September, 2019
This month I am (very) loosely following Cathe's September Rotation, but inserting workout blender combinations, Cathe Live and yoga.
1 - Rest day
2 -
Workout Blender: Strong & Sweaty Total Body Giant Sets - PHA Style (39 min.); My Workout Blender: Blizzard Blast Sweatfest (ICE BC/CLBB/R'm S'm/MTB/LIS=21 min.); STS Extended Stretch LOVED this workout the PHA style way! Alternated lower body with upper body moves working total body....I was breathing!! P/U's and upright rows were omitted which was awesome, LOL. Inner thighs are majorly worked with all the side lunges (which was awesome, LOL). Added on my Blizzard Blast concoction which includes all of the BB's from ICE.
So nice I have "quick" access to the stretches...otherwise I would probably not go to the trouble to pull out my STS workouts just to do this stretch. It's a goodie!
3 -
My Workout Blender: Kickbox Combos (ICE R'm S'm; KPC; Lean Legs & Abs (no core/barre=70 min.) LOVED this combination that focuses on leg conditioning. I know now why Cathe goes so light in LL&A....its' focus is more on leg conditioning than leg strength and was perfect today since I didn't want to use heavy weights from doing yesterday's total body workout. FABULOUS combination if I do say so myself!
4 -
3.77 mile walk; Mow Max/Yard Work 1.5 hours; Heart Alchemy Yoga (Kick Ass Core Yoga Workout) Michelle's class was a core burner! Gotta love getting my yoga and core work done simultaneously.
5 -
RwH LIHI Back/Bi's/Shoulders (Premix 6-2 sets); Beast Build Back & Bi's; PUB (Stretch) This LIHI premix today just didn't seem like enough and I felt like adding more. I was craving some Beast lately, so this was the perfect opportunity. Love! I missed my pull-downs and felt so great to include them. I think my bra fat stays minimal when I do these regularly....I must include them again! I skipped the DL's and the core...felt really strong today. Sagi makes me
want to lift heavier!
Side note: I had an eye exam and got my eyes dilated....this was my first time. Wow, that is a rush of brightness!!!! I was wearing their little cardboard sunglasses with mine over them...jeesh, even with double the sunglasses, it was hard to drive!! (I had the option to do it another day with a driver present, but chose to have it done today, so can't be upset with them. Maybe that wasn't such a wise choice?) Later I went to Walmart...I didn't remember that store being so bright, LOL!! But home now and my eyes are finally getting back to normal...sigh. I know for next time to "prepare" or maybe just skip it!
6 -
Cathe Live Cardio HiiT Plus Core #262 (47 min.); additional stretch No wonder Cathe includes in this description to double knot your laces! You will definitely need those good crosstrainers for this one - lots of lateral moves in this high energy sweatfest!! Steady State cardio from the get-go then it shifts into HiiT work before some core. VERY FUN one!!! I did a few tuck jumps on my rebounder, but mostly on the floor as shown since there wasn't very many reps. Lots of j. jacks, though, so take heed. ;-) This one could be a space hog since for a few of the exercises, you put DB's down for mile markers and either run to touch them, pick them up, or reach them for lateral skaters. Was it me, or did that core work seem super tough afterward?? Even Cathe was complaining, LOL. This was a good choice for me to sub for Plyo HiiT One/Bonus Abs One as originally scheduled as it was very similar, but I had a blast doing a "new to me" Plyo HiiT One! ;-) Even the music in this seems a little improved. Great cardio/core workout!
7 -
RwH LIHI Chest/Tri's/Shoulders (2 sets); Beast Build Chest & Tri's; stretch
This week starts my Fall obligations on Tuesdays and Fridays, so I possibly may be taking more rest days per week. I've been feeling a little beat up lately, so this might be a good thing. ;-)
8 -
Tilak's Altar Of The Heart (55 min.) Every year I vow to do this one at least once. I should pull it out more often, as it is just a classic.
9 -
ICE Boot Camp Circuit (all but stretch); Icy Core 2; Rockout Knockout (Combos only & stretch) Well, I'm good for 2 days' workouts this week...The schedule really calls for IC1 but I like 2 better. :-) And the combos are about the only thing I can tolerate of RK...I traded that one away long ago. IBCC...well, it's not exactly a favorite either. So I did excerpts of 3 of my not-so-favorite workouts today...the things we do to follow a rotation, LOL.
10- Rest day
11-
Cathe Live Legs For Days #264 You utilize the step in a 4" position for the whole thing, doing MILLIONS of lunge variations. (If you don't like lunges, stay far away!). I consider this one more of a metabolic workout since it's weighted work with a quicker pace. It's format is similar to a PHA leg workout (without the upper body), with 3 rounds of 3 sets of exercises (but seems long doing them on each leg) with a FW band finisher. I liked the FW band work but think I liked it more so in Rapid Fire Legs & Core---that workout is awesome! 46 min. of this type of work, then 10 min. mat work using the stability ball with inner thigh raises, hamstring roll-ins, etc. (I was glad there wasn't any hydrants!). Ended with a short stretch. Very good workout (loved the side lunges using the step!) but I did have to change up some of the exercises for my knees. Very different vibe for this one...I may need to do it again to see if I feel it more as I wasn't using very heavy weights but it's b/c it's more of a leg conditioning workout like LL&A.
12-
My workout Blender: XT Bi's/Tri's/LITE Metabolic Blast Calorie Crush as a circuit w/o; Yoga30For30 (Gentle); Mow Max (2 miles of steps) This was so fun!! Loved doing it as a circuit workout, sometimes doing 2 Crush exercises in a row and sometimes doing 2 XT exercises in a row. Really like the Crush exercises in this one!! And once again, the difference in volume is so ridiculous b/t the two workouts...XT so soft and LITE blaring! I cut Gentle short probably 5 min due to a scheduled delivery of a new washer/dryer. First time I'm actually looking forward to doing laundry! haha
13- Rest day
14-
My Workout Blender: XT Chest/Back/Shoulders/Tabatacise exercises as a circuit w/o; Crossfire (Core/stretch) This was another FUN one doing it as a circuit and I had a blast! This is the way I actually can tolerate Tabatacise, LOL. Doing these XT workouts this week reminded me how great they are and one of the few(er) sets that have fabulous music!!! Another dust bunny in CF for the core work...love that segment even if it is hard on the wrists, LOL. That move where you're in plank then raise each opposite limb off the mat simultaneously seemed a lot easier today...now I like it!
Great sweaty workout today...I think that extra rest day in there helped me to give it my all today. I burned more calories with this one as Monday's w/o. Again, I kept my weights lighter this week due to some elbow discomfort. I blame Sagi. He motivated me a little
too much last week, which caused me to go too heavy on a few exercises, which in turn, caused me some elbow pain this week...haha.
15-
Heart Alchemy Yoga (Gentle Yin Yoga Full Class of 2015 - 45 min.) Loved this class and just what I was needing...95% done lying on the floor. My mind did wander throughout...sometimes I can really tune out Michelle's incessant talking, but the stretches felt wonderful! My body is really tight....need to stretch more on those "rest days".
16-
Cathe Live Metabolic Bootcamp LIVE #263; Heart Alchemy Yoga (Yoga Chill out--Soften The Edges--15 min.) LOVED this easier Live - I think it's easier mostly due to the length (45 min.) and lighter weights are used. Perfect for those lighter days and days when short on time. It utilizes the step in highest position for some of the exercises as well as a bench. The 5 rounds just flew by for me...on the last round, instead of upright rows (again!), I did tricep k/b's and hammers. Not much work for tri's and bi's in this one. LIKE: the standing core work and LOVED the plank w/ feet on step exercise; step down/up while holding plank...I was freaking out when she asks if we should do it double time(!)? LOL, she doesn't, whew! Also was happy again to see that move from CF when you're in plank and lift opposite limb off floor! DISLIKE: the (mostly stretch of a warm-up...what was up with that??) and super short stretch at end....otherwise a WINNER! (I liked it much better than Intensity's Original Bootcamp that was on the rotation)....
Loved Michelle's stretch...it seemed like a much shorter Yin Yoga.
Feeling nicely worked out!
17- Rest day
18-
My Workout Blender: Hard Strikes (w/u & Combos - 25 min.); RwH LIHI Legs (Premix 3 Scrambler - 39 min.); stretch); Mow Max (2 mile walk); additional 2.53 mile walk OMG, I had such a FUN workout today!! I think the last time I did Hard Strikes was in June '17 and I don't remember it being so fun, but maybe b/c I only picked the combos which I thoroughly enjoyed. It really has great music. Couple that with the Premix 3 of LIHI Legs and I had a blast! I never did that premix before and LOVED it...it scrambles around the order of the exercises. LIHI Legs is a favorite anyway, but I might even like it better with this premix! Now if I could just cut out those close-up shots of Cathe's boobs w/ the blender, we'd be set, ugh! I'm really into these circuit workouts lately.
420 calorie burn and that was before both walks....beautiful day!
19-
Cathe Live Time To HiiT It Low Impact Live #247 (39 min.); RwH Bonus Abs 2; Michelle's Yin Yoga This Live was great for a lower energy day, low impact but higher intensity, and nice & short.
I did extra cardio yesterday, so this was perfect today.
20-
Yoga30For30 (Backbends) Got up early for this one....wow, my body has quite a difference of stiffness straight out of bed!!
21-
Cathe Live Total Body Giant Sets 3 #251 (60 min.); Michelle's HAY (Total Body Yoga Flow - 37 min.) Originally planned was a blender of Gym Style total body, but I couldn't face all those push-ups, LOL, and this Live does not include many at all, so it was FANTASTIC for a total body fryer!! Just love it - have to definitely DL this one...not sure about TBGS #2 since I'm afraid it'll freeze on me again and then I'll have a DL that freezes! The weight exercises in this one is just gold...the core work...well, I have a love/hate relationship with that segment! I think it's b/c we have to repeat it all again and by that time, I am toast!! Michelle's class wasn't the best choice for me....way too many Sun Sals and not much floor stretching which I really wanted after this Live. I added on spinal twists at the end and some upper body stretches.
I'm changing up the last week of Cathe's rotation to include only Cathe Live workouts (I didn't care for a lot of her choices anyway, so yay!). I need to try some newbies to be included in my LONG Down Load list, LOL, then I need to do a final pick and choose, which will be near impossible!!!
22-
Cathe Live Fit Body Boot Camp #142 (44 min.); Michelle's Deep Stretch Hips & Hammies Oh dear, I found another Live I can't do without!! I would say this one is more advanced and you will have a FIT body if you keep this one in your rotation. Non-stop cardio/weights/core work with little breaks throughout. Includes sliders (lots of inner thigh work!) and DB's. A butt-kicker, for sure, and it has a great big BITE at the end! Loved it!! Just shy of a 400 cal burn (after yoga). Eek, that's what I'm afraid of....finding more workouts I need to DL!....
23-
Cathe Live We're Talking Legs #226 (51 min.); Michelle's Yin Yoga The description is deceptive since it states there's 5 rounds of ALL leg exercises....well, there is a LOT of upper body weight work as well! This should really be categorized as a total body workout. And, to make matters even worse, LOL, about 14 min. in, my connection just died---black screen. WTH? So I had to log off and log back in and choose low quality (that's what I usually choose, but today I thought I'd choose high quality and look what happens!). Thankfully, I have found better leg workouts in her library so I can (finally) scratch one off my long list, LOL. Now I'm worried if these are downloaded as High Quality if they're going to be buffering and blacking out? Uh...just more to be concerned with! AND, this is so not a good time to be purchasing new things...with our new washer/dryer purchase ($$$$, which I LOVE!), my new dumbbell rack (which I LOVE!), new dumbbells (which I LOVE!) that now all match except for my heavies. It's so cool how everything sits on the rack and off the floor, including my stretchie bands, handled bands, med balls, yoga blocks, yoga mat, etc. <3 Sigh....I may not be buying any! However, I looked at my storage and I have over half, so I'm good there. Decisions, decisions!
24-
Five Parks Yoga (Yoga For Strength & Energy Class); Mow Max/Yard Work 1.5 hours This class was awesome! Really enjoyed it (even at the early hour!). I don't know how you girls w/o so early!!! The only thing I can muster early is yoga!!
25-
Cathe Live Booty Max #193; STS Extended Stretch; Slim & Limber Great lower body workout...
Clerkin, I was thinking of you during this...lots of good 'ol booty work! :0) It was challenging and I tried to up my weights in places. However, during the Cross Back Lunges (I think?) where Cathe uses (1) 15# weight, I picked up (2) by accident...I wondered why it seemed so hard, LOL. I downloaded this one too. :-) I added on lots of stretches, as Cathe's stretches aren't ever enough esp. for my hips! S&L was great to revisit! I had a stiff neck from sleeping wrong, so I wanted to include this stretch mostly for the neck stretches! <3
26-
3.44 mile walk; Shiva Rea's DS (Shanti/Shavasana) Enjoying this beautiful weather here too, I finally could take a walk (and not have to do a Cathe Live, LOL). After two cups of coffee with lots of energy, LOL, my time was pretty good: Mile 2 @13:02 being my best. (46 min. total). Times like these make me glad I wear my HRM w/ a strap...my total calorie burn was 409 and the walking app's total calories were 178!! Goes to show how inaccurate these apps are. My HR was 146+ (166 max) after my w/u for my walk, so after the yoga and all, my total cal burn was 517. Gotta love the afterburn effect! I haven't done Shiva's practice since 2016(!) and was reminded how fantastic a hip opener it is. Yes, it's "flowy" and yes, it's woo-woo-ish (I never did figure out how to "drink my breath", haha), but I keep the dvd around just for this stretch. <3 Feeling great - endorphins!!!
27- Rest day
28-
Cathe Live Total Body Blast with Step and Ball; stretch This was totally frustrating for me...it froze on me FOUR times and 2x, it took me back to the beginning of the workout!! Ugh. It's been really stormy here, so I hope that's why. This class uses a stability ball and includes step blasts (I quickly lowered mine to the lowest height - lots of moves jumping on/off), followed by weighted exercises for total body. Ends with core using the ball. Not a favorite for me but you can't love them all!!
29-
Five Parks Yoga (30 Min. Power Yoga Class) Great class that moves right along with lots of balance poses throughout.
30-
Slim Series Shape It Up (w/ my music) I couldn't decide what I wanted to do today (I'm kind of burnt out on Live now!) and pulled this one out. It's a great workout but she is relentless with no breaks! Love the standing core work, but I did have to stop and stretch my lower back occasionally. I used 8's & 12's, quickly lowering to 5's on those tricep k/b pulses! For some of the shoulder work (esp. while Kevin's awful form is going on, I did pull downs...maybe to not have to watch him, since I face the other way to do the pull downs??)! Instead of ankle weights, I used my FW band...that floor work is gold for strengthening knees. With ankle weights, though, I think (for me) it makes my knees worse. Gotta go with whatever works and feels good these days, right?! :0)