old lady needs advice :)

first_lady

New Member
Hi, Y'all!

I'm hoping you'll be kind enough to give a 50 yo lady with health issues some advice...

I recently discovered Cathe on Fit TV, and have enjoyed my time working out with her alot! But I need help choosing workout DVDs to purchase.
I have 2 severely herniated disks, so jumping and lots of twisting exacerbate that pain. I also have fibromyalgia and Chron's. I do have permission from the doc to workout; I just need to be careful how I go about it.

I used to do The Firm workouts all the time. I'm talking '80s and '90s workouts on VHS, which I've pretty much ruined from playing the tapes repeatedly. I got the new Firm Wave- what a disappointment!!! Not only do they not focus anywhere near enough on stretching, but they've lightened it up to the point it's not even close to challenging. Another reason I was so delighted to find Cathe!

Okay- to the point...I do love step workouts-but am not married to the idea, and I really shouldn't jump- it's got to be total low impact. Also, I need to combine cardio with weight training. It takes too much time to do it any other way.
Would you recommend some DVDs you think might fit the bill?

Thanks so much for your help!
-Elle
 
I think that the Low Impact Step workout is good, as is the Intro to Step workout with Body Fusion. There is a little jumping involved, so Low Impact is slightly misleading, but it's very easy to modify the workout so that it's truly low impact.
 
I think cardio and weights would be a good one for you. The cardio is step and I find it really low impact and fun. It is however attached to the IMAX2 whick is not low impact. But you might want to go check out the clips and see what is appealing to you.
She has lots and lots of weight training videos. I came across Cathe on FitTV too and have since bought alot of her dvds and even though I had them all tivo'd I am glad I did. One you do not have to get through the commercials and two they are much more lengthy.:D
Hope this helped.
Rachel
 
You are NOT old. :)

Regarding impact, do you have a stationary bike or an elliptical? You could get in both your cardio and weight training using these as well by mixing up intervals of cardio on the machine and weights off the machine:

5 minutes on the bike
20 push ups
5 on the bike
3 sets of weight work with one body part
5 or 10 on the bike...etc.

(I just picked any number, but you could play with it and get a great workout without a lot of impact.)
 
While I take issue with a 50-year-old refering to themselves as "old" (I'm 52, and I'm NOT old!):confused:, I also think Cardio and Weights would be a good option (with perhaps some of the impact taken down).;)
 
Low Impact Circuit is a great w/o--the step section of that DVD is one of my favorites--SO much fun & the music is rockin!
 
Well this 51 yr old . . . :rolleyes: . . . not old either as I can run circles around my SIL's that are in their 30's & 40's !

Began same as you with the Firm and then Cathe on FitTV.

Second Low Max as a low impact high intensity. Also how about 4DS, just modify the Hi Intesity Step.
 
50 is not old!

While I take issue with a 50-year-old refering to themselves as "old" (I'm 52, and I'm NOT old!):confused:, I also think Cardio and Weights would be a good option (with perhaps some of the impact taken down).;)

Kathryn, I agree with you about that! I am getting near 50 and I am absolutely not old either! I just refuse to think of myself as old, because if I do, then I will be!

Anyhow, maybe LowMax would be an option... I like LowMax (and will be doing it tomorrow, after STS legs today) and you can modify it to make it even lower intensity.
 
Low Impact Circuit is a great w/o--the step section of that DVD is one of my favorites--SO much fun & the music is rockin!

I love Low Impact Circuit as well! The step section alone is so challenging! You may have to modify some of her moves, but that is really easy. I've been working out with Cathe since the early 1990's and I have all of her step workouts -- the older ones are great (Step Heat, Step Jam, Step Max, Step Works, etc.!) They involve more basic moves (not really high impact) and you get a really great and challenging workout! I've ALWAYS found that I can modify some of Cathe's moves that I just can't do (power scissors for an example -- they kill my knees -- I definitely modify, but it never takes away from the workout -- I always get a WONDERFUL workout no matter what!).

Hope this helps!!
 
Thanks so much for the help- and the encouragement!
I don't really feel old, but with 5 gorgeous daughters, three in their 20s and two still teens, (not to mention the 21 yo son!) well, let's just say their faces don't bear the marks of age as mine does.

I can, however, workout rings around all but one of the girls, so...yeah! you all are so right!!

I truly am grateful for your recommendations- going to place an order right now!

btw...I thought 60 was the new 30????
(does that mean gray is the new brunette???)
 
Elle,

Please, I'm 58 and I'm not old.:rolleyes:

Try these: You can modify by adding or deleting risers and by doing premixes. Ask for a catalog.

Low Impact Circuit
Total Body Stretch
Low Impact Step + Total Body Sculpting(use heavy weights when you can)
Core Max
Kick Max
Low Max
Stretch Max
Basic Step and Body Fusion
High Step Circuit
Cardio and Weights
Ab Hits
The Classics: Step Jam, Step Heat, Step Max
Cardio Hits: Power Max, Step Fit, Step Works
Full Body Workouts: Muscle Max, Supersets, Push Pull, Muscle Endurance

I know, which ones to get first right?

Muscle Max(use weight that you can handle)
Power Max
High Step Circuit
Low Impact Step + Body Fusion
Muscle Endurance (use weight that you can handle)
Cardio and Weights (it will be challenging at first)

Good Luck, Let us know how it goes.

Janie
 

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