes has "just chicken" and other ready made healthy stuff. Stick it in the fridge and dig in a spoonful here and there as you can. Just a suggestion.
Bootcamper	I am allergic to many fruits but i crave sugar - what is a healthy sugar substitute?
Barry	Sugar cravings do go away. I know from my own experience and yes folks I LOVE SUGAR!! However you said many fruits, not all. What fruits can you have? Watermelon helps me. How about just eating enough of what you can eat so you don't crave sugar. Other foods have become just as satisfying as sugar now that my taste buds have adjusted.
Bootcamper	Where do you get a body fat tested, and how do you use it?
Barry	Most doctors will do it or refer you. Personal training gyms do it even if you don't belong. If you Google body fat test in your city you will find it I'm sure.
Bootcamper	Do you think spinning is the best cardio fat burner to do in combo with your dvd's?
Barry	There are also some fat testers you can buy at the pharmacy that are good. Check them out. Eh. I'm not personally a spinning fan. Running is great, spinning's fine if you love it and its working though!
Bootcamper	Do u think i should enroll to your classes in sherman oaks? does it help more to get the result faster?
Barry	If you're here sure why not!! You can do both, you don't have to decide. Enjoy!!
Bootcamper	I would like to get the jack la lane juicer, is jucing good for you.
Barry	Well I mean as a brief 3 day cleanse or lifestyle? Because juice has a lotta sugar and cal's. I'm sure the juicer by my grand Jack L is awesome just use it moderately.
Bootcamper	I'm asking for all of the women out there , how do you deal with cravings around our special time of the month. If you know what I mean. I feel like I could eat a house but I don't because I have no junk food in the house. What can I eat to dull those cravings without blowing it all?
Barry	Handcuff yourself to the bathroom sink. Good luck.
Bootcamper	Your bad Barry :), I love it!
Barry	Hehehehe...okay not something I actually know hands on about but�cravings are hard I have seen with women around that time; moderation; fruit; drink water, take a breath, it will pass you don't have to answer "every" craving. heheheheh I couldn't help myself.
Bootcamper	So, besides for your amazing workouts-do you recommend following the diet that you have included in the bootcamp or code red?
Barry	Well lets do this; because I actually don't use the word diet in my own life. Diets end. They're fads. We're talking about eating right, code red, or whichever. Fatburn.com will help you, Dr. Gourmet will help you. It's a way of life we are training ourselves to eat for life.
Bootcamper	I tried locking the pantry with a combination lock once. My husband had the combination hidden and one day while he was gone I went on a hunt and found it.
Barry	That's amazing!!! You're good. Well get a pad lock with a key next time and tell him to take the key with him.
Bootcamper	I know that carbs are the first source of fuel for the body...but what's next? the fat or the muscle? And is it really all that bad to have carbs if you're working out if you're watching the calories?
Barry	I eat carbs, sometimes 200 grams a day. but fat for me fuels my energy leves because I'm not dependent on carbs for a surge.... carbs fuel the muscles, protein feeds the muscles, and living right, right fats will be our fuel.
Bootcamper	How do you feel about the banana diet? would you recommend it?
Barry	We have run over our time allotment. We are making our decision here about the best story No but it sounds nuts :-) I haven't heard of it but if it's a lotta banana's and you're reading it in the press, do more research. And if it doesn't sound like a "life plan" then ask yourself why you doin' it? That's what I do.
Barry	One last question then we announce the winner! Drum roll....
Bootcamper	I know diet is a "dirty" four letter word. BUT, I am a mother of four and I am tired of struggling with my weight. I want to be skinny little %%%%%! Can I say that without getting "bleeped"?
Barry	Well diet isn't that dirty a word but we're aiming at a new way of life; eating for a healthy you and believe me you will be a skinny little B#$$# hehehe. You are all doing great, you're here, you're working out, you're honest with yourself, me and each other here...and you want what's best for your life, let your motivation come from who you know you wanna be, thank God we have that choice daily. Your stories inspire me!! Ok are you ready for the winner. There are a LOT of great stories...tonight our winner is Trena for getting up so early and gettin' great results too!
Barry	Thanks all for this. We'll have another chat in another month or so. You can always email me your questions as well, I get them every day... thank you all, for being here and being rock stars!!!