I started going to the gym when my younger son was 5 and although I gained muscle, I always struggled with losing the extra weight that I had kept after his birth. In 2003 my husbands company moved our family from Atlanta to Houston. I decided that this move was the perfect opportunity to make a lifestyle change. I started working with a trainer and paying attention to what I ate. Over the course of 2 months, I lost 25 lbs and 6 sizes. I was very happy with my new physique.
In 2006, I began to struggle with my workouts. I was wheezing and getting light headed and I also noticed that I was gaining weight although my diet was the same. I went to my physician, and after several blood tests was diagnosed with having Hypothyroidism. On top of having low energy and weight gain, I also had boughts of depression, for which my physician prescribed anti-depressants. These drugs made me nauseous and sluggish. It seemed everyday was a struggle, just getting off the couch to greet my kids as they came home from school was a chore. I tried to go back to my routine of going to the gym and running because I knew that exercising would improve my mental outlook and just couldn’t seem to get back into the groove. I also felt very self conscious because I wasn’t as lean and toned as I had been.
Then I discovered Cathe on Fit TV. The first workout I saw was Legs & Glutes. After watching, I thought, “Here is an instructor who will really challenge me.” I liked the fact that Cathe used heavier weights and that her instruction style was straight forward, clear and not “cutesy”. You could tell that she and the crew were really working hard. Cathe’s way of pointing out that form is so important in weight lifting really inspired me. I started taping the workouts on my VCR until I discovered that you could buy them in DVD form. I ordered several DVD’s the next day, among them, Legs & Glutes!
4 years later, my Cathe library is now quite extensive. Through Cathe I discovered High Intensity Interval Training, something I had never tried before. My body seemed to respond immediately, I began to see the unwanted pounds melt away and my muscles became more defined. My favorite Cathe workouts are Interval Max, Imax 2, and Bootcamp. Last year I became a Certified Personal Trainer because I wanted to help others get the most out of execise.
Cathe is an integral part of my daily exercise regime, I use her DVD’s as part of the routines that I set up for myself. I no longer have any need for the anti-depressants.
I recently took part in the Avon 2-day walk for Breast Cancer in Houston, because I have so many people in my life that have been effected by the disease. In the weeks leading up to the event, I hosted training walks to prepare myself and others for the 39 mile trek. I’m happy to say that my friends and I were able to complete the entire 39.5 miles (I’m in the center of the photo), a feat I never would have even attempted before training with Cathe!
Thanks Cathe, for being such a great motivator!
I’m curious as to how you handled the hypothyroidism. I’m hypothyroid and I’m having some issues with my medicine. Looks like you beat it thru diet and exercise.
The important thing with hypothyroidism is to not give up. Some people think that because they have hypothyroidism, that they can never be fit. I am living proof that that is not true. It’s easy to give in when you feel tired and depressed. Stay on top of monitoring your medicine levels. Although it does take some time for the level in your bloodstream to stabilise, once they do, you should feel better, if you don’t, go back to your doctor. Don’t take no for an answer.
Watching what you eat is very important. A sensable healthy diet with regular exercise is the key for anyone, especially if you have thyroid issues. The exercise WILL help you feel better. Sometimes you just have to tough it out, knowing that after you’re through, you will have more energy and a better mental outlook.