Feeling a Little Guilty

I skipped my Cardio X this morning. I feel guilty! :( My legs hurt so bad from Plyo last night that I couldn't bear to jump around some more. If I had thought about it a little more I would have just done it because now that I do think about it, my legs will probably just get more sore throughout the day. I want to make it up when I get home, then eat my snack, rest a little bit and then do my regularly scheduled resistance training. Tonight is back and biceps. I really want to kick this thing in the butt and stick to it and do a good job. I mean, what's the point if I am not going to do it the right way?

I am really starting to see results. My clothes are not just fitting me better but are actually fitting me worse because they are almost too big for me. I don't want to go out and buy new clothes at this point because even those may not fit by the end of the 90 days. However, I may have to break down and buy some transition clothes at Marshall's or TJMaxx or somewhere to just get me through the next half of the program. Well, a little longer than half. I'll see by the end of the month if I really will have to. Kind of hoping I get to do that because not only will I get to shop, but that means P90X is working so well that my clothes are falling off of me. I am almost in disbelief that I could actually be a size six pants but my size eights are getting very baggy. One thing I absolutely hated a while back was getting in the car and I could feel my stomach roll over my jeans and I had to like pull up my jeans or pants up over the roll. Ewwww!! Or the fat underneath my bra rolling over the bra wire. Like where does my boob end and where does it begin? LOL Gross! None of that anymore. I will probably have to buy new bras after all this too because, unfortunately, I'm losing fat in that area, also. Oh well. I guess it comes with the territory. I'm not complaining.

Well wish me luck with following through this afternoon and making up Cardio X I skipped this morning. Can't start whimping out now!

Still at it

Shew! Just finished Plyometrics for the fifth time ever. That is the hardest workout and it has definitely not gotten any easier. I have gotten better but I still have to pause every now and then to catch my breath and not pass out. My quads are killing me! They are pretty much sore all the time. Just think...I am getting up at 6am tomorrow to do another Cardio X workout that includes more Plyo! OMG!

I am really noticing a difference in my body. My torso is becoming very firm and my legs are much leaner. My arms are getting more defined. It's pretty cool. My chest is sore in places that my it has never been sore before from all the crazy push-ups last night. I was doing push-ups to the side, fast push-ups, slow push-ups, push-ups with my butt in the air, jumping push-ups with a clap and who knows what else. Usually my chest is sore near my armpits but today it is sore there and also lower down the pectoral muscle. Like I said, a completely different type of sore than I've had before. I guess that's a good thing!

I am really enjoying the new menu. Bunless burgers on the grill are pretty good and breakfast has been great as well. I think my favorites are the pear and oatmeal muffins and the waffles. Good stuff.

Well, I am only a third through my workouts for the week. But it is already more than most people can say they do! Bringing it!

Hanging in There

I am halfway through my first week of phase two. I am exhausted. Waking up yesterday at 6am for cardio was not my favorite thing in the world. I did it though, and I'm proud. In three days of P90X I worked out more times than I usually had in an entire week (5 times total). I've decided that at the end of 90 days I will be able to endorse this product or completely debunk it because I am following it so thoroughly. I just don't see how it can't work though. I am working out nine times a week this month. That's insane!

Plyometrics is still the hardest workout. I nearly died Tuesday. My body is very sore right now. Sore from a million push-ups Monday, Plyo Tuesday, and a million pull-ups and bicep curls last night.

I am enjoying the food much better this month so far. I was sooooo sick of eggs. This month for breakfast I get to eat muffins, pancakes, and waffles. All whole-wheat of course. It doesn't specify the type of waffles or pancakes and I found some healthy recipes I might try for next week. Today I am trying to find a recipe for salmon because last week poaching it made it disgusting. I found a good one for pecan crusted salmon that I think I will try tonight to make it edible. It will take a little bit more work and time but I think it will be worth it.

Anyway, I can't wait to sleep in Saturday!

Phase 2 Begins!

Today started Phase two of P90X which begins doubles. Actually, doing the doubles program is an option that I decided to do. It incorporates Cardio X three times a week in addition to the cardio or resistance training normally scheduled. It is recommended to do the Cardio X in the morning, before breakfast. It will be every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for me. That means every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I will get up extra early (probably around 6) to do the Cardio X DVD, come home later after work, do the regular resistance training workout PLUS Ab Ripper X. All the other days will just be whatever cardio is scheduled for the day. Shew! Luckily, today is a holiday and I had off work to start Phase two and try out Cardio X first thing this morning without having to get ready for that, too. I think I'll be able to handle it. The workout starts off real slow, warming up, stretching and then about 10 minutes of yoga. Then, it's about 10 minutes each of Kenpo, Plyo, and finally Core. But the way it kind of eases into the workout will be good for me. I have NEVER worked out in the morning before. It was a first for me today. And it wasn't too bad! I'm actually still sore from Core Synerginics on Friday.

I'm spending the day hanging out and doing my food preparation for the week. As much as I can anyway. Today I had shrimp pomodoro for lunch which was practically gourmet it was so good. Eating healthy definitely does not mean eating gross food. There is a huge difference in how much produce I purchase than I used to. Both drawers and an entire shelf in my refrigerator are filled with fresh produce. Everything from assorted berries, beans, and even herbs. It's much different from the way I used to shop for groceries. If you go to the right store though (like a produce store or a farmer's market) produce is very cheap.

Tonight is a new resistance workout; shoulders, chest, and triceps. I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow. I wonder how many pull-ups and push-ups I have to do...??

Sickie

That's me. Sick. What a hassle! Had to take off 3 days of work (but I'm not really complaining there) and stop working out for a few days. It's frustrating. So far, I've missed Core Synergenics and Kenpo X. Tonight is Stretch X so I plan on participating in that and tomorrow is Core Synergenics again. I'm hoping I'll be up for it tomorrow. I'm not so terribly sick that I feel like crap and can't move off the couch, but I am coughing a lot and have a slight sore throat. I went to the doctor and she gave me four prescriptions, told me to stay home the rest of the week, and stay out of the cold. So that's what I'm doing. I want to be good and healthy for Monday when doubles and Phase 2 begins and I start doing Cardio X three times a week in the morning. I am scared but also super excited. The results of the first 30 days have been fantastic so I can't imagine what the next 30 days will bring. I noticed I weighed six pounds less than I did the last time I went to the doctor six month ago. So that was nice. Sunday I am going to drag myself to the gym to get my weight and body fat so I can keep track. I am also going to take my 30 day photos. I probably won't be posting any pictures until the end of all 90 days when I'm all sexy and proud!

Here is a pic sometime last week bringing it! LOL

Still Bringing It!

I know, I know... it's been like 10 days since my last post. I'm sorry. But this program kind of takes over your life and keeps you very busy. I have been keeping it real still and going strong, finally making it to the first recovery period. I have to say the last week was pretty tough for me. It was probably a combination of fatigue and also coming down with a little cold. I first felt my throat becoming sore on Friday morning. I managed the leg, chest and ab workouts and pushed myself to not slack on them. Saturday I woke up again with a sore throat, but it felt better throughout the day and I got all the shopping done for this week. I kicked butt through Kenpo X, my favorite workout, Saturday evening. I stayed in all weekend and just worked out, shopped and rested. Like I said, I was feeling a bit worn out. Sunday I felt even more sick, thank goodness it was rest day. I slept for most of the day, trying to recover a little bit. If you have ever lived with me, you would know that it is really hard for me to just sit and do nothing all day. I am usually up and running around constantly doing little errands and chores that need to be done. There is always something that needs to be done. But Sunday, I forced myself to just chill out. Of course, Sunday was the stretch routine which was really nice and much needed.

It is finally the last week for the high protein and almost nonexistent carb diet. I am craving carbs!! Practically everyday someone in the lunch room has some kind of delicious looking dessert that I have to pass up. UGH! But my will has stayed strong and I am sticking to the diet practically perfect. As I said in my previous blogs, it's the vegetables that trip me up. I don't like very many and I have been supplementing a lot with V8 drinks. Hey, I gotta do what I gotta do! I am getting sick of salmon though. I have been broiling it and it's been turning out nicely until last week. The piece of salmon was so thick that I had to broil it for so long and the house ended up all smokey and the thin part of the fillet was crunchy like jerky. Hmph. So this week, I opted to try something different and I poached the salmon. That was even worse because it made the salmon extra fishy-tasting and I had to practically choke it down. Since salmon is on the menu for the upcoming months I will definitely be looking on the P90X message boards for a recipe that will make the salmon tasty.

Last night was the first time I completed the entire Yoga X DVD. It is over an hour and a half. I have seen a lot of improvement in this area. My back, shoulders and arm muscles must be getting stronger because I was able to do the million sun salutations, upward dogs and downward dogs. Some of the movements are quite tricky but I am learning as I go. Braden and I helped each other hold a "crane" pose for a little while. That one is crazy! Upside-down, balancing on your hands while your elbows are between your knees and feet off the floor. Here is a picture of what it looks like:

That will be the day!

I'm still feeling pretty sick. Tonight is a new workout, Core Synergenics. Not sure what it is or how hard it will be but if it's like any other workout I will be dying by the end of it.

I have gotten a lot of attention from my friends regarding P90X recently. I guess a lot of people have heard about it by now. A few people asked me if they should try it or think they could even do it. Here is my advice so far (granted I have only been doing this three weeks so my opinion may change as I go along):

1) A lot of my friends party a lot. It takes a lot of time away from that. Drinking a few nights a week is definitely out of the picture. Plan on having like 3 drinks of vodka and soda maybe once a week. My friends know me and I like to go out, drink, and stay up late and that life is practically over...for now. I was over it anyway and needed a break so it didn't really phase me to cut down drastically.

2) If you have never worked out in your life, I would say it will be very hard to get into the routine of doing so. I think you would already have to have a lot of self-discipline to workout normally anyway and P90X takes it to a whole new level. I would say anyone who wants to change for the better to give it a shot, but to set realistic goals. No way anyone is matching reps and weight with Tony Horton and his DVD minions even the first round through. They are serious. But if you are up for the challenge and are good at sticking with things, then go for it. Many people have addictive personalities and so this might be a good thing for them. A healthy addiction.

Anyway, I am going to enjoy this week of so -called "recovery" and hopefully kick this cold in the ass. Thursday I actually get a bonus stretch day. Next week starts doubles, which means I have to wake up extra early three times a week to do Cardio X. I have never done Cardio in the morning time or woken up extra early in my life for anything so we'll see how that goes.