Giving credit where credit is due – by Pam

I don’t know why I haven’t submitted my story sooner. I guess it’s because I’ve been so busy working out and complaining about my progress – or what I have considered “lack of progress”. Then it hit me the other day that I HAVE made great progress this year. It hit me when I realized I had to go buy some new bras because mine had become too saggy and also when I realized that my size 10’s are starting to become loose.

I began this year as a size 16 and now comfortably wear a size 10- the eights are just around the corner! When I finally did the math on the inches I’ve lost I was thrilled! I began recording them back in January and have done periodic updates. There it was in black and white. Since January, I’ve lost four inches from my chest, four from my waist, two from my hips, 2.5 inches in each thigh, one inch around my knees and .5 from my calves.

My weight is down about 13lbs. We all know that muscle weighs more than fat and the ever growing pile of clothes that I cannot wear anymore, tells the REAL story. I’ve been shrinking! It was awesome when my darling son came up to give me a hug and he could actually get his arms around my waist!!!!

Medically my blood count levels have improved. My tri-glycerides are down 23%, my HDL (good cholesterol) is up 21%!!! I have also been able to drop one of my blood pressure meds!

I began working out with Cathe about two years ago. Like many of you, I found her on FitTV and was immediately

hooked by her perky, fun, friendly, take-no-prisoners style! I hadn’t done any sort of Step workout for probably 15 years, so I dug out my old turquoise & pink Step from the deep dark recesses of my basement and began the long journey of keeping up with Cathe. I fought the strength training for many months- wouldn’t do it, nope, no way, I didn’t want to “get bulky” I wanted to get smaller, gosh darn it! But once I broke down and started with the lightest weights I had, I was hooked by the power and strength it gave me both inside and out!! And that I was slowly but surely able to start wearing smaller clothes sealed the deal for me!!

Cathe’s workouts have changed my life in so many ways. Knowing that this tiny little powerhouse woman who is about the same age as me made my commitment to working out very consistantly. I was thrilled to learn at the San Diego RT that she is just as amazing, sweet, friendly and down to earth in person!! I really began to kick it into high gear after the Road Trip. Meeting all of the amazing Cathlete’s and hearing all of your inspiring stories gave me such a high and such an enormous boost of inspiration!

I give credit to Cathe for tirelessly creating new and more challenging workouts on an ongoing basis, credit to my Cathlete sisters for all of your advice, support and encouragement. Most of all, I give credit to myself for sticking with it and improving with each and every workout. I thank God everyday that I am able to workout nearly every day!!