Cathe, I need HELP!!!!!!

[intensitylisa]

:-( Cathe,I am having a hard time lately being committed to my exercise program. I have started a new job and am tired when I get home (from training), two nights out of the week I go to my daughter's softball practice, one night out of the week I get groceries the other two to three nights I visit my grandmother. It seems like I am putting off my favorite past time (Cathe workouts) and I don't know why this is happening! I used to work out 5 to 6 evenings a week and now I am lucky if I work out twice a week. I also don't get the chance to get my motivation(the Cathe forums) as often as I would like! Also, my new co-workers are all overweight and all they do is eat! They order out every day and even order out ice cream! I don't want to fall into their mode. I have worked too hard for what I have achieved! Does anyone have any suggestions? I am hoping that once I get used to the change, I will be able to schedule my workouts more often! HELP!!!

 

[Joannafit]

hey lisa..any chance you can get up at 4-5 am like some of the diehards here to fit it in before life?? i am an evening person... but the concept of early am workouts makes sense!!;-)

 

[fitprincess]

Hello,
I'm sorry your life is so crazy right now, I can understand how hard it must be to schedule workout times. Just a suggestion but maybe if you could use part of your lunch hour at work to get out and walk or jog (don't know if this is possible around your area) but this would be great exercise during the day and it would get you away from all the temptation of your co-workers bad habits regarding eating. Also, it may be helpful to bring as much healthy things as possible to snack on, like fresh veggies, fruit, whatever you like. (I know it's not quite the same as ice cream) When your co-workers offer you food, offer them some of your stuff. Hopefully, they'll get the message. If you have the Timesaver DVD this can be great for short but effective and fun :7 workouts. Hope this helps.

 

[Jcrew3082]

Great suggestions, fitprincess. I too am sorry that you are having a rough time, Lisa.

Would it be possible to take a walk during your daughter's practices? Is there a track or walking path near the filed? Would she be offended if you did that?

Bringing healthy snacks to work was also a good idea. Water can also be helpful in filling you up, provided that you get bathroom breaks during training!

Don't be too hard on yourself. Things have a way of working themselves out.

Gina

 

[mariep]

Hi, Lisa--

Sorry you're having such a hard time lately. One tip for the food problem: pack a cooler every day with your lunch and snacks. That way, when you get hungry, you'll have good healthy food right there waiting for you, and you won't be tempted to eat whatever high-fat takeout food your co-workers might be getting. Plus, you save a lot of money by packing your own lunch every day. Take-out gets very expensive!

As far as your workouts go, don't be too hard on yourself. Give yourself time to get acclimated to your new job and new schedule. Get some physical activity in whenever and wherever you can. Go for a walk or jog at lunch if you can. And it does sound horrible if you're used to working out in the evening, but try working out in the morning, even if it's only one or two days a week. You may find that you like getting it out of the way first thing! This may be a good time to try something like CTX or the Timesaver workouts; the shorter workouts may be just the thing to keep you on track during this difficult transition.

Again, don't be too hard on yourself. You'll get yourself back on a good schedule in no time. In the meantime, just try to be careful with what you eat (this is where the cooler of healthy lunch/snacks comes in!) so that, even if your activity level is down for a couple of weeks, you should be ok.

Good luck and keep us posted on how it's going!

-Marie

 

[intensitylisa]

This may sound really strange....... but

I guess in a way I think that my being in shape and being so dedicated to Cathe that my co-workers feel threatened, jealous. Does this make sense? I know that my old backstabbing boss was envious of my committment to exercise and I guess I feel threatened by others that they will backstab me because they are jealous! I haven't told anyone at my new job about my passion for Cathe or exercise. I guess because I am soo scared of being stabbed in the back again.

 

[babybird]

RE: This may sound really strange....... but

Good thing you are not working for your old boss. I actually converted mine from old couch potato to one of us. Of course, it took several years for her to see it. She is so greatful now. Any good person will see your strong committment and learn from it. Stick to who you are and they will see you are not to mess with and show you whole lot of respect. It is time they need someone like you in their pack. }(

 

[bkbt3337]

Cathe:

I am 37 yrs. old, and I am a stay at home mother of two wonderful little boys, ages 6 and 7.

Approx. four years ago I began working out, really for the first time ever (I started at 190 lbs). At the beginning I started going to a step class two times a week and then about a two months into it I began working with a trainer three times a week also. Over the next 1 1/2 yrs. I lost 70 lbs. During this period I looked and felt the best that I ever had. I was down to a size 6 slim.

Well, about 1 1/2 years ago my husband lost his job and with the down fall of the stock market we lost just about everything. Of course, this has been very hard on me and my family, taking its toll on me. I gave up my gym membership and slowly but surely I have gained back 50 of the 70 lbs. that I lost. I have let myself down and hate the way that I look and feel. My stomach hangs over my jeans and all of the clothes that I have do not fit because I gave away all of my big clothes. I promised myself that I would never look the way that I did before I started working out, well, guess what, I DO!

I never thought that I would ever be able to find someone that taught a Step class again that I would enjoy. I watch your show every day on FIT TV. Now I just need that motivation to actually do the exercises.

Since I cannot afford to go out and purchase all the equipment that you use on your show, could you please tell me what I might be able to use as weights. Also, do you get the same results from doing the step class without a step as you would with a step? May sound like a stupid question, but I always used the step.

Thank you for being who you are and for giving me the opportunity to tell my story.

Karen

 

[Jcrew3082]

Hi Karen,

I'm so sorry that your husband lost his job. Please don't be disappointed in yourself. You got in shape once, and surely, you can do it again-especially since Cathe's workouts will kick your butt- in a good way lol.

I have heard that filled water bottles or milk jugs make good weights provided that they are tightly sealed. You may also be able to use a long rolled up towel or old sheet or t-shirt as a resistance band. Oh- a jump rope might work for that as well. I don't know if it's in your budget or if you live near a Sports Authority- they are having a clearance sale. Sports Authority brand cast iron hex dumbbells are buy one get one free. I wasn't able to find that offer on the website (http://www.thesportsauthority.com)

Regarding the step, workouts will be more intense with a step than without. You can certainly still do the footwork on the floor, although it's a little trickier in my opinion.

I'm glad you decided to start working out again. Cathe's workouts will really lift your spirits

Gina

 

[maxwells]

RE: This may sound really strange....... but

Hi Lisa --

Although there may be a bit of jealousy at first among your co-workers, I think you will find that eventually they will come around and be inspired by your dedication to health and fitness. That is, of course, as long as it isn't being thrown in their face at every turn which I'm sure is NOT something that you would do. If they see you being consistent with a good diet and good exercise habits, they may start coming to you for advice or may be motivated to change their own habits.

As for your own workouts, I think you've gotten some GREAT advice (as usual) from other posters already. I'll just reiterate what they've said:

1. try working out in the mornings instead of at night. It may be very difficult at first (it was for me too) but eventually it will become a habit. There is nothing that will interrupt my morning workouts -- since nobody is awake at 5:00 am. This is typically when I do my Cathe workouts (mainly cardio and cardio/circuit type stuff).

2. try working out at lunch. I LOVE doing this. I typically find a gym that is 5 to 10 minutes away from my job. I do my heavy strength training at lunch. If you don't have a gym or a rec center nearby -- then maybe find somewhere to take a walk (like a track or park).

The lunch thing really works for me. Sometimes it can be hurried (if you only have exactly an hour for lunch), but even a 30 minute workout is better than going out to eat for lunch. So I get some activity and I avoid eating the big lunches. The funny thing is that all my co-workers know I workout at lunch -- and now I think it has even motivated them to do the same.

Lastly, if you belong to a gym (which I recommend) -- set up a couple of sessions with a personal trainer for the evening. That way you won't be tempted to skip your workout at night. Or maybe try a yoga class or pilates class just to shake things up and keep you from skipping evening activity.

Oh...one more possibility -- get in a couple extra workouts on the weekend (if you typically take weekends off from working out).

Good luck -- and don't be so hard on yourself. It's difficult to get a routine going when starting a new job. It will all fall into place soon enough.

Shonie