Here are a few things I wish someone had told me when I started exercising regularly. Other people, please feel free to add anything that would have helped you or might help new beginners.
(1) Cathe and the people in her DVDs have probably been exercising for years. Don't get hung up on comparing yourself to them. Instead focus on the fact that as time goes on, with regular exercise and good diet, you will look more like them than you used to and less like you used to be.
(2) Anything is better than nothing. When I first started exercising, I was going to kickboxing classes - 45 - 60 minutes with people in the front rows who looked like Cathe's "crew". I was in the back row, gasping for air. For each set of 8 repetitions, I would do 6 of the first set, stand there and gasp for 5 reps, then do every other rep for a bit, stand and gasp, then do 1 and 5 of the final set. Over time, I was able to do more and more. So in work outs where you can't do everything, don't think about the reps you're not doing. Think about the reps you are doing. Each one is better than doing none. Each rep is working a muscle and moving you in the direction of better conditioning, rather than poorer conditioning. Success is keeping going, improving, and not quitting.
(3) Think about the long haul. Getting and staying in shape means exercising regularly for a few years. So stick with it, even if you have to stop for a month here or there. You can't do it all over night. Trying to do too much may cause injury or burn out, either of which will set you back more in the long term than skipping some of Cathe's reps, or using lower or no weights, taking extra rest days.
(4) Don't give up all of those things you like to eat the most. There's a book/weight loss program called Body for Life. The author has you watching the food 6 days a week, but on the 7th day, tells you to eat whatever you want. If you are too punitive with yourself, you're less likely to stick with a regular exercise program.
(5) Variety is really good. Doing different exercises and activities works different movements and different parts of the same muscle which promotes muscle balance and helps prevent overuse and injury. If your legs are tired from Kick punch and crunch, take a long walk or bike ride. If your upper body is too tired for Musclemax with heavy weight, then do Musclemax with very light weight. If its a beautiful day and walking seems wimpy, then take 1,2, 3, or 5 lb dumbells with you and do curls, side lateral raises, overhead presses, overhead triceps presses, straight jabs, hook punches, undercut punches, while you walk.
Good luck.
(1) Cathe and the people in her DVDs have probably been exercising for years. Don't get hung up on comparing yourself to them. Instead focus on the fact that as time goes on, with regular exercise and good diet, you will look more like them than you used to and less like you used to be.
(2) Anything is better than nothing. When I first started exercising, I was going to kickboxing classes - 45 - 60 minutes with people in the front rows who looked like Cathe's "crew". I was in the back row, gasping for air. For each set of 8 repetitions, I would do 6 of the first set, stand there and gasp for 5 reps, then do every other rep for a bit, stand and gasp, then do 1 and 5 of the final set. Over time, I was able to do more and more. So in work outs where you can't do everything, don't think about the reps you're not doing. Think about the reps you are doing. Each one is better than doing none. Each rep is working a muscle and moving you in the direction of better conditioning, rather than poorer conditioning. Success is keeping going, improving, and not quitting.
(3) Think about the long haul. Getting and staying in shape means exercising regularly for a few years. So stick with it, even if you have to stop for a month here or there. You can't do it all over night. Trying to do too much may cause injury or burn out, either of which will set you back more in the long term than skipping some of Cathe's reps, or using lower or no weights, taking extra rest days.
(4) Don't give up all of those things you like to eat the most. There's a book/weight loss program called Body for Life. The author has you watching the food 6 days a week, but on the 7th day, tells you to eat whatever you want. If you are too punitive with yourself, you're less likely to stick with a regular exercise program.
(5) Variety is really good. Doing different exercises and activities works different movements and different parts of the same muscle which promotes muscle balance and helps prevent overuse and injury. If your legs are tired from Kick punch and crunch, take a long walk or bike ride. If your upper body is too tired for Musclemax with heavy weight, then do Musclemax with very light weight. If its a beautiful day and walking seems wimpy, then take 1,2, 3, or 5 lb dumbells with you and do curls, side lateral raises, overhead presses, overhead triceps presses, straight jabs, hook punches, undercut punches, while you walk.
Good luck.
CHEETAH 
