KENPO X
I've done it! I've completed a week of P90X. Tomorrow is just stretching - I can even take a rest day if I want. So, I'm considering today the end of the week.
My legs are still very tired.
Kenpo X is like Tai Bo (How do you spell that? Is Billy Blanks reading? Could you clarify for me?). It's all jabs, punches, upper cuts and kicks. I think this is another one that I'm going to really enjoy once I get a better grip on the smaller moves in each set. I always want to lead with my right hand. It was frustrating and funny. It was a mental challenge today. Who needs Sudoku?
I stopped by a fitness store today and picked up some gear. I got a new (tighter) resistance band for my chin ups and I got push up bars (or are they handles? They look like handles - you grip them instead of keeping your hands flat on the floor. Considering I'm doing over 100 push ups on Mondays, I might as well do what I can to make them better.)
Don't worry - I did find a solution to my chin up issue - no more rubber bands snapping at my stomach. I now put the band around a spindle in the stair railing going up stairs. It's metal, so I'm not too worried about hurting the railing. (That would be a pretty cool testimony to my strength though!) Anyway, now that I know where to kneel to get the best movement in, I'm not scared of the chin up sections of the two videos. B1X would much prefer that I'm using a real pull up/chin up bar - but considering this is something that women are normally not very good at, I think going through my first round of P90X with a resistance band will have me ready to graduate to a pull up bar next go around.
I really believe in this program and the results I'm achieving. I know this may fluctuate throughout the program, so it's probably important that I comment on it when it's positive - just in case I have to read over my own notes later. ;) It is a really hard program. And it does leave me sore. But - I LOVE that all I have to do is press play. It's like having a personal trainer who lives with me. Better than that - a personal trainer on demand. I loved having a trainer - but I didn't like doing the other workouts during the week without her. She could challenge me, keep my heart rate up and I didn't have to think, I just had to do. And this is the same thing. I just do. In P90X speak, I bring it. (I wonder if I have to pay royalties for that?)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
DAY FIVE
Legs and Back
Yesterday (day 5) was HARD.
Ok, some of it was because I just wasn't thinking, but the other part was my body CRYING OUT for some tenderness after a week of "new" stuff.
Dumb parts:
First: I stayed out until after 11pm the night before. It was a friend's birthday, and I really enjoyed myself. But it's a short sleep between 11:30pm and 5:15am.
Second: I don't know how to work my sister's DVD player. When I went to go back like 10 seconds in my video, I actually went back to the main menu... So, then I tried to fast forward in the video and went back to the main menu, skipping over the video completely. The sad part was - I had to do the warm up and the first couple of exercises TWICE. I couldn't let my body cool down, and it seemed silly to just jog on the spot when I could be doing what they were doing. I also figured like the other videos, he would repeat a move, and I would just skip it the second time. But no. So, I wasted like an extra 20 minutes.
Third: I knew I had to do Ab Ripper X(ARX) - but didn't bring the DVD down with me. So, after I was already delayed, I had to go search for ARX in my room (don't even ask why it was up there). I was a girl guide. Why can't I remember to be prepared?
After all of that - I was 40 minutes late. The rest of my morning routine became VERY condensed.
But it was the rest of the day that was so memorable... As each hour went by I noticed the soreness in my legs more and more... By the time I was ready to go home, I was too tired to get off my bus early to grab groceries for dinner. All I wanted to do was have a warm bath with epsom salts.
That's exactly what I did when I got home. It helped a bit. Then my sister was doing the Biggest Loser Yoga video and I thought - hey, that might help. So, I did yoga with her. It kinda helped.
I was so wiped yesterday.
I let myself sleep in today. I was going to try getting up, working out then going back to bed, but the timing of when you eat is important, so I didn't want to be up for over two hours and then go back to bed. Instead, I did what Cuba recommended, slept in a bit and then gave myself a free pass to have a nap today. :)
I know - like I need a pass to have a nap - but it's great to have earned one!
And don't you worry, my sister showed me how to use the remote for her DVD player last night. I was pressing the wrong button.
I can't believe how many lessons I'm learning through this program!
Yesterday (day 5) was HARD.
Ok, some of it was because I just wasn't thinking, but the other part was my body CRYING OUT for some tenderness after a week of "new" stuff.
Dumb parts:
First: I stayed out until after 11pm the night before. It was a friend's birthday, and I really enjoyed myself. But it's a short sleep between 11:30pm and 5:15am.
Second: I don't know how to work my sister's DVD player. When I went to go back like 10 seconds in my video, I actually went back to the main menu... So, then I tried to fast forward in the video and went back to the main menu, skipping over the video completely. The sad part was - I had to do the warm up and the first couple of exercises TWICE. I couldn't let my body cool down, and it seemed silly to just jog on the spot when I could be doing what they were doing. I also figured like the other videos, he would repeat a move, and I would just skip it the second time. But no. So, I wasted like an extra 20 minutes.
Third: I knew I had to do Ab Ripper X(ARX) - but didn't bring the DVD down with me. So, after I was already delayed, I had to go search for ARX in my room (don't even ask why it was up there). I was a girl guide. Why can't I remember to be prepared?
After all of that - I was 40 minutes late. The rest of my morning routine became VERY condensed.
But it was the rest of the day that was so memorable... As each hour went by I noticed the soreness in my legs more and more... By the time I was ready to go home, I was too tired to get off my bus early to grab groceries for dinner. All I wanted to do was have a warm bath with epsom salts.
That's exactly what I did when I got home. It helped a bit. Then my sister was doing the Biggest Loser Yoga video and I thought - hey, that might help. So, I did yoga with her. It kinda helped.
I was so wiped yesterday.
I let myself sleep in today. I was going to try getting up, working out then going back to bed, but the timing of when you eat is important, so I didn't want to be up for over two hours and then go back to bed. Instead, I did what Cuba recommended, slept in a bit and then gave myself a free pass to have a nap today. :)
I know - like I need a pass to have a nap - but it's great to have earned one!
And don't you worry, my sister showed me how to use the remote for her DVD player last night. I was pressing the wrong button.
I can't believe how many lessons I'm learning through this program!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
DAY FOUR
YogaX
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I completed YogaX this morning. The first time I ever did this video, I was home for the holidays with B2X, and I was laughing inside. Macho workout people never get real yoga right. It's never really a challenge.
Well, the joke is on me. It is still friggin' brutal to get through.
There is a water break about 20 minutes in - but there was no way I could wait until then to wipe all my sweat off and grab a drink. I was suh-wet-ting.
Normally, the highlight to my Body Flow classes is the balance track. I enjoy doing balance postures. This morning - it felt like I had inner ear problems. I was wobbly on everything.
I can't wait until I'm better at that video.
There's a fit test that they recommend you do first - I haven't done it (yet?) - but there is a flexibility test. When I was doing some moves this morning I was thinking that I should at least do that part of the test. I think that's an area that will really see improvements as things get cooking.
Today I had some healthy eating advice sent in by my friend LeLe. She recommended that I start making my own salad dressings. She and her husband did a big ol' cleanse last year and this is one of the things she continues to do - well, she does more than just this - anyway, this is something I'm interested in trying out. She also told me her favourite desk snack is almonds. I had some this afternoon to test her theory. She's right, it's a gooder. I had some dried cranberries with mine, just to give it a kick. Good times.
Oh wait! I didn't even tell you the most impressive part about YogaX. It's 90 minutes long. Hello? Do you know how many downward dogs you can do in 90 minutes? Millions.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I completed YogaX this morning. The first time I ever did this video, I was home for the holidays with B2X, and I was laughing inside. Macho workout people never get real yoga right. It's never really a challenge.
Well, the joke is on me. It is still friggin' brutal to get through.
There is a water break about 20 minutes in - but there was no way I could wait until then to wipe all my sweat off and grab a drink. I was suh-wet-ting.
Normally, the highlight to my Body Flow classes is the balance track. I enjoy doing balance postures. This morning - it felt like I had inner ear problems. I was wobbly on everything.
I can't wait until I'm better at that video.
There's a fit test that they recommend you do first - I haven't done it (yet?) - but there is a flexibility test. When I was doing some moves this morning I was thinking that I should at least do that part of the test. I think that's an area that will really see improvements as things get cooking.
Today I had some healthy eating advice sent in by my friend LeLe. She recommended that I start making my own salad dressings. She and her husband did a big ol' cleanse last year and this is one of the things she continues to do - well, she does more than just this - anyway, this is something I'm interested in trying out. She also told me her favourite desk snack is almonds. I had some this afternoon to test her theory. She's right, it's a gooder. I had some dried cranberries with mine, just to give it a kick. Good times.
Oh wait! I didn't even tell you the most impressive part about YogaX. It's 90 minutes long. Hello? Do you know how many downward dogs you can do in 90 minutes? Millions.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
DAY THREE
Shoulders and arms
This morning came fast enough. I had a nap after work to help fight off a cold, and then was up for a couple of hours before I went back to bed. Still, when my alarm went off, it seemed much too soon.
The workout itself was good. It didn't kill me - which means I need some more weights. But, I was still well worked. My arms have been a little tender all day. I was expecting my legs to be crying out a little more, but it seems that they like jumping. I'm concerned I may need someone to brush my teeth tomorrow.
The interesting thing is - I feel like this P90X deal is catching on like wild fire. Sheryl Crow? Hello? All the cool kids are doing it.
It's been a bit of a challenge to get on the healthy eating wagon. I've done a great job all week. But at times, I just want a granola bar. I'm fighting the feeling. For the next little bit I'm being more strict with my diet and then I'll relax it a bit. I felt like it would be too easy to sneak a little something in here and a little something there. This way, if I'm really sneaking something in - it's noticeable.
I decided to not waste any time introducing healthy extras into my life - added protein, veggie greens, fish oil, flax oil, multivitamin with minerals and a little extra B complex. I figured that my body is probably catching on now that it's Day 3 that this is for real and not a one hit wonder.
I'm just hoping that all this extra good stuff will keep me from getting a cold. I feel like I'm on the verge but I am definitely resisting and running the other way.
This morning came fast enough. I had a nap after work to help fight off a cold, and then was up for a couple of hours before I went back to bed. Still, when my alarm went off, it seemed much too soon.
The workout itself was good. It didn't kill me - which means I need some more weights. But, I was still well worked. My arms have been a little tender all day. I was expecting my legs to be crying out a little more, but it seems that they like jumping. I'm concerned I may need someone to brush my teeth tomorrow.
The interesting thing is - I feel like this P90X deal is catching on like wild fire. Sheryl Crow? Hello? All the cool kids are doing it.
It's been a bit of a challenge to get on the healthy eating wagon. I've done a great job all week. But at times, I just want a granola bar. I'm fighting the feeling. For the next little bit I'm being more strict with my diet and then I'll relax it a bit. I felt like it would be too easy to sneak a little something in here and a little something there. This way, if I'm really sneaking something in - it's noticeable.
I decided to not waste any time introducing healthy extras into my life - added protein, veggie greens, fish oil, flax oil, multivitamin with minerals and a little extra B complex. I figured that my body is probably catching on now that it's Day 3 that this is for real and not a one hit wonder.
I'm just hoping that all this extra good stuff will keep me from getting a cold. I feel like I'm on the verge but I am definitely resisting and running the other way.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
DAY TWO
PlyometriX
What does that mean? Jump! Jump! Kriss Kross will make you jump! Jump! (Wait - did they spell their name with two C's or two K's?)
Every exercise revolves around having both feet leave the floor at the same time... Jump lunges, runner's stances, leapfrogs, squats, etc...
This is one of the exercises that I tried with B2X over the Christmas holidays, so I knew where this one was going. No surprises.
It is tough. I'm not going to lie to you.
But, when all was said and done, I felt great and knew that at the end of this, there are going to be some serious body changes. I can't wait!
I'm meeting with my former trainer tomorrow for her to do my measurements with me. She's really curious about how this program works and wants to follow along with my progress. I love her. One day, I'm going to look like her. She's 41, has teenage children and looks awesome. I can't wait for my photo shoot with her - when we're wearing matching gear and looking equally fit!
B1X believes very strongly in the Beach Body Recovery Drink - in smooth orange flavour. So, he encouraged me (strongly) to order a bottle of it. It arrived today. So, I'm interested in trying it and seeing just how well it helps me recover.
Must go to bed. Day 3 will come quickly!
p.s. I have been making some changes to my diet as well and have increased the amount of green tea I'm drinking... unfortunately, it comes with a price. I woke up several times last night. I was tired all day today! Yes - even with the extra cups of green tea today! My body is used to having one cup of green tea a day. It will take a bit to adjust to this added caffeine in my system.
What does that mean? Jump! Jump! Kriss Kross will make you jump! Jump! (Wait - did they spell their name with two C's or two K's?)
Every exercise revolves around having both feet leave the floor at the same time... Jump lunges, runner's stances, leapfrogs, squats, etc...
This is one of the exercises that I tried with B2X over the Christmas holidays, so I knew where this one was going. No surprises.
It is tough. I'm not going to lie to you.
But, when all was said and done, I felt great and knew that at the end of this, there are going to be some serious body changes. I can't wait!
I'm meeting with my former trainer tomorrow for her to do my measurements with me. She's really curious about how this program works and wants to follow along with my progress. I love her. One day, I'm going to look like her. She's 41, has teenage children and looks awesome. I can't wait for my photo shoot with her - when we're wearing matching gear and looking equally fit!
B1X believes very strongly in the Beach Body Recovery Drink - in smooth orange flavour. So, he encouraged me (strongly) to order a bottle of it. It arrived today. So, I'm interested in trying it and seeing just how well it helps me recover.
Must go to bed. Day 3 will come quickly!
p.s. I have been making some changes to my diet as well and have increased the amount of green tea I'm drinking... unfortunately, it comes with a price. I woke up several times last night. I was tired all day today! Yes - even with the extra cups of green tea today! My body is used to having one cup of green tea a day. It will take a bit to adjust to this added caffeine in my system.
DAY ONE
Holy goodness. 5:30 comes VERY fast after the end of the Oscars... I could still see Hugh Jackman waving good night to me and yet I was dragging my exercise gear on... I took B1X's advice and I laid my clothes out the night before. I kind of felt like I was still young and in school and looking forward to the first day again...
The first workout: Chest and back.
Super hard. I'm not even joking. I think I probably did over 100 push ups in an hour. The funniest part was that I did them all in a modified stance from my knees and I had two red welts on my knees for the whole day! There are like 4 different kinds of push ups in this video. And when you're not doing that, you're doing something else crazy to your chest and back... It was the kind of workout that has you wondering who will brush your teeth for you the next morning when you can't raise your arms...?
They recommend that you have a chin-up bar to do all your pull-ups. However, I am still working that out, so I decided to follow their alternative route and put a resistance band around the top of a door. I wish I had a video camera on me. There I was, totally getting into it, when POP! The resistance band popped off the top of the door and snapped my stomach. A really large rubber band. My stomach. It was shocking. It hurt a bit. But even at ten to six in the morning, it was funny.
Then, the surprise. It wasn't *just* chest and back - it was chest and back AND ABS! What?! You don't surprise a girl with that! It was insane. I tell you, the day that I can do every rep in that workout, I will demand people bow as I walk by! Ok, I'm not going to be that crazy, but still. It will be a memorable day. Fo sho.
With the added surprise, it also threw off my well calculated prep schedule for work... So, it was a very rushed shower/dressing/primping/breakfast-grabbing morning.
The best part
My favourite part about doing this, was remembering at different points in the day that I was done! I didn't have to workout again that day. No more gym guilt during my lunch hour or after work. That was awesome.
The first workout: Chest and back.
Super hard. I'm not even joking. I think I probably did over 100 push ups in an hour. The funniest part was that I did them all in a modified stance from my knees and I had two red welts on my knees for the whole day! There are like 4 different kinds of push ups in this video. And when you're not doing that, you're doing something else crazy to your chest and back... It was the kind of workout that has you wondering who will brush your teeth for you the next morning when you can't raise your arms...?
They recommend that you have a chin-up bar to do all your pull-ups. However, I am still working that out, so I decided to follow their alternative route and put a resistance band around the top of a door. I wish I had a video camera on me. There I was, totally getting into it, when POP! The resistance band popped off the top of the door and snapped my stomach. A really large rubber band. My stomach. It was shocking. It hurt a bit. But even at ten to six in the morning, it was funny.
Then, the surprise. It wasn't *just* chest and back - it was chest and back AND ABS! What?! You don't surprise a girl with that! It was insane. I tell you, the day that I can do every rep in that workout, I will demand people bow as I walk by! Ok, I'm not going to be that crazy, but still. It will be a memorable day. Fo sho.
With the added surprise, it also threw off my well calculated prep schedule for work... So, it was a very rushed shower/dressing/primping/breakfast-grabbing morning.
The best part
My favourite part about doing this, was remembering at different points in the day that I was done! I didn't have to workout again that day. No more gym guilt during my lunch hour or after work. That was awesome.
Welcome to my new blogspot!
I have finally been inspired to start a new blog...to share with you my experience of the daring and exciting challenge of: P90X.
But what is P90X?
It's a 91 day exercise program that attacks every muscle group in your body over a week-long program that you repeat... The workouts range in length from 60 minutes to 90 minutes.
How did I hear about P90X?
From my brother, B2X. He had watched an infomercial about it, then heard some other people had it and then made the life altering decision to mention it to our older brother, B1X. B1X is easily excited by a fitness challenge, so B2X definitely got the motivation he needed to start by inviting him into this. They completed their first round of P90X just after Christmas. I did a couple of exercises with B2X when I was home over the holidays - it was definitely a challenge.
Are you sure you want to do this?
Without giving myself much time to think about it, I told my brothers I was in for round 2. There's nothing like the accountability of two brothers... There will be no slipping or room for error. Otherwise I'll be hearing about it until I'm 97. At the time, I was thinking about what I was going to do to change my life. I recently gained back weight that I had lost a couple of years ago and I knew that I need to get serious and go farther than I did last time. So, really, it seemed like the path of least resistance at the time... But when I'm getting out of bed in the morning, it doesn't feel easy... ;)
So, sit back and enjoy the ride. You're about to witness my 91 day journey to a freaking awesome body.
But what is P90X?
It's a 91 day exercise program that attacks every muscle group in your body over a week-long program that you repeat... The workouts range in length from 60 minutes to 90 minutes.
How did I hear about P90X?
From my brother, B2X. He had watched an infomercial about it, then heard some other people had it and then made the life altering decision to mention it to our older brother, B1X. B1X is easily excited by a fitness challenge, so B2X definitely got the motivation he needed to start by inviting him into this. They completed their first round of P90X just after Christmas. I did a couple of exercises with B2X when I was home over the holidays - it was definitely a challenge.
Are you sure you want to do this?
Without giving myself much time to think about it, I told my brothers I was in for round 2. There's nothing like the accountability of two brothers... There will be no slipping or room for error. Otherwise I'll be hearing about it until I'm 97. At the time, I was thinking about what I was going to do to change my life. I recently gained back weight that I had lost a couple of years ago and I knew that I need to get serious and go farther than I did last time. So, really, it seemed like the path of least resistance at the time... But when I'm getting out of bed in the morning, it doesn't feel easy... ;)
So, sit back and enjoy the ride. You're about to witness my 91 day journey to a freaking awesome body.
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