We're In This Together ~~MAY~~

mini-natty

Cathlete
Hi everyone!

Just getting the new month started. I posted/responded last night in April's check-in.


Have a great day all :)
 
Hello Friends.
Thank you, Natalie, for reaching out to me. I appreciate it.
My sister's company is moving most of its operations to Westlake area and she is encouraging me to get into her company in Dallas.
Plan to begin my investigation today although I'm tired a bit from the road trip.
STS disc2, week 1, cycle 1 for me later on with cardio tomorrow.
Test for a City job one hour south of me on Monday. Posted for one but being considered for three. The town of my "friend." I would live opposite of where he is at.

Sorry for the rambling. Need to get to work.
 
Happy Wednesday ladies!

Sorry I've been a little MIA the past few days. Yesterday we were actually pretty busy at work! I got my Turbo Tower and put it together last night. Yipee! I even tried a few modified pull ups on it! I'm so excited! I'm also psyched to use it for push ups as well. I always end up doing some of the push ups on my knees which isn't good for them. I actually avoid a lot of lower body floor work because it is often done while kneeling and sometimes that will cause my knees to get puffy.

Today was disc 20 (Meso 2, week 3 legs). I love going as heavy as I can on those trisets! I am just sweating bullets. Just wait until you get to Meso 2 Natty! Those leg workouts are deceptively simple but if you go heavy enough you'll have those DOMS you're looking for and then some!!:eek: Also, the pace definitely eases up in Meso 2 and Meso 3. Meso 1 is a bit rushed between sets because of it being endurance work. I often found I had to pause the dvd when I wasn't quite ready to go on the next exercise. I wouldn't be afraid to do that. You don't want to trip and break a toe on one of your dumbells when they are all scattered around! One of the ladies on the STS first time thread actually had her husband trip on one of her dumbells and do just that! D'oh!

Jen- I think moving to Dallas would be a great idea if you could find the right employment. Sometimes you have to go where the jobs are and if it's tough in Michigan, you may end up settling for a job that you don't really want just because it's all you can get. As long as you don't have kids in school or other things tying you down why not? You can always move back later if something else comes up down the road. It sounds like it could be an adventure! ;) In any case, I really hope it turns out for you. I know how frustrating it's been. We're always here to listen!

Sarah- have fun making the paths for your kids! You're awesome for wanting to work with tools like that! I make Mark do all that stuff, even mowing the lawn. He wishes I was more outdoorsy and helped out with the outside more! Good luck with the 4DS step routine!

Oh and Natalie, I guess I should write and introduce a little bit about myself to you! I'm a 39 year old optometrist, married with 2 little kids (Dylan 7 and Lydia 4). I used to work out in college (mostly step aerobics) but wasn't all that consistent about it until about 2 1/2 years ago when I started up again with dvds. I had a small collection of mostly Kathy Smith step workouts and Karen Voigt (VHS!) but then I discovered collage video and started collecting more and more workouts. I started with the 10 minute solution pilates dvds and worked my way up fitness wise to Ellen Barret, then Jillian and Bob until I finally got the nerve to try a Cathe dvd. I had heard of her long before that but was way too intimidated! I think my first one was Cardio Core Circuit (either that or her Hiit dvd, I always forget which one was first). I fell hard! Suddenly I was collecting everything of hers and for the first time in my life started lifting weights and loving it! I have gotten to the point that 9 times out of 10, I'll wind up grabbing a Cathe workout even though I have lots of others! I am by far the most fit I have ever been in my life!:D If only I had discovered her stuff in my twenties....:cool:

Better get going! TTYL
 
Ohhh no, DOMS is hittin' hard now. I could hardly lift up my arms to get my shirt on this morning. I went to the park with Bella and the route I take is very hilly, and usually I have no problems going uphill with her in the stroller.......not so much today. My arms were burning! That was possibly the longest 20min of my life :eek:. I'm happy though, you know me and my love affair with DOMS.

Today's w/o will be Step Moves. A nice steady state cardio.

Natalie & Sarah
I posted my last response to both of you in April's thread. BTW, Natalie, are you finished with JM's Body Revolution?
Colleen
You sound like me when I tested out my tower for the first time :). Push-ups are awesome on it too. Barre work is great with it, especially because you can place the bar at just the right height. Ahhhh I love it :).
Ya, the pace is a bit too fast for my liking during this meso. My 50min w/o ended up being 65min with all the times I had to pause :mad:. I don't mind the short rests, it's just hard to get all my equipment out of the way, grab what I need, come back and be ready in a mere 30 sec. Especially with the damn barbell :mad:. Having a smaller room is also very challenging, as my weights always seem to be in the way (and yes, I'm afraid to fall, break a toe, leg, any body part). I'm probably fiddling around with them more than I'm using them sometimes :eek:. One day I will invest in a nice rack. Do you have one?
Jen
I hope you are doing well today. I feel the same as Colleen (I posted my thoughts in April's thread). You do whatever is right for you. Follow your intuition, it will lead you in the right direction.


Hope everyone is having a great day :)
 
Hi All.
Not doing Cathe tonight I am wiped out.
Texas stuff is lot of information.
It is 80 and humid here.
Yes. I will follow my intuition.
Interview Friday and testing on Monday both in Kalamazoo.
Today I am under calories but am hungry.
Jen
 
I hope your DOMS go away Nat. Sometimes an Epsom's salt bath helps. Sometimes bribing my husband for a massage helps, as long as you don't promise him anything to terrible ; ) By the way, it's one of the most wonderful things to have your a** massaged. I love it equally to a back massage sometimes even more. I have tripped over weights and stubbed my toe before. The pain is equal to that of having a whole frozen chicken fall out of the freezer onto yor toe. Ouch.

Jen, I kind of like moving, it's like a fun adventure. Sometimes it's a way of starting anew. But I know most people have a hard time with change. You sound like your ready to take the bull by the horns, in order to land a job. So your sister lives in Texas then? Did you get your lawn done today? I didn't start weed eating, the weather was just to off and on.

I did do Low Impact Circuit, I forgot how much I like that one. Boy my legs a feeling tired. There is a rest day scheduled for tomorrow, which I think I need. However, I may go ahead so I can take Sunday off. It's really hard to find the time and kick everyone out of the family room so I can workout. Plus it's suppose to be a beautiful day on Sunday.

I glad you got your tower Colleen. So when are you going to schedule doing STS again ; ) so you can get the full impact of the tower.

Will the tower work for chest presses if I only have 2 risers (8 ") for my step ( does it go down low enough)?

Sarah
 
Hi Sarah.
My sister lives in upstate NY. And her company is headquartered in Boston
My yard was mowed by some kids raising money for camp but forgot one small area
There are so jobs in Texas it is amazing.
A friend called me tonight about my crazy posts on FB
Just talking to her I am convinced to keep pursuing it
No jobs here
Feeling old and burnt.
Jen
 
Feeling more at peace with all the craziness happening right now. Interview Friday in KZ, one hour south of me, then testing back in KZ on Monday. Plan to do disc 2 tonight and tone down the blonde in my hair. (Natty, you must be on your third disc by now??) Storms, hot weather and humidity not good here. My parents are upset that I would consider moving at 50 but they understand. Unemployment is not fun. My new "friend" is still supportive, we get along, but not counting on him. We're still getting to know each other too.
 
Good morning all :)

Yesterday's w/o was super fun; Step Moves + SJP hi/lo add on, with a total time of 60min. If you guys have not tried the hi/lo from SJP, it's quite the experience. First of all, the music is rockin'! I just wanted to leave the choreo behind and start dancing like Usher. The high impact section is pretty tough with some plie jacks thrown in. Nothing crazy, but enough to keep your HR up there. The lo section is all choreo though, very dancy. Pivot turns, sachets, ponies, turning 360 on one foot, just to name a few. I had a hard time keeping up. It's kinda' like complex step but minus the step :eek:. I left the workout smiling, which to me is just as important as pushing myself with interval training. Balance is a good thing.

Jen
Please don't describe yourself as old and burnt. You are anything but. Life is hard, it sucks, I know. You just have to find a way to dig deep, be strong and move on. I'm not going to preach too much, you get my drift. We are here to support you.
Sarah
I've already had that kind of massage ;). Last year I did a lot of deep tissue massage, and my therapist said my lower back pain was actually coming from my butt :confused:. At first I was a bit hesitant to make her massage it, I thought that was just an excuse for her to see how big it was lol ;). No really, it is amazing, you're right.
I'm fairly young, but I've done lots of things in my life that most people would not dare try, like bungee jumping. That is pretty crazy though, you really need to be a lunatic for that :eek:.
Yes, the tower works for chest presses with your step down to 8inch. I actually prefer my step being lower, it's easier on my back while I'm getting on/off.
Colleen
Did you break-in your tower some more ;).


Have a great day ladies :)
 
Hello Friends/
THANK YOU for your support, I am truly grateful. Just went thru 100 pages of new job postings for DFW. NEW. I posted for some then I forwarded my resume to a huge credit union there too. More at peace no matter what happens.
Natty-Thank you. Sometimes the new 50 feels like 60. Took your advice and got ahold of things again.
Colleen-enjoy your tower, I get to use mine tonight.
Sarah-Low Impact Circuit rocks, I just did it last week.

Ive been getting private messages to DFW. Only one bad thing about weather. The rest has been positive. My group is not thrilled that TX is on my radar but I need a job.

BBL and THANK YOU.
 
Morning ladies! Today was Athletic Training Leg cardio premix. That's another great, short cardio workout for those days when I'm pressed for time! Love it! I was dripping with sweat...partly because that step portion is so killer and partly because my house was 75 degrees and humid! We just hate turning on the central air until it's consistently hot outside so we're resisting!:rolleyes: Of course, if it was just up to me I'd turn it on! ;) He was pretty cool about the turbo tower (and pretty much everything else I buy for my fitness collection!) so I try not to complain too much!

Natty- I got a couple of dumbell racks pretty inexpensively at Wal-Mart. They were the Gold's gym brand that WM carries and has a place for 4 sets of dumbells. Here it is: Walmart.com: Gold's Gym Dumbbell Rack: Exercise & Fitness I have 3,5,8,10,12,15,20 and 25 lb dumbells so it worked out perfectly to buy two as it doesn't take up much room. It's nice not having the dumbells scattered all over the place!

Sarah- I LOVE massages! Yep, getting the tush massaged feels great too! :p Especially when you are really sore from a workout! If I could afford it I'd totally get one every week!:eek: As it is, I can only go about 6 times a year. I can't wait to do Low Impact Circuit! I have tomorrow off so lots of time to workout. I'm planning on doing the cardio/step only portion of LIC and then disc 21, back and biceps. I can't wait! Do you guys ever do cardio and weights on the same day at the same time? I won't be able to separate them and do one in the morning and one at night...I'll be doing them consecutively. I was thinking I'd do the cardio first. I know that'll probably wear me out for the weights but I thought if I took a brief break (like maybe 20 minutes) and refueled with a protein shake before I did STS that I'd be okay. What do you guys think?

Jen- you about broke my heart when I read old and burnt :(. I'm so glad you feel better today. It's so tough to stay positive all the time when you're struggling. Sometimes you just have to give in to the feelings and let yourself feel it, then come back to positivity later. Texas sounds like it might be calling you. :) I wonder what it is about the weather in Texas people keep saying is bad. I suppose it gets really really hot. My BIL has a son (from his first marriage) who lives in Texas and he says it gets awfully hot in the summer and last year they had quite the drought. He freaks out about the cold up here though when he visits, so every place has its' weather issues I think!;) Plus, there's always air conditioning!:p

Ellie how are you doing?

Have a great day ladies!
 
Hello Friends.
Better day today problably b/c I worked out, coloured my hair and I job hunted extreme for Dallas plus got my laptop ready for my interview tomorrow. Sunday, I plan to job hunt and get ready for the following week and have some fun on Saturday.
Honestly, I forgot about STS. Disc 2. It works ya pretty good. Glad I have the barre but haven't used my bike for the warmup yet.
Weather has been 80 and muggy with severe weather. I refuse to turn on my air yet.
Dallas, things are happening down there. KZ was always my first choice. Tomorrow, after my interview, at Panera after I do follow up I will update here or on FB.

Have a Great Night and Thanks!!!!
 
Good morning ladies :)

Yesterday was my rest day. The weather is getting warmer so I was able to go out walking w/Bella around the neighborhood for a solid 2 hours. She loves looking at bugs, flowers and rocks along the way. I stumbled across an elementary school that I will consider enrolling her into next year. I'm fairly new to this city and still pretty unfamiliar with some of the schools. Our town's population only has about 25,000, a big change from the 3 million I was used to back in Toronto. The biggest change however is the lack of diversity. Toronto is very multicultural. I remember growing up, my friends were from South America, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, India, Poland, Phillippeans. Perhaps that's where I got my love for worldly cuisine :p.

Today's w/o is STS M1 W1 D2 (Back & Tri's). Oh heaven almighty . Back is a strong area for me naturally, and tri's are my weakest. I previewed the disc and feel pretty excited to bust out my tower for pull/chin ups!!!!

Question for all you STS'ers, did you get hungrier? Did you up your protein? Any suggestions?

Jen
I'm meant to tell you, I know some people might be upset you are considering moving to Dallas, but don't let it bother you. Two years ago when I moved to Bradford (not a far move mind you, only 40min) my family was kinda pissed off. I told them "are you going to pay for my house, mortgage and living expenses???". That shut them right up. Even now they try to encourage me to move back to the city, but it's so damn expensive to live there!!! A crappy 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 900 sq ft house can set me back $350,000!!!! Are you kiddin' me??!!! A decent house is $500,000 (minimum). So my point is, you have to do what best for YOU, no one else.
Working out is mental therapy that's for sure. If I did not have that 1 hour/day to myself, just lock me up in a mental institution.
I hope your interview goes well today. All my fingers crossed for you and lots of positive vibes {{{}}}}.
Colleen
Thanks for the link on the dumbbell rack :).
I'm kinda regretting Mark giving his 25lbs dumbbell's to his friend 2 years ago. I could SO use them now!!! I'm going to be an Indian Giver and try and get them back!!! His friend just has them collecting dust. Can you imagine all the chest presses I could be doing with them, or squats, or lunges!!!!
I have not done AT in a long time :(. I really love that workout too. I should bring it into my rotation.


Hope everyone has a wonderful day :)
 
Sorry I didn't post, I let the day get ahead of me.

Nat - I felt very hungery during the second Meso. To the point where I ate a ton of food. Now I was also going through a stessfull time as well, so I was never really sure which was the cause. So do you get to pick your schools or are there "neighborhood" schools that your kid has to attend. Awesome walk, sounds nice.
I am a very adventurous person, I'm game for trying anything once. I would love to bungee jump.

Jen- I don't want to hear that kind of talk from you about being old. I have know idea what your going through and how difficult it is to stay positive. But you hang in there : )

Colleen - My weights are stored all over the place. The organizational person that I am can't stand this approach. However I have no room. So my barbell in in the bedroom on the floor in front of a wadrobe. The handweights are in a cupboard by the TV. The bigger dumbells are in the office closet with the extra plates on the floor. Sometimes the barbell gets left out for 2 or hours after a workout till I can't muster enough umph to carry into the bedroom again.

Yesterdays workout was suppose to be Plyo legs, but I've done so many Plyo legs for 5 or 6 weeks now I decided I would go back to my very 1st Cathe love, Butts and Gutts. I loved it, it wasn't as hard as it used to be though. Thats a good thing. I was expecting DOMS today but didn't get them. Just a general feeling of fatigue in the legs. I also went to Zumba.

I've only ever had one official massage, my husband does a pretty good job especially if he's looking for the end game. : )

Today is Bootcamp from 4 day split. I will have to push myself to accomplish this.

Sarah
 
Well, I just did LIC the cardio timesaver premix and now I'm taking a quick break before I tackle STS disc 21 (back and biceps) and use my tower! LIC was awesome! If only that had been my first Cathe step workout! The choreography was just right for me and I only had to rewind a couple of times. I did do it on a 6 inch (Cathe does it on 8). I didn't quite feel ready to go to 8 inches. My knees still don't feel quite right from last week, so I'm just playing it safe. They click sometimes when I go upstairs and every once in a while they feel a little achey. Man I hate dealing with these stupid knees!:mad:

Natty- I got REALLY hungry during Meso 2! I don't know if you ever breastfed Bella but that's the only thing I can compare it to. When I was breastfeeding (just at first, until my body adjusted) I got absolutely ravenous...like this deep hunger I'd never felt before. My first week of Meso 2 was just like that! I tried to be really conscious of that and just ate more protein. Mostly for me, it was just more protein shakes with one more scoop of whey protein powder but also things like boiled eggs and nuts. I tried not to over eat carbs because I figured what was happening is that my body was in desperate need of extra protein for all that muscle building. I love making protein shakes. I'm trying to stay away from whey protein with artificial sweetners now though. I've tried different brands and haven't quite hit on one that I absolutely love yet. Right now I'm using a GNC unflavored one. I feel sort of "meh" about it though. I add all kinds of things in it: pomegranate juice, frozen banans, frozen cherries, chia seeds, greek yogurt, chocolate peanut butter...you name it I've tried it!

Sarah- I have to pay for my massages if I'm gonna get one! :rolleyes: Once or twice I've managed to bribe Mark with the end game to give me one but it's a lot of work and begging! Sometimes I'd rather just make an appointment and pay:p. Good luck with Bootcamp! How is the weather by you? We've been pretty cloudy today so it's taken a bit of work to get myself to work out. Thank goodness I'm not working today so I can just do it at my leisure. I do have to take the kitty to the vet at 1:30 so I better get back to STS!

Later ladies! :)
 
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Hello Friends.
The interview was a waste of time. The CEO, Branch Manager and HR manager didnt see how I could benefit them b/c they are transitioning onto the same processor I had at my old job. I've been thru the conversion already plus my knowledge and experience. So, in my follow ups, I had to sell it. My laptop didnt work at Panera so I had to do my follow ups on my phone.
On the way to KZ, I had this feeling in my gut that I would be moving to Dallas. I have always wanted to leave GR but for Detroit, where I grew up, not Texas. I almost didn't make it to the interview.
So, I hope to work out tonight and get some clarity. Very hot and humid here.
Hope you all have a great night. If you have a beer or another adult beverage, have one for me too. Thanks.
 
I have tried the beach body protein powder (which has a ton a sugar, this was something my husband bought, not me). I have also tried the Jillian Michaels Protein Powder, and I just can't get into them. They have very off flavors to me. However, in a pinch it's a better choice than a box of Ritz crackers buttery goodness. So I will keep it around for those days I can't make anything, and have been putting off going to the grocery store.

Today was 4DS Bootcamp plus weights. I didn't realize this. I have done the bootcamp one other time, so it was pretty fun, for a change-up. I didn't do the weight because tomorrow I slotted ME and I'm gonna need every ounce of energy I can get. I also practiced 4DS High and Low step routines for next week, in the middle of baking Ciabatta. Boy, those are some intense moves. For my brain to work that hard on-top of my body working that hard is really challenging. I will keep at it though, maybe.

I remember when I was breastfeeding the girls. Now mind you I was a awful pregnant woman, I threw up all the time. After I had them I was so happy (to not be pregnant and vomitting), that I would get up in the morning and for breakfast I would have a huge glass of milk with an entire row of Oreo cookies. Breakfast of champions.

Sarah
 
Hi everyone :)

Today was another lovely walk, except to the local ice cream parlor. Of course, I HAD to have one, banana ripple (in a small cup, 1 scoop :p). Me and ice cream make a great combination. But for some reason, I never crave it when I'm home, I always make the time to walk and get it. It tastes so much better.

I'm getting ready to do disc 2 today :eek:. Wish me luck.....and DOMS!!! I really need to work on my triceps a bit more. They are resistant to tone up :mad:.

Colleen

Some ladies from my other thread swear knee braces helped them tremendously. One is even able to add high impact again. Have you tried one?
Colleen & Sarah
Thanks for the protein tips. I breastfed Bella for about 2 weeks and pumped for an additional 2 weeks. She did a number on my nipples, they were bleeding like heck! I even had a nurse come in to help me and everything. Eventually with my c-section pain, raw nipples, lack of sleep and severe edema, I gave up. I am so ashamed that I let all those little annoyances detour me from breastfeeding. I just felt defeated and really wanted a break. Now when I see mother's breastfeeding (or hear about it) I'm reminded of how physically demanding it is, and I have a new found respect for women who don't give up. Not to mention the beautiful bond between mother and child.
Sarah
I LOVE 4DS bootcamp!!! It's so fun and only 30min!! I love that whole series. I'm thinking of doing a rotation when I'm done STS. The step routines are very difficult, especially on the brain. I got very angry with the high impact one, there is this section that just pissed me off!! But I'm determined to nail it one day. Love the music too. Don't give up on it!
ME is one tough sucker! My first Cathe weight training workout. I knew from then on, this chick was the one for me :). I also thought she was a total psycho!
Jen
I'm SO sorry your interview did not go well. I wish we could get together and have some drinks too :(.


Have a great night everyone :)
 
Oh and I completely forgot to tell you guys what a dumb a** I was. So while I was practicing 4DS choreography I was making Ciabatta. I was letting the dough knead in my Kitchen Aid stand mixer for 10 min. I didn't want to wait so I went to "practice" and the damn thing fell of the counter and dented the floor and made a huge dent in the fridge too. Oopsie. This better be some good Ciabatta.

Sarah
 
Mmmm Ciabatta bread. Yum! That is my absolute favorite bread, slight crunch to the outside and chewy on the inside. Nummy!

Do not beat yourself up about breasfeeding Nat! It goes so smoothly for some and so rough for others. I was really lucky that everything just fell into place. The only trouble I had was getting Dylan to latch on initially (took FOREVER the first few days) and I had one close call with mastitis but the clogged duct cleared after tons of pumping so it was all good. With Lydia it was so easy. I would literally breasfeed with her in bed, and we would both fall asleep while she was still latched on, then she would wake up a little while later and start suckling again!:eek: Of course, I had kicked Mark out of bed and banished him downstairs for a few weeks since our bed wasn't big enough for the 3 of us! I didn't do the co-bedding thing for very long (and I made sure to keep pillows away and blankets to a minimum) and I didn't do it every night. I learned from watching my sister do it that it's a tough thing to get kids to sleep on their own if you do it for too long. She had that girl sleeping with her until she was 3 or 4 years old!

I do wear a knee brace to work out sometimes, especially when my knees are being all clicky and unstable! I even wore one today, even though LIC was low impact. I just figure it helps to keep that patella tracking properly, although it does get really sweaty and slips around!:eek:

Jen- that sucks about the interview. I'm having a beer right now for you girl;). Keep up the workouts if you can, it definitely will help with clarity and focus. Not to mention the endorphins and self-esteem builder you get when you conquer a tough Cathe workout!:)

Have a good night ladies!
 

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