newbie.. and nervous (a little!)

R

ruppie

Cathlete
Hi everybody -

Everyone seems so friendly and informative on these forums that I couldn't help myself but write. I am absolutely new to Cathe - I've always been pretty actively excercising - but only in the last year did I start weight training. Then a few months ago I discovered the Firm tapes and got hooked. I liked them because they kicked my butt and seemed to be all business and not a lot of cheesy routines that are in some other videos I've seen. While looking into the Firm more I stumbled upon the Cathe site and have been reading over these forums for the past couple days. So I'm convinced - I want a hard work out, so I'm giving it a try. My first purchase is the Power Hour - MIS - Body Max DVD (haven't gotten it yet). AND I've ordered the Troy Lite barbell set because I don't have barbells. By the way thank you all for the information information about buying barbells. I purchased them from Fitness First like someone recommended with complete confidence - I felt like I had done a lot of research just because all of you did yours! Thanks!

Ok, I'm rambling on, but here's my question. I'm not in bad shape but definitely have a couple ugly pounds hanging on there (think belly) that I desparately want gone because I'm getting married this October and would love to look my best ever! Although I love the Firm tapes and really like weight lifting, I really always fall back on going to do cardio at the gym (ellipical, treadmill, etc.) However, now I had to cancel my gym membership! So I'm nervous! Do you think the cardio provided in Cathe videos will be enough to compensate for my loss of cardio gym time! I run outside, but weather being as it is doesn't make that consistent enough for me to feel comfortable. And I really don't feel the cardio in the Firm tapes holds up to my usual work out on cardio machines. What do you all think?

So it's nice to say hi to all of you - your information has been very helpful to me and your stories inspiring!
 
Welcome and don't be nervous. Cathe's cardio will kick anybody's tail. She is advanced and intense and challenging. You will do fine with her. You won't miss the gym at all. From what I have read Cathe's cardio doesn't even compare to the Firms so I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much you sweat or how much you stare at the tv screen and say "What in the heck is she doing? or How does she expect me to do that? or WWWHHHHAATTT?" I know I did the first couple of times I did her step routine. My first step tape was Body Max (which comes on the DVD you ordered) and someone told me that I was cutting my teeth on a really fast paced step tape. But I did and managed to make it through after several attempts. You can do it too.

Have fun:D
 
Hello, Nervous Newbie! Have no fear - Cathe workouts are specifically produced to give you a gym-quality workout, whether for cardio or strength training, and often they exceed what a gym can give you.

The Power Hour / MIS / Body Max DVD only offers one cardio workout - Body Max (step and step-leg-circuit, then upper body and ab strength / endurance routine). I seldom advocate doing one specific routine over and over again. If you've got the sheckles, consider investing in other Cathe DVD's that are primarily or exclusively oriented to cardio - almost too many to list here. She has workouts for step, hi/lo, kickbox, boot camp drilling, melanges of all of these, as well as circuit-style workouts of varying degrees of intensity.

I'd suggest posting here what your preferred cardio modes are (again, step, kickbox, what have you) and you'll get some pretty good suggestions from other Cathe-ites as to their faves for effectiveness and fun.

Welcome to the gang!

A-Jock
 
You picked a tough bunch of workouts and I think you will have no problem losing fat with those three. However, you may be surprised by how dated the workouts are- that's not to say they aren't effective. Where you're new to Cathe you might want to consider buying Cardio & Weights/ IMAX2 dvd. C&W is, what I consider, an intermediate workout and perfect for the transition from The Firm to Cathe. Also, the combo of doing cardio and Weight work together is more effective for burning calories than doing them seperately. I would also recommend Step Jump & Pump and Kick, Punch and Crunch once you've gotten used to the intensity of Cathe's workouts.

Good luck w/ your wedding planning, I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary and I don't envy you at all ;) If you're at all like me the stress during the weeks before your wedding will shed some weight for you :eek:
 
No need to be nervous!

Welcome and congratulations on your upcoming marriage. What a wonderful occasion to keep you motivated over the next few months.

From your post you made some great purchases. The Troy Lite is a great barbell system and the Power Hour + DVD is awesome. I think you'll find Cathe's weight workouts even more advanced than the Firms you've been doing so far.

As far your concern about cardio goes, Cathe has some very intense cardio workouts that challenge even the most advanced exerciser. It all depends what you're looking for. I'll break down her cardio offerings a bit and that might clarify things a bit.

Cathe's cardio falls into 4 broad categories: step workouts, interval workouts, kickboxing workouts, and cardio/weight workouts. If you don't already have a step or are not interested in purchasing a step, most of Cathe's workouts will not work that well for you. If you're willing, I'll give suggestions in each of the 4 categories.

Step Workouts- If you are brand new to step I would suggest starting off with some of her earlier workouts (Classics DVD) because they are slower to build the combo and to change the combo being taught. If you pick up choreography easily you could buy any one of her step workouts and just do sections at a time until you learn the whole thing. Rhythmic Step (the DVD also has MIC and IMAX on it, two very killer cardio workouts) has a great step routine that is complex and very fun to do.

Interval Workouts- You will need a step for these too. In these workouts you do a mini step routine, then do an intensity burst to get the heart rate up there, and then recover briefly and repeat this pattern 10 times. IMAX 2 is awesome!!!! It has great music, the moves aren't overly complicated to learn, and it's got a fun factor that I personally think IMAX is missing (although IMAX is great too). The IMAX 2 DVD has Cardio and Weights as the other workout, a fun step cardio segment followed by compound and then heavy upper body weight work workout.

Kickboxing Workouts- These are the ones that don't require a step. Cardio Kicks is more of a hi/lo workout with kicks and punches thrown in and some kickboxing drills at the end. The DVD has Cardio Kicks as the companion workout. It also is a bit of space hog which you should factor in if space is an issue. Kick Punch and Crunch is a more traditional kick box workout and takes up less space. The companion workout on this DVD is Legs and Glutes. CTX Kickbox is a shorter workout (about 30 minutes) followed by upper body work for one body part and some ab work. CTX Kickbox is part of a series that has 4 other cardio workouts and an all leg workout. The DVD has the added bonus of all the upper body segments grouped together and all the ab segments grouped together as well. This is Cathe's most expensive DVD (2 discs) and is a terrific purchase to consider.

Cardio and Weight Workouts- These workouts either do cardio with alternating weight segments or have a long cardio segment followed by a long weights segment. In the alternating format you have Circuit Max, Cardio and Weights, and Step Jump and Pump. Of the three Circuit Max is definitely the toughest! Step Jump and Pump is the longest, clocking in at around 70 minutes and is from Cathe's newest series. The companion workout on this DVD is Step Blast, a step workout with a mini interval section at the end. Cardio and Weights has great music and has a killer ab section at the end. It's one of my favorites in this category. Body Max is one of Cathe's longest workouts (90 minutes) and has a step section, a circuit section where you alternate step with leg work, and then an upper body section. This can be broken into 2 parts if time becomes an issue.

Hope this helpful!
 
You ladies are truely fantastic! What a wonderful way to stay motivated! Thank you for all your advice. I really am BRAND new to Cathe videos so your inside scoop on what I can get out of them is exactly what I need! And hearing that I won't miss the gym is exactly what I was hoping to hear!

I do own a step (and also the Firm's fanny lifter). I've been reading about a 'high step' incorporated into Cathe's step routines - is it sufficient to use the fanny lifter for this too (for those who are familiar) ? I like the Cardio & Weights and IMAX2 suggestions - (IMAX2 sounds facinating) - but will wait until I get my first tapes to be sure.

Being new - can I get away with asking what may be a really naive question? What does 'DH' stand for - is it 'Darling Husband'???
 
DH:

Dear Husband

Der Hubbenheimer

Das Hubmeister

Darling Husband

Dodobird Husband (during TTOTM)

The possibilities are endless . . .

A-Jock
 
Hi Ruppie,

Glad to have you here! You are going to [font color=red]LOVE[/font color=red] Cathe's workouts, and as the others have told you, you will not likely miss the gym. Sabine broke down the cardio workouts for you so well, ([font color=blue]good job Sabine![/font color=blue]) and you are definitely going to get a great, challenging workout regardless of which VHS or DVD you choose.

I adore Power Hour and the Troy Lite system, too. I believe it was Barbara (pace 1987) who recommended the Fitness 1st site. Their customer service was great!

Congrats on your upcoming wedding! Look forward to hearing how you like the Power Hour DVD!

Gina
 
Congrats on your upcoming wedding!! I was also married in October, many moons ago - LOL!!

Have no fear ... the cardio in Cathe's workouts will kick your behind!! And you've picked some great ones to start with. In a while, you'll be buying them all, just like the rest of us!! LOL!!

Welcome!!!
:)

Carol
:)
 
Welcome & Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

I am so glad you asked these questions!

Sabine! Your response is print worthy! You rock!

A-Jock! As always you just plain Rock! lol

~kandy~
sport-smiley-003.gif
 
Just could not resist adding:
There is absolutely NO substitute for eating properly if you want to lose the lbs. You are going to be starving with all the videos....make sure you eat healthfully and you will have no problem dropping the extra weight. Focus on eating only healthy fats, low fat meats/fish, fruits, veggies, and go easy on the bread, rice, pasta and sweets.

As someone who used to think she could eat whatever she wanted as long as she worked out....

Jen
 
Thanks to everyone for all the wedding good wishes! Guess what!?! I received my DVD in the mail TODAY! I'm going to give it a try tomorrow (even though the Troy Lite hasn't come yet) and I'll let you all know how it goes! I'm eager and would do it tonight but I'm running out to dinner with the future "DH"!!! (haha!)

Jen, thanks for the nutritional advice too - I do tend to think I'm justified in eating more when I exercise! Though I really do tend to eat very healthfully. My main calorie cutter would be if I cut out my glass or two of red wine I love to indulge in during or after dinner! But what can I do? I'm Italian!!! :7
 
Hi Ruppie! I see you have already gotten some great advice. I just wanted to say welcome to the gang! You are NOT going to miss the gym at all! Let us know what you think. You are in for a real treat. Keep in mind, you might have to have your future DH hide your credit card because once you have given Cathe a try, the rest will be history. Get ready and make room for LOTS more videos/DVD's! Congrats on your upcoming wedding. Keep us all posted. Oh, BTW, the fanny lifter will work just fine with Cathe tapes and the Troy Lite is one of my very best presents I bought myself. HAVE FUN!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
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