Getting Serious

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dpunch

Cathlete
I have been exercising on and off for quite a few years now. I have begun working out regularly ,AGAIN and rediscoverd my Cathe collection and how much I enjoy her workouts. :D

My first goal was just to workout consistently 3-5 days a week, which I accomplished! I used to workout in the evening but as the weather began to get nice ( I live in NY) I wanted to go out more than I wanted to workout! ;-) So I moved my workouts to the AM...5:30AM to be exact! This has been must more effective, since there is not much else to do at 5:30. :-sleepy

So now I am serious! I am 43 and I would like to lose about 10 lbs and tone up. I am in pretty good shape because after all this time I can still get through StepMAX and StepHeat. But, I am not seeing the results I would like. I am looking for advice. I just purchased the CTX series, PowerHour and Rhyhtmic Step to add some new variety to my collection. I also own a few firm videos mostly lower body ,like Tough Tape and Total Body, like Better Body and Buns. I also purchased a barbell and the plates to go with it..So I am all set! :)

My problem areas are my buns and thighs and the annoying layer of fat over my abs. I am eating as clean as I can and working out 5-6 days a week for an hour. Mostly Cardio step or interval step with some firm strength training when my knees need a break! I have about 1 hour to workout before work. I have received the Cathe Rotations, but to be honest, I don't know where to begin. I think if I had a workout plan, it would help so that I wouldn't just stand in front of the shelf of videos and try to decide what to do today at 5:30AM. :-wow

Everyone on these boards seems so knowledgeable I know you can set me on the path to my goal. :)

Can't wait to hear from you!
Donna
 
Start with the CTX series! This will be a great jump start.

You do a three week rotation like that, then do Power Hour and Tough Tape one eac per week and mix in the step tapes with your Cathe step tapes, and throw in a day of walking.

Do you have Cathe's PS series? If not, you may want to consider getting those plus Maximum Intensity Strength for a better variey of weight work.

Do you keep a food journal? You said you eat clean, but are you aware of how much of this "clean" food you are eating. You can over do it even on clean food.

As for you legs and abs, try to work your abs at least twice a week, and your legs twice a week, paying attention to your inner and outer thighs, too.

You may also want to consider getting Cathe's Cardio Kicks, although you will have a mini version of that in her Kickbox tape in the Ctx series.

Lastly, please define what "toning up" means to you. Specific goals are best, then we can help you better.
 
Honeybunch,
Thanks for the quick response!

By toning up I mean, get rid of the spare tire around my middle..
The Saddle Bags on my thighs...The dimples scattered throughout my thighs and rear end....Fat deposits I guess. :-(

Legs that are firm! I would like to wear a bathing suit and for once not have to hold my stomach in all the time because it is toned!I don't even expect it to be flat!!! :7

Don't get me wrong I know that I am predesposed to the pear shape I possess. The women in my father's family all have a heavier lower body. I am just trying to get it and keep it under control before it gets too far out of hand! I am willing to work to get and keep it!

Hope this helps!
DonnaP
 
This is my problem area, also. I found that all the cardio in the world will not budge what I lovingly call "leg mush." You need weight work, but you don't have to devote your life to it.

Please tell me what tapes for lower body you have, and what sort of equipment you have at home, and we'll go from there.

As far as cardio is concerned, I personally got good results with downsizing my saddle bags by doing a kickbox tape once a week.

Some people think step aerobics "bulk" their legs, but I have not found that to be the case with me, and I have football player legs. You have to experiment.

If you don't walk, you may want to add that to your mix. If you use your arms (bent at a 90 degree angle and "pumping" as you walk) you can engage your abs. Also, the kickbox tapes will work your abs, too.

I don't believe in overworking your abs. Just do a couple of the ab segments of CTX per week and that should be enough.
 
HoneyBunch,

I have the following lower body tapes.

Firm Tough Tape
Firm Better Body & Buns
Firm Abs, Hips and thighs
Firm Sculpted Buns & Thighs
Janis Stafil Brand new Butt.

Other tapes
Kathy Simth Kickboxing
All the Cathe Max tapes
MIC, MIS
CTX
Powerhour
Rhythmic step
Step Works
Step Heat

I also have 2lb to 8lb dumbells. Still waiting for the arrival of my troy lite barbell next week.

I was looking at the volume 4 rotations and considering the mis/powerhour 3X per week per body 8 week rotation. Maybe I could sub or add some extra lower body work. Or keep to your original suggestion of starting off with a CTX rotation. I can't wait to get started on Monday morning. :-jumpy
I have also created a spreadsheet to log my w/o and any weight loss/gains.I also have dug out a food journal from when I attended weight watchers. This way I can really track what works.

Thanks for your help! You are a wealth of information! :)

DonnaP
 
RE: Hi HB!

Thanks so much for your comments, Miss Kathy!! I find these forums very useful for practice.
 
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I don't have a lot of time to put together several weeks of rotations, but here a sample one now that I know what you have to work with.

Day One: Step Max
Day Two: Power Hour (include the Abs section)
Day Three: Kathy Smith's Kickboxing
Day Four: MIC the Hi/Lo section only
Day Five: Step Heat
Day Six: Power Hour (again, include the abs section)
Day Seven: Rest, dearie!

I'm having you start with Power Hour because you just bought the barbell set, and you can use it with Power Hour. This is a tough tape, so don't try to use the same weight Cathe uses. Also, if you find when you're doing lunges that the barbell is too much on your back, do them entirely with dumbbells.

For extra inner thigh work, don't do another tape, instead, get a couple of really fat pillows and while your are sitting in a chair, put them between your knees and pretend you are going to squeeze the stuffing out of them. Do three sets of 12 really good squeezes, with a 30 second rest between sets. You can do this while you're watching TV, and I suggest you do them the same day you are doing Power Hour.

Also, if you feel up to it, do some walking on your Power Hour days. Do it at lunch time, or whenever else you have a few minutes. Running up and down stair cases is a great workout, too. Do that every chance you get. Or, do that Hi/Lo section of MIC again on one of those days if Power Hour hasn't worn you completely out.

How's that for a start?

You said you have all of Cathe's "Max" tapes. Which ones have you actually done?
 
I love stepMax and do it regularly. I also have done BodyMax better never all in one day. I do the cardio and legs, then combine the wieght work with something else on another day. Interval Max is another story, I tried it a few times and was rather intimidated by it. I have to modify some many of the moves. But after reading the boards I am ready to try it again. It was good to hear that so many people find it tough also and modify some if not most of the moves. I have only done powermax once since it was a recenly purchase.

Thanks for all your help with the rotation. I will try it out and let you know the results.

DonnaP
 
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