I'm Alive!

Sorry I've been slacking, folks...but I've only been slacking on the blogging part. So, after the utter hell that was the five days post-plyometrics, I decided to switch from the Classic to the Lean program of P90X. I felt like being that completely sore was detrimental to the next few days' worth of workouts, so I decided to do Lean first, then Classic, then maybe Doubles, depending on how things go. I'm still sore every single day, but in a good way. So far (after switching to Lean) I've done the following workouts:

Day 1 – Core Synergistics

Day 2 – Cardio X

Day 3 – Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper X

Day 4 – Yoga X

Core Synergistics seemed easy while I was doing it, but boy did I feel it in my ass and trunk the next day! Wow! I actually really dug the Cardio X routine. When I was first researching the program, I read a lot of people complaining about the Cardio program, saying it was too easy. I liked it a lot, though. Prior to P90x, I ran on a treadmill. I felt like my heartrate got right where it needed to be during Cardio X (i.e., it was racing same as when I was running), but it was much more fun and engaging, and the 45 minutes flew by. It was a combo of Core Synergistics, Yoga, and Kenpo. I really liked it. Days 3 and 4 of Lean were routines I had already done with Classic. Shoulders and Arms is a really great, varied workout that rotates between biceps, triceps, and shoulders. Again, the hour goes really quickly. Yoga still bores the shit out of me. I would much rather substitute a cardio routine (or even just a run), but I would like to increase flexibility and do some intense stretching. It is extremely hard for me to make it through these 92 minutes....not necessarily because it is all that hard, but I'm not really a relaxed type of person, and all I can think about is that I'm wasting my time! I like to sweat, and Yoga X doesn't really get me there. I'm going to stick with it though. Tomorrow is Legs and Back, I think. My mother is coming to town, so I may have to move my rest day to tomorrow. We'll see how things play out. I'll try to be more responsible with my blogging.

Day 4: Yoga

BOOOOOORING! This program is 92 minutes long. It was hard to get through, because it was long and boring and hard to stay focused. I've always been pretty flexible, so most of it was very manageable. The stretching did feel outstanding, considering that my body is still in pain from plyometrics! Walking should be much easier tomorrow! :) I've read that some folks have shortened this DVD to the last 45 minutes, as they've found that to be the most beneficial period. I'll keep going as is for a couple of weeks, then decide if modifications should be made. 86 days!

Day 3: Shoulders and Arms

This was by far the easiest so far. Perhaps because I felt lest compelled to try and keep up with their pace. This being the first time going through this set was tricky, as I was never sure what size weight would be most effective to use. That could be why it seemed easier; I spent a lot of time messing around changing weights. Luckily, I'm recording these things, so the next time around should go smoother. Although it would be really time consuming, I'd recommend that people watch the workouts (even in "fast forward" motion) before actually doing them. It would probably make the learning curve easier. Tomorrow is yoga (I think). I'm not so sure how I feel about that. I've never really done yoga. I think it will feel great to stretch, but if I can find time to hit the gym as well, I'd like to do that in order to get some cardio in. From what I've read, the yoga workout is over 90 minutes long, so we'll see. 87 more days to go!

Day 2: Plyometrics

Sorry; I haven't posted in a couple of days; I need to catch up. Day 2 was Plyo. Holy shit. That is really really hard! I felt a great sense of accomplishment completing it, though; which made me feel really great. It's basically a zillion variations of squats and lunges. I'm quite confident that the residual soreness is getting worse! Ha! I did Ab Ripper X the first day, which was crazy difficult, but it absolutely works! I can really feel it!

Day 2: Fail

I had to work late tonight. By the time I got home, my roommate was home and in bed. Doing plyometrics (i.e., jumping all over the place) would have been extraordinarily rude of me, given it would have been done right outside my roommate's bedroom. I'm really disappointed. I'm going to have to figure out how to get around those types of things happening. Well, I guess I'm off to the gym instead tonight. Grrr....I'm frustrated.

Starting Stats and Day 1: Chest/Back Ab Ripper X

So here are my Day 1 Stats:

Left arm: 12.5
Right arm: 12.5
Bust: 37
Waist: 32.5
Hips: 39.5
Left thigh: 24.5
Right thigh: 24.5
Left calf: 14.25
Right calf: 14.25

Weight: 152.6

I'm chosen to do the "Classic" program, rather than the "Lean," because I'm quite interested in doing the weight stuff, and the lean version is less of that and more cardio.

Today (Day 1) called for the Chest and Back workout, followed by Ab Ripper X. The Chest and Back workout is basically 52 minutes of push ups and pulls ups. This was rough for me, as I have never in my life, even at the peak of my physical fitness, have never been able to a pull up, and, if I want to do more than 3, pushups have to be modified the girly way. I'm using the bands with the door attachment rather than the pull up bar, hoping that perhaps I'll, at some point, be able to graduate to the pull up bar. I know I got a really great workout, even though I felt like a wuss the way I had to modify things.

Ab Ripper X is hard! Luckily it is only 16 minutes, but it is a far, far cry from standard "crunches." I really liked it, though. I'm sure I'll be feeling it tomorrow.

89 more days ;)

Sheesh

So, I got an email today that said I could expect my P90X in the mail by Monday, the 14th. Maybe this will turn out to be a blog out the slow ass service of Beach Body. I guess I was a little premature in the blogging thing, but I'm still glad I started when I did, because I've loved reading everyone else's blogs!

I Have to Write Something

So, I had to come back and write another post, for the only reason that I can't stand that every time I go to my page, those pictures of me pop up in my face right away. Yikes! I needed to fill some space those damn things will go away.

I've had an ongoing war with the vending machine at my job. A few weeks ago, that sneaky bastard gave me the wrong soda, when I had no other change with which to purchase another one. Well, today, the damn thing just kept eating my money. At the end of it all, I had spent $4 for a bottle of Dasani water. Paying for water kills me in itself, but $4???? At least I resisted the urge to get a soda instead, just to make it feel more justifiable.

That's all I have for now. Hopefully when I get home from work today, there will be a package waiting for me and I can get this show on the road!

"Before" Pictures

God, this is embarrassing, but here goes:

Hi!

So, I'm new to this blogging thing. I hope to be able to navigate through this process and figure out how to make this at least somewhat interesting. The age of 30 is creeping up on me, and the life of being a grown up has made my once athletic body and healthy lifestyle turn into a pile of mush and a drive-thru diet. Though I still exercise regularly, I've noticed that I've really been feeling crappy lately, including a level of self-consciousness I've never had before. Not only do I turn 30 this summer, I'm also getting married in November. I'd love to reach these two milestones with a healthier, happier me. So, you may inquire, why in the word would I broadcast this to the world and write a blog about it? My goals are commonplace and my complaints are the same of every other American woman, right? Well, the truth is, I'm doing it for me. I'm hoping that by tracking my progress online, I'll feel some accountability.

I ordered P90X on Saturday. I'm just waiting for it to come in the mail, and then 3 months of serious butt-kicking will commence. I did an obscene amount of research before purchasing the product. It sounds like complete and utter hell, but I will outline each daily exercise, my response, and my recovery here on this blog. Maybe I'll be able to help other people decide if this exercise program is right for them. I feel like tracking my progress here will help keep me motivated, and will maybe help get motivated too! As soon as my package comes in the mail, I'll be back to post about Day 1! Wish my luck!