Help...Rotation / Structure Needed

R

ruthie33

Cathlete
Hi Cathe / FitnessFreak / Fans:

I posted this in the Rotation thread as well but thought I'd get more "looks" here.

Can someone help me set up a rotation? Because I don't have many of Cathe's DVDs yet and I'm just beginning to build up my collection, but I'm sure I / we can come up with something that can work for me in the meantime. This is what I have available:
Equipment
Treadmill
Eliptical
Hand weights (3, 5, 8, 10lbs)
Stability Ball
Resistance Bands (3 levels)
DVDs
Basic Step (30 min) + Cardio & Weights (60 min)
Low Impact Step (40 min) + Total Body Sculpting (30 min)
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred (3 levels)
Billy Blanks Tae-Bo Boot Camp (3 levels)
Mari Windor Pilates with resistance bands (50 min)

So, right now, I can do basic step pretty well on 8" step. I just received Low Impact yesterday and did it last night on 6" step. I have not done Cardio + Weights yet or Total Body Sculpting. I plan on trying both this week. I can do 20 minutes on the eliptical (programmed level 1-7 and back down again) and up to 60 minutes on the treadmill (1.5 min walk at 3.8, 30 sec run at 6 for the duration)
I'm really not a big fan of the Shred DVD. Tae-Bo is ok, but I think I'd rather work up to Cathe's version of Kick Max or something similar. I haven't tried the Pilates DVD yet - just got it. Thought it would be a nice addition on those days that I feel I need a really good stretch!!

Therefore, should I do a different workout each session or stick to one for a week and then change it up. I like to keep my workouts to a min. of 60 minutes (ie: last night I did basic + low impact for a total of 70 minutes and it was do-able for me)

My next Cathe purchase will be sometime within the next month. I plan on purchasing at least 2, maybe 3 DVD's.
Total Body Stretching is definitely on the list but I'm unsure as to what other(s) I should get to keep my progression going and would like suggestions. Perhaps a kick one, or step, punch, crunch. I'm confused but I am so enjoying the step. I'd like to add onto my collection so I can get rid of the other ones on focus on Cathe's workouts.

Right now, I manage to workout at least 3x per week but I really want to increase that to 5x per week and if I get a 6th time in, that's a bonus.

My main goal is weight loss for the time being. I've been working out and eating well faithfully since June 6th when I joined Weight Watchers. I've lost 10.6lbs (current weight of 161.4 and my goal weight is 135) and 5" off my body. I love how i feel and want to keep it up. I've never been so motivated in my life. I love the fact that I look forward to my sessions with Cathe instead of dreading the sessions with Jillian (Shred). I'm hoping to get rid of my second job in the next month so I'll be able to devote even more time to my new & improved lifestyle! It helps too that I've managed to create a huge workout room downstairs that is just "my" space where I can workout uninterrupted. It has a TV, DVD, all my equipment, magazines,,,it's awesome!

Anyway, thanks to anyone who can offer some advise. I think I'll be much more successful if I'm doing something "structured" instead of flying by the seat of my pants everytime I walk into my workout room!!

Oh, and a piece of advise, make sure your dog is not around when you are doing step!!!! Especially when it comes time for the "rocking horse"!!! Poor old Jazzie (my 11 year old yellow lab) who likes to be in my room with me when I'm working out got a little too close to me when I was doing the rocking horse and she got a "hoof in the chops". I felt so bad!!! Now I put a little divider up so she can't get all the way in but can still see what's going on. I let her in the room when I do my stretching as she will stretch out beside me on the floor! It's funny to see!!!

I could just play around with it till I find something that works however, like everything in life, we are more inclined to listen to others suggestions than our own!!!

Thanks:D
 
Hi Ruthie!
First, congrats on the weight loss! Awesome job!! I know people who have used WW and it worked wonderfully for them, it's so well balanced!

Cute story about your doggie loving to be with you while you exercise! I'm sorry the poor little boy get kicked though. I've done that before and have felt awful!! :( However, it's sooooo cute that they love to be with us while exercising, right!!? My kitties always join me too! :)

It was kind of hard to put together a rotation not knowing if you prefer lots of cardio, how much you enjoy weights, if you want to do them on separate days or mind doing them together. But I came up with something like this, keeping your time frame in mind (let me know what you think because it's based on 5x per week):

Day 1- Basic Step = 30 min cardio
Day 2- 1/2 hour elliptical or treadmill + Total Body Sculpting = 60 min cardio/weights
Day 3- Billy Blanks Tae-Bo (not sure how long these are)
Day 4- Cardio & Weights (60 minute circuit)
Day 5- Elliptical/Treadmill 20-30 minutes + Pilates (60-70 min)

You can insert rest days where needed to break things up. I figured this would give you cardio 5x per week, since you're looking primarily to loose weight right now, but it also incorporates some weights. You have variety too with step, kickbox and elliptical/treadmill cardio plus one total body workout and one circuit. If you can only do 3x per week, maybe you can do something like this (again, space it out as needed and insert rest days wherever you need them):

Day 1: Basic Step + Total Body Sculpting
Day 2: Any DVD that gives you cardio for 1 hour
Day 3: Cardio & Weights

You could even do a full hour of cardio on Day 1 and eliminate the extra day of weights, but weights really do help with weight loss too and circuits are GREAT for shedding pounds!

I hope this helped some!! Let me know if you have any other thoughts or questions. If you want to add any additional info about yourself and what you like or prefer as far as workouts go, I would be more than happy to try and help.

I am not an expert though, don't want to mislead you! :p

Good luck!! :)
 
Ideas!

Congrats on the weight loss! Awesome! Are you trying to lose more fat or add more muscle now?

Couple of ideas. 1. if you don't like those other dvds, sell them.
2. Ever tried cardio coach? You might like that for your elliptical/treadmill workouts. Some of the ladies have raved about that.
3. Check out Cathe's official intermediate rotation. http://www.thecathenation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=257348
You can always modify it. In terms of the next level of intensity, in my opinion, you might want to look at LIC (Low Impact Circuit) and Cardio Hits, which is an oldie but a goodie with just step workouts. I think that total body sculpt is going to be easier than CW(Cardio/Weights.) You might want to go back to total body sculpt if you find CW to be a bit much.

In the beginning, sometimes I would do Basic twice, do the warmup, then the workout, and then go back to the beginning without doing the cool down until after the second time through. It makes a nice 50 minute workout.

You say you want to focus on Cathe? Thats ok. No worries there.:eek:
3 day week:
Day 1: Elliptical/Treadmill workout
Day 2: total body sculpt or circuit or Pilattes
Day 3: Step workout (LIS?)

5 day week:
Day 1 Treadmill intervals workout 30 minutes (Don't forget to cool down/stretch.)
Day 2 total body sculpt or pilattes
Day 3 Step workout (LIS?)
Day 4 Elliptical steady state 45 minutes.
Day 5 CW (Cardio/Weights)

I do not recommend repeating a workout two times in a row, or a type of workout two times in a row (step two days in a row) especially since you are relatively new. You really don't want an over use injury.

I hope this helps.
 
Christine / Rapidbreath:
You guys rock - that is exactly what I was looking for. Right now, my main focus is cardio to try to shed some of the excess poundage that has crept up but I do understand the importance of weight training. I'll stick to the hand weights for now while I'm losing the weight and once I reach my goal weight, I'll vamp up my program for a little more weight work to tone myself up. I will focus on changing things up each session so my body / muscles don't become accustomed to any one type of exercise. I'm going to keep a training journal as well so I know what I do each time so I can track it a little better (just like I do with my food with Weight Watchers) I'll stick to one rotation for a month and then adjust / add to it for the following month. Thanks so much for your input. I found since I've started doing step, I've kind of ignored my treadmill / eliptical (they seem so boring now after doing step) but I really need to add them back into my routine. I'll work on that a little more.

What would be the next Cathe DVD you would recommend I try? there are so many (i want them all!!)
 
Hi Ruthie!
No problem, I'm glad to help! :) Sounds like you are on the right track!

As far as what to get next, RapidBreath made some great suggestions. I haven't used Cardio Coach myself (yet! :p), but think it could really spice up your elliptical/treadmill workouts a bunch so you don't get bored. From what I've heard/read on the forums, Cardio Coach is very encouraging. I got this description of CC from the website (I will include the link to CC below for you to research more):

"Cardio Coach™ is a downloadable audio workout program for your iPod / MP3 player and is designed for any type of cardio machine (bikes, treadmill, cross trainer, elliptical, stair stepper, rower etc.) & features a patented levels & zone system for any fitness level, from beginner to advanced."
http://www.cardiocoach.com/index.php

It's like having your own trainer tell you what to do and when to do it!

As for more Cathe DVD's, Low Impact Circuit is a great one!! It's a tough circuit, about 75 minutes I believe, but all the cardio portions use the step. There are some great premixes on that one, all under an hour! You could start with the cardio premix which just has you doing the step portions, and then work your way up to the total circuit. If you like Step, I would also suggest "Rhythmic Step". That is a 60 minute fun, fun, fun all step routine! I love this one, it's my favorite! It also comes with IMAX & Maximum Intensity Cardio (which are tough!!!, but you may want to use them in the future!). Cathe also has "Step Blast" which comes with "Step, Jump & Pump". Step Blast is also an all step workout and runs about 55 minutes. Step, Jump & Pump is a circuit that includes a step workout, a floor aerobic segment (no equipment) and weights. It's longer than 60 minutes but there are TONS of premixes you can use with this DVD to meet your needs. If you really like step, I would definitely recommend starting with one of these. I know Rapid Breath mentioned Cardio Hits too. I've never done that one so I'm not sure, but if it's a Cathe Production, I'm sure it's awesome and you'd love it! :)

If you like Kickbox, just not Billy Blanks, I would recommend Kick, Punch & Crunch! It's a little over 60 minutes and has really great kick/punch combos and ab work at the end. This one is awesome and it comes with a killer leg workout "Legs & Glutes" (51 min). Again, there are tons of premixes to mix and match to fit your needs.

Finally, when you're ready for some more weight work, I would recommend the 4 Day Split series. There are four workouts you can do in just about an hour (I think the longest is 71 minutes, but the other 3 are closer to one hour). They are each 1/2 hour cardio + 1/2 hour weights. It would be perfect for you since you like to workout closer to an hour and don't have too many days per week to devote to it! The cardio is fun. There are 2 step routines (High Intensity Step & Low intensity Step), Kickbox, and Bootcamp. They all really get the job done in 30 minutes!! Once you're ready for that series, Cathe has a rotation made up for it. This one has a lot of premixes on it too, so you can't go wrong!

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse you more, lol. I know there are so many to choose from, I want them all too! ;)
 
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I looked at that Cardio Coach - unfortunately I do not own an Ipod or MP3 (i know, i know) nor would I even know how to use one!!! It's a neat concept though. For now I'll stick to watching DVD's while I'm on the eliptical / treadmill - keeps me focused on something else instead of the clock and time flies (especially now as I'm in the middle of Season One of Nip / Tuck!!)

I'm thinking that Low Impact Circuit will be my next addition and possibly Step Blast or Kick Punch Crunch (I hear a lot of people discussing this one). I looked at the 4 Day Split - I think that is definitely down the road for me. The possibilities are endless!!! I'll have to have a look at the preview for Rhythmic Step and see what I think.

We'll see how next week goes. I'll be moving most of my workout time to the early morning as I work 3 weeknights next week at job # 2 so my evenings are shot! This working 2 jobs is for the birds!!!!

On a positive note, I booked holidays today beginning Aug. 26th - Sept. 4th. Going home to see my family (Prince Edward Island, Canada) I really, really want to have another 10lbs off by then. I think it's doable if I really focus. Yeah, another goal!!!!

Thanks again for all your advise. It's nice to talk to people who are already familiar with the videos and get "real" reviews. Tonight is weigh in night at Weight Watchers and then back home to try Total Body Sculpting!!!
 
Ladies, thanks again for your suggestions!! I really "upped" my challenge. I just ordered 7 new Cathe DVD's this week. Once they arrive, I'm going to plan a one month rotation and see how it goes. No doubt I'll be looking for pointers again. I ordered:
Butts & Guts
Total Body Stretching
Kick Max
Low Impact Circuit
Low Max
Cardio Fusion
Step Jump Pump + Step Blast

I've given my notice at job # 2 and will be focusing a lot more time to my workouts. Can't wait for them to arrive and to get working.
 
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