power & interval workouts and weight training

[JoanH]

Dear Cathe,

I have a lot of power/interval tapes that I love to use. On a couple of them it is stated that they should not be used more than 2-3 times a week. How does this fit in with my weight training? Is it wrong for me to do a power/interval step workout on Monday and then one of your weight training workouts on Tuesday. They are working the muscles in the same way. Right? I do have other cardio step tapes that I can use on the other days, but I am having a hard time coming up with a schedule for myself. Should I treat the Interval Max workout as a weight training day even though I am not using weights? At first I thought I would try and do the power/interval step workouts on the same day as weight training, but it takes up too much time from my schedule. I love your Body Max tape because it has it all! However I am trying to alternate various tapes.
Thanks for your help! This question has been driving me nuts!

Joan

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Joan!

There is no problem at all with doing an interval workout one day and then strength training the next. Interval workouts work your cardiovascular system, pushing it(extemely)hard to help increase your overall aerobic capacity while weight training workouts work your muscles, pushing them hard to increase your overall muscular strength and endurance. Therefore, you are not working your muscles the same way. I would encourage you to use your interval workouts no more than one to two times per week maximum to promote safer cardiovascular enhancement while reducing the risk of injury to your body. The rest of your cardio workouts should instead be intermediate to advanced steady state workouts. Have fun!

 

[JoanH]

workouts

I am glad to know the answer to that question since it will help me schedule my workouts better. On Sunday I ordered 5 more step workouts of yours and I am looking forward to trying them out. The tapes that I have been using of yours are Interval Max, Step Works, MIS, and Body Max. I love them all! They are filled with so much energy that I truly feel like I have totally worked my body to the fullest.

Thank you for responding. I am new to this forum and from what I have read, it sounds like you are very busy with your baby. Take care and enjoy and thanks for making such great workout videos!

Joan

 

[DebbieH]

Hi Joan!

Just wanted to say Welcome to the group. Sounds like you are hooked also. You have a nice selection of tapes. Enjoy!!

 

[JoanH]

Hi Debbie and everyone else!

Thanks! I am hooked!!! I am 31 and have been exercising since high school. I used to go to an exercise club, but it is just so much more convenient to work out at home, not to mention cheaper. Cathe's tapes are a fairly new discovery for me and I am so happy to have them. Although I exercise regularly, I am in a constant battle with chocolate and other easy food fixes like poptarts. It seems that after I turned 26, any weight that I gained became nearly impossible to lose. I have a problem of eating well for a few weeks and then indulge the next week. I wish I had a personal chef! I really dislike coming home after work to cook so I look for something easy. All my husband does is heat up corndogs in the microwave! Oh well, he makes up for it in other areas. What do all of you do when it comes to meals and eating habits? Any suggestions? I am always thankful for any input.

Joan

 

[DebbieH]

Hey Joan!

I also struggle with my eating habits. Since I started Cathe's tapes (approx. 6 weeks ago), I feel more motivated. Maybe it is because I know how hard I am working out. One thing that I have tried to do and I don't know if it will work for you, is: I TRY to eat very healthy during the week, such as Lowfat choices and I have been keeping lots of fresh veggies and fruits in the house. If I get real hungry, I will eat something like oatmeal, rice or Fatfree yougurt. I am not ALWAYS faithful to lowfat and fatfree during the week but I TRY to be. Then on the weekends, if I want to splurge and have pizza, a creamstick

, icecream, ect, I don't feel so guilty. I basically am just trying to eat healthier and not cutting anything out of my diet. I also have added at least 64* of water every day(a New Year's Resolution!!) and I think this has helped me to feel more full. I don't know that this will help you but thought I'd share it. Good Luck and again--WELCOME!!

 

[JoanH]

indulging

It sounds kind of like what I do too except for my poptart snacks which definitely aren't lowfat. I do have to drink more water though. I usually have about 4 glasses a day in the evening hours around when I exercise. I start out in the morning with Diet Mt. Dew to get me going. I suppose it is like battery acid, but I am addicted.... Thanks for your advice and have fun exercising!

Joan