Feeling Like Popeye

Day 45 - Back and Biceps, Ab Ripper X

Just wanted to point out that this overweight, 34 year old, babysitting, home schooling, mother of 4 is HALF WAY through one of the toughest home workout routines!! I feel really good about that! I haven't done everything perfectly - and have had to take a day off here and there - but I have stuck with it. If I can fit fitness in to MY routine, ANYONE can!

Working on the "Glamor Muscles" as Tony calls them. Back and Biceps is all about pull ups and curls - go figure! I like this routine and feel good that I can do more and more each time.

Cardio How You Want It

Day 41 - Kenpo X

With my back being so wonky, I didn't want to twist at the waist and throw punches today. I really miss running, that I jumped at the chance to hit the streets as an alternative. It was 48 degrees with leaves falling. Just the sound of my footfalls and peace! I was 20sec/mile faster this time that two weeks ago. Today's 2.1 mile run was the fastest I've ever run.

When I bought P90X, my motivation was to loose weight to be a faster runner. I haven't lost a pound. I have lost inches and body fat percentage - so I deduce that I am comprised of more muscle than I was when I started. Though that is a very good thing, I admit - I'm very disappointed that I haven't lost any pounds. I knew going in that P90X is NOT a weight loss program. Though, I thought that through the simple calorie deficit equation, I could make it work. So far...not so.

But if I can run faster in the end - then I'll be happy!!

Knowing When

Day 40 - Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X

Had a hard time with my back this week. I have a chronic issue that comes back and then I also pulled a muscle behind my rib cage earlier this week. After doing Yoga yesterday, I thought I had it under control. I spent quite a bit of time on the heating pad, and even got a rest during nap time.

I was really surprised when I felt so bad I had to quit during Legs & Back. I'm accustomed to the feeling you get when you push yourself. You pause, take a drink of water, and go on. This was more of leaning over, feeling like I was going to drop. I made it 40/60min and skipped the Ab Ripper tape. I was so wasted, I got cleaned up, had a small bowl of soup and went to bed about 8:30!

Tomorrow is a new day.

Sore Muscles Trade-Off

Day 38 - Back & Biceps, Ab Ripper X

My legs are SO SORE today from all the squatting and jumping yesterday. Holy crow. Our 3yo jumped on my lap and I about screamed! Yikes. Today's workout was, mercifully, and upper body focus. Curls and pull ups dominated the routine. I'm sore in the chest from all the push ups on Thursday, so - thank you TH for the favor!

Went and purchased a new tape measure today. Right before my 30 day report, mine went missing. I'm hoping this doesn't work out like when you buy a new scale...that can be maddening!

Tomorrow - yoga...if I can move.

Week 6 - Do Over

Day 36 (again) - Shoulders Chest and Triceps, Ab Ripper X

About 48hrs on antibiotics, with the spastic coughing episodes down to a minimum, I felt pretty good most of the day. I decided to start Week 6 over and take last week as a total down week. I tried to workout on Saturday and ended up coughing so much Sunday that I wound up in the Clinic on Monday. Partial completeness drives me wonk-o...so Do Over, I must.

I like this routine, but always feel like I can barely lift my water bottle when I'm done with it. Every variation of push-up and triceps extension imaginable, complete with a crazy move where you bend over and do a hand-stand sort of press up thing. Wowzer. I skipped the Ab Ripper X add-on today...I reasoned that I am not "all better" yet and an hour of upper body was enough for the sickie today.

I have put up a mirror to help with better form and while performing some of the moves today, I notice flexion right under my collar bones (those I just began to see this summer!). After much repetition and inspection, I've come to the conclusion, that those mysterious movements were the result of more defined chest muscles. Will wonders never cease?

More Adjustments

Day 36 - Shoulders Chest & Triceps, Ab Ripper X

I didn't count yesterday as a P90X day. I was still sick and needed the full rest. I debated about doing it today, but since I have been able to get some REAL rest (thanks to my husband), I went ahead. I'm coughing less and don't feel totally wiped.

This routine is hereby dubbed "Jelly Arms." There are just SO many stinking exercises. A whole hour of arms!? After the first few sets of push-ups, I'm already feeling weak. I use 5lb weights for all of the straight arms stuff, and only pick up my 8 pounders for the first few triceps moves. I've been maxing out at 12 or so push-ups, though. I remembered to do the Ab Ripper add on today, even though I didn't want to. There are 25 reps for each move, and I'm up to being able to do 20 on most exercises. *big smile*

This was actually my scheduled workout for Thursday. Plyo was set for Friday, and then Yoga for today. I need that calorie burn for Plyo, so I just adjusted accordingly. Wednesdays are a firm off day because of church commitments, so I will proceed with the week as if today were Day 1. I'm all freaked out about missing 2 days of workouts...like I'm going to make a huge error in the program. :eyeroll:

Who's a perfectionist? Not me.

Sultan of Squats

Day 32 - Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

So many squats. Oof. I didn't sleep much last night, so working these large muscle groups took it's toll very quickly. I really like alternating between the pull-ups and the many variations of squats - I at least FEEL like I am getting a break. I was very against doing the Ab Ripper DVD today - but I was a good little girl and did it anyhow. I completed all but the last 5 minutes. I just couldn't do any more.

I've decided to stop taking the P90X Results and Recovery Formula drink. I posted another small gain for the third week in a row. I looked to the beachbody.com website for some explanation and decided that the Creatine in the drink is causing water retention in my muscles. This is a good thing during recovery, but can show as a bad thing on the scale. I will now be drinking a cup of skim milk with a tablespoon of honey mixed in as my protein/simple carb recovery drink. I know I'm getting leaner and stronger, but I want to see the scale results as well.

More Push-Ups!?

Day 28 - Shoulders Chest & Triceps, Ab Ripper X

At the beginning of each workout, there is a list of what is needed. Weights, bands, water, towel, push up stands. Paper plate? Yep. Put one hand on it, and do some fancy push ups whilst you slide one hand out and then in. Oof. I also learned how to do One Handed Push-Ups...learned and executed are two different things, though.

Working the smaller muscles of the chest and shoulders isn't the mega-calorie burner like most of the routines in this program. My 8yr old daughter loves to workout with me and lift 3lb and 1lb dumbbells. She asked me why she wasn't sweating yet at one point...but sure didn't want to do another push up by the time we were done.

Another Tour d' Ab Ripper this time, as well. This DVD is getting more "doable" and I'm sure, if I keep at it, I might see my abs by Christmas!

Calories burned: 325

Average HR: 100

Max HR: 149

If It's Tingling It's Working

Day 19 - Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

As the mother of 4 children, I have been tired a couple of times in the last 12 years. My definition of the feelings that goes with the statement "I'm so tired!" has changed over time. This week, I have added a new feeling to go with that statement. The drained to the bone marrow, to weak to stand on legs made of jell-o, feeling. My muscle fibers seem to be "tingling" somehow...feels nearly restless. I pray there is much building going on. Boy am I ever looking forward to week 4...a "recovery" week. I know better than to think it will be easy, but my large muscle groups sure could use a break!

I was so happy to be able to complete all of the Mason Twists at the end of the Ab Ripper DVD! I modify by only raising one leg and alternating every 10 reps - but 3 weeks ago I could do nothing close to that! Three more weeks and I may not be modifying anymore. Progress...it's gorgeous.

Calories burned: 553

Average HR: 130

Max HR: 182

A Rare Day

Day 17 - No Workout

Today was supposed to be Shoulders and Arms with Ab Ripper X. I usually do everything I can to get workout in - but we stayed in a small hotel room last night with a family of 6, got up and went to church, then a luncheon, a reception, and then the 2.5hr drive home. No time, no space. The only exercise I got was chasing our 1.5yr and 3yr olds around trying to keep them out of stuff!

I was happy with my nutrition choices today! We had breakfast in the room (protein bar, apple, coffee) and for lunch there was a buffet style serving with Salisbury Steaks swimming in gravy (pass), Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Lettuce Salad, Fruit, and Rolls (love 'em, but pass). I had a protein bar in the car on the way to the reception to ward off the Cake Monster. At the reception I had coffee and right before we left, a plate of cut fruit. NO CAKE FOR ME! We arrived home in time to have a little Boca Burger on Spring Mix for supper.

I'm grateful for a supportive husband that noshed protein bars and skipped cake along with me. That makes it much easier!!

The Big Squeeze

Day 15 - Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X

Wow. If there ever was a day that I did NOT want to work out, plus a day where the odds were stacked against me time-wise, it was today. Sleep deprived, stuffy nosed, and sore back merged with short of time to make it difficult. I managed to get it done, shower, speed to Shopko for last minute dresses for the girls (hafta have 'em for an event on Sunday), through Arby's for some roast beef (1 Jr. Roast Beef = 200kcal) and on to church for a special AWANA club from 6:30 - 8:30.

I'm toast. I took some NyQuil for my sinus/cough thingy, had bowl of Quaker Oatmeal Squares so it didn't upset my stomach - and I'm ready for bed. I don't even know what workout comes next tomorrow...I just push play and do what I'm told.

Calories burned: 548

Average HR: 129

Max HR: 180

Who knew you could burn SO many calories doing push ups and pull ups?? I looked back to last week, and I am safely doing twice the amount of pull ups this week. I'm also completing more push ups on the second set this week. Great progress so far!

Can Do Attitude

Day 12 - Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

I was so surprised during the first set of pull ups. In the P90X material, there is coaching to leave behind "I can't" and replace it with "I currently struggle with." Well, I can't do...I mean...I currently struggle with Pull Ups. You can imagine my surprise when I pumped out 5 in the first set!

*WOW*

I am so very impressed with my progress so far. I did more of the Ab Ripper exercises than I had even done on Sunday! It is truly amazing, the increase in ability even after 12 short days. On a nutrition note, I added one serving of complex carbohydrates to my day, at breakfast. I find that I am extremely fatigued during the day and can't catch up. The carbs seemed to help.

Calories burned: 577

Average HR: 131

Max HR: 179

Alternating the Beatings

Day 10 - Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper X

At this point, I just feel like I'm just taking turns with the upper and lower body abuse. I did as much as I could today. I used 10lbs on all the curls, 8 on the presses, and 5 on the triceps work. I downloaded an application for my Droid to keep track of reps and weights. Great little app. I was able to perform all "In and Outs" on the Ab Ripper DVD and made it half way through the other exercises. I am pretty happy with my progress!

The only complaint I have, at this point, is the nutrition plan. Oh...how I would LOVE to have some more carbohydrates!! It's not the actual bread/pasta/rice that I miss, but the fruit and vegetables. My normal plan is 2 fruits and 3 veggies per day. Cutting down to 1 fruit and 2 veggies is harder than I thought. I'm getting pretty tired of egg whites for breakfast and salads with meat on them for lunch! Oh well, short term pain for long term gain.

Calories burned: 486

Average HR: 121

Max HR: 173

Compare to last time. I'm burning more calories with each workout this week. Not sure why that is...am I trying harder now that I know the routines?

Sitting Up More

Day 8 - Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X

Today starts the second round of the first 4 week rotation. I will be repeating all of the routines from last week, and will do the same next week. Consequently, I won't be running down each workout. I will say that I did a few more push ups on the second set during Chest and Back, and am now able to complete half of the repetitions on most of the exercises in Ab Ripper X.

I am still following the extremely low carb diet of the first phase. For these first 4 weeks, I am limited to 1 carbohydrate serving and 1 fruit. I was a little difficult at first, but now I save my carb serving until dinner and have pasta or rice with the family. Breakfasts of egg whites and lunches of field greens topped with lean cuts of meat are getting a little old...but I'm sure I'll survive. Knowing it's only temporary helps.

Today's Statistics

Calories burned: 581

Average HR: 136

Max HR: 174

I seem to have burned much more than last time. Oh, and I don't recall wishing for death even once.

Week 1 Report

Day 7: Rest or X Stretch

Now, see, I'm not completely crazy. I will be taking the "rest" option today. I'll be the first to admit that this program is royally kicking my behind. I sleep better than a baby lately...and I'd really appreciate it if my baby would get the picture and sleep like a worn out Momma!

Yesterday I realized that my Kenpo X DVD was damaged. I e-mailed Beach Body and in less than an hour (!!) I received a response that a replacement would be shipped to me right away. They also have insurance that you can purchase for $13.90 that ensures lifetime replacement. Hmm...great way to protect an investment.

Today is Thursday, and not my usual weigh in day - but I decided to record my weekly weigh here for posterity. And just for giggles, I measured my waist and hips.

Start Weight: 168

End of Wk 1: 167.8

Not worried about the small loss. I had anticipated even even a slight gain the first week or two, maybe three. Unconcerned. Here's the shocker...

Starting Waist Inches: 35.5

End of Wk 1: 34.5

What? Are you kidding me!?! I measured several times - thinking surely I had made a mistake. An entire inch off my waist. I measured my hips as well, nothing there yet - but OH WELL! I thought I was just being silly when I felt tighter in the cage. The 'ol Ab Ripper X is doing it's job!

Hello Jell-O

Day 5 - Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X

My fantastic husband straightened up the basement a whole lot today to make room for me to "Bring It." Previously we had the game system hooked up to the same TV as the one I use for doing exercise DVD's. In that same room was also the treadmill, the step boxes, the free weights, the exercise ball, the fan, a recliner, the deep freeze...

Thanks to his clever rearranging, and some pitching of things were really weren't using, I had plenty of room to do so many lunges that I could barley sit to write this. Thanks honey!

Legs & Back (58min) - Lunges, squats, and chin ups, oh my! One legged wall squats are now my nemesis. The variety of lunges was interesting and I got a good chance to work on perfect form for squats. My legs feel very "weak"...like cooked spaghetti, or jell-o.

Ab Ripper X (15min) - I did a few more of two of the exercises today! Doing this routine after the beating my legs took was tough. There are Scissors, Heels to Heaven, and some crazy thing called Crunchy Frog that I remember from the Power 90 Masters series. I actually felt like throwing up once and had to pause so I didn't loose it.

Dang, I'm tired tonight.

Calories burned: 536

Average HR: 128

Max HR: 179

Times I nearly threw up: 1

Not So Bad Today

Day 3 - Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X

Fortunately I wasn't as sore today, from Plyos, as I thought I would be. Either my legs are a little stronger than I thought...or...the Recovery Drink really does help! I am still considering getting some. Per serving, it is less than other sports recovery drinks in the grocery store. It's just the up front investment that makes me swallow hard.

Shoulders & Arms (60min) - I really like upper body workouts. I am fairly strong and can tolerate a lot of abuse. I used 8lbs weights on most of the curls and presses, 5lbs on triceps work. I was surprised at how many calories I burned, overall. It didn't feel like I worked terribly hard.

Ab Ripper X (15min) - I am rethinking doing any workout with the word "ripper" in it. This is a killer routine. I am only able to complete less than half of the 25 reps for each of the 11 exercises.

Calories burned: 406

Average HR: 111

Max HR: 159

Times I wished for death: 1

Chest and Back

Day 1 - Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X

Today was my last day of the 5:30am workouts. HOO-RAH. Hubby's schedule is changing, so we will have to squeeze them in sometime in the afternoon or evening. I don't mind working out in the mornings, sorta gets it out of the way. I wonder if I could perform better later in the day, though.

Chest and Back (55min) - tons of push ups in every different way imaginable (Decline Push-Ups with your feet on a chair!!). A fair amount of pull ups in varying grips. I do okay on the push ups, but totally bonk on the pull ups. I used to think my arms were pretty strong - what with lifting kids all day - but I guess they are not strong enough to pull up my body weight. I used a chair with one foot on it for support and was able to at least begin half way and pull myself up. Essentially, there were 12 exercises and then we repeated them in reverse order.

Ab Ripper X (15min) - If you complete each rep of every exercise, you end up performing over 300 moves. Needless to say, this 30-Something Momma of 4, did NOT even come close. I estimate I was able to do a third of the exercises. This DVD is used as an add-on 2 or 3 days a week.

My arms feel like jello and I'm pretty sure my abs will be screaming by evening. For breakfast, I followed the meal plan and had a Mushroom & Egg White Omelet. Not far off what I normally have. I skipped my usual high fiber tortilla, but ended up having a piece of multi-grain bread later. I could hear my body needing the carb energy.

Stats:

Calories burned: 475

Average HR: 122

Max HR: 168

Times I wished for death: 1

That's it - Day 1. Only 89 to go...