Day #5- Legs & Back/ Day #6- Kenpo

I have officially completed Week #1 of P90X (hooray for me)! My biggest obstacle for completing my workouts this last week was getting to bed on time. I have a busy life taking care my family and all of the household chores. Some days I got to bed way too late and didn't wake up at the optimal hour (for me) of 6 AM to complete my workouts. On these days I found time to do them during my children's naps or after my kids went to bed for the night. I think that for most people working out and getting healthy is about priorities. If you willing to commit to it, you'll make it happen. Now, not every day is going to be perfect...but we can do the best we can with each day we're given...and that's what I'm striving to do.

Overall, I am very happy with how well P90X is going for me. If someone were to ask me why I hadn't done this sooner I would say that it's because I wasn't ready for it. Doing such a intense workout regimen takes a lot of commitment...and time. You have to believe that you can do it and that you're worth it! These workouts are long, (most around an hour), and certainly not easy. But when you find in your life that you really want a change, and want to get into the best shape of your life, a person can achieve amazing results through P90X (or another similar workout program). I'm very much looking forward to the changes I notice in my body over the next 90 days. It might take a little longer then 90 days to reach my fullest potential, but I'm just going to keep working and enjoying what this is doing for my body and my life. :)

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Yesterday I completed Legs & Back for the first time. It involves a series of movements to build muscle in all parts of the legs: the hamstrings, quads, glutes and calves. And then it would jump to working on the back through different variations of pull-ups (or you can use resistance bands coming down from up above.)

With the leg workouts they have you do lots of lunges, leg squats, dead lifts...Oh, and don't forget the wall squats!! Doing those brought back haunted memories of grade school when my gym teacher had competitions for who could do wall squats the longest. I was the super skinny wimpy girl and I always hated them! Luckily, they weren't as bad as I remembered them and Tony Horton doesn't make you do them too long. And you alternate with different angles on wall sits, so it felt like I was working on different muscle groups at different angles.

I felt that the legs part of "Leg & Back" wasn't too bad since that is my strong point...But my back is going to need a lot of work. I expect that building strength in my upper body is going to be a grueling process through these next 90 days and beyond. For the pull-ups I relied heavily on a chair and my legs...but I did do my very best to use all the strength I could use in my arms and back to lift up above the chin up bar repeatedly.

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Today was Kenpo X!! At the beginning Mr. Horton mentions that with Kenpo you'll be having so much fun that you'll forget how hard you're working. I found that remark to be pretty true for me. I very much enjoyed Kenpo and found that I'm actually pretty good with it. It requires strength, but also balance and focus. In Kenpo you do kick-boxing type movements with a lot of kicking and punching. It actually reminded me a lot of a self-defense class I took in college.  I loved all the variations of punches. The jabs and hooks, and then the kicks; to the side, front and back. I was so excited to do well with it. I'm not sure if it was because I've just completed my first week of P90X and I'm stronger, or because I'm just naturally good at this type of workout. Either way, I'm down with Kenpo!

Tomorrow, Day #7, I will be taking my rest day...gladly. :)

Day #4- Yoga X

Today was my first day of Yoga X. At the beginning Tony Horton introduces Yoga X as Yoga 300 and something...not 100 or 200...but a 300 level Yoga. :)

I knew I'd do okay since I've done most of this segment before. I am not able to do the push-ups very well yet, but I felt good about the rest of the workout. I am pretty flexible, naturally, so that helps.

I'd have to say that so far my favorite P90X segment is Plyometrics! It's intense and I feel like I really had to work...Yoga, although very necessary, didn't leave me as satisfied. I'm starting to get into the mindset where I really want to feel like I'm achieving something, physically, with each and every workout. That's not to say I don't have improvements to make with Yoga...oh I do. :) Like being able to do the move wear you balance your whole body on your hands. Yea...that one's going to take a while! One thing that I do like about Yoga is how great the stretches feel.

Tomorrow I do Legs & Back as well as Ab Ripper X. And it will be my first time doing Legs & Back. I expect to get a much more intense workout, and I really look forward to it!

Day #3- Ab Ripper X

Oh, Ab Ripper X...how I've been dreading thee.

Today was my first day completing the short 18 minute Ab Ripper X segment. I've been pretty nervous for this one. Like I said before, one of my main goals with doing P90X is to strengthen my abs. After 2 pregnancies I wonder if they're even still there...

I want SO badly to be able to do regular sit-ups without pulling on my legs for assistance. At this point, I'll admit, I cannot do even one regular sit-up. I am determined to change this.

So...I was actually pretty surprised at how well I was able to do with Ab Ripper X today! I was so relieved and grateful to get through it all. There was even one move that I was able to do perfectly without too much effort. It was called "Hip rock & raise." It made me think that I must be doing something right in my daily life and previous exercise routines. But by far the most challenging move is the The MASON TWIST! You sit on my buttocks with your upper body and legs off the floor while rapidly pivoting your upper body from side to side, while keeping your legs up and stretched out as much as possible. I probably sounded like I was about to cry during this one!! They definitely saved the best for last with that move.

My only concern today is if I was able to employ my abdominal muscles enough for a decent workout, instead of relying on other muscle groups. I guess I'll be able to tell by how sore I am tomorrow. But I like how the other workouts I've done so far (Core Synergistics and Plyometrics) have given my abs a workout as well.

YOGA tomorrow! I've been looking forward to P90X Yoga for WEEKS! It's the only P90X workout I've done before and I really think I'm going to enjoy it.

I was unable to do "Shoulders & Arms" today. Unfortunately I slept through my alarm this morning and missed the opportunity. I will be making it up later. :)

Day #2- Plyometrics

Today I did Plyometrics for the first time. Tony Horton describes it as "jump training", old fashioned but very essential for athletic training...jumping higher and going stronger then anyone else!

Since "jump training" is completely new to me it didn't seem old fashioned at all. It was intense! Half way through I start thinking, "When is this going to end?!" (It's an hour long segment)... But this is what it takes to get into the best shape of my life- to push harder than then I ever have before. I was very excited to get through the whole hour but I did have to take a few short breaks to get my heart rate down a little. There was no "bonus round" is this one...just go, go, go!!

Tony Horton says at the beginning that he recommends a heart monitor...unfortunately I don't have one yet...but I definitely see why. My heart was getting the biggest workout it's had in a while. Plyometrics is some intense cardio and is great strength training for the legs. There was tons of squatting and jumping and then more squatting and jumping, here and there and everywhere. Then running and knee lifts and...more jumping and so on and so on.

I think that, personally, Plyometrics will be a lot easier for me than Ab Ripper X or any upper body resistence training...lower body strength has always been my strong point. The other areas...not so much.

I'm so glad to be a part of something that really tests and challenges my abilities and I can't wait to see my body transform in the next few weeks!

Oh goody...Shoulder & Arms and Ab Ripper X tomorrow. We'll see if I can type a blog after completing those. :)

Day #1- Core Synergistics

So today I finally began my first round of P90X! I literally woke up at 5 AM this morning and couldn't get back to sleep so I started my workout at 5:30. I was a little worried about how much I'd be able to do, but I feel like I did pretty well with this first segment. Tony Horton (the main man of P90X) explains it as the everyday muscle building segment. It's crucial for building overall durability to avoid injury for everyday activities. He says that it just might be your favorite workout since each of the muscle groups are used during the hour's routine...versus other segments which only work on a particular part of the body.

Core Synergistics focuses on building the muscles of the core...the trunk muscles and around the lumbar spine, as they are the foundation for all the rest of the body. I did lunges, variations of pushups...all kinds of crazy stuff I've never done. I love it! And I'm going to love it even more when I can actually do all the moves properly. I'll admit that I look pretty silly right now, but I just do my best to keep up and work at getting the closest to what the professionals are doing on the screen. As Tony Horton says, "Do your best and forget the rest!" It felt good to be able to keep up with the whole hour, including the "bonus round" at the end.

The hardest move on this DVD, for me, was the "walking push-ups"!! Where you get into plank position, like you're getting ready to go down in a push-up. But instead you walk your hands and feet forward and then backwards...Wow!! That's intense. It's the only workout on this DVD where I fell to the ground after it was done. I have A LOT of work to do on my upper body. I've never been very strong in that area. Right now I can't even do 1 "guy pushup" so I'm looking forward to changing this.

So, since "Core Synergistics" is the first segment of "Lean P90X"...and I switched to "Classic P90X," tomorrow I will do day #2 of Classic, and put day #1 (which would have been Ab Ripper X, and Chest & Back) at the end of the 90 days. That's what I'll be doing for all the days I miss...I'll make them up at the end.

I'm excited to see what "Plyometrics" is all about tomorrow!

Change of Plans...Going Classic :)

So, I know I already wrote up a whole blog about choosing the lean version of P90X but...I've officially decided to do the classic version!

I sat at my computer last night and knowing that I was starting today, I had to make a choice. I chose lean, not for a cop-out...but it just seemed right at the moment. But after doing some more research I feel that classic is a better choice me because of my goals.

My Goals for P90X

• Increase muscle mass
• Gain more energy for working out and throughout the day
• Find my lost abs
• Get into the best shape I've ever been in!!

I'm currently at a healthy weight...about 130 lbs. (BMI 20.8) I'm pretty happy with my body right now considering I had a baby only 5 months ago...but my pregnancies have done a number on my abs...and I'll admit that it's partly due to not having very great abs to begin with. So I'm basically starting from ground zero in that area. I do have some extra jiggle to lose, but gaining muscle is what will help the most. And Classic P90X will be best at helping me gain muscle.

Classic vs. Lean

www.teambeachbody.com

"P90X Lean is for those who want a more cardio-based and slightly less intensive program. Make no mistake, this is the real deal and no picnic. In fact, you may sweat more than in P90X. What you sacrifice in overall gains in strength and speed, you'll make up for with positive changes in lean body mass."

For Classic: "Consider this the starting line to the extreme physical and mental challenge ahead. It's time to show what you've got. It may take some time to get used to the rigors of this program, but with patience and determination, you will go the distance..."

Classic looks like it will be about 50% cardio most weeks. Muscle is what helps burn calories even after the workout is over, and what I'm after...so BRING IT!!

Decision...P90X Lean

I've decided to go with the Lean version of P90X...I plan to do this program more than once so I'll be doing P90X Lean hopefully to prepare for classic the 2nd time. Lean is described as using more of the cardio segments with less upper body resistance training. I'm hestitant to pick Lean because my main goal is working on my abs, and instead of focusing on abs 3 times a week, it's "only" 2 times a week. (I'm sure I'll be thanking myself after I finish my first Ab Ripper X...) But I need to build up more overall strength and endurance. I read that doing P90X Lean is still no picnic in the park and I'll sweat even more, but is the version that women tend to usually go with. I guess if I'm feeling extra brave I can add some more Ab Ripper X sessions into my routine...maybe...probably not... :)

3 More Days!

Monday, October 31st will be the official start date of my P90X journey!! I will be waking up bright in early in order to get a full workout in before my kiddos wake up. Pre-requisite to that will be going to bed early and getting a good night's rest. I AM PUMPED! I cannot wait... With P90X there are 6 days of workouts and then one rest day (or you can do their X Stretch segment), so I am starting on Monday so that Sunday will be my rest day.

I have been extremely excited to receive my P90X program in the mail. I live in Hawaii, so I specifically looked for a "used" copy through amazon coming from the West Coast so it would arrive quickly (and to save a little money)...I was so happy to find that someone was selling a brand new, never been opened copy of P90X in the "used" section. I thought, wow what a great deal! Uh-uh...not a great deal... Before my package came my cousin warned me that copies of P90X (and like Beachbody programs) sold through places like  Ebay, Amazon, Craigslist, etc... are usually bootleg fakes. She had bought her first copy off of Craigslist, and learned this the hard way... I hoped mine wouldn't be that way, but unfortunately it is. I will be filing a claim through Amazon and hopefully it will help.

You really do get what you pay for.

After seeing my "new" copy I did some research on the subject and I would guess that about 90% of copies sold outside of Beachbody are pirated copies. When you buy a product through Beachbody they back up their purchases 100%...but will give no guarantee on "Beachbody" products sold outside of their website because they know how rampant this piracy is.

Tonight I bought a legitimate copy of P90X through my website, and from now on I will be buying this sort of product from the source... I will be using Beachbody's 2 day ship option to have it ready to go by Monday! And once the real version of the program arrives I'll post pictures comparing the Bootleg version to the Real version.

3 more days!!

Positive Change

I'm an army wife, and a mother to 2 beautiful children. I love my life and I love my family. But I realized that lately I haven't been loving myself enough. And so I'm on a journey to find greater joy and satisfaction and in my personal life.

You can't help others until you've helped yourself.

This is a saying that continues to come to mind as I think of how I want to change my life.

What do I want to change (or do better with)?

• I want to be more excited about life and my goals, and find more joy and enjoyment in the daily details of my life
• I want to have more fun!
• I want to push unnecessary negative out of my life and to focus better on the positive
• I want to have more energy and strength in mind, body and spirit
• I want to be stronger physically, and to feel better about my body
• I want to be at a point in my life where I can better help others live up to their fullest potential

So in thinking of how I'm going to change my life in these ways, I've realized that some things will have to take priority: Including spiritual aspects of my life, and then focusing on my health. To do this I will mainly be focusing on a vigorous exercise routine (P90X) and eating in a way that will give me more energy throughout the day, as well as better nutrition.

I've also realized that how I feel about myself and how I feel physically from day to day, directly affects how I perceive the world around me and how I react to it. How I feel inside also affects how I treat others. Think of a day where you were feeling tired and sluggish, and maybe even a little depressed? Were your interactions with others the most positive they could be? Was your thinking the most positive it could be? We all have days like that, no matter what stage of life we're in...but I'm determined to make those kind of days a rare occurrence in my own life. For most people happiness is a matter of choice...and I choose to be happy!