Any Cathe beginners?

Checking in with Cardio & Weights and Stretch Max #3 completed for today. I really had to fight a bit to finish in Cardio & Weights - especially that last step combo - but I finished. But I know I will have improved when it is easier. :)

Pam:
I guess every so often we are on the same wavelength with workouts! I love the LIC cardio premix. I hear ya on the quads killing you...my lower body has taken a beating the past few days and I'm feeling it. Good thing it's my rest day tomorrow. I would definitely skip PLB...I'm always sore for days after that one.

I find I go in stages with the workout DVD buying. For some instructors like Cathe, I'll buy it on pre-order or as soon as it comes out and I'll have to buy all the stuff they have put out too. :) When I started with Cathe last year, I actually stopped buying until this past month or so because of the same reasons you mentioned plus I really like Cathe's the best right now. I do like to have variety though so that's why I started picking up others. I have quite a few I haven't tried yet (many of Cathe's!) so that's why I started adding in some extra ones to give them a try and see what ones I like (I'm making a list of all of them (it will take forever to list them all!) and rating them so I know later and don't forget LOL). I'm still sticking with Cathe but on days where I have extra energy, I may add something extra.

I love working out at home too. I know a lot of people at work keep telling me that the gym is the way to go but they are also the ones who don't go that often. It's as easy to get of track working out at the gym or at home. At least at home, I can do something whenever. I know I would talk myself out of going to the gym. And I just like the variety I can get with the workout DVDs instead of depending on what classes are offered and when.

Bridget:
Welcome back! How was the trip? I'm not looking after the cats anymore - it was only for 3 days last week. I had to go visit them at their individual homes. :) It was 3 cats and 2 houses and that wasn't including looking after my two.

Elle:
Glad to hear you had a good weekend and great job with the yoga and LIC premix.

David:
The workout schedule looks good - if it fits with what you have going on, great because then you will be more likely to complete it than trying to be too ambitious. You can always add more if you have extra time or energy.

I really like Stretch Max. I started off using it on my off days too and would do all 3 routines but I find it better for me to do one routine after a workout - it's a great extended cool down/stretch. In the past couple of months, I've also noticed some small improvements in my flexibility which is cool. I always feel relaxed and stretched out after it.
 
Hi everyone! I listened to my body and my aching quads this morning and decided to take a rest day. Looks like I'll be facing PLB tomorrow morning instead. I'm glad I did it, I feel much better now. Although my thighs are still kinda sore, I know I'll be better in the morning.

Nancy- Nice job with C & W today. And Stretch Max, too! You rock! About the gym vs. home work out thing; some people just don't believe that you can get a good work out at home. I have a few friends like that and when I tell them that I exercise at home, they give this look and I feel like they are thinking that I'm not working hard enough. I wish I could get them to try some of these workouts!!:p

Bridget-Welcome back! I skipped PLB, as you can see. Turns out I'm not so brave after all. ;) Good luck at your weigh in this week! Fingers crossed for you.

Elle-Happy 1st day of Summer to you, too! Can you believe it? It's been hot and humid here, too. Guess we'd better get used to it for a while, huh? Glad you had a nice weekend.

David-Sounds like you'll be getting in some mileage and cardio at the same time when you are handing out those leaflets. Good luck! Thanks for the tips on the lunges. I do have a balance stick, so maybe I will break that out next time. I normally don't have a problem doing the lunges, I just do what I can for as long as I can. But I do have to be honest and say that they certainly aren't my favorite thing to do. But it's supposed to be a challenge, right?:)

That's it for tonight for me. Have a great Tuesday, everyone. See you then.
 
I'm still here!!

hello everyone and welcome David. It's been an excellent week (june 13th - June 19th) i'm on my 3 week of a 6month program for STS. I just completed body fusion (cardio only)/basic step 10min abs and 06/22/10 i'm doing disc #4. And believe me it's fun and at the same time hard and challenging. But being a beginner I do modify, modify, modify. Example Push-up. I do table-top. I'm on my way to make a protein drink, take a shower and into bed in that order:eek:. I will post soon maybe tomorrow at lunch. I'm just:eek::eek: right now....
 
I went to weigh in at lunchtime at WW and i lost 1.8lbs last week.:D:D:D I went to a BBQ on Sunday and really made an effort to stay on track so i'm happy with my progress: 5lbs in two weeks! I'm really glad i started WW.

Missed another workout yesterday:(. After work i went to meet my new nephew who was born on Friday. My brother and his wife still haven't decided on a name yet but he is so cute. We had a nice dinner there and luckily it was all healthy so i was able to stay on track.

David: Your plan for the week sounds good! Planning ahead usually helps me stay on track when i know my schedule is going to be busy. Consistency is the key and i'm sure handing out all those leaflets counts as exercise.;) I hope your church's food bank drive goes well.

Phoenix: Good job with C&W + StretchMax. i'm glad to hear you are still doing SM after workouts.

Pam: Rest is good as it allows the body to recover especially if you were that sore. I'm sure you will feel much better and ready to go again after taking a rest day.

Zoesmom: I'm still modifying my workouts as needed in an effort to focus on good form. I still feel like i'm getting in a great workout so i continue to use lighter weights and even no weights at times (leg presses!:eek:). I figure i'll know when i'm ready to kick it up when it gets easier. Keep up the good work.

Have agreat day!
 
Hey all, just checking in before bed. Sounds like everyone is doing great on their workouts and rest days. I decided to add weights and length to my lunch walk so today I wore 5# ankle weights and carried 3# dumbbells for the entire 2+ mile walk. It took me about an extra 10 minutes to finish and I am feeling it this evening.

Tomorrow is hump day and then two more until the weekend! Have a great evening.
 
Morning! Took another rest day yesterday. I just finished PLB for the first time since I can't remember when. I don't think I've done this workout since before my oldest was born, and that's almost 6 years ago. Shameful, I know. :eek: I did it mostly without any weight or very light weights, since I wasn't really sure what I was in for. I did all of the leg presses, so I'm pretty happy about that. The whole work out, even with the little bit of weights I used, has left me feeling pretty shaky and fab at the same time.;)

Jennifer-Look at you with the extra weights on your walk!! That's really great. Keep up the great work.

Elle-Congrats on your loss this past week! Doesn't it feel so great? Oh, a new baby in the family! Gotta love that.:)

I'm taking my son to the dentist this morning, so I'd better get moving. Have a great day everyone!
 
Me again. Just checking in with STS Kickbox completed. Well, not truly completed, but I did finish everything except the core conditioning section.

It was my first time doing this one, so I don't feel like I got as good a workout as I should have. Mainly because I was concentrating on the drills and how to do it all. Still, I'm sweating and I got a work out in, so I'm happy about that.

I hope everyone has a great Thursday. Be back later.;)
 
I've really been missing and craving yoga lately. I've only been fitting it in 1-2 times per week since getting back to Cathe in May.

I really didn't feel like doing my planned Cathe workouts this week so i decided to listen to my feelings and i did yoga Tuesday and Wednesday. I usually do my own practice but for some reason i had Ali MacGraw's Yoga Mind & Body in my head so i did that for both days.

I haven't done this workout in such a long time! I really felt great after doing it both days and the change from my regular yoga practice was good for me too. I find the music and scenery in this DVD very relaxing.

Yesterday afternoon the weirdest thing happened here. We had an Earthquake?!?!?!:confused: I was sitting at my desk at work and felt rumbling below me but i wasn't sure what was happening. I though it may be the construction outside or someone working on the floor below. It got worse for a few seconds and that was it. I could see people in the building beside mine running outside. It's weird because i live in the Toronto area and this isn't a fault line but apparently people felt it all the way to Quebec.:confused:

Phoenix: Did you feel the tremors in your area?

Jennifer: Great job adding the extra poundage to your walk! Keep up the good work.

Pam: I feel the same way as you do when i'm doing a workout i'm not familiar with. i always feel like i didn't get in as good a workout as i should have. I still feel like that with KPC but it's getting better.

Hope everyone else is having a great week!
 
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Elle:
I'm in Ottawa so we definitely felt it. :) It freaked out a lot of people - they didn't know what it was. It wasn't that bad - I was on the 17th floor of a building and you felt it but I just thought it was construction or something and then people started freaking out (they were imagining that it was other things than earthquake). So it was a bit of a excitement for a little while and then back to work. :) We are on a fault line here but we don't get them very often - at least not ones that you really notice (they seem more like a big truck driving by - minor shaking). It didn't last very long at all.
 
Hello all,
It's been an interesting week. I did low impact step on Monday, but on Tuesday & Wednesday, this little voice in my head would not let me get out of bed. I was awake, just lazy. This scares me, because this is how I start falling off the wagon. This morning I did push-pull, and though I felt strong, and could have gone heavier, but I did not lift beyond my 20# barbell. I didn't want to scare myself for fear that I would not get up the next morning and psych myself out. I should do lowmax tomorrow.

Phoenix was great, can't say I have ever been in 110 degree heat, but we have been in the high 80's here and the humidity makes it feel worse than the desert.

Nancy & Elle- that's right, there was an earthquake in Southern Ontario- they evacuated a building in NW Connecticut - I didn't feel a thing in SE Connecticut.

Pam- Wow, STS Kickbox? That's awsome! I haven't purchased any of the STS workouts. Don't tempt me?

Jen- woo hoo on adding weight to your walk! I can feel your endurance increasing from here! That's excellent!

Sheryl- I admire your doing STS, please continue to let us know how that goes, especially as a beginner.

David- looking forward to your check in

Bridget
 
Checking in with 10 Minute Solution Knockout Body completed today. It was a good kickbox-style workout - definitely easier than Cathe! I'm going to be starting Turbo Fire tomorrow - I love Cathe and her workouts but I just need a mini-break from her for a bit. I've been doing her workouts for months so it's time to change it a bit. Also I found I was slacking off on the workouts lately and skipping which usually tells me I need to change things up a bit.

Pam:
I get the same thing. There's a couple of people who just don't understand how you can work out at home and be consistent. I'm a lot more consistent at home than I would be at a gym! I guess the gym works better for them so they don't really get it.

Great job with PLB and MMA Kickbox! PLB always kicks my butt and I'm sore days later. I have yet to try the Kickbox...so may workouts and not enough time. :)

Sheryl:
You are so rocking those workouts - STS and cardio!

Elle:
Congrats on losing 1.8lbs!! Woohoo!! And congratulations on the new nephew as well!

Great job on listening to your body and doing yoga instead.

Jennifer:
Sounds like you are doing great too! Keep it up!

Bridget:
Don't be so hard on yourself - sometimes you just need a break. And you only fall off the wagon if you allow yourself to. It's OK to skip a few days - it's when it becomes weeks and then months that is a concern. Sometimes it might just mean you need to change your workouts.

Glad you had a good time in Phoenix - never been myself - probably because I don't do well with humidity and we get enough of it here. :)

That's funny with the building evacuated in NW Connecticut ...they didn't even evacuate our building here. :) Some people just left on their own but there was no evacuation.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and makes time for themselves!!
 
Checking in today with my first Turbo Fire workouts completed: Fire 30 Class + Stretch 10 Class. Fire 30 was a lot of fun - it's like Turbo Jam supercharged! Similar moves that you find in the Turbo Jam workouts but a lot faster. There are two drills which are the same and they last about a minute. They also have a modifier if you don't want to do the high impact moves. Like Turbo Jam, music is great and really fits well with the workout. I was able to do the whole thing - I was expecting it to be much harder but I think all these Cathe workouts have really improved my cardio endurance much more than I thought. A few months ago, I don't think I would have lasted past the warm-up!
 
Check-in, etc.

Hi everybody. I am just checking in to give this week's work-out schedule. I will try to do this each Sunday morning. If I to this, I may be able to stay on the wagon. It worked last week:
S: PS -- Srong Legs & Abs
M: The Firm -- Slim and Trim
T: day off given other commitments
W: PS -- Back, Biceps and Abs
T: Jari Love: Extremely Ripped 1000
F: Ps -- Chest, Shoulders, Triceps
S: The Firm -- Burn and Shape

I have become disenchanted with the newer Firm videos, but the two above have been laying around the exercize room, and I want to try them at least once more.

Nancy and others:
I an searching for "beginner" aerobics videos, mostly because I cannot do advanced step aerobics (too complex for my two left feet), so any suggestions would help me a lot. Btw, I lived in Ottawa for nine years (Lindenlea area), and never felt an earthquake during that time -- so I missed something!
Pam:
While on the topic of aerobics for beginners, up to now I have been too shy to buy any of the STS Cardio DVDs. I have been too shy to even read posts on the STS Cardio chat room. The step videos are definately out for me -- but are there any of the others that a re-beginner can buy?
Sheryl:
I do "tabletop" pushups as well. I try to struggle with straight-leg knees, but these are tough after 3 or 4 reps. What is the 6-moth STS program? I have more free time this coming Jan 2011, and I am interested in trying STS for a second time. I felt the 12-week program (three times a week) too hard.
Bridget:
I can sympathize with having difficulty hitting the exercize room. For me, I exercize (or am supposed to exercize) after work. But if I hit the couch and switch on the TV, it become difficult to get up again. This is why I am posting my week's schedule for others to see (see above). I also do a Cathe blog after each session -- just to motivate me to excercize. But for me it has been a struggle. Without others, I would go off the wagon.
Jennifer:
Good idea walking with weights! I walk 1 1/2 miles to and from work each day. If I do as you do, I think I will start low and increase the weights slowly.
-- David
 
Checking in with Turbo Fire HiiT 15 and Stretch 10 classes today. That HiiT one is tough but doable especially since the intervals are only 30-35 seconds. I also mowed the lawn this morning and it was a workout in itself since it is long and it was already humid out.

David:
One suggestion with your schedule - and it might just be because I'm not familiar with Jari Love's workouts (just know of them but never tried or seen one). You might want to just do a cardio that day so you are not overworking the muscles since you are going to work them with the PS workouts.

As for "beginner" aerobics - I guess it depends on what type of workouts you are looking for. My view is also that any workout can be modified to a beginner and you can grow with it as you improve. Leslie Sansone has some great walking ones with basic moves and that include boosted walking which is just light jogging if you want some extra intensity (not required though) - the Walk Slim series is good. I'm finding the 10 Minute Solution series also has some good workouts and they are short (10 minutes) but you can mix and match to create longer workouts. I'd suggest The FIRM as well but if you aren't really enjoying the newer ones then forget that.

Earthquakes aren't that common in Ottawa - I can only think of 3 or 4 that were noticeable with the one last week being the most noticeable. :) The others were minor shaking and really were just like construction blasting or a big truck driving by. It's possible that there just weren't any or none that were overly noticeable when you were here.
 
Saturday morning I did Low impact Circuit. I like how it can be very challenging if you increase your weights and add energy to the step, or less so if you keep them light and the step lower intensity.
Sunday-Rest
Monday-Low Max
Tuesday-Pyramid Lower Body
Wednesday-Rest
Thursday- Pyramid Upper Body
Friday- Step Heat
Saturday- hmmm, I think I'm going to try Boot Camp!


Nancy- Phoenix isn't humid at all- I went for an early morning run while there, and though my HR was up there, I wasn't sweating because the desert is so dry.

As I read your post, I was thinking about how our endurance collectively has improved since page 1 of this thread, I can do strength workouts without feeling overwhelmed & sore. I'm really glad to have you guys to muddle through the beginner hump with.

David- I don't even recognize the Firms any more. I did the Firm when they first came out, and was a "firm believer" for years, especially without the Benson sisters, they have lost their spark. I still cannot believe Anna passed away, it still shocks me.
 
Hey guys! Here it is, Monday morning already. I just finished some of Body Max 2. I was working on the cardio blast premix, but I did it with many modifications and I didn't get all the way through. I still feel pretty good, though.

I didn't check in this weekend, but I did complete High Step Challenge on Saturday morning. It's been so humid here, even first thing in the morning, that it's difficult for me to be motivated to sweat. I do have a fan circulating in the room, but ugh!..the humidity.:p

Bridget- I really like LIC. I did it recently and I am looking forward to doing it again soon. I agree with what you said, too. I know I've made some improvements and progress since my first check in with this group. The one thing I'm happiest about for myself is that I've just continued to work out and be consistent about it. That feels great!

David-I absolutely agree with what Nancy said about modifying workouts to work for you. I don't really have any beginner workouts, but I figure I can try anything that looks like fun to me and modify it to make it work. So far, so good. ;)

Nancy-Sounds like you had a busy weekend! I have to say that when ever I get here to check in, I really enjoy seeing what you've done. You are so good at consistently checking in, and I find that motivating! Thank you!

Have a great Monday everyone!
 
Crazy weekend here! Toronto hosted the G20 summit and it turned pretty ugly downtown with a bunch of criminals ruining what would have been peaceful protests. They smashed windows and torched police cruisers. What is wrong with people???? Even more stupid is the people who went down there just to be part of the action and take pictures which adds more challenges for the police trying to keep order.

Thursday and Friday i didn't workout.:( I've also been struggling with just not feeling like doing any Cathe these days.

I did buy some yoga DVD's and i got them on Friday so i tried out the first one on Saturday: Shiva Rea's Yoga Flow for Beginners.

I have never done Shiva Rea's type of yoga before. I've mentioned before that i practice a classical/traditional style of yoga but i wanted to diversify my practice and explore a bit so instead of buying more Cathe workouts i decided to get some Shiva Rea DVD's since they look well produced and get a lot of good reviews.

I think Yoga Flow for Beginners is a good intro to Shiva Rea. I was able to keep up and complete the whole thing and i got a good workout. It felt good to get a different type of practice as well so i'm looking forward to trying out the rest of the DVD's.

Yesterday, I decided to do LoMax. i did the Step only premix and while i completed it, i wasn't that into it.

Like Phoenix mentioned, i'm going to take that as a sign that maybe i should change things up a bit and focus on yoga this week.

Bridget: Anna Benson died???? I guess i'm out of the firm loop! I used to do the older firm workouts years ago but i wasn't a big fan of their newer stuff. I had no idea she died.

David: I feel the same as you when i get home so i just workout right away. Once i sit down on the couch it's very hard to motivate myself to workout. I find planning my workouts ahead of time helps so keep it up.

Phoenix: It seems like some of us are struggling to stay motivated. I agree with you that it probably means we need to change things up.

Pam: Body Max 2 is a toughie so don't worry about modifying or finishing the whole thing. You still got a good workout and that's the point right?

Have a great day!
 
Checking in with a rest day for me today and it was hard to take it - I really wanted to do something but I know it's important for me to take these rest days and not burn myself out again. :)

Bridget:
I think it is amazing to see how we have all improved and have moved past Basic Step in the last few months! It was sad to hear of Anna Benson's passing. It's too bad the FIRM seems to be more focused on equipment and gimmicky things these days because they have some great workouts. I thought I heard they are coming out with new workouts at the end of the year - not sure on all the details.

Pam:
Woohoo on completing High Step Challenge and some of Body Max 2! That one still scares me...90 minutes of Cathe...ouch! Thanks for the nice compliment! :)

Elle:
I just heard about some of that craziness this morning (try not to watch the news that much). You do have to wonder what people are thinking and what they think that is going to accomplish...oh wait...they aren't thinking! :)

I think I have a Shiva Rea workout somewhere...probably downstairs...that I have never tried it. I don't think it was a beginner one though. I might have to give it a try now that you've reminded me about it. :) Glad you enjoyed it!

It does sound like you are experiencing the same thing as I am so it probably is a good idea to switch it up and see if that makes a difference. I've found it has for me so when I come back to Cathe, I'll be more energized. :)

I think it was sometime last year that Anna Benson died? Can't remember exactly when but I'm sure it was last year.
 
Hey Pam, I did Cardio Fusion this morning (the step only premix)- was looking for some cardio, and the step routine from Body Max 2 always got to me- my new goal is to master that step routine-I gave myself permission to not be able to do it well this morning. Once I can do it, I may take a crack at Body Max 2- since I am a big fan of Body Max.
Body Max is a great workout for a weekend or a day off from work, because it is so long, but it is more an endurance routine- the routines are all do-able, it is just a long workout- but when it is over, it feels very, very good.

David- evening workouts don't work for me for that reason. In the early mornings, I am too sleepy to talk myself out of it, and as the day progresses, I feel good that I accomplished that in the morning.

Elle- I love Toronto, it is a shame to see that city get negative press.

Nancy- Enjoy your rest day, I have to agree, when I push too hard, I stop exercising altogether, as a product of burnout. I don't know why I feel like if I don't do an advanced 1+ hours that it isn't good enough. Just say no to burn out!

I know Anna died sometime last year ?ovarian cancer I think? I would have expected her to live forever.
I still have my Firm 14", 10", wooden stools, bar bell and I recently found my oof ball. I even have a Firm coffee cup. I guess I was guilty of buying Firm gimmicks too, but these items are still in tact and well used. I had a stick & plastic 2-layer fanny lifter from the later incarnations- they both fell apart.
 
Good morning everyone! I just finished Muscle Endurance and I am feeling pretty good. I must be honest and say that I skipped that final set of leg presses though. I could have done it, but I just got lazy. I am very happy with the way the workout felt for me, though. I think the laziness is a product of me not feeling very motivated this morning. On the bright side, at least I did it, right??:)

Bridget-I agree with what you are saying about BM2. As I was working my way through the circuit section, I thought it would be a great little cardio workout on it's own when I was short on time or just wanted to do a bit of cardio before a weight workout. This time around, I just did the cardio blast premix, and that was enough for me.;)

Nancy-Hope you enjoyed your rest day!

Elle-I saw pictures in the paper of a police car that was burnign in Toronto over the weekend! It's a shame that it had to end up like that. Good luck with your new Yoga workouts. Do what you need to do find motivation and keep it! Hang in there!

Hope everyone has a good Tuesday. Talk to you later!
 
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