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.