SteppingFool
Cathlete
Everybody has a story. My story is as not impressive as others, no before/after pictures... no massive weight loss... but exercise video has changed my lifestyle dramatically. I had always been a gym rat, and weight has never been an issue for me. When I got pregnant with twins, I was told to quit any form of exercise except walking, probably partly because of the first pregnancy ended up in a miscarriage. I am NOT a walker-type (no offense to anybody!). So no exercise for me during the pregnancy. Then came the babies. I basically went back to my pre-pregnancy weight within 6 months of delivery without much work... great!
I wanted to start going back to the gym, but being a first time mother I worry about the care my babies would get at the nursery. So I delayed exercising until 'they get bigger'. Within 3 years, I gained about 10 lbs. I know 10 lbs does not seem much to somebody, but it shows especially when you are short. I KNOW I was out of shape. Most of my clothes did not fit. The bigger clothes I have in my closet were too tight. I know I either had to get a new wardrobe or get back to exercising again. I did get new wardrobe, and I told myself I have a 'motherly' figure. But buying a larger clothes were no fun.... so I decided to go back to exercising, and enroll the kids in a preschool (3 days/week). Looking around for a gym, I found out that my choices were limited. I would be paying about $50/mo and exercising 3 days a week when the kids are in preschool. I know this would not be enough if I want to make significant gains.
So came the internet search. I found out www.videofitness.com. Looking around at their favorite picks, out came Cathe Friedrich name. Who is SHE? I have never heard of her! Kathy Smith, Denise Austin... yes. Since a lot of her videos were top picked (Hall of Fame), and since I LOVE stepping at the gym, I decided to try Cardio Hits. I also decided to order MIS. I have always hated weight lifting (at the gym or home) because it's so boring to do it alone, but I know I need a well-rounded routine. How those two orders changed my life! I found out that Cathe's step routine are not only fun but very advanced. In fact, better than gym classes I took years ago (of course, being out of shape did not help). When I first did MIS, I knew right away this is the weight lifting I've been looking for. I have paid for a personal trainer at the gym, but I was not impressed. All the trainer did was log my dumbell weight, adjust seat positions and hand me the dumbell. NOT what I was looking for. No explanation on proper form, rotation, endurance/strength difference, etc. Cathe makes working out with weights fun (feels like I'm working out with 5 other people!), effective, knowlegeable. I know my first Cathe order is a true gem!
I lost the 10 lbs within 4 months. More significantly, I increased my endurance and intensity level. I make VERY significant gains in my strength training. I have NEVER strength train like this before! Within less than a year, I own every DVD that Cathe has ever made... you could say -- I'm hooked! My pre-pregnancy clothes are loose... I look and feel better about myself. I have one trouble spot that may never go away -- ABS. I may never regain my flat abs again, probably due be having twins and C-section, but I will try. And I know Cathe will be there for me.
I will keep exercising with Cathe. It is so efficient in many ways -- no time consuming driving, nursery cost, gym cost, waiting in-line for machines and I'm never late for class. With small children, I know Cathe will be there to exercise with me whenever I am ready. Be it 10pm, 4:18am or 2.27pm. And she will do what I want to -- kickboxing, step, strength, circuit, interval... and however long I want it to be. Not only that, the quality of workouts are above and beyond of what I would get from a gym. I am averaging 6 hours/week at a cheaper cost than a gym membership. Best of all -- it works! It works because it's FUN -- and having fun means being consistent.
Wished I found Cathe sooner... but like they said -- better late than never!
I wanted to start going back to the gym, but being a first time mother I worry about the care my babies would get at the nursery. So I delayed exercising until 'they get bigger'. Within 3 years, I gained about 10 lbs. I know 10 lbs does not seem much to somebody, but it shows especially when you are short. I KNOW I was out of shape. Most of my clothes did not fit. The bigger clothes I have in my closet were too tight. I know I either had to get a new wardrobe or get back to exercising again. I did get new wardrobe, and I told myself I have a 'motherly' figure. But buying a larger clothes were no fun.... so I decided to go back to exercising, and enroll the kids in a preschool (3 days/week). Looking around for a gym, I found out that my choices were limited. I would be paying about $50/mo and exercising 3 days a week when the kids are in preschool. I know this would not be enough if I want to make significant gains.
So came the internet search. I found out www.videofitness.com. Looking around at their favorite picks, out came Cathe Friedrich name. Who is SHE? I have never heard of her! Kathy Smith, Denise Austin... yes. Since a lot of her videos were top picked (Hall of Fame), and since I LOVE stepping at the gym, I decided to try Cardio Hits. I also decided to order MIS. I have always hated weight lifting (at the gym or home) because it's so boring to do it alone, but I know I need a well-rounded routine. How those two orders changed my life! I found out that Cathe's step routine are not only fun but very advanced. In fact, better than gym classes I took years ago (of course, being out of shape did not help). When I first did MIS, I knew right away this is the weight lifting I've been looking for. I have paid for a personal trainer at the gym, but I was not impressed. All the trainer did was log my dumbell weight, adjust seat positions and hand me the dumbell. NOT what I was looking for. No explanation on proper form, rotation, endurance/strength difference, etc. Cathe makes working out with weights fun (feels like I'm working out with 5 other people!), effective, knowlegeable. I know my first Cathe order is a true gem!
I lost the 10 lbs within 4 months. More significantly, I increased my endurance and intensity level. I make VERY significant gains in my strength training. I have NEVER strength train like this before! Within less than a year, I own every DVD that Cathe has ever made... you could say -- I'm hooked! My pre-pregnancy clothes are loose... I look and feel better about myself. I have one trouble spot that may never go away -- ABS. I may never regain my flat abs again, probably due be having twins and C-section, but I will try. And I know Cathe will be there for me.
I will keep exercising with Cathe. It is so efficient in many ways -- no time consuming driving, nursery cost, gym cost, waiting in-line for machines and I'm never late for class. With small children, I know Cathe will be there to exercise with me whenever I am ready. Be it 10pm, 4:18am or 2.27pm. And she will do what I want to -- kickboxing, step, strength, circuit, interval... and however long I want it to be. Not only that, the quality of workouts are above and beyond of what I would get from a gym. I am averaging 6 hours/week at a cheaper cost than a gym membership. Best of all -- it works! It works because it's FUN -- and having fun means being consistent.
Wished I found Cathe sooner... but like they said -- better late than never!