Help! I don't have that much time per day to workout!

[sharon p]

Cathe,
I know that everyone is extremely busy but I just can't get in all of that time to workout. I now have three boys ranging from 3 to 9. My problem is that I feel I am neglecting my 3-year-old by going over 50 min or an hour. I try to keep him in the room but he is extremely demanding and is too hard to keep busy. I am new to Cathe workouts and definitely not as strong as all of you are. I am trying the pyamid series and a step tape in between that I already have. I want to purchase a Cathe step tape but I am not sure which one to start with. I used to feel I was an inter/advanced but Cathes tapes let me see how much more I need to do. I have been battling with my crohns disease for about 7 years now and I am only now starting to feel my strength coming back. I use half the weight you are using on these tape but I know that taking slow steps and increasing gradually will eventually show results. I used to be in such good shape and I am trying to keep my spirits up. My weight is not bad but I want to firm up and get my strength back. Is there any rotation that would work for me and also which step tape should I start with. If I can't devote 90 minutes and could only devote 50-60 min can I still get results?

Sharon

 

[red_mct]

If you have limited time, you might try the Cross Train Express series, which is a rotation specifically designed for folks with little time. It is step, hi/lo, kickbox, and weight work. It's expensive but it is SO worth it!

The other option you might try is TimeSaver, which is sort of the same thing using parts of the Body Blast series.

I know what you mean about neglecting the little ones - I had a hard time doing anything for myself when my kids were small.

Good luck!
Marie

PS: If you still want to go for all step, try Cardio Hits or the Classics.

 

[ldy_solana]

marie is right about the ctx and timesaver. you could also break it up. but if an hour or less is good for you then yes you can still get results. just make sure you make every second count focusing on strict form and intensity.

for a rotation idea here is the one cathe posted in december
http://69.0.137.118/dc/dcboard.php?...opic_id=4363&mesg_id=4363&listing_type=search

an hour or less,its just an idea you can really play around to fit your needs.

kassia



When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey

 

[Aquajock]

In addition to the excellent suggestions of CTX and Timesaver, also consider some of Cathe's circuit-style workouts, that include cardio AND weighted resistance segments into one workout. Although one shouldn't do these to the exclusion of pure cardio and pure strength / endurance training, they are great as a PART of a workout program and extremely time efficient.

Suggestions:

Circuit Max (on the same DVD as Cardio Kicks)
The Terminator (a compilation DVD from the Intensity Series)
High Step Training Advanced (HSTA)
High Step Challenge
Cardio + Weights (on the same DVD as I-max 2)
Hard Core Extreme (a compilation DVD from the Hard Core series)
Boot Camp (on the same DVD as Muscle Endurance)

Have I forgotten any, ladies?

HTH - A-Jock

 

[gogigi]

Step Jump and Pump (shorter premixes on this DVD alternating weights with hi/lo or step or weights only or cardio only). Also has Step Blast on this DVD with shorter cardio premixes.

Also, may I ask, and if you don't want to address this I totally understand. Why do you feel that 50 to 60 min. away from your 3 year old is neglecting him? Is this after you come home from work or do you stay at home and this is one hour out of your entire day? Anyway, I had a thought, if you want to increase your workout time without feeling guilty. You could teach your 3 year old to play independently, increasing the amounts of time he plays alone until he learns about mommy's exercise time. Begin with however long he plays alone now and then after that amount of time run over and give him a hug and play with him or whatever and tell him, "I liked how you played with your _________ all by yourself!" The next time add a few minutes and continue until you have the total amount of time that you want/need for exercise. If you want more info. on this I and the school psychologist offered a parenting course at my school (I'm not saying you need a parenting course) but it had all kinds of ideas that parents may benefit from. Anway, good luck and I do hope I haven't overstepped my bounds here! Have a great day!
Angela:7

 

[deanie]

Sharon,

When my oldest was born I was lucky enough that my husband was home till 10am in the mornings and I could work out and not worry.- Then when my oldest was 18 months my husband got a new job and was at work earlier. I had to figure out a way to workout because not working out was not an option. I woke up at 5:30am with my little guy, (his wake up time, not mine!!)stuck him in the back pack for children and we walked 2-3 miles together a day. Then as he slept later, I would still wake at 5:30, use the baby monitor and workout with video tapes. I would do the treadmill and circuit traning. Sometimes if I were tired and slept in, I gave him toys and told him to play while mommy worked out. He would be in his playroom, next to the workout room. If he came in I would ask him to leave and explain "mommy is working out- pleasse come get me if you have a problem" and then tell him what the problems could be.- not that he's bored. Anyway, now my kids are older, 9 and 6 and everynight I tell them, mommy is working out tommorrow morning, please play quietly in your room until I come up. This system has worked for the last 3 years, although there were some bumpy times. One time my youngest forgot I was working out, my older son was at a sleep over and hubby at work. He found me in the basement working out and was teary so I stopped my working out. Any way the point of my story is kids can be trained to play quietly and alone while you workout. I also am a stay at home mom and I don't know if you are, but I also told my kids this is "mommy's time" just like they have their time and they do under stand. And remember, you may only have 1 hour now, but eventually all kids grow up.

Also, even though my kids are in school, I still stick to mostly 1 hour workouts, occasionally longer, but mostly 1 hour is all I need.

Hope this helps,
deanie

 

[CDPotier]

RE: Help! I don't have that much time per day to workou...

Dear Sharon,

When my kids were little, I was a member of a gym that had babysitting in the mornings. I was able to do an hour workout, and my children also were able to socialize with others before they even went to preschool.

If you are looking for a circuit workout, I would begin with Cardio and Weights as it isn't as difficult as HSTA and Boot Camp. Cardio and Weights had a great fun factor, and the hour seems to just fly by. It is also a very good intermediate workout. As others have said previously in this thread, you can certainly get results in under an hour a day.

If you are interested in a step tape, I think a good one to begin with is Low Impact Step. From that, you can graduate to Low Max. I am glad you are getting your strength back.