Days 82, 83, 84, & 85

I'm totally slacking on the blog, but in my defense I've had a LOT of drama this week.

So, Wednesday day 82-Legs and Back followed by AB ripper X.  Still struggling through the workouts.  Feel like I've taken two steps forward and three steps back...but at least I did it!

Thursday should have been Kenpo.  This day my father who was headed here from Arizona broke down in the middle of New Mexico.  He made it to Amarillo, TX where my husband met him and helped him the remainder of the way here to OKC.  Needless to say that day I didn't get a workout because of all the family drama.

Friday - Rest Day.  I also graduated from college this day.  Woo hoo!  Go me!  Finals are next week.  It's a bummer I have to go back after the graduation ceremony, but at least I'm at the finish line.

After looking at my graduation photos, I felt really disappointed in myself.  I just looked fat in them.  My arms still look SO chubby.  I feel after working out as much as I have been that I should be looking a LOT better.  I know I've been slacking these past two weeks as far as hitting all the workouts, and staying on track with the diet.  This has not helped me one bit.

Today, Saturday was Chest, Shoulders and Triceps.  This one was weird.  It is usually one of my favorites, but what was odd about it is in some exercises I did better than I normally do and some I couldn't do as many reps as I did the last time.  I did ab ripper and made it through ALL the V up roll ups, and did 30 mason twists.  I normally can only get through 20, and have to rest after the first ten.

I'm considering extending this phase by two weeks, since I've slacked so much the past two.  I'm also considering just finishing up this phase like normal, then starting all over again but doing lean which from what I understand is mostly cardio...still can't make up my mind.  All I know is I'm getting burnt out.

Tomorrow is mothers day, and as much as I'd love to rest I just can't justify missing Plyo for a THIRD week in a row.  I really need to hit plyo tomorrow as much as I hate it.  We will see how it goes....

Day 76, 77 & 78

I honestly couldn't have a more boring post than what I'm about to write, so first of all I'm sorry.

Thursday I had a lot going on with my kids and I missed Kenpo.  That means I missed Plyo, Yoga and Kenpo this week.  Three major workouts.  I was pretty upset with myself over this but there was really nothing I could do about it so I just have to "do my best and forget the rest".  Sounds lame I know...but I just have to keep going.

This morning I woke up determined to work out because I just have been feeling pretty crappy about not giving it my all this week.  I did chest and back followed by ab ripper x.  What a great workout.  I'm doing 15 push ups now, which is amazing.  I could only do three when I first started this program.  Some other highlights from my workout are 9 wide front pull ups (with the chair).  I was at 6 last week, and 9 dive bomber push ups.  Last week I struggled to do 5.  After I did nine today I jumped up and screamed and threw my hands in the air with excitement.  My oldest daughter looked at me like I was a bit looney, but I was thrilled.  I almost doubled it from last time!  My back is looking freaking awesome!  I keep flexing my back muscles to look at them and plus I love the feeling that I can really feel those muscles.  I know, it's dorky but I'm just so darn proud....

Today was the last of our April birthday/anniversary rush, so life should calm down from here and I should have a slight bit more time on my hands.  I graduate from college next week so that will free up even more of my time.  Then I have to figure out what I'm going to do.  My husband wants to try and jump back into it and maybe we do lean this time (I really need some cardio to shed some pounds and to help me with my endurance).  I've also heard about this couch to 5K program for the iPhone that I'm thinking about trying.  I SUCK at running, but SOOOO admire people who can run.  I have thought about giving this a try along with a P90X video 3X a week to maintain results.  So my options right now are pretty open!

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.

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!

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?

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.

Day 43-45

Saturday was day 43, start of week two of phase two for me.  I did the chest, shoulders and triceps followed of course by ab ripper x.  Since I got some 8 pound weights I was able to bump up the weight on a few of the exercises.  I'm still feeling it three days later.

As far as day 43 of eating it wasn't too bad but wasn't spot on either.  My husbands grandmother held a messianic passover seder at her home, so I had a little matzo ball soup and of course all the other stuff...but lunch and breakfast I did pretty good.

Day 44 I blew it all around, we had church in the morning and then we went on to Norman for the renaissance fair.  We pulled through McDonalds drive through on the way and I could feel the grease sitting on my stomach.  I immediately regretted my decision to indulge in a burger.  There was a LOT of drama with the little ones, and by the time I got home I didn't feel one bit like cooking OR working out.  We got a Papa Murphy's pizza and threw it in the oven that evening, and yes I ate more than I should of.  I regretted this the rest of the evening.

So, to make up for yesterday I got up this morning (Day 45) and did my Plyo.  I plan on hitting back and biceps tonight and ab ripper, but as for now I'm pretty wiped out.  Eating is going well today.  I'm desperately trying to get back on track.  Hopefully I'll get my second burst of energy to make it through another workout.

Day 40

Legs and Back.

I loathe this day.  Big sigh as I put in the DVD, ready for a grueling hour...legs are just NOT my strong point.

To my surprise, I didn't HATE it.  I didn't love it, but I truly felt like I accomplished something today.  I was able to do the wall squats for the full time.  Holy crap!  That's freaking progress baby!!!!

I'm on cloud nine because of this.

For the first four sets of pull ups I went to the bar.  I was able to do about 4-6 reps (assisted with a chair of course) of each one.  I'm not sure my form is right though because I was feeling this more in my arms than in my back.  So to make sure I'm working the right muscle group, for the last set I moved to the bands.  Problem is I'm just not getting the burn with the bands that I want, so I'm kinda stuck....

Wanting to go do ab ripper X however I have a drooling sleeping baby on my shoulder right now, and If I go put her in bed, I'm sure to wake the sleeping two year old in the same room...ah the choices I have to make as a mom.  For right now the DVD will remained paused and I'll start ab ripper here in a little bit.

Day 36-38

Day 36 (Saturday)
So today was my day to just jump back into it.  It was chest, shoulders and triceps.  I think this may be one of my favorite workouts.  It's my favorite because 1.  It's NOT cardio and 2.  I REALLY feel great afterwards even though I'm sore.  Let's me know I gave it my all.  Ab ripper X went pretty well.  It wasn't like the week before so I'm guessing I was having trouble because of me being sick.

Day 37 (Sunday)
Plyo hell once again.  I HATE HATE HATE this workout.  I don't think I will ever like it even when it is day 90.  Legs are just NOT my thing.  I pushed it though and worked out until I thought my heart would explode out of my chest (I GOTTA get myself a heart monitor).  I'm still not doing the bonus rounds in Plyo, but I told my husband that by third month I plan to.  That's my goal with the plyo (well that and doing the rock star hops without peeing myself every time....hey, I've had four kids people...)

Day 38 (Monday)
Back and Biceps.  Today just was NOT happening.  It started out bad and went to worse.  I only have 5lb dumbells and those have been working for me just fine until I got to this one.  My husband has a cheapy little set he got from Wal-Mart that can switch from 5 to 15 to 25.  Problem is the 15 and 25 were too heavy.  We kept having to stop the DVD every few minutes to mess with the weights.  Tomorrow I head out and get myself an 8 and 10 pound set of weights.  I should have just used the bands, but I have a hard time maintaining proper form with them and I had them set up over the door to do my pull ups.  On TOP of all the drama with the weights, my kids were playing in the backyard at the time we were trying to work out.  The two year old turned on the water hose and was getting herself wet and letting water into the house...then she stepped in dog poop and went on the trampoline...and, well, you get the picture.  It was at that time I called it.  We quit the DVD shortly after the towel pull ups.

Feeling pretty crummy today for not getting in a decent workout, but at least I pushed play.  That's more than I did last week.

Day 29

So, today I started week 5, I know my days don't exactly match up where they should but I had to readjust my schedule to fit my family's needs better.  Still, I'm 29 days into the program though!

So, I woke up and decided to FORCE myself back into the land of the living.  I cleaned up the house a bit and decided to work out while the baby was napping.  Today was "Chest, Shoulders and Triceps."  Wow.  What a workout.  I really pushed myself and my arms are still shaking two hours later.  I'm glad I did the workout in the morning because my sickness is coming back with a vengeance this afternoon.  Also, both my little ones are sick, so I only got half way through Ab ripper X when the youngest woke up in full meltdown mode.

Ab ribber was MUCH more difficult today.  I felt like I was gaining some ground on it, but today was a complete setback.  I had trouble with stuff I was breezing through in week 3.  I'm not sure if this is due to the fact that I was sick or the fact that I had a rest week from Ab Ripper X and now going back into it my muscles are "confused."  If the latter is true, then I guess the workout is doing what it is supposed to, although my stomach still is my biggest problem area (I guess I have my work cut out for me after having four kids though).

At least I worked out today!  Tomorrow is Plyo and I'm not looking forward to having that one back in the schedule.