I just revisited a dicussion by Afreet about her low intensity experiment. So I just wanted to know if any of you are still currently doing this? I've noticed that since reducing my cardio to only 3 days per week for 30 minutes and doing yoga, pilates, barre workouts that my diet is much easier to control. When I up the intensity of everything, i can't control my appetite and my weight either goes up or is at a standstill.
anyone still doing low intensity?
- Thread starter kariev
- Start date
LasVegasFitGirl
Cathlete
I was interested
I was interested in Afreet's low intensity method. As a result, I bought the Barre series and Tracy Effinger. I love, love, love Tracy. Barre is Ok, good butt and ab work. I've felt at times that maybe I'm lifting too heavy and was re-thinking what the outcome I wish to have is. It's not bulk, it's tone. However, I believe I am not eating enough calories and that is why I don't lose weight, so no matter how much I lift, you can't see the muscle definition. At this time, I am doing Cathe's September rotation and then I'm going to do her cardio rotation i saw from a long time ago.
I'm trying to up my calories (I eat pretty healthy) and see how I feel after the cardio rotation. Something in the back of my head tells me my body will respond better to cardio. We'll see.
I was interested in Afreet's low intensity method. As a result, I bought the Barre series and Tracy Effinger. I love, love, love Tracy. Barre is Ok, good butt and ab work. I've felt at times that maybe I'm lifting too heavy and was re-thinking what the outcome I wish to have is. It's not bulk, it's tone. However, I believe I am not eating enough calories and that is why I don't lose weight, so no matter how much I lift, you can't see the muscle definition. At this time, I am doing Cathe's September rotation and then I'm going to do her cardio rotation i saw from a long time ago.
I'm trying to up my calories (I eat pretty healthy) and see how I feel after the cardio rotation. Something in the back of my head tells me my body will respond better to cardio. We'll see.
bmccartney
Cathlete
Karie,
I've been doing lower intensity workouts for the past few weeks: power yoga, light jogs, and circuits here and there. I have also found that I don't have NEAR the appetite that I did when I was lifting heavy and doing higher intensity cardios. I searched the forums prior to deciding on this and read a lot of your posts about yoga and lower intensity workouts. I have to say that I have much more energy and don't feel depleted like I did before. I'm hoping that this will help my menstrual cycles start again, too.
What does a typical week of workouts look like for you?
I've been doing lower intensity workouts for the past few weeks: power yoga, light jogs, and circuits here and there. I have also found that I don't have NEAR the appetite that I did when I was lifting heavy and doing higher intensity cardios. I searched the forums prior to deciding on this and read a lot of your posts about yoga and lower intensity workouts. I have to say that I have much more energy and don't feel depleted like I did before. I'm hoping that this will help my menstrual cycles start again, too.
What does a typical week of workouts look like for you?
My week varies a little. Some weeks I will do 30 minutes of light cardio 5 days a week followed by 30 minutes of vinyassa yoga. This week it seems to be 45 minutes of cardio 3 days and then inbetween yoga. I also do Ellen Barretts workouts. I often find that I battle myself with what I'm doing and what I think I should be doing. All I read is how we need to lift heavy to preserve muscle so I often feel like i'm going to turn into a big musch pile. But, the way i'm working out is making me feel better.
Elle_p
Cathlete
I have to agree with what Kariev has said about feeling better doing lower intensity workouts.
I have always struggled to find a balance between my yoga practice and weight training. When i focus on yoga, my Cathe workouts suffer and vice versa.
I too, have noticed that when i focus on yoga and mix in light cardio that i don't overeat and i feel more energy and "lighter" overall. This seems to be working for me lately.
I have always felt that i "should" be doing more weight training instead of actually listening to my body and doing what feels right. I'm trying to get away from that.
I have always struggled to find a balance between my yoga practice and weight training. When i focus on yoga, my Cathe workouts suffer and vice versa.
I too, have noticed that when i focus on yoga and mix in light cardio that i don't overeat and i feel more energy and "lighter" overall. This seems to be working for me lately.
I have always felt that i "should" be doing more weight training instead of actually listening to my body and doing what feels right. I'm trying to get away from that.
bmccartney
Cathlete
Karie and Elle,
I worry about becoming a pile of mush too. How long have you been doing the lower intensity stuff for? How (if at all) has your aerobic endurance and functional strength changed? I'm worried about my cardiac capacity suffering too. I have to say though that I have more definition in my abs and a smaller waist since I've been doing yoga 3-5x/week for 60-90 min sessions.
I worry about becoming a pile of mush too. How long have you been doing the lower intensity stuff for? How (if at all) has your aerobic endurance and functional strength changed? I'm worried about my cardiac capacity suffering too. I have to say though that I have more definition in my abs and a smaller waist since I've been doing yoga 3-5x/week for 60-90 min sessions.
my strength has decreased some but thats ok for me. I did a straight month of cardio/yoga until the guilt of no weights got the best of me and i started to do them again. The weird thing is that i overate immediately that week as my hunger was very high and my insomnia got worse. Its like my body isn't recovering as well. I have done a few higher intensity cardios here and there but only when i feel like pushing myself and i make sure its no more then 20 minutes of intervals and then i do some good yoga afterwards. I don't think my cardio has suffered at all and i'm not looking to be a marathoner or a track athlete so i'm just looking at overall health. Just last week i did a typical body part split with weights and higher intensity cardio, by the weekend i was ravenous and ended up doing some diet damage. So this week i'm back to what makes me feel good. I'm sick of following everyone elses advice about what i should be doing. I did preorder the new dvds cathe is putting out. I figured mabe down the line i will want to change it up and those look good but for now i'm sticking with lower intensity. I want to do more barre workouts in my routine but its hard since i have 1 hour to workout and most barre workouts are an hour. I have P57 but i just can't stand the instructor even though its such an amazing workout. My body seems to do really well with 30 minutes of cardio followed by some yoga/pilates type of exercise for 30 minutes. As i have gotten older, i actually like a softer look as opposed to ripped. Its funny how views change with time. How much cardio are you ladies currently doing?
Elle_p
Cathlete
I switched back to yoga & cardio in July when i found i was really dreading and not enjoying doing my Cathe workouts anymore. I wasn't making much progress doing that and i found myself craving more yoga so i decided to listen and follow my instincts.
My cardio endurance has not really suffered. As for strength, I prefer lighter weight workouts like Muscle Endurance and Cathe Circuit type workouts like LIC. I feel confident that i could still do these with no problems and i plan to whenever i feel like adding them in. I'm sure if i had been lifting heavy or doing STS i would have lost some muscle and strength.
Like Kariev, I'm finally listening to my body as opposed to doing what i think i should be doing. I have had a similar experience with my appetite and find it much easier to eat healthy and avoid bingeing or overeating.
When i feel like doing cardio i do 45 minutes on the treadmill or a 30-45 step workout premix like LoMax but i haven't been doing that much recently.
When i feel like i want to switch things up i'll most likely do Low Impact circuit with light weights, a Jari Love workout, or muscle Endurance.
I wasn't making much progress doing that and i found myself craving more yoga so i decided to listen and follow my instincts.My cardio endurance has not really suffered. As for strength, I prefer lighter weight workouts like Muscle Endurance and Cathe Circuit type workouts like LIC. I feel confident that i could still do these with no problems and i plan to whenever i feel like adding them in. I'm sure if i had been lifting heavy or doing STS i would have lost some muscle and strength.
Like Kariev, I'm finally listening to my body as opposed to doing what i think i should be doing. I have had a similar experience with my appetite and find it much easier to eat healthy and avoid bingeing or overeating.
When i feel like doing cardio i do 45 minutes on the treadmill or a 30-45 step workout premix like LoMax but i haven't been doing that much recently.
When i feel like i want to switch things up i'll most likely do Low Impact circuit with light weights, a Jari Love workout, or muscle Endurance.
Vee
Cathlete
I am devoted to moderation now. I do yoga, circuits, yoga,shorter weight training sessions, yoga, kickboxing, yoga, machine cardio. I work out four to six times per week depending on how hectic work is. I do the types of workouts I enjoy and I don't care about any type of rotation or how many times per week I do cardio or strength. If all I feel like doing is yoga, so be it for a few days. I have lost strength and cardio capacity to do anaerobic training but don't miss either. My endurance is still good enough.
I work out four to six times per week depending on how hectic work is. I do the types of workouts I enjoy and I don't care about any type of rotation or how many times per week I do cardio or strength. If all I feel like doing is yoga, so be it for a few days. I have lost strength and cardio capacity to do anaerobic training but don't miss either. My endurance is still good enough.
SRP
Cathlete
I've always enjoyed reading these low intensity threads, but I don't post very much.
I really love a good, hard, high intensity workout, but lately I've been feeling the need to scale back a bit. I just took four days off, just stretching, meditating and walking. It felt really good. This week, I'm back to my regular weight work but am just doing whatever cardio that seems fun that day.
I think that for a while at least, I may back off the cardio just a bit. I've been doing two Cardio Coach workouts a week, plus one step or kickboxing, plus a two-day weight split. I'm lifting heavy for me, and I'm still happy with that. But I think I'll sub one of the CC's with a steady state. AND if I feel that I need an extra day or two or three off, then I'll take it (or them).
It's nice to hear of people who are doing workouts they enjoy. Sometimes I feel that we lose that part of exercising.
I really love a good, hard, high intensity workout, but lately I've been feeling the need to scale back a bit. I just took four days off, just stretching, meditating and walking. It felt really good. This week, I'm back to my regular weight work but am just doing whatever cardio that seems fun that day.
I think that for a while at least, I may back off the cardio just a bit. I've been doing two Cardio Coach workouts a week, plus one step or kickboxing, plus a two-day weight split. I'm lifting heavy for me, and I'm still happy with that. But I think I'll sub one of the CC's with a steady state. AND if I feel that I need an extra day or two or three off, then I'll take it (or them).
It's nice to hear of people who are doing workouts they enjoy. Sometimes I feel that we lose that part of exercising.
I'm happy that i'm not alone in this. Its great reading all of your posts and seeing how you each workout. Its still hard for me not to feel guilty for not doing what the "experts" say one should do to be fit. But, no one knows my body like I do and I'm finally learning to listen to it. I'm actually suprised at how much easier it is to maintain my weight when doing less intensity. I really wish I had a barre studio around here b/c I would love to take these classes in person. So ladies, what are some of your favorite low intensity workouts (dvd or other)? Me, I LOVE all of Shiva Rae's yoga and Ellen Barrett's workout. I like Tracey Effinger (the Squeeze) and Pure Barre. As for cardio, i love a nice jog on the beach. If i want more of a challenge I'll do some soft sand running.
Vee
Cathlete
I like too many yoga instructors to list. Shiva Rea, Erich Schiffman, Rodney Yee and Sarah Kline are some of them.
I don't do barre.
For cardio I like kickboxing, cardio coach and itrain. For strength, I do a lot of Kelly and some Cathe total body but I only do strength when I am in the mood, which could be as low as once a week. I also weight train at the gym on occasion.
I don't do barre.
For cardio I like kickboxing, cardio coach and itrain. For strength, I do a lot of Kelly and some Cathe total body but I only do strength when I am in the mood, which could be as low as once a week. I also weight train at the gym on occasion.
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Elle_p
Cathlete
I just started doing more yoga DVD's to complement my regular practice.
In the past i did some of the Gaiam workouts with Rodney Yee, Patricia Walden, and Susan Deason but didn't find them challenging enough. Maybe i just happened to get easy ones or something. I was debating trying some of Rodney Yee's more recent DVD's since i like him as an instructor and they seem to get good reviews.
Recently i have been doing Shiva Rea which i am enjoying because it's different from what i normally practice. I purchased a few of her DVD's and i'm working my way through them. I also dusted off my Mind & Body DVD with Erich Schiffman and Ali McGraw which i originally owned on VHS. I really like this one.
I'm deciding if i should purchase Dharma Mittra's Maha Sadhana DVD's. Does anyone have these? I know friends who have taken his classes at the yoga conference and they all say he is a great teacher. I just haven't heard any feedback from anyone about these DVD's.
For cardio, I have a treadmill at home. Not very exciting but i sometimes watch TV while i'm on there and the time flies. Haven't done that in a while though.
I also have Jari Love's workouts which are light wts/hig reps. I use these when i want a total body workout but am not up to Cathe. I find Jari kind of weird at times but the workouts are effective.
I haven't done any Barre workouts. Is it kind of like ballet with plies? that's what comes to mind when i hear "barre".
In the past i did some of the Gaiam workouts with Rodney Yee, Patricia Walden, and Susan Deason but didn't find them challenging enough. Maybe i just happened to get easy ones or something. I was debating trying some of Rodney Yee's more recent DVD's since i like him as an instructor and they seem to get good reviews.
Recently i have been doing Shiva Rea which i am enjoying because it's different from what i normally practice. I purchased a few of her DVD's and i'm working my way through them. I also dusted off my Mind & Body DVD with Erich Schiffman and Ali McGraw which i originally owned on VHS. I really like this one.
I'm deciding if i should purchase Dharma Mittra's Maha Sadhana DVD's. Does anyone have these? I know friends who have taken his classes at the yoga conference and they all say he is a great teacher. I just haven't heard any feedback from anyone about these DVD's.
For cardio, I have a treadmill at home. Not very exciting but i sometimes watch TV while i'm on there and the time flies. Haven't done that in a while though.
I also have Jari Love's workouts which are light wts/hig reps. I use these when i want a total body workout but am not up to Cathe. I find Jari kind of weird at times but the workouts are effective.
I haven't done any Barre workouts. Is it kind of like ballet with plies? that's what comes to mind when i hear "barre".
SRP
Cathlete
The ultimate low intensity workout for me is a nice long walk or hike outdoors. It's good for my mind as well as my body. I can literally walk all day, though I haven't done that in a while.
I'm still kicking around ideas about how I'll incorporate lower intensity into my workouts. Maybe a bit more steady state instead of interval cardio. I just ordered some of Cardio Coach's instrumental only downloads to use for that.
For weights, my idea of lowering intensity is to simply slow the work down. Instead of moving quickly from one exercise to another, I take longer breaks between sets, etc. I haven't followed an instructor in a while - I just do my own thing.
I'm still kicking around ideas about how I'll incorporate lower intensity into my workouts. Maybe a bit more steady state instead of interval cardio. I just ordered some of Cardio Coach's instrumental only downloads to use for that.
For weights, my idea of lowering intensity is to simply slow the work down. Instead of moving quickly from one exercise to another, I take longer breaks between sets, etc. I haven't followed an instructor in a while - I just do my own thing.
bmccartney
Cathlete
Low intensity for me has been mostly yoga. My favorites are currently Rodney Yee and Bryan Kest. I have Shiva Rea's Shakti but the pausing between each segment drives me nuts. Elle, which Rodney Yee dvds do you have? I just got one that has some head/handstands and it's a lot of fun. I have Cardio Barre Advanced and Aero Barre, which are both okay but I have to be in the right mood to do them.
Cardio is sometimes kickbox, sometimes circuits, or long, brisk walks. Shannon, I think it's a great idea to do a mix of interval and steady state cardio to give your body and mind some more variety.
I found some interesting articles on Bryan Kest's website. In one he talked about how we often pound ourselves into the ground with exercise in order to look a certain way or reach a certain external goal. By doing this, we feed our egos, which are very fragile. If we only workout to feed our egos, then it's easy to be more reactive to stress, self doubt, and negativity. Whereas if we find something that nourishes are minds, we become less reactive and more empowered. Anyway, this struck a chord with me. The high intensity stuff makes me feel GREAT, but just while I'm doing it (I wonder if it's the endorphins from the discomfort I'm creating). Then afterward I feel drained and crabby. I'm so happy to have found yoga because I feel nourished rather than depleted afterward.
Elle, which Rodney Yee dvds do you have? I just got one that has some head/handstands and it's a lot of fun. I have Cardio Barre Advanced and Aero Barre, which are both okay but I have to be in the right mood to do them.Cardio is sometimes kickbox, sometimes circuits, or long, brisk walks. Shannon, I think it's a great idea to do a mix of interval and steady state cardio to give your body and mind some more variety.
I found some interesting articles on Bryan Kest's website. In one he talked about how we often pound ourselves into the ground with exercise in order to look a certain way or reach a certain external goal. By doing this, we feed our egos, which are very fragile. If we only workout to feed our egos, then it's easy to be more reactive to stress, self doubt, and negativity. Whereas if we find something that nourishes are minds, we become less reactive and more empowered. Anyway, this struck a chord with me. The high intensity stuff makes me feel GREAT, but just while I'm doing it (I wonder if it's the endorphins from the discomfort I'm creating). Then afterward I feel drained and crabby. I'm so happy to have found yoga because I feel nourished rather than depleted afterward.
Vee
Cathlete
My reasons for reducing intensity are not because high intensity made me feel drained or more hungry. This fits my lifestyle. When I got relatively busier than I used to be, I could not sustain the mental focus and time that intense workouts demanded. At age 43, I don't know if I can or even would like to go back to intense workouts if things eased up in the future.
I enjoyed intensity in my thirties. I felt fit and healthy. The sense of wellbeing from being in great condition is a very fond memory. I was not obsessed with a particular look and enjoyed my exercise.
I love moderation now.
I took up yoga at the peak of my fitness and am glad now, because very often, it is all I want to do. Yoga can be very intense too. For instance, the classic ashtanga sequence. I do moderation in yoga too.
I enjoyed intensity in my thirties. I felt fit and healthy. The sense of wellbeing from being in great condition is a very fond memory. I was not obsessed with a particular look and enjoyed my exercise.
I love moderation now.
I took up yoga at the peak of my fitness and am glad now, because very often, it is all I want to do. Yoga can be very intense too. For instance, the classic ashtanga sequence. I do moderation in yoga too.
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Elle_p
Cathlete
Bethany, the Rodney Yee workouts i have are so old they are on VHS! They are from the early nineties.
If I recall, they were Total Body Yoga, Lower Body Yoga, AM or PM yoga, Abs yoga. While i liked Rodney Yee's instruction i found all the Gaiam yoga videos i had (including Patricia Walden & susan Deason) weren't the kind of practice that i could use to help me progress with my personal practice so i just stopped buying them. I did not feel that anyone could progress to an advanced level doing these particular workouts. Maybe they were designed to make yoga accessible to everyone and there wasn't a market for advanced yoga videos at that time.
I would definitely give Rodney another try. what's the name of the one you mentioned with the handstands?
The reason i am enjoying Shiva Rea is that her style is so different from the more traditional style i practice and this really challenges me in different ways.
Lately, all i want to do is yoga so that's what i've been doing. In the past when i've felt like that, i always forced myself to do other workouts in addition to the yoga and eventually would burn out trying to fit everything in.
They are from the early nineties.If I recall, they were Total Body Yoga, Lower Body Yoga, AM or PM yoga, Abs yoga. While i liked Rodney Yee's instruction i found all the Gaiam yoga videos i had (including Patricia Walden & susan Deason) weren't the kind of practice that i could use to help me progress with my personal practice so i just stopped buying them. I did not feel that anyone could progress to an advanced level doing these particular workouts. Maybe they were designed to make yoga accessible to everyone and there wasn't a market for advanced yoga videos at that time.
I would definitely give Rodney another try. what's the name of the one you mentioned with the handstands?
The reason i am enjoying Shiva Rea is that her style is so different from the more traditional style i practice and this really challenges me in different ways.
Lately, all i want to do is yoga so that's what i've been doing. In the past when i've felt like that, i always forced myself to do other workouts in addition to the yoga and eventually would burn out trying to fit everything in.