Insanity.....Day 24

Well, its the last day of 2009. Today's workout is Cardio Recovery and this is a blessing because I am working at the restaurant tonight, and since I am the upstairs girl, and its one of the busiest nights of the year, I will be running my butt up and down those stairs a million times.

I did visit the Chiropractor today that I mentioned yesterday, and can I just say OH MY GOD! Now I am a big fan of chiropractic, and had lots of it in the past when I worked with one. But honestly, its probably been 5 or so years since my last adjustment. AND...I have only ever had Activator technique, which is a gentler form of Chiro.

I have been hurting for a while now, and I know its structural. Most annoying has been my right lower sacroiliac region, and my neck and shoulder on the left side that always seems to seize up when I do Cardio Power and Resistance. I told him about my workout program, and he said he was going to beat me up...LOL And I said Bring it!!

It was truly the best adjustment I've ever had. He put a rib back that was out, cracked my neck for times, and pummeled my back in to submission, and I loved every second! I left feeling a foot taller and able to move my neck in ways I forgot it could move. It no longer hurts to look over my left shoulder while driving.

He said a few more visits and I should be good. Can't wait to go back!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Insanity.....Day 23

Day 23 is Plyo Cardio Circuit.

Feeling good today. I get through the warmup just fine (funny how the first two weeks, the warm up just about killed me, and now its fine) Don't get me wrong, I'm still dripping at the end of the warm up, but I don't feel like I'm going to die.

As for the circuit, I get through the first round just fine, including the scissor runs and football drills.

I still struggle with the second circuit, the basketball drills. Though that being said, I can feel that as my core gets stronger, the pressure on my wrists will probably be less, thus making them more bearable. I do my best, my wrists just don't hold up for all the plank drills, so I rest when I need to. But still, I notice I get better each time. Eventually.....

Insanity.....Day 22

Day 22 is Cardio Power and Resistance.

The workout goes great! I feel good and strong and get through just about all intervals with no breaks. Towards the end of the last set, instead of doing moving pushups I just do regular push ups, as I feel the moving push ups are what seem to flare up my neck pain. I'm hoping to see the chiropractor on Thursday to get my neck and back issues straightened out. I've done all I can muscularly, I know the rest is a misalignment issue and I can't massage that away!

Insanity.....Day 21

So today I restart Day 21, which is Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs.

I do Pure Cardio in the morning, and it goes well. I am able to make it through the first few minute intervals without any breaks, and then I find myself in that pattern of getting through about 30-40 seconds of each exercise, then taking a small break, and finishing the last 10-20 seconds. This workout is a killer. Damn I HATE suicide drills! LOL

I do Cardio Abs when I get home from work. I'm getting better at all the high jump stuff. I still struggle a tiny bit with the C-sit position stuff, mostly because I have a bad low back and it seems to irritate it, but I get through a lot of it, and when I hurt I just use my hands for a little extra support. I know as my core continues to get stronger, this will get better.

Back on Track!!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas day, and I have found myself doing what I swore I wouldn't do! I did work out Wednesday and Thursday, but will not today, and will not have time tomorrow. So I have decided to take the rest of the week off (which really only boils down to missing two workouts) and next week I will restart Week 4. My diet hasn't been that great being the holidays and all, so I figure the workouts this week are just a bonus, and will get back on track with both on Monday.

Merry Christmas to all!!

Insanity.....Day 23

Today is Cardio Power and Resistance.

The workout goes well, and for the first time I am actually able to get through the Tricep series with no breaks.....woohoo! Actually, today is the first time I make it all the way through an Insanity workout without taking any breaks (except for the alotted ones). So its a good workout day!

One thing though, something in this workout hurts my neck every time. The last time I did it (last Friday) I felt the neck pain coming on in the shower, and it bothered me for three days. Was finally better today, and then in the shower, I felt it coming on again. It can't be the Globe Jumps or Power Jumps, I do those in other workouts with no problem. Maybe V pushups or Moving Pushups? I don't know, but I need to figure this out!

Insanity....Day 22

Day 22 is Pure Cardio, the killer!

The workout goes fairly well, but I realize something. I struggle with insomnia, and sometimes when I can tell I'm not going to sleep well, I take Melatonin. But on those mornings, I have this terrible groggy feeling. So this is one of those mornings, and I feel I would have worked out much harder without the grogginess. So I have thrown them in the trash, no more Melatonin!

I am also supposed to do Cardio Abs today, but I'm working late tonight, so decide to tack it on to tomorrow's workout since it's a day off.

Insanity.....Day 21

Day 21 is Plyometric Cardio Circuit.

I splurged and bought myself some new workout sneakers on Friday. I shouldn't say splurged, my old ones were 10 years old and it was really ridiculous for me to do all this jumping on such old worn shoes.
So I went to a great local company, Maine Running Company in Brunswick. I told the salesman what my requirements were, and after watching me walk, checking out my arches, and having me step on a machine that measures my feet, I finally settled on Brook's Adrenaline GTS 10's
Wow, what a difference a good pair of sneakers makes in the workout! It goes great, I feel like I am jumping on pillows. Thank you Maine Running Company!

Insanity.....Day 20

Day 20 for me is Cardio Recovery day. A nice workout with lots of stretching for my achy musles!!

Insanity.....Day 19

Today is Cardio Power and Resistance.....and also, I have a lot to say. hehehe

First off, I'm tired this morning, and I don't feel like working out. Luckily, I have become to disciplined not to. So I wearily press play. Now here is what I have noticed on days I feel this way. I work out better and harder! It's almost like I have to prove something to myself. So secretly, this insane little part of me almost looks forward to these days where I "just don't feel like working out" because I know I will crush it! Yes, this is how my warped mind works...jealous?

So anyway, as for the workout. For those of you doing Insanity, you know how Shaun T always is talking about keeping your core tight. Well, for 18 days now I have tried my hardest to do this. My core is my problem area (I can thank a 9 1/2 baby and a c-section for that!) No matter how fit the rest of my body gets, my core always feels weak. Even after a round of P90X where you do Abripper three times a week!

I know think Shaun T is a freakin genius! For the first time, I CAN FEEL MY CORE!! Even just standing and doing the deep breathes in and out, I can feel my core!! I know what it feels like now to "tighten your core" and it feels good. And then there are the Power Jumps, my nemesis. Even through P90X I struggle with anything where I have to do a tuck kind of jump (knees to chest in the air) If you have read my blog all along, you know this. But today, I make it through all three rounds of power jumps. Now, I know this would not have been possible if my core were not getting stronger. Thank you, Shaun T.

One other note, I am getting new workout shoes today. Mine are just toast, and I have had them for 10 years. I can't do any of the floor sprints (I workout on hardwood floors) because they slide, so I usually just end up standing and sprinting for these. So I'm sitting down today with a shoe expert to find out the best shoe I can buy to support my workouts!! Woohoo!!!!

Insanity.....Day 18

So as usual, I have to rearrange Insanity's schedule to fit my schedule. So today will be my rest day instead of Insanity's scheduled Sunday rest day. So no workout today......

Insanity.....Day 17

Today is Pure Cardio.

You know how some days you are gearing to go and some days you really have to force yourself. I'm having a force myself kind of day. So though I complete the workout, I don't feel like it was the best I ever did. I think I took more breaks then I normally do during this workout. I'm also REALLY sore in the shoulders and lats, and well, just have a hard time today. But I complete it!

Insanity.....Day 16

Still on a high from my Fit Test results yesterday!

Today is Plyo Cardio Circuit. It goes well til once again, the Basketball drills. All that stuff in Plank position just kills my wrists. I'm wondering, does anyone out there use push up bars for these? Does anyone even read this blog anymore? LOL Advice.......

Insanity.....Day 15 and Second Fit Test

So Day 15 is the second Fit Test. Here is where we see how much you are improving (Shaun T. has you perform this test every two weeks.)

So, guess who is THRILLED!! I purposely put my numbers from the first week away, didn't memorize them, and haven't even glanced at them in two weeks. I wanted to go in to this with no idea what my first set of numbers were so that instead of me just trying to beat a number it would be a true test of my improvement. My numbers are all up except for on two exercises, where they are exactly the same. Here are the results along with the improvement from two weeks ago

Switch Kicks: 62 (up 4)
Power Jacks: 55 (up 5)
Power Knees: 89 (the same)
Power Jumps: 24 (up 4)
Globe Jumps: 10 (up 2)
Suicide Jumps: 14 (the same)
Push Up Jacks: 20 (up 8!!)
Low Plank Oblique: 56 (up 14!!)

So imagine my delight when I finish and sit down to compare the results!! I'm so pumped.

Today also consisted of Cardio Abs (a makeup workout) Killer workout, Abs on fire! Since I haven't done this one yet, here is the blurb

Cardio Abs: Do explosive intervals of cardio and core moves for rock-hard abs.

Insanity.....Day 14

So finally, a day off from working! Today is Pure Cardio, then I need to either add the Cardio Recovery and Cardio Ab workout to today, or wait til tomorrow (another day off from work and all that is scheduled is the Fit Test)

I do Pure Cardio in the morning, and it goes great. Even though I'm so tired from a long work week, it wakes me up and makes me feel energized, while managing to swiftly kick my butt at the same time. One thing is clear though. I NEED new workout shoes. I don't know why I have been so stubborn about spending the money. I have worked damn hard, I know I deserve it. My current Nike Airs are about 10 years old and totally falling apart. My knees hurt every day from all this Plyo stuff. I have put some feelers out there about this being what I want for Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed!

So after a long day filled with a visit with the Grandparents, a ride on the Candy Cane Train, and dinner out with friends, I don't get home til late and decide tomorrow will be the day for Cardio Recovery and Cardio Abs (along with the Fit Test which I can't wait to do!!)

Insanity.....Day 13

Day 13 for me is Cardio Power and Resistance. The workout goes well, considering I am exhausted from working so much. It's amazing (still) to me how much working out actually helps me with the tiredness.
I love Shaun T.!!

Insanity.....Day 12

Day 12 should be Cardio Recovery. However, again I am forced to switch around my week. So today will be another rest day (well, if you count working a 12 hour day a rest day) and I will either double up the workout on Sunday, or since Monday is just the fit test, I will add it that day. I'm doing three 12 hour days in a row, so we will see how I feel once Sunday rolls around.....

Insanity.....Day 11

So today will be Plyo Cardio Circuit. It was interesting, because our TV shit the bed yesterday, so I am forced to do the workout in the computer room. This is interesting for several reasons. First, its smaller. Second, With lots of windows and a sunshiny day, its much warmer! And third...it has carpet where I usually work out on hardwood. That should be a good thing.

The workout goes well. I really struggle in the Basketball drills, because my wrists start to kill with all the Plank stuff. I'm wondering if it might be better to do these intervals with push up bars. Thoughts?? Suggestions??

Otherwise, as usual, I'm dripping sweat like a fountain at the end (made even worse by the small hot room! Still loving Insanity!!

Insanity.....Day 10

So today should be Plyo Cardio Circuit, but several things happen, I won't bore you with the details. I decide to make this my rest day of the week instead of Saturday.

Insanity.....Day 9

Day 9 is Pure Cardio. Any workout were the instructor starts telling you during the stretch that he is nervous about the workout is one hell of a workout!!

I feel like it goes better than the first time I did it. I think I am able to do most of the exercises longer than the first time. And I actually get through the first few minutes of the 15 minute nonstop cardio circuit without any breaks. Then my pattern for now seems to be for each minute interval, I can finish 30-40 seconds, take a few second break (and sometimes a swig of water) and then finish the last 10-20 seconds. I figure this is not too bad for my second week in to the program.



And in to double digits tomorrow!

Insanity.....Day 8

Woke up today feeling really good. I was nervous that my calves would be dead from two workouts yesterday, but not at all. So today was Plyo Cardio Circuit. Man this is a killer workout!

Has anyone noticed that during the stretch, he has you lift your leg on the right side and do the 10 pulses, but then doesn't do it on the left side? Wonder why they didn't fix that before they released it??

Anyway, kicks my butt yet again. I do however get through the intense warmup with absolutely no breaks. I struggle a bit in the second cardio series (the one with the basketball drills) because it kills my wrists. But I'm sure as my core gets stronger, I will be able to use more strength from there and less strain on my wrists.

Man on man! INSANE!!

Insanity.....Day 6 and 7

So yesterday (Saturday) should have been Pure Cardio. However, due to an insane work schedule, I did not have time to do it. So instead, I decide to double up the workouts today to make up for it.
So I start the morning with Pure Cardio.

Pure Cardio (45 Mins): Skip the intervals—this nonstop cardio workout is all extreme.

Mother of God! I thought I would die. Another insane crazy warm up (let me tell you, Shaun T.'s warm ups are unlike any warm up I have EVER done before!) Then some stretching, then pretty much 15 different exercises, each a minute long, with no breaks in between (that is, except for the breaks I had to take to get through it!) I was dead after, and actually had to go to Child's pose and just breathe (more like pant) for a bit after. I didn't feel too bad about this, because most of the people in the video were doing the same thing. INSANE!!

Watched the Pats get crushed, then as soon as the game was over, did my second workout. For today, it should have been Plyo Cardio Circuit, but I decide to do that one tomorrow, and do tomorrow's workout today, which was Cardio Power and Resistance. I still have trouble with the high jumps, but already they seem a little better.

Let me just say, doing two Insanity workouts in one day is....well....insane. I'm dog tired and off to bed. I know I will sleep well tonight, and I have a day off and a massage to look forward to tomorrow. Thank Heaven, because I can already feel the pain in my calves!

Insanity.....Day 5

Day 5 is Cardio Recovery.

Cardio Recovery: Shaun goes easier on you once a week so you're ready for the next round.

Can I just say THANK GOD for this day!! I really needed it. I still can barely move my legs, and feel similar to when I started P90X. So this workout is more about deep deep stretching and holding, which to be honest is not easy and though I am not POURING sweat at the end like usual, its more than a glisten for sure. But it felt really good to stretch out my poor tired legs that much. Tomorrow is Pure Cardio, I'm scared. But ready!

Insanity....Day 4

I woke up today and honestly, could barely move my legs. My calves hurt like they have never hurt before, and going up and down the stairs was HELL! But I know from P90X that once I get warmed up, I will be fine and get through it.

So today is Cardio Power and Resistance: Build lean muscle and upper-body definition with strength-training and power moves (45 mins)

Man! Even Shaun T's warm up's are killer. I'm dripping sweat by the time we get to the stretching! As for the cardio circuits, I am able to keep up with them for the most part, but I struggle with the power jumps (same struggle I had with P90X tuck jumps, I seem to have a mental block about jumping up and bringing my knees to my chest). But I do my best. Globe Jumps just about kill me. And the push ups!! I know think Shaun T is trying to kill me.

So day 4 is done, and still loving it!

Insanity.....Day 3

Finally! I get to start. So today is Plyometric Cardio Circuit.

Burn fat with intervals of intense lower-body plyo and sweat-inducing cardio. (40 minutes)

Holy Hanna! I'm not sure I have ever sweat this much! And yes, at one point I thought I could puke. But I did it. Even the warm up is killer! Toward the end, I do take a couple of breaks (just a few seconds each) But overall, I feel great about the workout and am excited to keep going. I also find it EXTREMELY satisfying to check of the days on the calendar that comes with the program! I'm such a dork.

Insanity....Day 2

Well, I was so excited to start Day 2, and then I turned on the TV and it wouldn't work! So yeah, T.V. broken, its the only one in the house, and hubby is at work so no prayer of fixing it or getting another at this point.

So, I decide this will have be be my rest day for the week, BUMMER!

Insanity....Day 1

Well blog followers, here is the low down on why it has been so long since I posted. My last post was on Day 75 of P90X. I actually completed 4 more days after that post, and then things got dicey.

To start, I have been struggling with feeling really down lately. I have not achieved the weight loss I had hoped for with P90X, and though yes, I saw major muscle changes, its this GUT! Add that to some struggles at home, and well, I have just been sad, irritable, tired, and in no mood to take care of me. Horrible, I know. To top it off, the following week my son came down with the Swine Flu, and that added a few days of things being off, and then we round out last week with Thanksgiving, which means I had a crazy schedule trying to fit everything in. And add to that I am just getting downright BORED with the workouts. Which is the problem I always have working out, I get bored with the same workouts, and really need to switch it up. I'm not making excuses, I am totally disappointed and disgusted with myself.

After doing lots of thinking, I have decided to switch to Insanity. As much as I prefer muscle workouts to cardio, I think I need to focus more on cardio at this point to melt the rest of this stubborn flab. I know I will do a round of P90X again at some point, but I really feel this is the right move for me. I am also getting RevAbs and Chalean Xtreme. My thought is between the four systems, I could literally go over a month without doing the same workout twice! I am going to finish one round of Insanity though before I start mixing and matching. We'll see what happens.

For those of you not familiar, here is a blurb about Insanity.

Are You Ready for the ONLY workout that is Guaranteed to get you Ripped in just 60 DAYS?...
Then you might just complete the hardest workout program ever put on DVD. Your personal trainer Shaun T will push you past your limits with 10 workout discs packed with plyometric drills on top of nonstop intervals of strength, power, resistance, and ab/core training moves. No equipment or weights needed—just the will to get the hardest body you've ever had.

The Method Behind The Madness: The secret to these mind-blowing results: MAX Interval Training. Shaun T took traditional interval training and flipped it on its head—you perform long bursts of maximum-intensity exercises with short periods of rest. Each workout keeps you constantly challenged as you alternate between aerobic and anaerobic intervals performed at your MAX. The results: burn up to 1,000 calories an hour and get the most insane body in only 60 days.

I really should change the name of this blog to BeachBodyistryingtokillme.com!

Anyway, so Day 1 of Insanity if the Fit test. About a half hour, including a warm up and cool down. The fit test itself is a series of exercises performed for one minute at a time each. You keep track of your results, and do the test again every 2 weeks. After about 10 days of not working out at all, I wasn't sure how I would do. I'll be honest, I was dying! And the sweat poured, but I completed the full minute of each (though in the last three I did have to take a small break, probably 5 seconds) Here are my results

Switch Kicks: 58
Power Jacks: 50
Power Knees: 89
Power Jumps: 20
Globe Jumps: 8
Suicide Jumps: 14
Push-up Jacks: 12
Low Plank Obliques: 42

I wasn't sure how to feel about these numbers, as I have nothing to compare them to. Honestly, I thought they were pretty crappy. So I went to the BeachBody site Message Boards to see other people's starting day numbers, and was shocked to learn that mine were right up there, and in many cases, more than others. Just another reminder to me that no matter how crappy I feel about myself, no matter how much I hate the mirror, I really have come a long way, and the results are lasting. So I'm in a better frame of mind now. Geared up for Plyometrics Cardio Circuit tomorrow!

Day 75

So, today is makeup Plyo day. My back is killing me, my knees ache, I'm tired, I almost talk myself in to skipping it.I just can't bring myself to press play on the Plyo workout.

Instead of skipping it all together, I end up doing a Kickboxing workout I have been dying to try, which I must say has me rolling in sweat just as much as Plyo. I add to it a 20 minute core workout, and this all totals a bit more than the time of the Plyo workout. So though I didn't do the recommended workout, I don't feel like I strayed THAT much from the program. I modified, like Tony always says!!

I'm SOO ready to start Insanity!

Day 74

Day 74 should be Plyo. A wrench is thrown in the plans though when my 5 year old comes down with the flu. After a trip to the doctor, we are pretty sure its H1N1, luckily its not severe, but between that and work, no time to fit in a workout (not to mention totally exhausted from dealing with a sick child). I will take today as my rest day for the week, and hope that I don't get sick as well!

Day 73

Day 73 is Chest and Back, and the final time I will do this workout in P90X (for this time around anyway!) Also Ab Ripper.

So the workout goes well, all my numbers are up, and I am now using 10 pound weights for all exercises (and some honestly could be moved to 12 pounds. I still can't do a real pull up, but I am SOOO close!!

Day 70 & 72

These two days are Yoga X and rest days. Again, not interesting, trying to get back on the blogging wagon....sorry!

Day 69

Day 69, Legs and Back and Kenpo.

Not an interesting post, but just now finding time to catch up the blog.

Day 68

Day 68 is Kenpo day, my favorite.

The workout goes great, I'm feeling good this morning and gearing for a very busy day including an Open House at my business tonight to celebrate our tenth year in business!! Check out our website at Acupuncture and Therapeutic Massage Center.




So to amp up the workout, I remain SUPER low in my horse stance, and double time all the jumping jacks and running. Also, very high on all kicks. I happen to be very irritated with a certain lazy person today, so that helps with the punching and kicking!
Day 68....Done!

Day 67

Day 67 is Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps along with Ab Ripper.

I'm tired this morning, but as usual, once I get started, I'm good.

And, I'm able to up my weights in Scarecrows, Y-presses, Pour Flys, and Lying Tricep Extensions. Man, those weighted circles are a BITCH! I can only use 5 pounders on those, and even then I usually don't hit the last two reps. OUCH!

Day 66

Day 66 is Plyometrics, the mother of all workouts.

My husband promised me last night (knowing he didn't have to work today) that he would do this workout with me today. I was so excited to finally do at least one workout with a buddy. Alas, he did not follow through. :( Chicken!

Day 65

Yes, I have been lax about the last 4 days. Well, not lax about the workouts, just the blog. So the rest of Week 9 workouts went well, and today I start week 10....woohoo!
Finally made it past that week 9 hump.

Day 65 is Back and Biceps. An hour of pullups, flys, and various curls. I realize I really need to go and buy some 12 pound weights. 10's really are not cutting it for some of the exercises, and I especially need them for hammer curls, lawnmowers, and the strip set at the end.

Ab Ripper I will do tonight when I get home from kickball as now I must go get ready for work.

Yay for Week 10!!

Day 60

Day 60 is Kenpo day.

After a disappointing day yesterday (with the results of question 1 here in Maine) I can think of nothing I would rather do than kick and punch for an hour in the name of all those who had their rights taken from them in the name of fear and hatred.

So the workout goes well. Now I have a few tricks I use with Kenpo, they may be silly, but they work. I have this skull decoration we use at Halloween. When I perch it on top of my television, it ends up being directly at eye level. So for all punches and forward kicks I use this. Today, if I were really connecting, that skull would have taken a beating. As for side and back kicks, I use the back door, specifically the lock that is above the doorknob, to aim for. These tricks ensure me that I am keeping my form and kicking nice and high.

Kenpo...DONE!

Day 59

Day 59 is Shoulders and Arms and Ab Ripper.

Shoulders and Arms is the ONE workout that I feel confident doing without the DVD. I know all the moves, I'm comfortable with all of them. I use the DVD for the warmup and the stretch, then turn it off and proceed to watch the Biggest Loser that I DVR'd last night. Perfect combo!! The workout goes well, keep everything at 10 pounds except for the tricep exercises, those I keep at 8. I do move up the lying down tri extensions to 10 though....

So, back to the Biggest Loser. BYE BYE TRACEY!! Don't let the door hit you in the arse!

Day 58

Day 58 again for me is Plyo. The mother of all P90X workouts.

Ugh..off of a bad night with a 5 year old up every few hours, topped off with my own bad dreams that I think are due to a mix of watching Paranormal Activity, and halfway through Dean Koontz's "The Taking" Rough night....

This workout, well, WORKS you! Some things I noticed, I am able to finish hot foot for the first time, both sides. But the second time around I resort to jumping rope. My right knee still flares up from time to time and it just feels like the right thing to do.

I finally get the knees up in tuck and rock star jumps, probably not super high, but up there. Does anyone watch the Biggest Loser. Remember that girl who had an issue jumping up on the stool? Dinah I think? It was like a mental block for her, she would go to jump, and she just couldn't. That's kind of how these knee up jumps are for me. I'm not sure the reason for the mental block, but every few times, my knees just won't go up even though my brain is telling them to. So I guess, for whatever reason, these are my mental block, but I seem to be slowly overcoming this....

Oh Plyo, you fickle fickle friend!!

Phase 3 Take 3!

Starting today off strong with another (and final!) restart of Phase 3, and with it a renewed commitment. I realize that I have been letting other things get in the way in what for two full months was my top priority. If I don't make my health a top priority, everything else won't matter.
So, the last hell week is over, I do manage to fit in some cardio work outs, so not all is lost.
I start today with Chest and Back and Ab Ripper X. Chest and Back goes well, and my reps are all the same as last week. However, for the life of me I still struggle with the decline push ups! I can barely bend my arms at all. So though I manage 10 of them, it is with hardly any downward movement. And for dive bombers, I still have to do the modified way like Marina (sp?)

I'm back baby!

Get ready, cause it's coming!!!

In the famous words of Tony Horton!

So I have been an absolute Blog LOSER lately!! Something I promised I wouldn't do. Here is an update. Monday should have started week 9 for me. Poor planning on my part and picking up some extra shifts to cover the time off I would like to take in December (self employed, nobody pays me vacation time) meant I worked several double shifts this week. I did get some cardio workouts in, and thankfully both of my jobs are physical, but no time for the P90x workouts, and I MISS them!! Tomorrow is Halloween and activity filled, and Sunday we are meeting up with some family for a Geocache, which will at least include a nice long hike in the woods. So Monday, things get back to normal, and once again, I will start Week 9. Third time is a charm yes?

Good news, since I knew my diet was really the ONLY thing I could control this week, I remained my nazi self about food. I cut down a bit on my calories for most days, since I didn't have the hard core workouts, so each day was around 1200 calories, and ratios about 60% protein, 20% carbs, and 20% fat. So the scale hasn't budged, up or down. Feel good about that at least.

So that's my update. See you Monday!!

Day 2 of Cardio Interlude

After spending 4 hours at a huge annual rummage sale this morning running great finds back and forth to my car parked WAY far away, I get home and ready to work out!

I only have 3 hours before my son gets home from school. So I start with Plyo, which kicks my butt as usual. Still can't seem to get knees up for tucks or rock stars, so I just jump as fast and high as I can. I think part of the problem is I workout on hardwood floors, which are a.) Slippery (I actually have to continually moisten the bottom of my workout shoes with baby wipes to maintain traction during some routines, or use a yoga mat to keep from sliding in certain stretches) and b.) has absolutely no give. Honestly, it sort of frightens me what it might do to my knees attempting these hard core knee up jumps. I did try buying extra padding, it just slides around, making it more dangerous. Damn my husband and his hardwood flooring business and this house full of hardwood floors!!

On a humerus note, have you ever noticed during Rock Star jumps, Tony says over and over really fast, "Get it up, get it up, get it up!" Well just so you know, in my own warped little head, I respond "That's what she said, that's what she said, that's what she said" every single time. I amuse me.

So then I eat a quick lunch, allow about an hour to digest, and try for the run again. I am pretty toasted from Plyo, but its really my only option. I do 1.5 miles, and it takes me 16 minutes. So I figure thats a 12 minute mile average. Not wonderful, but for a person who has never been a runner and just did what Tony describes as "the mother of all workouts" I figure its not too shabby!

Day 1 of Cardio Interlude

So as noted in the previous post, I'm focusing on Cardio for the next 5 days, then will start Phase 3 AGAIN!

So mid day my stomach starts to feel better, I'm able to keep food down, and decide I will start the cardio business today.

I start with Cardio X. Since I have yet to do this workout while blogging, here is the blurb

CardioX (48 Minutes): Low-impact cardio routine that is a fun fat-burning workout that will leave you feeling lean and mean.

I did this workout once when I first got the program, and I remember it kicking my butt! Today however, I can realize it for what it is. A mix of Yoga, Kenpo, Plyo, and Core stuff, most of which I have done in the program already. So its cool to see how he has put it all together. I feel good during the workout, and push myself hard so I'm pouring sweat at the end.

To top it off cardio wise, I decide to go for a short run. Those of you who know me know what an accomplishment this is for me. I'm a self described LOATHER of running. Actually, I want to like it, I've always wanted to do it. Few things. First off, my stamina for running has never been that great (or so was my excuse) and second, I'm a DD cup. I've yet to find a sports bra that really "fits" my needs. But today for some reason, I thought what the heck. I put on the sports bra I bought for Plyo and head out the door.

I make the mistake of bringing my five year old, on his bike (with training wheels mind you). He does fine the first half a mile, and I do AWESOME! And I'm thinking, hey, I really like this running crap! Then, the whining starts, the proclaiming that his legs are tired. Mommy, wait UP! I end up stopping a bunch to wait up (though I never stop, I keep jogging in place while I wait, or run laps around him). Eventually, the last quarter of a mile or so end up me pushing him on the bike while running, and finally, me pushing the bike while running with him dragging behind me whining the whole time.

So the good is I manage to go 1.2 miles for my first run, and in my opinion, without stopping, just adjusting. The moral....will never bring my son again (til the training wheels are gone anyway). I felt like I could have gone more. So tomorrow, I have Plyo, then will try another run!

To bad I discovered this on the brink of a Maine winter. I do have the treadmill, but SO not the same!

Day 65

Ugh, I just don't know what to do. Woke up this morning, still feeling sick, on the verge of puking. I'm so torn, I was up half the night. My mind was racing to try and figure out how to make up for the workouts I've missed. Truth is, I can't fit in two today, which would really be the only way to catch up. What is going on?? So here is my thought. I think I'm just going to stick with cardio workouts for the rest of this week. One every day and throw in Ab Rippers every other day on top of them. Mix it up with Plyo, Kenpo, and Cardio X, and round out Sunday with Yoga. Continue with the great low carb eating I did last week, and hope that this will give me a little jump start on the scale and get me back in the wonderful mindset I had for the first two phases. Then next Monday, start week 9 again (even though I did finish week 9, I think I would just like to start the phase 3 over again) Then, bonus, I can also get back on Monday being my start day which works so much better for my schedule. Any thoughts....

Day 64

Day 64 should start Week 10 for me, but I woke up in the middle of the night last night sick as a dog. Nauseous, felt like I was going to puke. When I woke up this morning, the feeling was still there. I spent the whole day on the verge of puking, but just never did. It was so bad I even tried sticking my finger down my throat to help it along, but that didn't work. My punishment maybe for such bad eating days? Needless to say, I don't work out, I don't eat anything all day (til the evening where I have some white rice, miso soup, and a few tempura vegetables at a meal out that I had been SO looking forward to!)
Then later that night, that comes up. Some sort of stomach bug or food poisoning for sure.
UGH! Paybacks a bitch!

Day 63

Day 63 is a rest day for me. I start off well with food, until later in the day when that apple crisp calls my name from the fridge. I cave a little, then make a very healthy dinner. After dinner, I cave again. What the hell is wrong with me?!? Everyone around me will tell you that I am usually a Nazi when it comes to food! I will bring my own food anywhere I'm going to avoid overeating. I'm angry and disappointed in myself.
I do tend to get certain food cravings right before my cycle, and that time is now. But usually I am much better at resisting. I think it doesn't help that I had my husband take my 60 day pics and when I compare them to Day 1 pics, though I am smaller and see definite changes in my arms, legs, and back, I don't see the change in my Abs I was hoping for. This is my problem area, and I'm sure the last place I will see huge changes. But still, kind of depressed me....

Day 62

Day 62 is Yoga day for me.

Yoga, not my favorite workout, but I get it done. Then proceed to blow this whole wonderful week I've had. We had friends over for two very exciting football games (Go Pats!) I had Champagne, Hors d'oeuvres, skipped dinner, and had a healthy portion of the delicious apple crisp they brought. I'm always so good. I'm SO mad at myself!!

Day 61

Day 61 for me is Legs and Back and Ab Ripper.

Again, I'm a bit nervous about the quad, but the only exercise I had an issue with was the three way lunge/kick series. I can't lift my quad to do straight leg kicks in these, so I just do regular kicks for all.

I got a flu shot yesterday, and boy is my left arm sore! So as for pullups, my numbers remain the same as the last time I did this. They probably would have gone up if not for the soreness.

Day 60

Day 60 for me is Kenpo.

It also means that I get to take my 60 day photos!! I can't wait to compare them to Day 1!

Kenpo goes well. No secret its my favorite workout. I add some intensity today by throwing a few more punches and kicks in certain areas, and make sure I'm very deep in my horse stance for all blocks and punches.

I was a bit nervous about the kicks in this since my quad injury, which I would say is about 85% healed. But no problems, YAY!

Day 59

Day 59 is Shoulders and Arms and Ab Ripper.

Shoulders and Arms goes well, and again, I am able to match all the weights and reps as last week. I also think its time for me to go purchase some 12 pound weights, as there are a few things I can move up in. Wow, I was using 5 pounders when I started this madness! :)

I cheat a bit on Ab Ripper. I have the whole routine memorized, and since Survivor is my addiction, I do the Ab workout from memory while watching Survivor this evening.

Now, a question. As I sort of near the end of this program, I'm torn. Though I have seen tremendous results visually, my results on the scale are just not where I want them. I had pretty much decided to do Insanity as my next workout, but am starting to wonder if maybe I should do a round of Chalean Extreme first. Knowing that I prefer muscle workouts to cardio, but really want to get to my goal weight once and for all (which means dropping 12 pounds) any advice on which you think is better??

Day 58

Day 58 is Plyo.

This is the workout I am most nervous about, because this is the one that caused the injury in the first place. However, I actually am pleasantly surprised to find I can do all the squats, lunges, and jumping with no pain. The only moves I have to modify are the tuck jumps and rock star jumps. My quad says no way. So I just jump as fast and as high as I can during these. I also avoid hot foot, and jump rope instead, but again, I jump rope faster and harder then I though humanly possible. I feel really amped today! Great workout, pouring sweat at the end, success!

Day 57

I'm starting week 9 over again. After taking 5 days off to heal my quad, I feel healed enough to start over. So.....Day 57 is Chest and Back and Ab Ripper.

You may remember my raving post from last time I did Day 57. Today, my numbers were the same. So even the 5 day rest did not make me lose progress. Actually, some of my numbers actually go up in the second round of exercises. I still really struggle with decline pushups, and can't go deep in them at ALL. But I do my best. Nothing really bothers my quad, so far so good.

We returned from two days away, Fryeburg Fair on Sunday, then Storyland (a theme park) on Monday. So after two days of eating CRAP fair food, my body feels the need for some clean eating. I have decided to really cut back on the carbs this week in an effort to boost my progress.

So, all in all, feeling good about my return to P90X!

Day 60

This should be Day 60 for me, which would be Kenpo.

However, things have changed for me, I've had to make a tough choice, but I think its the right choice.

I injured the quad even more at work last night, started to fall down the stairs, and in an attempt to catch myself, I must have moved it just right. SEARING awful pain, and could hardly put any weight on it. Today I can barely lift my leg. I have been icing like crazy. Add this to the dilemma I was already having which is we are going away Sunday and Monday, and it will not be possible for me to workout those days and I was kind of stressed about how I was going to figure it out.

So there is no way I could do Kenpo today. I could do the punching, but no kicking. And tomorrow is Legs and Back. No way! My decision is I will rest for the rest of this week, let my injury heal, and then on Tuesday I will start Week 9 over again. So minor glitch, but I'm confident this is the right decision for me. It SUCKS though! I've made it this far without injury.
I'm irritated......

Day 59

Day 59 is Shoulders and Arms. Another workout I haven't done since week 3. Also, Ab Ripper.

So when I woke up this morning, my quad was still very sore to the touch, and there are certain movements I can't make with it, though walking is ok (but stairs are not!) Luckily, this is an upper body workout. I'm able to up to 10 pounders with most exercises, with the exception of Two Arm Tricep Kickbacks, Flip Grip Tricep Kickbacks, Two Angle Shoulder Flys, and Lying Down Tricep Extension. Those I remain at 8 pounders. I'm able to do 15 reps of all exercises except for Swimmer's Press, where I do 13 the first round and 10 the second. So an improvement for sure. The biggest change I notice is in the Side Tri Rises. The first time I did this workout, I could only do 3 on my right side (with iffy form) and 0 on my left. Today, I do 10 beautiful reps both sides with top notch form.

I attempt Ab Ripper, but most of the moves require your legs either slightly raised or all the way raised, and my quad injury will not allow me to perform those. Therefore, I have to skip Ab Ripper which is SUCH a bummer!

Day 58

Day 58 is Plyometrics.

The workout starts out fine, until I get to the rockstar jumps. During one of the jumps, I pull something in my right quad. Not horrible, but enough to make me pull back.

Then this evening I had my kickball league. I start pitching the first inning, the grass is wet. My right foot slips forward and this searing pain shoots in to said quad. I can barely put weight on my leg at this point. I attempt to kick the ball when I am up, and I can't do it. And I am ANGRY! I look forward to kickball all week! I sit out the rest of the game. Uh oh.....

Day 57

Are you comfortable? Would you like to get a glass of water? Bathroom Break? Good? Alright, then sit back and prepare for me to gush a bit.

So, Day 57 for me starts Phase 3, which means I do Chest and Back, and Ab Ripper.
So I'll start with Chest and Back. I haven't done this workout since Week 3, and this is Week 9. I go in to it not really focusing on numbers, my goal is to just max out each exercise and see what happens. How much has the last 6 weeks without this workout prepared me to do this workout again? Folks, BLOWN AWAY!! If I have ever once doubted if P90X was working even though the scales don't reflect it much, today erased all trace of doubt.
The very first set, Standard Pushups, I didn't even look at my number from week 3. I just start. I do 25. When I go to record it, I realize that in week 3 I only did 15, and noted that I couldn't go all the way to the floor for them. Well, the 25 I did today were DEEP nose to the floor (this little voice in my head tells me I have to do that to make up for the fact I am on knees). So right away, huge improvement. My pullups all just about double in numbers, from 7 wide fronts in week 3, to 15 today, both sets. It goes on like that. In week three, I could only do 8 decline pushups, and that was on my knees. Today, I did 10 on my toes. I up all my weights from 8's to 10's, and still crank out huge numbers (like 17-18 in Back Flys). So yes, thrilled doesn't even begin to describe how I feel today.

Moving on to tonight, and Ab Ripper. My goal going in was to attempt all 50 Mason Twists, a feat I have yet to accomplish. GUESS WHAT PEOPLE?! Success! I can't guarantee my fists fully hit the floor on the last 10, but dammit, my legs were up the whole time.

And Phase 3 starts with a bang!

Day 56

Day 56 is YogaX.

This is the only workout I am kind of getting bored with. I wish there was another one to alternate it with. But I do it, I feel great after as always. Tomorrow I start Phase 3!! WOOHOO!!

Day 55

Day 55 for me is Core Synergistics.

The workout goes better than Tuesday, and I up my weights to 8 pounders for most. I can get down in Chataronga for the Iso's, but can't hold it the full 10 seconds without dropping my knees. Still can't do the run in Chataronga, so just run the full minute in Plank.

My husband happened to be home and in the general vicinity while I did the workout (he is usually not home when I work out.) His comment after the Prison Pushups? "Wow, your a badass!! That is hard core!" hehe LOVE IT!

Day 54

Day 54 for me is XStretch, an hour of really great stretching.

This is perfect for me today, because I am a bit sore today, especially in my legs. I think its from our season opener Kickball game Tuesday night (yes, I'm an adult and I play kickball. It pretty much rules!) I'm surprised that I am sore with as much as I work out, but oh well. So good timing.

BTW...I do notice a difference in my game! This is my third season playing, and I just really felt like I played SO much better in this game than past games. Thanks Plyo and everything else!

Day 53

Day 53 is Kenpo for me.

In an effort to really pump up this workout because I feel great today, I add more reps to each series, get really low in all of the horse stance's for the block and elbow series, and try to widen my "step and drag" on those series. Plus double time all the jumping jacks. And it feels gooooood! And because I am slightly annoyed with people, its also extremely satisfying today :)

Oh yes, and the stretch in the beginning that I always have trouble with goes well today! Finally! I have more trouble when I kick the left leg out than the right, but then my left hip is always tighter, so that makes sense.

Day 52

Day 52 is YogaX.

Yoga three times this week! All goes well. I have noticed I seem to stand up much straighter after this workout! I do all the pushups in the Asana series, but don't attempt Crane today (feeling fatigued)

I'm getting SOOO frustrated with the scale! My number hasn't budged in two weeks! I feel better, my clothes fit better, but I am so fixated on that stupid number! I REALLY wish I had done a body fat percentage before I started this program.

Day 51

Day 51 for me is Core Synergistics.

The workout goes well, though feeling really tired this morning. I use 5 pounders for all the weight exercises, but think I should move up to 8 for the lunge, kickback, curl, press, reverse curl series. I struggle a bit with the Plank to Chataronga stuff, so for most of them I just stay in Plank. And for the Dreya rolls, I'm actually able to do them this time without pushing off the floor with my hands, yehaw!

Off to get a facial to celebrate my halfway point :)

Day 50

Day 50 for me is the start of my Recovery week for Phase 2. I have to juggle the workouts a bit based on my work schedule, so the first day of Recovery week, for me, is Yoga X.

The workout goes well and I work up a great sweat during the first 45 minutes of the moving asanas. I seem to get better at this workout every time I do it, and I love the fact that I stand up straighter after and feel so loosey goosey!

Day 49

Day 49 for me should be Yoga, but alas, I again have to tweak my schedule. As I am not able to get to a workout today, I am forced to make this my rest day for NEXT week (which starts tomorrow for me) and on what should be my rest day next week, I will supplement with a Yoga workout. Make sense? This also means I will workout for 13 days in a row before my next rest day :)

Day 48

Day 48 is Kenpo day for me to make up for Thursday. Normally it would be my rest day.

I'm going to amaze you all by keeping this very short and sweet because I have to work both jobs today and won't be home til very late. Workout went great. I heart Kenpo.

I discovered the channel FitTV while surfing channels last night. Needless to say, I ended up staying up way too late because I loved all of the stuff I was watching. I learned some things even. I think it may be my new favorite channel!

Happy Saturday :)

Day 47

Day 47 is Legs and Back and Ab Ripper X. It is also my last muscle workout of Phase 2! Next week is Recovery week, then I start Phase 3.

My goal at the start of the workout is to get all of my pull up reps to 10 or above. Last week, I had a few 8 and 9's. Success!! 10's in both rounds of reverse grip, switch grip, and closed grip overhand, and 12's in both rounds of wide front. For a total of 84 pull ups (all with the chair assist mind you). Also noted that balance lunges go much better, so next time I do this workout, I will add weights to this. And I up all my weights to 8 pounds for the weighted things.

Ab Ripper goes great, and I am again able to add hands up in in and outs and bicycles. And cross leg on wide leg sit ups. Woohoo!

I found out today there is a new program called P90XPlus It states Tony amps up the Muscle Confusion with BRAND-NEW MOVES and never-before-seen workouts all set to hot music created exclusively for P90X Plus by Jason Scheff, lead singer of the band Chicago! I'm going to have to check this out for sure!

Day 46

Day 46 for me should be Kenpo day. But I have once again had to make and adjustment, so today will be my rest day for the week, and Kenpo will be Saturday.

So, I'll take advantage of that to share something I read on Tony's blog, which inspired me to respond. I just thought it was so well said!!

He wrote
"It's not your mother or your father. Not your sister or your brother. It's not your God or your Government. It's not the high school bully or your eighth grade home room teacher. It's not your therapist or your wife or your boyfriend. It's not luck or even circumstance. It's not your height, weight or age that makes life great, or not. It's You! It's you that makes you happy or sad. It's you that makes you smart or stupid. It's you that eats right or not. It's you that chooses to exercise or to sit on your ass. It's you who puts the cigarette in your mouth. It's you that yells at your 3 year old daughter. It's you that doesn't have patience when you need it. Your parents created you, but it's you that decides to make something of yourself. Point the finger in the mirror because that image before you is the only creature on earth that can guarantee happiness, fitness, health, love, joy, purpose and a state of well being. Hoping and wishing that everyone and everything else is going to bring you a better life is a farce and a fantasy."

And I was compelled to add my super sappy heartfelt response.

"Amen!
I don't even really know where to start.
Thank you! For helping me change my life.
Thank you! For encouraging me every single day to bring it.
Thank you! For reminding me that no matter what other people in my life may say to encourage me to fail (because they are too weak or too scared to succeed and change themselves) that I can succeed with your support.
Thank you! For making me dig deep, want to quit, and realize that I am too strong, and my health is too important to quit.
Thank you! For inspiring me to start my own blog for other 30+ year old moms like me, in the same boat as me, ready to change like me, and keeping me pushing play every day!
Thank you! For more than my words can ever say. I feel strong, I feel like a new person, I feel 20 years old at age 34, I feel like I can take on the world.
And most important.....my five year old sees me work out every day, sees me strong, sees me healthy, understands why it's important, and now shares this knowledge with others.
If only my parent's had taught me such lessons so early on...
Thank you! For helping me be better person, a better role model, a better therapist, and most importantly, a better Momma!!"

DAY 45!!!

Day 45 for me is Back and Biceps with Ab Ripper. But its also more than that. It marks a milestone for me. Today is officially my

HALFWAY POINT BABY!!

And more good news, I "just" about complete a grown up pull up yesterday. It's true, my husband even witnessed it! Reverse grip, I get almost all the way up to the bar before I collapse back down. Big change from 45 days ago when I couldn't even move upward at all! So I won't yet say I can do a grown up pullup, but I will say I almost can!

I'm turning a corner, I can't believe it! Honestly, feels like I just started yesterday. Well, in my head anyway, my body certainly doesn't feel like I just started yesterday, or I would have trouble typing this. This has been a journey for me in so many ways, but I won't start waxing philosophical on you yet (and trust me, I'm a sappy sap, so it's coming). Now I don't know if I push myself extra hard today because of my milestone or what, but I had SUCH a good workout today and made lots of changes.

So I start my workout. First off, I finally remembered to buy my 10 pound weights, as I've noticed the previous two times I did this workout, I really needed heavier weights. Holy Cow! What a difference. I am able to use 10 pound weights for all exercises and still maintain 15 reps of each, difference is I SOOO feel the burn on the last three of everything. The only exception is the Crouching Cohen Curls. I use 10's, but only complete 13 reps. Pull ups are good. Reps are up there. For the strip set at the end, I use the 10's for the first two sets, then 8's, then 5's. Killer workout today, what a difference, I'm pouring sweat by the end. Sure wish I had those 10's last week!

And Ab Ripper! I finally add my arms to the ceiling in the bicycle series. Then, in the Wide Leg situps, I finally change to cross leg and am able to complete them all (I remember I tried it the first time I did the workout and couldn't even get up off the floor!) I keep up to their tempo in all of the Crunchy Frogs. And Mason Twists? Well, I can still only do 35-40 with legs off the floor, yet on the first day I could barely do 1 or 2.

Great Day, Great Day. God Bless Tony Horton for changing my life!

Day 44

Day 44 for me is Plyo day.

I wake up feeling really tired and find myself looking for excuses to skip this workout and push it to Saturday. Just when I almost have myself talked in to it, I realize that this kind of thinking just won't do, and I know from experience that 10-15 minutes in to the workout I will feel better, and also will feel better for the rest of the day if I just do it. So I push play....

This may sound strange, but I have realized on the days I am REALLY tired and dragging and think the workout is going to be awful, somehow I dig down deep and find myself working extra hard. I actually think that sometimes my workouts are better on "tired" days then on days I feel good. I don't know if it's all in my head, if I truly am working harder because I have to push myself to do it, or what.

Anyway, Plyo goes great. I finish everything. I can do the tuck jumps now, but when they start doing them double time, I can't do that. I just continue to do them with the little pause (and I add a hop) in between. Rock Star jumps I can do, but not quite as fast as they do.

Guess what tomorrow is?????????

Day 43

Day 43 is Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps and Ab Ripper.

The workout goes well. I am able to use 8 lb weights with all exercises except for Scarecrows, Pour Flys, Weighted Circles, Slow mo throws, and Fly row presses. I use 5's on Y-presses, but make a note that next time I should move to 8.

Aren't those frickin fracken Weighted circles KILLER!! I struggle badly with them with 5 pound weights, I can't imagine those of you doing it with more. OUCH. I also noted that in push ups, all my reps go up, some only by 1, but still......

I bonk myself in the head with the dumbbell during the Lying Tricep Extensions. Teehehe. Luckily it was a soft boink. Dingy.

Ab Ripper goes really well, stronger every time, love it!

Day 42

Day 42 is YogaX.

I'm also a football addict, so I just love Sundays this time or year! Luckily, I make the very wise decision to do the workout before the 1:00 games start. Good thing because after that poor performance by the Pats, I may have been to depressed to do it after! Anyway, the workout goes great, I seriously get better each time. I am able to hold Crane for the whole 60 seconds, but I did have to keep my big toe from one foot on the floor. I did lift it a couple times, but not for long. The thing I seem to struggle with the most are anything that involves Crescent pose, especially the twisting prayer ones. I lose my balance every time.
Oh, and I do a pushup in every Vinyosa except the last two.

I feel stretched out and wonderful~

P.S. Rex Ryan can suck it.

Day 41

Day 41 for me is Kenpo day, to make up for Tuesday when I had technical difficulties.

I've already gone on and on in previous posts about how much I love this workout. So instead, I pose a question. In the beginning stretch series, you know the part right after you go in to prayer squat, then you kick one leg out, and rise up on the other toe? And then you turn and stretch your body over the straight leg? Does anyone else struggle in this series? I'm very flexible, and I feel my legs are quite strong, yet I can't for the life of me get that leg out straight! So I struggle here until we go in to runner's pose. From there on out I'm fine.

Looking forward to Yoga tomorrow, my piriformis and glutes are SO tight from Legs and Back yesterday!

Day 40

Day 40, Legs and Back and Ab Ripper. To recap, all pull ups, lunges, squats, and calf raises.

This workout really gets me sweating!! I up my weights on everything to 8 pounders, except for the balance lunges at the start, and the the toeroll lunges. I don't have the best balance (chalk that up to only having one eye) so as it is these are an extra challenge to me. That being said, I've already noticed improvements in my balance, so maybe soon I can add the weight on these. I even add the curls to the step back lunges. Woohoo...

Ab Ripper goes well. Have I mentioned that pain in my lower ab is completely gone?? So thankful for that.

Have you noticed all the clapping at the end of this one? Is there a studio audience? Do they all have this clapping at the end and I've just never noticed it before??

Day 39

Day 39 for me is Plyo.

GUESS WHAT!!!! I am finally able to do the tuck jumps and the rock star jumps. I can't do the super fast ones, because I still need a little hop in between, but the point is, when I started this program, I couldn't even do one!! I'm feeling much stronger and seeing results.

One thing that is bugging me though, I'm not losing a ton of weight. I would think with the amount and intensity I am working out and how great I am about my diet, weight should be falling off. It's frustrating!! I know my body is changing, and that's great. But almost 40 days in I've only dropped about 7 pounds. Just doesn't seem right.

Day 38

Day 38 is Back and Biceps and Ab Ripper.

This is my second time doing Back and Biceps, and I realize when I pull out my sheet to record weight/reps that I had meant to purchase 10 pound weights before this workout, because I noted last time I needed to up my weight on almost all exercises. Oops. I will buy them before next workout. So I try and sneak in extra reps (beyond the 15 I already do) on everything. The only ones I feel 8 is enough for now are Reverse Grip Bent over Rows, Open Arm Curls, Congdon Locomotives, and Crouching Cohen Curls. I also need to pick up some 12 pounders for the strip set at the end (and also for later in the program as I progress.) All of my pull up reps go up, but alas, I still cannot do a grown up pull up :(

Anyway, yet another funny from this workout. Midway through during some sort of Bicep curl, Tony yells out "I like to squeeze em out!" Again, I find myself in my house, alone, laughing out loud. The lengths I go to amuse myself....

Ab Ripper is good, after about 20 Mason twists with legs up, I tell myself I think I can do all 50 without dropping my legs. At about rep 33, I prove myself wrong.

Day 37

Day 37 for me is Plyo day.

HOWEVER!! Due to technical difficulties I can't play my workout. BALLS!! I call my husband at work and even with him trying to coach me through it, I can't fix the problem. Which gives me two options, do the workout after work, not ideal for me, or to tack it on to Saturday which is my rest day. I think I will go with this option, because I am not working the double shift I normally work on Saturday. So today will be my rest day.

So, I take this break to share some things. A lot of people have been asking me what I will do after p90x is over. Initially, I thought I would probably do it again, do the lean version, or go for it with doubles. However, I actually think I am going to try the Insanity Workout which is described as the hardest workout series ever put on DVD. Looks like fun!

Yesterday I started tracking my food with Sparkpeople I really like it because it breaks down everything for me like Fat/carbs/Protein. Also tells me where the bulk of my calories and nutrients come from. Very helpful!

Day 36

Day 36 is Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps.

I'm still terribly sore in the glutes and thighs from Friday. Guess I brought it!

So an hour of push ups, flys, and tricep moves. Fun! All of my numbers are up from last week, so that is good. I move to 8 pound weights on Lying Tricep Extensions and Side Leaning Tricep Extensions. I also do 8 of the bonus slow motion 3 in 1 pushups. Overall, it was a great workout.

Also Ab Ripper X. I hesitate to even utter this aloud, but I have not had that pain in my ab at all in over a week. Maybe I worked through it?? I hope so!

Day 36 is done :)

Day 35

Day 35 should be Yoga day for me to round off my first week of Phase 2.

However, due to some unforseen circumstances, I am not able to get to my workout. Now if you have been following my blog, you know how dedicated and downright anal I am about getting my workouts in. I'm afraid people around me are probably getting sick of it actually, I plan EVERYTHING around my workouts. So this is a first for me, and honestly, I'm not quite sure how to handle it.

As you can imagine, I lay in bed obsessing about it, and think I have one of two options. I either tack an extra day on to the 90 days, or when I have my next recovery week, instead of taking the rest or X Stretch, I do Yoga. That is what I am leaning towards. Opinions??

Day 34

Day 34 for me is Kenpo and Ab Ripper X. This is not a usual combination, but as you read in earlier posts, I had to modify things this week.

Kenpo goes great! I absolutely love this workout, and always at the end the sweat is pouring. I then go in to Ab Ripper X, and I realize why in the regular program, you never do Ab Ripper X within a day or two of doing Legs and Back. My arse is so sore from yesterday, I have a hard time with it. So I do my best.

I also realize I have been making the right decision on days I have muscle workouts and Ab Ripper on the same day. On those days, I do the muscle workout in the morning, and the Ab Ripper in the evening. Today I do AR right after Kenpo, and I am so wasted from the Kenpo, that between that and my hiney, I just don't do as well as I have the rest of this week.

Yoga tomorrow! Woohoo!

Day 33

Day 33, Legs and Back.

To recap, legs and back is all pull ups and variations of squats, lunges, and other forms of leg and butt torture. The only workout that makes me sweat more than this one is Plyo. I work damn hard to squat and lunge as low as I can for every exercise. I may not be able to do a grown up pull up yet, but damn do I have strong legs!

So as I stated, yes, I still need the chair for pull ups, but for what its worth, I truly notice that I am barely using it, and all my reps are more than the last time. For some I even drop one leg down and just use the slightest toe of my other. When I try and do one single pull up (which I try at least once on a daily basis, as my husband will tell you every night when he hears me call from the hallway "nope, still can't do one!") I can actually get about halfway up. Elbows to 90 degrees kind of thing. So I'm making progress.

Anyway, no time for Ab Ripper today, as I have work and a family BBQ to get to. So tomorrow when I do Kenpo, I will just add Ab Ripper. Tony knows I have a life! Right? I figure as long as I get all the required workouts in during my week, and I never do Ab Ripper two days in a row, its ok if I have to be creative :)


P.S. Yes, I like and use run on sentences!

Day 32

Day 32 is supposed to be Kenpo day today. However, when I woke up in the morning, I realize that the two new muscle workouts I did this week (Chest, Triceps, Shoulders on Monday, and Back and Biceps on Wednesday) have caught up with me. I can barely move my arms, my right shoulder is KILLING me, and I can't even reach behind me.

Kenpo is all about kicking and punching. Following the workout, I then have to go massage for the day. I make the decision that I will switch out today with Saturday, make today my rest day, and do the Kenpo on Saturday. I know my clients will thank me.

So Day 32 for me ends up being a rest day :)

Day 31

Day 31 is Back and Biceps (a new workout, YAY!!) and Ab Ripper.

Back and Biceps (52 Mins): If Popeye had a favorite P90X workout it would be this one. Loaded with pull-ups and curls to add definition and toning to the arms. Additionally, this workout also provides great definition to the back.

First off, my crack up of the day. Somewhere during an early set of curls, Tony utters the word "BANG" as he hits the top of the curl. Then he says "That is my first bang of the day" and in my sweat induced workout delirium, I blurt out to my empty living room "that's what she said" and proceed to crack myself up. I rewind, and start the set over.

Anyway, so the workout is mostly curls, some flys, and lots of pull-up variations. Ummm....yeah. Corn Cob pull-ups may be the hardest thing ever. But I manage to get six of them (with the chair). I also realize I need to buy some 10 pound weights, because the 8's just don't cut it for most of these for me. I put a mark next to the ones I want to up next workout.

Ab Ripper X, no pain at all...and I complete every rep of every exercise EXCEPT those *#@!* Mason Twists!! I probably do 35-40, then feet hit the floor. Maybe Friday I will get it!

Day 30

Day 30 is Plyo day.

My chest, shoulders , and arms are very sore from yesterday's workout, so I'm happy that Plyo is mostly legs. The workout goes well, still can't do the tuck jumps or rock start jumps, so I just jump and try lifting my knees a bit.

Tomorrow I get to do another new workout! Hooray!

Day 29 (Start of Phase 2)

Day 29 for me is my first day doing the Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps workout and Ab Ripper.

Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps: This is an intense upper body blowout. This routine offers a variety of fun and challenging moves that will hit new muscles to build up your strength and definition. Pushups, dips, flys and tricep kickbacks constitute the majority of these exercises.

The workout goes well. I use 5 pounders for all the weight exercises, and this seems to be a good choice. The only ones I will move up to 8 pounds next time are the Lying Tricep Extensions and Side leaning Tricep Extensions. I still have to do all the push up exercises on my knees, due to the Ab pain, but they are still all a challenge. I laugh out loud when he announces we will be doing Clap pushups, so imagine my surprise when I complete 9 of them!

Ab Ripper goes well, though I still have to take that 10 count break during the Mason twists.

I have DH take my 30 day photos.

Phase 2 has begun!

Day 28

Day 28 is Yoga X.

It is also my last day of Phase 1!!!! I did it, I made it through the first phase, and I never once skipped one workout. Tomorrow, I will take pictures and begin Phase 2. I'm so excited because it means I get two new workouts, YAY! Tonight, I previewed tomorrow's workout, Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps. Yes, that is how addicted I am!

Anyway, back to Yoga. I completed the workout, and it felt good. I was able to do all the upward dogs with only mild pain in the lower ab, so that was a bonus! My arms are really sore from the Core Synergistic workout yesterday, so I struggle a bit with some of the poses at first, but as I warm up, it gets better.

Sooo...Day 28 and Phase 1.....DONE!!!

Day 27

Day 27 for me is Core Synergistics.

I'll start by saying I think I have finally figured out what the pain is in my left lower ab. It's been really sore since yesterday, and I've mentioned before, I notice it the most when I do any ab move where I have to lift my legs slightly from the floor (such as banana or scissor moves) and also any push up moves where I don't bend my knees, or any kind of plank to chaturanga switch. I mentioned it to a friend yesterday who is a nurse because I was wondering about a hernia. She said its not a common area for a woman to have a hernia, and then asked me how close to my C-section scar it is. I told her its right above the scar. She said I may have adhesions from scar tissue. Why didn't I think of that?! So I looked it up and found this

Pelvic or abdominal pain is a common result of surgical adhesions. About 38% of women who experience pelvic pain are actually suffering from adhesions. Adhesions cause pain because they limit the movement of internal organs. Since adhesions "tie down" organs, as you move or become active you may experience quite severe pain. Adhesions (scar tissue that forms as a result of the incision) can cause internal organs to become fused together. *In fact, 93% of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery will develop adhesions, with 53% of those people developing (at some point in their lives) a problematic condition known as adhesion related disorder (ARD).

Not to self diagnose, but yeah, I think that sounds right. The bummer? It seems surgery is the best way to relieve them. However, I did find there is a massage technique called Wurn Technique® to unravel the bonds between the fibers that comprise adhesions. Since I am a therapist, I'm going to look in to this.....

So anyway, the workout goes well, I do work up copious amounts of sweat, but I just don't like that I can't do all the moves exactly as I should!

Tomorrow is my last day in Phase 1. Then I move to Phase 2! YAY!!!

Day 26

Day 26 for me is Yoga X.

Ah...the workout I have dreaded so much in the beginning, I am starting to really look forward to.

My personal goal today was to try harder, push harder, really kick it up a notch. I think I succeeded because by the time I got through the first 45 minute movement pose/Vinyosa series, I was POURING sweat. I mean like I do during Plyo. I discovered recently that I have been doing upward dog wrong. I was more doing Cobra. I didn't realize you were supposed to have your legs off the floor. Oops. So I corrected that today. Unfortunately, that caused that pain in my lower left Ab to flare up. I'm starting to wonder if maybe its a hernia? So I adjust as needed while still working as hard as possible. I am able to hold all poses for the full counts, though I stumble a few times with the prayer twists in crescent pose.

And as a bonus today, since nobody is home, I did the Ohms at the end. I feel grounded and wonderful! And also, like Gumby!

Day 25

Day 25 for me is Kenpo day.

Still feeling that odd dizziness from yesterday. But regardless, the workout goes well. Who would of thought that I, having never been in one fight in my entire life, would love punching and kicking so much!! I find it intensely satisfying.

I have to admit though, I'm not loving recovery week. I miss the muscle workouts, and I find myself worrying that I'm going to lose everything I've done by not doing them this week. But I'm sure my muscles need the break. I'm looking forward to the new chest and back workout Monday.

Day 24

Day 24 should be Yoga X for me. But plans have changed....

Today, I sent my baby boy off to Kindergarten. Unexpectedly, I spent two hours crying myself to sleep last night, and woke up with this terrible dizziness that made it hard to even walk straight. Not sure what that is about, but the Yoga poses can be hard enough without feeling like this. On top of that, I have a two hour assembly at the school, and then meeting with some friends....all in all it seems a change needs to be made to the schedule.

Soooo...I will make today my rest day, and will just have to fit in a workout Saturday morning before I go to work. Modify modify!!

Day 23

Day 23 is X Stretch.

X Stretch (58 minutes): Achieve a higher level of athleticism over a longer period of time, plus prevent injuries and avoid plateaus. Keeping limber and loose is vital to the success of any fitness program.

Well, thats what it is, an hour of stretching. Feels good, I know its important, but I'd rather be sweating!

Day 22

Day 22 for me will be Core Synergistics.

Core Synergistics (58 minutes): This total body workout incorporates cardio, stretching, and resistance to strengthen the core muscles (the muscle groups that girdle the waistline and back.) Building a strong foundation with solid supporting muscles is the goal of this state of the art workout. By strengthening your core, you will be more prepared to tackle the cardio and resistance moves throughout this program while reducing the chance of injury. You'll also improve your flexibility, balance, and coordination.

It was nice to have a change in workouts. This workout seemed to consist of set after set of three different exercises. The first being some sort of push up, the second some sort of ab, and the third some sort of leg (squat or lunge) with added arm movements with weights. Never did the same exercise twice, but that general pattern seemed to repeat itself. I used 5 pound weights for all of the weight exercises. Was able to complete most exercises, but could not do the Chataronga run, so stayed in Plank run for that one. Also, the very first ab exercise, the banana roll thing...seemed to hurt that lower ab muscle I have grumbled about before. So had to kind of modify some of the ab stuff. All in all though, GREAT workout.

Ummm...also...scratch what I said yesterday about wondering why we don't do Ab Ripper during Recovery week. I get it now! We don't do Ab ripper because its all covered in this workout, which I will do twice this week. Plus, Yoga is twice this week, and the Yoga Belly is killer!!

Also, saw my mom today, and she commented on how toned I am looking. Which made me feel great!

Day 21

Day 21 is Yoga X day.

I do the workout, it's getting easier each time. I'm holding poses longer and feeling stronger each time. My right glute muscles cramp up BADLY though during one pose, which leaves me writhing on the floor in pain for a few seconds. But I shake it off and continue.

The completion of todays workout ends the first three weeks of P90x, and I move in to the fourth week, dubbed recovery week, before phase 2. Recovery week is as follows (each workout is roughly an hour except Yoga which is 93 minutes).

Day 1: Yoga X
Day 2: Core Synergistics
Day 3: Kenpo X
Day 4: X Stretch
Day 5: Core Synergistics
Day 6: Yoga X
Day 7: Rest or X Stretch

Of course, I have to mix it up a bit to fit my schedule, so tomorrow I will do Core Synergistics. I'm excited about this because it will be a new workout for me, and I like change! I'm wondering though why there is no Ab Ripper in recovery week....

Day 20

Day 20 is rest day.

My arse is killing me from yesterday's workout, and since I will be running up and down the stairs all night tonight, its probably good that its rest day. However, my p90x addicted brain secretly thinks it would be fun to sneak in a cardio workout, Kenpo maybe? Somehow, I have reached a point where it feels weird not to work out and I kind of crave it. Yikes, I've turned in to that person! However, I have committed myself to follow the program exactly as its laid out, so I will refrain.

I was lying in bed thinking last night about Karen Pot Stirrers. Who is this Karen? Why does she eat so much soup? So I tried to research it today in hopes of enlightening everyone, but I can't find anything about who invented this stretch. So no enlightenment today.

Day 19

Day 19 Back and Legs and Ab Ripper X.

So this is my third time doing the Back and Legs workout, and my ninth time with Ab Ripper. Still can't do a grown up pullup, so do all of them modified. As for the leg stuff, I finally add weights in all the places he recommends. I use 8 pounders for all. And....for the first time I am able to complete the whole brutal 60 seconds of the the wall squat leg lift things (where you alternate the leg raise every 10 seconds.) AND...I am able to hold both 30 seconds sets of chair salutations for the whole 30 seconds each.

Ab Ripper goes well, complete all exercises, all reps, with the exception of those d*#! Mason twists! My low back pops with every in and out and every Fifer scissor when my left leg drops. Not painful, but I must be out of alignment.

Thought for the day......Tony Horton calls sweating "actual DNA removal." Ewwwww.....

Day 18

Day 18, Kenpo day, my favorite workout.

I still can' t believe how FAST this workout goes by. It's like you start, you punch and kick for a bit, and then all of the sudden its over!! I think its the only workout I wish were longer :)

I always think of things I want to bring up on the blog, and then once I sit in the chair, it's like my mind goes blank. So that is all for today, BOORING!

Day 18...over.

Day 17

Day 17, Shoulders and Arms.

My shoulders are still pretty sore from Monday, but the overall the workout goes well. I am able to up all exercise to 8 pounds, with the exception of the two angle shoulder flys and the in and out straight arm shoulder flys, both of which I keep at 5 pounds. 15 reps of everything (except for the ones that call for 16) I get to side tri raises, of which I have not been able to do at all, and today I can do 6 on each side, both times! Woot!

I do Ab Ripper X right after since I am all warmed up anyway, and it goes well. I actually don't do as well as Monday, but maybe thats because I didn't rest between workouts today. But no searing pain, except for the burn of hard working abs.

In in great news for the day, in going through some photos on the computer, I find that I did in fact download my before pics before hubby erased the card, so I DO have my actual before pics. Hooray!!

Day 17 Tada!! RIP Ted Kennedy....

Shameless Plug

I'd like to take a moment to give God a great big thank you for the invention of the Homedics Shiatsu Massage Cushion without which my sore and weary muscles would not make it through this program. As a massage therapist myself, this is the ONLY tool I have ever found that mimics a deep tissue massage. True, it will only focus on the muscles around the spine and between the shoulder blades, but it tides me over between real massages. My only complaint is you can't stop the rollers on sore areas to focus for a few minutes. A minor annoyance.

So a shout out to the Homedic Cushion. Buy one. Now. You'll thank me later. I'm going to spend a few minutes with mine right now.....

Day 16

Day 16, Plyo day.

The workout goes well. I am actually able to complete a few tuck jumps, just a few though, then back to just straight jumping. Same with rock star jumps. As for the other exercises, I pretty much complete everything, save maybe a few seconds here and there. I discovered the first day I did Plyo that I don't know how to throw a baseball with the correct form, such as is included in the bonus moves at the end. I try really hard today to mirror what they are doing, but it just doesn't feel right. I must remember to ask Mike to show me how to throw a baseball tonight, as I pretty much find myself standing around frustrated for the one minute they are "throwing" balls.

Tony talks about how great Plyo is for athletes, and how his basketball game improved greatly since he started Plyo. I'm wondering how it will affect my kickball game. League starts end of September. I'm pretty sure I'll probably be the MVP at this rate ;)

A question, what do people recommend for workout shoes? My Nike Airs just aren't cutting it, and I think its time I invest some moolah in new shoes to support my new workout program. What I could really use is a shoe that has some extra something on the bottom to prevent sliding, as I do my workouts in my living room, and it is all hardwood floor. Do they make a workout shoe with some extra stickiness on the bottom? Thoughts....suggestions?

In amusing news for the day, have you ever noticed in the workouts that Tony often talks to Jerry, the camera guy? I came across a p90x blog from a guy named Jerry. He stated that for the first few workouts, he was convinced Tony was talking directly to him, thought somehow each workout was personalized to the buyers name. He was bummed when he figured out Jerry is actually the camera man! HAHAHA. Maybe Tony should make personalized programs......

Day 15

Day 15, I start my third week. Back and Chest again, along with Ab Ripper X.

Small bit of upsetting news last night when my husband informed me he accidentally deleted all the pictures on our memory card. Luckily, that didn't include many pictures. Unfortunately, it did include my before pictures from two weeks ago. Such a bummer! So I will have him take more before pictures tonight, even though I am actually two weeks in.....

I do Back and Chest in the morning. Still can't do a real pull up, but SOOO close! All of my reps are up this time, and I switch to 8 pound weights for Heavy Pants, Lawnmowers, and Back Flys. Still can only do 5 divebombers. As for the declines, last week I could only hold plank. This week, I go down to knees and am able to do 8 the first time, 5 the second. Man those are hard!

After a wonderful lunch with friends (where I indulge in my first and only splurge at Duckfat, renowned for their french fries fried in duckfat) I feel slightly guilty. Consider throwing in a cardio workout tonight to make up for it. Reconsider and decide against it. Consider again an hour later, then finally decide that I can't be perfect all of the time, on indulgence won't kill me, and saying farewell to a friend moving away, worth it.

I do Ab Ripper X. For the first time, I am able to complete all reps of every exercise, with the exception of the Mason Twists. Once again I complete the first 20 with legs up, 10 with legs down, and the last 20 with legs back up. I am amazed at how much stronger my core is. All the moves are higher, I can actually do all the V-up pulse up things, and I switch directions on the bicycle without breaking in between. What I do notice is that I cannot get my legs straight up in the air, for things like the Fifer scissors and pulse ups. So I guess that is the next goal, to get all the moves with completely straight legs.

Day 15, Dadone!

Day 14

Day 14, Yoga Day.

I decided to be good and follow the program as Tony lays it out, which means instead of substituting a cardio workout for the Yoga, I just suck it up and do the Yoga.

I actually found I liked it more this time. I seem more flexible, so am able to do all of the poses. About halfway through the moving poses series, I stop doing the push up in the Vinyosa. I actually attempt the Crane pose, and get it, though I can only hold it for a few seconds at a time. I do not attempt the wheel, but stay in bridge.

Yoga Belly is easier this time for sure, so my core is getting stronger.

So Yoga is done! I feel good, I feel strong, I feel flexible. Off to a pool party :)

Day 13

Day 13 for me is rest day. As much as I can rest while working a double shift that is :)

So, since I don't have workout to post about, I pose this question. Tomorrow is Yoga day for me. I don't like the Yoga part. I want to like it, I want to be that Yoga loving person like it seems everyone around me is. I'm just not! I get bored. I'd rather sweat to some hard core cardio for an hour. Thus my question, should I just suffer through a workout I hate, or go ahead and switch it out with one of the cardio workouts. I was thinking if I do the CardioX, that has about 15 minutes or so of Yoga within the workout....

WWTD? What would Tony do? Scratch that, I know Tony would do Yoga. What would YOU do??

Day 12 Continued

Got home from work, did the Ab Ripper X.

FINALLY!! I was able to complete it without that tearing pain. I still felt it, but it was mild and I didn't feel like I was going to injure anything.
The best part?? I was able to complete almost all of the reps of every exercise. The exceptions were Mason twists (I did twenty rested ten and did the last twenty) and the roll up pulse up things which I just had to go slower than they were going.
So I guess regardless of the pain, my core is getting stronger for sure. The first time I did Ab Ripper, I couldn't even lift my legs up for the Mason twists, and I couldn't do the Fifer scissors at all.

Also ran in to a friend today, and without me mentioning P90X she says "something is different about your arms. They are either tanner, or more defined" I would like to believe what she was seeing was more defined.

Woohoo!!

Day 12

Day 12, Legs and Back. 55 minutes of lunges, squats, and pull ups. And Ab Ripper X.

So I am excited for my workout today because I had a dream last night that I did one reverse grip pullup the grown up way. What is my lesson for today? I am not a prophet. That would explain why I also didn't get that scratch off ticket I had a dream about that won me $1000. Darn it.

When I start the workout, I am super tight and sore in my right piriformis (hip rotator) so some of the right lunges and squats are difficult. I do my best, and by the end, it is all stretched out and now it feels wonderful. My arms are shaking, my legs are shaking, but I feel GREAT!

I will do the Ab Ripper when I get home from work tonight.

I had some insight yesterday while chatting with a friend. She asked me about my son's first day of Kindergarten. In my head it was far away, on paper, its less than two weeks. When I realized this, I welled up and instantly started to cry. I don't think I realized how hard this was going to be on me. For five years now he has been with me. On the three days a week I massage, I don't go in til 11 or 12 so we have all morning together. And on Mondays and Wednesdays I'm off, so we have all day together. Saturdays, I work both jobs, so he is with his daddy all day. Now I realize, what the heck am I going to do with him in school all day?? He is my little partner. And it made me realize that deep down I am devastated that my baby is going to Kindergarten. I think I started this program so that I would have something else to focus on and put my energy in as we transition in to this next phase of our lives.

Day 11

Day 11, Kenpo day.

Woke up feeling pretty good. Not as much soreness. That makes me happy. Also seems I am finally starting to notice a difference on the scale. I am down 4 pounds from my start day.

So today is Kenpo day, my favorite workout so far. It goes by fast, it is super satisfying, and boy do I work up a sweat.

And today I get a treat! A 90 minute massage this afternoon that my sore and weary muscles have been looking forward to all week!! Ahhhh.......

Day 11....OUT!

Day 10

Yippeee!! I am on Day 10 and in to the double digits. Today is Shoulders and Arms and Ab Ripper X.

I didn't sleep well at all last night. I tried taking Melatonin before I went to be, yet still was awake at 3 and didn't get back to sleep til 5:30, then up at 7. My body still hurts, though butt and legs are better, it seems to be mostly my neck, shoulders, back and abs.

I pull out the 8 pound weights because last time I did all the exercises with 5 pounders, and found I was not struggling with the last three reps on most, as Tony recommends. However, last time, I did not hurt as much as this time. So I get started, a lot of the exercises (especially bicep stuff) I use 8. Some however, I have to stick with 5. You are supposed to do 8-10 reps for size, 10-12 reps for toning and weight loss, I do 15 reps of everything.
The only one I cannot do is the very last bonus exercise, tricep side raises. Hopefully in time.

I move on to Ab Ripper X. I thought my Abs were feeling better. 4 minutes in I realize that whatever has been going on with my lower ab muscles is not better. I can't think of how to explain it other than that certain exercises, like crunchy frog and scissors, make it feel like something is going to tear. Its not a burn or a feeling of the muscle is working hard, its more of an injury type feeling, and I DON'T want to injure it more. I'm still wondering if this could have something to do with my C-section. Any input?? So I do modified things making sure it doesn't hurt. Maybe Friday I will be able to do more....


Day 10....CHECK!

Day 9

Day 9, Plyometrics Day, and with this post I am caught up to the present day with my blog. I wake up, still sore, and realize I do not have enough time this morning to do my workout. I also feel yucky, didn't sleep well, and feel like a cold or something is approaching. I decide I will do my workout when I get home from work, which I HATE!!

So the whole time I am massaging, I am having this internal struggle with my brain. Should I just skip my workout today? Force myself to do it? In the end, I decide I can't let my four blog followers down. I get home from work and do Plyo. It's just as hard, but I actually feel stronger this time. The only part I can't do is the tuck jumps (where you jump and kick your butt with your knees) and the rock star jumps (same idea, but with a pretend air guitar) Jumping and trying to tuck my legs is again causing that pain I mentioned yesterday in the lower abs. I'm really hoping it gets better, especially considering that is my problem area, and part of the reason I started this!

So Day 9, complete. 81 more days to go.

Day 8

Day 8. For those of you who are not familiar with this 90 day program, Weeks 1-3 are exactly the same, so that means today I get to do Chest and Back again. Today it will hit 90 degrees in Maine, and I have plans with my mother and some friends to take our kiddos to Aquaboggan, a local water park. So I set my alarm and get up early to do my workout first.

Now I don't mean to whine, and I hate whiners, but I want to be honest. I still hurt, everywhere. I'm still wondering when the hurt starts to go away. Any insight??? Still can't do a pull up, so do modified. Push ups are a lot harder this week due to the soreness, so my numbers are lower. I finish the workout and we head to the park. I decide I will do the Ab Ripper workout when we get home, no matter how late.

So, at the water park. My son is an adrenaline junky like his mama. He quickly figures out the fastest slides and we stick to them. I point out to him that you go faster if you lay on your back rather than sit. On each slide, I go down first, and he after so I can be at the bottom to catch him if needed. So on one of the faster slides, I lay down, and then when I go around one big curve, I realize that you really use your ab muscles to steady your body on the turns, because a pain tears through me lower abs and I want to cry. Needless to say, I don't lay down any more after that. Once in the wave pool, a little boy accidentally kicks me in the butt. I refrain from punching him in the face.

We get home around 9. I get my son settled in bed and pop in the Ab Ripper X. I realize about 4 minutes in to it that I am not going to be able to finish this workout. Something is wrong in the lower abs. Its not a workout pain, its like a something is going to rip and give out pain. It hits me that because on my day of rest I did Yoga, which includes the hard core yoga belly workout, maybe I am overdoing it, since he does recommend never doing abs two days in a row.
My other thought is my c-section 5 years ago. I know it can affect future use of your muscles. Any thoughts on this?????