Can someone offer some advice?

[elliemom2]

Hi,
I've recently returned to exercising and really love Cathe. But I am having a really hard time fiishing ANY workouts. My heart rate skyrockets ito the 160's and I am huffing and puffing!! I feel like I will never get there. I love her choreography and music. I am getting discouraged. I end up taking so many breaks that I'm wondering if I am really getting any good steady cardio. Some of the tapes I do include Rhytmic step, Step Works, Low Max, Step Jump and pump and Cardio and weights. Am I expecting too much too soon or are these really difficult? Should my heart rate be that high? I can't eve imagine ever doing these on 8 inches.
I a 5'2 petite and weigh 128 pounds. I'm 41 years old and had a baby 2 years ago.
Ay advice would be greatly appreciated
ellie:-(

 

[saia11]

Ellie,
First, congratulations on making the commitment to get back into exercising.
Second, please don't get discouraged, Cathe is hard and though those videos may not be the "most" difficult she has produced they are most definitely "geared towards the advanced exerciser", as Cathe has said. Third, yes, it is reasonable for your heart rate to reach as high as the 160's during the toughest portions of these workouts, but if it is immediately jumping into that zone, then you will definitely want to take a breather or modify until you can join back in. Maybe just doing basic steps until you catch your breath. During the steady state workouts you should be working comfortably hard (could say a few words), but not crazy hard (can't even ask someone to dial 911!).
Cathe has put together a special rotation called the Beginner's Rotation just for those who are new to working out, or even just new to her videos. Here is a link:http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=7&topic_
id=5117&mesg_id=5117&page=
This rotation features several of Cathe's workouts that are easier than those you are currently doing, and you might want to consider investing in them. Even once you surpass their level of difficulty they can be useful for working rest days, when recovering from injuries, or even could be passed on to a friend.
Finally, we were all in your position at one time, just starting out, and I feel confident in saying that most of us we huffing and puffing as well, so stick with it.
And remember, no matter what you're doing, at least you're doing instead of sitting on your butt! :7
Best of luck!
Mattea

 

[aschendell]

I started with Cathe a couple of years ago and had to start with the Basics like Mattea mentioned. My heart rate still got pretty high with these, but they go at a much slower pace and are easier to keep up with if you are getting out of breath. When I started exercising again my heart rate got in the 180s even with the basics...so don't get discouraged. I remember the first time I finished Cardio and Weights with no modifications...I was so proud of myself!!! It took me a REALLY long time to work up to doing Lo Max in its entirety and now I can do it with the 8" step. You WILL get there, but be patient with yourself and your body. Besides the fact that you have been away from exercising for a while, your body also produced another human being..and the effects from that last a while!! Keep at it and you will succeed in time...but be patient!

Good luck and happy stepping!

Debra

Bite off more than you can chew. Then chew it---Ella Williams

 

[GreenEyedLefty]

Lowering your step height might help reduce your heart rate. Also, for a while I set an alarm on my HRM to let me know when my heart rate was getting too high. When it beeped, I would immediately modify (e.g., no jumping, no arms) until my HR went back down again.

It takes time to work up to a high level of fitness. I've had Low Max for months and I still take an extra 15-20 seconds in between the segments to catch my breath. Same with Cardio & Weights. Those few seconds make the difference between finishing the workout or quitting early.

 

[elliemom2]

Thank you everyone for your support. I tend to expect a lot from myself and jump in too quickly. I reaaly love Cathe's workouts and want to continue doing them. When I do other tapes that aren't Cathe I laugh at what I used to think was HARD!! Hopefully I can work up to that with Cathe!!!:7
I will step back a little and modify and see how I do
thanks again
ellie