brendazzzz
Cathlete
How many of you are new to exercise, say within the last couple of years? What series and rotation did you do that gave you the desired results?
Question for the 40 Somethings Here
- Thread starter brendazzzz
- Start date
Annabelle2
Cathlete
I am 47, I started exercising in 2002. I began with the Firm. I lost my weight using their workouts and eating right. After about a year I started venturing out looking for more challenging workouts. I started using Cathe, my first one was the Intensity series. Loved it and finally became much more fit. I can't say specifically which rotation I followed exactly but with the Firm I did 1 Total Body weights only, 3 cardio sculpts, and 2 cardio only per week. When I started using Cathe I followed the Intensity Series rotation on this site and kept adding to my workouts. As I acquired more workouts I followed the rotations here sometimes and if it wasn't to my liking I made my own. What kind of results are you looking for?
brendazzzz
Cathlete
Hi Kathy! I'm 45 and I too started with The Firm BSS2, moved up to Slim Series and recently started getting into Cathe. I'm not looking for drastic results. I'm not hardcore like a like a lot of ladies here. I just want to stay toned and fight off the menopause bulge. I'll be getting my last DVD of Body Blast this week but it's just a little different than what I'm used to. I love the workouts but I'm used to more of an all body workout everyday. I assume there will be results or there wouldn't be so many people doing it, right? I guess it's just something I need to get used to...
P.S. Isn't the Intensity Series hard on your knees?
P.S. Isn't the Intensity Series hard on your knees?
brendazzzz
Cathlete
Pinky how old are you? The Intensity Series isn't too intense for your joints?
Brenda, I just turned 36. I guess that disqualifies me from the audience towards this thread is geared.
The only IS workout I don't do is Bootcamp. The cardio portion is too high-impact for me. I prefer the high step workouts, which are structured in a similar way as Bootcamp, but have cardio portions I can modify. I do Imax 2, however, with a few modifications, and on a 4" step. I also do the abs premix of Bootcamp sometimes.
Pinky
The only IS workout I don't do is Bootcamp. The cardio portion is too high-impact for me. I prefer the high step workouts, which are structured in a similar way as Bootcamp, but have cardio portions I can modify. I do Imax 2, however, with a few modifications, and on a 4" step. I also do the abs premix of Bootcamp sometimes.Pinky
Hi. I'm 46 and have been consistently exercising for the last 3 years. Prior to that my exercise was mostly walking and not much more. Over time I added weights and started working out with the Firm then gradually increased intensity to Cathe workouts. Since September I've been using Cathe videos exclusively and also jogging when I'm away from my equipment at home. I'm not expecting to be a fitness model or anything so I think my realistic expectations are being met - i.e. my muscles are toned, my weight is in a healthy range, my blood work is excellent. Another side benefit is that I've found by either eating more clean or exercise or both is that my immune system is much stronger. In the past 3 years I haven't had as much as a sniffle where before I could count on at least one case of bronchitis a year.
Each month I pick out one of Cathe's rotations and follow it in one shape or form for a whole month. I got good results from Slow and Heavy rotations, so I've done that one a couple times. This month I've been doing the August '04 rotation for legs. Even though it's been great for the legs, I found that I needed to supplement with more upper body and a little more cardio to maintain what I have. My experience with the rotations is that I will follow it fairly closely but will put in substitutions where I feel necessary (usually I'll substitute a more intense cardio than what she calls for or throw in a Gym Style weight workout instead of a weight workout from an earlier series). Everyone's body responds a different way but to me the key to results is to exercise consistently, eat healthy, challenge myself frequently, and regularly change the rotation.
Each month I pick out one of Cathe's rotations and follow it in one shape or form for a whole month. I got good results from Slow and Heavy rotations, so I've done that one a couple times. This month I've been doing the August '04 rotation for legs. Even though it's been great for the legs, I found that I needed to supplement with more upper body and a little more cardio to maintain what I have. My experience with the rotations is that I will follow it fairly closely but will put in substitutions where I feel necessary (usually I'll substitute a more intense cardio than what she calls for or throw in a Gym Style weight workout instead of a weight workout from an earlier series). Everyone's body responds a different way but to me the key to results is to exercise consistently, eat healthy, challenge myself frequently, and regularly change the rotation.
Annabelle2
Cathlete
Brenda - So far none of Cathe's workouts have been too hard for my joints, occasionally I get a small ache in my left knee but it is because of an injury from my youth. My legs are very strong and I go lightly on the jumping, I absorb the shock in my legs by landing light on my feet. If my knee is giving me trouble which is usually only in the damp winter or when the weather changes drastically I will modify moves on my rebounder. I have given some thought to going a little easier on my joints but since they are not bothering me yet I haven't slowed down! I absolutely love high impact. I guess it is from being a couch potato most of my adult life!!!!! Cathe is VERY adictive!
Oh, and by the way, it is nice to meet you!
Oh, and by the way, it is nice to meet you!
brendazzzz
Cathlete
Kathy I overlooked your second response yesterday. You're lucky to have such strong knees!
Nice to meet you too! I'd like to see another forum on here for us older ladies to meet and chat...
Brenda
Nice to meet you too! I'd like to see another forum on here for us older ladies to meet and chat...
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
I was wondering why you think 40 somethings is old. I am almost 41 and never felt I am old. In fact, I feel and look better than many 20 somethings!! I have started Firm back in 1996 and stayed with them for a year and started Cathe right after. I never turned back ever since. I do rememberd having knee problem very first year of excercising mainly because I never done it before. I have learned to modify and landing gentely on the floor. I have also purchased knee braces and used it when I have experienced more pain. Within several months, I did not need it and gave away to my family member and never needed ever since. I honstly think my knee got stronger with the consistant exercising.
Start out slow and modify as much as possible. Use braces as needed and good luck.
I was wondering why you think 40 somethings is old. I am almost 41 and never felt I am old. In fact, I feel and look better than many 20 somethings!! I have started Firm back in 1996 and stayed with them for a year and started Cathe right after. I never turned back ever since. I do rememberd having knee problem very first year of excercising mainly because I never done it before. I have learned to modify and landing gentely on the floor. I have also purchased knee braces and used it when I have experienced more pain. Within several months, I did not need it and gave away to my family member and never needed ever since. I honstly think my knee got stronger with the consistant exercising.
Start out slow and modify as much as possible. Use braces as needed and good luck.
I'm 40. I'm not new to exercise but I've always been erratic - working out consistently for a year, doing nothing for six months, back at it for a year, off another nine months.
The Cathe workouts that have given me the most muscle definition and strength - my goals - are the Pyramids, Pure Strength and Slow & Heavy. I haven't used the Hardcores enough to evaluate their effectiveness for me but I really like the Gym Styles and Muscle Max.
The Cathe workouts that have given me the most muscle definition and strength - my goals - are the Pyramids, Pure Strength and Slow & Heavy. I haven't used the Hardcores enough to evaluate their effectiveness for me but I really like the Gym Styles and Muscle Max.