P90X+ Day 43

Just finished yoga x! It was a pretty good workout, but I have to say that I wasn't looking forward to it today. We got about a million inches of snow today here in Chicago, and it's still snowing as I type this. It's days like this that just make it so easy to sit around and watch movies all day... I didn't want to get off the couch! BUT, I did, and it was worth it. Yoga was just what I needed to wake me up from my coma.

Have you ever noticed that when you do yoga, it's really hard and grueling when you start, but about 20 minutes into the workout, it feels easier? The moves get harder, but my body doesn't struggle so much with them. Probably because I'm warmed up and stretched out. I still sweat big time, but for some reason, I can usually get to this point where I don't feel the pain anymore. It takes the right mental attitude to reach that point, though. Today was a good day for it; last week.... not so much.

Anyone of you do a running/P90X hybrid? What kind of schedule do you follow? I'm trying to work up a plan for when I start running next week. I don't want to give up P90X+, but I also know that I need to start training for my half marathon. I suppose I could try to do both every day, but I'm not sure that I'll have time for that or that my body is quite up for it. I've come a long way since I started in April, but one step at a time.

So... any tips on that front? Happy yoga day!

P90X+ Day 42

Today was Upper Body +, and while I enjoy it, I don't think it's near as good as any of the upper body workouts provided by regular old P90X. I'm considering substituting in one of those for Upper Body +. I'm just not feeling like there's enough to it, you know? I don't get to the end and go, "Wow! I feel totally wiped!" I get to the end and go, "Wow... that was it?"

Not to say that I don't enjoy the time I spend doing it. I really like the new moves and the new creative ways to bust it, but there just isn't enough. Maybe I just need to up my weight or something. I'll try that next week and see if it makes any difference.

I am officially signed up for the half marathon at Disney World! March 7th, which means I have 57 days to whip into shape! I'm already pretty fit in my cardio vascular health, but I need to get even better and I also need to get used to running again. I'm going to start training a week from today, but I honestly can't wait. I'm just itching for it! Running has never been a strong point with me, but I'm hoping that my change in attitude towards it will improve my chances. I used to HATE it, but now I'm choosing to do it. I think it will help a lot.

Two things I need advice on: anyone know of a really good type of running shoes? I realized today that I don't own any! I got rid of them in the move over the summer because I never used them, but now I actually need some! Besides, if I'm going to be doing serious running, I deserve decent running shoes! Second thing: anyone know of a good ipod touch armband? I need me some TUNES while I run!

Thanks for the help!

P90X+ Day 41

Just finished Intervals, everybody! I can't believe it.... but I think it might become one of my favorites. I'm really hitting my stride with this one, and I don't feel like I'm going to die at the end of it anymore! This is a good sign- it means I'm progressing, and it also means that I'm getting in even better shape to handle that half marathon.

Next week will probably be a half week for P90X+ since I'm leaving on Wednesday to go to Florida and from Thursday-Sunday I'll be on a cruise. (Poor me, I know.) I'm planning on starting my running regiment on the ship since there's a nice track on deck 4 or something. Sounds like the perfect place to begin a new journey. I know... most people would not start something like this on vacation, but, well... that's the old me. The old me would not have worked out on a cruise. The new me gets up and runs while on vacation! In order to look like a new person I need to act like a new person. Sounds logical to me!

Happy X-ing!

P90X+ Day 40

Total Body + today! It went pretty well, and I'm getting used to the bands now so things are moving more smoothly. I'm getting in more reps and I can really feel my core getting stronger! The holiday weight is officially gone. (Four days into the New Year and no more holiday weight? I'd say that's pretty decent.)

Not much else is new here- just getting things ready to go to Florida and trying to stay alive in the FREEZING cold! I really can't wait to get away from all of it, and I especially can't wait to start training for the half marathon in March! Anyone else ever done a marathon? Any tips you'd like to share?

Happy X-ing!

P90X+ Days 15-39

So, yes, I am about four days behind where I should be, but between the holidays and moving from Idaho to Illinois, I'd say that's pretty dang good. I could get all down on myself about it... but no point. It's in the past and I intend to move confidently forward without looking back!

Just finished the first week of phase 2! It's been intesnse, but great at the same time. It's nice to have something so constant in my life when everything else is so chaotic. The move was stressful and the last week of school was not easy, but I'm glad it's over. I'm off to Florida to participate in the Disney College Program in a week and a half, and completely excited. It's so exciting to be on the cusp of one of your dreams coming true. Very fulfilling.

I had to get rid of my weights (sad) in the move, so now all I have is the bands until I get to Florida and buy some new weights. I'm actually getting a pretty decent workout with the bands, but Core Synergistics is nearly impossible with the bands, however, with a little adjusting, it all works out. I am coming to really like using the bands. Not as well as the weights, but they do just fine.

I also decided a few weeks ago that I am going to run a half marathon on March 6th at Disney World. This is so out of the ordinary for me- I'm not a runner at all, so this will be a new and interesting challenge for me. I'm pretty excited about it! I'm going to start training when I arrive in Florida. (It's about a thousand degrees below zero here in Chicago so running outside really just doesn't work out, particularly with so much ice on the roads.) It's going to be the hardest thing I've ever set out to do, but I know that it's not out of my reach!

So, X'ers, any resolutions this year? You can check out some of mine here! Let me know how you are all doing!

P90X+ Days 5-14

P90X+ has been going really well! I'm into my third week (day 15 is today! Already halfway through phase 1. Incredible.) and loving it. Now that I have a little more experience (not much more) with the program, I'll share more thoughts on it.

While I'm digging the new format (and Tony's new hair) I wish that he didn't use the same two people in all of the videos. I liked the variety in P90X, but at least Drea isn't in P90X+. She drives me crazy for some reason- I'm more of a "Pam the Blam" girl!

P90X+ feels more like an infomercial, too. Tony is constantly hawking Bowflex products, which gets somewhat annoying when you're trying to bring it. He talks about them so much to the point where I sometimes forget that I'm doing a quality workout and instead feel like I'm watching a commercial while inflicting pain upon myself. It's a small price to pay for a hot bod, but I could do without it.

One downside to the program for me is the fact that it's virtually impossible to do push-ups on your knees, as many of the push-up moves in the program have added moves to them that require you to be in plank. Now, this is just me whining. Plank push-ups is something that I need to become more comfortable with, and doing them is only going to make me stronger. I just don't like them as much!

Tony keeps up his funny personality, however, in these DVD's and I feel like he's even more entertaining here than in P90X, especially in Total Body +. It's refreshing and keeps me coming back for more every day.

One thing I've noticed about P90X+ is that the workouts feel a lot like Core Synergistics. Which isn't a bad thing, I just didn't suspect it. I can feel my core getting stronger and tighter, but I wish there was more of the classic moves featured in P90X. It's more difficult to get in a really good upper or lower body workout with + because so many of the moves are synergistic. The core gets an excellent workout, easily, but it takes some finessing to get a good workout for other parts of the body.

I am one day behind where I should be because I didn't work out on Saturday. I feel guilty, but it was impossible. I had homework to do, and then my roommates were in the living room all day doing projects and watching movies, so I didn't really have an opportunity. Things happen- it's cool. As long as I keep coming back for more every time I can, I know it'll work out!

Round 2- Days 76-90, P90X+ Days 1-4

It's been a while... I know. I'm such a slacker! Luckily, I'm not as big of a slacker when it comes to actually doing P90X. And I finally finished round 2! It was somewhat difficult to get motivated towards the end because I got a little bored, but it was worth it. I always stick to what I start. I combined the program with dance classes three days a week and walking around Rexburg everyday. I'm exercising more than I ever have in my life, and it feels absolutely wonderful.

I've also stuck to Weight Watchers during my term here at school. I was really terrified of what would happen, but luckily I've been able to lose a few pounds while I've been here. That's all I really wanted- losing weight would have been more than I could have asked for. With such a crazy lifestyle, I would have been grateful with just maintaining the weight that I lost this summer.

I started P90X+ this week and have been consistent with it all week! It's super intense- I feel like I do that first week of P90X. Crazy exhausted, can barely walk around my apartment, but I feel GREAT. So accomplished! Having the new challenge is exciting! It's just what I needed. I really needed the change to get me going at my best again. It's a great confidence booster- I feel like I'm accomplishing something again. I started this whole P90X journey back in April, and looking back, I never would have dreamed that I could do something like this. It's truly amazing what the human body is capable of and what you can do when you commit to something fully.

Total Body + was extremely intense... I could barely do the entire video! The workouts for + are shorter (roughly 40 mins each) but there's a reason- any longer than that and no one would be able to handle it! Tony just blows through each set and each move so quickly... you really need to have good cardio vascular strength and good endurance to keep up.

Intervals + was the same way. It's comparable to Plyometrics, but the theory behind it is a little different. Tony blasts you through two sets of interval work, and each move you do at three levels of intensity. I found this to be more difficult than Plyo, even though the workouts were shorter and I (seemingly) wasn't exterting as much energy as consistently. What I found to be the truth, however, was that when the third level of intensity came around- the hardest one- I could really bring it, and I ended up burning myself out much quicker and much harder than ever before. I remember that I had to take lots of breaks during my first attempt at Plyo, and while I did have to take an extra break during Intervals, it was only one extra break instead of six. I can't believe how much I've improved!

Kenpo Cardio + was yesterday, and it was FANTASTIC! Probably one of my favorite videos in the X and the + series. It really blows through the moves, and there's lots more variety. I was working my butt off, but I barely noticed because of how much FUN I was having! I can't wait to do it next week.

Upper Body + was today (Thanksgiving- yes, I still worked out on a holiday!) and while it's far from being one of my favorites, I enjoyed the challenge. I especially like Spider-Man push-ups. They're so much fun! I don't, however, have the Power Stands that Tony Recommends, so one of the push-up moves was somewhat difficult. Other than that, they're not really necessary unless you need the extra challenge. Tony does plug the Bow-Flex weights a lot in these workouts. Somewhat annoying, but I've always wanted some anyways! I miss the good old fashioned P90X upper body workouts- I felt like I had accomplished more in those. I only used 8's and 10's today for Upper Body + though. I think upping my weight next week might change my mind on that.

In the + workouts, just as a side note, it's difficult to modify the moves if needed, especially if you're still more comfortable doing push-ups on your knees like me. (But who said working out was supposed to be about comfort?) There really isn't the existence of the "8-10" and "12-15" rules, either. It's basically just max reps on everything, which seems to me the goal here is more about tone than about gaining muscles mass. Not bad, just a different approach. We'll see how much I like it as time progresses.

All in all, I really enjoy +. It's going well so far! Can't wait to totally smash this one, too!