Finally posting....need ideas/Cathe

J

jeffsmom

Active Member
First, thanks Cathe. You are an inspiration and a role model not only in fitness, but in motherhood and business too. Bravo!

I've been lurking....I need some advice from Cathe and/or the rest of you. (We are a smart bunch on this forum...)This may get long so hang in there.

I have been working out solidly for 5 years now and have always been active. I needed to lose 25 lbs after my baby and did that with eating better and the Firm. I needed more of a cardio and weight challenge and love to work out at home. I had heard a lot about Cathe and I am so glad I tried her stuff! Perfect. You are now #1 with me and I tell everyone so.

Here are my questions. I reached a weight of 125 lbs 3 years ago, I am 5'5". That is very light for me. I am of medium frame and have always weighed more than I look. No big deal on the weight thing. At this time I was a size 4. I knew that would not last for long...so here I am, still 5'5" by the way :) but now I weigh 154 pounds, am a happy and maintanable size 8. I seem quite vain writing this but how the heck did I gain 30 lbs back again? I am bigger than at my lightest weight but still 3 sizes smaller than when I started 5 years ago. Has anyone else experienced this? I do weigh myself once per month just as a guide, but deep down it is funky to me.

Bear with me...one more thing. I have tried all sorts of rotations and none have really given me the definition I desire. I am muscle bound but hardly cut. Even a little. I eat right MOST of the time...not all. When I do eat less than stellar, it is never fast food, more like too many starchy carbs. Is that really the ticket here? I can lift a lot of weight and only lift heavy once per week, the other 4 times are cardio and perhaps one cardio with lighter weight like cardio max or a Firm. I thought I could run to lean down but my knees have a hard time with that. Any suggestions? I will work out forever but I would like to improve and see my muscles (I know they are there...) without flexing them. If I am going to work this hard on these muscles, I would like to be able to see where my deltoid stops and my biceps start for heaven's sake! Any help or ideas would be great.
Becky
 
Hi Becky. I had to read your post a couple times to see exactly what youre asking, so if I dont answer your questions, sorry. My first question is what Cathe tapes are you doing?? To me, it sounds like your on a plateau, which sucks, but if you want to change things you have to change what you are doing and "bump up" to the next level. I used to do the firm tapes 3-4 times a week, I felt like I was working hard, but after losing only a little weight, nothing was changing. I was so frustrated, even complained to my MD, it must be my thyroid, I said, he just looked and me and said "no its not, youre fine you just need to workout more and harder" my jaw dropped, I wanted to punch him, but after I thought about it, he was right. I read about Cathe on the firm website Aug 2000, got some great advice on tapes from this forum, did the tapes faithfully 4 times a week. Within weeks I saw changes, my clothes fit better, and some muscle definition started to peek through, so just the change in intensity ( and WOW a big change from the firm) and duration made such a huge difference (runnign out of room, to be contd..
 
(I just wont shut up, huh??) I lost 10 lbs but alas, Ive recently hit another plateau and had to bump up to working out 5-6 times per week (Ive been managing to get 6 in). Do I look like Cathe?? Not even close, but for me, I feel great, have energy up the ying-yang, and feel stronger than I ever have. Im 38 next week. So, to sum it up, you have to increase intensity, duration, and frequency once you see a plateau. I try to do a Fim tape every now and then and end up shutting it off, the intensity is just not there (for me), Cathe's tapes are your answer, Was I of ANY help??????? Judy
 
Thanks for your input Judy. I am amazed that you really got anything out of my post!

I do Cathe exclusively and throw in a Firm about once every 3 or 4 weeks just for variety. I have sold most of them and have only kept the recent ones. I agree, the intensity is not there with the Firm although I did Core Cardio 1 the other day and it was not easy. I do cardio 4 times per week (Interval Max, Cardio Kicks, MIC or another hour long one and the cardio sections of CXT for the other 3 times per week) and a weight tape such as MIS, Power Hour, or I do the PS or SH series along with the cardio for my week. Basically I work each body part HEAVY once per week and cardio for the other 4 days. So, to me, the intensity is there. I have been doing Cathe for about a year now. I have noticed that I am more "hard" than before, but not defined; even in the least (unless flexing!) I haven't really followed a specific rotation. Do you think I should for a 3 or 4 week period? Otherwise I really mix it up. Any help would be appreciated. I have been dealing with this for awhile! Thanks.
 
Hi,
It sounds as if you are doing really well! I am not an expert, but thought I'd give you my input. It sounds from your posts that your main goal at the moment is muscle definition. Cardio is obviously not a problem for you as you are doing the toughies like IMAX and MIC (who am I kidding, they're all tough!).
Have you thought about DEcreasing your cardio and INcreasing your heavy weight/strength workouts? Perhaps you could start by substituting 1 of your cardio workouts with a weight workout every week. See how you get on, and if this makes no difference, try substituting 2 cardio's with 2 strength (I personally wouldn't work any body part more than 3 times per week). There is some debate about whether doing too much cardio can compromise your muscle gains, so maybe you are doing too muich cardio? (I think I read a thread about this on this Forum somewhere).
As long as you allow 48 hours rest between each weight workout, you should be fine (but listen to your body and don't do weight workouts if you are still really sore from the last one).

Incidentally, my goals are exactly the same as yours - I need to lose 30lbs, and want to increase my muscle definition. I am currently doing the following of rotation to see if I can achieve this:

Day One: Upper Body (ie, all of CTX upper body parts, Body Max Upper body, PS Upper Body, etc)
Day Two: 60 mins Cardio (ie, IMAX, MIC, Power Max)
Day Three: Total Body (Power Hour, MIS)
Day Four: 60 mins cardio
Day Five: Lower Body (CTS Leaner Legs, PS Lower Body)

Sometimes, just shaking up the mix a bit is all your body needs to break that plateau. I haven't been doing this rotation very long (only a few weeks) but am already noticing more definition in my arms and shoulders and thighs.

Just to answer the first part of your question, as you are bigger than you were 5 years ago, but still 3 dress sizes smaller, it sounds as if you have already made some significant muscle gains! I have worked out for years, and although I am heavier now than I've been for a long time, I am carrying more muscle and therefore, weigh more but can still fit into clothes I had when I was lighter. Does that make sense? I would rather be strong and healthy and look toned than worry about what the scales say (and believe me, I've had shares in Salter scales in the past!)
Hope this helps! Good luck!
Kaz.
 
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