Day 50: Yoga X

Today is the start of Week 8 and my second recovery week. I am not a fan of recovery week and doing yoga during the week is hassle since it is so long, but I sucked it up and did it anyway. I added in a bit of cardio before starting and some during the warrior three series and I burned 400 calories. I still don't love yoga, but it really isn't that bad.

I am dreading Core Synergistics tomorrow...that work out is so hard!

Day 49: Rest/Stretch

I am happy that rest day is here but not looking forward to moving into my second recovery week. I think recovery is boring but I will do it anyway to stay on the program. I really hated core synergistics during the recovery week, hopefully it won't be so freaking hard for me this time! I doubt I will do Stretch X tonight but I will probably just do some of my own stretching, espcially for my sore glutes.

Day 48: Kenpo X

I was having a very bad day before starting this work and it only made me push myself harder. I used my 3 pound weights for most of the punching series and for the elbows and I repeated 1 entire section of the work out to increase the length and intensity. I would up burning 488 calories and I felt 10000 times better after my work out...it is amazing how working out can change my mood for the better in just an hour!

Day 47: Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

So today before my work out I was feeling great and ARX went smoothly (did it without the DVD again and still prefer this) but once I started Legs and Back my right glute started really hurting. I paused the DVD and stretched it out but had to nurse it a bit during the routine. I still really pushed myself and completed the entire work out, but this stupid glute is so tight and just bothering me a lot during squats and lunges.

I burnt 446 calories and my weekly summary, according to my HRM, was 7 hours and 20 minutes of working out during 6 work outs for a total of 2,676 calories burnt. WOW! Recovery week is just one work out away and then on to the final phase.

For now I am going to ice my butt and hope that it gets better asap.

Day 46: Yoga X

I woke up bright and early for a Sunday to get this work out in and I am glad that I did.  I was dreading it a bit for some reason this morning (maybe just because it was 8:15am and I wanted to sleep) but once I got started I realized it was just what I needed.  I really focused on my stretching, especially in my right hip/glute because I have been feeling especially tight recently, and it felt very good.

During the Warrior 3 series I actually added in about 10 minutes of my own cardio just to burn some extra calories and I ended up burning about 350 calories during this work out.  I still prefer higher impact work outs but I do see why yoga is important, especially the stretching and balance aspects.

Day 45: Back and Biceps, Ab Ripper X

I did Ab Ripper today from memory without the video and I think I am going to keep that up.  I just have seen that part of the DVD so many times that I am a little sick of it, plus on my own I can add some extra reps to increase the intensity.  

For Back and Biceps I really pushed myself and I actually think I am ready to move up to 12 pounds!  I think I will pick them up before starting phase 3.  My biceps definitely look good and the blue band is really more managable for back exercises than it was when I started.

Immediately after my work out I had to go to the doctor and they drew blood, which was probably not good post-work out.  I am not feeling great right now so I think I am going to go lay down for a bit and hope that it helps!

I am officially halfway through P90x and I am so proud of myself for how far I have come.  I have not skipped a single work out and besides ocassionally adding extra sets to up my intesity I have stuck to the program religiously.  I have come really far in these first 45 days and I can't wait to see those end results.

Day 44: Plyometrics

Friday afternoons are usually tough for me to get started on my work out and today was no exception.  Once I got started though I was jumping around and sweating like crazy.  I ended up repeated on segment to burn some extra calories and finished with a total of 515 calories burned according to my HRM.  Now I get to eat a big dinner - hooray!

Day 43: Chest/Shoulders/Triceps and Ab Ripper X

So today was the start of week 7 and I was looking forward to this work out because my rest day was boring. Scott was hogging the tv and trying to beat his video game so I did Ab Ripper X first, without the video and just from memory, and I actually liked it better that way. I did more than 25 reps on some of the moves, picked up the pace a bit and really pushed myself. I have a bad memory, but I did that work out so many times already that I knew every move by heart.

For Chest/Shoulders/Tris I really brought it. I did as many push ups as I possibly could but I still really can't do the one arm push ups without my shoulder feeling like it is going to pop out of the socket so instead I did regular push ups and then some jumping jacks. I think I got a great work out today and I am guessing that I am going to be pretty sore tomorrow!

Time for some Muscle Milk Light and The Office/30 Rock

Day 42: Rest/Stretch

Today is the end of week 6 and 1.5 weeks of working out every day because I had to shift my reset day to the beginning of week 5, instead of the end. I definitely had some issues this week between my shoulder and elbow clicking and now some lower back pain, so I am really going to stretch it out today and hopefully will be up and ready to go tomorrow for week 7.

I am just a few days from being halfway done and I am considering whether or not to take day 45 pics and measurements so I can see my progress at this point...we shall see.

Day 41: Kenpo X

Today was Kenpo and I used my 3 pound weights again for many of the punching moves to up the intensity and I repeated one of the segments as well to really push myself and burn more calories. I probably should have just stuck with the program but I was feeling energetic and wanted to get the most out of my work out as possible. I burnt 468 calories and now I am ready for my Muscle Milk Light. It's funny because I actually love MM and feel like it is a milkshake/treat so I look forward to one every day after my work out.

My lower back is still bothering me a little bit so tomorrow's rest day will be much appreciated by my body!

Day 40: Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

It is a gross and rainy Monday so I was dragging all day long. For some reason though as soon as I pressed play I just gave the work out a ton of intensity. I am a little sick of Ab Ripper X since we do it 3 days per week so I do it before my workouts to get it over with. I still love legs and back though and I am sure I am going to feel sore tomorrow. At this point my legs are really toned and muscular so I am happy with how they look, but I figure there is always room for improvement, right?

I burnt 458 calories and my lower back was bothering me a little bit at the end of the work out. Since I didn't have a rest day last week because of the game, I think my body is just dying for a break. Only one more work out until rest/stretch. I think I will actually stretch on Wednesday to help my body out since it is hating me a little in week 6.

Day 39: Yoga X

Even though I got plenty of sleep last night, I was still having a tough time dragging my butt out of bed to get started on the work out. I did the moving poses and then paused the DVD and did about 10 minutes of cardio to burn some extra calories because I pigged out this week. I did skip some of the stretching exercises due to lack of time, because we have people coming over this afternoon and I need to clean up the apartment. Still, I got a good work out in, burnt 418 calories and am ready to get started on the long list of chores that are awaiting me.

Today was my weight watchers weigh-in day and I gained ANOTHER pound - that is 2 pounds in 2 weeks and I am very upset since I have been working my butt off and eating right 99% of the time. Scott thinks it is from muscle growth and just my body adjusting to my increased protein intake. Whatever the reason, I know it is just a number but it is still upsetting because I want to see a change in the scale that reflects my hard work!

Day 38: Back and Biceps, Ab Ripper X

Well, I woke up at 8:45am on a Saturday, jumped out of bed and got started first thing in the morning. I used the blue band again for the back exercises and I am definitely going to be feeling it tomorrow. For biceps, I tried a new technique - I started out each exercise with my 10 pound weights and then once my muscles start to fail, I then would switch down to 8 pounds so I could push out extra reps. I feel like this gave me a better bicep work out since I was about to push my muscles farther this way. I burned about 450 calories and then went on a hike with Scott, Baxter, my cousin Andy and his pups Norm and Thurston and then burnt another 350 calories. WOAH, I am exhausted and read for a looong nap.

Day 37: Plyometrics

I did this after work today and I reeeeally pushed myself! Scott was sleeping after pulling an all-nighter last night so I had plenty of time to work out. At the end of the work out I actually created my own extra set including some of my favorite moves and burned over 500 calories. I love plyometrics - jumping around is just a fun way to burn calories!

Day 36: Chest/Shoulders/Tris and Ab Ripper X

Well today was not a good day for me. During my first set of push ups my right shoulder AND my right elbow started making these uncomfortable clicking noises and they definitely affected my work out. I still did all of the exercises but I did not push myself like I normally do and I was upset at the end of the work out. I still burnt over 400 calories, so at least I got something out of it.

I am very concerned about the clicking and the dull achey feeling going on in my elbow and shoulder. I wonder if it is because my left side is weaker and I am putting more pressure on the right side? I just would be devastated if this turned into a problem that caused me to get off track with P90X. I do not want to take a break at all and I am worried that if this continues then I might have to. I am going to get some Glucosamine/Chondroiton tomorrow which helps promote joint health and maybe that will work.

Luckily, tomorrow is plyometrics so I will be able to give my right arm so rest. Fingers crossed that this doesn't stop me from reaching my goals....

Day 35: Kenpo X

I woke up bright and early this morning to do Kenpo X before work since I have to go sit Shiva tonight for an extended family member. I used 3 pound weights for the punching moves in order to really challenge myself and my shoulders were totally feeling it. I think I will get some weighted gloves since I liked having the additional weight but it was annoying holding on to the 3 pounders and at one point I banged one into my hip which really hurt.

My legs, butt and back are very sore from last night's work out, but after getting started I didn't even notice the pain but I am feeling it now. Tomorrow is the start of week 6 since I was behind a day this week and I hope my back is up for another work out without much rest.

Day 34: Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

Tonight I did Legs and Back and Ab Ripper X and I really pushed myself hard! I burnt almost 500 calories and did every single exercise without any modifications (except for pull ups since I use the bands). I used the blue and thickest band today and I am pretty sure that my back is going to hurt tomorrow! For calf raises I needed to move up to 10 pounds to make this exercise more challenging and I love seeing my strength increase!

I definitely brought it and now I am ready to watch the Biggest Loser and go to bed!

Day 33: Yoga X

Today was Yoga X and I used my yoga block for the first time during this work out. I definitely found it very helpful and it made it more enjoyable to do the work out since I could do some of the more advanced moves with it. I burnt 275 calories during the routine and reeeeally pushed myself during the yoga belly section.

I am not even close to being able to do the warrior 3 series and at this point I just kind of hang out on one leg until it is done. I had a Muscle Milk Light again after the work out and my stomach was really hurting afterwards - I don't think my body is used to having so much protein.

Tomorrow is Legs and Back which is my favorite routine, wahooooo!

Day 32: Back and Biceps, Ab Ripper X

Today was another new work out for me in phase 2 and it was nice switching things up a bit. I was able to keep up but my biceps are totally wasted right now and towards the end of the work out I could barely lift my 8 pounders! Hammer curls were tough considering that I never really work out my forearms so I have a feeling I am going to be feeling that tomorrow.

I kept up with ARX completely today without missing any reps for the first time - wahoo!

Today wsa my WW weigh in and I am feeling pretty sad about it because I gained a pound. I am not surprised because I slacked on my diet this week thanks to a huge Passover dinner and the Sixers game. This week I am going to stick to the plan and get back on track so that I can reach my goal.

Despite the 1 pound weight gain, I sucked it up and took my 30 day pictures. I don't think the pictures really show the increased definition in my arms but I can see that my stomach is a little flatter and more toned and my legs looked more toned too.

Day 30

Day 1

Day 31: Plyometrics X

So today I did Plyometrics X since my work out yesterday was screwed up. It has been a few weeks since I last did Plyo and I almost forgot how freaking exhausting that work out is! I kept up very well and burned a whopping 500 calories during the 58 minute work out.

I bought Muscle Milk Light today at GNC and I had it for the first time after my work out. I know that I have not been getting enough protein for how much hell I am putting my muscles through and it has 20 grams of protein and is only 3 points. I tried the vanilla creme flavor and it was ok - not great like the vanilla milkshake I was hoping for but it was not bad either.

I totally pigged out last night at the basketball game yesterday so I am going to be taking pictures tomorrow instead because I just can't bear to take them today.

Day 30: Rest

Well, today was supposed to be Plyo X but about 5 minutes into my workout Scott came running in to the living room to tell me that the Sixers v. Cavs tickets we had were tonight NOT tomorrow night like we thought it was. I had to stop my work out, throw on clothing and run out the door since the game started in 45 minutes! Needless to say there was no way that I was going to be able to get in my workout so I am going to have to use today as this weeks rest day and push my work outs back a day this week.

I was pretty upset about having to rearrange and miss my work out, but as long as I get all 6 work outs in this week then I will be fine!

Day 29: Chest, Shoulders and Triceps, Ab Ripper X

After a week of giving my muscles a break during recovery, it felt SO good to get back into intense muscle work outs.  I was impressed with how much better I kept up with Ab Ripper X - I think after Core Synergistics, it just seemed easier :o)  V-Up Roll Ups are still the hardest for me to do correctly, but I am getting there.

I was nervous to try a brand new work out but I really liked Chest/Shoulders/Tris today and I felt like I really worked those muscles hard.  During the clapping push ups I had a little issue when I dropped myself on my head!  My arms and chest were just so tired that I could not catch myself fast enough before smacking my head on the mat - OUCH.  I really did work my chest to muscle failure because my chest/arms would literally just give out towards the end of a push up sequence.

I think I need to get some 5 pound weights for some of these exercises since 8 pounds is a little too much for me on the tricep exercises and 3 pounds is not enough.  I ended up holding both 3 pound weights in one hand for many of the tricep exercises to bridge the gap between the two different weights I had.

Tomorrow is day 30 and I will take more pictures and compare.  I am kind of nervous, though everyone who has done the program says the biggest change can be seen between phases 2 and 3.

Also, I should mention that my HRM does a summary every 7 days and I found the information to be very interesting.  During the last week (recovery week) I worked out 6 times for a total of 6 hours and 40 minutes and burned 2,363 calories!  I can only imagine what that number is going to be after a non-recovery week of exercises!

Day 28: Rest/Stretch

Tonight was the first night of Passover so I was not able to fit in Stretch X. I ate pretty badly at dinner so I am looking forward to starting Phase 2 tomorrow to get my butt into gear. My muscles over my rib cage are very sore from Core yesterday and I hope that they heal quickly since I have to do Ab Ripper X tomorrow!

Day 27: Core Synergistics

Core today was the last work out for my first recovery week and I am excited to get started on new and harder work outs on Thursday for Phase 2. I think Core Synergistics is the hardest of all of the P90X work outs that I have done so far. I was sweating and very out of breath during it and had trouble keeping up - it actually made me feel very out of shape since for the first time ever I needed to pause the video to lower my heart rate!

My HRM kept beeping at me throughout the work out since my HR was high but overall I burnt 424 in just under an hour, WOW!

Day 26: Yoga X

It was very hard to fit an hour and a half work out into my schedule on a work day, but I did manage to do it anyway. I think because the work out was so long and it felt like a chore to have to spend so much of my night doing it, I just was dragging. I only burned about 250 calories, which is 100 less than I did last time I did it! Oh well, starting Thursday this recovery week will be over and I will be back on a more normal work out scheudle.

Who would have thought that I would actually not enjoy and easier week?!

Day 25: Rest/Stretch X

Today was supposed to be a rest/stretching day but after pigging out yesterday I added in Cardio X. It was the first time I did the work out and I like that it mixed in moves from every work out including Yoga, Kenpo and Plyo. I burned about 300 calories and felt like I got a good work out even though I was supposed to be resting!

Day 24: Kenpo X

I think this is still my favorite P90X work out. Something about kicking and punching for an hour just makes me feel great. I actually had a lot of energy left over so I repeated the last 10 minutes of the work out to burn some extra calories. I ate horribly today so I am going to have to really pick it up this week and cut out the junk food.

Day 23: Core Synergistics

Well I am still feeling pretty sick today so working out was mostly likely not the smart decision- BUT I did it anyone.  I was expecting the Core Synergistics work out to be a bit easier than some of the others since it is added to the work out during the recovery week but it was HARD.  Pretty much an intense total boady work out and I was really out of breath during this one.  

I had to really try to stay below my target heart rate zone and I wonder if the elevated heart rate is due to how I am feeling.  I made it through the whole work out in one piece though and then immediately went a took a nap.  I look forward to trying this work out again later in the 4th week and hopefully I will be feeling better by then.

Day 22: Yoga X

So I stayed home sick from work today and really felt like crap but I forced myself to do yoga anyway. I turned out the lights and lit candles and incense and was actually able to relax, focus on good breathing (though breathing out of my nose just wasn't happening today) and I enjoyed the work out. Yoga is definitely growing on me!

According to my HRM I burned abotu 340 calories, which is less than last week but I wish sick and didn't want to push myself too hard. Off to get some rest - good night!

Day 21: Rest/Stretch

Today is the end of week 3 and I woke up with a cold which I am not happy about. I am taking Advil Cold and Sinus and Cold Eze so hopefully I will bounce back quickly so that my work outs are not affected - though this week is recovery which is good timing.

I finally did Stretch X today for the first time and it felt good to relax and stretch for an hour, though Baxter was in my face trying to get attention the whole time. When I was in downward dog he actually crawled under me on the mat and rolled over for a belly rub! It was so unbelievable cute :o)