still looking 4 suggestions

[MadhouseMom]

is anyone out there have to or had to lose a lot of weight (over 50 lbs.)? I need to lose quite a bit myself and I am looking for some suggestions on which Cathe DVDs they might have used and what type of "clean-out-the-junk" program they followed to get themselves to keep them in a healthy lifestyle. What "diets" do they like aka. Weight Watchers, South Beach, Raw Food, ect..... I would love to hear how some of you came from where I am now to get where you are. Perhaps it will also inspire you also an any others who read this thread.
Thanks! Madhouse Mom

 

[Massaging Mom]

Darn! I lost my post to you.

I hope someone offers some advice. I only lost ~20 pounds since I started working out over a year and half ago. The first ten pounds came off the first month from eliminating diet soda and doing Basic Step for a month. That's crazy!!! Right now, I'd like to maintain my weight while building lean muscle mass. I don't want it so much to drastically change my diet though.

Best,
Wendy

 

[celestialtimes]

I have no real suggestions for you...I'm still the same 40 pounds overweight according to the scale...meaning I've lost 10 pounds in 10 years...however...I went from a size 18 being able to fit in some of my 14's that have been hanging around for a few years.

I work out 6 days a week, using Cathe's DVD's. I weight train 3 days, and do cardio 3 times a week...have horses...work a desk job...so, I'm pretty active minus the desk job.

As far as food. I watch what I eat and use Cathe's nutrition tracker...I had used Sparkpeople for over a year....and love Cathe's better.

I haven't lost much weight, but I can pick up my 27 in, not an LCD TV, by myself while my husband stands there watching...smile. But...still haven't lost the weight...

 

[fitover40]

I've lost 43 lbs in the last 10 months. The best way I found was to start small. I set incremental goals along the way, when I reached one I was pumped to reach the next. I also started slowly, changing one thing at a time to improve my health.

First I cut out junk food and watched what I ate. Then I started with exercising 1st with Jari Love (got bored quickly) and then Cathe. Then I started getting smarter about what foods I ate together (ie. protein with carbs always) and when I ate foods. Then I think the wonderful people here got me hooked on iTreads and Cardio Coach.

These boards are such an inspiration that just reading them kept me going.

I'm only 2 lbs from my ultimate goal (I kept revising my ultimate goal weight as I found I could do this).

If you need any other info or any pushes or inspirational help in your journey feel free to PM me anytime.

 

[lioness]

Hi Madhouse Mom,

I lost 40 pounds 9 years ago and my twin sister lost 50 pounds. I didn't know about Cathe then but I did mostly cardio (Taebo) workouts. It took us both about a year to lose the weight. I didn't do any specific diet. I read every food label on all the food in my house and was SHOCKED at the amount of calories and fat I was consuming. The house was cleared out of all junk food. This was extremely hard since my diet consisted of all junk food. I went to the grocery store and replaced what I was eating with healthy foods. If I wanted a pizza, I would make my own healthy version instead of the stuff in the grocery store. I would allow myself a cheat meal once a week which usually was cinnamon rolls on Sunday morning.

I was consistent with my workouts. I started out with 30 minutes 4 or 5 times a week and increased that as my fitness level increased. I didn't let anything come between me and my workouts. You really have to stay focused and have your workouts and meals planned for the day otherwise it is easy to get off track. Don't weigh yourself every day. I only weighed myself twice a month. Don't expect to lose the weight in 3 months. It's not like what you see on television. Weight loss takes time.

The only other suggestion is to tweak your diet and workouts every 6 weeks or so. In the beginning I was like a drug addict trying to cut out crack so I made healthier choices than what I was eating but it wasn't always the healthiest choices. As my cravings for sugar, salt and other foods subsided, I was able to make even healthier choices. As I tell people I didn't go from Twinkies to Tofu in a day.

You can do this!!! It take time and dedication, especially in the beginning when it is so hard. I don't think there is one formula for weight loss, however, I do think that you need to have the mindset to REALLY want to lose weight. The REALLY wanting it is the key that will drive you to do all the hard work and to walk away from the donuts and cake.

Good Luck!!

 

[RapidBreath]

weight loss

I'm interested in the answers from more seasoned Cathe-ites. I have lost 67 pounds in the last 18 months on my own without a trainer or nutritionist or even a gym membership. I only recently found Cathe. I had been in a plateau and broke it with being more discipline with my diet and adding the beginning Cathe rotation. I started with a broken set of toes.

I eat less carbs than most people because I had been insulin resistant. What that means is that my insulin receptors don't work so well. The less I use them the less likely I will descend into diabetes. I do Protein Power ( Dr. Eades.) Sometimes I do calorie cycling by about 500 calories every other day. For me its cutting out wheat and dairy. I eat really cleanly. If I'm out and I have to eat something its a salad with an unsweetened iced tea. Breakfasts are easy, hard boiled egg works for me. I do cardio 6x a week because it helps my insulin receptors to work (according to my Doctor). I do yoga at least once a week with a video. Reducing my stress level works to help me lose weight. I don't restrict my calories, I make sure I get enough. I don't worry about working too high in my target heart range- I only worry about working too low. I always use a good warm up and stretch.

I'm just in the beginner's rotation. But, what next? I know Cathe has written Cardio & Weights, but what else?

 

[Stephanie0523]

Congratulations Jane and Lisa! I hope I'm as successful as you guys!

Madhouse Mom--I will have to lose probably about 40 pounds (at least) after I deliver my baby in October. I will have gained in excess of 50 pounds with this pregnancy. But this is the third child and the third time I'm endeavoring to lose more than 40 pounds. Last summer (07), I had great success in getting down to about my goal weight (size 6) with Cathe workouts and really cleaning up my diet. I'm looking SO forward to going back to Cathe and eating better.

I didn't DIET. I just changed the way I ate. I still allowed some of my favorites, like my nightly glass of red wine and dessert after dinner every night, but dessert became lots of berries on top of a small piece of sugar-free angel food cake. I also worked very hard to get lots of protein into my diet AND fiber. I made sure to drink at least 70 oz of water per day and would add powdered fiber to my water to fill me up and help my system keep running smoothly. I ate about 1,500 calories per day and worked out an average of 5 days per week.

Interval training worked best for me. I did some form of weights every day I worked out (never the same body part two days in a row, though), and a more cardio-intensive workout (like one of her step DVDs) three days per week. I felt SO good on that schedule of clean eating/working out. I cannot wait to get back to eating better and working out intensely again!!

All of this to say, you're definitely not alone! I'll be right there with you in about 5 weeks, but you'll have had a head start !!

 

[MadhouseMom]

Thank you for all of the replies!!! They are all encouraging, even if you are not where you do not want to be, you have the right mind-set! BRAVO!!!

 

[MSJ]

About every 2-2 1/2 years or so for the last 14 years, I have about 40 lbs to lose, because I keep having babies. And I'm getting ready to do it again, having just given birth. It usually takes me about a year. I find as I age, exercise alone is no longer adequate for weight loss and I have to watch my eating more and more. I did Eat to Live with lots of success after my last baby, so I'll probably do that again, but it is a very stringent eating plan--did get me results, though.

Maggie

 

[star_dust]

I lose about 110 or so pounds about 8 yrs ago. It took me about 3 years to lose through 'diet' and exercise. I am currently about 30 pounds up on my low weight b/c I am working off the baby weight. During the first year I lost about 60 pounds. Every 10 pounds or so and also during plateaus, I had to re-evaluate what I was doing and mix it up in order to continue with the loss. I started off with Karen Voight and ended up with Cathe along this fitness journey. I also went from a restaurant rich diet to one where I prepared home cooked meals with lots of fruit and vegetables. I worked with a registered dietician who was a prof at a local university to make sure that I ate a balanced diet and b/c my weight gain was caused in part by a health problem called pcos. I did this in conjunction with the weight watchers program. I think when it comes to weight loss, there are 2 things that work beyond any one diet. If the changes you make are sustainable for you than you will succeed. If you end up changing your eating situation in a way that satisfies you, makes you feel good, and you can imagine doing it for life - then you will succeed. Same with exercising. Whatever exercise you do, make sure you can do it for life and that it brings you fun and happiness. I really like Cathe and enjoy her workouts, but there are other instructors that I enjoy as well just to mix things up. Good luck!

 

[wake up eager]

Jane, loved your post... "I was like a drug addict trying to quit crack" cracked me up. When I wa sfirst changing my diet I felt the same way - I used sheer determination to shift even the smallest things...and now, 8 months later it feels so much easier and natural - I even like tofu and I'm not craving wine every night. Felt so hard in the beginning and is so easy now. Easy to forget how hard it felt.

 

[lioness]

Jane, loved your post... "I was like a drug addict trying to quit crack" cracked me up. When I wa sfirst changing my diet I felt the same way - I used sheer determination to shift even the smallest things...and now, 8 months later it feels so much easier and natural - I even like tofu and I'm not craving wine every night. Felt so hard in the beginning and is so easy now. Easy to forget how hard it felt.

Well I did realize in my journey that I was indeed an addict...a food addict. When I was going through that first year of changing my diet, I would have people come up to me and say one cookie isn't going to hurt and I would explain that I can't just have one cookie. That one cookie becomes 5 and then becomes 10 and so. My shut off valve came when there wasn't any food left. It's much easier now because I'm better at stopping and thinking before I eat something. I agree that it is easy to forget how hard it felt sometimes though.

Congratulations on your determination and hard work!

 

[wutherhi]

I started out with Weight Watchers and lost 99 pounds. Then I used a program called physiquetransformation.com and lost another 24. It taught me how to eat properly. I am still using it to stay on track, although I don't need it all the time. I just use it once or twice a week to make sure I'm not lying to myself.

I had some medical/medication issues a few years ago and gained back about 80 pounds. Now I'm finally losing again. I've lost 20 and feel really good this time.

For exercise, I started by riding my bicycle, a few blocks at first, then a mile, two miles, ten twenty, thirty, forty. Very gradually, though. A little more each day. When I began lifting, I used Kathy Smith with no weight at all, just the movements. Then I added weight. I moved up to The Firm but didn't like the multiple movements. I found Cathe and it was love at first sight. I've used Cathe almost exclusively ever since, although I continue to ride my bicycle to and from work (7 miles each way).

Progress is very slow and not at all steady, but what's the alternative? I feel better when I eat right and exercise, whether the progress "shows" or not. So I keep going. It's just like they say on the Firm vids: "Consistency is the key to results." They got that right. Just keep doing the right thing one meal after the other, one day after the other, etc. It all adds up, no matter which way you go.

Shari

P.S. I forgot that you also asked which Cathe videos were most helpful. I used all of her strength videos up to this last series. I haven't purchased the newest series, but I probably will someday. Eventually, I didn't even have to modify, although I did at first. I was never able to keep up with Cathe cardio, so I used Christi Taylor for step, P90X, and my bicycle.

 

[horseshowmom]

Welcome *Madhouse*!
My most successful weightloss journey was with Body for Life. (about 30 pounds 7 yrs ago) I wasn't super strict b/c I'm sort of a picky eater, but I followed the basic principle of small, frequent and balanced meals. It's hard for me to eat that often, b/c it's such a hassle to come up with something Healthy/balanced. BUT, I definitely had the best results with weight loss, and energy.
I had a battle with depression and regained about half of it. Last year I lost about 20 pounds but only b/c I was under a lot of stress. I could eat whatever I wanted b/c I got violently ill no matter what I ate for 6 months. NOT healthy!
After a major move and lifestyle change I regained all my lost weight and hit nearly an all time high.
Jan 1 of this year found me with 50 pounds to lose. I didn't up my workouts, just walked my dog 4-6 miles each day. Didn't lose much weight (6 lbs), but stopped gaining (victory in itself, I figured out from Aug-Dec 07, I gained 1 pound each week!)
This August 1st I finally became active in the forum, joined my local Y, and have already lost about 3 lbs, but more exciting, several inches.
Honestly I haven't attacked my diet much yet, just reducing portions dramatically, but way upped my exercise. I'd rather eat the M&Ms and run an extra 2 miles.
I am looking to make permament LIFESTYLE changes and hope to be my healthiest and fittest before I hit 40. (T minus 37 months) I will probably go back to Body for Life and customize my eating around his basic principles. There is also A Body for Life for Women by Pamela Peeke. None if it's rocket science, but somehow I just don't apply it!
Good luck and welcome. You've come to the right place for encouragement. The people on this forum are amazing. I've been overwhelmed by their kindness and generosity!

Becky

 

[amyg]

I lost 45 pounds a few years ago through Weight Watchers. I started exercising slowly and lost most of it while exercising with the Firm. It wasn't until a few years later that I found Cathe and haven't looked back.

You do need to focus on your eating primarily and then factor in the exercise. Keep in mind your joints are not built to be moving around as fast as the videos with as much weight as you're carrying-- my knees and back were talking to me until I had lost about 20 pounds!! I'd keep it on the low end of your impact scale until you have the confidence and sense that you can perform higher impact without too much stress on your joints.

Becky you are CRACKING me up that you've measured when you're hitting 40 in *months*!!! Girl, that's more than three years away!!! LOL. The problem with m&ms versus mileage is the frequency of those m&ms!! Since as you get stronger your body will get used to what you're doing now, you'll use fewer calories to get through the same workout. (It'll take more than 2 miles sooner than you wish!!)

All the best to each of you who are on a journey to become more fit... for me, it's a way of life since nothing stays the same. Thankfully we've got each other!!