Hi Cathe,
First off, I would like to say that I am so glad I found you and your workouts. I live in the UK and only heard your name for the first time about 6 months ago and have since purchased just about every video you have made! (the only ones I don't have yet are the Pure Strength series). You are warm and motivating, and your workouts are challenging, stimulating and (icing on the cake) fun!
Anyway, onto my question. My main goal is weight-loss (I have about 40lbs to lose) and to improve my level of fitness. I build muscle relatively easily (when I am "in shape" I have been told I have the physique of a swimmer - broad shoulders, narrow(er) hips) so I don't want to build "bulky" muscles, but want to "lean" down, but still have muscles which "show" (hey, don't we all!?). I am currently 3 weeks into a 4 week rotation using the CTX series (I have never followed a "formal" rotation before, and whilst I have always done cardio workouts, using weights in a "structured" and "serious" way is relatively new to me.) I have been doing all 6 workouts on consecutive days, followed by a rest day, but have been doing two upper body parts after each cardio in order to work the upper body twice per week.
As of this week I am feeling incredibly tired and a little down. I weighed myself for the first time in 3 weeks yesterday to find that I had GAINED 3lbs. I am eating very clean (about 1500 cals per day) and drinking lots of water. I realise that I should not put so much emphasis on weight-loss, but was really down-hearted (actually, I shed a few tears!) not to have lost any weight but in fact, gained weight. Whilst I realise that you may not wish to comment on the weight-loss aspect, I am wondering if perhaps I have been overtraining? Or, should I expect a little tiredness initially and push through it?
I am thinking of cutting my workouts back to 4-5 times per week, and alternating strength/weight work with cardio rather than doing the two together. I realise that the first rule of any exercise routine is to listen to my own body, and so today I am having an "unscheduled" rest day due to feeling so tired. However, I really do want to lose weight and improve my level of fitness, but feel as if the scales are going in the wrong direction, despite all my best efforts.
Sorry this is so long-winded. I would be really grateful for any advice you could give with regard to the above and any suggestions you can make with regards a rotation suitable for me. I would also appreciate the advice of any of my fellow friends on the Forum.
Thanks in advance,
Kaz.
First off, I would like to say that I am so glad I found you and your workouts. I live in the UK and only heard your name for the first time about 6 months ago and have since purchased just about every video you have made! (the only ones I don't have yet are the Pure Strength series). You are warm and motivating, and your workouts are challenging, stimulating and (icing on the cake) fun!
Anyway, onto my question. My main goal is weight-loss (I have about 40lbs to lose) and to improve my level of fitness. I build muscle relatively easily (when I am "in shape" I have been told I have the physique of a swimmer - broad shoulders, narrow(er) hips) so I don't want to build "bulky" muscles, but want to "lean" down, but still have muscles which "show" (hey, don't we all!?). I am currently 3 weeks into a 4 week rotation using the CTX series (I have never followed a "formal" rotation before, and whilst I have always done cardio workouts, using weights in a "structured" and "serious" way is relatively new to me.) I have been doing all 6 workouts on consecutive days, followed by a rest day, but have been doing two upper body parts after each cardio in order to work the upper body twice per week.
As of this week I am feeling incredibly tired and a little down. I weighed myself for the first time in 3 weeks yesterday to find that I had GAINED 3lbs. I am eating very clean (about 1500 cals per day) and drinking lots of water. I realise that I should not put so much emphasis on weight-loss, but was really down-hearted (actually, I shed a few tears!) not to have lost any weight but in fact, gained weight. Whilst I realise that you may not wish to comment on the weight-loss aspect, I am wondering if perhaps I have been overtraining? Or, should I expect a little tiredness initially and push through it?
I am thinking of cutting my workouts back to 4-5 times per week, and alternating strength/weight work with cardio rather than doing the two together. I realise that the first rule of any exercise routine is to listen to my own body, and so today I am having an "unscheduled" rest day due to feeling so tired. However, I really do want to lose weight and improve my level of fitness, but feel as if the scales are going in the wrong direction, despite all my best efforts.
Sorry this is so long-winded. I would be really grateful for any advice you could give with regard to the above and any suggestions you can make with regards a rotation suitable for me. I would also appreciate the advice of any of my fellow friends on the Forum.
Thanks in advance,
Kaz.
Also, be sure you are not putting Power Circuit and Leaner Legs back to back if you are doing CTX, Cathe says that's too much on the legs. And I think you could eat just a little bit more, maybe, but be sure it's high quality food.