Cathe Friedrich: Flex Train (Review)

I'm loving my subscription to Cathe's workouts, all of which are available to stream online.  One workout that I'm really liking is her Flex Train DVD.

Flex Train is a total body strength program.  It hits every part of your body and it's non-stop, meaning your heart rate will increase.  Cathe also includes a lot of compound exercises that work your legs and arms; these always get the blood pounding. I didn't know if I would enjoy this workout but I did!  And I was a bit sore the next day, which I like!

After a 7 minute warm-up, you're into weights.  First up, legs and shoulders: overhead presses, curtsy lunges with presses, lateral raises, front raises, and rear delt flies.  Then, back work - rows and band work.  Chest and legs follows that: burpees, push-ups, and lunges, oh, my!  Next is torturous triceps: tricep presses, kickbacks while in plank, dips, and push-ups.  Ouch!  Then, more legs: sumo squats and band work.  

To finish off the workout, Cathe hits your core hard.  Ankle grabbers!  Full sit-ups with a one-arm presses followed by crunches, reverse crunches, and butterfly sit-ups. OUCH!  

In it's entirety, this workouts is 57 minutes long.  It goes by pretty fast because Cathe doesn't give you much time to think and dread the next move.  Equipment needed includes weights, a band, sliding discs, and a loop/firewalker band.

Bottom Line: This is a great, fast-paced strength workout.

Post-STS 12-Weeks: Week 11

Wow!  Only two more weeks of this 12-week post-STS workout series - as prescribed by Cathe.

The last two weeks call for Cathe's Shock Cardio Series.  I've done most of these workouts before but it'll be good to revisit them!  I'm going to have to add a lot of weights since this series has none.  But it'll be fun!  My cardio needs to get ramped up and this will definitely accomplish that!

Monday: Cathe's Love Those Legs Live + walk + YWA

I'm getting my weights done at the beginning of the week so I can do cardio on my heavy-eating days.  Hello, Thanksgiving!  This was a really good leg workout that left me breathless and shaky.  Dang!  A lot of these lower body live workouts are similar.  This one had a few cardio bursts, which I kept low-impact.  At lunch, I walked at the rec center and after work, I revisited this YWA.  Very nice!  And a super productive day!

Tuesday: Cathe's Upper Body Bootcamp Live + walk

This is the first upper body live workout I've done, I think.  And dang, it's intense!  Cathe works every muscle in your arms and she even puts some ab exercises in there for some variation.  Too bad my heart rate doesn't get as high as with lower body work.  At lunch, I walked outside because the weather was just so nice.  No yoga today - and there may not be much more this week due to the holiday prep and family time.

Wednesday: Cathe's MMA Kickbox

Time for something different this morning....  MMA Kickbox is in Cathe's Shock Cardio Series, which makes me happy.  I love kickboxing!  And it was a great workout to do today, when I wasn't exactly jumping out of bed, all refreshed and happy.  This workout got me going and gave me a great workout.  No other workouts today but that's fine!

Thursday: Cathe's HIIT 30/30 + LIS Cardio Supersets

Yes, I worked out on Thanksgiving!  I did this early in the morning, before family arrived.  The HIIT workout lasted for 25 minutes - whew!  I then tuned into Cardio Supersets, from Cathe's Low Impact Series.  I had forgotten some of this LIS workout so it was good to do.  I think it's my least favorite of the LIS series, but it's still good.  That lasted for 20 minutes and then I stretched.

Friday: REST

Saturday: Cathe's Circuit Blast + ICE Blizzard Blast + Icy Core 1

Yay, a new workout today!  Circuit Blast is from the Shock Cardio Series.  It's a unique workout - mostly cardio and some metabolic (with weights) but some of the weighted work seems to be pure strength.  Either way, my heart rate stayed up and I like that!  After that 40 minutes, I tuned into the ICE Blizzard Blast from Rock'm Sock'm to get some more cardio - 15 minutes more, to be exact.  It was then time for abs - 11 minutes of Icy Core.  Wow.  I then stretched and called it a day.

Sunday: Cathe's Flex Train

Another new workout for me!  Yay!  This was pure strength with tons of compound exercises to keep the heart rate up.  Cathe uses lighter weights because there are tons of reps....  I used a bit heavier weights at times but couldn't keep pace with Cathe for long before my  muscles burned out.  Dang!  This was a great workout with great music.  I'll have to do it again!  I added on some butt work for 55 minutes of work.  Then, a nice stretch after Cathe's crazy ab work on this video.  

Calorie Counts: 

It was a holiday week.  Enough said.

Pecan Pie Bars

First off, Happy Thanksgiving!

I've tried a new recipe this year that I thought I'd share with you.....

Mr. Higgins loves pecan pie.  I've never enjoyed it and it's never been a tradition in my family.  This year, for some odd reason, I decided to try to make something comparable for him - Pecan Pie Bars.

While searching for recipes, I didn't find one that I loved so I combined two.  I used the crust from this recipe and the filling from this one.  I made no substitutions, though it was very hard to use corn syrup - let one buy the cursed stuff.  For the pan, I lined a 9 x 13 metal baking dish with foil and sprayed the foil with a bit of non-stick spray.  I like this method for bars - it makes them so much easier to cut. 

These turned out great.  Once cooled, I cut them into bite-sized pieces, since they're so rich, and Mr. Higgins gobbled them up.  I liked them too, despite not ever being a pecan pie fan.  I will say that they were so much better after they'd had adequate time in the refrigerator to get completely chilled.

So, this is a keeper and a recipe I will doubtlessly be asked to make again - and again.

Post-STS 12-Weeks: Week 10

Time is flying by and this is week 4 - and the last week - of my 4 Day Split grouping!  I've enjoyed it but I'm ready to move on.

This should be a fairly healthy week of eating, which is much needed.  Every little bit helps before the holiday season!

Monday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Lower Intensity Step + walk + YWA

I've almost begun to like this step workout....but there are still some combinations that I just can't get my feet to do.  Sigh.  The weights are a challenge - shoulder presses have never been easy for me and this workout makes you do a lot of them!  At lunch, I walked at the rec center.  It's always nice to get away from the computer and today, especially, since I had a bad headache.  Even with the headache, I managed a nice YWA.  Such a productive day!

Tuesday: Cathe's Trisets Legs Live + walk + YWA

For legs, I decided to do something different today.  Trisets!  And boy, could I tell a difference!  My legs were shaking at the end of this workout!  I could barely make it through the third sets of exercises!  Ouch!  Cathe sure knows how to work you!  At lunch, I walked again at the rec center, knowing the week is going to get busier and busier.  Best to get it done while I can!  This yoga was really nice - calm and soothing after a long, hard day.

Wednesday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Higher Intensity Step + XTrain Cardio Legs + YWA

So, I just couldn't do this workout again.  It just wasn't doing it for me.  So, I did the warm-up and then switched to the cardio blasts in this XTrain workout.  (Cathe's Workout Blender makes this super easy to do.)   They were super effective and challenged me much more than the step. I then switched back to the 4 Day Split for weights - back and chest.  I upped my weights and got a really good workout.  After work, I did this shorter YWA - to stretch a bit and decompress.

Thursday: Cathe's X10

Okay, so I really need to NOT do the hardest workout of the workweek on Thursday.  I'm just too tired by Thursday morning!  I somehow got through this workout but I don't know how.  I did the warm up, cardio blast, hi/lo, and low-impact.  The cardio blast was a challenge, for sure.  My heart rate stayed in my training zone for the entirety of this workout.  Whew!  But, really, maybe I'll switch these cardio workouts to Tuesday.   

Friday: Barrett's Crunch Super Slim Down: Pilates Yoga Blend

Because of a crazy work day ahead, I had to cut my morning workout short.  I got 25 minutes of this workout done, which was good to get my going.  Ellen Barrett is so nice to work out with!

Saturday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Kickbox + ICE Low Impact Sweat - Blizzard Blast

I was looking forward to kickboxing today!  This workout is fun but demanding.   I worked up quite a sweat....and then it was time for blasts with the ICE bonus.  Wow.  My heart rate really ratcheted up, though this isn't a crazy intense HIIT workout or anything.  After that, I did the leg weights and finished up Monday's shoulder work.  And, then, finally, abs.  I was so tired after all that.  I stretched and was done.

Sunday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Boot Camp

This boot camp workout isn't my favorite but it's got a lot of variety, which I like. Cathe's workouts sometimes lack variety but this early one has it!  I added on an additional 5 minutes of cardio.  Then, weights - biceps and triceps with this workout, and I finished Wednesday's chest and back work.  Then, ten minutes of abs.  I felt rushed but still managed to stretch.  

Calorie Counts:

I did really well Monday through Wednesday.  Thursday was a bit abnormal and Friday was very abnormal.  The weekend wasn't horrible but it wasn't great.  Oy.

Quick Health Update

It occurs to me that there hasn't been a thyroid update in a while.  So, here it goes....

I go back to my endocrinologist in early December and I've requested extra lab work to see if I have any imbalances.  My weight is holding steady at 15 pounds over my pre-thyroid-problem weight.  This, to me, is completely unacceptable.  And, before you ask, my measurements are up, as well.  I'd be fine if I weighed more and my measurements went down.  That would mean pure muscle gain!  But, no.  Some of my clothes no longer fit and this is distressing.

For months, I've kept quiet about my frustrations, mainly because I was driving Mr. Higgins crazy.  But I'm getting desperate, especially with the holidays coming up.  

I've told myself that I don't need to do cardio every day and I have cut back.  But I really wish I could find a nutritionist who could help me see how many calories I should eat and what should make up those calories.  I'm not dumb - I've done my own research online but it's very difficult to find answers to these thyroid issues.  

So, in general, I'm frustrated.  I just want all my clothes to fit and then I'd be happy.  Is that so much to ask, you stupid, deflated thyroid?!

Post-STS 12-Weeks: Week 9

Wow, so I'm already halfway through this four week rotation of the 4 Day Split series.  I like it  but I wish there weren't two step workouts.  I'm just not that fond of step.

There's hope for a healthier weekend ahead so maybe I can lose a bit of weight....  But I'm not holding my breath.  Ha!

Monday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Low Intensity Step + walk + YWA

This is a good workout for Monday mornings.  The low impact step eases you into the morning without much trauma.  Ha!  This step isn't too bad but I still can't get a few of the combinations and this was my third go-around.  Oh, well.  At lunch, I walked at the rec center, working up a sweat, and then did some ab work.  This YWA was good at the end of the day.  It works your shoulders well and mine were hurting from the morning round of weights.  

Tuesday: Cathe's Hooked on Legs Live + YWA

Because of an upset stomach, this workout happened at the end of the day.  And what a great leg workout!  My legs were already sore from Saturday's 4 Day Split so it was a bit painful today.  But I loved it!   There were a few moves I really struggled to get through and had to modify in the end.  Ouch!  After that, I did this short YWA to relax and stretch.  And not too soon after that, my legs and bum started aching all over again.  Ha!

Wednesday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Higher Intensity Step

Ah, step.  This one may be a bit less complicated than the Low Intensity...maybe.  I had fun with it this morning, though, as I tried to not make my legs scream too much.  The weights were good - though I do get tired of chest presses and flies.  I was so tired today....nothing else got done in the way of fitness.  Sigh.

Thursday: Cathe's Maximum Intensity Cardio + walk

So this is where Cathe gets her "old school" cardio from!  This workout is definitely dated but the moves are not.....  Because Cathe still uses this cardio all the time!  Ha!  The non-stop cardio was definitely tough but in a good way.  Whew!  At lunch, I walked at the rec center and was proud of myself for getting there.  I was really tired today, again!  And then there was an accident on the way home, delaying me for quite a while - so, no yoga.

Friday: YWA

I needed super light this morning and this Gratitude Practice fit the bill.  Since I couldn't do yoga last night, it was so nice to begin the day with it.  Adriene was super calm, making this a great way to ease into a Friday.

Saturday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Kickbox + ICE Low Impact Sweat - Blizzard Blast

Kickboxing day!  I liked knowing what I was getting into this morning as this was my third go-around with this workout.  The kickboxing was fun and, with the Blizzard Blast added on, meant that my heart rate stayed up for 40 minutes.  Then, weights.  This leg workout is tough but not the toughest.  I made up some of the weights from Monday and then did 10 minutes of abs....  After a nice stretch, I ended up with an hour and 25 minutes of work!

Sunday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Boot Camp

I can't say I was looking forward to this workout but I wasn't dreading it, at least.  It's not the toughest but I like it.  Still, I'm a little tired of all the 4 Day Split workouts now, after doing them for three weeks.  Oh, well: change is on the horizon!  The weights for this workout - biceps and triceps are definitely difficult and I've tried to keep increasing the weights....  I added on some chest work from Tuesday's workout that I missed along with the abs.  Then, a nice stretch.  So, an hour and 15 minutes of work!

Calorie Counts:

Again, I was really good this week - Monday through Friday.  Saturday was bad but not overboard bad.  Sunday wasn't altogether bad....  Sigh.  

Texas Sheet Cake

Despite being from Texas, I've never eaten or baked a Texas Sheet Cake.  How have I missed out on this?! 

For my mother-in-law's birthday, I decided to try to make one.  She loves chocolate - it's all about chocolate!  I looked for and compared various recipes, settling on Martha Stewart's, mainly because she bakes hers in a 9x13 pan instead of a jelly roll, which I do not own.

I followed the instructions exactly, though I really wanted to add more chocolate.  My mom would have added chocolate chips to the batter but I restrained myself.  I had to bake mine for longer than the suggested time, though my oven is usually hotter.

This was delicious!  It was chocolate-y but not too chocolate-y.  The result was the ability to taste the cinnamon, which added something special.  Everyone loved it, even Mr. Higgins who doesn't appreciate an excess of chocolate (weirdo!).

I'll keep this recipe and keep going back to it for years to come!

Post-STS 12-Weeks: Week 8

I'm back from a short vacation and actually feel rested and slightly refreshed - mainly from not working out for 4 days!  Ha!  But I got lots of sleep and that does wonders for the body!

Now it's time to get my diet back on track along with my workouts.  

Monday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Low Impact Step + YWA

I didn't feel like I'd been hit by a train today - amazing!  And so it felt good to get out of bed and work out.  This step is still not my favorite but it was a bit easier today.  And the weights - I was able to lift more than last week.  Yay!  That's always good!  After work, I did this YWA, though I don't have scoliosis.  Andriene's videos are good, no matter what condition you do or do not have.

Tuesday: Cathe's Totally Toned Legs Live + walk + YWA

Something different this morning - a new leg workout!  I'm going to try to work my legs twice a week from now on and this workout really worked them well!  Ouch!  My heart rate skyrocketed at the end of the warm-up and stayed up throughout this workout.  Awesome!  At lunch, I needed to get out so I walked outside under nicely grey skies.  It felt and looked like fall!  Finally!  After work, I did this appropriately themed "Yoga for Zombies."  It was a surprisingly good practice for opening up. 

Wednesday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Higher Intensity Step

This morning, it was time for step and chest/back work.  Some of this step work is still too annoyingly complicated - and I can keep up with any dance class.  Sigh.  I got through it with some interesting modifications - but I kept the intensity high.  At lunch, I walked for a bit outside, but nothing strenuous.  Once home, I was too tired to do even a short YWA.  Oy, what a week.

Thursday: Cathe's Hardcore Series: Kick Max + YWA

Cardio time!  I rearranged this video in Cathe's Workout Blender so that I did the blast segment first.  Okaaayyy...  So I always forget how difficult those blasts are.  Wow.  I got through it, barely, and was very happy to do the kickboxing segments afterward.  What a relief!  Ha!  This reminds me of my worry for these four weeks of the 4 day Split Series - am I getting enough straight cardio?  I sure hope so because I'm too tired to do anymore, especially this week!  After a long day, this was a very nice YWA.

Friday: Cathe's Yoga Max

I was willing to give Cathe's yoga another chance.....  And I think I disliked it more than the first time.  There is no flow to these workouts.  Cathe goes to the floor a lot but she's doesn't complete a full sequence.  It's just weird.  Also, the amount of time that she holds poses is just annoying.  I don't think I'll return to this workout.

Saturday:  Cathe's 4 Day Split: Kickbox + ICE Low Impact Sweat - Blizzard Blast

Time to work today!  I did all the cardio on this 4 Day Split workout and even added on the Blizzard Blast from ICE....  For a total of 40 minutes of cardio.  Whew.  It was then time for the weights in this 4 Day Split workout - legs.  This was a good leg workout, though not the toughest from Cathe.  I then added on some weights I missed from Monday - along with Monday's abs.  That meant almost 1.5 hours of work and over 600 calories burned.  What a morning!

Sunday: Cathe's 4 Day Split: Boot Camp

I had no idea what to expect from this workout as I couldn't get to this one last week.  The cardio was tough!   Definitely a lot like HIIT and with some very challenging moves.  That lasted for 35 minutes.  Then, weights - biceps and triceps.  Ouch!  I got it done and then did the abs from Tuesday's DVD....  So, about 1.25 hours of work. 

Calorie Counts: 

I was good Monday through Thursday - really good, in fact.  But Friday through Sunday was bad.  Ugh.

Cathe Friedrich: Gym Style Legs (Review)

Now that I've done a month of Gym Style workouts, I can share with you my opinions of these workouts - such great additions to your workout library!

Slowly, it's becoming apparent to me - now that I'm doing more weights - that strength work can also be a cardio workout when it raises your heart rate.  And nothing raises my heart rate more than leg work.  

Gym Style Legs is a tough workout.  Cathe enjoys working the lower body hard - she excels at it, in fact!  After about a five minute warm-up, you are quickly ushered into the standing, weighted work.  Squats, lunges, deadlifts, and calf raises - all in various forms and tempo.  After that, I would breathe a sigh of relief to get to the floor work - which was crazy intense in itself.  Glute squeezes, roll outs, glute tucks, thigh squeezes and lifts....  On and on.  

The leg presses and low lunges really got to me.  I could barely get through the lunges.  In fact, I had to alternate legs, while Cathe stayed on one, just to be able to do it at all.

This workout lasts for 67 minutes and you'll need a variety of equipment: weights, barbell (I used weights instead), risers, stability ball, and band.

Bottom Line: This workout is very intense and is guaranteed to show you results.