Pentagenarians & Beyond: W/B 7/1/12

fox2star

fox2star

Cathlete
Good morning,

It's a beautiful day here and it looks like it will be for the rest of the day.

I just finished "Crossfire" and all I can say is YOWZA!! I did the 55 minute lower impact pre-mix which as Garance noted, I believe replaces the high impact sections with the low impact tabata segments which you do twice. It is a heart stopper that's for sure. The bonus core section is a killer. Cathe has outdone herself with this one.

The plan is to do this one on Sunday, when I have more time, and the 39 minute low impact pre-mix of To the Max on Thursdays. I hope I can keep this up. I will do the C25K runs on Mon-Wed-Fri.

Take care,
 
good morning Deb... congrats on getting thru crossfire. How would you compare it to other disks like afterburn, AT, cardio supersets? harder? easier? equivalent? I'm forgetting if this one requires a full size step? if so, choreography... hard, easy?

I did sts # 7 yesterday. whole lotta push ups. still can't do all on my toes, may be a long time for that. doing many of them though. I am starting to get the straddle pushups (forgetting if that's the correct name?) with the uneven hand position. I'm shortening up the distance so I'm not so unbalanced. Sticking to my diet, nothing extreme but started 6/14. have been hungry a lot in the middle of the night, which is usually a good sign for me.

looked at LL Bean.... jeans that might work! come in petite ( 28 inseam) so I think I'll try them. legs might be too skinny, but I won't know unless I try. with free shipping, it won't cost much. I'll put in a link so please give me your opinion. I don't think these would be called "mom " jeans. come in 3 blue colors, stretch. and the waist isn't too low.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/70388?feat=503224-GN2
 
Last edited:
Hi Deb, Valerie, and any later posters--

This morning I did Turbo Barre (74 min.).

Deb, tomorrow is Crossfire for me--the lower impact version. Looks like you have a good rotation planned with these new ones.

Valerie, I checked those jeans and read the negative reviews. You might want to read those. I don't think I would buy them just from the one review that said they aren't really bootcut. I know a bootcut looks best on me. There was also someone who said she likes a high rise, but this one is very high. That's beginning to sound/look like Mom jeans. Some times what happens is that what was originally really good because made in the USA is sent offshore and the quality and style change for the worst. That has happened for me with what was once my favorite Clark's sandal, the sunbeater. Instead of taupe leather, it now looks like mouse skin, and doesn't fit well either. But hey--if shipping is free on returns, why not try them? I can do 16 big girl pushups, so I did all of them on Turbo Barre, but after that I go to my knees. I keep trying to do more, but it was hard enough for me to do this many. I will try adding one every now and then.

Very hot day here, but I am in my air-conditioned office.

Hi to
 
Good morning,

I just finished the first workout of C25K week 2. I am a sweaty mess. We have a de-humifier in the room with my treadmill but I have to turn it off when I use the treadmill or it blows a circuit.

Valerie, the jeans would be a little too high waisted for me, I don't like them low, more mid-rise. If you get them and they feel good, that is all that counts. Have you tried Lands End? They have some nice ones too. Didn't try To the Max yet, that is the one with the step portion. I will let you know Thursday.

Garance, I'd like to hear what you think of Crossfire. I liked it. The only thing about these 2 workouts, is that they are really not weight work at all, and I think I will miss that using these in a rotation. I am always torn about not doing regular straight weight work. This one has mountain climbers, which I do at my own pace and ignore Cathe and crew. It also has those push ups with the disks where you push your legs to the side when you go down on the push up? not happening here. I just did knee push ups, and some where I just stayed in a plank position and did the leg disk move. I was also really pissed when Clark's starting getting their shoes made in China.

Only 2 days of work this week, I took off Thursday & Friday to make a nice long weekend.

Hi to Joan & Josie,

Take care,
 
I decided I had to do something yesterday so just grabbed the first dvd. It was power max. I am terrible at step but at least kept moving the whole time. I'm sure it wasn't pretty.

I only did a couple of situps in the ab section. It started to hurt my back and since it really isn't healed from a couple of weeks ago, I just stopped.

We've had record highs here so not much outdoor activity.

Joan
 
Hi Deb, Josie, Joan, and Valerie--

This morning I did Crossfire (56 min.).

Deb, I liked it a lot. It just seemed to fly by because the intervals are so much shorter than those on After Burn or Cardio Supersets. I do 16 regular pushups instead of those splayed ones on the disks--but I do them straight leg, which is a challenge for me. I also just go at my own pace on the mountain climbers, and I don't think I will be doing those abductions with the blue band. I practically fell over on the first ones. On those alternating side planks, I did not use any weight, and on soldier planks, I just alternate lifting hands. Too hard for me. I was a sweaty mess at the end.

Good for you Joan on just doing it. I haven't done Power Max in ages, but I always loved Cathe's step, and I remember this one being one of my faves.

Hi to Josie and Valerie!
 
I broke down and bought Crossfire because I liked the video. Seemed like something I could do.

I had a car accident in the bank parking lot this morning. I was pulling out so I'm sure they will say it's my fault but the young girl must have been going pretty fast. I had a scrape on my bumper and she had $6000 worth of damage.

Joan
 
Took yesterday off except for garden work. did a mt bike this morning 18 miles on a forest service road that's being renovated to reopen. last time we can ride it. very muddy where they've graded it... really interesting going thru deep slippery mud on a bike. the construction trucks were leaving 12 inch deep furrows in the mud.got nice after we got past that section. a fun trip, about 5 hours. loads of bear poop but no bear this time.

I didn't read reviews on jeans yet. thanks, will check. they look like they curve in at the top which means I "might" be able to keep them up. they're supposed to sit below the waist, and abother style was a little lower. low rise usually are too wide... I'm not wide enough where the pants stop but I need room in the thighs. I'll take a look at Lands End. I've never liked anything from them so out of the habit of looking. I try to buy things made here ( Ha!) or anywhere but china... but good luck with that ... I have several pairs of older Clarks shoes that I love, haven't tried any on in a couple years now. so sad that everything is made somewhere else.

Joan , one of the new features on cars will be some kind of "side approach warning system". we were looking at cars a week ago, maybe it's been around for a while but we don't buy fancy cars and it takes a few years for the features to work their way down to the standard type vehicle we usually buy.
even if you look carefully, if someone is going too fast thru a parking lot you can get nailed. I think speeding trumps all factors. was she by chance yakking on a phone too? so many distracted drivers these days.

Enjoying your reviews. I will not buy another workout with step/choreography. I can handle a mt bike thru rocks, mud and single track but not my feet on a step. crossfire is sounding interesting!
 
Good morning,

A rest day for me because of the late class last night. We didn't get home until 10:00 so I slept in until 4:50. yahoo. Good class though.

Joan, be very careful, a back injury is something you don't want to mess around with. Good that you stopped when you did. OMG, $6000 of damage??? how fast was she going? How did your car only get a scrape? Doesn't sound right.

Garance, I forgot about those leg lifts with that band. I tried it for about 2 of them then took it off and did them without it. I may try it with a lose one I made from an old band next time. Oh, and I couldn't do even one of those side plank things with a weight, so I tried with no weight and even then they were really too hard. I guess I have to work up to twisting my body that way.

Valeire, 18 miles on a mountain bike is a pretty good workout! I thought the write up on the jeans said they sit at the waist. I got some from Lands End years ago, not sure what they have now. No step in Crossfire. I don't do any of Cathe regular step either. I never even viewed the step one from the LIS workouts. Supposedly the step portion in To the Max is like the one in Athletic Training, very basic moves so I am ok with that.

Off for more coffee and to get ready, will check in later,

take care,
 
Deb 18 on a mt bike is decent. this is not technically hard ride but a steady gradual climb. it's a forest service road in lower elevation in dense woods along a river. they had graded it in anticipation of reopening and that leaves the mud soft on top. they will add gravel later. it is very hard to ride uphill with a layer of soft mud but good experience. it's uphill with flat sections for 9 miles but I rode the whole thing. my legs are much stronger than a year ago. of course, then it's 9 miles of downhill on the way back which is fast and fun.

Joan, this will something the insurance companies will hash out between as to percentage of fault. if the other driver is going too fast in a a parking lot the onus is on them, in my experience. I've seen it happen more than once.

I'd recommend doing gentle moves, stretches etc to keep your back moving. I like cat/cow yoga positions, forward fold, childs pose etc. alternately arch and sink the back gently. heat rather than ice at this point.... unless that doesn't help. I'd skip anything that hurts at all. back issues usually heal themselves as long as you keep moving. and advil to the rescue!!

I didn't order anything yet still need to look at lands end. I need a couple other things at Bean so will probably try these. shipping is free. they're great about returns. I'm not finding petites anywhere locally so will likely start with these. the reviews are not 100% positive but jeans fit is so individual I wouldn't expect 100%. my thighs and legs (all over) are big & muscular. I can't change that. if I lose 15 lbs ( yes still on diet) I know where it will come off and my legs will get incrementally smaller while my torso shrinks, thereby keeping the same jeans fit issues only possibly down a size.

I think I'll put Crossfire on my wish list. DH complains that I order things I want and then when xmas,b-day comes along I've ordered everything myself. I struggle with the moves on the step in AT but otherwise like that workout. I know they're simple, but I don't want to buy a full size step for moves I hate. I like several of the moves nobody else seems to like so it all works out.
 
Hi Deb, Josie, Joan, and Valerie--

This morning I did Gym Style back, shoulders, bis (50 min.).

Since Cathe warns on her July rotation that To the Max and Crossfire are really to be classified as cardio workouts, I will be doing a bit more weight work. I always counted After Burn as a circuit workout because there were so many moves with weights. I guess it's good to be out of a rut, but now I have to re-tool my rotation. Deb, I learned how to do those sideways planks from Brazil Butt Lift. Alejandro asks you to put one arm behind your back (instead of lifting the arm as Cathe does) and then slowly move to the side. Cathe does these moves pretty fast and with a weight, but maybe you could do them if you go slowly. I won't be doing any weights with these planks, though, any time soon.

In Massachusetts we have no-fault car insurance. Not sure how it works in other states. Did the girl already get an estimate, Joan? I know with my Honda CRV there are definitely some blind spots, so I always feel like I'm looking all over the place in back of me and going so slow when I pull out.

Valerie, I think the step portion of To the Max is almost the same as AT, but I sympathize with you if you don't have a long step. No way I would be doing it on the high step.

Off for a pedicure and highlights this afternoon.
 
Hi Ladies,

I will be spinning tonight. My DH and I are going to Las Vegas from Thursday through Sunday, so no workouts for me until next week. Tomorrow I will be walking 6 miles with a friend who is visiting from Canada.

Joan, where are the lucky slot machines at? We are staying at Paris.

Valerie, you should look at the Levi’s ID for women. They have them at JC Penney’s.
They might carry some that will fit you. I need to get a new pair of dark blue and black jeans. My jeans are fading and do not look dressy anymore. I do not wear jeans to work, but I like to dress them up on the weekend and when we go to Vegas.

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Josie
 
Got on the scale this morning. I am down 5 lbs from the last time I weighed. I'm not sure what I was exactly when I started June 15th... so this is working! I've been doing nothing dramatic. skipping some snacks, good food, stronger portion control. wine control. one big glass with dinner and that's it. I could have had a beer after the ride yesterday, but it wasn't that warm so I skipped it. If it had been hot and sunny I would have had one. so, nothing extreme. No pre-set goal. I will see where it comes off and assess as I go. goal will be in the 15-20 area, depending on where the fat decides to depart.

I looked at Lands end. No. nothing I'd even consider. Deb, they must have changed their product line since you last looked.

when we do side planks in yoga she has us concentrate on lifting our hips upwards. it makes it easier ( not easy, easier) because it takes some of the pressure off the support shoulder.
 
Good morning and Happy Fourth!!
occasion13.gif
America!!
banana043.gif
banana016.gif



am so happy to be off of work, nothing planned, no where to go, just like I like it. A workout here and there, some house stuff, garden stuff, and hanging out with my friend, and probably my cousin. John decided to take off Friday as well so he has the same long weekend. He will probably go fishing at least one of the days. Ahhh....relaxing.

Valerie, WTG on the weight loss! I think you would like Crossfire, no step, and nice low impact pre-mix. I'll try to just lift my hips for the side plank like you said, these have always been difficult for me in any of the Cathe workouts.

Garance, I am now confused on my rotation too. I wanted to do 3 jogging days, and the other 2 days with the new workouts, but like you, I want to get some weight work in. Maybe only 2 days of C25K since I am repeating each week and sneak one of the new ones in one day a week. I will have to re-think this. I will have to do some practicing for those side plank things. Maybe I should google them and see how to start to do them. It's amazing what you can find on line.

Joan, we have "no fault" insurance here too. I still think her estimate has to be way out of line. What kind of car do you have? It seems to be pretty indestructable. LOL.

Josie, good luck in Vegas and have fun!!

What is everyone doing for the 4th?
 
this will be brief. my computer abruptly died this morning. i'm on a laptop right now, a PITA. will not be around much until i get decent keyboard. of course on HOLIDAY with few stores open. i was having issues with it this week but thought it was related to power interruptions but this morning it crashed firefox, crashed IE, and then would not even boot up. it's 3.5 yrs old. geez...not a very long life. my fingers knew whereeverything was on the old keyboard, this one they are .. in different places.

i did yoga in the am yesterday, then disk 8 later on. today we may do a ride, not sure. traffic is usually heavy due to holiday.

we are planning a backpack this weekend into next week but i hope to have a functioanl system before that.
 
Hi Deb, Josie, Joan, and Valerie--

This morning I did To the Max, the low impact premix (39 min.). Gosh, this one really fooled me. I tried matching Cathe on weights, but absolutely could not and went down to use mostly 5 lbs. on everything. I will like this one because of its brevity.

Deb, I think I will be doing weights 3x per week and these two cardios plus either Cardio Supersets or After Burn. I will do one full body workout and two upper body splits with the Gym Styles.

Bummer on the computer, Valerie! I sympathize.

We are having DH's parents for dinner--steak, mac and cheese, a summer squash, zucchini,and red pepper saute, stewed tomatoes (fil likes this on top of his mac and cheese), and butterscotch and/or hot fudge sundaes. It's very humid here, so nothing is going in the oven.

My highlights are really HIGH. She really blondied me up yesterday.
 
Hi,

A real scorcher here today. I tried to sit in the yard with a book and a cup of tea and I couldn't stand it, so hot. I had to come in.

I walked/jogged 2.5 miles at the track with my cousing this morning. I mostly walked, again because of the heat. I couldn't catch my breath at one point and decided to walk all the rest of the laps.

Valerie, is it the computer or the keyboard?

Garance, were you glad it was a short version because it was hard, or because you didn't like it? Dinner sounds wonderful, what time should I be there? LOL...

So glad we got air conditioning, although one of the units is leaking or something because the paint on the wall is starting to buckle and crack. not good. They are coming Friday to look at it.

TIFN...
 
Thursday 7/5

Good morning,

today I plan on trying the low impact pre-mix from To the Max. I hope I can get through it.

Garance, how was the dinner? sounded great, sorry I missed it. ;)

I will stop by later to see who is around.
 
Well I did the low impact pre-mix of To the Max.....wow. The step part was pretty basic, so I could handle it, but a little fast for me. I will need to get used to it I guess. Loved the Core/Upper body part at the end. I listened to all your tips and was able to do the side plank lifts, ( although used bent leg on bottom) and could do the exercises with those. I think this could be considered a circuit workout, with all the compound weight moves.
 
never got around to riding yesterday. mostly garden max. enough though to count as mileage.

Deb, computer won't even boot, just hums and whirrs but nothing happens. will check out costco today to see what kind of desktops they have. DH has a system i can use or use the laptop like right now. can't type on this keyboard worth a damn.

weather might finlly be getting summerlike right when we were planning on a backpack. might be too warm will need to watch the temps in the mts. most places are still too snowy but where we planned might be serious mosquito country if it's warm. will need to watch how temps act the next two days to decide. off to yoga
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top