I had my first massive stroke at the age of 34 a week before I was to be married! I wore a size 18 wedding dress and did not consider myself overweight or morbidly obese. After a stay in ICU, medications and many doctors later I was finally diagnosed with a blood disorder. My neurologist put me on aspirin and blood thinners however, I continued having TIAs and several massive strokes. The weight just piled on from different medications and I ate in order to “comfort” myself.
My weight soon ballooned up to 297 pounds. My knees were so bad that I could not stand or walk with out debilitating pain. I healed very slowly from knee surgeries on both knees…I spent many months in a wheelchair and then a walker. I was a MESS!!!!
Finally, when I had completely healed I started using one of my mom’s old Jazzercise tapes. It was only 15 minutes and I couldn’t get through it. But I stuck with it and when I could do the 15 minutes without nearly passing out, I went online to find other videos. There was no WAY I would go to a gym!!! I found Collagevideos.com!
All my workouts had to be modified! When The Firm no longer challenged me I looked for something different. In came Cathe and
wow, what awesome results I have gotten from using her workouts. I now put them on my mp3 player and use them in my gym….where by the way, I am asked several times a week how I got to be so fit. I show them my videos on my mp3 player, tell them about collage video and now they are also ordering Cathe DVDs from collage!
I really started seeing results when I began using Cathe’s workouts from Collage. When I started using them “religiously” I weighed 215 pounds and wore a size 18/20. I now weigh 140 pounds and wear a size 4/6.
I now use my workouts to handle stress and to feel good about myself. You see, I will always remember where I have been, but always strive to move forward to the next level of fitness! At my gym I am often asked if I am one of the trainers….hmmmm….maybe I’ll make that my next goal! Through much personal prayer, prayers from others and CatheI am where I am today! Praise God!
I have recently downloaded from the Cathenation site STS Plyo for legs. And yes, I have to still modify some of the moves, but for me to even do plyometrics is a miracle in and of itself. I am really working on toning and firming my lower half! Thanks so much, Cathe and if you ever need someone in your videos to show modifications, you just go ahead and look me up!
Seriously, Cathe you made me who I am today! Thanks so much!
Wow! What an inspirational story. Thank you so much for sharing. You look incredible. I am truly amazed at your tenacity and dedication in overcoming such serious health problems.
Thanks so much, Clango and thanks for taking time to read my story! I see each day as a gift from God!
You look AWESOME!!!! Congradulations…I am on my journey with STS and hope to have arms like yours!
mhunt
awwwww, thanks mhunt! I have arms by Cathe! Now if I could just get the lower half to cooperate! At the time, I would love the complete set of STS but money is sooooo tight right now. But I do love the ability to download from Cathenation! Thanks again!
No way! I can’t believe that’s you in both pictures. Congratulations you look fantastic! You are truly a motivation.
WOW! You are AWESOME, Linda Sue! You have truly inspired me! I’m 37, 5’2″, and 222 pounds! You make me believe I can do this! It’s consistency that counts! Thanks for sharing your story!
You should be very, very proud of yourself. Not only do you look incredible, but you probably saved your life by choosing to work out. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself lately dealing with a terminally ill parent and I’ve let myself slip with my workouts. I needed some inspiration, and reading your success story has definitely motivated me, thank you!
WOW! Linda thanks so much for sharing your story. I will keep your story in my mind as I move forward with my workout /getting in shape journey. I hope to have a success story of my own within the next year.
God bless and continued strength as you continue your journey.
Bless you for taking charge of your life and doing what’s best for your body. With Cathe’s help you will continue to succeed!!
Wow, Linda!!! What an incredible story and an amazing transformation!!! You are truly an inspiration. Congratulations and best wishes for continued good health and the lower body results you’re looking for!
Linda – what a fantastic, inspirational story. I’m going to print this and hang it up where I can see it every day. Thanks so much for sharing it with everyone. Best of luck with your health. You are an amazing person.
Incredible and you look awesome.
All I can say is “WOW!”
Haven’t been on Cathe’s forums in a while, but getting your story in email today just blew me away!!!! Awesome story. Congratulations!
Wow this is a amazing story. How are you health wise?
I am on my way to the gym right now. Thanks for sharing your “story” I really needed to see the before and after pictures. You look great. Please share with me which video’s did you buy?
I often get off balance with work and my personal life. I don’t always take the time I need for myself to workout daily. It is good to know that I can get into shape if I appy myself to the cause more.
Recently, my neighbors who all know I am trying to lose weight, I saw one of them and she has lost a lot of weight and I am still the same size and she was looking at me with a look of completing her goal and I had not reached mine yet. I did not allow her to upset me because I know my time is here as well.
I am back on track now, I will keep this email for months to come and I email back after I have reached my goal of 20 pounds and then there after. I am not sure how to upload a picture of myself? And I don’t know what I weight now by choice.
lol
Laura
You look awesome and you are an inspiration. I look at Cathe on Fittv and purchased 2 of her videos. I am starting the Pyramid today and hope to have arms like yours soon. I am 323lbs and hae a long way to go. I am really glad I read your story today.
Woohoo…. you look awesome! I can’t believe all of the obstacles you have overcome. Great job! You arms look amazing too, I’m jealous!
Hi, I’m Diane I lov Cath to she will give a great workout . You have a awsome story . I am very happy for you . You keep up the good work , and never look back . I have to work on my lower body too but I will not give up until I get that just right look I want also . I came from 222 pounds to 150. So much love to you . I wish that we could become buddies and get to know each other . You have a story to share . Thank God for you ..
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story, Linda Sue! God must have known I needed to read this today because I usually just skim quickly over the Cathe newsletters without taking much time to stop and read, but your story caught my eye. I’m so glad, because this is just what I needed to hear today! Bless you for being such an inspiration!
Well geez louise, you look great from top to bottom as far as I’m concerned. Your arms are fantastic of course, but your bottom half also looks pretty darned fit to me.
What an inspirational story — thank you for sharing.
Fantastic! Your journey is so inspirational! Sheer determination on your part obviously yields great results! Thank you for sharing your story!
You look fantastic. So glad you were able to turn your life around.
Wow, says it all. Did you use a specific rotation or food plan? Email me. hounat847@yahoo.com
Linda Sue Thank you! You are truly an inspiration and have so much to be proud of yourself for. You look amazing and it’s easy to tell your outlook on life has been transformed as well. I am more near your finish weight, but am needing a partial knee replacement, which keeps me from doing almost all of my CATHE DVDs (& all of my favorites). You have inspired me to commit to myself and do want I CAN, instead of nothing which is what I’ve basically done for the past 2 years. Thank you for sharing your story and congratulations on your success. May you stay your fabulously fit self for many years to come! I think Cathe should take you up on your offer for those of us with joint issues. God Bless you.
All I can say is WOW! You have just motivated me to get off of my butt, stop looking for a trainer, and to put my STS system to use! I am a former fitness instructor, so between the DVDs and my own knowledge, I need to get it together. What a story! May God continue to bless you, and you others!! I am going to hang this in my work-out area.
As I read your story, it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing. How inspirational is your story. Thank God who continues to give us the victory!
Hey thanks so much everyone for your words of encouragement! It has been an on-going journey and one that is not complete yet! But your words really have given me that little extra “umph” that I need! By the way, I lost the rest of the excesspoundages through a program called Medifast. It’s a weight loss program that has been approved by the doctors at Johns Hopkins in addition to the 20,000 docotors who recommend this program. My combination of weight loss through Medifast and working out with Cathe has brought me from fat to fit! Woooo-hoooo!!! Thanks again!
CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss. You are TRULY an inspiration to us all!!!
Congrats Linda you look great!! I recently heard about Medifast through some people at work and did a little research about the eating. How was your energy due to the calorie deficit? If I remember correctly you eat between 800-1000 cals. Were you still able to lift weights and cardio without it booping you out?
Are you kidding me with those before and after pictures??!!! Chick, you are frigging awesome!!! Way to go!
You are going into my inspirations book!!
Thanks Dana,
I was unable to WO for the recommended 2 weeks. Prior to beginning MF I was a steady exerciser so this was extremely hard thing for me to do. It’s a very restrictive program but it taught me portion control and re-trained my brain to think of food as fuel and not as my “friend”!
Thanks so much, Bianca! However, there’s always room for improvement….maybe when I look like Cathe!!!!! LOL! (Isn’t she fabulous????)
Linda,
When on MF did you lose any muscle and at what point did you incorporate your normal eating? I have 10-15lbs that won’t budge and I’ve thought about MF, but giving up my workouts, ugh I don’t know about that.
Oh, another thing, what were you favorite meals on MF?
Thank you for sharing your story. You have motivated me and let me see hope for my daughter who is nearly 300 pounds.
Linda,
What a great story!! You look amazing….keep up the good work, which I know you will. Your arms are fantastic…which DVDs did you use for your arms. I have not purchased any of Cathe’s dvds for fear of not being able to keep up. But after seeing you, the fear is going away….I just have to take it one step at a time.
What an inspirational story — thank you for sharing.
Thank God! I have hbp, and know the importance of working out. God bless you, you are such an inspiration!
Ladies,
Thanks again for all your encouraging words! I am honored to be selected as a STS spotlight feature story! For those of you who are curious, I use Cathe’s Gym Style series; Back, Shoulders and Biceps/Chest and Triceps & her Gym Style Legs. I also use other Cathe DVD workouts from my collection. Any suggestions on toning up the lower body? Any help would be appreciated.
And Diane armstead, I looked you up on FB, but was ubable to know which one was you! Look me up on FB if you’d like! I’d love to be your friend!
OMG! You look amazing! :O What a transformation! Good work, you’re an inspiration to all! :D:D
Linda Sue, u look great girl. I am working on my lower body as well. Let me tell you girl a few for your collection. Butts and Gutts girrrrrrrrl when I say that this is the workout for your lower body. You will feel this workout for some days!!! No joke the best!!! I also have pyramid upper and lower body. I love muscle endurance and muscle maxx, and drill maxx. Girl, these are some excellent workouts. Get them if you don’t already have them. They are worth the investment. Oh, and I also have power hour one of Cathe older workouts but it is the best as well. God has really brought you thru, and your story is a true testamony . It shows with god is can obtain anything in life, even it if it looks hopeless.
WOW!!!!!! OMG!!!!! You look so great, that is a heck of an achievement. I can relate to your experience because i too had a TIA and now on medication. I weigh 200lbs and my size is 18. I know i need to lose the weight especially for my health, but I get so depressed sometimes i just dont have the motivation to get up and move. I have Cathe’s STS dvd and purchased it so long ago i forgot I had it until today. I started the workout but didnt finish it, I dont think i ate enough because i got extremely weak. Seeing your transformation inspires me to keep going forward, that you so much for posting this, youve helped so many of us., Congratulations on your success
WOW!!!!!! OMG!!!!! You look so great, that is a heck of an achievement. I can relate to your experience because i too had a TIA and now on medication. I weigh 200lbs and my size is 18. I know i need to lose the weight especially for my health, but I get so depressed sometimes i just dont have the motivation to get up and move. I have Cathe’s STS dvd and purchased it so long ago i forgot I had it until today. I started the workout but didnt finish it, I dont think i ate enough because i got extremely weak. Seeing your transformation inspires me to keep going forward, thank you so much for posting this, youve helped so many of us., Congratulations on your success
God bless you! You are amazing and an inspiration! Thank you!
Wow what an amazing story. You are very insiring to so many people.