DAY 43 - Chest, shoulders & triceps

Monday, Monday...

So, as you may recall - this workout is HARD! One-handed push-ups... Push-ups with claps between... Man!

The good part...

I'm getting better at every move! There are still a couple of types of push-ups that I need to do from my knees in this workout, but I know that will change... eventually...

I've also made a lot of progress with Ab Ripper X! I am almost at 50 Mason twists at the end.

DAY 42 - Rest or Stretch...?

REST!

I probably should have made it a stretch day... but I just wasn't feeling it...

I started a detox program with my homeopath - and I don't know if it was the detox, my body just needing rest, or what... but I was SO tired today! So, I took it easy!

DAY 41 - KenpoX

After a really great night's sleep - I was ready to rock this workout.

It was great!

Surprisingly enough - one of my favourite parts - were the cardio breaks. Between the sets of jabs, punches, kicks - there are "water breaks" where you run on the spot, do jumping jacks, and then X jumps - you do a standard jumping jack, but jump off the ground with your arms and legs stretched out like an X. I love the X jumps.

DAY 40 - Legs & Back

My balance was ALL OVER THE PLACE through this workout!

There are a large number of one-legged exercises - and all of them were a bit wonky.

I'm really rocking the resistance band for the pull-ups. In case you were wondering... ;)

UPDATE:

I can't believe I overlooked this part of my update - this workout was the first one I did at the end of the day. And it was SO hard to focus - and as I did mention above - hard to balance.

So, the other part I didn't mention... I ordered pizza for dinner - with the promise that I would still do my workout. A promise is a promise... ;)

DAY 39 - YogaX

PLOW WARRIOR!!!

Kids - I'm FINALLY able to do the whole plow/shoulder stands sequence!

So proud of myself.

Last time I was doing P90X, I resented the yoga workout... about 1/2 way through, I started using a shorter video from Tony Horton - "Fountain of Youth."

This time though, I'm not as frustrated or concerned about the length of the workout. I just seem to get in the zone and stay there... This time it took me until about 20 mins in to get in the zone... but then I did... and then it just flows.

I like that.

DAY 38 - Back & biceps

Great workout this morning! I changed up my resistance band to a harder one - and really challenged myself. I might really regret it tomorrow, but only time will tell... ;)

I'm glad that workout was a success... it helped make up for the fact that I do not like ab ripper x, Sam I am. I do not like green eggs and ham. It's SO hard!

The good part about this mornings tackling of Ab ripper X - I went through it fast! And - it actually felt like it was working my stomach today - now that my hipflexors aren't so mad at me...

DAY 37 - PlyoX

I had a blog entry half written in my mind this morning as I was finishing my workout... but now it's gone. I'd write in the morning, but I'm worried it would make me late for work...

My workout was really good this morning. It was intense and sweaty. And I'm doing SO much better at my rockstar hops and knee jumps.

But man - do my arms hurt from Monday's workout... There are these little pockets of soreness... Wow.

DAY 36 - Chest, shoulders & triceps

OK, it went better than last week - let me just start with that...

But I've been done my workout for over 30 mins and I'm still shaky!! What an intense workout! I still can't believe they put one-arm push-ups AND clap push-ups in the same video - and both in the second half of the workout... KILLER!

Noticed something interesting though... In the other arms routine, they have tricep side raises at the end - as part of the "bonus round" - and I can do over 26 per side. (Superhero!) However, in this workout, they've also included the same exercise - but I can barely get to 17! See, the workout is THAT intense. :)

It almost every set, I pushed myself to add ONE more rep - and in most cases I did that! So, it was a great workout - I know my body is feeling it and I feel like I have an extra boost in ME credits getting through that challenge!

(Yes, I just invented "ME credits" - since I don't know the difference between self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth to adequately describe what I'm feeling)

Oh - and let's not forget the icing on the cake today - Ab Ripper X. Holy goodness was that hard to get through. In many ways, I think doing my workout at 5:30, with the time pressure of getting to work on time helps push me through my workout - and limits the amount of mental babble that can work against me (depreciating my ME credits). I took several mini-breaks - but managed to get through it all... Oh, didn't do as many V-roll ups as I was supposed to - but did as many as I could.

I also added a couple of extra hip stretches at the end in hopes of loosening up that joint after it was worked so hard. I still can't believe how much my hips feel that ab workout.

DAY 35 - StretchyX

Well, the time finally came for me to have a stretchy day instead of a rest day... My legs were still SOOOOOO SORE when I woke up this morning from my Legs & back workout on Friday! Friday! Isn't this crazy?

What I am most impressed with is how sore I am after a video I've now done 4 times (not during my recovery week). I guess for the most part I've just started challenging myself farther than before... So, we'll award a point to the video for the workout provided - and bonus points for me for Bringing IT!

So, today's stretch was much needed... but I think I might still need a soak in the tub or whirlpool...

DAY 34 - KenpoX

I'm a fighting machine!

Even with my super sore legs! I think this was the first time I really, truly did not want to get out of bed!!! My butt is SO SORE! And I'm realizing *just* how involved my butt muscles are involved in EVERYTHING! It's awful!

With all that being said - once I started the video I was right into it. And, I was a lean, mean fighting machine! I was on my game!

Good times.

DAY 33 - Legs & back

Wow.

Legs & back is the strength workout that hasn't changed this week... I thought it would be easy, breezy...

WRONG.

It was SO tough! I didn't even conquer the one-leg wall-squats like I did once before!

This is going to leave me sore tomorrow...

DAY 32 - YogaX

Interesting session this morning... I did some things better than ever before... plow/shoulder stands... and did some things much worse! When we were doing all the right angle / triangle poses - I couldn't find my balance... And then I was GREAT at tree pose! Who will ever really know...

But, I will admit to really enjoying sitting in child's pose while everyone in the video did crane pose... You have to balance ALL of your body weight just on your hands - while having your feet tucked up onto the backs of your arms... your head is angled towards the floor... and there is the possibility that you could smash your face... even though Tony warns you to get a pillow and place it in front of you - just in case...

Once again it had me feeling all zen... but then I snapped out of it... and it wasn't a good snap today... it was like I woke up on the wrong side of the bed... But, I was also late eating my morning snack... so that probably had something to do with it (like 95%).

DAY 31 - Back and biceps

Hello back! Hello biceps!

The glamour muscles, as Tony likes to call them...

The interesting part about doing pull-ups is that I don't have my resistance band coming from a high angle... so finding the "money spot" is hard some times... But there were a couple of sets today that I was *right* in the zone - and they were challenging! I can always do WAY more on resistance bands than with a pull-up bar... but I do miss the pull-up bar at the Fortress - and being able to put one foot up on the back of the couch... It was challenging - but not deadly.

Ab Ripper X has now been added back in on all the "strength" days (Mon, Wed, Fri) - and it's HARD. I'm not even following the video - I'm following pictures and instructions and take all sorts of mini breaks and go at my own pace... but my outer hip muscles... Oh, they are NOT liking all this ab work... I laughed today at work and invoked pain all across my abdomen....

Yoga tomorrow... I better get to bed!!!

DAY 30 - Plyo

I am going to be honest here... I did NOT want to get out of bed... and I did NOT think I was going to be able to do a full workout. My arms - especially between my shoulders and the front of my chest - and my hip flexors... SORE.

But - here's the key to P90X - you have to press play... do your best... and forget the rest.

And they're right!

Although I was sore - I am WAY more agile than I was even last week - so jumping around - it doesn't seem so hard - ONCE you get started. I wouldn't have known that if I'd stayed in bed.

Truth.

DAY 29 - Chest, shoulders, triceps

OH.


MY.


GOODNESS!!!


Hardest workout - ever.

There were a couple of sets that I could barely do 6 reps - one handed push-ups and the push-ups where you clap between - yeah, those. I had to take a rest between almost each rep...

Take note, ladies and gents... because if I get to the point where I can knock out 20 reps... I'm gonna want a trophy.

DAY 28 - Rest day

My brother, B1X, sent me a note the other day - he and my younger brother, B2X, finally started the program... we were *supposed* to do this together... Anyway...........He is going to make sure he does StretchyX on every rest day to see if it improves his flexibility.

I considered it on Sunday.

But still chose not to do it. It's just so great to have the day free from making the time to work out... It also could have been that it was the rest day following Recovery Week... So, really, what could I be that sore from...??

DAY 27 - YogaX

This was funny this morning... It's Saturday, and I didn't have anything big planned today, so I slept in. And then, like every other morning, got immediately dressed in my workout clothes and started my routine.

But I was SOOOO not centered. I was probably 12 minutes into the video, and I decided to pause it - regroup - drink some water - close my eyes and get focused. I had been off balance, shaky and thinking about how I didn't really want to do it... But, after I regrouped - MUCH better and I just zoned in on what needed to get done in every movement. However, probably should have paused the video again and repeated that process when it came to the balance postures... I really didn't do well... :(

The coolest part about doing yoga this morning - feeling my leg muscles! Holy goodness! I've got some awesome muscles taking shape all over the place - and especially in my legs right now. It's really cool to see them "popping" up... I also have more veins showing... which I don't think is as cool... Who knew SO much blood had to circulate through your feet? So many veins there!

DAY 26 - CoreX

Second time around with CoreX - there were some things that I did MUCH better this time around... and some things that continue to plague me.

Better: lunge work - I had really great balance for this workout, so I was able to get deep into my lunges. Prison cell push-ups - I did a full 10.

Plaguing: Dreya rolls... seriously - from lying on your back, roll up, PUSH yourself up to standing - this is NOT happening... I end up favouring one side and doing this awkward push up... It's not pretty. Bow to Boat... I'm great at boat... but due to the tight hips/quads... grabbing my ankles for bow in such a quick movement (in order to keep up with the group) super hard for me. BUT - there are instances where I am able to grab both ankles and hold bow pose - and that's MUCH better than ever before!

And once again, sweated like you wouldn't believe.

DAY 25 - StretchyX

I gotta say - I LOVE recovery week! Every workout feels like a treat - like a little spa trip. I know... for those of you who didn't wake up every morning with me for the first 3 weeks doing hardcore workout stuff - you might not appreciate the "reward" - but it's definitely there.

This was actually the first time I have done the StretchyX video this time around (I doubt it's really called StretchyX - I like putting an X on to the end of every workout name, in case you haven't noticed... but Beachbody only used it for certain workouts). I really enjoyed it - and so did my hips, quads and hamstrings. My shoulders are still a little tight - but not like my hips/quads/hams - they are TIGHT! But, I do feel they're loosening throughout P90X, so hopefully, by the end of my 90 days they'll be in a much better condition.

Funny, other people do this solely focused on "getting cut" - and I'm really focused on making sure ALL areas of my body are strong - and flexible.

DAY 24 - KenpoX

Ok, so I thought I had a choice... that I could do Kenpo or I could do the stretch video... and I was going to write this post full of drama about my choice... but then I checked to see what I'm supposed to be doing tomorrow... And realized that I'd combined them in my mind... Kenpo today... Stretchy tomorrow.

Kenpo this morning was nothing but good times... However, kept losing my balance/focus when I was doing one of the last combinations. In your "stance" (one foot leading, hips facing the corner/angled) you punch one hand out towards the tv, and the other towards the back wall (while looking at the back wall)... then you kick straight towards the tv with the front foot, and then kick your back foot behind you (mule kick) towards the back wall.

When you're doing it - and you're in the groove - no biggie. For some reason this morning, I couldn't really get into the groove... it was odd.... But whatevs. Shake it off, move on.

DAY 23 - CoreX

There are workouts that I complete, which afterwards, I feel like a superstar... or like I climbed Mount Everest... And ladies and gentlemen... that's TOTALLY how I felt this morning.

What a challenging workout!!!

All core/balance. It's a great workout... but man! It pushes you!

And I was sweating profusely!

Gold star for me!

DAY 22 - YogaX

What? Yoga on a Monday??

Yes, everyone, it's...

RECOVERY WEEK!!!

YAY!!!

So, all week long - there will be a change from the "everyday" - Yoga today... Core SynergistiX tomorrow (Aren't you excited? This will be the first time that I do this workout this time around!)

Good times!

This morning's Yoga was great. I even did most of the plow/shoulder stands exercises that have been troubling me from the first go-around with P90X.

Stay tuned for tomorrow...

DAY 21 - Rest day

I love rest days!!!

Especially - rest days that lead into "Recovery Week"!!!

I have to say, for really "BRINGING IT" this week - I didn't experience as much muscle soreness as expected! That was a really nice treat!

DAY 20 - KenpoX

Remember last week? I said I was going to stop watching Vanessa... Smart move. I picked up so many other form pointers from the other two guys - Wesley and The Other Tony. It was great!

And, since it was such a mild morning - and I was working out at 8:30, instead of 5:30 - my apartment was so much warmer - and I was sweating buckets!!! It was funny - that's how I remembered doing Kenpo - was sweating SO much! But when you're working out early in the morning...in Winnipeg...in the winter... It's a bit cooler of a "work environment"!!

Still really enjoy Kenpo - and the challenge to really dig into everything so I'm feeling it.

DAY 19 - Legs and back

Ok... I'll admit... I'm writing this from memory... I can't believe I haven't posted in days!

The thing I remember most about Friday morning... Dr. Ho's amazing back brace... and Wall-sits.

So, I start my workout just after 5:30 every morning... And that is peak time for infomercials! So, there's this one that has been on at least 3 times while I've been setting up - Dr. Ho's back brace... It's this brace you can put around your back, you add air to it and it relieves pressure off your spine. And then he has these massager things...that are even supposed to help you workout your abs... Yes - it's tempting!!

Why workout when you can just buy something in 3 easy payments that will do it for you???

Wall sits - I rocked these on Friday! I was SO impressed. First you do basic ones - back against a wall, knees at 90 degrees... and then you do ones where you raise one leg straight out - so your thighs are still at the same height - but one foot is in the air - the other is FIRMLY pressed to the ground. I was challenging myself - since this was the last "weights" routine of this phase - and ever exercise - I went beyond where I had been the week before. Pretty impressive!

DAY 18 - YogaX

Once again... I was very zen this morning after yoga... and once again, I was later than my usual time arriving at work! Maybe I'll have to block off that first hour every Thursday morning until the program's done so I don't mistakenly miss a meeting because I'm too zen to get a move on... ;)

The workout this morning was really good. One of the things that I liked the least the last time I went through this program were all the vinyasas... I think you do vinyasas between each pose for AN HOUR of the 1:32 duration of the video. My goodness!! Anyway - I'm not finding them as challenging - or as annoying - as I did last time. I haven't added any push-ups to my vinyasas yet, but I could.

I tried getting into plow pose again - I did better than last week, probably closer to my attempt the first week. So, maybe there is still hope for me yet!

I can't believe on Monday I will have my "repair" week already! You get one every 4 weeks of the program. Can you believe it that I'm almost done week 3? It seems crazy! Only two workouts left!

DAY 17 - Shoulders & arms

I am BRINGING IT!!!

My goodness ladies and gentlemen... week 1 was a warm-up, I was taking things a little easy. Week 2 I started to challenge myself... but week 3 - I am PUSHING myself! Wow. I can't believe what I can all accomplish!

I'm still a master at the side-tri raises... Tony thinks it's incredible that Dreya can do 26... Well, buddy, so can I. I can do more than that, I'm sure... But they actually hurt the side of my thigh... It's strange.

Anyway, it was a great work out! I need to keep this brief so I can get to bed and rest up for YogaX tomorrow!!

DAY 16 - PlyoX

As I noted yesterday, I tend to think and proclaim that I'm a superstar during my workouts...

Well, that's all well and good... but a "rockstar" I am not....yet.

In PlyoX you are asked to do "rockstar hops" - so, you pretend you have the neck of the guitar in one hand that's held out from your body, higher than your shoulder, then the other hand swings around, as if you're strumming the guitar... and then... the hard part - from a stationary position, you jump, tucking your legs under so that they *could* hit your butt... Like you're a rockstar, hopping across the stage with your guitar...

I cannot do these. Yet.

There are two jumps in this video that I really struggle with, the rockstar hops, and the knee tucks...? I can't remember what the other ones are called right now - but you jump straight up and instead of tucking your feet to your butt, you bring them up to your chest...

Kills me.

Both of them make me feel uncoordinated and made out of lead... Maybe with time that will change...? Stay tuned and we'll both find out!