Focus!

I have many many interests ranging from trying different workouts, tech gadgets, reading, traveling, etc etc.  When it comes to the Beachbody workout programs; I want to try them ALL  I am curious about Hip Hop Abs, 30/15, Iso Abs, Just Arms, INSANITY, Slim in 6, Turbo Jam and throw in ChaLEAN Extreme.   I am very curious about all of them and hear great things.  But for now I am going to FOCUS on one thing and that is my + schedule.    When I complete that, lookout on to the next one though.  Love it.

On tap today was Upper Body + and Abs / Core.  I am getting the hang of it a little more now.  The warrior swim is tough.  It is a move where you use a lighter weight and balance with one leg out and then alternate both arms forward and back.  It is quite the burn!

4:57

I made it up this morning bright and early without my alarm at 4:57 AM.  I may just be somewhat addicted to this workout thing :-0.  I don't know how I do it sometimes.  That is pretty early for me.  I only had time for the first 45 minutes of Yoga X but it felt good.  Crane is my favorite part of Yoga, probably because it is somewhat easy for me.   I want to break my personal record of 1:13.  Maybe I can do that when I finish.  My intention was to complete the other half of the workout tonight but I hit my wall just a few minutes ago.  I plan to make it up this weekend.  Tomorrow is a repeat of Upper Body + and Abs / Core +.

Addiction definition from webster.com:
- compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful

Hmm, maybe if I replace the word substance with act it might define me!  Bring it.

Day 3

Another new adventure today.  On the list was Total Body Plus.  I have to admit after going through 2 rounds of P90X I was a little confident that I could handle this pretty well.  I was taken by surprise.  I was breathing pretty heavy towards the end (and during).   The biggest change by far is the speed of the workouts, very few breaks to keep the heart rate up.  A lot of combination moves, some pulled in from the original P90X series.  I don't know what happened but one day all of a sudden I was able to do pull-ups easier.  That part has made it fun to see how many more I can do!  On to tomorrow and back to the ole safety blanket and Yoga X.  Thursday's I have an early 7:00 AM meeting so I usually work out after work but tomorrow I am going to brave it and get up at 5AM and do the first 45 minutes of yoga.  That is what I call early but it will make the rest of the easier and off to a good start.  Here's to getting some rest tonight and pushing myself out of bed.

No excuses

Yesterday I was flipping throw the channels on the radio on the way home from work.  I know this is almost starting to sound dated with satellite radio and mp3 players.  I stumbled across a little metal with "No Excuses" by Alice in Chains.   It made me really think on how "no excuses" applies to many things that get in the way of our ultimate goals.  Yeah, the lyrics don't really seem to apply directly when I looked it up but the message still was clear to me.  We have all been there.  I know I WAS for a long time.  I don't have time, I can't get up early, etc. 

Before I started P90X I was going to the Y to workout.  I found it hard to get up in the morning and trek over there before work.  Now I find myself waking up BEFORE my alarm on some days.  That is crazy to me.  I love sleep but something drives me to want to get up and start that work out.  I guess maybe it's that extra energy that it is giving me?  Who knows, but it is different for all of us.  Many mornings or days, you may need that extra motivation to keep going towards the goal.  Those are the days when we need to look at what motivates us and use that to drive us.  If you want it enough, then it starts to become easy.

One word for today's workout doing Interval X:  "wheeeeew"!
I was underestimating this one.  It is so much fast moving with less breaks then P90X.  I kept my HR up pretty high and was really wiped out at the end.  Tomorrow is Total Body +.  

Day 1

Ahhh, a new challenge once again.   Today was the kick-off to P90X +.  I did Upper Plus and Abs / Core Plus.  One big difference is everything seems to move faster than the original DVDs.  I think once I get the hang of it more I will be able to really feel the burn :-0.

Keeping it short tonight: need to get some sleep so I am ready to rock out Interval X + early tomorrow.

It's all in the preparation

I went to church service today and the message was "It's all in the preparation".  I found it rather fitting.  It can mean so many different things in our life but one piece for me is starting another 90 days tomorrow.  If we start out with a goal and a good plan, then accomplishing that goal becomes so much easier.  I have been through P90X twice now so I have a real good idea on what to expect.  This time will be a little different though, with even more advanced moves ahead of me. 

This is my gym for the next 90 days:



 
This week's schedule:
Monday:  Upper Plus and Abs / Core Plus
Tuesday:  Interval X Plus
Wednesday:  Total Body Plus
Thursday:  Yoga X
Friday:  Upper Plus and Abs / Core Plus
Saturday:  Kenpo Cardio Plus
Sunday:  Off
 

Mmmmmm

I tried out the Abs / Core Plus workout today.  I wanted to get a sneak preview of it before I dive in next week.  It's 20 minutes long and introduces many new ab and core moves from the original P90X dvds.  I was a little clumsy getting used to them at first.  My pull-up bar is in the next room so every time they use the bar I have to pause it and go in the next room.  It's not ideal, but it works.   After just the one time, I still like ab ripper X better but I liked the variety.  Something tells me I may start to like this one better in the near future.

An example of a Saturday lunch for me:

Mixed baby field greens, cut up garden burger, lite shredded cheese with a low fat pear vinaigrette and some cooked beets.  I topped it off with an orange.   A good variety of carbs, protein, veggies and fruit.  My presentation isn't the best but it tasted really good.  I think beets are my new favorite food.

Small choices, big difference

Update on my "rest" week:
I did the P90X Kenpo Cardio + again today.  This is one of the videos included in the P90X + advanced series.  I like it just a little more each time.  Today I kicked it into high gear at the end during the high block / knee kick burn outs.  I really got my heart rate going and felt great afterwards!

On another note I heard from my sister-in law Bobbiann today on her progress with P90X.  She is just on her second full week and has already lost 6 pounds!  One big change for her was greatly reducing her soda consumption and replacing with water.  It doesn't always have to be the drastic changes to make a difference.  Some people try and do too much right away.  Take it one step at a time and you will be pleased with your results.  I am proud of her and looking forward to see where else she can take it from here.

T - 2 days until starting up for real again.

Another run

I continued my week waking up and going for a 3 mile run.  I took a different route than last time. That is one of the most important pieces for me, changing things up.  The weather has been so nice here that I needed to take advantage of it.   May 15th marks the day for my first 5k.  I am signing up for it and feel way more prepared for it than I did in the past. 

Another part of my day today was spent in my backyard with my 2 daughters; ages 8 and 5.  We played soccer and I helped them get familiar with jumping rope.  My older daughter was also excited to talk about her recent runner's club that she joined.  I can't help but think that they are being influenced on the importance of health and fitness just by seeing it as part of the normal daily activities in our household.  

Not sure about tomorrow's workout yet.  Friday may be Kenpo Cardio +.  I can see that as being one of my new favorite workouts.

Fit test numbers are in!

I didn't over sleep today and completed the P90X fit test.  Here are my results.  I am very pleased with the outcome but eager to see where I can take it from here.  I have never had better success.   One piece of info that isn't listed here is my blood pressure and cholesterol numbers.  I haven't had my cholesterol checked yet but my BP is much better since starting day 1.  With so many sick people and America's struggle with obesity, it feels especially good to be healthy.  Hard work does pays off!

Overslept!

This morning was supposed to be my post P90X fit test but I overslept!  I didn't do this once during my first 180 days and today it happened.  I find that somewhat ironic.  I noticed that I set it for weekend vs weeday on my iPhone.  Maybe today is still Saturday?! 

Fit test will be moved to tomorrow and will take today to recover from the yardwork workout.  Stay tuned for my results.  I am already getting antsy for the +!

Celebration!

I was out last night to celebrate my completion of round 2 of P90X.  It was a great time and we were able to check out a new restaurant and the historic Stone Arch Bridge of Minneapolis.  Very cool scenary.


Today is my off day from working out.  The weather is ideal at about 70 degrees and sunny.  Perfect for some yardwork.  My house sits on a large lot with many, many trees, which required several hours of raking.  I am feeling it more I think than I have on a tough shoulders and arms workout.  I can see a Yardwork X DVD coming out soon!  


Tomorrow I am going to start my off week with the fit test.  This will tell me how much progress I have made since i started in October of 2009.  I am looking forward to seeing my numbers since I am feeling great and have so much more energy.

Round 2 completed!

Today marked my 179th day since starting P90X by doing Yoga X.  Tomorrow is a rest day and I am taking it!  It's feels good to accomplish this but also feels like just the beginning.  I plan on taking this week "off" and then starting up P90X + the week after.  I lost a total of 21 lbs and approximately 4 inches off my waist since starting and my goal wasn't to lose any weight.  I guess I needed to get rid of some fat.   Tonight will be a little celebration with a night out with friends.  I will be practicing some things on the other side of the "balance" by having a few cocktails.  Everything in moderation.  I eat as clean as I can but also try and not let it get in the way of everday life.

Cheers!

Happy Friday

Finishing round 2 of P90X this week and was scheduled for Core Synergistics.  I want to sign up for a 5K this spring so I decided to replace it with a run.  A little breezy and about 48 degrees, perfect for a run right?  I made it short (2.5) but wasn't too tough.  6 months ago that would have been waaaaaay harder.  Loving the progress that I am making.

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