need help to add weight training

R

rootcher

Member
I am really trying to get rid of a lot of body fat. I am new to Cathe and have started with the wedding tape which I can get through with no problem though I definitely get my heart beat up. I also have been doing some Kathy Smith and some dance tapes but recently have mostly been doing the wedding tape video. I have been told that the next coupld cardio tapes to try are stepworks, stepjam and rhythmic step (I like fun, dancy ones). I tried Cathe's 45 toning after the cardio section of the wedding tape but was not thrilled. I am 42 and 5'5" and weigh about 145. I want to get down to 128. I tend to store a lot of fat equally in my stomach, hips and thighs. I am also large chested. I have been feeling that I need to work out 5 -6 days a week doing cardio to get rid of the weight and fat but I know that I also need to add weights. I realistically can't do more than an hour a day and I do get bored easily (which is why I like the dancy tapes). So my question you ask? Where should I go next. Should I cut down on # of days doing cardio and add weights or can I do 40 minutes of cardio 3x week and 20 minutes of weight training. would that be enough.

I have been doing e-diets and am actually going to try the no sugar no white flour thing (although it is going to be hard with three girls who I cook and bake for!). I get pretty sluggish during the afternoon and in the morning and am sure that is has to do with what I am eating. Time to try something new.
 
Have you thought about the CTX series? It consists of 6 tapes, all under or equal to an hour in length. One is an all leg tape, the other 5 are shorter cardio sessions(all are really fun to do!) followed by weight work for one body part per day (chest, tris, bis, back, and shoulders). I have been doing it for a month and have dropped a size in jeans. It is really fun and it sounds like it would fit your schedule. Just an idea!
 
Have you considered adding a circuit tape one day to your schedule - you would be getting your cardio and weight lifting done in one day and circuit training is a great way to boost the metabolism. Circuit Max is really advanced - even Cathe says so - I just purchsaed it. But, I would definately recommend the new Denis Austin ultimate fat burner tape as a starter - this is a circuit tape - I love it - or her Sizzler tape - one of my favorites - then, when you get brave - get Circuit Max. Also, the firm has tapes that combine cardio and weights in the same workout -

Hope I helped - you will get lots of great suggestions from this board - the people who post are awsome and educated!
 
Can you explain to me what a circuit tape means (do you go through various routines that are all different). I am just so confused by all the different suggestions. It sounds like the CTX series might be the most versatile in terms of what it has to offer. Is this true? Thanks for your help. Sandy
 
This was my rotation for 4 weeks:
Sat Step Intervals/Chest/Biceps (from Kickbox)
Sun Power Circuit/Back/Shoulders (from All Step)/Abs
Mon 10-10-10 Triceps/Chest (from Step Intervals)
Tues All Step Shoulders/Back (from Power Circuit)/Abs
Wed Kickbox/Biceps/Abs
Thur Leaner Legs/Triceps (from 10-10-10)/Abs
Fri REST!

I had really good results with this rotation. I might do it with only one body part per week next time, who knows?. Someone posted a suggestion of doing all of the upperbody parts in one day 2x's a week, doubling up the cardio sections 3x's a week, and then doing Leaner Legs followed by All Step, or a short cardio session. This sounded interesting too. None of my workouts were longer than 75 min.!
 
Sandy,
Another idea to add fun tapes with variety and a more gradual introduction to weights, but *very* effective fat loss quotient- would be to get the Firm Volume 1, also called Body Sculpting Basics, with Susan Harris.

It is an old tape but don't let the title fool you. It is advanced, if you use challenging weights. It is a circuit type of workout (that means you go for aerobics, then more heavy weights, then back to aerobics in short sections- no endless reps of anything- fun!) and after doing it 4 or 5 times it might spark your interest in your future and make tapes like PowerHour seem much more interesting and exciting. Even though they may seem boring now.

The reason I say this is that when you see dramatic results as a somewhat beginner it really increases your interest and even your knowledge level, so that Cathe's tapes make more sense. After Firm (Volume 3 is excellent too, with Sandahl Bergman, incorporates tall step-ups) and PowerHour, the PS series (also has step-ups) is a great next step. Anything that promotes lifelong, and not just occasion-based, fitness is good in my book.

The Firm tapes are cardio and weights in one, whose advantage is time savings. Cathe is there for those who are ready for the next step, IMO (I started with the Firm, and I still add it into my rotations some weeks).

[link:www.geocities.com/ciaobella98765/Fitness.html?1014601630270|before and during pics]

Here's to inspiration and motivation.
-Connie
http://connie.freehosting.net/Cona.jpg
 
Circuit training is where you do some type of cardio (usually 5-7 min) and then go right into weight work (generally 1-3 minutes) then back to cardio and so on for about 30 to 40 minutes. The Firm is a good suggestion since it is less intense than Cathe. The Classics series is good (Vol. 1-6 do offer the best results IMHO), but they do look a bit dated (leg warmers, colored tights, etc). A few other good circuit suggestions are Firm Cardio and Firm Strength or the Frim parts tape called Total Body Shaping Mix. I have heard great things about Cathe's Circuit Max, but have been too chicken to purchase it as of yet. I still think that CTX is a great way to go though! Have fun!
 
I agree, you really do look awesome. So what do you think about CTX. Sounds like jillybean really thinks this is the way to go. I don't care about how they look as long as it is a good workout. I can't imagine EVER getting to the place where I look like you do in those pictures. So, excuse my ignorance Jillybean, what is IMHO?? Should I try the classic series from the firm and continue doing some of my aerobics stuff. OR, do I go with CTX and do a rotation with that. Another questions for the ignorant, how long should I do a rotation for with the same tapes. I assume if I do CTX that I could do it for several months given that there are so many tapes, is this true. BUT, how many weeks should I be using a particular cardio tape before I switch or should I be alternating every day various cardio tapes? Thanks tons for your help. Sandy
 
Hi Sandy,
Hope you don't mind me butting in here, but I wanted to give you my input as you and I have very similar goals. I too want to lose fat and tone up and I have been using the CTX series for the last 4 weeks. I really can't say enough good things about this series!! I, too, get bored quite easily and prefer more interesting choreography. CTX delivers these things for me. I have been doing a CTX rotation for the last 4 weeks and have not been bored once (knackered, yes, bored, no!) Although the cardio segments are only 30 minutes, they are all different, fast paced and intense, so not only will you NOT be bored, you will also get a really good workout. Follow that with some serious work for a different upper body part each day, some ab work and a tape devoted entirely to the legs (with some abs thrown in for good measure), and you've got the perfect series as far as I'm concerned!
I have now lost 8lbs using this rotation (combined with clean eating), so the results speak for themselves. I did gain water weight at the beginning, but I posted this concern to Cathe, who advised me that when you first start "serious" weight work, your muscles retain water as they heal. So, if this happens to you, don't worry - it is only temporary and your body quickly makes the adjustment and the weight WILL come off.
With regards to the length of a rotation, when you first start out, Cathe recommends that you stick with the same rotation for a longer period of time (say 8-12 weeks). This gives the body a chance to really respond to the workouts you are doing, rather than chopping and changing around. So, I would suggest you stay with a rotation for as long as you are getting good results, and as long as it is still enjoyable and fun. Personally, I plan to see how I feel after another 4 weeks of CTX (making a total of 8 weeks) and see how I feel. There are so many different ways you can use the CTX series (especially if you can afford it on DVD)that it should be a while before you get bored.
Sorry to be so long-winded, but I hope this helps to answer some of your questions.
Kaz.

PS - IMHO means In My Humble/Honest Opinion.
 
Sandy, I would love to have the entire CTX series, but I don't yet. The series sounde like something I could really use, because I have one hour a day or so to exercise, and it's before the crack of dawn (soon it will be light by then).

One thing I have in my favor is patience- it took many months to lose the fat and improve my posture! I gained a lot of postural/core strength and it shows in my pics. Just keep at it and I second the recommendation for CTX.

Another thing that goes with patience is variety. Try not to rely solely on videos or any other single thing. Some indoor exercise you should try to do is just exercise without a video (I try to do this once a quarter! LOL!) and walk/running, biking or skating, pull-ups on monkey bars, etc. That way, if anything happens that prevents you from doing your regular routine you can easily pick it up another way. This ensures more of a lifetime access to fitness and the benefits of cross-training.

I love Cathe's videos and I am still a Cathe newbie so CTX is in my future. I have 2 of the series, but I need the remaining 4.
-Connie
http://connie.freehosting.net/Cona.jpg
 
thanks you Kaz and Connie. You guys are so helpful. I think the DVD CTX series sounds like the way to go. I will treat myself (because it is or I am worth it!!!). I feel so self-indulgent spending all this time on finding out about exercise (I have three kids and also manage to work part time and do various volunteer jobs). But, I was so tired of hearing myself complain and feeling envious at fit women - so, I am attempting to become one.

connie, your idea about doing other activities is a good one. I was walking a lot but stopped when I started doing the videos. I got a tremendous work out yesterday gardening for 5 hours and I am trying to repair a foot problem (a neuroma on my foot) so that I can start running (which I really am craving to do!). Connie, how long did it take you to get off the weight and get in shape. From your pictures, it looks like this has been a year long process (which is what I am giving myself). Were you also seriously dieting along with the exercise??

Thanks again for your help!! Sandy
 
Spending time on your own health and fitness is NOT self-indulgent, you are as important as your kids and your job!! In fact the better shape you're in the more energy you'll have to be with your kids! Good for you for taking the plunge!! I just bought the CTX DVD and it is AWSOME and very fun and inspiring. Good luck!!
 
It did take a year and it's not done yet. I have changed my lifestyle and made a lifelong commitment to fitness. Not dieting, just gradually eliminating eating entire dozens of donuts and having seconds, thirds, fourths when it isn't Thanksgiving! LOL! I only lost 18-20 pounds. Thank you for the encouragement! - Connie
http://connie.freehosting.net/Cona.jpg
 
Again, you are all wonderful!!!! I decided to retry the wedding tape toning section and actually am aching from the workout. I will continue doing this for several weeks and then get the CTX series as the next rotation to start. I have been wanting to get the weight off so badly that I didn't want the water retention that comes with weights but I know it is worth it and will help me to achieve my long term goals in the end. I have no date that I am working towards, just wanting to get fit.

Connie, you are definitely an inspiration. The healthy eating definitely gets easier as time goes on, it has been about 6 or 7 weeks (with some setbacks but overall, I have lost 7 pounds so far).

I look forward to reporting my progress!!! Sandy
 
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