Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Day 74 & 75

Yesterday was my birthday.  I didn't work out.  I laid on the sofa and caught up on my DVR while my husband and kids made me a delicious dinner.  I had Caesar salad, a rib-eye steak and loaded mashed potatoes.  It was completely off the diet, and completely wonderful.  It's my party and I can do what I want to.

Today I figured I needed to get back into a routine.  I did Legs and Back followed by ab ripper.  I'm just completely dragging by the end of these workouts.  I barely have enough steam to get through them.  My review so far?  Day 60-90 will completely drain you.  My energy is completely gone.  I'm almost certain it is because I don't have enough calories to get through the workouts.  If I eat more I feel better, but then I feel guilty that I'm consuming too much food.  I'm sure if I was following the P90X nutrition guide I'd be doing just fine, but by trying to come up with my own plan, well, I've sucked.

The good thing.  I'm not gaining weight (I better NOT be) and I'm really feeling good about myself.  This whole process has brought me a TON of self esteem.  To be honest, I didn't think I'd make it through the first thirty days, but here I am at day 75.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Day 68-73

Wow, have I totally gotten behind.

Ok, day 68 was last Wednesday.  That workout was legs and back and GOSH it was killer.  All I know is I'm having trouble breezing through stuff that I could easily do a month ago.  I guess that is the point of muscle confusion.

Day 69.  I had school this day and a hair appointment that took my entire day.  It was supposed to be Kenpo but I didn't do it.

Day 70 - rest day.

Day 71 - Chest, Shoulders and Triceps.  Did it, brought it, felt great afterward.  Had friends over that night for a party...ate too much and drank more than I should have...calories, calories, calories....

Day 72 - This should have been plyo but I skipped it because sickness was running through my household, hubby and kids were all sick and mommy just couldn't find the time to herself to work out.

Day 73 - Back and Biceps.  Still sore today from this one yesterday.  Felt crappy all day about missing Plyo, but need to just press on.  After the workout I totally crashed.  Had no energy the rest of the day.  I haven't felt wiped out like this in quite some time, not sure if I'm coming down with what my hubby and kids had.

I've sucked this past week, between my botched Yoga day, missing Kenpo and Plyo, I feel like I'm crashing.  I'm having a lot of trouble staying in the game because I've had a busy month.  I have 6 birthdays of immediate family members this month plus an anniversary and finals are in a week for school, so needless to say I'm stretched pretty thin.  I thought in the 60-90 day range I'd feel great and have tons of energy, but I'm having trouble making it through the work outs and I end up crashing right when I'm done.  I'm not eating THAT terrible, but I think it may be a possibility that I'm not eating enough calories to make it through the work outs.  That right there could be my problem.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Day 67

Today was yoga day.  I wasn't looking forward to an hour and a half because it's been a pretty busy day, but once I got home, in my workout clothes and popped in the DVD I was totally ready for it.

Problem is my 9 month old had other plans.  She decided to scream throughout the entire first 40 minutes. Nothing I did would appease her. I must have had to pause it about 20 times.  I finally gave up and realized Yoga just wasn't happening today.

Eating I've done great.  Had a two egg omelet for breakfast, lunch was grilled chicken, green beans and corn.  I had half a banana for a snack just a few minutes ago.  Dinner tonight is burritos using extra lean ground beef, with lots of veggies on top.  The tortilla and the beans will be my carbs for the day.

So, as if I didn't feel guilty enough for not completing my workout for the day, here is a conversation between me and my three year old (well almost three, just another week):

My three year old came into my bedroom and saw me changing OUT of my workout clothes.

Her:  You not doing your exercises?
Me:  No sweetie, it's just not happening today.
Her:  But you HAVE to do them!
Me:  (Laughing) Well, Lucy just was too fussy!  I won't do them today.  Why do care so much? You afraid mommy is going to get big and fat?  (I put my arms out to the side and pretended to waddle over to her to "get her")
Her:  You are all ready big and fat.

Gee.  Thanks.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Day 66

Today was shoulders and arms followed by ab ripper x.   Shoulders and arms are sore, but it didn't KILL me like chest and back did the other day.  I lifted between 5-10 pounds on most sets, and did 12-15 reps. I did the bonus round and I did 15 tricep extensions!  At the end of the workout that was pretty good.
For some reason ab ripper has been excruciating the past few times I've done it.  It just seems harder to me than it did in month two.  Not sure why.

I'm having some massive knee issues.  Both my knees are feeling rubber-band ish.  Even on the "rest" week going up and down the stairs I can feel the cartilage/muscle in my knee rubbing on the bone as I walk or bend down or do anything like that.  I'm not sure exactly what that means.  My husband is STRONGLY suggesting that I omit plyo and do cardio x for the remainder of the time to save my knees.  Obviously I want the best results, but I also can't risk damaging my body, because then I'll be sidelined for who knows how long?

So, last night I spent some time in Photoshop putting my "side by sides together."  This always helps me gain a little perspective on how well I did.  In the side by side it's more apparent that I made results, still not the results I was hoping for from days 30-60, but some progress is better than none!

So, here goes.  I debated for quite some time wether or not to post these and I decided to because it's nice to see REAL results out there, and after all this IS a P90X blog.  I want others to see realistically what to expect with this program.

Before                        30 Days               60 days



Before                     30 Days                     60 Days


Obviously I still have a long way to go, but I'm seeing progress and that is what keeps me going.  I can't believe that I have stuck with this for more than 60 days.  That in itself is a miracle!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Day 62-65

Wow, have I got completely behind on blogging.  Yikes.

So, I took two days off (Thursday and Friday) because my schedule was swamped those days.  I started my phase three week one on Saturday.  So here goes...

Saturday - Chest and Back.  I blew the dust off this DVD because I haven't seen it since week two.  (I missed this day in week three so it's been a while).  I'm determined this last 30 days to REALLY push myself to get the best results possible.  I do see that I've made progress.  On week one I did 3 push ups.  Yesterday I did 10 push ups.  It's like this on every category, I've made progress.

I took my photos yesterday.  I was a bit upset that I haven't seen that much progress in the past 30 days.  I see SOME progress, but not what I was hoping for.  I know this is because I've been on and off the wagon with my diet.

Sunday - today was plyo.  Oh God how I hate plyo.  I didn't miss this workout one bit.  I stuck with it and did the bonus round.  (I promised myself for the last 30 days I'd do the bonus rounds on all the DVD's.)  I didn't realize the bonus round was like three moves.  I actually felt silly for not doing it sooner.  By the end of it though I was sweating buckets and I felt really great about myself.

Diet today, low sugar quaker apple cinnamon oatmeal for breakfast.   Cashews for snack, salad with red wine vinegar dressing for lunch and turkey slices on it.  Atkins low carb protein bar for afternoon snack, and two large bottles of water.  I'm doing pretty snazzy today.  The last few weeks we've had anniversaries, birthdays and had sweets all over the place and that is my weakness, if there is sugar in the house I will eat it.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Day 61

Core.  Sigh.  Moan.

I hate core.

I have a pretty busy day today so I knew I had to get my workout done first thing in the morning.  This is not easy for me because this is also the time I'm getting my two oldest off to school and feeding the little ones.  I managed to actually start the DVD by 8:00 this morning which is a miracle.  I put my two year old in front of Dora in a different room, and stuck the baby on the floor next to me.  Ended up having to pause about 30 minutes in to get an apple for the two year old and put the baby in the bouncer with some Cheerios, but I managed to finish core in record time (and by record time I mean in less than an hour and a half with minimal pauses of the DVD).

This is P90X when you are a mother of four people...

So, I'm sitting here getting ready to go hit the showers, drinking my breakfast (a little Calcium fortified OJ, mixed with vanilla whey protein powder and ice to make a smoothie...tastes pretty close to an Orange Julius).

So, how did the workout go?  I thought you'd never ask...

I did eight, yes EIGHT prison cell push ups.  Seriously.  Eight.  I had to take a mid set break but wow.  Can't believe I did that!!!!  Sweat dripping off of me I made it through the workout somehow though.  Still I don't like core very much.  Kicks my booty every time.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Day 60

Today is 60 days of P90X, but since I extended phase two by a week for getting sick, I'm not taking photos until I finish this rest week.  Today was supposed to be Stretch X, but I did Yoga X instead, since on Thursday I may not get to work out (I have a busy day that day), so I decided I'd rather get in a second Yoga this week instead, and if I CAN work out on Thursday I'll just do the Stretch X then, then rest on Friday.

Yoga was much tougher today and I'm not sure why, maybe because I didn't have to pause it 200 times to deal with my kids?  I actually got through the first 40 minutes without pausing once.  I also was doing push ups before my downward dog to increase the intensity.


Still can't do crane.  I still have trouble with half moon, but I did do the twisting triangle pose (above) where you grab your hands underneath your legs.  I've never been able to hold that one before!  I'm certain I don't look even HALF as graceful as this lady doing it though.

Still I can't say enough positive things about Yoga.  It's really an amazing workout and I love it.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Day 59

Today was Kenpo.  I had my usual stop every two minutes to deal with the girls issues once again, luckily this only happened during the warm up then I was able to get them both down for a nap at the same time.  This is nothing short of a miracle.

Kenpo is still a tough work out for me.  The warm up is difficult for me because of those deep prayer squats, but then when the workout first starts it takes me a bit to get my heart rate up.  Once I get my heart rate up I feel pretty great, but it seems like there is a LOT of peaks and valleys in the workout, and by the time I get to the last twenty minutes I'm out of gas and running on fumes.  My form gets sloppy and I start to waiver and tumble.  

Diet wise I've stayed right on track today.  It makes me feel much better knowing I'm not putting crap into my body, and that I'm staying on target.  Guilt is GONE and that's a good thing.

I'm getting scared that my 60 day photos are coming soon.  I haven't stayed on track diet wise these past 30 days and I'm worried that it is gonna show in my photos.  I know I haven't gained any, but I just really hope to see at least some progress.  I know I haven't been great with the diet, but I've stuck with the workouts pretty faithfully and I'm hoping it's paying off!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Day 56-58

Day 56 was a rest day, and I was going to try and make up Kenpo from the day before but I ended up watching my gorgeous little niece that day, it was a trade off I was willing to take!

Day 57 (Saturday) began my phase 2 "rest" week.  Funny thing is the "rest" weeks are always harder on me because they are really not a rest, but just a rest from the weights and resistance.  This means cardio and more cardio, which is where I totally suck.  Yesterday though was Yoga and I still can't begin to say enough positive things about Yoga.  My 8 year old son sat and watched me do yoga.  He tripped out at some of the moves (especially crane, which I'm still not able to do yet, but I'm getting closer).  He was a sweetie, he wanted to jump in and help me when I started to tumble.  He said "I'm afraid you will get hurt mom!"  I explained that I would be just fine, and that me falling over every now and again is normal.

I just can't get over how freaking awesome I feel when I'm done with Yoga.  It is truly like a massage of the central nervous system and it's amazing.  I did the "ohm's" at the end for the first time.  I felt pretty silly doing it but I felt great afterwards (and it really isn't a crazy cult thing, it's just massaging your vocal chords and stuff).   My son got a huge kick from the ohms.

Day 58 (Sunday).  I did core this morning.  It totally kicked my ass.  I think I was sweating more than I ever did in plyo, and I'm not sure how.  Core totally wiped me out.

I have a confession to make.  I had donuts for breakfast.  I shouldn't have because I felt just awful afterwards.  I also had pizza and wings the night before.  Then the night before that it was my anniversary and I went to Macaroni grill and had very fattening pasta and cheesecake.  I have to admit, I have SUCKED on my diet this week.  It's like two meals a day I can stick to it then I just completely BLOW it.  Thankfully I haven't gained any, and I'm still getting plenty of compliments from my hubby on how I'm looking lately.  I went and saw some family members today that I haven't seen since I was 9 months pregnant with my daughter back in August (that's when I was 193 pounds and looking like a swollen beached whale in a black and white dress at my brother in law's wedding.   Dear God what was I thinking wearing black and white when I was THAT big?)  Anyhow, family members, today, back on track now....they kept saying how skinny I looked!  ME?  SKINNY?  REALLY?  Wow.  I think I was on cloud nine the rest of the afternoon.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Day 55

Yesterday I did "Legs and Back" followed by ab ripper.  Hubby saw me doing my workout and was pretty impressed with my form on the v-up roll ups.  I couldn't do a single one of those for two reasons when I first started (1.  because they were too difficult and 2.  my complete lack of coordination)  anyhow I think I did about 18 of them yesterday which is pretty kick ass for me being sick.  It was killer and I'm still in pain today.  I haven't done Kenpo yet today because I'm sick again (dang kids keep brining home random illnesses from school), so I think I may take a break.  I'm pretty sore from yesterday and light headed from this sinus thing, so I think it's best to skip the workout today, although I HATE the guilt that comes from skipping a workout.  Maybe I can do Kenpo tomorrow and make today my rest day.  (I feel like such a fatty if I don't work out).  I'm SO tired of being sick.  Stupid me to start P90X during cold and flu season (which is then followed by allergy season)....

On a good note, I got into a pair of my size 8 jeans!  Woo hoo!  They are still a BIT snug but not unbearable, by the end of 90 days I'm certain they will fit well (or hopefully be TOO big).  A girl can dream right?

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Day 52, 53 and 54

Again, I'm behind on blogging.

Day 52 was Back and Biceps.  It was pretty rough, I was barely recovered from the workout on Saturday.  I was not rocking as great as I did on Saturday, but I was still keeping up and doing pretty good.  Ab ripper was rough because my muscles were still sore.

Day 53 (yesterday) was Yoga.  I had trouble with my girls during this workout.  I kept getting interrupted, I got about the first 30 minutes complete, then I had to stop it.  By the time I came back to try and finish it I had lost momentum and just didn't finish it.  Yoga just wasn't happening today.  (side note, Yoga was ROUGH today after doing the back and biceps the day before...muscles...so... sore).  I feel crappy for not finishing, but with my girls in a total meltdown it just wasn't happening.

Oh, and I've TOTALLY blown my diet the past few days.  For meals and snacks I've done all-right, but we've had ice cream in the house, and I've indulged more than once...this is why I just CANT have sweets in the house.  They are my total downfall and I WILL consume them.  Also it's April and my seasonal allergies have come back with a vengeance.  I'm totally exhausted and have zero energy.  I'm gonna have to really push myself to work out the next few days.

Today I'm supposed to do legs and back.  I haven't got to it yet, and I have a doctors appt today, so hopefully I will find time to squeeze it in somewhere (I'm thinking after doctor before dinner).  Breakfast this morning was a bowl of special K and a banana.  So far, so good food wise....we will see how the rest of today goes.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Days 49-51

Day 49 - Rest day

Day 50 -  Chest, Shoulders and Triceps day, followed by ab ripper X.  I really pushed it on this workout, still sore two days later.  Feel great about myself after this workout.

Day 51 - Should have done Plyo, but it was Easter and spent the day with family instead.  Hopefully will get back on track tomorrow.  (I did jump on the trampoline with the kids for about 30 minutes, so I got a LITTLE cardio in....)

Don't even ask me about how bad I ate this holiday weekend....sigh.  I suck right now.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Day 47 & 48

Another two for one post.  Gotta love a busy life.

So, yesterday I did exactly what I said and did back and biceps instead of the legs and back.  This was the first time I had various weights for this and WOW what a difference.  The 5 pound one worked fine for me with the other workouts but this one you MUST have different weights.  I pushed it yesterday, picked up more weight when I felt I was "dogging it", and picked up lighter weights when I knew I picked too heavy, so i could get my maximum reps in.  I totally kicked butt yesterday.  I am TOTALLY feeling it today.

I'm so sore today I can barely move.

I came home this afternoon, put my two year old down for a nap and got ready to do Kenpo.  She wouldn't nap because she slept too long in the car, so I tried to keep her and the baby occupied while I did Kenpo.  I had to pause it like 5 times in the first half an hour.  Obviously Kenpo wasn't happening today.  I feel kinda crappy for not working out this afternoon, however I'm still so beat from yesterday I was just running out of steam.  I had no energy to do the workout, plus stopping and re-starting it again and again wasn't working.  Maybe I'll make it up tomorrow or something.