Day 6

Plyometric Cardio Circuit

This was the second time for this workout. This also is the Day 2 workout. I was less afraid of this workout since I knew what was coming. At least there are BREAKS! Read my full breakdown from Day 2, HERE. I didn't feel like crying - this time. Overall, I think I am already seeing increased agility. I've been so incredibly hungry lately, that I hope I'm losing a little poundage to! My core is so sore that my belly has just got to be decreasing, right? Right!?!

Day 6 is the last day before a total Rest Day. I think I will get up early and go for a nice, slow run tomorrow.

Or maybe I will sleep in.

Back on the Couch

Day 58 - Plyometrics, not

This morning I found out that our youngest son (19mo) is now tall enough to get his sippy cup off the counter all by himself. Unfortunately, I learned that during that split second in which I had already filled the cup, had NOT put on the lid, and was turning around to replace the container of juice in the fridge. *sigh* At 8:30 this morning, I was cleaning up juice from a lip-licking toddler and a linoleum floor. I've cleaned up a million such messes, but today when I stood up to toss the towels in the wash, something in my back went really wrong.

By lunch time I was on the heating pad and ibuprofen, and by the time my husband got home from work I was a fixture to the couch. I was just telling him how wonderful all of this muscle strengthening has been for my chronic back pain. I had even put the heating pad away for several weeks, not needing it much anymore. It's back - but let's hope my hard work has bought me a commuted sentence this time around.

Skipping It

Day 44 - Plyometrics

I didn't get my workout in today. Just like everyone - sometimes it just doesn't fit. Our 18mo old has been sick all week and today I took him to the doctor at 3:30, which is when I normally start cleaning up and begin dinner. I then workout around 5:30 while the family *hopefully* enjoys supper. I was going to squeeze it in at nap time since my daycare kids were all going home early - but it's a good thing I didn't as Cameron woke up crying, snotty, needy and premature from his rest. Turns out he had a double ear infection. Poor baby! First time on anti-biotics. I'm pretty happy that it took till he was 1 and a half, though.

*Sigh* I'm an athlete, a hard worker, a woman with a goal in mind. However, I am a Momma too. Last night when I was downstairs lifting weights - I could hear my youngest crying and fussing. He's been sick all week and it was hard for me to be away from him while being "selfish." So...I sat in the rocker and held my baby instead of exercising. Sue me.

Tomorrow, I will fit it in. Nothing in my way...yet.

Jump Jump

Day 37 - Plyometrics

Glad to have moved on in to day 2 in week 6. I did this workout in the scant hour that our 18mo old slept this afternoon. I wish that kid would learn to sleep like the 2 and 3 year olds. Anyway - I don't normally squeeze it in that way, but wanted to take the kids swimming this evening. Being Friday, my school-aged kids completed their assignments early and didn't need much help this afternoon.

I was able to catch a little more air on the first set of moves this time around. I tired rather quickly and even skipped the bonus 3 minutes of sports inspired moves at the end. Still coughing a bit and recovering, I guess. Had my New Recovery Drink afterward, which seems to be working rather well. One cup of skim milk with 1 TBS of local honey mixed in. I get the protein and the simple carbs that my muscles need - without the powdered drink question mark.

And - my 3 year old gets to lick the spoon from the honey!

Plyo Revisited

Day 29 - Plyometrics

Yesterday marked the beginning of Phase 2 of P90X. I get a more balanced diet with a few more carbohydrates, and I get to start all over confusing the heck out of my muscles again. When I started, today's routine was such a thorn in my side. Today, it's more like a stubbed toe. Yes, that IS actually better. I was able to do more of the airborne stuff and actually completed most of the jump and twist maneuvers in the ending sequences. I finished strong and I didn't cuss or cry once.

Tonight I feel a little like I did when I started this program 29 days ago. My arms and shoulders are sore from the beating they took yesterday, and my legs are like jell-o from the pounding today. My whole body pretty much feels tore up. I rolled out some of the more stubborn spots on the foam roller and will get a good nights sleep. More work to do tomorrow!

Calories burned: 576

Average HR: 150

Max HR: 188

Merrily We Cough Along

Day 16 - Plyometrics

Everyone in my house (in the city) has been graciously sharing this sinus thing. I joke around and say that "I don't get sick" but I just might be. I really slogged through my workout today. I did what I was told, and I was really glad when it was over. Chugged my Recovery Drink, showered and got on with my day. I'm actually hoping I can rest in the car since we have a 2.5hr drive ahead of us this afternoon.

I can't believe I'm in the 3rd week of this thing already!!

Calories burned: 548

Average HR: 149

Max HR: 178

Beats a Nap

Day 9 - Plyometrics

Thankfully, not as bad as the first time, though I'm not sure it beats a nap. I made it through the first 40 of the 60 minutes in fairly good shape. It wasn't until the last round of exercises and the deadly "Hot Foot" that I had to take a walking break and skip the next exercise. My heart rate was way to high and I just couldn't do any more. You have to know when to take a break so that you don't get hurt.

I was tired going in to this workout today. Though, after the beating that my shoulders took yesterday, I was happy to allow my legs to feel the burn. I'm hoping after a good nights sleep, that I won't tear up when I think about doing Shoulders & Arms tomorrow... This week is going to be tough.

Calories Burned: 594

Average HR: 155

Max HR: 183 (!!)

Still Smiling

Post-plyo...wow.

And I Thought I Was Fit

Day 2: Plyometrics

I gave up my one chance per week for a nap to do this workout. I was really glad that the Littles slept well and I even had the chance to shower before they both woke up.

At the beginning of this workout, Tony Horton says that THIS is the workout that put the "X" in P90X. This, he says, is the "money". I have been exercising for years - taken some time off to have babies and gain weight - but I have done a LOT of exercise videos. So when I hear an assertion like this I sort of roll my eyes. I really hate plyo exercises...hate, hate, hate. Hate.

Plyometrics (60min) - Also known as "jump training", this style of workout works the large muscles in your legs. There was a LOT of jumping as you might imagine, but as a surprise we squatted down and THEN jumped up. A LOT. The warm up and the first round of exercises weren't to bad. I was feeling confident. But, around the 20 minute mark we moved on to some harder stuff. I have never cried during a workout, but I was close today. There were two times in which I audibly said "I hate you" to the television screen.

I recommend that if you do this workout, you don't do it in the basement, as I did. It might be hard for you to get back up the steps. I downed some P90X Recovery Drink that I received as a sample. Tasted pretty good - and hey, if it helps - I'm all for it.

Stats:

Calories burned: 560

Average HR: 148

Max HR: 182

Times I wished for death: 3