Hi,
I started with Cathe when I saw her video Step & Motion I in Collage. I was already exercising about seven years with Joanie Greggains, Kathy Smith, Gilad. When I first did S&MI, I was stunned at Cathe. I said to my hubby, "where in the world did she come from?" The workout was so much fun and much different than anything I had ever done. Of course, there was whooping, but I still loved it. At that time, nothing else was ever on video to compare. It had a wonderful 30 minutes of fun step aerobics with moves I never seen before, followed by upper body and abs with weights. Well, from then on, every video she made I bought. I thought I was alone in the world loving Cathe until I got the internet and discovered VF and Cathe's website. I posted immediately and Cathe answered me. I was thrilled. Well, today I still buy all her workouts, but I have amassed over 300 videos over the years (Firms, Joyce, Karen V, CIA's by the tons, Christi and numerous other odds and ends). She is still the most fun and challenging (but I had to say Mindy Mylea is tough too). Unfortunately, as I age (I am 57), I encountered injuries from all the high impact and plyo jumps especially in the Firm Core Cardio tapes. Between carpal tunnel, sciatica, and neck problems, I had to streamline my entire workout routine. But I am happy I can still do all my Cathe tapes even if I have to now modify and lower my step. I figure who else at 57 can even do Cathe without a step? So I have accepted the fact that I can no longer go up to 8" and use heavy weights. I am happy as things are now. Bodywise, I am the same. I was tested at 13% bodyfat and then another time 11% (but this was done in the arms). I am far from even having the firmness of Cathe (she must be 5%), but I also weigh under 100 lbs (at 5 1 1/2"). I anxiously awaiting Cathe's Intensity series on DVD and no matter what, I will do each and every workout to my own standards and be happy as a clam. Thanks for reading my long story. MaryAnn