New here - Need advice re: what next

[67firecracker]

In my search for something more challenging in exercise videos I've discovered cathe but am looking for advice on what to buy.
Exercise background: Done videos since high school- 2 decades. Got bored and took up jogging a few years ago but winters here make jogging difficult and for the last two years I've put on 10 lbs each winter and loose alot of my fitness level. (I loose the weight when summer comes.)So here I am in fall feeling and looking great but terrified of putting on winter flab and going back to walk/jog in spring. I'd love to buy a treadmill but children and orthodontia seem to be sucking any excess from my account. So I've been using my old videos for a few weeks but I really don't find them challenging (Voight - S&SM,Personal Best etc.)...then I stumbled on Cathe's video's.
Goals: Over winter I'd like to maintain (increase?) my current fitness level and work on my flexibility which is my weakest fitness area.
Concern: If I pick up a step video to challenge me cardiovascularly (is that a word?)will I also increase the size of my largest body part - my thighs?!! Should I instead find a challenging hi/lo (Is there such a thing out there without a step?) and incorporate some Pilates?
I'm not sure if anyone out there can give me advice but I'd sure love it if you would try. I do not have access to a gym or a personal trainer within a hours drive. Suggestions?

 

[wendybdh]

Hi Firecracker and welcome to the forums!

I too have larger thighs. I do step about 3-4 times a week and they are tone now thanks to Cathe but I don't think they are much bigger. The step has definitely helped lift my backside which is a great bonus .

Cathe doesn't have any purely flexibility or Pilates workouts. However, I think you would love the Body Blast Series which seems to be what you may be looking for. It has Kick,Punch and Crunch (no step required and great for toning the legs-and everything else and has even helped me with my flexibility),Legs and Glutes (awesome for toning the legs but just don't use too much weight since you aren't looking to bulk up), Step Blast (an awesome step workout), Step,Jump and Pump (step, hi lo, and weight circuits) and Supersets and Push Pull for weight training which is an absolute MUST in any fitness program.

Also, the Intensity Series is also awesome and has Bootcamp which is an amazing circuit training workout that does not require a step and will DEFINITELY improve your fitness level. Heck, lets face it-it's hard to go wrong with any of Cathe's workouts and soon you'll be addicted and want them all just like the rest of us

Besides, if you buy the DVD's there are so many premixes which help you customize your workout based on your fitness needs and time.

Trust me if you start doing Cathe workouts your fitness level will only improve and when spring comes along you will be able to run longer and faster or you may just want to stay inside and keep doing Cathe-(that's what happened to me)!

I'm sure there are several others who will give their input too.
Good luck and let us know what you decide, Wendy

 

[dss62467]

I'm with Wendy. Body Blast is great. It's fun and challenging. Get the whole series, if you can afford it in all one pop. Also, at least one of the IMAX workouts (IMAX 2 is more fun). The only thing with Body Blast is that you should get a stability ball. (I got mine on eBay for about $6). If you haven't been lifting weights, you'll also need to get dumbells. It's good to have a barbell, too, but not completely necessary.

 

[stayfit]

Welcome to the best exercises workouts. Without step cathe has bootcamp, cardio kicks, KPC, cardio kickbox 30 minutes in the ctx series, the first half of MIC of hi/low, the hi/low of SJP.You have to try Maximun intensity cardio. Believe me it is intense but you are really going to love it. If you want interval training, the best to increase your cardio capacity, you have IMAX 1 and 2. If you want weigth training I recommend Muscule endurance, power hour or upper body split in the ctx series for endurance and the pyramids,salow and heavy and PS for strenght. Anyway you are going to love all the cathe workouts as all of us. Welcome.



Mariángeles a spanish terminator junkie.

 

[67firecracker]

Thanks so much for the feedback. I am slightly amazed. Are all Cathe's videos good? Doesn't she have a bad one? I've been an avid follower of another instructor for years but she definitely has good and bad vids. It sounds like these are all hits...it makes it terrifically hard to choose. The clips are great. I can see clearly I'm in for a challenge. Thanks again for your suggestions.