Fit Prime - kinder, gentler & more effective workouts?

[nancy]

I've noticed (and others have commented here and at VF recently) that I get better results in terms of fat loss doing WHFN/old Firm/AWT workouts than with intense split workouts like Cathe. Someone said, and I think she was right, that AWT is better for fat loss than Cathe, but Cathe can take an already fit person up to the next level (better muscle definition, etc.) I had tremendous success with Firm workouts several years ago - weight loss, increased strength, incredible amounts of energy, etc. At that point I joined a gym and could immediately keep up with advanced step classes, so apparently my cardio capacity was quite good.

I've been reading the "everything heartrate training" thread and I wonder if part of the reason for this success is because of the "gentle" nature of these workouts. Could it be that I was doing aerobic base building (ABB) without knowing it? I think my heart rate was ususally in the 65%-80% range most of the time. The most compelling, intriguing thing I read in Heidi's discussion of ABB was that it's a way to TRAIN YOUR BODY TO BURN MORE FAT rather than carbs. Life intervened since those days of being in great shape (divorce, remarriage, several moves, 2 kids...) so now I'm trying to lose about 40 pounds. I've done lots of intense Cathe-style workouts, alternating heavy weights and intense cardio 3x each per week, and the scale hasn't budged! If anything, I've gotten bigger. The more I tried to force the weight loss, the more my body clung to the fat, and the HUNGRIER I got.

Fast forward to the last couple of weeks. I've been doing FitPrime exclusively, and the scale has started to move in the right direction again. I'm no longer suffering shoulder pain, knee pain, constant colds, etc. And I'm happier! I just feel like I'm doing the right thing for my body. It's also gotten much easier to control my eating. I've cut way down on the stress eating, and am reaching for healthy stuff more often.

I read in magazines how you have to burn more calories than you take in (not rocket science), but they usually recommend endless hours of killer cardio for weight loss. This approach doesn't seem to work for me - it backfires. I'm going to listen to my body for a while and just focus on my WHFNs.

Sorry this post was so long! I'd love to hear your thoughts on ABB, WHFN and fat loss!

[kkallus1]

Nancy- I am responding the same way with these workouts. Plus, since I don't dread doing them my motivation is up. I felt and saw results pretty quick with the new workouts. I am not even trying to lose a bunch of weight, but dropped 3 lbs, too.
I love Cathe, she is a great instructor, but I often feel wiped out after her workouts so I don't look forward to them. I am so glad BBH made these workouts.

[Redeye]

I don't get it either! I'm not working as hard as in "killing myself" yet I keep getting DOMS (which I love BTW) in just the right places. :)

I've done a Cathe rotation and while I loved it because it was fun, I did have the dread factor (Boot Camp) yet I did not get DOMS like I'm getting now.

I think it's because when I'm doing a workout that's too hard for me, I tend to do 1/2 squats, 1/2 lunges, etc...anything to just get through the workout. I've slopped through long, hard workouts to the point it almost wasn't even the same thing. :o

With these new WHFNs, I'm thinking because it's so easy, I do full lunges, full squats, and I really listen to instructions and try to do everything just right. This might be the difference for me anyway.

Oh, one more thing: Yoga is deceptively difficult, and I'm seeing improvement with these workouts (proud warrier for example). I've always liked Yoga, and I certainly know it's good for me, but I haven't found a way to work it in until now.

[bettialice]

I am just guessing, but maybe these workouts are working smaller muscles that we don't ordinarily work in straight gym style workouts. Anna has incorporated moves that seem to make me sore in unusual places. I think these workouts are more of a total body workout than we assume. Or am I just way off base?

[suebee]

I really love these workouts. I feel energized after I exercise. I'm really paying attention to what the instructors are saying and trying to make every movement count and not just go through the motions. My body is telling me it really likes these too!

Susan

[jeanniem]

I think there is a big core factor here too. It is one of the reasons workouts like FitPrime/Kickbutt and TLP are just so effective for me in terms of weight control (working more of your muscle mass) and muscle definition (better stabilization through the core allows for better form and working multiple muscle groups at one time). I like Cathe, I use her several times a month, but AWT/Core strengthening just works best for me.

[Davida]

I also am getting sore in unusual places. I love these workouts, but my primary objective is to increase muscle mass so I feel I have to alternate with heavy lifting workouts. It would be nice if I were wrong about that. I wouldn't mind doing this type of workout all the time.

Dsvida

[Redeye]

Davida, I would LOVE to be doing these exclusively! They are so fun, beautiful, and relaxing.

I'm going to do Jammin's rotation of 4 WHFNs a week for about 6 weeks or more starting next week. Then I'm going to do my benchmark workout, Vol 1, and see where I stand.

I'll post about it. Man, I hope it works, because I LOVE these workouts and I don't want to do anything else.

[jensb]

That is so funny...I was just thinking that after the LONG GRUELING Cathe workouts I've done for the past 3 months.....Why haven't I really seen results? I too get the best results for my body w/ the old Firm+ the FitPrimes...and I have WAY MORE energy left for the rest of the day!!!

[newbodi]

I was really glad to read this thread because I was wondering if I was going to show significant weight loss results with this workout. They say that to lose weight you have to do between 60 and 90 minutes everyday to lose weight. I was wondering with these workouts can this happen even though none of them are that long.

[newbodi]

Davida, I would LOVE to be doing these exclusively! They are so fun, beautiful, and relaxing.

I'm going to do Jammin's rotation of 4 WHFNs a week for about 6 weeks or more starting next week. Then I'm going to do my benchmark workout, Vol 1, and see where I stand.

I'll post about it. Man, I hope it works, because I LOVE these workouts and I don't want to do anything else.

That is interesting I would definitely like to know how you do.

[Firm Believer]

Remember though that part of ABB is that after sticking to the low intensity workouts for some time, you max out and do really tough workouts that push your heartrate to the max.

I think that we are seeing the changes with these workouts because they are different from what we've been doing. To get best results, I think we need to plan to rotate back to those tough workouts eventually (and then back to WHFNs). Shock our bodies into submission. :cool:

[suebee]

I agree that we need to keep shaking up our workouts. It's true that your body gets used to what you are doing and you stop seeing results. I rotate between Cathe, Kathy Smith , Firm (GT) and oriiginal Firms. Right now I'm having a blast with Fitprimes (previewing Kickbutt). I just need variety.

Susan

[bzar]

folks - please join our ABB check-in!

i haven't bought any of the whfn workouts (ducking)....i bought too many workouts recently and trying to hold on for a little while. however, i am encouraged by everyone's news.:)

[PhyllisG]

According to Kristen McGee, yoga and pilates instructor, adding traditional weight training to yoga makes the moves 10 times more effective because you are engaging your butt, hips, thighs, low back and abs not only the muscle group that is doing the lifting. She gives the example of doing bicep curls while standing in the tree pose--balancing on one leg with the other folded on your calf for example. This made sense to me after seeing results from FP/KB without feeling wrung out after a workout.

[TinaT.]

Allie ~

I think everyone is different. I truly believe that using these workouts will give you the results you need + motivate you to eat better and all that comes with striving for a healthy lifestyle. I love the fact that I have no dread factor with my joints. My muslces don't feel strained, just worked. I'm able to do daily tasks without killing myself to bend over or more importantly.....I'd have to take extra rest days in order to recover from a workout. Not with these!! :D

[persiankat555]

__________________________________________________ _________________

With these new WHFNs, I'm thinking because it's so easy, I do full lunges, full squats, and I really listen to instructions and try to do everything just right. This might be the difference for me anyway.
__________________________________________________ _________________

I was thinking the same thing doing Flex Posture last night...I love the slower emphasis & the focusing on the moves. And since the focus on many of these workouts is on concentrating on how the muscles are working together, what I should be feeling, & visual images, I am getting more out of them. Since I have plenty of workouts to wipe me out completely, I love WHFN!

[bettialice]

One of the things I like about these workouts is the instructor keeps reminding you about your form. And asking questions about where and what are you feeling during certain exercises. It makes you pay attention to what is actually going on with your body. I am always finding I am not in the best position or standing tall or working my core etc. Another is the functional fitness moves that help in daily life. For example: picking something up off the floor and twisting and putting it up on a shelf (Pump). I am really liking the rotating moves that mimic what we do everyday. And I have had some pilates tapes that just about bored me to tears and yoga ones way too advanced. Anna has blended all these things into her workouts along with cardio and strength. And great stretching. And I don't feel exhausted when done. What is there not to like? I just love 'em. :D