Any Overweight/Formerly Overweight Cathletes that BEGAN with Cathe's workouts?

[mrsprincess07]

I was having a conversation with a couple of friends this weekend that are both overweight, one is pregnant and doesn't want to workout in the Gym. I thought about how I used Cathe's workouts at my prime fitness level, but since losing almost all of my fitness thanks to surgery and recovery, I haven't used her workouts in ages it seems. I can recommend walking and Leslie Sansone, but am curious to know about any current Cathletes that are either overweight now or used to be, that started their fitness journeys with Cathe's Workouts?

I remember seeing a couple of yrs back a woman that didn't use Cathe's beginner series, but rather her intermediate/advanced series premixes instead for variety reasons. While I loved her workouts and have the LIS on preorder, I personally never began with Cathe, I always graduated into her workouts. I'd just like to find some women and stories that began here even if it meant only doing something for 20 minutes. I'd love to recommend Cathe's workouts but I am afraid that without references, she might seem intimidating to anyone that has not worked out at home, or someone whom has never worked out before.

 

[MelanieC]

Hi there!

Starting out with Cathe is definitely do-able. I started with Cathe when I was 50 pounds overweight. My first DVD was LIS. Of course there was lots of stumbling around, pausing, rewinding etc., but I finally got it and felt that I could move on.

My next two DVDs were Low Impact Circuit and KickMax. I can't exactly remember how I did the first time with LIC, but I remember KickMax. The first half is pretty easy (cardio wise), but I remember I could only to 1 or 2 of the cardio drills.

Eventually I worked my way up, and I think my next two DVDs were BodyMax 2 and Imax 2. I specifically remember the first time I did Imax 2, I could only do the first two intervals. I was so proud when I could do the first 5 without pausing!

Now I have the complete Cathe collection, I lost 50 pounds, I've done STS blah blah blah. IMO, Cathe is one of the best instructors to START with, no matter your size or cardio abilities because she'll teach you how to love exercise and how to do it properly.

So there you go!

 

[nivipa]

Well, I *practically* started with her, as I had a few other videos I did, but she was in the mix from almost the beginning - at most two months in. I'm a big nerd, so I started at her beginning, with Step N Motion. I did it on 4" with no risers, took breaks or impact out as needed, and allowed myself to not beat myself up if I couldn't do everything "they" were doing. Yet Cathe has this magical quality to her that pushes you farther than you think you can go! At that time I think I was about 275 pounds or so.

Anyway, once I could do SNM with minimal breaks, I moved on to her next video that I had, Mega Step Blast. Lather, rinse, repeat. I then moved on to Step Max, and so forth chronologically.

For someone else, though, they may be better off going the beginner's routation route. Regardless, I find Cathe's stuff tough, but almost always "doable." As I say, she just has a magical quality to her!

 

[mrsprincess07]

Very good replies! I forgot how easy Kick Max is to take down a notch or two.

Keep the stories coming! I plan on printing these out and giving them to one of the ladies for reference after she delivers!!

 

[RapidBreath]

I started with Cathe's Beginner rotation. It works really well. But, I must say it took me longer to finish than the prescribed amount of time. Also, I use the 'circuit step', the little pink one, rather than a full size step because the big one won't fit in my space, I don't have any issues modifying her workouts onto that one. If she hasn't done much of anything, she will need to ease into these. I like Leslie Sansone's advanced 5 mile walks, they incoroporate some light jogging. Its easier than Cathe but better than most other workouts and you can listen to a podcast rather than paying a lot of attention to Leslie's chatter. Gin Miller and Kathy Smith are a great place to start. I incorporate all my instructors in my rotations, not just Cathe.

My own story was a bit of a joke. No, not laughing at myself in a mean way, I mean my first disc was RS. Yeah, after that I quickly ordered the discs for the beginner's rotation. I didn't realize it was advanced! After that it was Imax 2/CW. CW is still one of my favorites. The other great step discs to start with are The Classics or The Hits. LIC is great.

I'm still a work in progress, I have another 50 pounds to go. I lost about 30 then had a detour with a kidney infection a couple of years ago and a bad reaction to the antibiotics which descended into IBS madness, I was recovering nicely over the fall of 2010- summer 2011 But then, disaster struck and I fell down the stairs, so once those injuries healed, I found myself a few pounds heavier and back in the lower intensity workouts. In a way, Cathe is just in time because I need that low impact series thats about to come out.

 

[RapidBreath]

a little bit more just in case you wanted it

Ok, so here is what I do to lose weight:

1. Weigh my eats with a little digital scale. If you want to know why here is Leigh Peele's video that converted me from measuring cups to a scale.
2. Journal my eats, my weight (I weigh in at least 2-3 x/week), and rough emotional state, like was I in stress from traveling? If I see a food causes me to gain weight, I don't eat it while I'm trying to lose.
3. Some sort of de-stress activity in the evening before bed, like yoga or meditation (could be just 15 min.), or reading an inspiring book.
4. Set my intention to lose weight for the following day, the night before. If I do this, its like some weird kind of magic. I sometimes wake up before the alarm.
5. Cardio before breakfast. Some people can't do it, its just what works for me.

My rotation:
Sunday: Rest
Monday: Road work about 60 min. Steady State (walking, hiking, or jogging.)
Tuesday: Cathe DVD with intervals (Low Max is good)
Wednesday: Road work about 60 min. Steady State
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Road work about 30 min. with blistering intervals + Stretch Max with band
Saturday: Cathe circuit workout (Low Impact Circuit).

For inclement weather, I substitute any of the MMA discs for my road work days. The running made all the difference on my thigh area.

 

[tralaiven]

I recently had a very serious cycling injury wherein I broke my right shoulder and humerus. I had to do NOTHING but sit for 5 weeks in a recliner due to pain and for healing. That was 3 months ago and I am JUST NOW getting to the place where I can do my workout dvds again.

As you might imagine, I have seriously lost alot of my fitness, so it is if I am starting all over again. I just did High Reps the other day and did totally light weight or no weight...no problem. And for the push-ups...I had to do them like a cat on my hands and knees with my butt in the air...totally beginner fashion. It was really no prob. It is all about heavy duty modification....I like working out this fashion because it gives me a goal and I can see to what heights I can attain in the future.