Recent content by ctobin

That is a good way to describe what I experience. I am not operating the same body week to week, even hour to hour. I will be 49 in Jan, and haven't had a period in 11 months (yay me!), but I assume that the fluctuations I experience are hormonal. I watch my husband who seems to operate at a...

When I was in my 20's and needed to mentally push myself in a workout, I would imagine looking cute in some outfit and that was the motivation needed. Now when I need to push myself, I imagine myself strong and functional in old age and that is the motivation needed. I like how my thinking has...

Cathe, I would love to know what changes you observe as you age. Do you notice any change in your overall vigor as you work out? Any pain issues, and if so how do you decide what to 'push through'? I have been doing your workouts faithfully for years, am about the same age as you and am...

You have all been very helpful! I have decided: 50 straight leg push ups, 10 pull-ups and bend over with flat hands on floor (my hamstrings have always been painfully tight, and as I age I think it matters to work on this). I love the IDEA of having the fitness goal, but gosh… pushups and...

I agree with the vague idea about being in the best shape in my life, and am excited to consider what this means. 50 straight leg push ups…now THAT is a great idea. I hate it and love it, as push ups are hard and they make me mad. I usually max out at 30, so 50 is a terrific goal! Same with...

I just turned 48 and thought it might be fun to have a fitness goal to achieve by the time I am 50. I faithfully exercise via Cathe, alternating cardio and weight, with at least one Hiit or Tabata/week. Looking for ideas!

thanks so much for the feedback...good to know that what I am experiencing is normal. I don't have many menopausal friends who would even know what tabata is, so no one with whom to commiserate! Guess it is time to embrace my changing physiology and take the best care of it that I can.

This is my first time going through menopause :), and wonder if this is typical: I have been doing Cathe workouts for years. Every week there is a Hiit or tabata, in addition to weights. But I am noticing a lack of vigor...jumps are not as high, and I just don't have as much energy to put into...

Today I noticed that the 'sound alike' song during the floor portion of Xtrain legs is...She's Got Legs, by ZZ Top.

the discrepancy I have is related to nerve damage, so it is a bit more than the generic left/right arm dominance matter. The weak arm will fail much sooner. If I use a weight that is suitable for the weak arm, then the strong arm is not challenged at all. I think I like the idea of using the...

If there is a strength discrepancy in my arms, should I train to the 1 rep max in my weaker arm (and underwork the stronger one) or the 1 rep max in the stronger arm (and constantly fail in the weaker one)? I assume that I should not train unevenly, when using dumbbells, by using a different...

when I do barbell rows, using an appropriately challenging weight, it causes me lower back pain which makes it impossible for me to complete the exercise. I have to lighten the weight to a ridiculous point, to be able to tolerate working in that bent over position. when doing STS, can I just do...

Hi Cathe, as I start mesocycle 2 I am noticing that my left arm is considerably weaker than my right arm. I guess with the heavier weight, it is becoming more apparent. If I use dumbbells, my left arm will fail halfway through, while my right arm is probably not challenged enough! There is a...

Can you speak a bit about the proper deadlift technique? I have lower back problems, and I find deadlifts to be painful even with lighter weights. I wonder if my technique is incorrect. thanks!

I need to maintain my tolerance for anaerobic workout. How often should I do an interval type (like IMAX) to maintain this?