Susan

[Bobbi]

Hi, Susan. I wanted to let you know how this old skinny/fat plan is working. It's working! I did Timesaver (am doing, in fact) during this manic week and I love it. I am going to repeat it next week but add on CTX strength work each day for a strength training boost. The cardio is short enough to fit right into Phase 1, I am getting a energetic but short cardio work out and with the CTX strength work tacked onto the Timesaver work, it should really get my muscles! What are you doing right now? P.S. I am seeing terrific muscle gain and fat loss too!
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/coollook.gif Bobbi

 

[Soosan]

That's awesome, Bobbi! I just started working out again this week after a bout with the flu, so I started with Christi Taylor, Pilates and yoga for a couple of days. Then I did SJP on Wednesday, nothing on Xmas and Circuit Max yesterday to ease back into weight work.

Phase I begins for me next week and I'm glad you asked me what I'm doing because I'm still trying to figure it out. As you know, I got the 27-pack for my birthday, so a whole new world of workouts is open to me! I was going to start an S&H rotation because I've read how effective it is for building muscle, but I'm undecided whether to do that or Pure Strength. I've been reading old posts regarding using both series in rotations, and it seems to me that I should start with PS once a week with no additional weight work for about 8 weeks, then S&H for 3 weeks with no additional weight work and then back to PS with an additional total body workout added. I'll probably add a circuit workout to the first PS rotation.

Every birthday I set a fitness goal I'd like to accomplish for the year. This year it's to be able to do a "teaser," so I'm adding some Pilates to my workouts too. And, of course, I can't leave out yoga! So much to do! So little time!

Anyway, here's my (tentative) plan for next week. I'll probably do this for 8 wks, since that's what Cathe has recommended to people in order to build strength. I'd love to have your opinion.

SUN: PS-SLA + "Wind" section of B. Baptiste P&P Yoga (10 min)
MON: Short cardio + Pilates (15 min or so)
TUE: PS-BBA + Yoga for Flexibility (30 min)
WED: PS-CST + Yoga for Flex + Abs
THU: Off or Pilates
FRI: BC or CM or C&W (if I decide to do a circuit workout, otherwise I'll do power yoga)
SAT: 1/2 Imax1 or 2 or CTX Kickbox + Pilates

 

[Bobbi]

Wow, that looks great, Susan! Aren't these workouts amazing? There are so many options, I have to remind myself to be patient, they can all be done, just not at once! LOL! I am doing yoga every third day myself. I love yoga; it's soul off! I am enjoying this Phase so much, I dn't know when to hit Phase 2. I'll be mulling that over as the New Year approaches. I think a change might be in order once January has passed. I like to remain pretty open ended. I am not sure wheter to do Phase 2 for 4 or 6 eeks but I know I can decide that once I have 4 weeks under my belt and see how it goes. These amazing workouts are so motivating! I love that once they become familiar I can go back to the older Series and it will all be fresh again! I like that you set your goals at your birthday. I might steal that from you. I always feel renewed as I get a year older, ready to put failures behind me, think about what has worked and start fresh! Keep me up to ate on your progress! A big fat hug to you!
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/coollook.gif Bobbi

 

[Soosan]

Right back atcha, Bobbi!

I agree, these workouts are excellent! And I know what you mean about being patient with the workouts. I've got 27 workouts that I'm dying to do (I've only done Circuit Max so far), and I haven't even done the BB's all that much yet!

I think that if you're making strength gains and enjoying your workouts, you should stay with Phase I until you stop making progress or get bored. The more muscle on us ectos, the better, right? Then Phase II would be even more productive, don't you think? If PS works for me, then I'll probably continue with Phase I using S&H.

I love yoga too. I did B. Kest's Vol. 3 this morning and felt almost euphoric afterwards. I don't know what it is about yoga - must be the breathing - but I just get this indescribably calm, happy feeling when I'm done that lasts several hours. And it has truly improved my core and upper body strength, not to mention my flexibility.

I've been setting birthday fitness goals since I turned 40. (It somehow made that "special" year easier.) That year my goal was to be able to do a split, which thanks to yoga, I accomplished. At 41 my goal was to do 5 big girl pushups, which I accomplished too, but I'm still such a weenie when it comes to pushups. So this year it's the teaser, which at this point is a joke. These goals might sound trite to some but it's my way of improving areas of fitness (i.e., split = flexibility, pushups = upper body strength, and teaser = core strength). And I really feel a sense of accomplishment when I reach them.

Thanks for letting me know about your progress. Keep me posted and I'll do the same.

 

[Bobbi]

I would die if I got inot a split! You are amazing! I can do a headstand. I can put my ankle behind my head and I can cross one leg over the other so my thighs are parallel and my knees are aligned, pointing forward in an extreme sort of lotus. It is a delicious glute stretch! My legs are long and they are flexible when folded in but my inner thighs go the opposite way and I should emphasize that kind of flexibilty since I need it the most. Another goal! lol!

I find if I do great in one area, I am bound to neglect something else. I work out but don't meditate. I visit the forums and there goes reading and journaling so I phase in and out of everything as the mood strikes and that's ok! There are only twenty-four hours in a day after all! That's a great idea to hang in on Phase I until I plateau. I will know when I am ready to move on!
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/coollook.gif Bobbi

 

[susan57]

Hi Bobbi,
Thank you so much for responding. You mean to tell me you look that great with just her videos?? You dont go to the gym???
I jogg 3 miles five days a week, I was going to the gym. I got huge. I bulked up. I have done the firm and pilates. Just tell me please how to get started I want to see results. I have been trying for 15 years. Do you eat like body for life of anything? Please if you can advise me I would be forever grateful. I am about to be 47 and think Im going to give up and just start walking again, because everything I have tried just isnt working. Thank you so much:-( :-( :-(

 

[Bobbi]

Hi, Susan. I tried the gym but I like the workout I get at home better and I have weights ranging from 3to 25 and a barbell that can go up to 80 although 50 is the max for me. Running is, to my mind, the devine cardio! Cross-training with step was very effective when I could run but I am on hiatus due to a foot injury. Other than having a every clean diet, it's nothing special. I eat pretty high carb but very dense fibrous carbs and lean protein in the form of fish, chicken, beef and a variety of vegetarina sources. I tend to go veggie at breakfast and lunch and eat meat at dinner. My sweet tooth is very inactive since I started eating protein with my carbs. don't give up but do take it slowly. Incorporate one small change at a time. If it works keep it, if it doesn't keep looking for things that work for you. I know I could be leaner if I opted for more protein but I truly love carbs and would miss them too much! If you bulk, you might want to use phase 2 and skip heavy strength work in favor of higher rep, light weight work. I have to fight for muscle but you can find a plan that will work for you! What are you doing exactly right now? Are you using Cathe? I would be happy to help you try on different plans!
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/coollook.gif Bobbi

 

[susan57]

Thank you Bobbi for responding. No I'm not using Cathe. I dont even know where to begin. I have worked out for 15 years so I definately need a challenge. I need a total body work out and really would like to target lower body. I would love to tone and find defination on some part of my lower body. My upper body when I lift weights shows defination really well. I need fast results. How many days should I run, do you run on a treadmill or do you go find hills? Please help me begin so that I can find results quickly, If I could look half as good as you do in your picture I would be (sing it now) The happiest girl in the whole USA!!!!!! Thank you Bobbi and HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

[Bobbi]

I favor the road but I live in Arizona so that's easier for me. Unless I am training to race I don't do a great deal of speed work or hill work but I do like it to mix things up. You work out at the gym, do you? That's great! You have many options there and all you really need is realistic goals for yourself. Tell me where you are at and where you want to be in 6 months or so. You need a plan for both exercise and nutrition. Where are you at? Do you want to drop pounds and how many? You said you bulk up so that means a specific type of training for you that allows more for shaping muscles than building them. Give me as much information as you feel I need and we'll workout a plan to get you into tip top shape!
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/coollook.gif Bobbi

 

[susan57]

Bobbi
Happy New Year

I dont go to the gym now. I am debating on joining. I can if you think its necessary. I have a treadmill and a safe three mile neighborhood I can run in. I have a bar bell and dumbells up to 20pounds. In 6 months I want to have definition and to be firm all over especially my thighs . Where do I begin????:7 :7