New (Kind of) to Cathe and Need HELP!!!

R

runnerchick

Member
Ok, here goes. For Christmas last year I asked for, and received, several Cathe DVDs. Great. But the problem was that I wasn't motivated quite yet to start. In fact, I was so unmotivated that I have gained another 10 pounds on top of the 30 that I already had to lose. Needless to say, I haven't been working out at all and I am carrying around an extra 40 pounds.x(

Now, I am finally ready to start, but I have no idea where to begin. I used to be fairly fit, but that was years ago. So, I need help.

Can anyone offer suggestions regarding which videos/dvds would be good for starting over again? It doesn't matter whether I already have them or not, I'm prepared to buy new ones if necessary -- desparate times call for desparate measures and my fat clothes are too tight!

Also, is it unrealistic to expect steady visible changes if I start out using the tapes only three times a week? I need to ease into this and figure out how to fit it in between my obligations at work, home and everywhere else.

Bottom line -- I really want to make this work. I have heard so many good things about Cathe and the people at Cathe.com's forums.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Hello,
In my opinion the CTX is a great way to start as Cathe Says they are just about under 1 hour. I enjoy them. My favorite is Power Hour I feel I get a great workout with that tape. MIS is another favorite just good weight work. Find what you like to do so you look forward to your workouts. Set goals,don't let yourself burn out. Remember what you eat is important keep a food journal so you can see where your snack attacks are. Good Luck to you and get movin!!

Susan:)
 
Like the other person said The CTX is great, but after that I would suggest the whole IS series:) I know trying to make you spend more money, lol if you don't have them already.
 
Hi, here are the DVD's I started out with when I was new to Cathe:

For cardio/fat burning:
Cardio Hits -- has three of Cathe's older workouts. It takes some time and patience to get the choreography, but they're not as intricate and tricky as some of Cathe's step videos.

For strength training:
Pure Strength -- still my favorite series. The title speaks for itself. I gained a lot of strengthe with this series.

I also got Ab Hits so I could vary my ab workouts.

That was that. I tried to do an hour, six days a week. Eventually I added on the following to my rotations:
For cardio: Imax 2/Cardio and Weights, Rhythmic Step, Cardio Kicks
For strength: Power Hour, Slow&Heavy, Pyramid Lower & Upper, Muscle Endurance

Susan's suggestion regarding CTX is a good one, especially if your time is limited. There are great rotations in this forum using the CTX series alone. You can do a search on it.

When I started out, I didn't have to lose weight. I did, however, needed to get stronger. It took me about four months to see results. It might take you less, you never know. Everyone is different, so don't gauge your progress on someone else's. Because I want to pack on flesh, I do more weight training than cardio. Some weeks I do more cardio than weight training for variety and muscle confusion. Cathe posts a monthly rotation in the rotations forum. I don't follow them, but I do keep files of them. They have helped me a lot in figuring out how to get to my goals and how to keep my workouts interesting.

Do watch your diet. I know many on this board swear by Weight Watcher's. I'm on the Zone. I read a lot of diet books before deciding that the Zone eating plan would be best for me. To simplify my eating habits, I stock my fridge with soy milk, cottage cheese, fruits, veggies and lots of lean meat. I've cut down on pasta and rice, and only eat whole wheat bread. If you make changes in your diet, cut out one thing at a time. Doing it slowly keeps you from getting frustrated and giving up completely. Drink lots of water, sleep well, and rest when you're tired.

Sorry this is so long. I hope this helps. Good luck with your program.


Pinky:)
 
When I started with Cathe, I did Maximum Intensity Strength first. It's long, about 75 minutes if you do the whole thing, but if you have it, or get it on the Power Hour + DVD, you can break it up into lower body, upper body and abs, and do different sections on different days.

I also got the "How to get in shape for your wedding" video. It's only available on VHS, but it has both a cardio and a weight workout on it. Both workouts are under one hour. I would highly recommend them to you in getting back into an exercise regime.

Regarding starting out at three days a week, I think that's fine, if that's what you're most comfortable with in the beginning. As you get stronger and build endurance, I think you'll want to do more. Also, you might want to walk on the days that you don't do videos. If it's convenient for you to walk near where you live, I think that will improve the results that you see from the videos.
 
runnerchick first of all, CONGRATS on your decision to start using Cathe and lose weight!! I've lost 37 pounds since the end of April on Weight Watchers, and am a Cathe convert of about three months, having been a die-hard Firm and FitPrime fan "BC" - Before Cathe!!

I started with Circuit Max and MIS, but very quickly bought everything else - LOL!! I am SO hooked! Since you haven't been working out, I think the advice on here to start with the CTX series is very good, since they're shorter in length and you can ease yourself into Cathe. They're still intense, but easily modified. Working out three days a week will give you beautiful results, and I just know you'll see an increase in your strength and endurance after a short while! You'll find yourself working out more, because you'll be stronger, and have more energy, and feel great about yourself, and because ALL her workouts are so much fun!

Best of luck to you and stay here with us!! This place is my daily inspiration and constant source of guidance and information!!

WELCOME!!

Carol
:)
 
BODYMAX, BODYMAX, BODYMAX!!

This is my all-time favorite and it really is a great combination of cardio and strength training. You can split it up into a cardio day and a strength day since it is about 90 minutes long. I usually do this video on a weekend day and always feel great afterwards! In my opinion, this is Cathe's masterpiece.

Good luck.
 
You guys are terrific! Thanks so much for all the input.

I actually have the CTX series -- that was my Christmas present last year. I think I have some of the others that you all mentioned, I have to go home and dust off my shelf to see what is there.

I started Weight Watchers last week and have already lost 4 pounds, I am sure that most of it is water weight, but it sure is inspiring anyway. :)

I can't wait to sit down and figure out how to get started. I plan on taking it very slowly at first, my guess is that I won't finish most of the workouts that I start. But, as long as I can come here for encouragement, I am going to keep plugging at it!

Does anyone mix these workouts with pure cardio like walking?

Again, thanks for the help. I will keep you all posted -- like I said, I will need the encouragement! ;-)
 
Hi Runnerchick! I would start off slow w/only one tape "How to Get in Shape for your Wedding"; this consists of cardio & weight training all in one tape. You can fit this into your schedule 3x a week but just not on consecutive days. If you need help w/nutrition you came to the right place. Just let us know. Once this tape becomes easy & not challenging any longer, let us know what you would like to do next. HTH, Kathy

PS: IMHO I wouldn't start you off w/CTX series cardio is complex & tricky & advanced. I wouldn't want you to get overwhelmed so soon.
 
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