Lurker's Invitation October Check In

Good Sunday Evening! I cleaned the house again with the help of the girls and my mom today and we took a short walk together in the woods. It was another warm, beautiful fall day. I also managed to sneak in my workout at 6:15, which is late for me while my mom watched Lady and the Champ with the girls. I almost didn't do it but decided to just go up the yurt and put in the DVD, which was p90X Legs and Back. I thought this coming week was the recovery week, but it looks like I have one more week to go before it is!;)

Janie: oh that is such a bummer! Are you going to put them on Ebay? If you were really disappointed maybe you should write a review on a site so others don't make the same mistake. I think there are quite a few sites that allow people to express their opinions on different workout DVDs? College Video pops to mind immediately.

Shadowpup: that sounds like awesome improvements in your bodyfat composition! Congratulations!~ That makes me very excited to do STS in the New Year, and 'older' workouts that used to be tough for you now seem easier?? That is just proof in the pudding for STS! Have you posted that in the thread about STS results? I want some of that~! I am feeling good with P90X but I do think I am expecting more from Cathe! She is just the best and well to quote Tony Horton ...forget the rest!
 
janiejoey said:
Deborah, looking forward to your posts, and so glad you are home sweet home. Still planting bulbs, you go girl! What a relief to hear that Picante will be OK. Whew! I hope the disease has halted. Fingers crossed.


I'm disappointed again with the Callanetic Evolution as well. Same sort of stuff, the only new exercises are common stretches that they hold for 20 seconds. I wasted almost $40.00 Usually I do lots of research before I buy, but since I love her old stuff, I bought blindly. They only used her good name, and the instructor was very strange and tried to act like Pinckney in every way. Just did a horrible job of it. Oh well, we live and learn.

Take care everyone and have a great rest of the weekend,

Janie
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Janie, I missed your posting! We must have crossed. I see that Callanetic Evolution didn't work out either ... what a shame. :( Can you just return them or are you stuck? I'm a little afraid to check out the second of my pair of Call-types, since CardioBarre didn't work out so well. However, I didn't try the advanced version. Maybe tomorrow. Hopefully you found a fun one of Cathe's or maybe Reach to make up for it today.

Are the cats settling down ... ? Ours hate it when I'm gone, and they often let us know they disapprove in unfortunate ways ...

Hey, all, I just noticed I'm a Cathlete! That must happen at 300 posts ... ?
 
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ladubose said:
Good Sunday Evening! I cleaned the house again with the help of the girls and my mom today and we took a short walk together in the woods. It was another warm, beautiful fall day. I also managed to sneak in my workout at 6:15, which is late for me while my mom watched Lady and the Champ with the girls. I almost didn't do it but decided to just go up the yurt and put in the DVD, which was p90X Legs and Back. I thought this coming week was the recovery week, but it looks like I have one more week to go before it is!;)



Shadowpup: that sounds like awesome improvements in your bodyfat composition! Congratulations!~ That makes me very excited to do STS in the New Year, and 'older' workouts that used to be tough for you now seem easier?? That is just proof in the pudding for STS! Have you posted that in the thread about STS results? I want some of that~! I am feeling good with P90X but I do think I am expecting more from Cathe! She is just the best and well to quote Tony Horton ...forget the rest!
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Thanks, Laura! Maybe I should post those results ... we'll see how things look tomorrow, but I really do think it was that combination of STS and the active recovery week did very good things for me :) The strength gains are definitely real. I did Pyramid Up today - upper only, thinking that after FIVE HOURS of bulb planting I would be tired. I was tired - but I was also lifting so much heavier, and that was even with the faster pace. On the chest flyes, I pushed a little too hard and had to back off - I was using my 90% 1RM as the heaviest weight, and without a rest break in front, that was too much. But I just backed it off to five reps instead of eight, which was fine. For the rest of that DVD I used 70% 1RM as my max, and that worked out pretty well. For shoulders, my lightest weight was heavier than my old max by three pounds - and my heaviest was four times as much; for chest, I was about double (with that little backoff), for triceps, about 20% stronger than last year, and biceps about that too. Not bad! It is especially nice to see shoulders getting stronger, since they are still my weakest point.

Your post makes me so nostalgic. I loved Lady and the Champ as a kid. We had the record version, back before the days when Disney would sell movies - or before movie rentals were possible! My sister and I would listen to it at night before going to sleep, and then beg for spaghetti and meatballs the next day :) Did you ever see that one at the old style drive in movies? Thanks for reminding me of some very fond memories ...
 
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So nice to have everyone back on the thread. It seems a little sparse when someone is on travel, don't you think? But the good news is that we always seem to find a way to get some exercise in, no matter where we are.

Yesterday was a rest day and today was GS Back, Shoulders, and Biceps plus an ab circuit. Did the GS BS&B and skipped the ab circuit. Does anyone else have the STS ab circuit dvd? Those workouts really get you and I think they might be the source of my on again/off again back soreness. So, obviously, I'm doing something wrong or I need to take it a little easier on those. I'll figure it out eventually.

Shadowpup: glad Picante is feeling better and the rest of the kids show no signs of illness. Great workouts while on travel. Your perseverance is inspiring.

Okay--got to get back to the work thing.
Michelle
 
Deborah, TRX equipment and workouts are fantastic looking! What does your weigh in and calibers say today? It sounds like you really got some serious improvements. Wow, Good For You.:eek: Your hard work is paying off. You are so inspiring, now I'm thinking of going for a hard workout today.;) Really! I so agree with you about the trend taking the old workouts and trying to make them better. The originals are so much better. It is so darn disappointing! I hate wasting money. I can't take them back either. Oh well:eek:. Glad I'm not the only one doing this.:(

Laura, I so envy your walks in the woods. Bet everyone had a great time. Rainy here and can't go out in it. Need to concentrate on tredmill and aerobic workouts for cardio. Good for you to continue on your workout plan. Sometimes it just isn't easy to do them.;) Oh, that's a good idea about wrighting a review on the DVD's. I sure don't want anyone else to purchase them and find out how bad they are. Thanks for the idea. Need to do it respectfully though, somehow.:rolleyes:

Deborah, No, I can't take them back. I bought them from someone on Amazon and was a little less expensive than Amazon, so I'm stuck with them. Sorry about your inconvenience too. They trick us! Makes me angry. Hopefully the advanced one will workout for you. Let's hope anyway. I did find another DVD, an old one of Cathe's (never fails me) and did have a good workout. The cats are settling down, but I'm concerned about my male. He drinks a lot of water and pees more than usual. It could be that now it's rainy he's doing more of bathroom duties inside his box. I'll keep an eye on him and change the litter twice a day and see if I should consider taking him into the vet. I've started them on some wet meals, once a day. I found out that they shouldn't have dry food all the time. Here I thought I was doing their teeth a favor, but instead might be compromising their health. We'll see. :confused: Congratulations on being a Cathlete! You are officially a non lurker. YES!


Michelle, I agree with you, that it does sometimes get sparse around here. Yes exercise can be done anywhere.;) You did a great job on working out. Come to think of it, I remember being a little sore from STS ab circuit and Joey and I decided to use another ab work of Cathe's. Just was too hard for us. You might be right about it affecting your back.

Missed you all, and glad everyone is back,

Janie
 
Hello All -

Had a nice weekend - Sunday turned out to be a rather pleasant day and well - couldn't help but think - why couldn't that have been Saturday?? So - we canceled the party - and it is sunny and beautiful here today. I'm thinking that this Saturday's weather will be just like last Saturday's and we will cancel the bonfire again. If so - we won't reschedule. I tend to blame DH on this. It is an outdoor party - or supposed to be but at this point what does it really matter if there is some rain - and we are all inside??? Matters to him - it just really irks me!! :(

Shadowpup - glad you're back - sounds to me as if stayed on track and worked out - just getting something in is helpful in staying on track - even if it is not your most ideal workout. I'm so glad that Picante seems to be doing very well - I am also hoping this disease isn't spreading out there. I could have used your strength on Saturday - DH and I were trying to install a granite ctop in the upstairs bathroom - that was unbelievably heavy!!!

Janie - sorry about the lousy Callenetics workout - I hate, hate, hate when that happens to me. I get tremendously excited to do something new - and it is just so dissapointing when it isn't a quality workout. I am sure they are trying to cash in on the name - and Callen's reputation.

Laura - why aren't you sending over your good weather??? Glad your hip flexor seems to be on the mend. I was experiencing a little bit of hip flexor pain - I think it has gone away - or at least I'm hoping. How long will your mother be with you? Perhaps you could convince your Mom to work out with you - wouldn't that be fun????!!!

Michelle - I find that now my lower back hurts pretty much any time I try to do any ab workout. I am actually surprised and delighted when it doesn't. I need to be persistent about babying my back. I generally liked ab circuits but I don't remember how that felt. Glad you had a good birthday - it is important to make it special. What are you going to spend your Cathe gift cert on??? That is too exciting!!!

Not sure what workout I'll do tonight. I was going to spend the evening at my friend's house and work out there but I canceled. I told her I would go tomorroe - she hasn't worked out in awhile and I'm sure she is scared to work out with me now. :eek:
 
Hi all, just time for one post before dinner, but wanted to report on my second new dvd in the Cardio Barre series by Giorla. I bought two of them. The first one has three workouts, and two weeks ago I tried Intermediate. Didn't like it. But that's just one of the three, and the others may be better.

Today I decided to check out the workout on "Ultimate Advanced Cardio Barre". It's a cardio day, but all this bulb planting has me pretty tired, so Insanity sounded - like an insane idea :p I figured that with my legs pre-exhausted, it wouldn't matter as much what was on the dvd.

The dvd seemed to have four phases. The first, the warmup phase, reminded me of the Cardio Barre I didn't like. It was a little too fast for a warmup, too fast for me to get into position, and we didn't hold them long enough. It felt jerky. We then moved into a phase I *did* like. It was about 20 minutes long, and we did all kinds of leg lifts. Some of them seemed pretty silly, but others of them were intense and really got deep into the glutes. I liked that! Really good, and I could barely keep up. THIS is what I remember from Lotte Berke, Burr, and Fluidity!!!

But ... after that session ... alas ... Giorla just isn't good at weights. He tried to have us use a one or two pound dumbbell for upper body, and it just seemed ridiculous and unsafe. I picked up a three pounder. On the one hand, we're swinging our arms pretty fast and for a long time, which seemed overly stressful for those shoulder joints. Repetitive motion injuries, I don't want. On the other, the weight is barely anything, and I did shoulders yesterday. After five minutes, I just couldn't stand it and fast forwarded to the third phase, a floor sequence. I decided I disliked all the creepy comments about how beautiful everyone's legs were so I muted the sound, and then skipped forward again when we started doing triceps (which I did yesterday). And then it was stretch and mercifully it was over.

Here's the upshot. I burned 123 calories in 35 minutes, which is really pretty decent for a barre style workout. Also, I think my glutes had a reasonably good workout, and I enjoy the stretched out feeling I have now - that's the second reason I liked my original barre style workouts. However, I didn't enjoy it all that much, didn't connect well with the instructor, to the point where I could hardly stand to watch or listen during 20 minutes of a 55 minute workout. There's a bonus section on thighs that might be good to try. Overall, it felt boring and ineffective. I guess I'm just spoiled rotten!!!

Both dvds came from Advanced Workouts, and they have a return policy that allows opened dvds. It may be best to send these back. Perhaps next week I'll work in one of my originals and think about whether either of these dvds truly add anything to my library. Sigh. I'd really like an updated version of those original deceptively effective dvds ...

BTW, Janie, I noticed that on the videofitness Forum there is an exchange and possibly you can trade your Callanetics dvds over there, unless you're an ebay seller.

And now it is dinner - more later!
 
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This morning I did the original IMAX. I was thinking: oh boy, this is the original, piece of cake. Uh--nope, just as challenging as IMAX2 and 3. The cardio segments are easier but those intervals are tough, tough, tough. Lots of plyo jacks and a segment with power scissors. But, I persevered and made it through--not all out mind you all the way, but I still had the Darth Vader breathing going by the end of the 10th interval. When I'm breathing that hard, I feel like "okay, I guess I gave that a good go." Whew!

So, what's with the hip flexors? Last night, my hip flexors were screaming. I probably should have stretched before going to sleep. Very uncomfortable. But who wants to get out of bed and stretch? Such a quandary.

Shadowpup and Janie: your recent reviews of your respective dvds are not enticing me to go buy either series. I've bought dvds from Advanced Workouts and had good experiences with them. Never returned anything, but it's nice that they have that policy. Janie--do you know someone who is just starting to exercise? The callenetics dvds might be a good deal for someone just getting back into exercise or starting to exercise for the first time. Otherwise, there is always ebay.

Shoegal: This weekend is looking like it might turn out okay. You might just get that outside party and bonfire done.;) The back soreness seems to come and go. Gosh, I hate to think this is an age thing. But, I think I probably need to watch the ab circuits dvd very carefully to be sure I am doing all the moves correctly. Cathe takes the classics and gives them a twist on ab circuits--and those little modifications might be the source of my soreness right now.

Janie: we are having the second day of Mr. Sun and Mr. Blue Sky in Virginia--it was cloudy and rainy almost all last week. We can spare some for Washington--I'll send them over--just hope they don't take a detour in Colorado!

~michelle
 
I couldn't get on the Cathe Nation for most the day!:mad:It kept telling me that it couldn't find the server! Did anyone else experience that as well?

My mom left yesterday, and I had my 3 classes, which is a little much for my body. My neck was really stiff last night!;)I need to remember to walk around more during monday classes.:eek:

Today I did P90X Chest and Back. It is starting to seem repetitive to me now in the 3rd week. Seems like not very much like muscle confusion, especially when I compare it to all those shiny new STS DVD's that keep calling to me! I wonder if I can hold out? I have to finish out this week then it is an active recovery week with heavy core work and the following week at least has 3 new weight workouts, although the cardio is the same. So far the cardio seems the least redundant to me as the weights. All this talk about the Ab Circuits really is making me curious.....I love a good core challenge!

Janey: I hope the rain has stopped for you. We are having nice weather but it is supposed to change tonight with a chance of snow. I am sure you will be tactful and yet truthful if you right a review. People prefer honesty though instead of disappointment in their purchase and consider it a good opportunity to provide good feedback to the producers/instructors so they can be more successful the next time as well.

Shoegal: so you cancelled and the weather was nice after all? That is to bad. It is always a tough call to make. Don't be to hard on him though, done is done and not much you can do about it now, right? Hope it works out for you next weekend. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Shadowpup: that is to bad about the Barre workouts, I just noticed a barre studio in Boulder the other day. I considered checking it out but decided against it. Something even about the exterior felt to posh and exclusive and I don't know not my style somehow. (don't get me wrong I like posh but not exclusive) It was probably a good call to leave the Insanity until a day when you feel like you have a little more umph! Oh and amazing weight gains for PUB!

Michelle: You are really rocking the workouts and seem so constant! Are you seeing results! I miss GS but it looks like a long time for me before I see them again
 
Shoegal, Love sunny Fall weather. So glad you had a nice weekend. Men, hmmmmm, I hear ya.:rolleyes:

Deborah, Your story sounds a lot like mine. I was able to trade the Cardio Callanetics to someone. Thank God, that's the one that was so very useless for me. Still waiting for interest on Callanetics Evolution. I I don't get a reponse soon, I'll give it to one of my sisters who is starting out exercises. Thank you so much for that advice. Yes, I'm spoiled having fantastic workouts, and I learned (again) research, research.:eek:

Michelle, Oh, all the IMAX's are hard. Good job though, it sounds like you are doing great. Wish you could have some relief from those darn Hip Flexors. Gosh Darn It! Thank you for sending the sun over here. It was a beautifu day today.:D

Did interval jogging on the treadmill for 45 min. today. Sweated like a pig!

Janie
 
Laura - I couldn't get on Cathenation either - what is up with that???!!?! Which is why I didn't post yesterday. No actually the weather was bad on Saturday (the day of the canceled party) but Sunday was very nice. What a difference a day makes - right? We have been having a downright lovely week here but the forecasters are all calling for another lousy Saturday. I can't catch a break. Maybe by some miracle it will hold off. Did you have a nice visit with your Mom?

On Monday I did PH (Powerhour) - good workout. Why did it seem so hard? I was struggling throughout the entire workout - and I really pushed myself. It was like I had never worked out a day in my life. I was doing the lunges and I'm thinking - gee - she better stop soon or I won't make it. She stopped and I made it. Thank goodness. I didn't remember this being more - muscular endurance than muscle strength - Cathe tended to go rather quickly and the weights had to be lighter.

Yesterday, I went over to my friend's house. I told her to choose something - she is into the Pink Firms. I stopped looking at The Firm for my workouts - even before these workouts. I tend to think they aren't difficult enough. There is a trillion of them too - and frankly, I don't want to wade through that many to find one worth keeping. We did something called "The 500 calorie burn." I'm thinking - yeah right - 500 calories - ain't no way. It wasn't a bad workout - it wasn't even poorly designed - or that boring. It was a series of 4 limb moves with weights - then she'd do a cardio section - it switched off those 2 styles until we were about an hour into it. There was a bit of standing ab work then a stretch. It wasn't difficult but I did break a sweat. I had a problem with the weights though - the instructor never told me what she was holding - she would say something like - pick up medium to heavy weights - huh? They all seemed to have 1 set of weights - what are the medium to heavy weights? I used 5's throughout the entire thing. It was a good choice since she went through the movements quite quickly. Nice for a change of pace or for a light day.

Michelle - yeah - those IMAX workouts - they are hard. The level of choreography differs - but they are all intense. I always thought it was funny that even the background exercisers seem to be really struggling - and are all over the place. Cathe warns you before you even begin how hard it was going to be - I didn't believe her either - I mean - It was an old workout - how bad could it be??

Janie - I'm glad that you were able to unload one of those tapes you didn't like. I have never been good about selling or trading anything I didn't like but I am seriously considering doing that now. I bought from Advanced Workouts too and like their return policy - but never returned anything. I should have though - could have gotten something I'd do again.

Shadowpup - your barre review seemed altogether unfavorable - I was waiting throughout your entire review to see if you would keep them. I am guessing you still don't know - I think it is a REALLY bad sign if you fast forward through parts of it - and if you walk away thinking it is boring and ineffective. Dealbreakers for me. I sometimes want to give a workout another chance and do it multiple times to be fair but sometimes I just can't!!

I hope everyone has a really great day - please pray for sunny skies here in Pittsburgh on Saturday. At this point - I'm so sick of worrying about it:rolleyes: I just want to cancel now!!!
 
Hi all,

It looks like the site was having trouble again yesterday - wonder if it is all those downloads with the new Cathe program are overwhelming their system? BTW, I ordered as part of that special :eek::eek::eek: but they sent the link to the wrong email account, one I can't get to any longer :mad: And although I'm working with the help desk there, it's taking a long time to get this fixed. Did any of you decide to check out the Cathe downloads?

I have a few minutes - will do half personals now, hopefully half later. Have early morning meetings today, gulp, and need to get the horses fed, not to mention myself :eek::eek::eek: BTW, the kids are all fine, though really puzzled as to why I am spending so much time in the woods with the dogs, and not taking them out for rides. They can hear me in there!

Yesterday I am happy to report that I had a much better workout experience! I'm feeling a little blah, probably from a little too much travel combined with heavy duty planting combined with getting caught up at work. There was an unopened one :eek: by Mindy Mylrea, "Workout!". Shoegal, you had me thinking about the unopened ones in my list, and it was time for a cardio, so I thought this would be good. It was fun! Mindy has so much joy of life, and doesn't mind being a little goofy. She talked us up into intense efforts and then let us rest a bit, with a little bit of bodyweight training (not so much that it felt like much work so I won't count this as a strength workout). She used a nice mix of equipment - bosu, glide disks - and I thoroughly enjoyed the hour I spent with her. And, burned 343 calories, which is a little more than an Intensity dvd, though those are twenty minutes shorter.

The Barre Decision

Shoegal, you are exactly right. I am still torn about those dvds. Hate to send them back - I have done that maybe once before. Yet, it's so rare for me to fast forward through a dvd, and it is hard to imagine doing this one again when there are so many enjoyable ones ... anyway, I emailed Jen over at Advanced Workouts; I'd forgotten that I ordered them before the ten day trip I took and their usual limit for returns is ten days. She's checking her records and then will get back to me as to whether I can return them for credit. There are a couple of other barre workouts there that might be better, so I'm hoping she'll let me send these back. Before I do that, I want to revisit my older barre workouts to see if my memory is correct about how good they are, or if I am painting the past with rose colored DOMS :D

Janie, I'm glad you found a trade for at least one of yours, and your plan for your sis sounds good too.

Laura, I know what you mean about too posh/exclusive being a turnoff! Places that have me wondering if I should be allowed in don't inspire me to work out! Elegant is one thing, and snooty is another.
 
MDolfiniReed said:
So nice to have everyone back on the thread. It seems a little sparse when someone is on travel, don't you think? But the good news is that we always seem to find a way to get some exercise in, no matter where we are.

Yesterday was a rest day and today was GS Back, Shoulders, and Biceps plus an ab circuit. Did the GS BS&B and skipped the ab circuit. Does anyone else have the STS ab circuit dvd? Those workouts really get you and I think they might be the source of my on again/off again back soreness. So, obviously, I'm doing something wrong or I need to take it a little easier on those. I'll figure it out eventually.

Shadowpup: glad Picante is feeling better and the rest of the kids show no signs of illness. Great workouts while on travel. Your perseverance is inspiring.

Okay--got to get back to the work thing.
Michelle
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It does feel nice to have most of us back - though we haven't seen IronLady for awhile. IronLady, hope you're well!

Michelle, I do have that STS abs. Abs are my least favorite part to work by themselves :eek::eek::eek: Normally I try to incorporate core moves as part of something else. Many of the specifically abs moves on the floor hurt my lower back. I haven't done much of what's on the STS abs dvd, just the stability ball one. What I'm finding is that if I use my bosu instead of the floor for my ab work, or the stability ball, it doesn't hurt as much. That lower back pain I'm feeling is not the pain of underused muscles, it's the pain of gonna-go-out-on-you-if-you-keep-this-up. The TRX core work also doesn't hurt. Do you do Core Max? The only one of those I like is the stability ball one, and you remind me that it has been a long time since I've done it.

And thanks for the good wishes on Picante and travel workouts! I must say, it is very neat to log back in and see those from you and the rest of our thread :) Helps keep me on the straight and narrow when I travel :) Picante says that he's doing better, but he is curious as to why he doesn't get his special grain mixed with apples in a bucket any longer???? Had to give everyone a few extra treats this week to make up for it.
 
This morning was GS Legs. I managed to do something not quite right on the second set of plie squats and felt a little tug in my left groin muscle. So, I lessened the depth of the plie and kept going. Go figure. Got through the floor work pretty well except for the inner thigh work which I modified so as not to aggravate whatever I did to my left groin muscle. It's a minor thing, but don't want it to become a major thing. The lower back is feeling good today, so I'm happy with the morning workout. Ripken joined me for the stretch.

I was on the website yesterday morning and didn't have a problem so obviously something cropped up during the day. Seems fine at the moment.

Shadowpup: I bet Picante was letting the other horses know about that special treat when he was getting it. Now they are probably letting him know that its over. Animals are so funny. I love Cathe's core max dvd and I think it is on the rotation (Cathe April 2009 rotation) that I'm doing next week. I tend to like the stability ball workouts--medicine ball, not as much. I also like to throw in a couple of ab hits routines at the end of a cardio workout, just for fun.

Shoegal: Powerhour is hard. And I think the pace is part of the reason for that. Cathe gives more rest time on S&H and the GS workouts, but on Powerhour, she really keeps things moving. I'm usually happy once I get through those dang lunges on Powerhour. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a nice weekend too. I'd like to give the boat one more good scrub on the outside before it gets too cool to do that. Right now, our weatherman is hedging his bets on Saturday--could go either way here.

Janie: Glad you were able to work a trade on one of your dvds. And the sun actually made it over there. That's great. A person can only take so much rain and clouds.

Laura: how much of P90X have you done? Will it take you through the holidays? I keep thinking a week break from exercise would be nice to let all the aches and pains go away, but I don't think I could actually go a whole week without doing anything. Maybe a stretch week? I don't know--sister and I are going to have to decide which rotation we are doing next month or if we are going to go free-style. I've been thinking it might be fun to do a month of 4DS and Xtrain Express--rotating one week with one and then the other. Something to think about.

DH update: Joe got his cast off today. He is so happy about that. He has a brace to wear and will start doing physical therapy with a wrist specialist. The surgeon said that his wrist is not 100 percent healed but doesn't need to be in the cast. He also said it did much better with the cast than he had hoped for. Dodged that surgery bullet--phew!

~michelle
 
Shoegal, Hope the weather continues to behave through this weekend for ya. PowerHour to me is very deceiving, especially with heavier weight. Good job on the workout!
For me I also think most of "The Firm;s" are not challenging enough. But, I've found several I hold dear and they kick my Butt.:confused: A little hint with "The Firms", they use 5 lbs for lighter weight, 8 lbs for med. and 10l bs for heavier weight. I use these pair; 8, 10, 12 and 15's. I heard the 500 calorie burn is a good workout. I have that one, but haven't done it yet. Glad to hear it made you sweat. I'll remember to use the heavier weight when I do it.
If I don't get rid of the workouts that don't fit my needs, I'd have a house full of DVD's, for now, I'll settle with my 300+ DVD's. LOL:rolleyes:

Don't cancel, the weather just might be good. Maybe you'll all get a nice surprise. Party's can be done inside if the weather doesn't hold, right? Dont' worry, be happy.;)

Deborah, Sure they'll find your order and straighten it out for you. But, I know how exciting it is to get your order and start using it right away.:rolleyes: I decided not to download anything. If I need one, then Joey can make one for me. Give your big kids (horses) hugs for me, and tell your dogs how lucky they are. LOL
Awe, I love Mindy. Did you open the DVD and workout with her? Hope you get your bearings back home with a normal routine. Don't get sick.

IronLady: You are right! Where's IronLady?:( Hope things are well too.

I feel the same way about ab work. I'll also try other things for ab work so as not to hurt my back. That Bosu for abs sound great. Like you, I usually use the ball, but now I can bring out my Bosu more frequently. Thanks for the tip.

Michelle, Good job on GS Legs. Glad you are aware of your body during the exercises. Give Ripkin a pet on the belly for me.

Yeah, the cast is OFF! More importantly, no surgery! Congratulations.

Today's workout (in about 30 min.) will be Step Heat. Love to sweat! LOL:eek:

Came back after my workout. Did the first section of Step Heat and burned a tid bit over 200 calories. I'm eating clean and feeling good about myself.

Update on Winkle: He is diabetic. He most likely will have to have two insulin shots per day. We will deal with it. Poor baby.

Janie
 
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Shoegal, I'm thinking good thoughts about your weekend weather! I also looked you up on weather underground - www.wunderground.com - which is my favorite online predictor. I can see why you are worried, but at least it says "chance" of rain and not "showers" during the afternoon. Your home is so beautiful, though, that perhaps it will not matter. Maybe DH could think about crackling fires that are viewed from indoors! Bonfires do well even if they get rained on, in our part of the country, if they are big enough :eek::eek::eek: Sounds like some good workouts, too. I never got into the Firm, except to buy the workout that came with the TransFirmer step ... but sounds like you and Janie could make recommendations if I ever get bit by that particular bug! PowerHour - not one I've tried. Hey! I could download it! INSTANT gratification. Oh dear.

Janie speaking of downloads, you're right! They've found my order as of this morning, and I am now all set to begin. Hurrah! Although, this means I need more data storage, and also more backup storage ... it is never simple to make a fitness purchase.

The kids - equine and canine and feline, though not pisces - all thank you for the hugs! And I gave Picante extra grain, and told him it was from everyone on our thread. He loved eating it in front of the others - he's blasting around like a crazy boy today, showing off how beautiful he is :rolleyes::rolleyes:. Of course, I gave all three a little something so as to keep things even, but Picante needed to feel extra special.

My bosu is beginning to get more and more use. I moved it to an easier spot after my Eclectic rotation, and that reminds me to use it. It really does help with the abs, and doesn't move around like the stability ball. I especially find that supermans (supermen?) done on the bosu are far more comfortable than on the floor or the step.

BTW, I saw your note about Winkle. Wow. I'm really sorry that's what it is. Two shots a day will not be pleasant for anyone involved. Still, these shots are much easier at home than when given in the doctor/vet's office. I do our vaccines, which is not twice a day of course! But the kids, none of them, seem to mind much except for one cat who hates to be held still. It is the restraint and not the shot that bothers her. Hopefully your vet helped you figure out a strategy to get the job done without getting scratched up. You're such a wonderful pet-mom to continue taking care of your pets even when they have issues; many people wouldn't, which is one reason I decided against that profession.

And second BTW, now that I'm a Cathlete, and not a lurker at all, doesn't that make you a CathCoach? :D:D:D

Michelle, ooh, plyo legs and a pain is not a good mix. I hope you're feeling better today. So sensible to baby it and modify! That Gym Style series is a good one.

And Huzzah! The cast is off! The cook is back!!! :rolleyes::rolleyes: And most seriously, it's just terrific that you won't have to worry about surgery :D:D:D

Laura, hope you had a good day!

And now ... BulbMax! It was a rest day, so I didn't do too much planting. I am pleased to report that the end is in sight. I have planted ... this is a little embarassing ... I have planted 17257 so far. :eek: This season :eek: :eek: :eek: There are only a two thousand or so left. The dogs think mom is absolutely the COOLEST THING EVER, for digging up an entire forest and burying things in it. They are in awe. Probably the dogs are the only living things on the place who will be sorry when BulbMax is over. My DH, bless him, has absolutely refrained from making any negative or I-told-you-so comments about my purchasing so many. Of course ... would any sensible person make critical remarks about a strong, tired, possibly cranky, woman while she's wielding a shovel, in her hearing???
 
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Wednesday already! Wow the time is flying by, I am almost having trouble keeping track of the days lately. I have to consciously think about what day it is, what I need to do, how I can do it all....

So exercise today was my Intermediate Pilates Class at the Rec. Center and I had a whole bunch of new people in the class. I love introducing pilates to newbies, and it gives those who have been around awhile a chance to review the fundamentals of pilates. Which by the way only get harder the longer you do them, not easier, and they make the routine more difficult as well, so it is good for them to review as well. Than I did the Plyo, P90X, which is now one of my favorite workouts, of the series.

Shoegal: I had a great visit with my mom, thanks so much for asking! We are close emotionally, but physically far apart, so it is a treat to see her. The girls adore her and visa versa so she spends a good deal of her time with them, but that allows me some needed freedom to do other things. I don't have Power Hour, but have always been intrigued. I have had that experience as well, when I didn't remember a particular DVD to be to bad and then I get into and am like holy cow I don't know if I can do this at all!! In particular I have this with Cathe DVDs, I think because the endorphin rush is strong afterwards, that I only have pleasant memories of the experience and have blanked out the pain and ache I had to endure for that high!! :eek:

Shadowpup: Really?? Do think planting near 20,000 bulbs might be part of feeling less than up to snuff?? My goodness that is down right amazing, and working out on top of that? I do believe your dogs see you as some sort of digging deity right now! And I am sure your husband is a wise man to hold his tongue will you hold a shovel in hand!:eek: Which Mindy MyIrea DVD did you do? I like her to, even though she is goofy at times, she does give you a really balanced and complete workout. She is touch little cookie and her workouts are deceivingly hard, I think because of her babbling about weird things she distracts you from the work you are doing! I have only two of hers which are both body bars and circuit style.

Michelle: how's that groin feeling? I am always tentative with plie squats and the like because pulling a groin muscle is no picnic. I have had that tweaky feeling more than once. I am a flexible person, but for some reason I don't have a whole lot of range of motion in the groin, more than the average bear but certainly comparatively tight to the rest of my body. I am always amazed by... oh now I can't think of her name, not Lorraine, not Cede, not the younger blonde, but the other one:eek: she is the most amazing combination of flexibility and strength! Congratulations for you DH! It must feel really good to be out of that cast and no surgery! PHEW! I think your idea for your next rotation sounds very good. I don't have Xrain Express but it is definitely the next Cathe dvd I want to get, and I love 4DS..

Janey: great job on your run, I haven't run in ages, but it always makes me sweat too! Did you do a cardio coach? 300 DVDs! Wow that is some library you have built up! My first Dvd, other that a pilates DVD, was Cathe so I struck gold first time! I had no idea what I was getting into then! I will tell my DH about your collection so he won't give me a hard time! I am pretty happy with what I have right now, and I think STS and Shock cardio will keep me happy for some time, but I am curious about some of the other Beach Body stuff now that I have P90X and have done their Cardio jam at my In-Laws....

so I forgot who asked about my P90X progress, but I am in my 3rd week of the rotation, next week is an active rest work focusing on core, stretch and some cardio. Then I do another 3 weeks on, with new weight training DVD's but the same cardio. Than another active recovery week and than 4 weeks on with 2 weeks the same as the first month, 2 weeks the same as the 2nd month and than one final rest/recovery week. So that should take me into the new year. I am not sure when to do my 1RMs? Should I take a week in Jan. after my recovery and do it then? It would be fun to start the same week as Michelle, her sister, and I think Shadowpup said she might start another round with us, so who knows....
 
Yesterday - I decided - out of the blue (hopefully the color of the sky on Saturday :rolleyes:) that I would do Amy Bento's ASC III. This was an immense amount of fun - especially since I was having little trouble following her - that is - up until she hit the 4th combo. Then moves entitled "Stomp, Double Stomp" and "The Dorothy" sidelined me. I had done this workout, if you recall -only a couple of other times when I had managed to "get" most of it but I never really mastered "The Dorothy" - evil, evil, evil little move. Amy appeared to be flying this way and that having what looked to be just oodles of fun. I kept thinking - I want to do that - I want to do that!!!!! So at this point since I was more than 3/4 of the way through - I went back to her preview moves section and worked on learning "The Dorothy." Amy would run through it rather quickly - leaving me behind. She would then say, "good job on that." I'm thinking - "What???!!?!??! - NO, NO, NO - I need more, I need more instruction." I was overjoyed to rewind 10 more times and I believe that I have finally mastered it. Although it will mean doing another cardio workout instead of strength- I intend to do ASC III again this evening!!!!!

I'll come back a little later for personals - I have to run now.
 
Hi all, it is nice to wake up after a rest day - I am feeling like a good workout tonight! Probably strength. And, my first download worked, so that's pretty neat. I picked one that can go along on travel.

Shoegal, you are a wonder! That Dorothy thing must be quite the move, given how good you are at step. Is it possible to describe, or must it be experienced/seen to be believed ? :eek: I am envisioning some kind of Wizard of Oz flight with the Evil Witch's monkey!

Laura, I agree - what happened to summer??? Fall is almost gone too! And you've already had snow. PlyoX, definitely a good one - a real keeper out of that series. I've heard that there is an even more extreme Plyo that Tony has done, and would like to get a copy of it. I'm still looking at joining all of you for another round of STS in January. The hard part is that I'm missing the series now, but am trying to discipline myself to wait. I'd definitely do the 1RMs as near to the start of the program as possible, since that will help you see what progress you are making.

Janie, Michelle, yes, on Tuesday I did work out with Mindy. You're right - she's such a card! So playful and energetic, and it really keeps you going. Now I have two of hers, with the other one being bosu. Just the ticket for a day with the blahs. The one I did this week was just called "Workout!". Somehow it seemed to fit. She didn't use a supporting cast, and the dvd had a nice, just two gals getting a solid workout in, feel. Interval oriented. I think that's why I picked it up in the first place, looking for more at-home intervals, but then Insanity came :) The intensity level wasn't at Insanity levels (due to very reasonable breaks), and I didn't hit as high a max HR or as high an average HR, but I *did* burn more calories with Mindy's 60 minute (340) than I did in the Insanity 40 minutes (300). And it was easier on the body/mind. A good alternate for an intense workout on a day with a little more time, and a little less personal oomph.

Well :eek::eek::eek: all that planting piled on the travel probably is part of the oomph-deficit :eek::eek::eek: especially the sore feet :eek::eek::eek: Especially given that the planting is in the middle of the forest and it takes a quarter mile hike to get in where I'm working now :eek::eek::eek: My GWF tells me I have put in some pretty high-calorie days, especially on the weekend. Normal for me is right around 1900-2000, even with workouts. Mostly it's been 2200-2500 lately, with one day being 2800. I've been eating (clean) to make up for it. BulbMax for sure! If I can get another good two days in, I will be done, but possibly it will take Saturday also. Woo hoo, and I can hardly wait for spring!!!
 
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Ok I'm back.

Laura - I passed a Pilates studio yesterday and thought of you. I've done a little bit of Pilates - but not alot and have always been super intrigued by the "Reformer" they would show on the home shopping network. A couple times I was so mesmerized by it that I actually almost ordered it - now I'm thinking where would I put that? Do you use that at all?? Don't know if it is an actually valid piece of equipment or not in the Pilates world.

Michelle - I'm so happy Joe got his cast off and seems to be making a good recovery - that is wonderful. Hopefully your groin muscle will mend soon and the lower back will feel better so both of you will be ship shape. I was thinking yesterday that I'm sick of the pain from this injury or that - and that I miss the days when I exercised and didn't feel like there was something I couldn't do. Now my back seems to need extra care and there are some exercises that I won't do now especially if it involves unsupported forward flexion.

Shawdowpup - Now - see I was right - that wasn't just plain old bulbmax - that was SUPER BULBMAX!!!. I expected nothing less from a superhero (Spiderwoman). Honestly - that is a tremendous amount of work!! No wonder your pups are in awe. My DH and I were having a discussion about horses and dogs. We were saying about how much we just love love love our girls and he said something like he didn't think horses could be like dogs. I said that I disagreed. I told him about you and your horses and how much they sounded like big dogs to me - they showed lots of affection and had these great personalities. So glad that everyone sounds well there - that is good news!!! What downloads did you get? I'm all jealous that you are a Cathlete - I'm seriously considering posting about a hundred more messages so I can be one too. What a geek I am! :confused::eek::eek::eek:

Janie - how was StepHeat??? Not sure if I've done that one or not?? I'll have to look. Right now I'm having fun learning and relearning these step routines. I think after I finish up with ASC III - I'll do Christy Taylor's Solid Gold Step again - and then I'll do my new Seasun Zieger again. I'm sending HUGS to Winkle. Shots - wow - I'm not sure if I could give shots and be comfortable - but there doesn't seem like there is much you can't do so I know you'll be a pro.

Hope everyone has a great day!!!:D:D
 
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