TAKE 2: DAY 30

DAY 30:  Ply OH metrics

Let me just say this program apparently does what it's supposed to!  At the end of week 3, the workouts were feeling, while not exactly *easy*, much more doable.  After last week's *recovery* week, these week 4 workouts are killer!  Yesterday's workout was a brand new one, so I couldn't judge based on it, but Ab Ripper last night was the hardest I've ever had it feel!  I was burning-my abs were on fire (yet I'm strangely not sore yet this am).  

Plyo today was just like I was doing it for the first time!  Good stuff!  I really enjoy this workout, as it's what I'm used to considering a workout...kick your butt & drenched in sweat!  I'm also loving that I don't have to do Ab Ripper today.  Not looking forward to Back & Biceps tomorrow because I have a feeling a billion pull ups are headed my way (and I'm sure they'll be just as difficult as they were Day 1...).  

Oh, how could I forget...today marks the 1/3 mark of the program!  Woot woot!!!!

TAKE 2: DAY 28 & DAY 29

DAY 28:  Rest, glorious rest

Today was a rest day, as well as a SNOW DAY!  Yeah! I intended to take full advantage of the rest day, but I did end up getting more exercise in than I'd bargained for!  My husband and I played some Wii Tennis in the morning, which I thought would be the extent of my *physical activity*...until we got our FJ stuck in the snow.  Yep, spent a decent amount of time (though not nearly to the extent of my amazing husband) attempting to push the FJ out and trudging through the snow back to the main road.  Not what I had in mind for a rest/snow day ;)!

DAY 29:  Chest, triceps, and shoulders

So, I'm just going to be blunt...this workout SUCKS!  Not my best effort today, I must admit; I'm not sure if it's because I'm tired/a little sore from yesterday's FJ debacle or just because I didn't *know* this workout.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect, whether I'd be repeating exercises and needed to save a little or if they were one and done.  They were (thankfully!) one and done.  I do like the set up of the workout (push up exercise, shoulder exercise, tri exercise), but it is def one of the more difficult ones.  I could barely do a couple of the exercises (I'm not sure why I have such a hard time w/the lying down side tricep push ups).  If there was ever a workout I was waiting to hear "Bonus Round" so I could quit, it was this one.  There is so bonus round...you just have to keep going.  I'm glad I got this over with and I'm sure it won't be so bad next week!  I'll do Ab Ripper this evening (or maybe even when I'm done here!).

TAKE 2: DAY 27

DAY 27:  YOGA

So, today's the day I finally gave in and was a big fat slacker...I only did part of the Yoga workout.  The worst part of it is; it was actually feeling good and I was doing well (even adding the push up between plank and downward dog), but I just didn't feel like continuing.  My sides are chaffed, my wrist hurts, it's late, and I just gave in to all the excuses and decided to stop.  Maybe I'll feel like finishing the rest tomorrow (does that still count if I do?!)...

Though, I did *play* a lot of volleyball today helping the kids get their required number of legal hits to begin game play, so I'm counting a little of that, too...

TAKE 2: DAY 26

DAY 26:  Core Synergistics

After a rock star like weekend, I was sooooo tired this morning.  I didn't even delude myself into thinking I'd do this before work...and I was really regretting that decision this evening!  It was almost 7PM before I finally pushed play...and was pleasantly surprised!

This was a pretty good workout, considering how tired I was!  I did wuss out on a couple of things (like Plank-Cha Turanga Run...I stayed in Plank), but other than that I think I did pretty well.  I did not do the bonus round, though.  

All in all, I really like this workout (though, it was really nice doing it WITH someone last week, instead of solo).

TAKE 2-DAYS 24 & 25

DAY 24: Kenpo X

Even though I'd been up way later than I prefer to be, I still woke up early to get this workout in before our weekend guests awoke and we went on our way. I still really like this workout. I like the way it's set up; I like that it's fast paced; I like that it *hurts*, but that it's still doable.

DAY 25: Stretch X

At the end of a rock star weekend, I was NOT looking forward to working out (hmmm, why do I feel like I'm always typing that?). Thankfully, this workout is crazy easy. It's just....stretching (hence the name, I guess). I'm glad this isn't in the regular rotation because it's really really boring. It's 58 minutes of stretching, but it was the workout of the day, so I did it.

TAKE 2: DAY 23

DAY 23:  CORE SYNERGISTICS

I'm officially 1/4 of the way through the program...woot woot!  I forgot how hard this workout is!!!  Thankfully, I did it w/a colleague and that gave me the motivation to do it well, otherwise, I may have been stopping short on some of these!  It was so nice having someone to do the workout with AND we even did the bonus exercises!

Form is uber important on this one for me to prevent low back strain.  I really actually like the push ups in this one because they're not boring old traditional push ups.  Another thing I liked about this workout was no exercises are repeated; I'm a big fan of being done w/a move when it's over.  The only downfall to my workout today was I didn't have the right weights.  I only had 10's and they were too heavy for some of the moves, so I'd do as many as I could w/them and then finish w/out.  

Off to do Kenpo X!

TAKE 2: DAYS 20, 21, & 22

(I wrote a post yesterday on Days 20-21, but it wouldn't post and then it disappeared...)

DAY 20:  Kenpo X

This could be my favorite P90X workout!  I really like how fast paced it is; it seems it's almost over before I even realize it.  I must admit, there is one move I still can't do...Star Blocks.  I'm just not very coordinated...I need to practice it on a day I'm not doing it, but I never remember I can't do it until I'm doing the workout.  I even waited until after work to do this and it still didn't suck!

DAY 21:  REST

Rest, glorious rest!  I take back what I said above-THIS is my favorite P90X day ;)!  It's not so much the not working out part I like about this day as the not having the commitment to workout!

DAY 22:  Yoga X

This is the start of Week 4, which is a *recovery* week, so it's a different line up of workouts.  The thing I'm least looking forward to about this week is TWO weekday Yoga workouts!  At least I have one of them done and out of the way now.  I must admit, this was the best the Yoga workout has ever felt for me.  I feel I'm getting deeper in my poses and I'm able to hold them all (except Twisting Half Moon...I'm already on my way back to Runner's Pose because I forget about it and then I have to rush to get in it).  I still wish this wasn't 92 minutes long, though...

TAKE 2: DAY 19

DAY 19:  Legs & Back, Ab Ripper

I'm still loving that nothing is repeated in this workout...well, except for the pull ups.  These leg exercises are KILLER and I'm always so glad that when I'm done w/one, I'm DONE...at least until the next time.  I even added weight this time to the exercises for which Tony encourages them.

I'm not feeling the pull ups.  They don't seem to get any easier and I can still only do ONE before using the cheater chair.  I'm not a big fan of things I'm not instantly able to do well...

Once again, I'm pretty proud of myself because I made myself do Ab Ripper at 9:30 when all I really wanted to do was go to bed...but, I did it!

It's almost time to get ready for work and I haven't done Kenpo X yet, so I guess that will have to wait until after work...

TAKE 2: DAYS 17 & 18

Day 17:  Arms & Shoulders, Ab Ripper:

Today was a good workout!  I finally did justice to this workout; I took my time and upped to the weights to where I was struggling to complete 15 (or 16) reps.  My triceps and delts are sore (though I seem to have a hard time getting my biceps sore...not sure why, but this has been the way I've been for as long as I can remember) and my abs were sore from Ab Ripper before the day ended: good stuff!  

Day 18:   Yoga:

Once again, I'm so glad this workout now falls on a Sunday for me, otherwise, I don't know how I'd ever fit it in!!  92 minutes is a looooong time!  This workout felt better today, too.  I did the 50 minutes of moving poses, then stopped (as my husband arrived home with dinner) and finished to balance postures and Yoga Belly 7 after I ate.  

Take 2: DAY 16

PLYOMETRICS:

BIG shout out to me for doing Plyo on a FRIDAY, after school!  I was counting my proverbial chickens before they hatched and counting on a 2 hour delay today, so I procrastinated and did NOT do it this morning (I watched Gray's Anatomy instead :) ).  I had a looooong day (my colleague with whom I'm co-teaching just became a father so I was pulling double duty today) and was not in the mood to workout when I got home (plus, my husband tried to talk me into having a beer with him).  However, I did it!!

The hardest part of this workout was pushing play.  Once I got started, it was great.  I'm actually starting to feel a difference in the exercises; they're becoming easier and I (think) I have better form.  Good stuff!  And now I'm off to start my weekend...

PS  I guess I should add I'm still a big fat cheaterhead and am only doing 15 sec each leg on the Hot Cross move....

Take 2: DAY 14 & DAY 15

DAY 14:  REST

Glorious, glorious rest!  It was fabulous to wake up and not have to work out (and know that I didn't have to come home and work out because I'd procrastinated in the morning).  Once again, I considered doing another workout, but instead decided to enjoy my day of rest.  I'm always preaching to others the importance of a day of rest to allow your body to recover, but sometimes I have a hard time practicing what I preach...

DAY 15:  CHEST & BACK, AB RIPPER

I didn't get a lot of sleep the night before so, even though I was blessed with a 2 hour delay, I didn't do this workout until after school (and after I'd baked a triple layer checkerboard cake and a batch of zebra cupcakes).  My push ups actually felt stronger today and I did at least 25 of normal width and wide width and 20 of military and decline.  I was only able to get 5 good diamond and under the fence.  Pull ups were terrible...I could BARELY (and in some cases not even) get 1 before resorting to the cheater chair.  

Ab Ripper was great; I even did the bonus mason twists!

And, since I'm sitting here typing and have yet to get my 2 hour delay phone call, I guess plyo will have to wait until after work...

Take 2: DAY 13

KENPO X:

Even though I procrastinated and did not complete this work out this morning before work (I was a little sore and I lot tired from all of yesterday's activities), this was still a great workout!  I finally pushed play after the weather on the 5:00 news (I'm hoping for a cold delay for school tomorrow :) ) and the workout flew by.  It seemed there were only 14 minutes left before I even knew it.  This is a fairly intense workout (I mean, when your BREAKS are jogging, jump roping, jumping jacks, and X jumps you know it's non-stop!), but just when I think I can't punch (or kick, or block) anymore, a *break* comes and we move on.  I must say though, I AM very much looking forward to my day off tomorrow (though I plan to do aerobics w/the crowd at work after school tomorrow for a bonus workout...hope I'm not regretting that on Thursday!)!!!  Maybe next Kenpo day I'll actually remember to wear my HR monitor...

Take 2: DAY 12

Legs & Back; Ab Ripper X:

I did NOT want to do today's workout!  My husband and I enjoyed a leisurely morning in the hot tub and the last thing I wanted to do was Legs & Chest (esp knowing we were cross country skiing later in the day).  However, I hate quitting, so I did it.  This workout is never as bad as I think it's going to be.  As hard as the leg exercises are, I kind of like them!  AND, I LOVE that you do not repeat any of the leg exercises (though you do do 15-30 reps of each at a clip)!  I did NOT add any weights today and the pull ups were not my best effort, I admit...

My back is still annoying sore from shoveling, but I'm popping anti-inflammatories AND using Icy Hot medicated pads, so relief should be in sight.  My husband and I just returned from a 3 mile cross country ski (my first real time skiing) so combine that w/today's P90X workout and I am not looking forward to how I'm going to feel when I wake up tomorrow...

I have not yet done Ab Ripper X today, but I plan to do it after dinner!

Take 2: DAY 11

YogUGH X:

I'm not going to lie to you:

A.  This SUCKED, and

B.  I did not give the best effort...

I was crazy sore and tired from all of my extra-P90X activity yesterday (cross country skiing and shoveling) and this was just flat out hard.  I made it a little over 30 minutes and then I stopped.  HOWEVER, I did come back to it and finished the remaining hour a little later in the evening.  While I'm glad I did it; I still know it wasn't my best effort and I hate that.  That being said, I don't know how much more I had to give!  My lower back is very sore from shoveling and I don't want to push it to the point where I have to stop again...

Bottom line:  I DID IT!  

Take 2: DAY 10

ARMS & SHOULDERS, AB RIPPER X:

I am very proud of myself for completing todays workouts.  My husband and I woke up early to travel to pick up our cross country skis and then went cross country skiing (my first time).  I didn't last very long (apparently ice underneath the snow doesn't make for prime conditions), but did get in a solid 25 minutes of some semblance of cross country skiing...and it's def all the workout it's hyped to be!  

We got home from skiing and the last thing I wanted to do was P90X, but I was not going to type that I missed a day, so I pushed play and took off.  Luckily, I think this is one of the *easier* workouts (though my shoulders were already on fire from my attempts to ski).  I made it through, though, after the first round, I prob didn't use the weights I should have; I'll have to up them next time.

Ab Ripper went well; I replaced the 2 that hurt w/ab exercises of my own and even did the bonus round.  

Finished working out and headed back out into the frozen tundra to shovel.  NOT looking forward to Yoga tomorrow (today)....

Take 2-DAY 9

(Before I get to today, I'd like to point out that I did manage to make myself do Ab Ripper X last night after I got home from my long day and ate dinner! I skipped the 2 that are hurting my back, but I didn't do fillers as I was cutting it close to the BCS "championship" kickoff...I did, however, do the BONUS!)

Today was the mother of all P90X workouts: Plyo! I did not wear my heart rate monitor, as it was in my car and I was too lazy (and it was too cold out) for me to go get it. Even w/out my heart rate monitor, I can safely say this was an excellent cardio workout as I was drenched in sweat! As much as I didn't feel like pushing play, this was a great workout for me today. I really pushed myself and felt good. I found it helps the workout go by for me if I count the sets (there are 5 sets and you do 2 reps of each exercise: 30 sec, 30 sec, 30 sec, 1 min...I counted 1...1.5....2....2.5, etc). I would have even done the bonus round (maybe) if I had had enough time.

My back and abs were sore today, but my chest not as much, letting me know I need to go deeper/further w/my push ups next week. I also have a slight twinge in my lower back, but I'm fairly certain it's a result of shoveling ice on Wed and sitting in a metal folding chair for 3 hours scoring a swim meet yesterday, NOT the program.

P90X-Take 2: Days 1-8

Days 1-8 are complete and it hasn't been bad! I started the program on a Thursday and I like the timing of my new schedule a little better. My day off falls on Wednesday, which is a nice mid week break and Yoga falls on Sunday, which makes it much easier to fit in the 90 minute marathon!

It's amazing how much strength & flexibility I've lost since my last go round! I could barely do 1 pull up on SOME of the varieties, where as I ended being able to do TWO of each before adding the cheater chair last time.

A quick recap, day by day:

Day 1: Chest & Back, Ab Ripper:
This was tough. It was very evident I'd lost strength, both in the push ups AND the pull ups. I'd forgotten just how difficult the Diamond Push Ups and the Under the Fence (I forget their real name) Push Ups are! I found there were 2 exercises in Ab Ripper where I felt strain in my lower back (Wide Leg Cross Leg and Roll Up V-Up) so I did NOT do them (but did add another ab exercise of my own in their places). I also forgot how much I hate the opening 4 exercises; they kill my hip flexors!

Day 2: Plyometrics:
Sore already; I love this feeling! Plyo wasn't bad because I found I didn't remember all of the exercises, so I didn't know when the end was near.

Day 3: Arms & Shoulders, Ab Ripper:
Still the easiest day, in my book, but did have cramping in my hands/fingers again. I still also find myself slacking a little because I'm too lazy to take the Selectorize dumbells back to their base to switch weight (hey, look at the title "admittedly lazy..."). Ab Ripper was burning!

Day 4: Yoga:
This is tough! I really need to keep my core tight and watch my form, as I do tend to feel a little tugging in my lower back on some of these moves. The opening 45 minutes is tough and then it gets a little easier. I am glad this now falls on a Sunday!

Day 5: Legs & Back, Ab Ripper:
Ugh, legs and pull ups, what a crappy combo! The legs weren't as bad as I thought (but I also didn't add any extra weights, next week!), but I still hate pull ups! I even did ALL of the calf exercises! My husband and I did Ab Ripper together, so I got a bonus ab workout from laughing so hard!

Day 6: Kenpo X:
I don't mind this one, other the yoga positions warm up. Just when I'm ready to quit, we move onto blocks and they're a little easier for me the the rest of the stuff, so it's good timing.

Day 7: REST :)
Sadly, this fell on a SNOW DAY, so while it was nice to rest, it would have been an easy day for me to fit a work out in (I did shovel ice though, so that counts for something). I almost did some other workout, but decided there's a planned rest day for a reason, and I was very tired so my body must be telling me something.

Day 8: Back to Chest & Back, Ab Ripper:
As much as I just wanted to sleep on the couch or watch Top Chef, I made myself do this this morning and I'm so glad I did! I already feel stronger. My pull ups feel better, as did the push ups. I'm already sore (just 5 hours later) which is a good sign! I'll do Ab Ripper when I get home tonight before watching the BCS title, oops, I mean championship, sorry Utes, game!

P90X-Take 2

So, apparently once you hit 30 it's not so easy to maintain a 20-something body...especially when you eat and drink like a 17 year old boy-who knew? I've decided to give P90X another go, including blogging about my experience.

I'm a little late to the game is starting the blog because....well, honestly because I wasn't sure I'd stick w/it! I'm already on Day 8, so my second-first post will be a recap of Days 1-8. Last time I attempted P90X I hurt my back during the very first day (because I am an idiot. No really, I am. I had the chair set BEHIND me during pull ups, so I was hyperextending each rep. The worst part was, I didn't even realize it throughout the whole workout, until I watched my husband do his and noticed the girl on the DVD!) and while I made it almost 3 weeks, I was in a considerable amount of pain and knew I needed to give it some rest. I still continued to work out (an assortment of running, Wii Fit, walking, lifting, Tae Bo, etc), but no P90X.

Fat (that WAS a typo, but it's pretty fitting, so I'll leave it) forward to now and I am S-O-F-T soft. Gross. I am the fattest I've ever been in my whole life. I don't use scales, so I can't give you a number, but I've seen pics and it ain't pretty...even my face is fat! So, I decided it's time to give P90X another go (w/the cheater chair correctly placed, this time...) because this is not the me I want to be (and last time I lost a couple of inches in just the first 2 weeks!)...