Classics

elliemom2

Cathlete
I was wondering if the Classics Volume is worth getting at this point. I have Stepworks,Rythmic step, Step, Jump and Pump, IMAX 1 and 3 and Step Blast. I love them all. I haven't truly been able to complete them all but am getting much better. It's not the choreography, it's the intensity!! Is it worth getting the classics or I am better off continuing with the ones I have?
Thank you for any suggestions.:)
 
I have all of Cathe's DVDs and love the variety! IMO: If you don't mind the dated look on the Classics (I dont but really bugs some people) and you want variety because you step a lot then go for it!
 
Thanks for the imput. Does anyone else have a hard time finishing the entire workout (no matter which one)? Somedays I get discouraged that I will never actually be in shape.:(
I think I need help with a good eating plan and cardio schedule.
I do have Push and Pull and Legs and Glutes etc. They don't seem as difficult as the step tapes. Am I not doing it right?
I have been doing Cathe for 6 months and have only lost 2 pounds!!
HELP
elliemom:eek:
 
Girl, puh-leeze do not be so hard on yourself!!! Push/Pull and Legs & Glutes are as tough as you make them. If you have the DVDs, try doing some of the premixes, which can make them more of a challenge. For Push/Pull, try going as heavy as you can. I used to think this workout was a breeze, but going heavy really makes this one effective. And because Cathe uses slower reps (usally a 2/2 count) and because she does only 1 set of each exercise, you can really go heavy. Give it a try! With Legs & Glutes - I like to really really focus on form with that one. Because she goes lighter, you can really go low on the squats and deep on the leg presses to get the most out of the movement.

Now, for the cardio:

As I've said in previous posts, my first Cathe purchase was the CTX series. I did The Firm, Gin Miller, Keli Roberts, Karen Voight and could breeze through those. I ordered Cathe because Collage deemed her 'advanced.' Great googly moogly - they weren't kidding! I couldn't finish Step & Intervals, Power Circuit, 10-10-10 - any of the CTX workouts! And I thought the weight lifting segments (though Cathe said they were "lighter/high rep workouts" were extremely heavy and tough! I did the CTX series religiously for several months. I lost 4 dress sizes and ended up being able to complete each workout with a few modifications. My next purchase was the Rhythmic Step, MIC, Imax DVD. I couldn't make it through the Imax warm-up (those power scissors!) - but I kept at them - and they became more doable and more doable overtime. Just keep at it! You're doing such wonderful things for yourself! You're improving your self-esteem, your bone density, your cardio capacity, your coordination - so many things.

Never, ever, ever give-up. You'll feel SO INCREDIBLE that first time you do one of her step workouts the whole way through without stopping or modifying!!

(And I think the Classics would be a great way to build up the cardio endurance needed for her later, tougher workouts.)
 
Thanks for all your help.
I really have been trying so hard to figure all this out. I know my diet is awful and I thought exercising would make up for it. I learned the hard way that is sooooo not true. I absolutely love Cathe tapes and push myself as hard as i can to finish one. I think it's rythmic step where I am finally finished and then she does a BONUS segment. I haven't even attempted that. It seems like 45 min (including the warm up) is my limit. Also, I have been wearing a heart rate monitor and find myself up in the 160's. My resting rate is 60-65. I can never figure out what my target zone is. I've tried the 220 math etc, but always come up with something different. Is it based solely on age (41) or does it depend on how fit you are?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for any and all suggestions. I was always afraid to sign on here for fear that I was making a fool out of myself. You guys have made me feel welcome
elliemom2
 
I think you'd be really happy with the Classics DVD. I've been working out with Cathe for a long time but any time I've come back after a break, illness etc I always reach for Step Heat. It's a great workout but much less intense than most Cathes (to me). Step Jam comes next. Doing these workouts will give you great confidence to get through a whole tape. I don't have Step Max but I've done it a few times and I think it's a little tougher than the other two. The ones you have now are all pretty intense; I swear Step Works is the hardest straight step workout she's made! And you're not alone, when I started Cathe, I couldn't get through one step section without pausing/modifying let alone a whole workout! Cardio is still harder for me than weights...it's the cardio endurance that kills me!

As mentioned, the Classics are very dated but the workouts are still great and you will definitely burn calories!

Another thing to remember is that a cleaner diet will make your body function better and improve your workouts. The best advice is to eat foods closest to their natural state (avoid processed/packaged foods). Stick to the outside aisles of the grocery store. Eat small but eat often...it's good to eat 5-6 times a day (if you can) but make them small, nutritious meals that include protein, healthy fats and whole grain carbs. Load up on fruits and veggies and tons and tons of water!

For weights: definitely make sure you're really challenging yourself. If you finish a set and know that you could keep on lifting, you're not going heavy enough. Your last rep should be the very last rep you can possibly do with good form.

Keep up the great work!
 
{I know my diet is awful and I thought exercising would make up for it. I learned the hard way that is sooooo not true. }

Don't know about anyone else but I have found that since I found Cathe several months ago and use her solely as my "trainer" (except for Spinning) I actually have to eat cleaner than before to see great results. I believe its because her w/o's are so intense that unless my body is getting fueled properly (clean + higher calories) I hang on to fat. Its a been a great lesson for me in understanding how the body really works if you feed it correctly...an amazing machine it is!
 
I have noticed the same thing. I was dieting and doing Cathe and got NO RESULTS. I "gave up" and started eating more and I finally lost a few pounds. I put it back on over the last year because I was not working out and was eating way too much junk food.
I'm still not sure what clean eating is.
ellie;)
 
Ellie-
If you do a search on clean eating you'll get about a zillion great posts to read. There are many levels to clean eating in my opinion and I try to stay in the moderate range.... I started with "easy stuff" to figure out like:

no food out of a box
no white breads/carbs
Then I moved on to really looking for the ingredient "High Fructose" and such....that one thing alone made me eliminate almost all processed foods in my pantry!

Thats about as far as I choose to take it at this point in my life.... I love good food, I am known as a "foodie" in my circles and am happy to workout/ eat clean 80-90%.... I'm not out to be the buffest on the beach these days.
 
I am sure that you are getting great advice here, and just remember to be positive. I am sure that if you make a commitment, you will get in shape. If step choreography is too difficult for you, get Cathe's Basic Step or try kickboxing workouts where the choreography isn't too difficult.
 

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