July Road Trip Check-in * 2 Weeks to Go!!!!

BelovedHeather

Cathlete
July Road Trippers:

Happy Friday! I am looking forward to seeing y’all in Jersey in 2 short weeks! I hope someone knows CPR because I may need it during the Road Trip! LOL! After a one-month hiatus, I started my fitness journey afresh and anew last Friday morning on the 4th of July. Oh my! The warm-up of my beloved Rhythmic Step was a challenge physically after a sedentary month. I made it through the first combination then cooled down and skipped to the stretch. I went to the club in the afternoon and jogged in the pool for 10 minutes. Baby steps! I have not completed a whole workout yet. I am so thankful for Cathe’s shorter premixes. After a month of no physical activity, I decided to modify Cathe’s workouts for the extra weight I am carrying now instead of pushing myself over the edge again and wiping myself out or injuring myself like I did before the Road Trip last year. I am treating my body with gentleness and respect and giving my feet and joints time to acclimate to working out at this weight. My game plan is to listen to my body and hopefully add a new combination every week until my endurance returns. I wrapped up this 4th of July holiday with the stability ball segment of Stretch Max in honor of the Road Trip pajama party stretch class. That will likely be my favorite class! The soothing stretches in this workout felt so good. This was a pleasurable way to end the day and treat my body to gentle exercise. I watched the introductory session of a Bible study called Breaking Free that is helping me overcome food strongholds.

I decided to give my first Cathe workout of all time a whirl Saturday morning. Mercy! Cardio Kicks kicked my butt! I made it through the warm-up and combinations then skipped the power drills and enjoyed the stretch. I remember liking this workout in the past and thinking it was fun. It is hard to have fun while huffing and puffing! It is understandable why obese people give up on exercise. It is hard when you are heavy! I am surprised that it only took a month to wipe out my cardio endurance. Wow! I never imagined that starting over again would be this challenging. Do not try this at home!

I enjoyed the band segment of Stretch Max Sunday morning, which felt great the morning after Cardio Kicks (or as much of Cardio Kicks as I could handle).

I enjoyed the Kick, Punch, & Crunch cardio conditioning premix and stability ball abs after my Bible study and prayer time Monday morning. It was more intense than I remember, but I modified the impact and made it! Cathe’s shorter premixes are just right for my energy level this week. I went to the club after work and jogged in the pool.

After my Bible study Tuesday morning, I enjoyed part of Step Fit with modifications. This one has a reputation for being one of Cathe’s less intense step workouts. Intensity is in the eye of the beholder. I made it through the warm-up and first combination and modified the power scissors, and it was still an intense experience for me! I love the dancy cool-down and the soothing stretch. I previewed the whole workout because this one always makes me happy, and I knew that seeing it would inspire me to keep pressing on every week until I can complete all of it. I love Cathe’s cute comments about the sheep and the way she affectionately calls us Tootsie Pops. Seeing her joy and innocence in this workout makes my heart smile.

I woke up in time for my Bible study Wednesday morning but did not have the energy for a cardio workout. I rested and enjoyed the stability ball segments of Total Body Stretching. I went to the club after work and jogged in the pool. There is something so soothing and restorative about my water workouts. I usually have the indoor pool to myself in the summer, and it is a good time to pray and ponder.

I am victoriously wrapping up the first week of my renewed fitness and freedom journey! Glory! After an awesome Bible study time Thursday morning, I glanced at my Cathe calendar for July and was inspired to take on Boot Camp. I laced up my Ryka Intensity XT cross training shoes (which are my Boot Camp shoes of choice) and gave the cardio and lower body premix a whirl for the first time. I just upgraded the Intensity Series and Body Blast series to DVD before the Road Trip last year, and I am loving the premixes. This one was just right for me. It is around 30 minutes long. I thought about the premix that includes everything but core because the core in this workout has always been super challenging for me. Not to mention, all the getting up and down is hard on my body. I decided to go with this shorter premix instead, and I am so glad I did. It is fun! Yes, I modified the terminators! I put my hands on top of my high step instead of going all the way down to the floor. I only used 10 inches for leg presses too. With the extra weight I am carrying, that is more than enough! Speaking of extra weight, I will not need a Fitness by Cathe weighted vest in the near future. LOL! If Cathe has her new fitness toys available for sale during the Road Trip, I can get out of there with nothing more than a stability ball.

With a week of peaceful intuitive eating behind me, I am looking forward to starting the second week of my new fitness journey this morning. I want to revisit Rhythmic Step and see if I can add another combination this time, but I may start with the warm-up and second combination.

After a week of freedom from binge eating and fast food and taking baby steps with my workouts, I am breathing with ease again (when Cathe is not kicking my butt). A week ago, walking from my car to the mall was challenging. I was definitely moving slowly. I packed up my scale last Friday after seeing my top weight again because I do not want to focus on those numbers. I am not what I weigh. The scale does not define who I am, and I want to celebrate all the positive changes and blessings in my life instead of allowing that number to distract me and discourage me.

Have a blessed Friday! I hope to return later for personals.

Blessings,
Heather B.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).
 
Hi, Heather! Fancy meeting you here! :) Love ya, girl, and get ready for MY Texas-sized hug!!!

I haven't been on THIS check in, but just wanted to pop in and add my voice to the crowd chanting:

[font color=red font size=+2]2 WEEKS, BABY![/font]

WOO HOO!

Gayle
 
Good Morning July RTers!

Heather--I ALWAYS enjoy reading your posts!! I love your sense of humor. It sounds as if you are doing well and getting back into the swing of exercise after your month off.

Can't wait to see you and Gayle and all the other RTers in 2 weeks!!
Gin:)
 
You are the early bird today Heather. Glad to see your post & hear that all is going smoothly for you. You are very smart to listen to your body & go slow. No sense taking 1 step forward & 2 steps back!! I'll be cheering you on here in New York.

Today was IMAX2 & the cardio #3 & #4 from cardio & weights. Love Imax2!! One of my favorites, specifically combo #2!! Not a big fan of those Genie hops.

Last day of VBS today, we'll have a picnic at the end then I'm taking the kiddies to the public pool. I am going to be whooped!!!

Got my hair cut last night but to tired to come home & cover those grays. Sometime this weekend I'll get it done.

Have a super day all. Check back later

Tami
 
Good morning all,

Can you believe that in 2 weeks we will be knotting our laces and getting ready to step with Cathe????

Heather-I was thrilled to see you on here this morning. I love reading your posts and I can't wait to meet you.

Gin-Your workouts just amaze me. Your stamina must be off the charts.

Tami-I LOVE Imax2 also. And my favorite combo is #4 from Cardio and Weights. It's just one of those that make me happy. Have fun at the pool today.

Gayle-nice to meet you on here. Can't wait to meet you in person.

Kate-I hope you don't mind me saying this but I cannot wait to meet you. Your workouts kick my butt and you're pregnant! Do I get any leeway since I'm turning 55 this year??? lol

I did 4DS chest this morning and plan to do Step Blast this afternoon. Haven't done it in ages and I recall that I loved that one.

I also wanted to ask those of you that are arriving on Thursday if you have plans for dinner? I'm going to be so wound up and don't feel like eating alone.

Have a good day fellow Road Trippers.

Bev
 
Hello Heather Gayle Gin Tami & Bev! You all are doing great WO's today! We leave tomorrow for a 9-day vacation so I'm packmaxing all day. Not sure if what WO I'll get to do but I'm really hoping to get something in!

Bev, You are too sweet! I know I'm going to be modifying like crazy but modifying is better than not going at all. I'm sure I won't be able to come next year so I'm going to savor every moment this year!

Here's a pic, taken about a month ago. I was 22 weeks pregnant, tomorrow I'll be 26 weeks pregnant. DH took it at night, just before my workout and I was already tired! Oh well! Here it goes!

IMG]http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd305/cathefan6/DSC02687.jpg[/IMG]
 
Good morning everyone!

Bev, you hit the nail on the head...you will be getting ready to lace up with Cathe...not me!!!! Just happily watching, thank you very much!

Kate, you look fantastic!! It's great that you're keeping up with your workouts, and being smart about modifying them!!

Have a great day everyone, and will check back later to let you all know whether or not I survived another round of Muscle Max...:eek:
 
Hi Again!

I forgot to report on my workout. I ran and then did Terminator Viper (cardio only) and Core Max2. I am worn out now!:p That was the first time I had done Term. Viper and it was fun. It is a combo of C&W step and 4 of the IMAX2 combo/blasts. It also had ME weights, but I skipped that part. Now I'll be singing Buttercup AND Pina Colada all day!!:p

Tami--Hope you enjoyed your week of VBS. Enjoy the pool!

Bev--Please DO NOT be impressed with me at all!! I am a very slow and OLD runner and I quite often will have to pause or modify Cathe cardio. I also am a clumsy stepper, but somehow I still enjoy it! I am sure that there will be plenty of folks that will want to go to dinner Thursday night. Look on the RT thread. Some were talking about going to Jai's restaurant. My DH will be with me, so I better stick with him on Thursday night, but after that it's good-bye to DH until Sunday at 11!

Kate--Thank you for sharing your picture. You are TOO CUTE!! You look about the age of my son (or younger!). He is 24. Do you have boys or girls? Do you know what baby #3 is? Enjoy your vacation.

Jerry--Hope you survived MM. That was my very first Cathe purchase.

Have a greaT DAY!
Gin:)
 
Thanks, Jerry! MM is one of my fave lifting dvds.

Gin, You're awfully sweet! I'm 28. We have 2 girls, ages 4 & 6, another girl is on the way! I'm so excited to have all girls! Your WO sounds like lots of fun! That is one of the very few Cathes I don't have. LOL about good-bye to DH!

No workout yet but packmax has been successful. More to do...better get at it instead of spending time here so I have time to exercise!
 
Kate-You are gorgeous! Your girls are so lucky to have a mom that is so fit and in good shape. What a great example you are setting for them.

Gin-Thanks so much for saying that. I've been reading about everybody's workouts and am starting to get intimidated. I always do this to myself and that's why I don't go on trips like this. But I swore that this year I was going to do this for myself and to prove to myself that I can do it. I need to stop worrying about whether I can keep up or if I look stupid. I just want to meet people who enjoy working out with Cathe since none of my friends do. And I feel like I have already met some great people on this check in.

Have a great evening everyone. I'll be thinking of you when I do Step Blast at 5:00.

Bev
 
Good afternoon everyone! I am reporting in that I finally did Cardio Coach 7 and I finished!!!! I now know why I talked my husband into buying these workouts, I would have never pushed myself that hard on my own. That is the reason why I like the Cathe workouts so much--- I need someone to kick my butt! }(

I have said earlier that I really don't like the elliptical but I know that I need to change things up and I simply will not run outside by myself. Doing this CC workout keep me occupied because I was constantly watching my heart rate, speed, and changing the level of resistance. I must admit that I went back to dear Cathe for the stretch because I wanted to do Stretch Max with the band. My girls said it must be because I have a short attention span. (Most teachers do~ :D )

Kate- You are one of those lucky ladies who is gorgeous when pregnant. I was swollen and the size of my house, but those girls are so worth it! You will love having all girls! My husband and I have enjoyed watching our two build a lifelong friendship over the years. They are just two years apart and the oldest is leaving for college in the fall, so it should be interesting.

Heather- reading your road trip report was one of the reasons I decided to go on the road trip this year! So glad you are feeling back up to working out and that you are taking care not to hurt yourself.

Bev- we can look silly together! You should be proud of yourself for going on this trip. It will be fun to meet other people who share our interest in exercise. When I had my girls at the doctor for their annual check up, the doctor compared Cathe to Denise Austin and my oldest quickly corrected her. She said that Cathe is so much more hard core than Denise and that she cannot even compare the two. I was touched that my kiddo stood up for me because the doctor seemed to think that it was a ridiculous idea for a trip. People who don't do Cathe's workouts don't "get it".

Tami, Gin, Jerry, Brigitte and all to follow- hope you all have an amazing Friday and I look forward to meeting you very soon!

Take care everybody,;-)
 
Bev, thank you so much and *please* don't be intimidated! I'm sure you will be just fine!

Terri, You're making me wish I had an elliptical! You are very sweet re the preg. comments. Keep in mind though, that picture was a month ago! My belly is a whole lot bigger now!:) What nice things you had to say about your own daughters. I'm curious to see how the 3rd will change the dynamics of the older 2 and to watch them all grow up together. My sisters are my best friends, hands down.

still no WO - trying to debate between an errand I *could* put off til we get back (but don't really want to) or doing my WO, which if I don't get it done this afternoon in all reality it's not gonna happen. decisions, decisions! I think I'll prob. workout. Today is my last day to lift since I prob. won't be able to lift on vacation. I got lower body good y'day (1-legged dead lifts in L&G - WOW I love those!) so today I need to hit UB. Cardio and stretching for next week. Okay, I'm staying home to lift! thanks for the kick in the pants!
 
Kate

Thanks for posting your pic. You look GREAT!! I worked out throughout my pregnanacy w/my youngest son (who is now 13!!) & it was my best preg by far!! I was back at it when he was 4 days old I believe. So much easier to bounce back. I would post my pic if I knew how. Drives me carzy that I can't figure it out.

I can't wait to meet you all from here. I just hope I remember names!!

Now VBS is over, I concentrate on getting my boys ready fro their camp next week then it's finally my turn!! Excited beyond belief, like a kid @ Christmas.

Talk with you all tomorrow
Tami
 
tami, Not sure how fast I'll be exercising post-partum! Probably not 4 days after! Maybe walks or something. I have a mild diastasis this time so I'll have to be careful on core work for a while. LOL on your turn for camp!:)

Well, I just finished SS UB premix - needed something quick and effective. Skipping my errand!!
 
Just got done doing Step Blast and now remember why I liked it so much. It's a BLAST!!!!!

Just think in 2 weeks we will be at the Meet and Greet. WEW HEW!!!!!!

Bev
 
Survived MM today, was pretty much shakin' all over, there's no better feeling than after a workout, to know you've been "worked out".

See you all real soon!
 
Wow, hi every one, Happy Friday,

I did 4DS HIS this am, and 4DS LIS and double abs this late afternoon. In between it was CleanMax, house work work work !!!!

Heather- hi you sound so sweet and funny. Looking forward to meeting you.

Gayle- Hi, WOO HOO to you TOOOOO:) :)

Gin- TERMINATOR:eek: I have to be very pumped to pop that one in, but I do love it when I do. I never look in the mirror after though, toooo scary:eek: ;-)

Tammi- I love IMAX2, I LOVE the pina colada song, and the combo with it. Don't worry about RT, I'm pretty sure we get name tags:) :)
Thank goodness I sure need them;-)

Bev- Step Blast is a Blast and RT will be too, can't wait to meet people who love Cathe too. I have no friends that I can share that with.

Kate - Hi hope you had a chance to go back to yesterdays post I
posted you back a message:) Love your picture, you are glowing!!
I love the one leg dead lifts, now that I can do them :7
Have a good vacation, wow you had time for SS UB with packmax :)

Jerry- MM gets it done, hope you had a good WO:)

Terri- cograts. on doing CC, sounds like they really push you to your MAX, he he (little pun) Corny I know:+

Take Care all, I can't wait to meet you,

Brigitte
 
Brigitte - Thanks for the heads-up! LOL about your dog! Ours thinks he's a lap dog. He even tries to sit on company's laps when they are on the couch. When he stretched out he's longer than the couch! Funny you guys thought the same thing about the danes! What kind of workouts do you have ladies do that are beginning their 3rd trimester? DH says I'm doing too much but I feel great and want to keep it up til I deliver. I am getting some wicked round ligament pains but I'm seeing a chiro and that's helping. I know which movements bother me and do my best to avoid them. However, sometimes I get a little cocky and they get tender again. Thank goodness for a good chiro is all I have to say about that!
 

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