How come I'm not like Cathe??

JaneJ

Cathlete
As the years pass, Cathe's workouts are getting better and better. Okay, I can accept that. But after two kids and of course getting older, she is in better shape now and looks really great! How I wish that could happen to me........ oh, woe is me! :p
 
Not to slight the hard work Cathe does, but DNA/Genetics plays a big part in it. I'm in better shape now than I've ever been, but I will never be in "Cathe shape," but that's fine with me. Wouldn't life be boring if we were all the same?
 
We don't have to all be the same, but can't we all just be differently attractive? Fit, but different? Sorry. Not PC, but true.
 
Yes, Cathe's workouts are getting better and better, but our genetics play some role in what we can do. It would all lose it's fun factor if we did not have goals and objectives to try and meet. I for one would hate to see everyone look the same. We can still workout and be the best for our body type. And all of them can look great.
Diane SUe
 
You also have to remember that this is Cathe's livelihood. Most of us commoners have about an hour to exercise a day. Although I would love to have the same physique as Cathe, it simply is not possible. Cathe is quite the motivator and encourages us all to do our best, and be the best we can be. We will all be different however, and that's a good thing.

Take Care,

Diana
 
At 42 years old I too am in the best shape of my life. It would be too easy to stand in front of a mirror and say 'I wish this was this' or 'that was that' but to what end?! I was heavy for 30+ years and had 3 beautiful children, I would have to go under the knife to lose my pooch, for me that choice has more to do with vanity than health (only speaking for me,.....just me), maybe if I had taken better care of my body earlier in life my abs would have snapped back postpartum a la Cathe but I'll never know and don't think about it. Fitness and individuality are celebrations of life. I teach classes at a gym and find it funny that people have said to me "you're naturally lean". When I tell them I wore a size 20 wedding dress they are first stunned and then motivated which I think is wonderful. I have learned to love my pooch, it's paid for and reminds me how far I have come. No more woe JaneJ.........celebrate the fact that you are unique (just like everyone else!!:p :7 )

Take Care
Laurie
 
What a nice group of folks on this post with their thoughtful comments.

Yes, genetics for sure but also how hard are you willing to work on the workouts (many hours per week) AND the diet. There is definitely a fine line between being motivated to try and look like her and feeling frustrated that we are coming up short. Where to draw the line, I don't know. Everyone's "line" is drawn in a different place based on different perspectives and life experiences I suppose.


Jen
 
I don't expect to ever be just like Cathe. For one thing I'm starting a little later than her, actually starting over, but at 51 and without taking earlier precautions to keep in shape and not put on all that weight, I am happy with where I am today. I'm down 50 pounds from about 18 months ago, fitter than ever, and am expecting further improvements!

I do wish I had more time to workout, though. I love breaking a good sweat and working the muscles hiding under all the fat:)
 
Laurie - Hurray for this post - this is exactly me - I am 46 and in the best shape ever - I was very heavy for about 5 years and miserable I let my body go completely up to 202 lbs and I am only 5'2" medium frame. I would love to have a little nip and tuck here and there of what is left of the damage I did to my body but what really makes me feel good is that my children are so very proud and my DH tells me everyday how good I look and how proud he is of me - I think I am probably the best I have ever been in my life emotionally and I am finally the real me and I love it!
 
"- I think I am probably the best I have ever been in my life emotionally and I am finally the real me and I love it!"

Annabelle, that's a rare and beautiful statement. It's a blessing beyond measure to feel healthy both externally and internally, thanks so much for sharing this, it's inspiring :).

Lydia, WOW!!! Down 50lbs and fitter than ever at 51, that's awesome, congratulations on your incredible achievements. Stay happy and keep sweatin' Girl!!!!:7 Sounds like there's another endorphin junkie 'in the house'!!}(

Take Care
Laurie
 
I am loving these statements from Annabelle and Laurie - you girls really inspire me.

I've been going through a tough time with my eating (I'm pretty sure it's been related to depression) lately and it is of great comfort to see such comments.

And finally for Jane, I will bet that you are going for the best Jane possible and are kick butt gorgeous already - that I know for sure :)

Cheers
Liz N
 
I"m loving these comments too. I must admit that I fantasize about reaching Cathe's level of fitness. She has done a superb job with what she has been given.

Where I go is that her body is her livelihood. It is her business to look that good. I do think that everyone can reach that level too. Genetics account for only 10% of your look.(I"m sorry, but I don't know where I read that).

I've just seen too many pictures of success stories of women who fought back from disease or being overweight or injury and compete in fitness and figure competitions to feel that having a goal like that is out of reach.

The trick is learning what price you have to pay to get that. I'm sure Cathe has mastered knowing her body and what kinds of foods she can eat. I'm sure that has changed over time. She has said herself that she was injured in a skiing accident and had to go through physical therapy.

And I agree with everyone else about accepting where you are at and celebrating what you have. Health, strength and vitality are sweet blessings to have and enjoy.

I look at it like this. When you look at Cathe and get jealous, you are stimulated by what you think she feels like inside when she looks like that. You crave to feel like that about yourself. Keep in mind that if you were to magically get a body like hers tomorrow, your feelings about yourself would not change. You would still feel like you didn't measure up in some way.

I'll take a leap here and suggest that Cathe doesn't live a perfect life and doesn't walk around feeling so satisfied and sooo happy that her body looks so perfect. She has her complaints.

How you feel about yourself and how dissatisfied you are with what you look like, to whatever degree, will still be there no matter what shape you are in.

The only way to have peace with this is to be able to embrace and celebrate everything you are and have right now.That is real freedom.

You are already enough.

Now, after that if you want to make it a goal to reach cathe's level for fun, go for it. Enjoy the journey, see what happens and what you learn about yourself.

That is my $1.50 this morning.

Danna

p.s. have a great day today celebrating YOU!
 
Genetics has a lot to do with looking a certain way.

After I had my 2nd child I guess I was in denial of being fatx( (176-180) lbs., I always thought to myself I look good b/c I had the genetically big butt thing going on w/a small waistline. The genetically butt is still there, but a little smaller. I use to say things like, "If Marilyn Monroe was a sz 12 and looked good, then I don't need to lose any wt." I was a 12-14. Well was I wrong about not losing wt. It took my husband two yrs. of conveniencing me to workout. I am now 42 and 5'3, I weigh 150 lbs., I know I need to shed a few more lbs. and trying very hard to do so, but I must say I look and feel so much better than I did when I was in my 20's. I am now a Catheite}( .

I use to complain constantly about my arms being too big, (my arms are big still, but big with muscle w/some fat over it). As I started working out, lifting wts, aeorbics, etc. I no longer complain b/c I was told my tri's are formidable}( . The only problem I have with myself is my cottage cheese. But if it took yrs. of putting it on, I guess that's the harder I have to work to eliminate some of it, if not, all.

I complain a little less these days now that I have a six pack going on}( , and I do like the sweep thing I got going on with my thighs}( , just some fat over them, but I'm still trying. I also teach a few friends strength training. Also a lot of people think my daughters (21,18)and I are sisters, and that my grandson is my son:9.

I really enjoy this forum I feel I have friends all over the world.

Hope everyone makes the best of this day.

Haydee
 
LOL don't we all ask ourselves this question? But don't forget--this is what Cathe does for a living! Full time! Most of us already have full time jobs but are still striving to look like our hero. I try to always remember there are some things I'm good at that others I'm jealous of aren't.

Besides, if we all looked like Cathe, what would we have to aspire to?

(sorry for ending a sentence in a preposition but it was the most succinct way I could think of to post this x( )
 
She is so amazing and those abs! Mine never looked like that BEFORE I had 3 babies and after, ha ha! I have ab envy and if I could change one thing, that would be it! And you all know I have an abudndance of ribage and no boobage but somehow on me it works! Ha ha! And I have discovered I am eternally optimistic because I never quit trying to get those abs while hoping tht long-legged, short-waisted, large rib-caged, flat chested, rear-endless forty-something women become all the rage!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

- Mary Oliver
 
this is such a great post!

I'm 35 and can honestly say I'm in better shape now than I was in high school and probably through most of my 20s. I could use a little help in "clean" diet area, but all in all, I'm in a really good place right now, both mentally and physically.

I was walking into my son's school last week and a friend from high school commented about how I'm able to stay so thin. I told her, point blank, that I workout a lot, more than most people would even want to think about, much less do. I told her my workouts keep me focused, keep my stress level manageable and above all, help me to live and enjoy a very active life. I give Cathe all the credit...she motivates me like no one can!:)
 

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top