New would love some feedback

S

sbaxterharris

Active Member
Good Morning,

I am new to cathe and really love these programs, I have been looking for advanced home workout options for a long time - frankly I am upset that I have been missing her this long - I would have never gave up stepping.

But I did and after children (youngest is 5) I am quite overweight - 5'1" and 170 lbs (50 - 60 lbs to loose)I have purchased a couple of her DVD's and have been using them regularly, in fact in the past month I have lost almost 15 lbs, just working out with her. I have been taking it easy using the home step no risers in lieu of how out of shape I am. It has been good, but I am a little discouraged with myself. I just bought a full size step and it is wonderful, still not using risers each time I try I seem to really struggle, maybe I am not ready for that yet. I do workout with her fit tv shows and of course love them. I have ordered hardcore extreme, Body Max, and terminator. I currently own Step Blast & Step Jump and Pump. I am probably going to buy Pyramid Upper & Lower, and Slow and Heavy.

Heres where I need advice - I dont quite know what mix to do if I am using the right workouts for this stage, and if not How to push myself with what I have bought without killing myself.

Also Beginner workouts (step) though I find easier on my body, really bore me to DEATH, I love the complexity as I used to step and dance and tumble etc.

I am sure someone out there has completed this journey I am on, I would really love some pointers, I have to succeed. I really miss the "real me", and I really miss being athletic.

Well hopefully that makes sense.

Thank You
Steph
 
Hi Steph -

I'm certainly not an expert on this issue, but my journey was/is similar to yours so I can at least share my experience. Over the last year I lost 50 pounds and have kept it off through first a low carb diet and exercise and now a clean diet and exercise. The low carb diet was causing health problems for me.

When I first began, I used my treadmill and Cathe's All Step tape. That tape is still one of my favorites. I probably used the combination of treadmill and All Step for 6 months, until I found the Cathe site and all of the other options available to me with her DVDs. I continue to do her DVDs without risers on the step. I feel I get a good workout and it's easy on my knees that way. I now have several of Cathe's DVDs and love them.

I think the biggest thing you need to do, and this has been said over and over on this forum, is to listen to your body. You can gradually increase your indurance, strength and flexibility by taking it slow at first and GRADUALLY building. Also, you might want to check out the Rotations threads on this site for beginner workout rotations. Do a search on that thread. I think I've seen posts about that topic over there.

We never, and somebody correct me if I'm wrong, complete this journey. It is an ongoing lifestyle change that keeps us healthy and fit. This site provides great motivation for many of us.

Last (but not least) a big, hearty congratulations to you on losing 15 pounds! Way to go! Keep us posted on your progress.

Margaret
 
Hi Steph! Welcome to the Forum. I think you'll enjoy yourself here and get TONS of excellent advice.

I honestly don't really have experience with needing to drop a lot of weight. The most I've ever lost was 20 lbs. I could have definitely gotten heavier, but I always hate buying bigger clothes, so as soon as it becomes apparent that I need to...I start exercising again.

Anyay, I just wanted to let you know to not get too down on yourself about not using the risers. How high is your step? Is it 4" or 6"? I never put mine higher than 6", because I'm a shorty like you (5'0"). If you're shorter, it's really better that you keep the step height lower.

I think you can do any of Cathe's workouts even at your current fitness level, just modify them to where you can keep up. You don't have to do all the jumps. When I got back into exercising, I went straight to Cathe and had no problems at all.

Congratulations on losing your first 15. You're well on your way!!!!
 
Thank You , - I leave a message go work for a while and boom two people care to help. THANKS

I will be checking this forum often that is for sure.

Margaret - thank you for your inspiring words - 50 pounds congrats! I am smiling at that possibility for myself, also I did fly over to the dvd rotation forum and printed a couple options for beginners- I appreciate that. On your choice for clean eating over LOW carb, I agree. I have a hard time with really low carb, but am trying to stick with the Body for life eating habits. Hope to speak more in the future.
 
Donna, thank you.

My step is 4" without risers and thats where I am at. Actually this has been a major mental battle in my head, I saw your pictures, you are awesome - If your keeping at a 6" height I really can relax. I will pursue at my 4" height with a smile on my face, no more guilt. By the way great plank picture, I have core max tivo'd and I just cannot quite pull my body up yet, so I stick with bringing the knees in for now. I love that workout - It kicks my butt. It is really a lot of fun.

Thank you
Steph
 
Don't rush to the "pike" on the ball - that's definitely a hard one to accomplish. After the first time I ever did it for the entire number of reps, my arms gave out and I landed on my face. My daughter thought it was hilarious! Yeah...laugh it up.

If you can get through KPC, you're doing great. I still have a tough time with that one. I've made no secret here on the forum how much I hate the last combo with the two side kicks and the front jump-kicks. It makes me really crabby when I'm doing it. And I keep repeating the mantra "I love this combo. I love this combo. I love this combo" hoping to convince myself that it's true.
 
Hello Steph!

Great job on the weightloss! It certainly isn't easy to lose weight. I've had many frustrating moments on my journey to be healthy. I've lost 16 pounds since I've found Cathe. I plan on losing 20 more. I wish I'd discovered her a lot sooner. As much as Cathe was a part of my weight loss, diet was a bigger factor. I tried South Beach but i could only follow it for a couple weeks at a time. So now I don't diet, I just try to make better choices. Instead of eating a bag of M&Ms, I'll only have half a bag:p

Don't worry about your step height! What matters is if you feel worked out afterwards. I leave mine at 6" but I notice that for taller people (I'm 5'11) it is recommended to use 8". I felt guilty at first for leaving it at 6" but my heartrate is right up there and I am drenched with sweat after workouts. So I don't feel like I need to increase my step height anymore.

I see you've already visited the Rotation forum so I won't recommend that:) I don't follow rotations at the moment. I try to work my arms and legs a couple times a week (by the way the Pyramids dvd is EXCELLENT). I also try to get 5-6 sessions of various cardio in. I overworked myself last month and didn't take any days off for 2 weeks and I got a bad case of shin splints. That taught me that I should listen to my body. Doh!

Welcome to the forum and keep up the good work!

-Angie
 
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