STS DEAL OF THE DAY!!!!!

Yesterday was Burn Sets Bis & Tris, today was the uber long Legs + Rear Delts. Tomorrow will be whimpering through All Out Low Impact HiiT!:p
I still wasn't able to tack on any 100 rep challenges! I lifted pretty heavy (for me) on the Burn Sets B&T (NO WHERE NEAR what Cathe & Crew lift!) and hit failure a few times before my 8th rep so I know I need to lighten up a bit :eek:. I had to back off between sets by a pound on the flat bench triceps extensions (I think those tricep push-ups fried me right out of the gate!). On the plus side, I can heavy up on the kickbacks! I got to 16 reps on the failure set! I know that I REALLY NEED to do those 100 rep challenges so that I can improve on bis and tris (and everything else, too ;)!).

I spent yesterday evening having a Downton Abbey Season One Marathon with my DH who surprised me by bringing the DVD home form the library! We got up through 5 episodes and loved it! 4 more to go and then we'll go get Season 2! I just can't stay up late enough to catch the series on PBS!:eek:

Well, I think it's time to go out for a walk in this unseasonably warm weather we're having (74 degrees today!)! My foot has been acting up a bit so this will be more of a stroll than anything else :rolleyes:!

Hope you ladies are having a great weekend!
 
Hi ladies,

Nancy, I LOVE Downton Abbey! I stay up to watch it on PBS. :D I was bummed when the last season ended. Season 3 is off to a great start! I hope you enjoy it.

Natasha, I'm having fun with XTrain so far. It's pretty challenging but I'm loving every minute of it. I got the Nature's Path Maple Pecan Crunch this weekend. Will try it for my morning snack today since I already had breafast; a banana and two boiled eggs (whites only). You're right; it's pretty costly. I had sticker shock at the store. I have never purchased organic anything before. :D

Last night was All Out Low Impact. I worked my butt off. It definitely had my heart pumping the entire time. Saturday was disc 5 Legs. I feel like I've been doing a lot of lower body work this past week. A lot of leg work. Hopefully I'll have nice, muscular legs when it comes time to wear skirts to work. :D

Have a good day!

Justina
 
Hello there fellow Xtrain ladies :)

I did Super Cuts today and LOVED IT :eek:. What an incredibly awesome workout. I don't say that lightly ;). Having 0 repetition is what sealed the deal for me. I MUST find a way to add this w/o weekly into my rotation :eek:. Oh, and I need that blue band gosh darn it! Cathe always finds a way to entice you with new fitness goodies.

Yesterday's w/o was Rhythmic Step (lol I always spell it wrong and have to auto-correct).

My UB DOMS is finally gone. Thank goodness that my right shoulder was not strained! I was getting a little worried there for awhile as there was a bit of discomfort holding up my right arm :(.

Saturday I did Cardio Step Blast without weights. I really needed to let my UB recover. To my surprise I felt DOMS the next day :confused:. Go figure!

Nancy
I'm so sorry to hear about your foot acting up :(.
You are going to LOVE those 100RC's. Yes, it is difficult to fit them into your rotation. I wonder why Cathe never did this :confused:.
I've never watched Downtown Abbey. It's on my list of shows to watch now, so thank-you :).

Justina
Great job on sticking with Xtrain! You are killing those workouts :eek:.
I always wait until Nature's Path goes on sale at Walmart. I wish I could buy all natural, organic everything, but my budget will not allow me to do so :(.


Have a good evening ladies!
 
Hi ladies!

Hope you are doing well. It's raining again today. The forecast shows rain all week until Friday. :(

Last night was Burn Set (Bi and Tri). The girls worked out with me; it was their first time lifting. I'm so proud that they decided to give it a try. :D Even my son was trying to lift his toy cars as if they're dumbbells. Too cute!

Natasha, so glad your arms are feeling better. Now you can challenge them again. :D I hear ya about buying organic. I feel better eating organic but it's not ideal for my budget buying everything organic. Wish I know how to grow a garden; at least I would have my own vegetables. :)

How are you Nancy? What work out did you do yesterday?

Have a good day!

Justina
 
Yesterday was a rest day because today is Cardio Leg Blast!!!! I wanted to give my foot a day off before that one! I am going to do my very best to stay on schedule this week (I'm starting Week #3 of the 90 Undulating Rotation).
Natasha, I think I'll try substituting Supercuts for Hard Strikes. I haven't done it yet...what's your opinion on that swap? I have to swap out Hard Strikes and Tabatacise, too! I think I'll do the low impact HiiT from Intensity with the low impact HiiTs from CF and TTM to sub for Tabatacise. That way I can still do All OUt Low Impact HiiT when it comes up in the rotation without doubling up on it during the same week. It has been challenging to come up with subs on the fly during Cardio Leg Blast, but I've got my discs handy and start doing mountain climbers and burpees if I get stumped! How has it been for you without the high impact?
Justina, I think it's awesome that you're sticking with the program! Do you like following a Cathe rotation? I LOVE IT!!! Takes out all the guess work! I know how you're feeling about the rain! I'm a couple of states away, but I think I'm "enjoying" the same weather! The bad weather probably makes it easier for your kids to want to work out since they probably have a ton of energy to burn off :p!

Tonight I really want to focus on form. I don't think I'll go any heavier on the weights. I worked my way up to the same weights that Cathe is using for Cardio Leg Blast and it is VERY tough right now. I'm so wiped out at the end and I have to force myself through the Core portion (let alone try the 100 rep hip thrust challenge!). Maybe tonight will be different and I can try that challenge!;)
 
Thanks ladies! I am proud to say that I have been sticking to this program. :D
I don't have to think about what DVD to do, I just follow what's on the calendar. I'm doing Cardio Leg Blast tonight too, I think. It scares me! Ha.
This DVD is hard to get though. I have had to rest few times throughout the workout!:p

Enjoy!

Justina
 
Hi Nancy & Justina :)

I have decided to lay off weight training this week. I think I may have indeed strained my shoulder a bit :(. Funny, because I did absolutely 0 shoulder work last week :confused:. This week I am focusing on Cardio, Yoga, Leg work (minus weights) and Super Cuts w/low weights.

Yesterday's w/o was TTM in it's entirety :eek:. The day before, I went for a walk w/Bella and that was it. Hopefully next week I will feel refreshed and ready to hit the weights again :eek:.

Nancy
I think Super Cuts would be an acceptable sub for Hard Strikes :). At the end of the day you have to do what's best for your body. How is your foot today?
I found that doing Cardio Leg Blast w/very light weights, I was able to really focus on form and go DEEP into the moves. I did miss my heavy #'s though :(.

Justina
WTG on sticking with the Xtrain rotation! You are doing a fabulous job :eek:. It's so cute how your girls came and joined you. Your son sounds like such a cutie :).

Have a wonderful day ladies :cool:
 
Hi Natasha, Nancy,

Last night was BS (chest, back and shoulders). My oldest; Morgan joined me. It was fun having someone work out with me! :D

Natasha, I'm sorry about your shoulders. I have been feeling tightness there too in the past few days. Today is a bit better. Last night was tough. While I was doing the BS DVD, my shoulders were sore almost the whole time; more than usual. And the last time I did this workout was last week. I thought I gave it enough recovery time. Jackson is a sweetheart; very playful and sweet at the same time. The girls are a bit older than him so sometimes he gets on their nerves. :D By the way, I still haven't tried Yoga! For last week's rest day I did Stretch Max. I thought it would do some good since I had just started working out regularly again after a long break. Maybe I'll revisit my old Yoga DVD Friday. :)

Nancy, I agree. I tend to use lightweight when I do Cardio Leg Blast. When I use large muscles I can't seem to lift much. I can see some definition on my legs now. :D When I guide my daughters on lifting; I focus on my own form a lot more. I feel like I have come a long way from when I first got started. I'm looking forward to the journey ahead; lifting heavy and creating beautiful muscules. :D Have you been catching up on Downton Abbey? It's a show that I look forward to weekly!

Tonight they say we're supposed to get snow. Temperature will drop to the low 30's tonight. One thing about Atlanta in the winter is the black ice. Very dangerous to drive in. Thanksfully I'm working from home tomorrow.

Have a good day ladies and an awesome weekend!

Justina
 
So, Cardio Leg Blast was AWESOME on Tuesday and my foot felt pretty good yesterday :D! I lifted HEAVY (matched Cathe's weights again!) and then for giggles tried the 100 rep challenge hip thrust without weights so I could work on form. Last night I did Slide n' Glide Express as a sub for Hard Strikes and my foot is fine again today!
Tonight will be CBS; Friday is Legs Premix#2; Sat is Burn Sets Bis & Tris; and Sunday is AOLIHiiT! Then I get to rest on Monday (I'll probably do Yoga Relax ;)). I think it's interesting that Cathe has 3 days in a row of weight work!
Justina, are you following the 90 day Undulating rotation? What week are you on? We're expecting 2-4" of snow tonight which will melt by tomorrow mid-morning...I have to laugh at how excited Southerners get over it! I miss the snowfalls we used to get up in Michigan...but every now and then we do get some down here that lasts more than a day!
Natasha, I am VERY sorry to hear about your shoulder! I applaud your decision to take a break! I hope that it heals quickly and you're back to your intense workouts next week. It can really bring you down when you have to work around an injury :(.
I've been doing some research on trigger points and have decided to try out a system from Trigger Point Performance Therapy (at least their book! The products are pricey!). I posted a request for opinions on the OD forum and like what I heard. I have NEVER had a massage in my life (can you believe it?). I'm thinking it might be a nice present to myself :p! But for everyday, I think my DH and I really need to address our "hot spots". He's been feeling aches and pains over the past year and I finally was able to talk him into trying my foam roller and he likes it! I think we need to take it up a notch though :eek:!
 
Hi ladies,
Happy Friday. Hope everyone is doing well.
Nancy, I am doing the 90 day program. I'm on week two. Today is my rest day. I think I will either pick up Stretch Max or a yoga DVD later on tonight. Work has been draining. I would love a day to do nothing at all. Southerners get really excited over a little snow. I think partly because the city is not equipped to handle snow accumulation. I grew up in NY and went to college upstate NY; pretty close to Montreal. We got tons of snow. I even got frost bite once from being outside too long. :p

Natasha, I hope your shoulders feel better! Last night was Legs. Wow, those leg lifts. I couldn't do them all without resting. I'm sure we all want nice bums. I couldn't hold on to the dumbell with my knee. :)

Have a good weekend ladies!

Justina
 
Hi Justina & Nancy :)

Sorry I have not had time to post :(. I've been busy these days trying to get all of Bella's documentation ready for school this Sept. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with the paperwork.

My shoulder is feeling great! I'm so happy I laid-off the weights last week. I feel rejuvenated and ready to hit them again this week :D.

My w/o's that I did not report were: LBB (very low weights), Super Cuts on Sat w/100RC Lateral Raise with 3lbs. It was SO easy. Next time I will bump up my weight for those. Sunday I did Tabatacise (all 5 rounds). Beforehand I ate a piece of date rolled in coconut. That's a great source of fuel before an intense cardio w/o. For some reason, I still deem 40/20 the hardest cardio Cathe has ever produced.


Nancy
I'm SO happy to hear you foot is feeling better! You have never had a massage??!! Those things are miracles I tell ya! I hope the trigger-points therapy works well. I know for me, acupressure and acupuncture have been very beneficial, so I have faith in all sorts of therapy :).
Congrats on Cardio Leg Blast and matching Cathe's weights :eek:.

Justina
You are doing such an awesome job sticking to your rotation! I think it's so cool that your children are exercising with you :cool:. I think nowadays tweens and teens are getting interested in weight training. My sister started weight training at 15yrs old in high school (as part of her Phys Ed program). She is a lot younger than me though. She turns 17 this year.


Have a great Monday ladies :)
 
Hi everyone!
Nice to be back at work. Last night was Leg Blast. I find it easier as I do this one. I still take breaks in between but I don't huff and puff as much. :D
My husband noticed that my legs are getting shapely. Thanks for Cathe's leg workouts!

Natasha, I love it when the girls work out with me. I think these days young girls should weight train. It gives them confidence. I know it does for me. It improves my posture as well. To be strong and feel powerful is the best weapon a girl can have. I will continue to encourage my girls to weight train with me but sometimes they'd rather watch America Idol on TV. :D

Nancy, let me know how the therapy works out. I have never had a massage or any other type of therapy.

Have a good day!

Justina
 
Happy Hump Day! (yes, I'm talking about Wednesday ;))

Hope you ladies are doing great :). We are experiencing frigid cold temps these past few days. Not a fan, not a fan :mad:. Oh well, 'tis life in Canada :).

Yesterday's w/o was XT BS C/B/S + 100RC Scarecrows + 2 mile Leslie Walk/jog in the evening (I was not able to get outside for my walk). I went lighter in my weight #'s than I typically would, as I was uncertain how my shoulder would hold up. I felt good and have some great DOMS today :D.

Oh my, the OD was getting pretty heated yesterday. I try to stay away from controversial topics, but I do read everyone's responses. I'm not the type of person to empathize with the whole "woe is me, I suck, I hate myself, I'm fat & ugly" topics. I believe to truly be happy in life, you first have to love and accept yourself. Having a daughter, I want her to see me as a positive, strong, confident, healthy & fit role model. That type of negative energy has no place in my home. That is my MAIN priority in life, and it will continue to be that way until my last breath is taken here on earth.

Nancy
How are you doing? How is your foot? Did you do the therapy?

Justina
Congrats on getting sexy ;) shapely legs. It's nice when the DH's notice stuff like that.
Do you find Cardio Leg Blast easier than Plyo Legs? I did.


Have a rockin' day!
 
Hi Natasha, Nancy,
Hope all is well! Last night was HS. I noticed when I looked through the Xtrain book that Cathe has the exact format we should follow for each program. She listed Premixes, core work etc. For the past few week I just did the entire normal DVD for each of the days. So last night on the program it listed premix 16 from HS DVD. I did it with Morgan. I find that when I work out with someone else, I tend to perform better. :D I watch my form and I feel motivated to jump higher, puch harder etc.

Really, I didn't read the OD forum yesterday. I have to go check it out. I agree with you Natasha; enough with the self-pity. It doesn't get us anywhere. Sorry about the cold temperatures in Canada. :( It's definitely something I don't miss about New York. It can get pretty cold there too. Nothing compare to Canada I'm sure.

I definitely find Plyo Legs more challenging. I frawn when I have to do it. :D
I notice that this progam I'm on I'm doing more cardio than heavy weight lifting. This week I only have two weight days I think; and a lot of leg work.
Are you following a particular program Natasha?

How are you doing Nancy? Any progress on the Trigger Point therapy?

Have a good day!

Justina
 
Hello Natasha & Justina!
About those low static lunges in Legs where you're "shaving your shin with the 5# weight: OMG!!!!!!:eek: Those sting like the dickens, don't they? I find that whole standing portion of Legs to be quite effective with the lactic acid build up! OWIE!!!! That was on the schedule for last night and I had a bit of dread factor there...but I think I am getting better at it! I couldn't bring myself to do the 100 rep hip thrusts, ran out of gas! Tonight will be BS Bis&Tris and the 100 rep challenges for bis & tris. I did the same w/o on Saturday and felt great!
Justina, it's always validating when someone notices the changes that your hard work is making, isn't it? Keep up the good work! You're my hero for setting such a great example for your daughters!
Natasha, I have to take a look at the OD now! There have been a few times that I, like you, have sat on the sidelines after reading some rather rude remarks...I don't think it's kind to bash people :eek:. [ADDED NOTE: I found the thread and was shocked! My goodness it got judgemental and negative at times! I try to diffuse negativity when I come across it, so I added my 2 cents in!] I like those scarecrows, too! In fact, I really like what the rear delt workout is doing for me. I feel much stronger on shoulder work. I need to make up a 100 rep challenge for my forearms and calves; those really are weak! Have you concocted any of your own 100 reps?

I have not ordered the trigger therapy stuff yet. I think I will get the book from our library and see if I can put my own equipment together. I have some of the things already, but they have a very specialized roller that I may purchase. I have noticed that keeping things low impact has made a HUGE difference! My DH and I went on an hour walk on Monday (60 degrees outside!) and it may have been too much for me right now. I had to ice my foot down and raise it up for a while afterward. For now I'm going to stick with low impact and gradually increase the frequency and durations of our walks until I'm back in hiking mode :D! It's cold here today (well, for NC it's cold...32 degrees) and we're expecting snow on Friday...so that's like icing my foot WHILE I'm walking :p!
I'll check in again later....lunchtime is over :(
 
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Hi Nancy, Natasha,

How are you ladies? Last night was chest, shoulders and back. I had to lower the weight in some of the sets. With one arm rows I need to up the weight. Looks like I have to hit the store again for fitness equipment!:D I definitely have invested not only time but money into one of my passions in life.

Nancy, very smart plan to nurse your foot; take it slow and low impact. I follow that rule whenever I have an injury. Tomorrow we have a winter watch; supposed to get ice. Thanksfully I will be working from home. :)

I couldn't even read through all the threads in the OD forum yesterday; too long. I agree; it's not kind to bash people and say negative things. It's not a bad thing to set realistic expectations for one's situation. If you ask me, I think we should all support one another for whatever goal we set for ourselves; to lose few pounds, have be in normal weight range, be a body builder etc. Also, people defy age all the time. It's a matter of how important it is and how much effort one is willing to put into it.

I will try the 100 rep challenge soon. I always forget to check it out. Once my work out is done I just stop. Is the typical weight 3 or 5 pounds for this?

By the way, my daughter Morgan has been pretty consistent in working out with me. :D I'm very happy about that. She's 13 years old and you remember what's it's like being 13...boys, body image etc. I want her to be strong and feel empowered in life. Working out on regular basis and weight lifting in particular will be a positive influence. Don't you agree? :)

Have a good one!

Justina
 
Justina,
ITA about supporting one another's goals....and if your goals include DOMS you MUST try those 100 rep challenges! There are several different challenges sprinkled throughout the XTRAIN series. I have the discs (not the downloads) and the challenges are listed on the main menu under "Challenges". If you look in your user manual you can see which disc has which challenge. There are Hip Thrusts, Barbell Bicep Curls, Flat Bench Tricep Extensions, Scarecrows (for the rotator cuff), and Lateral Raises for shoulders. I think that's all of them??? Cathe suggests using 30-40% of your 1RM for the exercises; I tried the hip thrusts without weight to get my form right! There was a lot of discusssion about how to incorporate them into your workout. I am going to try to do them on days that I'm working out that muscle group: for instance, last night was Burn Sets Bis & Tris so I did the Bicep challenge. I wanted to do the Tricep challenge to, but I couldn't work my arms anymore :eek:!!!! Tonight is All Out Low Impact HiiT so I might try the Hip Thrust challenge or wait to do it on Sunday when Cardio Blast Legs comes around.
I am so happy that Morgan has you to work out with and guide her through teendom. I remember feeling so hideous and awkward at that age! If only someone had handed me a dumbbell! Young girls nowadays seem to have much more confidence and have so many more opportunities for fitness than we had way back in the Stone Age (we basically just rolled rocks around and rubbed sticks together to make fire :p!)!
 
Flat Bench Triceps Extensions 100 Rep Challenge. OWIE!!!!;)
Did S&G today in place of Hard Strikes. Thought the 100 rep challenge would be a good idea. It was! I only used 5# and was numb by the time 100 reps came! (I did 50 reps, 25 reps, and 25 reps). I bet those are your favorite, Natasha!!!;)
 
Happy Saturday Nancy & Justina :)

My w/o on Thursday (?) was XT Legs (standing+floor). I upped my weight drastically from what Cathe was using (25lbs plie squats w/ball, 15lbs alternating lunges, 8lbs "shaving shin" lunges -- or whatever they are called lol). The floor work, well, Cathe always smokes me with it :eek:. I'm getting better though, which I'm proud of. I did those ugly pizza presses with a 5lbs :eek:. BRUTAL BRUTAL! But I love em' ;).

Friday I did Hard Strikes (cardio only). It's my 2nd time doing it and I really like it! I'm on a quest for boxing gloves for a reasonable $$. All the ones I seem to come across costs $50+ !!! :mad:

Today's w/o will be XT BS Bi's & Tri's + 100RC Tri's. It's been brutally cold out so I probably won't get out for my walk :(. I will most likely to a 2mile Leslie when Bella goes to bed :).

I'm making these wicked chicken burgers right now :p. I used ground chicken, yellow and red peppers, onions, garlic powder, mustard powder, sea salt, cracked black pepper, panko bread crumbs and egg whites. On BB.com, they use oatmeal flakes, but I ran out so I'm using the panko instead.

Justina
ITA on how we should support everyone's health/fitness goals no matter what they are.
No, I am not following any rotation right now. I'm just doing doing my own XT thang :p.
I think it's SO great that Morgan is working out with you! I hope Bella is the same way. I remember at her age I was a total tom boy :eek:. I climbed tree's and rode my bike a lot. I rarely watched TV in the day when I was home. Thank goodness I was so active because we ate A LOT of pasta :eek:. But ya, weight lifting I think is great for everyone. It sure helps with confidence and self-esteem :). My mother unfortunately had a very negative body image. She also had Bulimia and Anorexia. I remember growing up hearing the words "fat" & "ugly" a lot :(. I NEVER NEVER would ever do that to my own daughter, because I know first hand how detrimental it can be.

Nancy
32F???!!!! Today it's -4F (-20c) here :eek:. I would DIE for 32F in the winter :(.
You are killing it with your XT rotation :eek:. What a super star you are :). I really admire you and hope that I will be just like you when I grow up ;):D.
OMG you did the 100RC tri's with 5lbs???!!! I was dying with 3lbs :eek:. Something to work up to for sure.
I'm glad keeping your w/o low impact is helping you :).


Gotta go eat my burger now :p. Have a wonderful w/e ladies!
 
Hi ladies!

Hope you are all doing well and had a wonderful weekend.
Friday was off day; I actually passed on stretching. I was too tired. Saturday was Bi & Tri and last night was Low Impact. Tonight I will try the 100 rep challenge if it's in my rotation. Not sure what I'm doing; I like the surprise factor. :D

Natasha, you're doing 25 pounds in plie squats? Good for you! Wow, I don't have anything higher than 15 pounds right now. :D For the boxing gloves have you checked out Amazon.com? I got mine (8 oz.) for about $15.00. Right now the price is $25 for 12 oz.
Amazon.com: Everlast Women's Pro Style Training Gloves: Sports & Outdoors
I'm sorry for the negative messages you received growing up. It must have been a difficult experience. I believe that your life experiencs shape who are you and who you will become. You are a great influence for Bella. :)
How did the chicken burger turn out? That sounds delish!

Nancy,
I will definitely check out the 100 rep challenge. I'm so glad I did not give away my 3 pound dumbbells! :D Have you been watching Downton Abbey? Are you caught up? I am loving it. Last night's episode was great. You're right. These days kids have a lot more to choose from as far as fitness. I don't recall ever doing any type of excercise until I went to college. Well, I played a little tennis in high school but that was about it. Weight lifting to me is definitely a turning point. I truly enjoy it and will be doing it for a long time; maybe until I cannot lift anymore. ;)

Have a great day ladies!

Justina
 
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