Good Yoga Gone Bad

Day 31 - Yoga X

Glad today was my Yoga day. Put the kids down for their nap and spent 90min practicing poses that help my strength and flexibility. The last couple of days I've had a nagging white-hot pain in my right lower back/hip. I stretch, it gets better, I sleep it comes back. Eh - whatcha gonna do? I thought this long session might knock it out for good - but no go.

I'm happy with my progress in the practice. I set up a mirror in the basement so that I can see if my arms are straight or if I am doing the poses correctly. It also came in really handy yesterday during Back & Biceps. I was able to determine that I don't hold my abs in when I'm lifting with my arms. That one tip will translate in to better posture, better form and - thus - better results.

Didn't wear my heart rate monitor during this session. It's been acting wonky and I need to send it in to Polar to have the battery and watch band replaced. I use my monitor a lot when I run, because I just go as fast as I can if I don't have that governor. During my P90X days, I probably don't really need it.

30 Day Results

First 30 days, survived! I feel so proud of myself for sticking with it, and while I can't see super-duper results yet, my body fat percentage speaks for its self. I can do way more push ups, can actually DO 6 pull ups, I push through plyo, am more flexible with the Yoga, and am following more consistent healthy eating habits.

Starting Weight: 168

30 Day: 166.4

Starting Body Fat: 35%

30 Day: 33%

Day 1 above. I like my back...because you can't see my belly. Shoulders are more cut and muffin top is diminishing. Yay!

Photos of 30 Day Results

Day 1 is the top photo, Day 30 the bottom.

Okay, okay, so I CAN see a difference in the side view. Here's to another 30 days!

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

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

A Scheduling Adjustment

Day 27 - Rest or X Stretch

I am making an adjustment to my schedule. For the last 4 weeks, my rest day has been Thursday. It just so happens that Wednesday is a terribly busy day for our family, in which we are gone all evening. I was squeezing the workout in, but barely...and resenting all of it.

So, on the advice of my dear husband (who is usually right about these things), I decided to skip the Yoga routine scheduled for today and start week 5 tomorrow. I can't believe what a load off my mind it is to not have to figure out when (in between daycare pickups, naps, and home schooling) I was going to get my workout done. And just for a bonus in the peace department, I'm not cooking dinner tonight either.

I won't be writing the Weekly Report this time around. Being very close to the 30 day mark, I've decided to post my thoughts over the entire month at that time, along with *gulp* pictures of "before" and "30 days." Also, the scale is finally beginning to cooperate - so I'm feeling better about things. This day of rest aught to fix me up right and give me the gumption to get at it another 30 days.

Bad Attitude

Day 26 - Core Synergistics

I guess I could sugar coat it and tell you that I "struggled." The truth is I really hated working out today. I was tired, coughing, and all around hating life. I'm really *pissed* that I've been working so hard for no change in the numbers. Doesn't really make you want to stick with the program.

This workout is similar in effort to a circuit training workout. Many of the exercises use the core muscles and the muscles of the lower back. Having chronic pain in my back, I have to be careful about how far I push on this one. While making the switch from "superman" pose to "boat" I felt a nice twinge. I breathed through it and kept going. All is well.

By the end of the workout I was standing in front of the TV making what looked like an effort to stretch. I really hope I can see a difference on the scale or the tape this week. Right now this feels like a quantum waste of my time.

Calories burned: 416

Average HR: 128

Max HR: 176