After my husband and I were married, our first child was born before our 1st anniversary, and that first year adjusting to much change I gained 65 pounds during the pregnancy. It took a year to get back in shape. That was short lived however, as we were expecting again and I struggled to stay motivated with the same video program that I had been using for weight loss, and bored, fell off the wagon of regular weekly exercise.
Eating as healthy and trying hard as I could, before I knew it, I had gained 45 lbs. by the time I checked into the hospital with my 2nd pregnancy. This happened through the next 2 babies as well, becoming pregnant when the new baby was only 7 months old and not having yet lost all the baby weight. My body had some major recouping to do, having 4 kids in 5 ½ years!
During this time, I tried a handful of cheesy workout videos available at the major chain stores and could only make myself go through each about 2x. I tried P90X, but quickly found that was not for me. Next came a Step and with it came a basic Cathe step video. The pace was incredible and quickly had the routine down which got me looking up Cathe’s website. I had
no idea such incredible workouts existed! Butts and Guts soon came in the mail, as that’s what really needed to be whipped into shape! In the beginning I remember saying to my husband – “Look at her go! I can barely do the workout with no weights!” I’ve had Butts and Guts for three years now and can do it with weights, but those first lunges still kick my butt! It was fairly easy to convince my husband that a small investment in Cathe videos would keep me going and pay itself off within a matter of months, even if we were to compare it to a gym membership. He has been a great support through it all (and a listening ear when I hit plateaus), and an understanding husband – after all we have 4 kids to be thankful for!
Now my fourth child is 18 months old, and because of my small arsenal of Cathe videos, I have faithfully and enthusiastically looked forward to my weekly workouts, never tiring of working out and sweating alongside my favorite faces on the screen. They have been an energy booster and a stress reliever, important because of keeping my kids at home, and also a confidence booster, a long time coming. Last Christmas I asked for Cathe videos (Shock Cardio Series and MuscleMax), and out of all of her videos, I still debate which one I “get” to work out to that day.
I feel great, and due to learning along the way what it means to truly eat healthy, weigh about 8 lbs. less than when I was first married. My strength gains have been amazing, I can run 4 miles (I made it to 2 in high school once) or push my kids in a double stroller for a few, do series of standard pushups instead of modified, and recently at the park with my kids found that I can do a couple pull-ups on the playground bar! I had to do it again because I didn’t believe I just did it. I also didn’t use to like stretching but have come to look forward to it and as a result am more flexible and have leaner-looking legs than I thought I could ever have.
I am indebted to Cathe – I might still be in an emotional and physical weight loss struggle if it had not been for the motivation and challenges that I get from her workouts. I don’t know who thanks Cathe the most – myself or my husband!
