Less than two weeks until vacation!!!! We leave next Friday and I cannot wait.
I'm feeling pretty rundown, which is expected after so many non-stop weeks of workouts and a minimal amount of calories. I'm completely happy to work this hard two or three times a year...but it's not easy.
Okay, so here we go - the last full week of workouts!!
Monday: Cathe's Circuit Crush + YWA
My legs were still shaky this morning after Saturday's Butt Bible. I tell you - I've never seen anything as effective as the third level of Butt Bible. Dang! But moving on.... This Circuit Crush was formatted like this - cardio, weighted lower, weighted upper, abs. I kept thinking throughout it that I wished it was cardio, upper, lower, abs - so that the heart rate would go up in the middle of the strength section. But it was still good! This YWA helped me stretch and relax after a long day.
Tuesday: Cathe's Pumped Upper Body + walk + YWA
I was glad to be able to give my legs a break this morning. But this upper body workout was tough! Cathe grouped 2-4 exercises together but then you repeated them three times! That left my arms weak and shaky. Wow! This was a good one! At lunch, I walked to get more steps, braving the rain to get to the rec center. And after work, this YWA was good - and not too strenuous. I'm tired.
Wednesday: Cathe's Mish Mosh Legs + abs
This morning, I woke up exhausted. It's the kind of exhaustion that doesn't come from tiredness but from physical limitations. My body was telling me to slow down. But I got up and did this leg workout because that's what I do. My legs weren't exactly sore from Saturday's Butt Bible - but they are exhausted. So this workout, filled with a lot of reps and pulses, was very painful. Only a week and two days left, though. I can do this! After work I did the abs from yesterday's Cathe video. And, ouch! They hurt!
Thursday: YWA
I needed this rest day. And this is the last rest day before vacation! Eek! This YWA was good - not too strenuous, making it a great morning option. The balancing wasn't as easy but I always like the challenge of the balancing poses. Even if I fall. Ha!
Friday: Cathe's Strong Total Body + walk
This workout was unexpectedly good! And just the right length. The abs started just as I had to quit - so I'll have to do those another day. Cathe worked upper and lower body parts separately but together, at times. It was a good mix and hit every muscle. At lunch, I walked at the rec center to get some steps. I sweated and planked - holding a plank now for 65 seconds. Little victories!
Saturday: Dozois' PeakFit Pure Cardio + Nordin's Butt Bible 3
I wanted cardio with no weights so I turned to Michelle Dozois this morning. I only did 25 minutes of Pure Cardio but I quickly remembered why I always come back to it - it's fun and effective. After that, it was time for my last Butt Bible before the cruise. Thank goodness!! I upped my weights again - I've gone up two pounds every week. And dang, this hurt. After that, a nice, long stretch.
Sunday: Cathe's Cardio Core Blast + weights + abs
This morning was good - and different! Cardio Core Blast consisted of 5 rounds. Each round contained three cardio exercises, which you repeat once, and then an ab move. I liked this workout! I changed a lot of the ab moves to something standing, which hit my obliques bit time. And I didn't use a fire walker loop - because my legs were sore from yesterday. After that 45 minutes, I did five minutes of back and tricep weighted work. Then, ten minutes of abs. Whew! Finally, a stretch.
Calorie Counts:
Monday -1816
Tuesday -1192
Wednesday - 1274
Thursday - 1149
Friday - 1255
Saturday - 1227
Sunday - 1210
I weighed on Thursday and had gone up a pound since two weeks ago. I wasn't heartbroken. Then, I was down three pounds on Saturday morning. Holy cow! And I had a few extra calories on Friday. I couldn't believe it! I'm so relieved my thyroid-deprived body can still lose weight!
Monday, October 15, 2018
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Adulting and Friendships
I've had some meaningful conversations with my mother lately, mainly because of my father's condition. One of those conversations revolved around friendships - making them and keeping them as an adult.
This is especially hard for introverts. It's even harder for a childless introvert. It seems to be almost impossible for an intentionally childless introvert. But it gives me hope that my mother - one of the most giving people I know - also had a hard time making and keeping friends. And she always has.
Obviously, the easiest place to find friends is at work. But if you change jobs a lot or are promoted within an organization, those friendships often cannot survive such circumstantial changes. In my mom's case, we moved around a lot due to my father's job. Then, she was the highest ranking clinical officer, meaning no friendships with subordinates. In my case, very few friends from my old job have bothered to keep in touch. And I've tried.
But I'm an introvert. Why is it always up to me to initiate contact? I've tried to overcome this and have initiated dozens of lunches with women my age. And none of them circle back and ask to do anything with me. Is it because they don't like me? I don't think so. I think all of us are so "busy" with our "busy" lives that friendships are often optional and suffer.
Back to being intentionally childless.... Women with children think I'm strange or that I don't like kids. They seem to take offense that I don't want kids. Would it help if I told them I mostly likely couldn't have kids if I tried? Sigh. Either way, women with kids are often too busy to make friends with anyone other than parents of their kids' friends.
I know I get "busy" (and I'm using quotations because I think most of us are really not that busy but are 100% convinced that we are, myself included) as well, but I've tried, honestly and truly, to make friends at work. Lunches are an easy way to do this.... So why doesn't anyone reciprocate my invitation to lunch? I think I'm interesting. I have too many hobbies and love to travel.
At least it gives me some comfort to know that my mother had the same problem. And I've heard some other women (on-line) complain of this, as well. So I'm not alone. It's too bad no one at my workplace is in the same situation. We could be friends!
This is especially hard for introverts. It's even harder for a childless introvert. It seems to be almost impossible for an intentionally childless introvert. But it gives me hope that my mother - one of the most giving people I know - also had a hard time making and keeping friends. And she always has.
Obviously, the easiest place to find friends is at work. But if you change jobs a lot or are promoted within an organization, those friendships often cannot survive such circumstantial changes. In my mom's case, we moved around a lot due to my father's job. Then, she was the highest ranking clinical officer, meaning no friendships with subordinates. In my case, very few friends from my old job have bothered to keep in touch. And I've tried.
But I'm an introvert. Why is it always up to me to initiate contact? I've tried to overcome this and have initiated dozens of lunches with women my age. And none of them circle back and ask to do anything with me. Is it because they don't like me? I don't think so. I think all of us are so "busy" with our "busy" lives that friendships are often optional and suffer.
Back to being intentionally childless.... Women with children think I'm strange or that I don't like kids. They seem to take offense that I don't want kids. Would it help if I told them I mostly likely couldn't have kids if I tried? Sigh. Either way, women with kids are often too busy to make friends with anyone other than parents of their kids' friends.
I know I get "busy" (and I'm using quotations because I think most of us are really not that busy but are 100% convinced that we are, myself included) as well, but I've tried, honestly and truly, to make friends at work. Lunches are an easy way to do this.... So why doesn't anyone reciprocate my invitation to lunch? I think I'm interesting. I have too many hobbies and love to travel.
At least it gives me some comfort to know that my mother had the same problem. And I've heard some other women (on-line) complain of this, as well. So I'm not alone. It's too bad no one at my workplace is in the same situation. We could be friends!
Monday, October 8, 2018
Cathe Mish Mosh: Week 11
I'm officially ready for vacation. So, of course, the next three weeks will drag by at a snail's pace.
But I'm determined to keep making progress with my workouts and healthy eating - though I'm hungry and sore daily. Fun, fun.
Monday: Cathe's Strong Upper Body with Core + walk + YWA
Another night of sleeplessness meant this morning was painful. I was happy to do upper body weights since that's the lesser of all evils on such a morning. But Cathe tested me with three reps of each exercise. My muscles were protesting - loudly - by the end of this video. At lunch, I walked at the rec center to get steps and stretch out my sore legs (thankfully, not sore hamstrings!). After work, this YWA helped calm me down after a long day.
Tuesday: Cathe's Booty Max + walk + XTrain Abs 2
This week's leg day came after - finally! - a good night of sleep, making it seem much more doable. But my legs were still sore from Saturday so this one wasn't painless. I lifted as heavy as I could, which my arms did not appreciate. This was a good workout but I felt last week's Rock Bottoms more in my bum. Either way, I'll take a good leg workout any day of the week! At lunch, I walked at the rec center and did sit-ups. And after work, I decided to get my butt kicked by this ab workout again. Fun.
Wednesday: Cathe's Low Impact HIIT Circuit + YWA
I was ready for some cardio today. And this one is great - and it's the second time I've done it. It consists of two cardio moves and then two strength moves. Repeat. My heart rate got higher in most of the strength moves than the cardio! I like how varied this one is; I never get bored. My arms and legs, however, do get tired after so much weighted work.... But that's what metabolic rotations are all about. At the end of a long day, this YWA was very nice - and it got me a bit sweaty!
Thursday: Dozois' PeakFit Dynamic Flexibility
Today's rest day came at just the right time. I'm incredibly worn out. So this morning's workout - my favorite rest day workout - was perfect! Michelle always makes me happy and I loved flowing with her in this video! I wish there were more like this one!
Friday: Cathe's Total Body Tone Up
Another great Cathe Live workout. I really enjoyed this one, especially because Cathe didn't put all the muscle groups together. You do two exercises and then repeat them once...and move on. Sometimes I could increase my weight but sometimes I needed to decrease it. A very effective morning workout!
Saturday: Cathe's Super Cuts with Cardio Blasts + Nordin's Butt Bible 3
I like Super Cuts and was intrigued to try a live version with cardio mixed in. And it worked really well. Super Cuts is metabolic because you're moving through compound and normal exercises very quickly. Adding cardio to it made it even better, in my opinion. I did that for only 25 minutes and then it was time for Butt Bible torture. But I'm learning that I actually like this workout - except for the leg presses. Those killed me every time. After that 40 minutes, a nice, long stretch.
Sunday: Cathe's Total Body HIIT + abs
I'm getting a little tired of weights - of everything having to do with weights. This workout, again, used weights. There were long cardio blasts but then 2-3 weighted moves. My legs were hurting from Butt Bible so they did not appreciate the lunges and squats. This is a good workout but was just a bit weight-heavy for me today. After that (45 minutes), I did the abs from Monday's live workout. Then, a nice stretch. My hamstrings were a bit sore from yesterday. Sigh.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1194
Tuesday - 1187
Wednesday - 1221
Thursday - 1689
Friday - 1305
Saturday - 1310
Sunday - 1197
I didn't weigh this week but I will next week. I ate a bit more, due to work events. I hated it but I've been so hungry.... Sigh.
But I'm determined to keep making progress with my workouts and healthy eating - though I'm hungry and sore daily. Fun, fun.
Monday: Cathe's Strong Upper Body with Core + walk + YWA
Another night of sleeplessness meant this morning was painful. I was happy to do upper body weights since that's the lesser of all evils on such a morning. But Cathe tested me with three reps of each exercise. My muscles were protesting - loudly - by the end of this video. At lunch, I walked at the rec center to get steps and stretch out my sore legs (thankfully, not sore hamstrings!). After work, this YWA helped calm me down after a long day.
Tuesday: Cathe's Booty Max + walk + XTrain Abs 2
This week's leg day came after - finally! - a good night of sleep, making it seem much more doable. But my legs were still sore from Saturday so this one wasn't painless. I lifted as heavy as I could, which my arms did not appreciate. This was a good workout but I felt last week's Rock Bottoms more in my bum. Either way, I'll take a good leg workout any day of the week! At lunch, I walked at the rec center and did sit-ups. And after work, I decided to get my butt kicked by this ab workout again. Fun.
Wednesday: Cathe's Low Impact HIIT Circuit + YWA
I was ready for some cardio today. And this one is great - and it's the second time I've done it. It consists of two cardio moves and then two strength moves. Repeat. My heart rate got higher in most of the strength moves than the cardio! I like how varied this one is; I never get bored. My arms and legs, however, do get tired after so much weighted work.... But that's what metabolic rotations are all about. At the end of a long day, this YWA was very nice - and it got me a bit sweaty!
Thursday: Dozois' PeakFit Dynamic Flexibility
Today's rest day came at just the right time. I'm incredibly worn out. So this morning's workout - my favorite rest day workout - was perfect! Michelle always makes me happy and I loved flowing with her in this video! I wish there were more like this one!
Friday: Cathe's Total Body Tone Up
Another great Cathe Live workout. I really enjoyed this one, especially because Cathe didn't put all the muscle groups together. You do two exercises and then repeat them once...and move on. Sometimes I could increase my weight but sometimes I needed to decrease it. A very effective morning workout!
Saturday: Cathe's Super Cuts with Cardio Blasts + Nordin's Butt Bible 3
I like Super Cuts and was intrigued to try a live version with cardio mixed in. And it worked really well. Super Cuts is metabolic because you're moving through compound and normal exercises very quickly. Adding cardio to it made it even better, in my opinion. I did that for only 25 minutes and then it was time for Butt Bible torture. But I'm learning that I actually like this workout - except for the leg presses. Those killed me every time. After that 40 minutes, a nice, long stretch.
Sunday: Cathe's Total Body HIIT + abs
I'm getting a little tired of weights - of everything having to do with weights. This workout, again, used weights. There were long cardio blasts but then 2-3 weighted moves. My legs were hurting from Butt Bible so they did not appreciate the lunges and squats. This is a good workout but was just a bit weight-heavy for me today. After that (45 minutes), I did the abs from Monday's live workout. Then, a nice stretch. My hamstrings were a bit sore from yesterday. Sigh.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1194
Tuesday - 1187
Wednesday - 1221
Thursday - 1689
Friday - 1305
Saturday - 1310
Sunday - 1197
I didn't weigh this week but I will next week. I ate a bit more, due to work events. I hated it but I've been so hungry.... Sigh.
Friday, October 5, 2018
Gifting
I'm still knitting on my September project, which is a Christmas gift. I've ripped out about 10 rows to re-do them. And now, finally, I have the broken brioche down. But, I'm not 100% happy with it so I may have to decide, once it's blocked, if I'm okay gifting it. I swear, I wish I were a better knitter!
Hopefully, practice makes perfect.
After this is done (hopefully this weekend), my October project should be short and sweet. I needed something like that for a month when I'll lose a week to vacation.
Monday, October 1, 2018
Cathe Mish Mosh: Week 10
I'm down to the last four weeks before our vacation! I'm super excited...and super exhausted.
This week did not start well. After a stressful weekend and a horrible night of sleep on Sunday, Monday dawned in the worst possible light. I would have given anything for a holiday. But no such luck.
Monday: Cathe's Metabolic Burn + YWA
The only saving grace to this early morning workout was the lack of jumping. And actually, this metabolic workout was pure strength...with a cardio component due to the compound exercises. This was not my favorite metabolic workout because my heart rate didn't stay as high as some of Cathe's other ones. I was also slightly handicapped by my aching hamstrings....still from the Butt Bible on Saturday. Yikes. To try to help my poor legs, I did this YWA for flexibility.
Tuesday: Cathe's Upper Body Challenge with Ball + walk
After another night of restlessness, I jumped out of bed and did this upper body workout. It was good but long. It's divided up into muscle groups so I had to fast-forward some from every group to be able to get to all my upper body. And my arms were shaking by the end. At lunch, I walked, did sit-ups, and then stretched my - still aching - legs. Oy.
Wednesday: Cathe's Rock Bottoms and Core + walk + YWA
I really liked this workout! It's rare to find a workout that I like like, but this one was great. The leg work was very focused on the bum so my still-aching hamstrings only protested the dead lifts. But I felt this in my bum! It was great! There was both standing and floorwork for the bum and I did it all. By the time Cathe got to core, I was out of time but I'll have to try it sometime. At lunch, I walked again - and stretched my legs again. I also planked. After work, this YWA was very nice - and soothing.
Thursday: YWA + Cathe's XTrain Core 1
Ah, my rest day. And today I wasn't feeling well, so this workout happened at the end of the day. This YWA was perfect - and helped me move after being lethargic. Cathe's core was not so relaxing - but I love how these get easier (maybe, "less torturous" is a better way of saying it) the more I do them!
Friday: Cathe's Ramped Up Trisets
I was feeling better today, thankfully, and made the most of this workout. Cathe took you through a cardio move and then three (trisets) weighted moves. My heart rate stayed elevated, though not crazy high.... But I did enjoy this workout and it moved very quickly. Cathe gives you the option to stop early - about 35 minutes in - or to keep going by repeating some trisets with her.
Saturday: Cathe's Body Works + Nordin's Butt Bible 3
This live workout from Cathe was good - but I only did 25 minutes of it. It was mostly strength - two cardio moves, about 3-4 weighted moves. My heart rate didn't stay too high - but high enough. After that, it was time to move on to what I've dreaded all week - Butt Bible. I upped my weights by a pound and two at times....but I took precious care of my hamstrings this week. And then I stretched really, really well.
Sunday: Cathe's X10 + XTrain Core 2
My hamstrings were perfectly fine today!! Yes! I'm so glad I was able to determine and correct what caused such pain from last week's Butt Bible. My bum hurt, for sure, but I'm fine with that. Ha! X10 was brutal, as usual, but not quite as horrible as I anticipated. I did these portions: Step, Hi/Lo, Cardio Blast. Wow. This workout is just amazing. After that 45 minutes, I did the second XTrain Core, which is very nearly impossible for me, unless I do it over and over. Ouch. Finally, a stretch.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1790
Tuesday - 1179
Wednesday - 1183
Thursday - 1214
Friday - 1416
Saturday - 1361
Sunday - 1389
I was done 2 pounds this week. TWO POUNDS!!! I was ecstatic. I'm now the lowest I've been since my big weight gain. Talk about feeling good! But the crazy thing.... I weighed on Thursday morning, after eating out and having margaritas on Saturday....and eating bad on Monday. I truly, honestly believe that your body needs these breaks from strict calorie restriction. But, obviously, my theories are not always correct.
This week did not start well. After a stressful weekend and a horrible night of sleep on Sunday, Monday dawned in the worst possible light. I would have given anything for a holiday. But no such luck.
Monday: Cathe's Metabolic Burn + YWA
The only saving grace to this early morning workout was the lack of jumping. And actually, this metabolic workout was pure strength...with a cardio component due to the compound exercises. This was not my favorite metabolic workout because my heart rate didn't stay as high as some of Cathe's other ones. I was also slightly handicapped by my aching hamstrings....still from the Butt Bible on Saturday. Yikes. To try to help my poor legs, I did this YWA for flexibility.
Tuesday: Cathe's Upper Body Challenge with Ball + walk
After another night of restlessness, I jumped out of bed and did this upper body workout. It was good but long. It's divided up into muscle groups so I had to fast-forward some from every group to be able to get to all my upper body. And my arms were shaking by the end. At lunch, I walked, did sit-ups, and then stretched my - still aching - legs. Oy.
Wednesday: Cathe's Rock Bottoms and Core + walk + YWA
I really liked this workout! It's rare to find a workout that I like like, but this one was great. The leg work was very focused on the bum so my still-aching hamstrings only protested the dead lifts. But I felt this in my bum! It was great! There was both standing and floorwork for the bum and I did it all. By the time Cathe got to core, I was out of time but I'll have to try it sometime. At lunch, I walked again - and stretched my legs again. I also planked. After work, this YWA was very nice - and soothing.
Thursday: YWA + Cathe's XTrain Core 1
Ah, my rest day. And today I wasn't feeling well, so this workout happened at the end of the day. This YWA was perfect - and helped me move after being lethargic. Cathe's core was not so relaxing - but I love how these get easier (maybe, "less torturous" is a better way of saying it) the more I do them!
Friday: Cathe's Ramped Up Trisets
I was feeling better today, thankfully, and made the most of this workout. Cathe took you through a cardio move and then three (trisets) weighted moves. My heart rate stayed elevated, though not crazy high.... But I did enjoy this workout and it moved very quickly. Cathe gives you the option to stop early - about 35 minutes in - or to keep going by repeating some trisets with her.
Saturday: Cathe's Body Works + Nordin's Butt Bible 3
This live workout from Cathe was good - but I only did 25 minutes of it. It was mostly strength - two cardio moves, about 3-4 weighted moves. My heart rate didn't stay too high - but high enough. After that, it was time to move on to what I've dreaded all week - Butt Bible. I upped my weights by a pound and two at times....but I took precious care of my hamstrings this week. And then I stretched really, really well.
Sunday: Cathe's X10 + XTrain Core 2
My hamstrings were perfectly fine today!! Yes! I'm so glad I was able to determine and correct what caused such pain from last week's Butt Bible. My bum hurt, for sure, but I'm fine with that. Ha! X10 was brutal, as usual, but not quite as horrible as I anticipated. I did these portions: Step, Hi/Lo, Cardio Blast. Wow. This workout is just amazing. After that 45 minutes, I did the second XTrain Core, which is very nearly impossible for me, unless I do it over and over. Ouch. Finally, a stretch.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1790
Tuesday - 1179
Wednesday - 1183
Thursday - 1214
Friday - 1416
Saturday - 1361
Sunday - 1389
I was done 2 pounds this week. TWO POUNDS!!! I was ecstatic. I'm now the lowest I've been since my big weight gain. Talk about feeling good! But the crazy thing.... I weighed on Thursday morning, after eating out and having margaritas on Saturday....and eating bad on Monday. I truly, honestly believe that your body needs these breaks from strict calorie restriction. But, obviously, my theories are not always correct.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Insidious
Sidious doesn't get much screen time here so today's her day.
Here's Sidious, named for Darth Sidious. She is bonded to Mr. Higgins and barely gives me the time of day. She's insidious that way.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Cathe Mish Mosh: Week 9
Holy cow! Less than five weeks until our all-inclusive!
For the rest of the time before the trip, I'm focusing on Cathe's live workouts. There are so many! It should be fun!
Monday: Cathe's Buff Upper Body Live + walk + YWA
This was a really good upper body workout. It wasn't quite trisets...but there were some trisets mixed in. Either way, my muscles were hurting and I struggled to get through some of the sets. At lunch, I walked at the rec to get some steps. I also did some sit-ups and ab work. After work and a stressful drive home, I did Adriene's One Commune yoga for the day, which was very relaxing.
Tuesday: Cathe's Metabolic Conditioning Live + RWH Abs 1
I'm pretty sure I'd tried to do this workout before and had problems with it loading. Thankfully, it worked today! This was a pretty good workout - which alternated cardio and compound weighted exercises. It seemed a bit uneven with more cardio in the second half.... But I still enjoyed it and it went by quickly. After work, I did this core workout which I really felt in my obliques. Yes!
Wednesday: Cathe's Smokin' Lower Body Live + walk
Leg day! This live workout was really good. It was broken down into sections, which helped mentally, for some reason - unweighted, weighted, step. I hate walked lunges and squats - HATE THEM - but I did them....with 12 lb weights. At lunch, my legs were already sore so I walked, did planks, and stretched really, really well. Stuff around the house kept me from doing yoga.
Thursday: YWA + YWA
Today I woke up and got to do yoga - these are the best days! I did one of Adriene's One Commune videos....day 9, I think. These are good and, if you're new to yoga, would be a great starting point. I like that they're slow and make me really focus on form and movement. In the evening, I did day 10, which was equally good. My legs were hurting so it felt so good to stretch!
Friday: Cathe's Flex Train
Total body today! This workout always gets me sweating - and today was no exception. I did everything - except core - and got a great workout. I switched bands - to one with more tension - and immediately felt it in my back. And that's good since I want a nice back for my days in a bikini! I also focused on hitting my triceps really well. A great morning workout! Errands kept me from yoga at the end of the day.
Saturday: Cathe's Fit Body Boot Camp + Nordin's Butt Bible 3
I was not looking forward to 40 minutes of torture with Butt Bible 3. So I did 25 minutes of Cathe's boot camp, which was alright. I did some cardio instead of other, more stationary moves, to keep my heart rate up. Nordin had no problem keeping my heart pounding like crazy. This lovel 3 workout is pure torture and I'm not looking forward to three more weeks of it. Ugh. I was hurting before this workout ended. I stretched really well to try to negate pain tomorrow.
Sunday: Cathe's Move It + RWH Abs 2
Today was pure cardio - and I was looking forward to it! But my legs and butt were aching. Sigh. Thank you, Pauline Nordin, for giving me a day filled with pain. I got through this workout and did some of my own cardio for a total of 40 minutes. Then, abs. This RWH ab workout is no joke. I was hurting in the first two minutes. Ha! After that ended - over 10 minutes later - I stretched.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1195
Tuesday -1195
Wednesday - 1265
Thursday -1195
Friday - 1181
Saturday - 1788
Sunday - 1202
When I weighed on Friday morning, my weight was the same as last week. I had to ditch my diet on Saturday due to the celebration of my dad's birthday while he and my mom were in town. It felt so good to eat badly - until my stomach gave me grief that night.
For the rest of the time before the trip, I'm focusing on Cathe's live workouts. There are so many! It should be fun!
Monday: Cathe's Buff Upper Body Live + walk + YWA
This was a really good upper body workout. It wasn't quite trisets...but there were some trisets mixed in. Either way, my muscles were hurting and I struggled to get through some of the sets. At lunch, I walked at the rec to get some steps. I also did some sit-ups and ab work. After work and a stressful drive home, I did Adriene's One Commune yoga for the day, which was very relaxing.
Tuesday: Cathe's Metabolic Conditioning Live + RWH Abs 1
I'm pretty sure I'd tried to do this workout before and had problems with it loading. Thankfully, it worked today! This was a pretty good workout - which alternated cardio and compound weighted exercises. It seemed a bit uneven with more cardio in the second half.... But I still enjoyed it and it went by quickly. After work, I did this core workout which I really felt in my obliques. Yes!
Wednesday: Cathe's Smokin' Lower Body Live + walk
Leg day! This live workout was really good. It was broken down into sections, which helped mentally, for some reason - unweighted, weighted, step. I hate walked lunges and squats - HATE THEM - but I did them....with 12 lb weights. At lunch, my legs were already sore so I walked, did planks, and stretched really, really well. Stuff around the house kept me from doing yoga.
Thursday: YWA + YWA
Today I woke up and got to do yoga - these are the best days! I did one of Adriene's One Commune videos....day 9, I think. These are good and, if you're new to yoga, would be a great starting point. I like that they're slow and make me really focus on form and movement. In the evening, I did day 10, which was equally good. My legs were hurting so it felt so good to stretch!
Friday: Cathe's Flex Train
Total body today! This workout always gets me sweating - and today was no exception. I did everything - except core - and got a great workout. I switched bands - to one with more tension - and immediately felt it in my back. And that's good since I want a nice back for my days in a bikini! I also focused on hitting my triceps really well. A great morning workout! Errands kept me from yoga at the end of the day.
Saturday: Cathe's Fit Body Boot Camp + Nordin's Butt Bible 3
I was not looking forward to 40 minutes of torture with Butt Bible 3. So I did 25 minutes of Cathe's boot camp, which was alright. I did some cardio instead of other, more stationary moves, to keep my heart rate up. Nordin had no problem keeping my heart pounding like crazy. This lovel 3 workout is pure torture and I'm not looking forward to three more weeks of it. Ugh. I was hurting before this workout ended. I stretched really well to try to negate pain tomorrow.
Sunday: Cathe's Move It + RWH Abs 2
Today was pure cardio - and I was looking forward to it! But my legs and butt were aching. Sigh. Thank you, Pauline Nordin, for giving me a day filled with pain. I got through this workout and did some of my own cardio for a total of 40 minutes. Then, abs. This RWH ab workout is no joke. I was hurting in the first two minutes. Ha! After that ended - over 10 minutes later - I stretched.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1195
Tuesday -1195
Wednesday - 1265
Thursday -1195
Friday - 1181
Saturday - 1788
Sunday - 1202
When I weighed on Friday morning, my weight was the same as last week. I had to ditch my diet on Saturday due to the celebration of my dad's birthday while he and my mom were in town. It felt so good to eat badly - until my stomach gave me grief that night.
Friday, September 21, 2018
Yarn-Mania
This is a snippet from Ravelry of my stash. It's grown a lot lately. I really should go on a yarn diet but when I'm knitting so much - comparatively - it's easy to justify buying yarn. And considering how much I want to knit (can someone pay me to stay home and knit?!), it's even easier.
I have an ever-growing list of projects that I want to make and that's not counting socks. (I want ALL the socks!) And there are so many techniques that I want to learn!! Thankfully, with my current September project, I'll finally get to try brioche! I'm so excited!
And a bit obsessed.
Monday, September 17, 2018
Cathe Mish Mosh: Week 8
Time is flying by: less than six weeks until I have to get into a bikini! Eek!
Thankfully, we're back to being on our strict diet. It's tough - and I'm always hungry - but I love being able to get into all my clothes. And not being self-conscious about my extra pounds.
This is the last week of Cathe's various workout series. After this, I'll focus on her live workouts. But for now - ICE, which is Cathe's intermediate series.
Monday: Cathe's ICE: Boot Camp Circuit + Strong and Sweaty Abs + YWA
This was a good way to start the week - and I'm still loving boot camp workouts!! The format is like this - cardio, upper, lower, abs. Repeat again and again. I didn't do the floor-based ab work - but I did the standing ab work. And it was a great workout! After work, I did this tough ab video, which I should have done on Sunday but didn't. And I did part of Adriene's first video of her new partnership with One Commune. It was pretty easy - well, very beginner - and I don't know if I'll do the rest. But Adriene is always so good!
Tuesday: Cathe's ICE: Chiseled Upper Body + walk
Weights today! Since this series is intermediate, there were a lot of different weighted exercises that Cathe doesn't normally do. So that made this fun! I used heavier weights than Cathe to tax my muscles as much as possible. And it seemed effective! At lunch, I walked at the rec center - and planked. I'm now up to a minute on my planks! Yes!
Wednesday: Cathe's ICE: To the Mat Legs and Glutes + walk + YWA
A new-to-me Cathe workout! I've never done To the Mat because it takes place entirely on the floor - go figure. And I always try to get a cardio component with my leg workouts. But I was ready for something different in the area of leg workouts and this one is, indeed, different. And hurtful! It's tough - bridges, leg raises of all shapes and sizes, and some core work. I enjoyed it! At lunch, I walked to get some of those steps back. After work, I did day three of YWA's One Commune series. It was really good!
Thursday: Cathe's ICE: Low Impact Sweat + STS Abs: No Equipment Abs
In a week that is heavy on strength, I was ready for pure cardio this morning. And this workout did not disappoint. I'd done it before but did not remember many of the circuits. And this one is different than Cathe's other low impact HIIT workouts - in a good way. She had to come up with some "intermediate" moves....but this still worked me hard. After work, I did this 17-minute long ab workouts. Ouch! I had no energy for yoga after that.
Friday: Cathe's ICE: Metabolic Total Body
More weights today. This workout was purely compound exercises. The legs, the arms - everything was worked excessively. And it made me sweat profusely. Ha! This was a great workout - cardio together with strength, and I lifted as heavy as I could. My arms were aching by the end! What a great morning!
Saturday: REST
Due to football. :)
Sunday: Cathe's ICE: Rock'm Sock'm + Nordin's Butt Bible Lower 2
It had been a while since I touched Rock'm Sock'm....and I really enjoyed it this morning. Cathe mixes in a lot of high impact cardio to keep your heart rate up amid the punch combos. So, you stay interested and engaged throughout the workout. I only did 30 minutes of it before tuning into Butt Bible. This is the last week of level 2 so I should have enjoyed this....but it was torturous as usual. After that 30 minutes, a long stretch!
Calorie Counts:
Monday -1190
Tuesday - 1190
Wendesday - 1190
Thursday - 1197
Friday -1450
Saturday - 1148
Sunday - 1133
So I ate the exact same things a few times this week....and it paid off! I'm back to my lowest since I peaked after my thyroid. Now, let's see how much more I can lose!
Thankfully, we're back to being on our strict diet. It's tough - and I'm always hungry - but I love being able to get into all my clothes. And not being self-conscious about my extra pounds.
This is the last week of Cathe's various workout series. After this, I'll focus on her live workouts. But for now - ICE, which is Cathe's intermediate series.
Monday: Cathe's ICE: Boot Camp Circuit + Strong and Sweaty Abs + YWA
This was a good way to start the week - and I'm still loving boot camp workouts!! The format is like this - cardio, upper, lower, abs. Repeat again and again. I didn't do the floor-based ab work - but I did the standing ab work. And it was a great workout! After work, I did this tough ab video, which I should have done on Sunday but didn't. And I did part of Adriene's first video of her new partnership with One Commune. It was pretty easy - well, very beginner - and I don't know if I'll do the rest. But Adriene is always so good!
Tuesday: Cathe's ICE: Chiseled Upper Body + walk
Weights today! Since this series is intermediate, there were a lot of different weighted exercises that Cathe doesn't normally do. So that made this fun! I used heavier weights than Cathe to tax my muscles as much as possible. And it seemed effective! At lunch, I walked at the rec center - and planked. I'm now up to a minute on my planks! Yes!
Wednesday: Cathe's ICE: To the Mat Legs and Glutes + walk + YWA
A new-to-me Cathe workout! I've never done To the Mat because it takes place entirely on the floor - go figure. And I always try to get a cardio component with my leg workouts. But I was ready for something different in the area of leg workouts and this one is, indeed, different. And hurtful! It's tough - bridges, leg raises of all shapes and sizes, and some core work. I enjoyed it! At lunch, I walked to get some of those steps back. After work, I did day three of YWA's One Commune series. It was really good!
Thursday: Cathe's ICE: Low Impact Sweat + STS Abs: No Equipment Abs
In a week that is heavy on strength, I was ready for pure cardio this morning. And this workout did not disappoint. I'd done it before but did not remember many of the circuits. And this one is different than Cathe's other low impact HIIT workouts - in a good way. She had to come up with some "intermediate" moves....but this still worked me hard. After work, I did this 17-minute long ab workouts. Ouch! I had no energy for yoga after that.
Friday: Cathe's ICE: Metabolic Total Body
More weights today. This workout was purely compound exercises. The legs, the arms - everything was worked excessively. And it made me sweat profusely. Ha! This was a great workout - cardio together with strength, and I lifted as heavy as I could. My arms were aching by the end! What a great morning!
Saturday: REST
Due to football. :)
Sunday: Cathe's ICE: Rock'm Sock'm + Nordin's Butt Bible Lower 2
It had been a while since I touched Rock'm Sock'm....and I really enjoyed it this morning. Cathe mixes in a lot of high impact cardio to keep your heart rate up amid the punch combos. So, you stay interested and engaged throughout the workout. I only did 30 minutes of it before tuning into Butt Bible. This is the last week of level 2 so I should have enjoyed this....but it was torturous as usual. After that 30 minutes, a long stretch!
Calorie Counts:
Monday -1190
Tuesday - 1190
Wendesday - 1190
Thursday - 1197
Friday -1450
Saturday - 1148
Sunday - 1133
So I ate the exact same things a few times this week....and it paid off! I'm back to my lowest since I peaked after my thyroid. Now, let's see how much more I can lose!
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Verum
I have a finished object! That one with tons of short-rows!
Pattern: Verum by Jana Huck
Yarn: Sundara Yarn Spot Merino Two (gradient set of 4 skeins) + Madelinetosh Tosh Merino DK (1/2 of a skein of Ristretto)
Needles: US 4
Made for: me!
Time to completion: 9 months but only 3 solid months of knitting
I started this project last October but after about a month of knitting, got sidetracked by Christmas presents and socks. Oy. At the time, I was discouraged by the short-rows.
But one of my goals for this year was to finish the thing. And I'm so glad I did. I love it! I ran out of yarn, mainly because I was trying to keep the gradient in line with the pattern. But I found some brown Madelinetosh that pulled it all together at the end. You can see in the last photo that I used the gradient for the stripes within the brown. I really like how that turned out!
I'm glad I did this project but I've learned that really big items are harder for me to get through. Maybe I'm still too new to knitting, I don't know.
One thing is for sure: I'll be forever wary of short-rows!
Monday, September 10, 2018
Cathe Mish Mosh: Week 7
Time to get serious about wearing a bikini in 7-ish more weeks.
Also time to get more serious about doing YWA consistently. My schedule should even out this week, making that possible.
Monday: Cathe's X10 + Strong and Sweaty Abs
Since I was eating bad, one last day and on a holiday, I decided to subject myself to the unrelenting torture that is X10. I don't quite know what makes this one so tough but it is so tough. I did three of the circuits: low-impact, Hi-Lo, and Fat-Burning. As usual, I thought I was going to die. Heck, I didn't get out of the low impact without wishing for death. Oy. After that 45 minutes, I did some ab work (this one is not easy) and then stretched.
Tuesday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Ramped Up Upper Body + walk + YWA
Doing upper body work this morning was a good way to ease into the week after a long weekend. But I didn't take it easy - I even went up in some weights. It was a tough but good morning. At lunch, I walked at the rec center, needing steps after getting so few in the morning. I worked up a good sweat and then did some planks. This YWA, at the end of an especially horrible day, was very nice.
Wednesday: Cathe's Oh My Glutes + YWA
So I was ready for pain this morning but I was not ready for such a fast-paced workout. Cathe moves very quickly through a lot of leg exercises, barely giving you time to catch your breath. And you need a lot of breath because your heart will pound very hard throughout this workout. I liked it but it was a bit more intense than what I was expecting. But, hey - intense is what I need for the bikini!
Thursday: Dozois' BodyFit 360 Vol. 2 - Dance Conditioning + YWA
This rest day came along quickly, thanks to the short work week. I wanted to move a bit so I did some of the dance from this workout and then the entire stretch. It was very nice. Rain and the threat of bad traffic cut it short a bit, unfortunately. After work, I wanted a good, challenging, yet relaxing, YWA - and this one worked nicely. I got a bit sweaty and also stretched out my poor, tired legs. It was great!
Friday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Total Body Giant Sets + walk
I'm doing a lot of weights this week, focusing on the Strong and Sweaty series. It's a great series! My legs, however, were still really sore form Wednesday, making the leg work in this workout especially hurtful. And I kind of wish there was just a bit less leg work - and more upper body work. But it's still a great workout. At lunch, I walked and did my sit-ups...always fun.
Saturday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Cardio Slam + Nordin's Butt Bible 2
Cardio Slam was so much fun last week that I did it again this week - but an abbreviated version. I love how this one raises my heart rate and keeps it up. Today, I did 30 minutes of Cardio Slam and then moved on to Butt Bible. Since my legs still hurt from Wednesday, I was dreading this workout. I upped my weights, but by only a bit. And it hurt. So, after that hour of torture, I stretched really well.
Sunday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: PHA Training
I woke up feeling horrible this morning. My head was pounding and I felt overall icky. Because of time restraints, I had to get up and work out immediately, just like a workday. I thought about not doing a workout. But I made myself get up and do this PHA Training. I got through 30 minutes before my head won the battle. I just couldn't do anymore. I stretched and called it a day. Sometimes, you just can't win.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - Labor Day - bad (for the last time)
Tuesday - 1161
Wednesday - 1187
Thursday - 1048
Friday - 1477
Saturday - 1188
Sunday - 1232
I weighed on Thursday and it wasn't as bad as I feared - only 3.4 pounds over my new "good" weight. I'm pretty sure I can get down to that weight in 7 weeks, especially since I did it in July in two weeks of healthy eating.
Also time to get more serious about doing YWA consistently. My schedule should even out this week, making that possible.
Monday: Cathe's X10 + Strong and Sweaty Abs
Since I was eating bad, one last day and on a holiday, I decided to subject myself to the unrelenting torture that is X10. I don't quite know what makes this one so tough but it is so tough. I did three of the circuits: low-impact, Hi-Lo, and Fat-Burning. As usual, I thought I was going to die. Heck, I didn't get out of the low impact without wishing for death. Oy. After that 45 minutes, I did some ab work (this one is not easy) and then stretched.
Tuesday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Ramped Up Upper Body + walk + YWA
Doing upper body work this morning was a good way to ease into the week after a long weekend. But I didn't take it easy - I even went up in some weights. It was a tough but good morning. At lunch, I walked at the rec center, needing steps after getting so few in the morning. I worked up a good sweat and then did some planks. This YWA, at the end of an especially horrible day, was very nice.
Wednesday: Cathe's Oh My Glutes + YWA
So I was ready for pain this morning but I was not ready for such a fast-paced workout. Cathe moves very quickly through a lot of leg exercises, barely giving you time to catch your breath. And you need a lot of breath because your heart will pound very hard throughout this workout. I liked it but it was a bit more intense than what I was expecting. But, hey - intense is what I need for the bikini!
Thursday: Dozois' BodyFit 360 Vol. 2 - Dance Conditioning + YWA
This rest day came along quickly, thanks to the short work week. I wanted to move a bit so I did some of the dance from this workout and then the entire stretch. It was very nice. Rain and the threat of bad traffic cut it short a bit, unfortunately. After work, I wanted a good, challenging, yet relaxing, YWA - and this one worked nicely. I got a bit sweaty and also stretched out my poor, tired legs. It was great!
Friday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Total Body Giant Sets + walk
I'm doing a lot of weights this week, focusing on the Strong and Sweaty series. It's a great series! My legs, however, were still really sore form Wednesday, making the leg work in this workout especially hurtful. And I kind of wish there was just a bit less leg work - and more upper body work. But it's still a great workout. At lunch, I walked and did my sit-ups...always fun.
Saturday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Cardio Slam + Nordin's Butt Bible 2
Cardio Slam was so much fun last week that I did it again this week - but an abbreviated version. I love how this one raises my heart rate and keeps it up. Today, I did 30 minutes of Cardio Slam and then moved on to Butt Bible. Since my legs still hurt from Wednesday, I was dreading this workout. I upped my weights, but by only a bit. And it hurt. So, after that hour of torture, I stretched really well.
Sunday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: PHA Training
I woke up feeling horrible this morning. My head was pounding and I felt overall icky. Because of time restraints, I had to get up and work out immediately, just like a workday. I thought about not doing a workout. But I made myself get up and do this PHA Training. I got through 30 minutes before my head won the battle. I just couldn't do anymore. I stretched and called it a day. Sometimes, you just can't win.
Calorie Counts:
Monday - Labor Day - bad (for the last time)
Tuesday - 1161
Wednesday - 1187
Thursday - 1048
Friday - 1477
Saturday - 1188
Sunday - 1232
I weighed on Thursday and it wasn't as bad as I feared - only 3.4 pounds over my new "good" weight. I'm pretty sure I can get down to that weight in 7 weeks, especially since I did it in July in two weeks of healthy eating.
Friday, September 7, 2018
A Pantheon of Cats
Here's Zeus, our outside friend who we had fixed and try our best to take of - outside. There's recently been another cat visiting our back porch, one who clearly gets along with our Zeus. We think it's his sister - though we're purely hypothesizing on the sex.
I like cats....but I'm not so sure about having multiple cats visit our porch. In the early days of feeding Zeus, we saw raccoons and possums come around. Since then, we've tried to not leave food out overnight, which has helped. But Zeus gladly shares his food with his sister, now named Artemis.
(If Artemis is indeed a boy, he may become Ares.)
Monday, September 3, 2018
Cathe Mish Mosh: Week 6
This week, I go back to Cathe's Gym Style workouts for some serious strength work. I can't say I'm terribly excited about this, but at least I know I'll get some great workouts!
This is our last week of bad eating before we buckle down to get ready for the all inclusive. Eek!
Monday: Cathe's Gym Style: Chest and Triceps + walk + YWA
I was not looking forward to these 72 push-ups to start another week. But I did them! Yes! And I didn't go down in any weights! That is tough to do considering just how much this workout taxes your fragile muscles. To get through the pain, I've found that concentrating on my breathing works wonders. At lunch, I walked at the rec center to get some steps - and some sit-ups in. This YWA seemed appropriate for today, given how much I ate over the weekend. Ha! Oy.
Tuesday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Boot Camp
This is my second boot camp workout in three days and it's amazing how much I enjoy them. There is so much variety! This one is formatted like this - cardio move, lower body strength, compound strength, upper body strength. So much to do that you never get bored! I used lighter weights and, because my chest and triceps were still sore from yesterday, I skipped the dips and push-ups.
Wednesday: Cathe's Gym Style: Back, Shoulders, and Biceps + walk
More weights today! At least this workout is the least painful of the Gym Style series. Ha! I went up in some weights, which is always good, and I did as much of this as I could in my allotted morning time slot. At lunch, I walked at the rec center and planked. The students are back and the rec is so busy these days. Ugh! I wish I had had time for yoga - my muscles need a good stretch.
Thursday: Ilyse's 10 Minute Dance Party + Cathe's Pilates Abs
I should have done yoga to stretch but I was craving a bit of dance...and I needed to attend to my abs for the week. I found this YouTube video of Ilyse Baker, which reminds me of just how much I miss FitnessGlo and all those wonderful dance workouts. After that, once I was nice and warm, I tuned into Cathe's 20-minute pilates core workout. It's tough - but not the toughest. It was good for a weekday morning!
Friday: Cathe's Gym Style: Legs + YWA
Oh. My. Goodness. This leg workout is so insane. I thought I'd burned as much as I could burn while doing it...but, no. Today was the worst. But I may say that every time. Ha! So many lunges and leg presses! And then, the floor work is just as painful. Wow. I'm glad to have this over for a while! After work, I did this YWA to stretch and relax. I really needed it; my legs had hurt all day!
Saturday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Cardio Slam
Cardio day! It's been awhile since I've done Cardio Slam and I really enjoyed it this morning. It works you hard - and is non-stop. The only relief is a few low-impact moves that Cathe blessedly gives you. My heart rate soared and stayed high throughout, which was exactly what I needed. This lasts for just under 50 minutes - and I did it all. And then I stretched and called it a day.
Sunday: Cathe's Jabs and Abs + Nordin's Butt Bible 2
I was looking forward to kickboxing.....but this workout had a lot more straight cardio than what I remembered. So, my feet were not happy. But, I made it through my goal of thirty minutes - and sweated a lot. Then, Butt Bible, which I was not looking forward to. There are side lunges in this level that, for some reason, really aggravate my calves. I made it through the full thirty minutes - and used 14 pounds for my one dumbbell. After that, a lovely stretch and a few abs exercises.
Calorie Counts:
HORRIBLE
This is our last week of bad eating before we buckle down to get ready for the all inclusive. Eek!
Monday: Cathe's Gym Style: Chest and Triceps + walk + YWA
I was not looking forward to these 72 push-ups to start another week. But I did them! Yes! And I didn't go down in any weights! That is tough to do considering just how much this workout taxes your fragile muscles. To get through the pain, I've found that concentrating on my breathing works wonders. At lunch, I walked at the rec center to get some steps - and some sit-ups in. This YWA seemed appropriate for today, given how much I ate over the weekend. Ha! Oy.
Tuesday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Boot Camp
This is my second boot camp workout in three days and it's amazing how much I enjoy them. There is so much variety! This one is formatted like this - cardio move, lower body strength, compound strength, upper body strength. So much to do that you never get bored! I used lighter weights and, because my chest and triceps were still sore from yesterday, I skipped the dips and push-ups.
Wednesday: Cathe's Gym Style: Back, Shoulders, and Biceps + walk
More weights today! At least this workout is the least painful of the Gym Style series. Ha! I went up in some weights, which is always good, and I did as much of this as I could in my allotted morning time slot. At lunch, I walked at the rec center and planked. The students are back and the rec is so busy these days. Ugh! I wish I had had time for yoga - my muscles need a good stretch.
Thursday: Ilyse's 10 Minute Dance Party + Cathe's Pilates Abs
I should have done yoga to stretch but I was craving a bit of dance...and I needed to attend to my abs for the week. I found this YouTube video of Ilyse Baker, which reminds me of just how much I miss FitnessGlo and all those wonderful dance workouts. After that, once I was nice and warm, I tuned into Cathe's 20-minute pilates core workout. It's tough - but not the toughest. It was good for a weekday morning!
Friday: Cathe's Gym Style: Legs + YWA
Oh. My. Goodness. This leg workout is so insane. I thought I'd burned as much as I could burn while doing it...but, no. Today was the worst. But I may say that every time. Ha! So many lunges and leg presses! And then, the floor work is just as painful. Wow. I'm glad to have this over for a while! After work, I did this YWA to stretch and relax. I really needed it; my legs had hurt all day!
Saturday: Cathe's Strong and Sweaty: Cardio Slam
Cardio day! It's been awhile since I've done Cardio Slam and I really enjoyed it this morning. It works you hard - and is non-stop. The only relief is a few low-impact moves that Cathe blessedly gives you. My heart rate soared and stayed high throughout, which was exactly what I needed. This lasts for just under 50 minutes - and I did it all. And then I stretched and called it a day.
Sunday: Cathe's Jabs and Abs + Nordin's Butt Bible 2
I was looking forward to kickboxing.....but this workout had a lot more straight cardio than what I remembered. So, my feet were not happy. But, I made it through my goal of thirty minutes - and sweated a lot. Then, Butt Bible, which I was not looking forward to. There are side lunges in this level that, for some reason, really aggravate my calves. I made it through the full thirty minutes - and used 14 pounds for my one dumbbell. After that, a lovely stretch and a few abs exercises.
Calorie Counts:
HORRIBLE
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Short Rows
A while back, as in last year, I wanted to knit a fabulous, big shawl with a lovely gradient set I'd purchased from Sundara Yarn. I found a lovely pattern called Verum, by Jana Huck, that I innocuously thought would be an easy knit.
Well, it is. But let me tell you this - I will never, ever knit anything as big as a shawl that has the term "short rows" anywhere in the pattern. This entire pattern is short rows - well, 85% of it is, to be fair. But the short rows are never ending. They are a time suck. Just when you think, "only a few more," days go by until you finish them. They are horrible. They were created by the devil. And I'll be happy if I never see one again - except in socks, of course (they need a heel, after all!).
Sigh. That being said, the pattern is nice. It's good, mindless knitting but also very clever. I had to ask Jana a question on Ravelry and she was mostly nice - and a tiny bit snarky. But then, I did question her instructions.
I'll be glad to have this project over. I was almost halfway done when I picked it up again at the beginning of August. I wanted to finish it for my August FO. We'll see....it's going to be close!
Monday, August 27, 2018
Cathe Mish Mosh: Week 5
This week, my Cathe focus shifts to XTrain. This is a tough series and the strength work is really good!
I wish my eating was going to be better....but it will be - soon enough!
Monday: Cathe's XTrain: Chest, Back, and Shoulders + walk
I actually meant to do the Burn Sets for this muscle group and accidentally clicked on this workout instead. Ack! Oh, well. I like that this one moves through each muscle group before repeating a group. That way, your muscles don't tire as quickly. At lunch, I walked at the rec center, needing steps and activity after so much weekend eating. Life interfered with yoga - again. Sigh.
Tuesday: Cathe's XTrain: Burn Sets - Bi's and Tri's + walk + YWA
More weights this morning - and I did the correct workout, finally! This was a great, effective, and reasonably timed workout! It last just under 40 minutes, which was perfect because I could do it all! And my arms were burning, for sure! Wow! At lunch, I walked again at the rec center, determined to get my steps this week! I also did my planking. After work, this YWA was light and refreshing.
Wednesday: Cathe's XTrain: All Out Low Impact HIIT
I was ready for cardio this morning - and low impact is always a treat. This one works you hard, especially at the beginning. But this morning, my heart rate did not want to climb. Maybe my FitBit wasn't awake yet. I felt like I got a great workout, and that's what matters in the long run. I was super happy to not have to walk at lunch today. I get so tired of sweating on my lunch break!
Thursday: YWA + Icy Core 1
For my rest day, I probably should have done something just a bit more active....but I really wanted some yoga. My body was craving it. And I got to do a longer session from Adriene's Revolution! Nice! I then did this core workout - not the easiest, but not the hardest. A good morning!
Friday: Cathe's ICE: Chiseled Lower Body Blast
A new workout! I love trying new-to-me Cathe workouts! And I haven't found an ICE workout that I didn't like. This Lower Body Blast is definitely a blast but Cathe veterans will be able to tell that it's an intermediate workout. My heart didn't seem to know that, however, because it pounded away like crazy! Whew! What a good way to start a Friday!
Saturday: Cathe's Bootcamp with Step Live + Nordin's Butt Bible 2
Today started with a new live workout from Cathe - one from 2015 that is still good. This bootcamp contains circuits that include a step cardio move, a lower body strength move, and then upper body. It was good - not my favorite, but still good. I always like the variety of these bootcamp workouts. After 30 minutes of that, I tuned into the next level of Butt Bible, which is 30 minutes long. And dang!!! I used a 12-pound weight for the weighted exercises, squeezed my bum like crazy, and was in constant pain. Fun! After that, I stretched out the legs really well!
Sunday: Cathe's XTrain: Tabatacise + Icy Core 2
I wasn't really looking forward to Tabatacise but at least I don't dread it like Crossfire. And I did pretty well with it, this time through. Sure, I thought I was going to die a few times, but that's normal. Ha! My heart rate was through the roof, which always makes me happy. After that 45 minutes, I did my second core workout of the week and stretched. A good day!
Calorie Counts:
I was really good on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The rest of the days were bad. Only one more week of bad eating and then it's time to buckle down!
I wish my eating was going to be better....but it will be - soon enough!
Monday: Cathe's XTrain: Chest, Back, and Shoulders + walk
I actually meant to do the Burn Sets for this muscle group and accidentally clicked on this workout instead. Ack! Oh, well. I like that this one moves through each muscle group before repeating a group. That way, your muscles don't tire as quickly. At lunch, I walked at the rec center, needing steps and activity after so much weekend eating. Life interfered with yoga - again. Sigh.
Tuesday: Cathe's XTrain: Burn Sets - Bi's and Tri's + walk + YWA
More weights this morning - and I did the correct workout, finally! This was a great, effective, and reasonably timed workout! It last just under 40 minutes, which was perfect because I could do it all! And my arms were burning, for sure! Wow! At lunch, I walked again at the rec center, determined to get my steps this week! I also did my planking. After work, this YWA was light and refreshing.
Wednesday: Cathe's XTrain: All Out Low Impact HIIT
I was ready for cardio this morning - and low impact is always a treat. This one works you hard, especially at the beginning. But this morning, my heart rate did not want to climb. Maybe my FitBit wasn't awake yet. I felt like I got a great workout, and that's what matters in the long run. I was super happy to not have to walk at lunch today. I get so tired of sweating on my lunch break!
Thursday: YWA + Icy Core 1
For my rest day, I probably should have done something just a bit more active....but I really wanted some yoga. My body was craving it. And I got to do a longer session from Adriene's Revolution! Nice! I then did this core workout - not the easiest, but not the hardest. A good morning!
Friday: Cathe's ICE: Chiseled Lower Body Blast
A new workout! I love trying new-to-me Cathe workouts! And I haven't found an ICE workout that I didn't like. This Lower Body Blast is definitely a blast but Cathe veterans will be able to tell that it's an intermediate workout. My heart didn't seem to know that, however, because it pounded away like crazy! Whew! What a good way to start a Friday!
Saturday: Cathe's Bootcamp with Step Live + Nordin's Butt Bible 2
Today started with a new live workout from Cathe - one from 2015 that is still good. This bootcamp contains circuits that include a step cardio move, a lower body strength move, and then upper body. It was good - not my favorite, but still good. I always like the variety of these bootcamp workouts. After 30 minutes of that, I tuned into the next level of Butt Bible, which is 30 minutes long. And dang!!! I used a 12-pound weight for the weighted exercises, squeezed my bum like crazy, and was in constant pain. Fun! After that, I stretched out the legs really well!
Sunday: Cathe's XTrain: Tabatacise + Icy Core 2
I wasn't really looking forward to Tabatacise but at least I don't dread it like Crossfire. And I did pretty well with it, this time through. Sure, I thought I was going to die a few times, but that's normal. Ha! My heart rate was through the roof, which always makes me happy. After that 45 minutes, I did my second core workout of the week and stretched. A good day!
Calorie Counts:
I was really good on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The rest of the days were bad. Only one more week of bad eating and then it's time to buckle down!
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Cathe Friedrich: XTrain - All Out Low Impact HIIT
One of my favorite low impact workouts is Cathe's All Out Low Impact HIIT. She proves that low impact can, indeed, be high intensity.
Cathe's XTrain series is phenomenal. All Out Low Impact HIIT is the only low impact cardio workout in the series - but it's the only one you need. After a very good warm-up, lasting about fives minutes, you're off!
This workout has three sections. This first section uses no equipment, except light weights - Cathe uses 5 pound dumbells (I used 6 lb). You do a lot of work that taxes your legs, and, therefore, raises the heart rate, i.e. sprint shooters, squats, squats to lunges.
The second section requires a step, though I did not use one, and the same dumbbells. This part seemed a bit easier to me, though you still have some moves that really work the legs. Ouch!
The third and shortest section uses sliding disks, which I did not use. Cathe takes you through jacks, mountain climbers, scissors, and swimming lunges. Obviously, you can modify all this based on your needs and equipment. All of this lasts for about 35 minutes, after which Cathe gives you a short stretch.
I love this workout. In fact, it maybe my favorite of Cathe's low impact workouts. It's effective and there is no boredom with these moves. There are some oldies and some new moves.
Bottom Line: This is a tough, advanced, high intensity workout. An intermediate or advanced exerciser will do best with this format.
Cathe's XTrain series is phenomenal. All Out Low Impact HIIT is the only low impact cardio workout in the series - but it's the only one you need. After a very good warm-up, lasting about fives minutes, you're off!
This workout has three sections. This first section uses no equipment, except light weights - Cathe uses 5 pound dumbells (I used 6 lb). You do a lot of work that taxes your legs, and, therefore, raises the heart rate, i.e. sprint shooters, squats, squats to lunges.
The second section requires a step, though I did not use one, and the same dumbbells. This part seemed a bit easier to me, though you still have some moves that really work the legs. Ouch!
The third and shortest section uses sliding disks, which I did not use. Cathe takes you through jacks, mountain climbers, scissors, and swimming lunges. Obviously, you can modify all this based on your needs and equipment. All of this lasts for about 35 minutes, after which Cathe gives you a short stretch.
I love this workout. In fact, it maybe my favorite of Cathe's low impact workouts. It's effective and there is no boredom with these moves. There are some oldies and some new moves.
Bottom Line: This is a tough, advanced, high intensity workout. An intermediate or advanced exerciser will do best with this format.
Monday, August 20, 2018
Cathe Mish Mosh: Week 4
This week, I'm focusing on Cathe's Low Impact Series, for something different. I haven't done a lot of these workouts since last fall/winter, so it's fun to do them again.
And after all of my Michelle Dozois workouts recently, it's nice to give my joints a break with some low impact work.
Monday: Cathe's Low Impact Series: Total Body Trisets (Upper ) + walk + YWA
My chest was still hurting from Friday's Gym Style torture session. And yet, here I was doing weights again this morning. This is not my favorite upper body strength video, but it's definitely effective - and my chest most definitely objected! At lunch, I walked at the rec center since I had no steps for the day so far. After work, I did this YWA on a whim - but it was so much better than I remembered. It really helped open up my sore chest and shoulders. Very nice!
Tuesday: Cathe's Low Impact Series: Cardio Supersets + Icy Core 1
All I remembered before today about Cardio Supersets was that I didn't like it as much as Afterburn. But today, I enjoyed it because it was different. I skipped a lot of the push-ups, deciding to give my upper body a break. I made up for it with standing cardio. But this was a great workout that kept my hear rate up there. After that, I did some core work, because I had some extra time. I had forgotten how tough this Icy Core is!
Wednesday: Cathe's Low Impact Series: Total Body Trisets (Lower) + walk
I didn't really remember this workout but it turned out to be really good. My heart rate quickly went up and had a hard time coming down! This workout does contain one of the hardest balancing challenges in all of Cathe's DVDs: a one-legged squat where you bend to the floor to release and then pick up weights. I can't do it; I do one-legged squats instead. At lunch, I walked at the rec center to get steps.
Thursday: Cathe's LIS: Afterburn + Icy Core 2
Whew! This workout always surprises me - it's always tougher than I expect. I was off Thursday and Friday so I had more time. I did all of this workout, so about 50 minutes of work. I then did my second core workout for the week. Ouch! I stretched really well - since my legs still hurt from Wednesday. Wow.
Friday: Cathe's Travel Fit
Since I was out of town today, but needed another strength workout, this seemed the perfect opportunity to try a new-to-me Cathe workout, Travel Fit. It uses bands instead of weights. I don't think bands are as effective as weights but I've found that they recruit different muscles - in a very good way. I did all of this workout, including the abs. My legs still hurt from Wednesday so that was a bit unpleasant. But a good workout!! It lasted 50 minutes.
Saturday: Cathe's MMA Boxing + Nordin's Butt Bible 1
I was still out of town today so I did 30 minutes of MMA Boxing - and really enjoyed it. I forget about these MMA - and they're very good! I love the cardio blasts within the boxing. After doing 30 minutes of that, I tuned into Nordin's Butt Bible - and this is my last time around with level 1. I used no weights today, since I wasn't home. But it still hurt. Almost immediately. Sigh.
Sunday: REST
Travel and catch up day.
Calorie Counts:
This week was so bad, I can't even tell you. Ugh.
And after all of my Michelle Dozois workouts recently, it's nice to give my joints a break with some low impact work.
Monday: Cathe's Low Impact Series: Total Body Trisets (Upper ) + walk + YWA
My chest was still hurting from Friday's Gym Style torture session. And yet, here I was doing weights again this morning. This is not my favorite upper body strength video, but it's definitely effective - and my chest most definitely objected! At lunch, I walked at the rec center since I had no steps for the day so far. After work, I did this YWA on a whim - but it was so much better than I remembered. It really helped open up my sore chest and shoulders. Very nice!
Tuesday: Cathe's Low Impact Series: Cardio Supersets + Icy Core 1
All I remembered before today about Cardio Supersets was that I didn't like it as much as Afterburn. But today, I enjoyed it because it was different. I skipped a lot of the push-ups, deciding to give my upper body a break. I made up for it with standing cardio. But this was a great workout that kept my hear rate up there. After that, I did some core work, because I had some extra time. I had forgotten how tough this Icy Core is!
Wednesday: Cathe's Low Impact Series: Total Body Trisets (Lower) + walk
I didn't really remember this workout but it turned out to be really good. My heart rate quickly went up and had a hard time coming down! This workout does contain one of the hardest balancing challenges in all of Cathe's DVDs: a one-legged squat where you bend to the floor to release and then pick up weights. I can't do it; I do one-legged squats instead. At lunch, I walked at the rec center to get steps.
Thursday: Cathe's LIS: Afterburn + Icy Core 2
Whew! This workout always surprises me - it's always tougher than I expect. I was off Thursday and Friday so I had more time. I did all of this workout, so about 50 minutes of work. I then did my second core workout for the week. Ouch! I stretched really well - since my legs still hurt from Wednesday. Wow.
Friday: Cathe's Travel Fit
Since I was out of town today, but needed another strength workout, this seemed the perfect opportunity to try a new-to-me Cathe workout, Travel Fit. It uses bands instead of weights. I don't think bands are as effective as weights but I've found that they recruit different muscles - in a very good way. I did all of this workout, including the abs. My legs still hurt from Wednesday so that was a bit unpleasant. But a good workout!! It lasted 50 minutes.
Saturday: Cathe's MMA Boxing + Nordin's Butt Bible 1
I was still out of town today so I did 30 minutes of MMA Boxing - and really enjoyed it. I forget about these MMA - and they're very good! I love the cardio blasts within the boxing. After doing 30 minutes of that, I tuned into Nordin's Butt Bible - and this is my last time around with level 1. I used no weights today, since I wasn't home. But it still hurt. Almost immediately. Sigh.
Sunday: REST
Travel and catch up day.
Calorie Counts:
This week was so bad, I can't even tell you. Ugh.
Friday, August 17, 2018
Zeus
Our little outside furry friend, Zeus, is still hanging around. And he's adorable. He shows up every night between 7 and 8 and stays until about 7am. We have no idea where he spends his days but I'm so glad he's with us every night. He's a sweetie.
Monday, August 13, 2018
Cathe Mish Mosh: Week 3
This week, I'm back to Cathe! And I'm going back to a seriously difficult strength series: Gym Style!
Let's see just how painful this is going to be...
Monday: Cathe's High Intensity Cardio Step
I wasn't really excited about more cardio this morning but I had high hopes for this Cathe Live workout. And it did not disappoint. There was no crazy complex step choreography in this step workout! Yes! It was easy to follow, intense, and effective! I really enjoyed the steady cardio - which Cathe doesn't do often. There were a few blasts thrown in but most of it was steady. I stopped it before she got to weights and cooled down a bit. Nice!
Tuesday: Cathe's Gym Style: Back, Shoulders, and Biceps + walk + YWA
These Gym Style workouts are incredible. I've been wanting to revisit them, as the last time I did them was in the fall. And I need muscles for my bikini in 11 weeks. Ha! This is not an easy workout - I lifted as heavy as I could. And I did concentration curls, which I abhor. At lunch, I walked at the rec center since I needed steps. I also did my sit-ups. There are not going to be many opportunities for yoga this week, so I did one today, when I knew I had time. And this was a good one!
Wednesday: Cathe's Gym Style: Legs + walk
I knew I was in for some pain today - and I was right. This leg workout is intense! I love it! Ha! Squats, pulsing lunges, more low pulsing lunges, leg presses, and floor work...wow! Every inch of your legs suffer - er, grow stronger! - with this workout. My heart was pounding for most of the standing work. At lunch, I walked at the rec center - so that, afterwards, I could stretch out my tired legs. I also planked!
Thursday: Michelle's BodyFit 360 Vol. 4: Energize + abs
Rest day! And this was the perfect opportunity to try Michelle Dozois' new BodyFit workout, which was just released. I didn't get to do it all but what I did do was a lot of fun! The dance sequences were creative and energizing - go figure! I didn't do the sculpt but I did some of the stretch, which was also very good. This is a great addition to this 360 series! I added on some abs - Cathe's Crossfire abs.
Friday: Cathe's Gym Style: Chest and Triceps
OMG. So I remembered this one being painful; I definitely remembered the 72 push-ups that begin the workout. But I did not remember just how painful it is. I couldn't press as much weight as usual after all those push-ups. And then, after all the chest work, the tricep exercises were traumatic. At one point, my entire chest - boobs and all - were visibly shaking from the effort it took my triceps to lift 8 pounds. EIGHT POUNDS. Ouch.
Saturday: Dozois' Peak 10 Cardio Strength + abs
This morning, I went back to Michelle Dozois' original Cardio Strength. What a workout! This one is really good and straight-forward because the choreography isn't all that complicated. The strength moves are simple and the cardio is tough - and not overly dance-y. I did 4 rounds for a total of 45 minutes - and it was not easy! Dang! After that, I did about 8 minutes of abs from a live Cathe workout. Then, a stretch!
Sunday: Cathe's Hi-Lo HIIT Live + Nordin's Butt Bible 1
HIIT today! Cathe's Hi-Lo HIIT is short and sweet, with cardio that runs for 30 minutes. It wasn't easy, but it was fun! Cathe alternates a high impact HIIT move with a low impact HIIT move. Sometimes the low impact HIIT feels easy, but not generally - so your heart rate stays up the entire time. After that, it was time for my lower body torture session with Pauline Nordin. I added some weights to the squats and bridges, making those especially fun. After that 25 minutes, a stretch!
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1812
Tuesday - 1277
Wednesday - 1277
Thursday - 1233
Friday - 1737
Saturday - 1588
Sunday - BAD
Not a great week.... But I'll be on the straight and narrow come September, so I'd better enjoy this time!
Let's see just how painful this is going to be...
Monday: Cathe's High Intensity Cardio Step
I wasn't really excited about more cardio this morning but I had high hopes for this Cathe Live workout. And it did not disappoint. There was no crazy complex step choreography in this step workout! Yes! It was easy to follow, intense, and effective! I really enjoyed the steady cardio - which Cathe doesn't do often. There were a few blasts thrown in but most of it was steady. I stopped it before she got to weights and cooled down a bit. Nice!
Tuesday: Cathe's Gym Style: Back, Shoulders, and Biceps + walk + YWA
These Gym Style workouts are incredible. I've been wanting to revisit them, as the last time I did them was in the fall. And I need muscles for my bikini in 11 weeks. Ha! This is not an easy workout - I lifted as heavy as I could. And I did concentration curls, which I abhor. At lunch, I walked at the rec center since I needed steps. I also did my sit-ups. There are not going to be many opportunities for yoga this week, so I did one today, when I knew I had time. And this was a good one!
Wednesday: Cathe's Gym Style: Legs + walk
I knew I was in for some pain today - and I was right. This leg workout is intense! I love it! Ha! Squats, pulsing lunges, more low pulsing lunges, leg presses, and floor work...wow! Every inch of your legs suffer - er, grow stronger! - with this workout. My heart was pounding for most of the standing work. At lunch, I walked at the rec center - so that, afterwards, I could stretch out my tired legs. I also planked!
Thursday: Michelle's BodyFit 360 Vol. 4: Energize + abs
Rest day! And this was the perfect opportunity to try Michelle Dozois' new BodyFit workout, which was just released. I didn't get to do it all but what I did do was a lot of fun! The dance sequences were creative and energizing - go figure! I didn't do the sculpt but I did some of the stretch, which was also very good. This is a great addition to this 360 series! I added on some abs - Cathe's Crossfire abs.
Friday: Cathe's Gym Style: Chest and Triceps
OMG. So I remembered this one being painful; I definitely remembered the 72 push-ups that begin the workout. But I did not remember just how painful it is. I couldn't press as much weight as usual after all those push-ups. And then, after all the chest work, the tricep exercises were traumatic. At one point, my entire chest - boobs and all - were visibly shaking from the effort it took my triceps to lift 8 pounds. EIGHT POUNDS. Ouch.
Saturday: Dozois' Peak 10 Cardio Strength + abs
This morning, I went back to Michelle Dozois' original Cardio Strength. What a workout! This one is really good and straight-forward because the choreography isn't all that complicated. The strength moves are simple and the cardio is tough - and not overly dance-y. I did 4 rounds for a total of 45 minutes - and it was not easy! Dang! After that, I did about 8 minutes of abs from a live Cathe workout. Then, a stretch!
Sunday: Cathe's Hi-Lo HIIT Live + Nordin's Butt Bible 1
HIIT today! Cathe's Hi-Lo HIIT is short and sweet, with cardio that runs for 30 minutes. It wasn't easy, but it was fun! Cathe alternates a high impact HIIT move with a low impact HIIT move. Sometimes the low impact HIIT feels easy, but not generally - so your heart rate stays up the entire time. After that, it was time for my lower body torture session with Pauline Nordin. I added some weights to the squats and bridges, making those especially fun. After that 25 minutes, a stretch!
Calorie Counts:
Monday - 1812
Tuesday - 1277
Wednesday - 1277
Thursday - 1233
Friday - 1737
Saturday - 1588
Sunday - BAD
Not a great week.... But I'll be on the straight and narrow come September, so I'd better enjoy this time!
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