Monday, March 25, 2019

Cathe Metabolic 2 of 2019: Week 3

Medical news last week sent me into a tailspin that I'm still reeling from.  Add to that the fact that we're having our downstairs carpet pulled up and replaced with tile this week.  

And now, due to the stress, I may be coming down with a cold.  This week will be a challenge, in every way.  Wish me luck.

Monday: Cathe's Shock Circuit

This morning, I said good-bye to our carpet by working out on it for the first time ever.  Ha!  It was great fun - and it helped my poor feet.  This workout was a lot of fun - and very fast moving, which kept my heart rate nice and high.  I used 8 and 9 pound weights.  Because of a lunch meeting, I had no additional workout, but I sure walked around campus a lot!

Tuesday: Cathe's Fit Split Low Impact Cardio + Mixed Impact Cardio

Due to our downstairs being a disaster area, I had to do my cardio upstairs today.  So, I kept it low impact, doing the first halves of both of these workouts.  They're really good and I should do them in their entirety sometime.  And I was amazed at how high my heart rate stayed throughout these workouts.  I was glad - I need to burn every calorie possible this week!

Wednesday: Cathe's XTrain: Legs + walk


My body can't decide if I have a cold or not.  But I made it through this workout.....  It's definitely not the hardest of Cathe's leg workouts, but some of the moves are extremely tough.  And the floor work is torture.  At lunch, I walked at the rec center and did abs.  YWA will not happen this week as there's something fun - like cleaning - to do every night.  I can't wait for this flooring thing to be over with!

Thursday: Cathe's Flex Train

Since I missed a workout last week, I'm trying to not have a rest day this week.  This is getting more difficult as my cold progresses but I'm going to try to stay the course.  This workout, at least, required no jumping.  It's always more difficult than I anticipate, though.  My only complaint is that I wish my heart rate stayed higher.

Friday: Cathe's Shredded Upper Body with Ball

I woke up - after not sleeping much at all - and could barely move.  I feel like I've been hit by a freight train - or two.  Thankfully, upper body work is more doable than other workouts. I got through this one - with no ball - and really felt it in my shoulders and back.  Cathe's live workouts are so much fun!  I should have walked at lunch today....but I listened to my body instead (which was in a state of pure, defeated exhaustion) and knitted instead.

Saturday: Cathe's RWH: Lift It HIIT It Legs + Nordin's Butt Bible 1

This week has been a very, very traumatic one, but at least I've kept up with my main workouts.  And I felt a bit better this morning, after some much-needed sleep.  Today it was time for my second leg day.  Lift It HIIT Legs is fun - and alternates weights and cardio.  My heart rate always stays high....and my legs always ache afterward.  Today, I followed it up with Butt Bible, level 1, which is, thankfully, only 20 minutes long.  So, a long workout, but a great one. 

Sunday: Dozois' Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn Remix + Cathe's Ab Circuits

Time for straight cardio this morning.  I was feeling better so I decided to tackle this CIB.  I took the first peak move a bit easy and then I felt good to go.  This one is so much fun!  I did 45 minutes - not doing the last circuit - because all the jumping really takes a toll on my feet.  I then did ten minutes of Cathe's Ab Circuits.  Ouch!  Finally, a stretch.

Calorie Counts:

Monday - 1633
Tuesday - 1543
Wednesday - 1128
Thursday - 1088
Friday - 1626
Saturday - 1141
Sunday - 1213

There were some mediocre days this week due to work obligations but otherwise, I tried to do well.  


Monday, March 18, 2019

Cathe Metabolic 2 of 2019: Week 2

This week will not be good, eating-wise.  We're taking some time to celebrate birthdays and Spring Break.  Oy.

But I'm going to try to be good whenever possible!

Monday: Cathe's HIIT 40/20 + LITE Calorie Party


It's always difficult doing these HIIT workouts first thing on a Monday morning.  To ease the pain a bit, I did a bit of Calorie Party before the HIIT - and after.  And it was a lot of fun!  Cathe keeps coming up with new ways to keep us moving and I love it!  All in all, combining the two made for a great workout!

Tuesday: Cathe's LITE: Strong Body Stacked Sets: Upper + walk + YWA


Yay, a new workout!  This upper body workout from Cathe's new LITE series was fun, different, and very effective.  Cathe gave you about 5-8 exercises in each stacked set, which were repeated once.  My arms had a hard time keeping up!  At lunch, I walked at the rec center (despite the rain to get there) and did sit-ups.  And after work, this YWA helped me to relax and calm down.  

Wednesday: Cathe's LITE: Strong Body Stacked Sets: Lower + walk

Wow, my arms were sore today!  Since I did the upper portion of Stacked Sets yesterday, I decided I should do the lower body portion today.  It is no joke, just like the upper body workout.  My legs were burning!  I was so proud of myself for even working out today, considering I had about 2 hours of sleep the night before.  Oy.  At lunch, I walked and did my planks at the rec center.

Thursday: Cathe's Ab Circuits (No Equipment) + YWA

Rest day - finally!  I took this opportunity to do a longer ab workout - this one is about 17 minutes long.  And it definitely woke up my core!  After that, I tuned into this lovely YWA, intended to wake-up the body.  A good morning!

Friday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Total Body Giant Sets


I do enjoy total body weight training days.  And this workout is fun and effective.  I went a tiny bit lighter on legs in order to hit all my upper body muscle groups.  But my legs definitely got a workout.  This was a great way to get the blood pumping in the wee hours of the early morning!

Saturday: Rest day


Unexpected but necessary.


Sunday: Cathe's Crossfire + Strong and Sweaty Abs

After missing yesterday's workout, I had a tough one scheduled for today.  Crossfire is still my most dreaded Cathe workout.  I just don't like it.  And it was tough this morning.  But I did it and I did it all!  Well, mostly - 50 minutes of it.  (My only modification was to not use the firewalker band - I forgot it.)  I then did the really tough Strong and Sweaty ab workout.  Finally, a stretch.  My body was in shock!

Calorie Counts:

Not so good this week.  But, next week will be better!



Monday, March 11, 2019

Cathe Metabolic 2 of 2019: Week 1

Back from vacation - and ready to get back into the routine.

We had a great time.  And my body appreciated the break from workouts.  I seriously think it's beneficial to take a week-long break from workouts.  It helps mentally and physically.


Monday: Travel day

Tuesday: Cathe's HIIT 30/30


Why I chose to do this workout the first day back is beyond me.  Thankfully, it's not super long.  I worked hard and surprised myself by doing some of the moves - tuck jumps - that I doubted were possible.  Yay!  That was my only workout today, due to lunch obligations and unpacking at home.

Wednesday: Cathe's Pyramid Lower Body + walk + YWA

I probably should not have chosen this lower body workout as my first one since the cruise.  It's a bit intense.  That being said, I need to do it again - maybe  a lot more often.  It is effective!  You start with a lighter weight, do 12 reps, up your weight and do 10 reps, up your weight and do 8 reps, lower your weight and do 10 reps, lower your weight and do 12 reps. My legs were a bit shaky afterward.  At lunch, I walked at the rec and did sit-ups.  Then, this YWA was a great way to stretch out my poor legs.

Thursday: Cathe's ICE: Chiseled Upper Body + walk + Strong and Sweaty Abs

Today was upper body day.  And this was a good workout to re-introduce my arms to weights.  Cathe does a lot of unique exercises in this video, since it's for her intermediate series.  It's a great way to ease into weightlifting.  At lunch, I walked again at the rec and then did some planks.  And after work, I did this ab routine, which is seriously challenging.   Wow.

Friday: Cathe' Low Impact Blast Off Circuit

I wanted a bit more cardio this week so I chose this live workout - it was half cardio and half weights.  The cardio was all low impact, which really helped my achy feet.  The weights were good but I couldn't go too heavy because my arms were achy from the previous day. All in all, it was a good workout.

Saturday: Cathe's Circuit Works Plus Barre and Core

This workout was great.  Cathe moves you quickly from cardio to weights, cardio to weights.  Your heart rate stays up and you never get bored - at least I didn't.  It really worked me hard and I didn't even use super heavy weights - 8 lb.  But I like workouts that move quickly and give me little time to think - and this one is just that!

Sunday: Cathe's To the Max + abs

Cardio today!  My feet were a bit achy from all the cardio the last few days, but I pushed on and through this workout. It's definitely one of the better cardio workouts - varied to keep you interested.  I used lighter weights, to give my arms a break.  I worked hard, doing 40 minutes and then five minutes of my own cardio to finish it and cool down.  Then, the abs from this workout - which combines upper body strength.  Whew!  Finally, a stretch.

Calorie Counts:

I didn't eat great this week - but I'm giving myself two weeks to be a bit naughty before buckling down again.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Cathe Metabolic 1 of 2019: Week 8

One week until we leave - and actually only 6 days.  Wow!


I'm so glad my weight has dropped.  It's not as much as I would have hoped for, but I'll take it.  Now to get a solid last week of workouts in before we leave....

Monday: Cathe's ICE: Low Impact Sweat + YWA


I wanted low impact today because my legs were so sore from Saturday.  Still.  I haven't done this ICE workout very many times and I should do it more often - it's fun!  My heart rate wasn't super high but it was high enough.  And this workout contains some different moves that are fun!  After a long day of work - and a lot of walking around campus - this YWA was a great way to unwind and stretch.  My legs appreciated it.

Tuesday: Cathe's ICE: Muscle Meltdowns + walk + YWA

This morning, I combined all of the Muscle Meltdowns from Cathe's ICE series to form a great upper body workout.  All exercises were done in 12 reps and you repeated every exercise 3 times.  I had to shorten most of the Meltdowns but still got a great workout!  At lunch, I walked in the rain to the rec center to walk inside.  Go, me!  I also did some ab work.  In the evening, I didn't have tons of time, but I managed this shorter YWA.

Wednesday: Cathe's Gym Style: Legs + walk + XTrain Core 1

I was so exhausted this morning - after a horribly restless night - that a leg workout seemed impossible.  Somehow, I made it through this very painful video.  Ouuuch!  Cathe knows how to make you burn!  At lunch, I didn't have the energy for the rec center so I walked outside in the sunshine.  In the evening, this ab workout seriously made me work - as usual.  And I broke a sweat.  Good grief!

Thursday: Cathe's Rockout Knockout


More cardio, in final countdown mode for the cruise!  I honestly don't remember doing this workout before - but surely I have.  It was fun and I wish I could have done more of it.  The cardio portion really spiked my heart rate and the punch/kick combos were fun.  This is one I will definitely have to do again.

Friday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: PHA Training 

Today was my metabolic workout day.  I wasn't looking forward to it but I was looking forward to one more total body workout before the cruise.  This one made me work - and sweat.  I didn't use a step since I'll have to hit my legs really hard tomorrow.  I wanted them to be able to do Butt Bible instead of this step work today.  But I still got a great workout and enjoyed it.

Saturday: Cathe's Tabatacise + Nordin's Butt Bible 3 + Xtrain Core 2 + YWA

A marathon day, right before leaving for vacation on Sunday.  I did 20 minutes of Cathe's Tabatacise - always a great workout.  Then, on to the torture session that is Butt Bible 3.  That lasted for 40 minutes.  I was cognizant enough afterward, to keep going, pressing 'play' on Cathe's XTrain core video.  Ouch.  To reward myself, I tuned into Adriene's stretching video.  Ahhhh...

Monday, February 18, 2019

Cathe Metabolic 1 of 2019: Week 7

Only two more weeks!

It's been great seeing the scale inch downward the last few weeks.  It definitely keeps me motivated to work hard - and keep working!

Monday: Cathe's Afterburn + YWA


It's really tough getting up and doing cardio on Monday mornings - but at least I slept better than most Sunday nights!  Afterburn is such a good workout - but the floorwork (push-ups etc) really gets me.  I did more standing work in place of it in order to get steps and keep my heart rate up.  Push-ups do nothing for my heart rate.  Ugh.  After work, I chose this YWA because I needed calm after a horrible commute.

Tuesday:  Cathe's High Reps + walk 

For upper body weights today, I did all the upper body work in High Reps.  And boy, was it painful.  This workout is named appropriately - Cathe leads you through many, many repetitions of exercises.  I had to go down in weights quite frequently.  At lunch, I walked at the rec and then did my sit-ups.  Traffic and other stuff around the house kept me from getting on to the yoga mat.

Wednesday: Cathe's Rapid Fire Legs and Core + walk + YWA

Leg day!  I was a bit scared of legs today.  I was tired.  But I got into this workout and then just kept going.  It was tough but not impossible.  Cathe used a lot of reps to really tire out your legs.  At lunch, I walked outside to get some fresh air since the day was nice.  We've had so much rain, it was lovely to see the sun!  After work, this YWA was a great way to relax and stretch.

Thursday: YWA + Cathe's XTrain Core 1


This morning was my last rest day before vacation.  Next week, I'll power through until we leave on the weekend.  I really wanted to enjoy this morning so I chose to do one of Adriene's videos - of course.  This one was lovely - and a good way to start the day.  Then, I broke a serious sweat doing Cathe's ab workout.  Wowza.  

Friday: Cathe's ICE: Metabolic Total Body

Though ICE is Cathe's intermediate series, this workout makes you work.  I was sweating and panting.  Ha!  Cathe uses compound exercises and medium weights to really get your heat pumping in this workout.  I enjoy it but it always surprises me with its intensity.  I did a lot of walking around campus later in the day, but no other workouts.

Saturday: Cathe's Repping It In Rounds + Nordin's Butt Bible 3

I was dreading today.  Butt Bible 3 is 40 minutes torture.  But, first, Cathe's workout was alright.  It's more of a bootcamp style - cardio move, upper, lower, abs.  I didn't love it.  I did 20 minutes of it and then moved on to the Butt Bible.  Once in this workout, it's easy to focus on the reps and the pain and forget about time.  That's little consolation, but it is something.  After that, I stretched really well.

Sunday: Cathe's Crossfire + XTrain Core 2

Crossfire may be the only Cathe workout that I actually hate.  Ha!  It's tough and not at all enjoyable for me.  For the circuits that alternated weights and cardio, I did cardio instead of weights, wanting steps.  I do so many weights as it is, I get tired of incorporating them into every thing.  After that 40 minutes, I did my abs - pure torture - and then stretched.  I'm glad this weekend of workouts is done. 

Calorie Counts:

Monday - 1197
Tuesday - 1193
Wednesday - 1174
Thursday - 1258
Friday - 1224
Saturday -1197
Sunday - 1208

When I weighted on Sunday, I was done almost two pounds since last weekend.  Amazing!  It's so good to know that if I work hard and eat a little bit, I can lose weight.  Take that, stupid thyroid!


Monday, February 11, 2019

Cathe Metabolic 1 of 2019: Week 6

Three more weeks to go!  

I was really happy with the scale late last week - one pound down!  This weight is not coming off as fast as I'd like, but I'll take what I can get.

Monday: Cathe's HIIT 40/20 + cardio

Today, I wanted to work off some of my bad eating over the weekend.  So, I tuned into a great workout - Cathe's HIIT video.  I did all of the 40/20 HIIT - which was harder than I remembered - and still had time to kill.  So I put together some of Cathe's new LITE workout Calorie Crush segments.  Those were intense and kept my heart rate up!  Whew!  Finally, after that, a stretch.

Tuesday: Cathe's RWH: Lift It HIIT It Chest, Shoulders, Triceps  + walk 

I'm doing extra upper body work this week.  I'm actually itching to do more upper body strength work so I may make an XTrain rotation for the summer.  I lifted as heavy as I could in this workout - and it made me sore!!  Nice!  At lunch, I walked at the rec center to get some steps - and did some abs.  I meant to do a YWA - but traffic threw me a curve ball, doubling my commute time.  So, I was too tired and angry for yoga.  

Wednesday: Cathe's XTrain: Legs + walk + YWA

Leg day!  This is not my favorite workout but I decided to go with it this morning for a change.  Some of it really, really hurts - and I like that in a crazy sort of way.  At the end of it, my legs were part jelly.  At lunch, I walked again - and did some more abs.  And after work, YWA!  Finally!  This one was from TRUE, last year's 30-day yoga journey.  It felt good to stretch and flow.

Thursday: YWA + RWH Core 1

I finally got to do the last YWA: Dedicate today!  Yay!  Yoga is such a lovely way to start the day - and today's flow was especially nice.  I added on some leg stretches, since I was feeling yesterday's workout.  After work, it was time for some abs.  This one got me a bit hot and sweaty - and it's only 10 minutes long.

Friday: Cathe's RWH: Lift It HIIT It Back, Biceps, and Shoulders 

My upper body work on Tuesday was very effective - it left me sore for a few days. So, I was actually happy to do more weights - to get the other muscles aching.  Ha!  This workout is really good and I enjoyed it this morning.  My back and biceps worked super hard!  Dang!  I had to skip just a bit of the shoulder work due to time constraints.

Saturday: Dozois' Peak 10 Cardio Strength + Nordin's Butt Bible 2

This morning was rough - I had gotten very little sleep and was dragging.  But I managed 25 minutes of this CS before I had to move on to the very painful Butt Bible.  I love Michelle so at least that made the CS go quickly.  But my butt was not very happy with Pauline this morning.  Level 2 lasts for 30 minutes.  Ouch!  After that, I made sure to stretch really, really well.

Sunday: Cathe's X10 + RWH Core 2

I did X10 a few weeks ago, so I chose different segments to do this morning - low impact, Hi/Lo, and Fat Burning.  X10 is one of Cathe's most advanced cardio workouts.  It gets me - really gets me - every time.  I used heavier weights than usual for the weighted portions and that kept my heart rate pretty high.  Whew!  After that 45 minutes, I did the second RWH ab workout.  That was is tough!  Finally, a stretch.

Calorie Counts:

Monday - 1198
Tuesday - 1185
Wednesday - 1187
Thursday - 1149
Friday - 1346
Saturday - 1206
Sunday - 1210

I'm finally seeing the scale move.  I won't get down as far as I want to before the trip, but at least I'm making progress.  

Monday, February 4, 2019

Cathe Metabolic 1 of 2019: Week 5

A month until we leave for the cruise.  It's getting closer and I have pounds to lose.

Though I've really enjoyed YWA's Dedicate this month, I'll be glad to have the flexibility of doing YWA when I can, instead of every day.  My commute - and other factors - have added to my stress lately.  And having something else that I have to do does not help.

Monday: Cathe's XTrain: SuperCuts + YWA

I'm switching things up a bit this week, due to a short trip to see my family this weekend.  SuperCuts is not my favorite workout but it's different and different is sometimes good. It's definitely metabolic and my heart rate attested to that.  Still a day ahead - because of issues later in the week - this YWA was a great way to end a Monday.  It was soft and easy and just what my body needed.

Tuesday: Cathe's BodyBlast Series: Legs and Glutes + walk + YWA

This leg workout is no joke.  I couldn't do it all, because I don't have enough time in the mornings.  But even doing 40 minutes was painful!  There are a lot of pulsing moves and then quite a bit of floorwork.  Ouch!  At lunch, I walked and stretched the legs really well.  And after work, ahead still, I did tomorrow's YWA.  So, so nice!  This one had a really nice flow!

Wednesday: Kelly Coffey-Meyers' 30 Minutes to Fitness: Muscle Definition (#1) + walk

I'm still trying to like KCM's workouts so I decided to give this one a try.  It's still not my favorite.  I like that she has some non-Cathe moves but I feel like she doens't work all the muscles in a balanced way.  So, I went off script a bit in order to get all those muscles worked properly this morning.  I also skipped the leg work since my legs have done enough.  At lunch, I walked outside.  I was so sick of the rec center, I needed a break.

Thursday: REST

I was not feeling well today so I did no exercise.  Crazy - but needed.

Friday: Cathe's To the Max

This was a great cardio morning.  This is one of my favorite cardio workouts from Cathe.  There isn't much dread factor....but then, once you get started, you realize that it's not going to be easy.  Ha!  I worked hard this morning and got a great workout.  No other workouts happened.  I still need to do the last YWA: Dedicate...but will wait until I have more time.  I don't want to rush through it.

Saturday: Cathe's Cross Train Lower Body Live + Icy Core 1 + Nordin's Butt Bible 1

Today was a full day - and then I had to go out of town for the night.  I knew I was going to be eating less healthily so I did a lot to compensate.  Cross Train lasted for 45 minutes - and I was tired afterward.  But I tuned into Cathe's Icy Core and then Nordin's Butt Bible.  Thankfully, the first Butt Bible is shorter, only 20 minutes.  But.....ouch!

Sunday: Dozois' Peak Fit Pure Cardio + Icy Core 2

Cardio time.  I wanted steady state cardio so I turned to my first love, Michelle Dozois.  I love this workout and was happy to do it on a weekend so that I could get through the entire thing.  It was fun - and not easy.  After that and a stretch, I tuned into Cathe for some abs. Whew!  No pain, no gain, right?

Calorie Counts:

Monday - 1195
Tuesday - 1185
Wednesday - 1399
Thursday -  1186
Friday - 1195
Saturday - 1527
Sunday - BAD

I weighed on Saturday morning and was down a pound.  Yes!  Progress!  But then I was bad over the weekend, when celebrating my mom's birthday.