So far behind...

I am so far behind in recording my workouts that I can't remember what workouts I've done in order to record them! How awful is that!?

Well, I can go back a couple of days here and report what's fresh in my memory. But I can't for the life of me remember what I did late last week and earlier this week. Whoops!

Wednesday (5/25)
Workout: Muscle Max
Duration: 1:01:23
Kcal / %Fat: 383 / 45%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 117% / 74% (what the heck?? I went over my max HR!)
Time in Moderate Zone: 24:00

Tuesday (5/24)
Workout: Step Blast
Duration: 56:58
Kcal / %Fat: 382 / 40%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 95% / 77%
Time in Moderate Zone: 29:06

BOOTCAMP!!!!

Today is an exciting day for me. I did Bootcamp for the first time ever. This one has been sitting on my shelf for a couple of weeks, and I had not tried it yet because I was just too scared. It is one of the most challenging, if not THE most challenging Cathe workouts in existence. It's a high-intensity circuit workout consiting of 8 circuits of the following format: 1 minute of high-intensity cardio, 1 minute of lower body, 1 minute of upper body, and 1 minute of core training. So you get cardio and a total body strength workout. The cardio is what kicks this workout into high gear really fast. Very high intensity! This workout is fun, and not nearly as scary as I expected. I will be doing it again!


Workout: Bootcamp
Duration: 59:33
Kcal / %Fat: 456 / 35%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 96% / 81%
Time in Moderate Zone: 18:17

Kick Punch & Crunch

This one is so fun, and so great for getting out your aggressions. :-P

I did it until I ran out of time, basically. So all the way through Kickbox Drill #2, then did the stretch. Fun fun fun!


Workout: Kick Punch & Crunch
Duration: 53:49
Kcal / %Fat: 377 / 35%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 92% / 78%
Time in Moderate Zone: 7:47

Supersets

Here's a fun one! Great total body workout - what a burner for the legs. There were several "new" exercises that I hadn't ever done before, which is always nice for a change of pace. I did the 2 Groups, 3 Rounds Premix to get the workout to about 60 minutes (the actual workout is only like 45 minutes, so I did some 2 extra rounds to add some time on). I think the combo was 1A+1B+1A + 2A+2B+2A, minus all the core work (I just did core the day before).

Workout: Supersets (2 Groups, 3 Rounds, No Core Premix)
Duration: 58:23
Kcal / %Fat: 334 / 45%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 91% / 72%
Time in Moderate Zone: 15:22

Low Max and Core Max

This was a nice combination of Low Max (step only premix) and segment 2 of Coremax. Still can't do those pikes on the ball (although it's hard to tell without seeing myself do it - maybe I am doing better than I think I am?). I love the Low Max step only premix. Fun! I did it on a 4" step, though, and it wasn't quite hard enough - next time I'll use 6" for step only. When I do the blasts, 4" is plenty!

Workout: Low Max
Duration: 48:07
Kcal / %Fat: 226 / 55%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 78% / 66%
Time in Moderate Zone: 10:02


Workout: Core Max (#2)
Duration: 19:51
Kcal / %Fat: 58 / 60%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 69% / 58%
Time in Moderate Zone: 00:00

High Step Training

I am way behind in posting my workouts - so I can't provide a lot of emotional insight as I simply don't remember how I felt doing this workout on Saturday, other than it was pretty exhausting! :-)


Workout: High Step Training
Duration: 1:01:17
Kcal / %Fat: 453 / 35%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 95% / 80%
Time in Moderate Zone: 13:25

Step Blast

Gosh I just love this workout - it is so much fun! I did it on my 4" step today and it was just perfect. I need to get more of Cathe's stead-state step workouts because they are fun. Oh, I did modify a lot of the high impact moves to make them low impact. I've been having some pain in my left knee and figured it was a result of doing high impact stuff lately. So I'm trying to tone it down. It's hard not to do those hops and "power" moves though because they look so fun! :-)

Workout: Step Blast
Duration: 56:18
Kcal / %Fat: 385 / 40%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 92% / 77%
Time in Moderate Zone: 26:24

Muscle Max

Today was a nice total-body strength workout. I have been doing the Gym Styles for a few weeks now and doing a total-body workout is a big change from that. I definitely don't expect to see any huge improvements in my strength, but then again, that's not my goal right now. I do enjoy Muscle Max though. It's a good burner, and I still get DOMS.


Workout: Muscle Max
Duration: 1:07:57
Kcal / %Fat: 382 / 45%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 91% / 71%
Time in Moderate Zone: 25:56

One good thing about total body strength workouts is that they do get your heart rate up for a good amount of time. :-)

Kick Max

This morning was a fun-filled kickboxing experience - always a good way to relieve stress and get out your aggressions. Plus, it's just darn fun. I did the Bootcamp Challenge Premix (I think that's what I did!), which was about 50 minutes long. It consisted of a warmup, some high intensity intervals, kickboxing combos, and stretch. I am finding myself much more coordinated during kickboxing combos than I was when I first started doing kickboxing. When I first started, I was a mess. Let's say the combination was supposed to be jab, cross, uppercut, uppercut. My actual combination looked more like flailing arms, waving arms, flailing arms, punch myself in the chin. There is some coordination involved in kickboxing! I no longer punch myself in the face, although there is always the possibility that I will slip and do it again. LOL!

Workout: Kick Max (Bootcamp/Kickbox Combos Premix)
Duration: 51:44
Kcal / %Fat: 359 / 35%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 95% / 78%
Time in Moderate Zone: 10:20

I think tomorrow I'll do MuscleMax - I have been craving some good strength training.

Step, Jump & Pump

Today's workout was another new one for me. I didn't do the whole thing (which is 73 minutes), but I did the Step, Hi/Lo and Weights Premix (60 minutes). It was an excellent workout - I was sweating up a storm! After doing gym-style weight lifting for the past 3 weeks, and now moving on to more total-body weight workouts and circuit style workouts, it's a big change. I don't feel like I'm adding any strength at all. But I guess that's not my goal right now anyway. The goal is to lose body fat, while minimizing muscle loss. So if I can maintain my strength, I'll be on the right track.


Workout: Step, Jump & Pump (step, hi/lo, weights premix)
Duration: 59:10
Kcal / %Fat: 423 / 35%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 95% / 79%
Time in Moderate Zone: 15:06


Oh, and I forgot to review last week's overall stats, so here they are:

Week Ending 05/08
Exercise Count: 8
Exercise Time: 6:06:09
Calories Burned: 2268
Time in Light / Moderate / Hard Zones: 2:32:18 / 1:28:40 / 2:02:48

IMAX 3

This morning was IMAX 3 - a workout that was apparently designed for the masochist. I really like it, but it is extremely challenging. I did it on my 4" step for the first time, and that was pretty good - maybe still a little too tough, but I'll get better at it. I was actually able to click my heels together on the first set of plie jacks. It wasn't easy, but I did it! And I did some of the tuck jumps and airborne jacks and jumping onto the step - which is more than I've managed before. Jumping is hard for me, but at least I can jump onto a 4" step without tripping and falling. :)

Workout: IMAX 3
Duration: 59:10
Kcal / %Fat: 473 / 30%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 99% / 84%
Time in Moderate Zone: 18:22

How funny - the time in moderate zone is exactly the same as for the Low Max workout I did on Saturday. Weird!

I am starting a new rotation now - this one for fat loss. So there will be a lot more cardio and circuits in my rotation now, and less heavy weights. I'd like to lose a bit of my flab before the big trip, ya know? :)

Low Max and Core Max

Today I was feeling masochistic, apparently, and worked out for a full 90 minutes. Straight! I did Low Max, which is just a fabulous workout and I love it so much! Then I did segment 1 of Core Max (which I have decided is actually more difficult than Segment 2, even though Cathe says each one is progressively harder) Yes, it was a lot of working out... but I am going to be going to New Jersey in July to meet Cathe and work out with her live in her brand new gym. I am so excited about this trip - I'm going to meet lots of other people from the Cathe forums and it is going to be a blast! But, I am going to have to get into really good shape for it so I can keep up in the live classes. Cathe is going to be having 4 classes during the 2-day event, and that's a lot of working out!


Workout: Low Max
Duration: 1:13:58
Kcal / %Fat: 604 / 30%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 98% / 85%
Time in Moderate Zone: 18:22

Oh yeah, I did this workout on my brand new (used) club step, at a 4" height. I liked it a lot better than my 6.5" Firm Box, and better than doing it on the floor with no step. 4" is perfect!

Workout: Core Max (#1)
Duration: 21:09
Kcal / %Fat: 74 / 55%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 79% / 61%
Time in Moderate Zone: 1:12

Gym Style Chest & Triceps

Upper body today - chest and triceps. I am getting better at those pushups every time I do this workout. I still don't do them on my toes. My goal is to be able to do them all on my knees first, then I'll worry about trying to do them on my toes. It was an excellent workout - my pecs and triceps were seriously fried by the end.

Workout: Gym Style Chest & Triceps
Duration: 48:36
Kcal / %Fat: 168 / 60%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 76% / 60%
Time in Moderate Zone: 2:10

Gym Style Legs, and Core Max

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Today was lower body work - of the standing variety. I have a love/hate relationship with standing leg work. I love it because it gets into those butt muscles real good and I get a nice burn, and really nice DOMS after a good standing leg workout. I hate it because it really gets me winded - it's more aerobic than I would like. But I do like that I am seeing aerobic benefit during these kidns of workouts. I just worry (probably irrationally) that I will sit into a squat and not be able to get back up. I can see myself pushing my LifeAlert necklace button and yelling "Help! I've squatted, and I can't get up!" Ok, I don't really have one of those LifeAlert thingies... but maybe I should. Just for squats. And lungses. And leg press. Yeah, just those things. Oh, and plie squats. Yes, especially plie squats.


Workout: Gym Style Legs (standing)
Duration: 45:00
Kcal / %Fat: 300 / 40%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 92% / 77%
Time in Moderate Zone: 13:04

Workout: Core Max (#2 - stability ball)
Duration: 19:22
Kcal / %Fat: 88 / 55%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 69% / 65%
Time in Moderate Zone: 4:12

Step Blast

So I was wrong yesterday - today was not a leg workout. IMAX2 was on the schedule, but I don't own this workout. So I did Step Blast instead... Another fantastic step workout from Cathe. This one was a lot of fun, and a real calorie burner (at least for me). It was my first time doing this one, and the steps were tricky, but I did get them all down. I credit Cathe's excellent cueing. I did this workout on my 6.5" Firm box. It was too high for me. I've got a Club Step on order and should receive it today or tomorrow - this will allow me to do workouts at a 4" step height, which should be much better for my current fitness level. My heart rate was very high during this workout, and it probably shouldn't have been. (Except for during the blasts) The blasts... yes, a 4" step will probably be extremely good for me when it comes to Cathe's blasts. Jumping is not a strong suit of mine, and she does a lot of it during the blasts. Crazy woman! ;-)

Workout: Step Blast
Duration: 56:02
Kcal / %Fat: 505 / 25%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 99% / 89%
Time in Moderate Zone: 9:26

Well, there you have it. My highest heart rate achievement ever! 99% of max. I wasn't keeping really close tabs on my HRM during the workout, so I'm not sure when this actually occured. But my guess is during the 3rd blast, which I was unable to complete because I was so winded.

Over 500 calories burned - another record for me. I could probably meet or beat this with IMAX3, but I cheat on that workout by not using a step (until I get my 4" step). :-)

Gym Style Back, Shoulders & Biceps

Back to Cathe today. Thank goodness! I truly missed her when I did some imposter workout yesterday. Steamin' Cardio my foot! Oh my, do you see what I have become? I have become a Cathe snob! :-)

Today was Back Shoulders and Biceps, the usual Tuesday workout during my strength building rotation. This is week 3 of the rotation - after next week, I think I'll move on to Cathe's fat loss rotation. No sense in building up all this lovely lean muscle if you can't see any of it because of my unlovely fat layer. This body is a work in progress. :-)

Workout: Gym Style Back, Shoulders and Biceps
Duration: 50:31
Kcal / %Fat: 246 / 55%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 82% / 67%
Time in Moderate Zone: 14:34

I would like to take a moment to reflect on these heart rate stats. Please, join me in scrolling down to the last time I did this workout (last Tuesday). You will notice that my max HR and avg HR are lower this time as compared with last time. I spent less time in the aerobic zone. I burned fewer calories. Some might view this in a negative light - "Oh no! You're burning less calories!" But I see this is a major accomplishment. My heart is stronger. I can do the same workout without my heart working as hard - which means I have realized an increase in my stroke volume. Another thing I noticed during today's workout was that I was able to finish all the reps for the first time. Not using Cathe's weights, of course. But using the same weights I used the last 2 times. I couldn't get through all the shoulder presses before. But today I did. Or all the concentration curls. But today I did. Oh I'm still pretty wimpy when it comes to my upper body strength, but I am seeing improvements already in both my strength and aerobic capacity. Yay for me!

I think tomorrow is lower body - Gym Style Legs, standing portion. And abs I think - so a segment of Core Max as well. Dare I attempt the stability ball segment???? Perhaps... but don't expect me to be doin' any pikes. Homey don't play like that. Yet. ;-)

Steamin' Cardio

Well, my legs are still so sore from Pyramid Lower Body, that I could not even bear the thought of doing kickboxing this morning. So I decided to *gasp* deviate from my Cathe rotation. I know, I know. How could I? Believe me, I felt like I was cheating on Cathe. Tomorrow I will be back to my regularly-scheduled Cathe rotation, I promise. But today I needed to take it easy, and get some blood flowing to the legs and glutes without putting a ton of strain on them with endless squats and kicks. Steamin' Cardio was good for this purpose. I don't like this workout as much as I did when I did it the first time. Maybe it's because I've become a Catheite since I first did this one, and I need something more challenging than any of the WHFN workouts can offer. I'm not sure what it is. I like Heidi Tanner - she's a good instructor, and her comment about "they should call it Steamin' Thighs" cracks me up every time. But I just didn't feel like I was working hard enough. I guess that's what I wanted today though - to not work really hard.


Workout: Steamin' Cardio
Duration: 51:31
Kcal / %Fat: 283 / 45%
Max HR% / Avg HR%: 85% / 71%
Time in Moderate Zone: 25:40

On tap for tomorrow is GS Back, Shoulders and Biceps. You know how much I love fried biceps! Good thing, cause that's what I'll be having tomorrow morning. ;-)