Eventful day

I decided to run around Lake Calhoun again today in preparation for next week's 5k.  It doesn't seem like much but I haven't done one before so kind of excited for it.  I did have to miss Kenpo Cardio, which I am beginning to really like.   The inside walking trail of Lake Calhoun is 3.1 miles equivalent to a 5k.  It was 42 degrees, cloudy and windy, especially on the lake.  I bundled up a little more and headed out. 
25.59 was my time.  I am pretty excited about that.  I was going into the 5k with a goal of getting under 30:00.   Back in September, I NEVER would have been able to do this.  Thank you Tony Horton and P90X.  All the cardio and leg workouts have definitely prepared me for this.  Looking forward to next weekend. 

Then it was off to the mall to continue my quest for pants that fit.  I have become a unique size and can't seem to find one pair of khaki's.  One downfall to getting in shape :-0

To cap the day off I geeked out and watched some fellow P90X'ers on QVC and got even more motivated!  Who's with me and wants to try it out?

Nutrition - calories Nutrition! Caloires!

I was reminded today on the importance of having a great nutrition plan.   Before I started P90X and became serious about my health and fitness, I didn't think I needed to lose any weight.  I wanted to "get fit" or "tone up".  I took the nutrition and the workouts to the next level and the weight and fat started to fall off.  Now I feel like I am at my ideal weight (maybe even a tad light) and want to gain muscle back.  I eat ALL the time with small meals and snacks, holding steady on my weight but still dropping a pound here and there.  Today it became obvious that I need to up my calories even more.  Right now I am at about 2600.  I am going to take it up to about 2800 or 2900 and see if can maintain and build more muscle.  It becomes quite a game of continuous tweaking.   If this was easy, everyone would be ripped and feeling great!

I had been splitting the Upper and Abs / Core workouts the first few times of this round.  Usually doing Upper in the AM and then doing Abs / Core after the work day.  This seems to work well but not if I have something going on after work that day.  I started with abs then moved to Upper and seemed to run out of gas a little bit at the end of Upper.  That was one hint that I might want to look at my caloric intake for the day.

I also decided to test out Shakeology and see what the excitement about the product is.  I ordered a sample months worth.  It could be a good snack or possible meal replacement in my quest to add more good quality calories.

Tomorrow I am planning to replace one of my favs Kenpo Cardio with a run around the lake.  I want to prep one time for next weekend's 5k.  I am curious on what I can do for time.  Should be fun!

Unexpected day off

Oh Thursdays, my most challenging day.  Instead of waking up at a crazy early time I decided to "sleep in" until 6 today.  Hectic day of volunteering at school and crazy work schedule are making me push Yoga X to the weekend.  If I get crunched for time I'll substitute Tony's Fountain of Youth.  It's half the time but nothing really can replace Yoga X and crane.    Upper Body and Abs / Core tomorrow then week 3 I am going to mix it up and replace Friday's workout with Legs and Back.  That is a great DVD and I am feeling the need to bring in more of a leg workout.  Thanks Krist for the suggestion!

Tip of the day:
If you are hooked on foo foo coffee drinks from Starbucks that are loaded with whip cream and calories; try tea instead. 
For example @ Starbucks

Tazo black awake tea:
0 calories, 0 Fat, 0 Carbs and 0 Proteing
AND it tastes good and has caffeine still for a little kick. 

Compare that to:

Grande White Chocolate Mocha w/whipped cream:
470 calories, 18g Fat, 63g Carbs, 0 fiber and 15g Protein

I'll stick to the Awake tea, it's so good!

Wiped out

Yep, 2 words to define Interval X once again.  The constant non-stop action make this workout a definite calorie burner.  I didn't have my heart rate monitor on today.  I'll have to next time so I can get a good reading on the total calories burned.  I was soaked afterwards.   No picture needed here :-0.

Plyo Lunge:  This really works the legs with the jumping lunges and your arms straight up.  Especially at the end of the workout.  "Wow"!

After work I de-stressed some by doing Abs / Core +.  I am trying to concentrate more on engaging the core muscles and definitely am feeling it.   It is a nice change from Ab Ripper X.  I still hate and love that one.

Up tomorrow:  Total Body Plus

Out with the old....

Time to clean out the closets even more.  I have a whole stack of pants now that I hopefully will never need to wear again.    Cutting the waist size has been kind of fun and even made going shopping "not torture".  Before I would have to heavily caffeinate myself just to make it a couple hours in the mall.  Now I find myself looking forward to going.  I even get some looks sometimes like they are thinking "really?; 31?"  I take that as a confirmation that a small waist is not exactly the norm in today's society.    Next up is to wipe the closet of the shirts and replacing with an M vs the current L's in there.

I completed Upper Body + again today to start week 2.  I am saving Abs / Core until tomorrow due to time constraints this morning.    Two direction circle flys with only 10 lbs weights is a burner.   Looking forward to tomorrow's Interval X +!

Preparation

Just another typical Sunday for me today.  It was my rest day and I really needed it.  Last night and today I have been feeling pretty tired.   Today was needed so I can be all ramped up and ready to start week 2 tomorrow.    Each night I prepare my lunch and snacks for the next work day and on Sunday I try and get a bunch of veggies cut up for the week.  It makes it much easier during the week.  Carrots, celery, green beans, snack bags of almonds and snack containers of almond butter all were on the list.   The nutrition is about 60% of the plan of any workout program.  It takes a little more work and planning but so worth it.

Doesn't it just look better than junk food?

Finishing up Week 1

I started today taking my 2 daughters to the Fun Run in town to raise money for the High School cross country team.  I ran the 1.5 mile course with my 5 year old and tried to keep her on pace while my 8 year old ran ahead.  They both did great and really seemed to have fun. 

Then it was time for Kenpo Cardio + and a make up session of the Abs / Core that i missed from yesterday.   I was full of energy getting back from the very casual run and busted out the Kenpo.  I have been moving faster on it and really trying to concentrate on keeping my heart rate up.  I kept it around 155-160 for most of the time.  Once I was done, I was pretty drenched.  The good kind of sweat!  I am feeling great!

Word from the Beachbody Summit that is going on this weekend in Los Angeles:  A new workout called Turbo Fire is set to be released in late May or early June.   It is taking Turbo Jam to the next level.

A brief excerpt from the preview:
"Turbo Fire will feature a combination of intense, lengthier workouts with plyometrics (jumping exercises) and tough cardio interspersed with shorter, more intense workouts called "HIITS", which stands for High Intensity Interval Training. These are similar to Turbo Jam Fat Blasters, but shorter and with more plyometrics, greater intensity and shorter breaks. HIITS are brutally tough--they force you to work in your anaerobic zone, and will melt the fat right off you while toning EVERYTHING up.! "
It sounds very intriguing to me!