I Hate It... But I Love It. p90x 30 day Results.

So… p90x. If you’re on Twitter, you know I yap about this constantly. Mostly because it holds me accountable for my actions. I have just completed Phase 1, which was 4 weeks long and 6-7 days a week. The program uses a technique called “muscle confusion” which mixes up the workout routines every day. So it goes: 1. Chest and Back 2. Plyometrics 3. Shoulders and Arms 4. Yoga 5. Legs and Back 6. Kenpo (kick-boxing) 7. Rest or Stretch (I always did the stretch)

I have to be honest, the first time I did Plyometrics, I almost threw up. Yup, I just went there. I did almost all my working out in the morning before I ate. I didn’t want to waste any time puttering around, getting ready for the day. The days I did the workouts at night, I was dreading it all day and felt blah.

The 4th week is Recovery Week, which is not a rest week at all. 1. Yoga 2. Core Synergistics 3. Kenpo 4. Stretch 5. Core Synergistics 6. Yoga 7. Rest or Stretch (definitely stretched)

Again, I almost tossed my cookies during the second Core Synergistics. I think I also pulled a muscle in my back. When Tony says, “Form is everything” take that very seriously.

The first 3-5 days I was constantly sore. I looked like I had been riding a horse for a week straight. Trust me, it DOES get better. You start moving up in your weights, doing routines you didn’t think you could do with 8 lb, 12 lb, etc. weights.

So, results. This is where I’m a little bit discouraged but I’m not going to let that stop me from completing this program. I did start the program last summer and got to week 7 or so but stopped because I got too busy and it was so dang hot here. I’m committed to finishing this one to see if I can do it!

I’ve noticed my clothes are fitting better. My husband says he can see it in my arms and my waist is smaller. He said the biggest difference is my attitude. I’m happier, I sleep better and I’m slower to angry outbursts. I’m eating much better (don’t want to undo all that hard work!), we don’t have a lot of junk in the house. Although, I did bake cookies last night but I’m planning on giving most of those away! I have more energy and get stuff done.

I guess the biggest thing I have learned it that I’m looking forward to working out now. It’s not that I dread getting up in the morning and doing it. It’s just a part of my day. I’m realizing that I’m lucky to have the body I have and that it can do some amazing things. The workouts are so hard when you’re doing them but once you’ve finished, it’s the best feeling ever. Freakin’ Ab Ripper man. So hard.

As for nutrition, I’m not following the diet plan. I’m more health conscience since I started though. A lot of Green Monster smoothies, protein shakes, beans, greens and fruit. I actually squealed in the grocery store the other day because they were having a super sale on strawberries. Mmmmm.

What… you wanted to see pictures? Alright, but I have some comments first. I forgot to take a picture at the beginning of the program. I KNOW. For shame. So I took a picture from when I started it the first time last year and it’s the same. I’m a softy! Beginning is on the left and 30 days is on the right. For the life of me, I can’t find the shorts that I wore for the original picture. It takes A LOT for me to post these but I want to track my progress and show you that results can happen! (I'm a bit annoyed that one picture in each is blurry. grrrrr. Plus, the Hubs wouldn't get off the couch to take them so the 30 day pics are not as great as I'd like.)

Click here

aaaand click here

I’m looking forward to starting the next phase of the program, getting some new workouts and just pushing myself harder. I picked up heavier weights yesterday, so that’s a good sign!

Have you done the p90x program? Did you like it? What was your favorite part? What was your least favorite part? What days are a struggle for you?

She Kicks My Butt

I started training for my 10k last week. On Tuesday I got up, put on my running clothes, strapped my Garmin on my wrist and turned on my newly charged ipod.

I was running and running and made it to the 2 mile mark when all of a sudden I had intense pain shooting from the side of my knee to my lower back. I was limping along Olive street for another mile while I tried to get up and running but just couldn't. I made it home, showered and when I got out of the shower and bent down to pick up my clothes, my hip popped back into place. A-HA! That's what it was!

The pain went away temporarily but I was definitely limping again by lunch. I had huge plans to pick up running again on Thursday but I was still so freakin' sore. Any PTs out there? What's the muscle running from the outside of my knee to my butt? Because, DANG it was hurting.

Then I had a huge snit fit this weekend when I went to get my Garmin (NEW, by the way) and found that even though I had plugged it in on Tuesday, the battery was low. The charging cradle is broken and I've used it once. Ohhhh customer service will be getting an earful from me.

I didn't want to run because I want to start seeing my pacing (which is horrible right now) and learn how to make it better.

So I'm back to Jillian Michaels! Jillian and I are old pals. Every time I fall away from working out, she's right there to ease me back in. And that's just what I'm going to do, ease myself back into this. I took an entire month off due to the musical, pageant and vacation and I'm tired of feeling like a plop. I know I go through this every couple of months but I really need to stick with it. I have a 10k in April and a half in June. My first for both! I've done plenty of 5ks but I really want to push myself. Plus, I like running and just need to get into a good schedule.

The plan is to work with Jillian for 2 weeks (I'm 3/3 in working out the last 3 days) then move back to p90x until this whole Garmin mess is taken care of. I figure I need to tone up a bit before getting back into running. A leaner body runs faster, right? This is cross training, right?

I like to act like I know what I'm talking about but it's really just nonsense.

This exercise isn't a resolution... I'm constantly working out, letting it slide then picking it up again. But I love finding new workouts to try.

What are some of your favorite workouts? I've done 30 Day Shred, p90x,c25k and b210k. Give me some more ideas!

Weekly Workout 11/8/10

I seem to be slacking a little with these weekly workout posts. I am working out but sometimes it just seems so blah to post about them. Especially when my work out week was pretty blah itself.

Monday: skip. This seems to be a reoccuring theme.

Tuesday: C25K Week 8 Day 1. This run was just fine. Felt good. Looked good. (ha, whatever).

Wednesday: Choreography rehearsal. Danced for 3 hours. So much fun.

Thursday: skipped. Can't remember why.

Friday: Off day. Should have worked out.

Saturday: C25L Week 8, Day 2. Don't remember much about this one. OH, I did run at 11:30 am which was a mistake because temps went up here again. Obnoxious.

Sunday: Was going to run the Mission Inn 5k but realized that I had to be at church at 9. 7:30am 5k 20 miles away? It wasn't going to happen if I was going to look decent for church. The children did a marvelous job singing, btw.

So yeah, last week fell a little flat. I didn't work out yesterday (slept horribly Sunday night). But I did work out today and I think have choreography tomorrow. I shouldn't replace my workouts with choreography but sometimes I can't help it. I'm tired!

How are your work outs going? Have you done anything to mix it up?

Ab Ripper

I think this might be slowly becoming an exercise blog. Hm. Not sure how I feel about that.

The exercise part is great. Although, I was complaining last night that I had been working out about 5 days a week for the past month and have yet to feel any different. The Hubs said, "It's because you haven't been doing the Ab workout". I got completely weirded out because he's always gone for work before I start my workouts. How did he know I wasn't doing it? He said he knew I wasn't doing it because I wasn't complaining about how my abs hurt nearly enough.

It's true though. I haven't been doing Ab Ripper X. I guess it's because I've been working out for an hour already and I don't feel like doing anymore. Or maybe it's because I like my extra 15 minutes of free time when I get ready in the morning.

So, I AM exercising but I guess I'm also kind of being lazy about it. There are workout plans for a reason.

I woke up early this morning to go running but it was so early that it was still dark out. And I don't like that at all. But I hauled myself out of bed and did Ab Ripper instead.

He was right. I was complaining like crazy when I was finished but I think it will really help in the long run. I haven't been doing hardly any core workouts and the core is the most important part of working out.

Oh my gosh, am I boring anyone else? I feel like I'm putting myself to sleep too.

Because I don't want to be all crazy-workout-look-at-my-fitness, here are the adorable cupcakes my past students delivered to my office today. They are too cute (and too yummy. seriously, I had to give them to my coworkers because I could not be trusted with all of them).


I also made a Gooey Butter cake for our potluck Wednesday dinner and holy crap. You guys, this recipe is amazing. Like, sell your first born for a piece, amazing. They should call this "Get a Man with this Gooey Butter Cake" or "So Sweet it Will Make Your Teeth Hurt Gooey Butter Cake". Go make it this weekend. Do it. Oh! and make it the day before you need it. And put it in the fridge. Trust me, it makes it better (if you can believe it).

We Need a Better Name for This Gooey Butter Cake
taken from allrecipes.com
Ingredients
Cake
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.Mix cake mix, melted butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 eggs with a spoon. Pat into a 9 X 13 inch pan.
3.Mix cream cheese, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla with an electric mixer. Slowly beat in confectioner's sugar (I only used about 2 and 1/2 - 3 cups). Pour over cake layer. Will be a little runny.
4.Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool. Put in fridge overnight.

Ugh

My run today was HORRIBLE. Absolutely horrible.

I just started week 7 of the c25k program and the first day is another 25 minute run. Not bad, I just did that on Sunday and it was hot outside. Now, the elements weren't against me, it was in the morning and I had already proved I could do it.

Here are the reasons why it sucked.
1. Didn't fuel properly. I'm so used to getting up and working out that I don't fuel at all. It's a stupid thing to do and I have to stop doing it.

2. I started a little later than normal and ran into the traffic jam that is the middle school morning drop off. I had to break my stride and jog in place while mean moms gave me the side-eye if I even made the slightest move to leave the sidewalk. Very frustrating.

3. I couldn't push past the side cramps. I've able to do it before but today I just couldn't.

4. My pace was all off. Because I was waiting for cars to pass, I thought I should make up that time by running faster but all that did was wear me out sooner. I didn't keep a steady and consistant pace.

So yeah, I'm frustrated. But I didn't stop running and just walk the whole way. I took short walking breaks then jogged a little. Walking break, jog, etc. I know not every run is going to be great but I was frustrated all the same.

Runner friends, what do you do when your run doesn't go as expected? A part of me wants to make it up elsewhere in the week but the other part is like, eh. Whatever I'll just try harder next time.

Weekly Workout 10/25

Monday: Skipped. Yup. Not gonna lie, my bed was feeling awesome that morning. I loafed around and I don't regret it one bit.

Tuesday: C25K Week 6 day 1. Good stuff although I have to keep increasing the lengths of my routes because I'm coming up short each time. I like my current route because I only have to cross one busy street. If I add more distance, I'm going to have to start going through stop lights. Not a bad thing, my any means (trust me, I'm so thrilled that I'm increasing my distance!) but still something I need to consider from here on out.

Wednesday: p90x Plyometrics. I realized I shouldn't just be focusing on weight training on my non c25k days and I'm going to do the p90x classic program, alternating my running days. Plyo wasn't bad when I was doing it but today, my legs are yelling at me. I completely forgot all about the squats and so stairs are not my friend.

Thursday: C25K Week 6 day 2. Same thing as Monday. Thrilled about going further distances in the same amount of time but need to map out my runs a little differently I think. I love my current route because there are no hills and only a small incline during my cooldown. So, we'll see what I come up with.

Friday: Day off. Took off work to prep for our Halloween party.

Saturday: p90x Arms and Shoulders. Goes a lot faster when you zap through Tony's babbling.

Sunday: c25k Week 6 Day 3. Went and did this at 3:30 in the afternoon. Kind of a mistake. It's starting to heat back up again down here. It was warm up for 5 minutes, run for 25, cool down for 5. I almost made it the whole way through and walked a few steps only twice. I'm almost up to 3 miles on these runs. Slowly but surely, I'm getting there!

So there you go. Eating has been fine this weekend. I'm trying to eat big breakfasts and smaller lunches and that's been working. Hearty breakfasts are really the way to go for me. I don't want to be hungry by 11!

I also got a new jacket. It's been really chilly here in the morning but I always end up taking it off halfway through the run.

How's your exercising going? Have any goals for the new month?

Workouts This Week

Well, this will be brief since I’ve only done three!

Monday- Totally bailed on p90x. I was still so sore from working out on Saturday (Chest, Shoulders, Tri) that I made the hubs give me a backrub on Sunday night. I’ve also got to be aware of my form when running. I hunch up my shoulders, thinking it will prevent a cramp. You know what will prevent a cramp? Me not taking on more than I can handle and running too fast. That’s what.

Tuesday- c25k Week 5 Day 1. The whole time I was in the running sections I kept thinking, “Clearly you proved you can run a 5k so don’t think you can slack off” and it really helped. It made me think about my pacing and how I don’t need to push myself too fast, too soon.

Wednesday- Shoulders and Arms. I’ve gotten to the point where I just hit the Music and Cues button because Tony Horton talks too much. Anyone who’s done this knows what I’m talking about. I also fast forward through his transitions because he wastes a lot of time explaining things. This cuts down on workout time significantly.

Thursday- c25k Week 5 Day 2. The whole program was 5 minute warm up, run 8 minutes, walk 5, run 8 then cool down 5. I love this program because it isn't so long that I get discouraged. I walked a little bit during the second 8 minute run. I think I have to start fueling better before these runs.

After my run this morning. Ugh.

I also had a thought today that I should really be working my legs as well, not just my upper body. Stronger legs are never a bad thing.

The c25k app on the ipod

I’ve got to learn not to beat myself up for bailing on a workout every once in awhile. I do like the quote “There have been plenty of times when I have had regrets about NOT working out, but I'll never regret working out.” That runs through my mind almost every morning when I’m cozy in bed and just don’t feel like it. Another one of my friends said once, “I’m lucky that I’m able to do these things, so I don’t want to waste that ability.” I am lucky enough that my body can handle these workouts and I need to respect it and take full advantage of the opportunities given to me.

I’m blogging about running mostly to let people know that if I can do it, anyone can do it. I read blogs where there are people my age running marathons at little over 4 hours. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to hit something like that but I want to show what it’s like to take this on from the ground up. I’m also thinking of doing a post on what (minimal) running gear I own and the kind of stuff I use for p90x. Would anyone even care?

Are you looking to start a workout but just don’t know how to get motivated? I have to say, having the Rock n Roll Half Marathon to look forward to next year is really pushing me to get my bootie in gear. I’ve been researching races like crazy and I think I may be addicted!

So, would anyone even care about how to get started and what equipment to use? Or am I barking up the wrong tree? Bueller? Bueller?

Workin' on my Fitness

About a month ago, I just got sick of it. Sick of feeling like a blob, or a plop as my former coworker would say. So I decided to change that and really get back into a routine. Hubs and I were faithfully doing p90x for about a month and a half and then it got insanely hot here so we stopped.

My job has me coming in at 9 which is perfect for me since I like to work out in the morning. I was thinking some people might be interested to see how I mix up my fitness routine. I skipped 3(!!!!) days last week and I felt horrible. I'm pretty sure it added to my spectacular snit last weekend. Seeing those effects, I'm more committed than ever to keep up with this routine.

Monday: Wake up at 7. Throw on work out clothes. Stagger downstairs and do a session of p90x. I'm not really doing any of the cardio ones because I'm running as well. I'm mostly working on my arms, shoulders and back. Finish at 8. Hop in the shower. Run downstairs and make breakfast. I get into food ruts and this week has been a bagel thin with microwaved egg whites and onion. I'm pretty sure that will get old fast.

Tuesday: Wake up around 7:15. Throw on running gear. Grab ipod. Do C25K. I'm on week 4 right now... almost at week 5! I have my 5k coming up on November 14. Finish around 7:45-7:50. Hope I'm not locked out of the house. (Note to self. Get another house key made) Same morning routine as Monday.

Wednesday: p90x

Thursday: C25K

Friday: Rest day! This is the only day I have to come in at 8am so I just use this as my rest day.

Saturday: I will either do p90x or C25K depending on when I wake up and how hot it is.

Sunday: Whichever work out I didn't do on Saturday, I'll do it today. Get ready. Go to church. Conduct the children's choir. Come home and do copious amounts of laundry and grocery shopping. Football is playing in the background (actually very soothing).

So yeah, I've got my fitness all worked out but I really need to work on nutrition and fueling my body in the best way possible. We still have crap lying around the house and I've been on the road 3 out of the 5 work days this week. I've been trying to make the best choices food-wise but it is kind of difficult. I should start packing my own lunches for when I'm on the road.

Half of this battle is just being prepared. I really like blogs like nhershoes and meals and miles because they show what they eat throughout the day.

UPDATE: Dude! I just got an email saying we're having a 5k on campus this weekend. Where the heck was I and why didn't I get the memo? I think I might sign up for it since it's only a freakin' mile away from my house. I think Active.com really needs to work on their race listings. I know of 2 in my area that aren't listed on there.

Are there any sites that accurately show what races are in your area? What are your favorite healthy things to eat? We go through bell peppers, avocado, onions, cucumbers, and spinach (especially when our blender was working. womp womp. Someone ::cough:: me ::cough:: broke it)

Blobbity blob blob blob

You guys, I've been eating like crap lately. Every time I went to the store, I would buy chips... just this once. Then it turned into baking like I used to (but now there's only two of us instead of a household full of people to get rid of my stress-baking delights), coffee cake every weekend, makeshift dinners full of fat instead of yummy veggies.

Yesteryda, I was putting around the kitchen when I had a piece of candy and it just didn't taste good anymore. For everyone who knows me, I KNOW RIGHT?! That's totally crazy. I can down candy like a crazy kid on Halloween. oooooo Halloween. That's coming up, huh?

So today I made a special trip to Stater Bros. which has the most decently priced produce.

And holy cow, we're in the money. I made a pepper salad complete with all three color peppers, red onion and cucumber. I made Mexican veggie lasagna for last night's dinner. We have a bowl full of apples, peaches and nectarines on the dining room table. I have canned pumpkin with grand plans to bump up my Green Monsters in the morning. I also had oatmeal and man was that good. I'm going to try overnight oats and then check back in with a review.

Oh yeah, I also worked out with Jillian Michaels yesterday. People, I am SO out of shape. It's absolutely insane how 2 months with nothing and I can't make it through a 20 minute routine. But today is another day and I'm excited to get back into a routine. And now that I work from 9-6, I can get up at the same time but can now fit in a work out. So yeah, I'm pumped.

This was my kitchen before dinner. Yum. I've missed eating food and still feeling great afterwards.




Have you ever just through in the towel and started eating right? I just missed how fruits and veggies taste and it was like a light switch going on!