Monday, July 30, 2018

Cathe Mish Mosh: Week 1

This week starts a new 13-week rotation of my very own creation.  I wanted to do ALL the Cathe workouts and this is what I came up with!!  Ha!

This rotation, though, starts out with a slight break from Cathe.  I'll still do a few of her workouts but I'm going to visit some others, too.  But after that, it's almost all Cathe again.  And the last five weeks are very similar to the Metabolic Rotation from earlier this year.  


But first, this week will be a short one due to a friend's wedding in Colorado.  Only three days of workouts - and that actually makes me happy.  I'm dangerously close to being burnt out in all areas - work, weather, and workouts.  So, this actually comes at a great time.

Monday: Cathe's PHA 3 Live + walk

Cathe gets to start this rotation off with a bang - well, actually, more like an "ouch."  This PHA training was great and I was feeling it in my legs by mid-day.  You only repeat the set of exercises twice, which is great; too much reception is a bit boring.  But there are three sets of exercises so, your muscles, especially your legs, get a thorough workout.  To get some steps, I walked at the rec center.  There won't be any YWA this week because there's too much to do before the trip!

Tuesday: Kelly Coffey-Meyer's Muscle Definition (#1) + walk

Taking a break from Cathe, I tried KCM's weight training video today, which I got at Christmas.  Yes, it took me this long to try it; I'm a bit Cathe-obsessed.  But KCM was good - and tough! - because she had some completely different exercises that my muscles were not expecting.   And that's good!  My one complaint - she never suggests dumbbell weights.   And I didn't like the music...but that's not a big deal.  At lunch, I walked at the rec center - and was so happy to be done with that!

Wednesday: Dozois’ PeakFit Pure Cardio

My last workout before our short trip.  This one is so good - and this morning, I fast forwarded to the last section right off the bat, since it’s the most difficult and usually gets cut off.  It’s also the one with lunge jumps, which are never my favorite.  They’re a little easier thanks to Cathe but Michelle puts them in the midst of so many other jumping moves…..  Whew!  It’s tough.  I succeeded, though, and really enjoyed the sweat fest!

Thursday - Sunday: REST

Since we were out of town, I used the opportunity to rest and give my poor feet a chance at relief.  

Calorie Counts:

I was great on Monday and Tuesday.  Then, I weighed on Wednesday morning - and was down an additional 0.6 pounds.  Yes!!

Friday, July 27, 2018

Green Fingerless Gloves


Pattern: Happily Ever After Mitts by Susan B. Anderson
Yarn: Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino

Needles: US 2.5 (5mm)
Made for: ALJ
Time to completion: 3 weeks


After making Mr. Higgins’ fingerless gloves in January, I decided to make some belated gloves for my friend.  I really owed her a pair after she picked this yarn out in - ahem! - 2011 for this specific purpose.  Wow.  I suck.

These were fun to make.  I always love watching the colors of variegated yarn come together.  And these are such a quick knit!  

Oh, and I’m posting these super late (I made these in February) because I just got around to seeing my friend to give them to her.  

Monday, July 23, 2018

RWH + XTrain Rotation: Week 8

My last week of Cathe's XTrain and Ripped with HIIT rotation!  Wow. I'll be coming back to these workouts again and again.  They are so, so good.

But for now, it's time to get the last week done!

Monday: Cathe's RWH: Lift It HIIT It Back, Biceps, and Shoulders + walk + YWA

I like doing weights on Monday mornings.  It's not quite as traumatic a start to the week as cardio is.  Ha!  But this workout is no joke.  Before you know it, you're rowing the heaviest weight you can. And Cathe moves you quickly from one move to the next.  I worked up quite a sweat - and I went up in weights a few times.  Yes!  At lunch, I walked because I needed steps.  But it was so hot this week, there was no motivation to step foot outside.  This YWA was great after a Monday that left me exhausted.

Tuesday: Cathe's XTrain: All Out Low Impact HIIT + YWA

This workout is always good - and low impact!  The headache that's stuck with me since Saturday was still present this morning, so low impact was very much appreciated.  But I worked hard and my heart rate definitely got up there.  After work, this YWA was great!  Adrienne's Yoga Revolution was such a good series!

Wednesday: Dozois' Peak Fit: Pure Cardio + RWH Abs 1

I wanted straight cardio for a change so I turned to my first love, Michelle Dozois.  This workout is great - and even a bit of a shock first thing in the morning.  But Michelle always makes me happy and this is a fun workout.  So, a very productive morning.  I went to a heart health luncheon today to learn all about both preventing heart disease and the newest technology to fix heart problems.  Very cool!  After work, RWH Abs made me sweat!

Thursday: Crunch Super Slim Down: Pilates Yoga Blend + YWA

It's been a while since I've done this workout so today seemed the perfect opportunity.  Ellen always creates a calm atmosphere, which is very much appreciated in the early morning hours.  This was an excellent way to ease into the day!  And at the end of the day, this YWA always helps me to unwind and settle down.

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


More weights today!  And let me just say....it is so much easier doing weights first thing in the morning than it is to do cardio.  Ha!  This one really works your chest...and shoulders.  It was tough but I kinda like the pain.   At lunch, I braved to 100+ degree heat to go walk at the rec center.  I was super proud of myself for getting out and doing that.  I even planked - adding another five seconds on to my longest plank.  Yes!

Saturday: Cathe's RWH: Lift It HIIT It Legs + RWH Abs 2


I've done this RWH workout quite a bit in the last 8 weeks.  And it's good - really good.  Today, I increased my weights by two pounds and, though that may not sound like a lot, it felt like a lot.  In a mostly good way.  Ha!  I felt like I got a great workout, which is all that matters!  After that 45 minutes, I did this RWH Abs workout for the last time....for a while. Yes!  It's always a challenge for me! 

Sunday: Cathe's XTrain: Tabatacise

So when you need serious cardio, Tabatacise is the way to go.  There are five tabatas - each contains 4 moves that last for 20 seconds, followed by a ten second rest.  You repeat those 4 tabatas and are then given a "recovery" step segment.  And you do all that five times.  It's exhausting but super effective.  I was wiped out after today's 45 minutes.  I stretched for a good ten minutes.  Whew!

Calorie Counts:

Monday - 1193
Tuesday - 1193
Wednesday - 1255
Thursday - 1210
Friday - 1187
Saturday - 1188
Sunday - BAD

I weighed on Friday and was at my lowest weight in a year - just a few tenths of a pound under five pounds.  Yes!  

Thursday, July 19, 2018

My Fingerless Gloves




Pattern: Happily Ever After Mitts by Susan B. Anderson
Yarn: Sundara Yarn Fingering Merion - Love Like Lightening

Needles: US 2 (2.75mm)
Made for: me!
Time to completion: 3 weeks


I made these for Mr. Higgins and someone else (look for that soon) so, of course, needed a pair myself!  And because my office is freezing, I wanted these to come up higher on my arm for when I'm wearing short sleeves.  I love this yarn; Sundara dyes up some beautiful colors.  It also goes well with our school colors!

For this pair of gloves, I casted on 63 stitches and made a thumb-hole 14 rounds wide.  Another FO that makes me super happy!

Monday, July 16, 2018

RWH + XTrain Rotation: Week 7

Only two more weeks!  Unbelievable!

I'm enjoying this rotation but I'm missing some of Cathe's other workouts.  I guess there's just no making me happy.  Ha!

Monday: Cathe's XTrain: SuperCuts + walk + YWA


My legs were still sore this morning, this time from a wicked Cathe Live workout yesterday.  But I powered through this metabolic strength program, which can very easily kick my bum on a good day.  It moves fast and never, ever stops!  At lunch, I walked at the rec center and then really stretched out my legs.  And it helped, thank goodness!   At the end of the day, this YWA got me just a bit sweaty. I love this one!

Tuesday:  Cathe's Hard Strikes Low Impact Boxing


I've done this boxing workout several times and really enjoy it.  The official rotation had Cathe's original Hard Strikes on the calendar (from XTrain) but I really don't like that workout.  It's too cardio-heavy - and too light on the boxing!  So this one was really good for today.  I worked hard and had fun!  A busy day meant that this was my one and only workout.

Wednesday: Cathe's Lower Body Confusion + walk 

The official rotation had two low impact workouts scheduled for this week.  I decided to do two leg workouts instead!  This is a newer Cathe Live workout and it was great!  Cathe runs you through all kinds of leg exercises - HIIT, strength, barre - to totally confuse your muscles.  I loved it!  At lunch, I walked at the rec center - getting a little too sweaty - and then stretched really well.  Oh, and I planked!  

Thursday:  YWA + RWH Abs 1


Today's rest day was very well timed as I woke up feeling not great.  I was going to do abs along with a YWA but that didn't happen; my stomach wouldn't have it.  So this YWA was a great way to wake the body up slowly and calmly.  I added on a bit of my own stretching and had a nice morning!  After work, I did this RWH ab workout - which I just couldn't face at 5:30am.

Friday: Cathe's RWH: Upper Body Circuit

My last time to do this workout in this rotation!  Yay!  I've grown a bit tired of this one so I'm glad to be done with it.  That's not to say it's not effective - it is!  But I'm just tired of it.  And I'm super tired of snowboards.  I couldn't quite get all of them done this morning and that made me mad.  But.  I got it done and worked my muscles really well!  So, success!

Saturday: Cathe's XTrain: Cardio Leg Blast + barre + YWA

I really enjoy this leg workout.  Cardio, weights, cardio, weights....  On and on....but fun!  My legs always feel this one and today I went super low in my squats to really make it hurt.  Ha!  After that 50 minutes, I did the last 10 minutes from Wednesday's Lower Body Confusion, which is all barre work.  I couldn't finish the workout on Wednesday and that bugged me.  The barre work was brutal after having already done so much leg work - but I liked it!  And finally, a stretch and this YWA to wind down.

Sunday: Cathe's Low Impact HIIT Circuit Live + RWH Abs 2

This was a new-to-me Cathe Live workout....and it was great!  It alternates two cardio moves and two weighted moves for a metabolic sweat-fest!  Ha!  Despite it being low impact my heart rate was super high during the cardio.  The weighted moves were mostly compound, which also helped the heart rate.  After that 50 minutes, I did RWH Abs 2 - which is not easy.  And finally, after that hour, a stretch.

Calorie Counts:

Monday - 1171
Tuesday - 1390
Wednesday - 1243
Thursday - 1131
Friday - bad
Saturday - 1697
Sunday - 1677

I ate salads for dinner every day this week - except Friday!  I need to look good for our friends' wedding in a few weeks so I need to buckle down a bit!

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Chocolate Pudding Pie

For our vacation/staycation a few months ago, I wanted a decadent dessert for our time at home.  I had something in my mind and this Chocolate Pudding Pie turned out to be pretty close to it.

I made a few changes - mainly leaving out the pecans.  I always use skim milk and fat free whipped topping.  Next time, I'll halve the amount of baking chocolate because the amount used in the recipe meant that you could barely take a bite of the pie without the hard chocolate bottom layer causing crumbs to go flying everywhere.  

But this was delicious.  And decadent.  And super-chocolate-y without being overwhelming.  The pudding and whipped topping keeps it light and fluffy.  I'll definitely be keeping this recipe!

Monday, July 9, 2018

RWH + XTrain Rotation: Week 6

I can't believe this rotation is winding down so soon!  Time really does fly!

After eating horribly over the weekend...and knowing that it'll happen again on July 4th, I'm definitely wanting to burn as many calories as possible.

Monday: Cathe's XTrain: Bi's and Tri's + walk + YWA

After another rough night due to stomach issues (this is neverending!), I was glad that this workout was scheduled for today.  So, no jumping!  Cathe really works the biceps and triceps, though; this is not an easy program.  But I had fun!  At lunch, I walked in order to get some steps - and burn calories.   And after work, this YWA sure did stretch out my legs!  For some reason, I've been in the mood to revisit Adriene's Revolution series from 2017...  It's just so good!

Tuesday: Cathe's RWH: Plyo HIIT Two + Step Moves + YWA

I think this was the first time I'd attempted Plyo HIIT Two.  The first one is super, super difficult.  This one wasn't as tough, thank goodness!  It's a challenge and I'm always glad these Plyo HIITs are only about 25 minutes!  After that ended, I tuned into another new-to-me Cathe workout, Step Moves.  And I hated it!  I just can't pick up these complicated step patterns.  I tried - and still moved a lot in the process.  After work, this YWA was very nice - on a day when I needed to decompress.

Wednesday: Cathe's Lift It HIIT It Legs Live

The last time I did this workout was May.  I didn't really remember it but it is very similar to the original RWH: Lift It HIIT It Legs.  The main difference is that the cardio blasts are repeated in sets of 10 or 12.  I don't know if that makes it easier or harder, honestly.  But I like working my legs so this was great.  I added on five minutes of my own cardio to get in 45 minutes on this holiday at home.

Thursday: Dozois' Body Fit 360 + YWA

This morning, I wanted to move, just a bit, and then really stretch well.  So, I did about 20 minutes of the cardio from Body Fit 360 - which I love!  Then, I did the full stretch at the end.  And it felt marvelous!  After work, I was a bit stiff from all that marvelous stretching...so I stretched some more with Adriene.  Very nice!

Friday: Cathe's XTrain: Chest, Back and Shoulders + walk

Cathe's XTrain series is excellent.  There are so many options for weighted work, which makes it her best strength series since STS.  This workout is great.  Your chest, back, and shoulders get worked from every angle!  I lifted as much as I could and got nice and sweaty!  At lunch, I walked at the rec center in order to get some more steps.  It was so humid outside, it was a chore just to get to the rec!

Saturday: Cathe's RWH: Lower Body Circuit + RWH Abs 2

This is always a nice change from Lift It HIIT It Legs - it's different enough to shock your system but still super effective.  I used 15 pound weights for most of it and my legs were screaming.  It didn't help that Cathe threw in a lot of pulsing reps.  Ouch!  After that 45 minutes, I did RWH Abs 2 - which is a lot harder than the first RWH Abs.  And, finally, a stretch.

Sunday: Cathe's Total Body HIIT

This is an amazing workout.  Cardio blast + lower body strength + upper body strength + total body strength.  Repeat.  There are seven rounds of this and it is tough.  The cardio blasts - even the "easy" ones - are not easy.  My heart rate stayed super high throughout.  I used 12 and 6 pound weights.  My legs were a bit sore from Saturday's workout...so I felt this one.  This lasted for about 55 minutes. I gratefully stretched afterward.  Whew!

Calorie Counts:


I was pretty good this week until Wednesday....and Friday and Sunday.  Oy.  The next two weeks will have to be better.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Fourth Pair of Socks



Pattern: Basic Top Down with Heel Flap by Charlene Schurch (Sensation Knitted Socks)
Yarn: Long Dog Yarn's Bounce Sock  in Dark 
Dimension

Needles: 2.5mm
Made for: me
Time to completion: 4 weeks


My June knitting project was for me!  Yay!  I made myself socks - for the first time since my very first pair...which are a bit sub-par.  I wanted the most basic pattern - vanilla socks - for this colorway, which I fell hard for at this year's DFW Fiber Fest.  Knitting with it was such a joy - there are so many colors that pop up throughout!  I love yarn!  Soft, squishy, bouncy, pretty, yarn....


Ahem.  I'm very happy with these socks.  I'm learning more and more about the intricacies of knitting socks with each and every pair.  It's fun!  Now I just need to block them and get used to wearing hand-knitted socks.  As funny as that sounds, these felt funny on my feet.  So, come winter, I'll have to wear them enough to get used to them.  Which means.....  I need to knit more socks!


Yes, I'm crazy.  

Monday, July 2, 2018

RWH + XTrain Rotation: Week 5

Starting the second half of this rotation feels like an accomplishment, for sure!

I'm still liking these workouts but I may sub some out for a few live workouts - just to change it up a bit.

Monday: Cathe's Cardio and Weights + walk + YWA


This live workout contains mostly upper body work for the weighted moves - so I decided to sub it for RWH: Upper Body Circuit....which I'm getting tired of.  The cardio in this workout really taxed my feet, after so much jumping on Sunday.  I had to make a few moves low impact.  At work, I walked at the rec center at lunch to get more steps - and I planked.  This YWA got my core even more fiery than earlier in the day!

Tuesday: Cathe's Low Impact Cardio and Strength with Step + YWA


I'm so glad I opted out of the suggested low impact HIIT for this live workout.  This one isn't HIIT - it's straight cardio and I love mixing that with HIIT workouts.  This one is a bit repetitive but still very, very good.  My heart rate went up very quickly and stayed up.  I didn't use weights for the strength portion and I had to stop before the upper body exercises...  But this was a nice change!  And this YWA helped me relax after a stressful day.  

Wednesday: Cathe's XTrain: Legs + walk

My bum was a bit sore from all the squats yesterday so this workout sounded a bit daunting when I woke up.  But I did it and felt great doing it!  The one move that burns like nothing else - low pulsing lunges - still hurts like crazy but I did it!  I had to cut out some of the floorwork due to my time constraint (45 minutes), but I got most of this done!  At lunch, I walked at the rec center and then did my sit-ups.  Fun.

Thursday: Cathe's Jabs and Kicks

Today, I had weird work obligations which meant I could be a tiny bit later going in.  That meant I wasn't rushing so much and I could do a few more minutes of this workout, which I really enjoy.  This was my second time through it and it was just as fun this time around.  Cathe does a lot of combinations with punches and kicks, which I love!  A fun morning!

Friday: Cathe's RWH: Lift It HIIT It Legs 


I made a huge mistake this morning and did the wrong workout!  I was supposed to do Upper Body Circuit but my brain was apparently too fried to remember that.  This workout, however, is such a good one!  I love the cardio/weight format.  After it finished, I did some upper body weights - biceps and shoulders - since I did the wrong workout.  Ugh!

Saturday: Cathe's To the Max + RWH Abs 1

Lots of cardio this morning!  This workout is fun - but  a lot of hard work!  Step, tabata, HIIT, and then compound leg work!  Whew!  I was sweating up a storm.  That lasted for 45 minutes.  I then did some upper body weights - back, triceps, and chest.  Then, RWH abs - which were almost fun compared to the XTrain abs.  Ha!  I stretched and called it a morning.  

Sunday: REST

Calorie Counts:

I won't lie: it was an awful week.  A work retreat meant too much snacking and unhealthy foods.  Then, over the weekend, we celebrated July 4th early - so we ate horribly!  Ugh!