I have been working out with Cathe videos for a few years at least 5 x per week(I mix up the videos every week)and feel like I am not getting the results that I should be. I want the "cap" on the shoulders and tho I do see some improvement I feel like it should be more defined for what I am doing. I was drinking 1 protein shake a day and have increased to 2 a day. Does anybody have any suggestions if there is something else I should be taking. I read the Oxygen magazine and every other page is advertisements for all of these fat burner products I have tried Hydroxycut and did not feel like it did anything for me. Does anybody have any suggestions? Thanks!
Supplements
- Thread starter tuck92
- Start date
tneah
Cathlete
Getting muscle definition is a combination of muscle maturity--training consistently for a long period of time adds a nice "hardness" to the muscle--look at Cathe's older videos compared to her new ones...muscle maturity.
Next, its lifting properly. You have to push the weights, plus get enough protein to make a difference in your musculature.
Diet is 90 percent of the battle, at least in my experience. You have to eat your protein, whole grains in moderation, good fats of course and a ton of water.
Cardio factors in too, I personally have to do more cardio than most to stay as lean as I like. I do 50 minutes in the morning, 6 days a week, 3 of those sessions are high intensity/interval type workouts.
I eat around 1 1/2 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight, sometimes more when I cut back on my carbs. Watching my diet closely, and doing more cardio has worked for me, I am seeing more muscle definition all over, shoulders included!:7
I think with a few "tweaks" to your diet and exercise you will start seeing those "caps" come out. Be patient and it will happen!
Next, its lifting properly. You have to push the weights, plus get enough protein to make a difference in your musculature.
Diet is 90 percent of the battle, at least in my experience. You have to eat your protein, whole grains in moderation, good fats of course and a ton of water.
Cardio factors in too, I personally have to do more cardio than most to stay as lean as I like. I do 50 minutes in the morning, 6 days a week, 3 of those sessions are high intensity/interval type workouts.
I eat around 1 1/2 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight, sometimes more when I cut back on my carbs. Watching my diet closely, and doing more cardio has worked for me, I am seeing more muscle definition all over, shoulders included!:7
I think with a few "tweaks" to your diet and exercise you will start seeing those "caps" come out. Be patient and it will happen!
LauraMax
Cathlete
Yep, my suggestion is train hard & eat clean. ;-)
One thing I've done for better shoulder definition is give my rear delts extra attention. I do an extra 6 sets of rear delt work w/a different body part once a week & it's helped tremendously. For some reason it's an area that many people ignore--could be b/c we don't see them since they're behind us, could be b/c it's a small muscle that's tough to train.
In any case, just make sure you do give front, side & rear delts the same amount of work, lift heavy, & you'll reach your goal.
One thing I've done for better shoulder definition is give my rear delts extra attention. I do an extra 6 sets of rear delt work w/a different body part once a week & it's helped tremendously. For some reason it's an area that many people ignore--could be b/c we don't see them since they're behind us, could be b/c it's a small muscle that's tough to train.
In any case, just make sure you do give front, side & rear delts the same amount of work, lift heavy, & you'll reach your goal.
NaturalBeauty
Cathlete
In this months Muscle and Fitness magazine (for men) they have an article on supplements that help burn fat...(which I found very interesting) I agree with the other posts that without a clean diet your efforts to shed any unwanted fat is useless but one thing about the article caught my attention. They talk about stacking CLA and fish oil. The article reads that one study found that subjects who supplemented with CLA for six months WITHOUT dieting or exercising lost more body fat (with the majority coming from the waist) than those who took an equal amount of olive oil. The CLA group also managed to gain muscle mass WITHOUT exercising.
Then it says another study reported that subjects who took CLA while following a weight training program lost more bodyfat and gained more muscle mass and strength WITHOUT dieting than subjects who took a placebo. Then it talks about fish oil (or omega-3 fatty acids) help prevent dietary fat from being stored as bodyfat.
With that being said if I had to suggest something I would say forget the "fat burners", eat clean and supplement with CLA and fish oil. (which im currently doing....) or maybe you could try some green tea extract (which I also take) The article also talks about green tea extract (pill form) significantly boosting fat loss. Next time your in the grocery store flip through Muscle and Fitness for Men and look over the article. Hope my 2 cents helped
Then it says another study reported that subjects who took CLA while following a weight training program lost more bodyfat and gained more muscle mass and strength WITHOUT dieting than subjects who took a placebo. Then it talks about fish oil (or omega-3 fatty acids) help prevent dietary fat from being stored as bodyfat.
With that being said if I had to suggest something I would say forget the "fat burners", eat clean and supplement with CLA and fish oil. (which im currently doing....) or maybe you could try some green tea extract (which I also take) The article also talks about green tea extract (pill form) significantly boosting fat loss. Next time your in the grocery store flip through Muscle and Fitness for Men and look over the article. Hope my 2 cents helped
Thanks for all of the great responses, I really appreciate all of the input I guess if it happened overnight everybody would look good. Ok, what is CLA? And do you know of a good Fish oil that does not leave an after taste? You are talking about the omega 3 pill form right? Thanks again for all of your help.
NaturalBeauty
Cathlete
CLA is short for Conjugated Linoleic Acid....Its an omega 3 (or is it 6?) fatty acid...a good one tho. Its found in meats and cheeses but in smaller amounts. Research has shown that CLA in larger dosages help support weight loss goals. It helps break down long chain fatty acids (like the layer of fat surrounding your stomach...or mine anyway) and your body can then use the fat that's broken down for energy (or at least that's how it was explained to me) You want to look for Tonalin CLA...its the best kind of CLA out there. (I get mine from GNC) As far as the fish oil I buy mine at vitacost.com They have the best deals. I actually have the flaxseed/fish oil complex. No after taste. Pills are kinda big but they are softgel so it goes down easy. Hope that helps and Good luck with your fitness goals!
) and your body can then use the fat that's broken down for energy (or at least that's how it was explained to me) You want to look for Tonalin CLA...its the best kind of CLA out there. (I get mine from GNC) As far as the fish oil I buy mine at vitacost.com They have the best deals. I actually have the flaxseed/fish oil complex. No after taste. Pills are kinda big but they are softgel so it goes down easy. Hope that helps and Good luck with your fitness goals!i have to say, i agree with Tneah. What she's sayin is true. you have to work at it. and your diet really factors into it as well. When i started working out in January, i was 200 pounds. I am now 165 pound, and alot of it is muscle. And that's thanks to Cathe and my husband who is a weight trainer as well).
I work HARD! I do about an hour to and hour and a half of cardio in the mornings 6 days out the week, and when i come home i do Cathe for about an hour and a half and then i go to the gym for about 2 hours to use the machines that i don't have access to at home. And now that it's May, i'm pushing myself even more.
My husband tells me i'm crazy. But i don't call it that, i call it dedicated. And because ofmy dedication, i'm finally getting the body i want. I even have that "V" in my back! (which my hubby calls "wings") N now when i'm lifting and i look in the mirror, i can see the muscles in my shoulders! I love it!
So all i can tell you is stick to it. If you're not in a gym, try to join one and do alot of cardio. Especially that elliptical machine. That machine can help you burn 600 calories easy! Do alot of aerobics as well. It helps and it's alot of fun. Try water aerobics as well. Trust me, if you mix all that in with strict diet, you'll see results in no time. If it worked for me, it can work for you.
Sorry it's so long. I just wanted to try and help however i could.
Hope i helped.
PS. Sta away from the "fat burners". They don't work AT ALL. All they do is trick your brain into thinking it's doin something, where they really aren't.
I work HARD! I do about an hour to and hour and a half of cardio in the mornings 6 days out the week, and when i come home i do Cathe for about an hour and a half and then i go to the gym for about 2 hours to use the machines that i don't have access to at home. And now that it's May, i'm pushing myself even more.
My husband tells me i'm crazy. But i don't call it that, i call it dedicated. And because ofmy dedication, i'm finally getting the body i want. I even have that "V" in my back! (which my hubby calls "wings")
N now when i'm lifting and i look in the mirror, i can see the muscles in my shoulders! I love it!So all i can tell you is stick to it. If you're not in a gym, try to join one and do alot of cardio. Especially that elliptical machine. That machine can help you burn 600 calories easy! Do alot of aerobics as well. It helps and it's alot of fun. Try water aerobics as well. Trust me, if you mix all that in with strict diet, you'll see results in no time. If it worked for me, it can work for you.
Sorry it's so long. I just wanted to try and help however i could.
Hope i helped.
PS. Sta away from the "fat burners". They don't work AT ALL. All they do is trick your brain into thinking it's doin something, where they really aren't.
NaturalBeauty
Cathlete
By the way I hope I didnt make it seem like CLA and Fish Oil was the answer to all your prayers...I completly agree with everyone else about working hard...eating clean...being patient and all that good stuff ;-)
princessbear
Cathlete
I was reading and article about Trista (from Bachelorette) and how she lost the baby weight after giving birth - and she said she was taking "Abodminal Cuts" by Revolution so I did some research into it, knowing from past experience that CLA does help when trying to lean out. I bit the bullet and bought some at GNC, along with the Thermogenic Push for Women. Ab Cuts contains CLA, GLA, ALA and other stuff that I don't think really matters. The Thermogenic Push claims to be an appetite suppressant (I'm one of those people who is always "mentally" hungry, even after i eat). I don't see much in the appetite suppressant claim, but I think "stacking" these two supplements has helped me shed some of the fat and I've only been using them a month (along with eating clean an working out regularly). TP contains Dandelion Root Extract, Green Tea Extract, Hoodia, White Willow Bark - and it doesn't make me jittery like other fat burners have.
I'm getting some more this week - along with a protein powder. Any suggestions on what type of protein to get? It's been so long since I supplemented with protein powders, I don't really know what's out there other than Myoplex ...
Thanks
I'm getting some more this week - along with a protein powder. Any suggestions on what type of protein to get? It's been so long since I supplemented with protein powders, I don't really know what's out there other than Myoplex ...
Thanks
Thanks again for all of the input. Another question, I purchased hoodia last week and have used it a few times (I am always leary about using that kind of stuff) does anybody know if it has any other nutritional value other than to suppress the appetite? Also does anybody know if Cathe has said in previous postings if she has a supplement/protein regimen? Ok and a completely different question (sorry I have so many, I am new to this forum thing & I think it is great!) I have had 2 c-sections (last one 11 1/2 yrs ago) and I feel like my stomach will never be flat, does anybody else feel the same way? I feel like I will always have a pooch no matter how many core exercises I do. Thanks again for the input!
NaturalBeauty
Cathlete
Princessbear- I use BSN Lean Dessert...they have some really good flavors. I also just purchased Syntha 6 (anthor protein powder from BSN) I got the Mocchachino flavor and absolutly LOVE it. I dont get it from GNC tho (waaaaay over priced) Again I shop a vitacost.com I like Myoplex Lite Ready to Drink Shakes tho...
Tuck92- I know how you feel. I just had baby #2 in December and my stomach frustrates me. After seeing Cathe's before and after pics with baby #2 im inspired to keep at it. I will say one thing...supplementing with CLA has helped me out alot. I've seen my body fat % drop. And of course I've been eating clean and exercising which has alot to do with it too. Im always leary about putting foriegn (sp?) things in my body. I like to keep it as natural as possible. Dont know much about hoodia other than africans use it when they are out hunting for food for days to help suppress their appetite. (read that somewhere)
I've never heard Cathe recommend supplements and I doubt she ever will. You gotta be careful about stuff like that you know?
Tuck92- I know how you feel. I just had baby #2 in December and my stomach frustrates me. After seeing Cathe's before and after pics with baby #2 im inspired to keep at it. I will say one thing...supplementing with CLA has helped me out alot. I've seen my body fat % drop. And of course I've been eating clean and exercising which has alot to do with it too. Im always leary about putting foriegn (sp?) things in my body. I like to keep it as natural as possible. Dont know much about hoodia other than africans use it when they are out hunting for food for days to help suppress their appetite. (read that somewhere)
I've never heard Cathe recommend supplements and I doubt she ever will. You gotta be careful about stuff like that you know?
princessbear
Cathlete
>Princessbear- I use BSN Lean Dessert...they have some really
>good flavors. I also just purchased Syntha 6 (anthor protein
>powder from BSN) I got the Mocchachino flavor and absolutly
>LOVE it. I dont get it from GNC tho (waaaaay over priced)
>Again I shop a vitacost.com I like Myoplex Lite Ready to Drink
>Shakes tho...
>
Wow - the prices at Vitacost are certainly cheaper. Thanks for the heads-up. How are they with shipping, though? Do things get to you pretty quickly?
>good flavors. I also just purchased Syntha 6 (anthor protein
>powder from BSN) I got the Mocchachino flavor and absolutly
>LOVE it. I dont get it from GNC tho (waaaaay over priced)
>Again I shop a vitacost.com I like Myoplex Lite Ready to Drink
>Shakes tho...
>
Wow - the prices at Vitacost are certainly cheaper. Thanks for the heads-up. How are they with shipping, though? Do things get to you pretty quickly?
NaturalBeauty
Cathlete
Their in North Carolina and I live in Florida...I get mine in 3 days.
princessbear
Cathlete
I've tried Designer Whey - the taste doesn't agree with me. I just bought the BSN Chocolate powder - the guy at GNC threw in a free "shaker thing" too which was nice. In the future, I will continue to buy my ab cuts and thermogenic push there, but if I like the protein powder, I will order from vitacost. Thanks for the heads up.
BTW - My butt is KILLING me from the S&H Leg workout yesterday... oooh man. I am really glad I purchased Cathe dvds, etc. I can tell she is going to get me where I want to be!
BTW - My butt is KILLING me from the S&H Leg workout yesterday... oooh man. I am really glad I purchased Cathe dvds, etc. I can tell she is going to get me where I want to be!
princessbear
Cathlete
>Princessbear can you give me some more information on this ab
>cuts stuff you're talkin about? Are they pills or protein
>shakes? And does it work? I wouldn't mind buying it, if i
>heard something good about it. Thanks.
I've been using it for a month now and it seems to be helping ... It is an all natural fat burner that supposedly targets your abs, hips and things. (Trista took it after he baby) I'm not so sure about THAT claim - how can a pill target a certain area - but I did read up on it a bit - and the ingredients are natural. It is not something that makes me jittery or racy. I went back to GNC to get some more yetersday (during Gold Card week) and the guy that was there when I originally bought it last week asked what I thought - and I said, well, I'm back for more, so... I don't know if it's working or if it is a placebo effect. I am trying (key word - trying) to eat clean and am exercising regularly and I do feel like my core and lower body are tighter. It is suggested that you "stack" it with Thermogenic Push, which I do...
Mary
>cuts stuff you're talkin about? Are they pills or protein
>shakes? And does it work? I wouldn't mind buying it, if i
>heard something good about it. Thanks.
I've been using it for a month now and it seems to be helping ... It is an all natural fat burner that supposedly targets your abs, hips and things. (Trista took it after he baby) I'm not so sure about THAT claim - how can a pill target a certain area - but I did read up on it a bit - and the ingredients are natural. It is not something that makes me jittery or racy. I went back to GNC to get some more yetersday (during Gold Card week) and the guy that was there when I originally bought it last week asked what I thought - and I said, well, I'm back for more, so... I don't know if it's working or if it is a placebo effect. I am trying (key word - trying) to eat clean and am exercising regularly and I do feel like my core and lower body are tighter. It is suggested that you "stack" it with Thermogenic Push, which I do...
Mary
NaturalBeauty
Cathlete
You know I was considering a "fat burner" at one point and was doing alot of researching....Here's one thing I found that I want to share
(It's an ingredient found in alot of so called fat burners)
Yohimbe: The standardized extract of the bark of the African Yohimbe tree, this compound is often used as a natural aphrodisiac. It is also sold as a drug (in the U.S., a popular brand is Yohimex containing 5.4 milligram of yohimbine hydrochloride per tablet) and is used to treat impotency, dilate the pupil of the eye, and stimulate fat loss. Because it can cause unpredictable effects on blood pressure, Yohimbe should be approached with caution.
What I read continues by saying...
Yohimbe is a tree bark containing a variety of pharmacologically active chemicals. It is marketed in a number of products for body building and "enchanced male performance." Serious adverse effects, including renal failure, seizures and death, have been reported to FDA with products containing yohimbe and are currently under investigation.
The major identified alkaloid in yohimbe is yohimbine, a chemical that causes vasodilation, thereby lowering blood pressure. Yohimbine is also a prescription drug in the United States. Side effects are well recognized and may include central nervous system stimulation that causes anxiety attacks.
At high doses, yohimbine is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. MAO inhibitors can cause serious adverse effects when taken concomitantly with tyramine-containing foods (e.g., liver, cheeses, red wine) or with over-the-counter (OTC) products containing phenylpropanolamine, such as nasal decongestants and diet aids. Individuals taking yohimbe should be warned to rigorously avoid these foods and OTC products because of the increased likelihood of adverse effects
My thing is why are companys selling fat burners with this ingredient when it has these known side effects????
So to all my fitness friends out there...please be careful
(It's an ingredient found in alot of so called fat burners)
Yohimbe: The standardized extract of the bark of the African Yohimbe tree, this compound is often used as a natural aphrodisiac. It is also sold as a drug (in the U.S., a popular brand is Yohimex containing 5.4 milligram of yohimbine hydrochloride per tablet) and is used to treat impotency, dilate the pupil of the eye, and stimulate fat loss. Because it can cause unpredictable effects on blood pressure, Yohimbe should be approached with caution.
What I read continues by saying...
Yohimbe is a tree bark containing a variety of pharmacologically active chemicals. It is marketed in a number of products for body building and "enchanced male performance." Serious adverse effects, including renal failure, seizures and death, have been reported to FDA with products containing yohimbe and are currently under investigation.
The major identified alkaloid in yohimbe is yohimbine, a chemical that causes vasodilation, thereby lowering blood pressure. Yohimbine is also a prescription drug in the United States. Side effects are well recognized and may include central nervous system stimulation that causes anxiety attacks.
At high doses, yohimbine is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. MAO inhibitors can cause serious adverse effects when taken concomitantly with tyramine-containing foods (e.g., liver, cheeses, red wine) or with over-the-counter (OTC) products containing phenylpropanolamine, such as nasal decongestants and diet aids. Individuals taking yohimbe should be warned to rigorously avoid these foods and OTC products because of the increased likelihood of adverse effects
My thing is why are companys selling fat burners with this ingredient when it has these known side effects????
So to all my fitness friends out there...please be careful