Renewing my mind for P90X!!!

So I am going to restart P90X this Monday, Halloween!!! Now if that ain't a challenge I don't know what is! I have so much confidence in myself that I am up for it.  Usually I would agree that its a set up for failure, but I know how I work and to think  of it as a challenge would help get me through it.  Anyway so restarting....I don't feel the same way I felt the 1st time trying.  I guess the 1st time I was excited, not knowing what the 1st workout was gonna be like.  Actually experiencing this challenge that I watched so many times before on infomerical got me so anticipated for it.  I don't know  but this time was more like I need this workout.  I enjoy doing it,  so I need to use this tool to guide me back to health.  Focusing on the health aspect of it gets my attention a little better than working out to get my body back.  {SN: I'm listening to I heart radio Wgci Chicago, and every song for the last 5 songs has been young money, Drake, Lil Wayne or some combo...crazy. I love it though but crazy} So this month has been Breast Cancer awareness month and my mother has been diagnosed 3x's.  So my health has to be important to me. 

With that said and my trip to FL next summer on my mind, I am back recommitted.  Ready to Keep pushing play and to Bring it! 
I am following the food guide which is something that I didn't do before.  I went grocery shopping already to pick up all the food.  I only was able to go to 2 stores (Aldi and Walmart) to pick up the things that I needed.  And I sub where I either didn't like something or it wasn't available at the stores I was at. (Read ______ for the grocery blog). I plan on following the meal approach bc for how busy my life is continually becoming.  I am also taking a cue from P90X and planning my kids meals a week ahead as well for the days they don't prefer the taste of a particular food that the guide suggests. I am also making a food diary so as to hold myself accountable. As well as blog about my experience.  I hope this time I succeed.  5:00 am is the wake up call.  I seem to do better when I go ahead and get the workout out of the way.  Tentatively I plan on working out , shower, get the kids up for school, and then eat so hopefully I prove to myself i can! Just do my best and forget the rest right?!

Sick of working out

So I'm in Phase 3 of P90X and I am doing doubles instead of doing Cardio X I sub it for Insanity.  I have to admit I am so sick of working out.  I may be over my head by doing two workouts per day along with my everyday life.  My thought process is I want results and I want it fast.  I will admit I've only been doing Insanity for 3 days but I already see results.  Yayy!!! That alone keeps me Digging deeper, but seriously I am sick of working out.  I hate it big time.  I want to quit so bad.  This hybrid is a bittersweet journey I am sore all the time, I am tired all the time, it takes alot of my free time and Its hard!!!!! It's hard, its hard, its hard.  I can't wait until it is all over.  I have these last 30 days of P90X and 60 days of Insanity to get through.  I would like to do a second round but I am not sure if I will do so immediately or wait awhile or at all.  Please send me your positive vibes as I need the energy.  I just wanted to write a quick post regarding a real moment.  I am not giving up but I am at a point where I am frustrated with working out.  I am trying to change my attitude but don't know quite how!!!

P90X---ending the 2nd Phase

So, I'm in my recovery week of Phase 2 and thinking of what I have endured these last 2 months.  P90X was something that my fiancee wanted to try since our vacation last summer.  While in Orlando he was up one night and caught the infomercial and was convinced that this was the workout for him.  I was soooooooooooooooooooo skeptical.  It looked hard and the infomercial didn't ease my worries.  I kept hearing Tony Horton saying its not easy.... So naturally being as overweight was I was I became afraid.  After I took a look at the results I was curious to try it out but still a little afraid that I wouldn't be able to stick with it.

But almost 60 days later all I can say is wow!!!!! My results although not as dramatic as some are still definitely visible.  Its been a though 60 days but well worth it.  I wanted to quit, I got discouraged, I've been disappointed, I've been elated, energized, happy, renewed all in 60 days.  I have to admit working out everyday is not ideal for me.  Its definitely been a bittersweet process.  I can't wait to reveal my results.  This last phase of round one we are attempting to do doubles.  Doubles is a Cardio workout in the am and a weightlifting (some cardio) in the pm. 


The key word here is attempt.  I am not really excited about going to doubles but I want more dramatic results.  Also thinking in round 2 to do a hybrid of P90X and Insanity.  I am not fully committed to that one yet but we'll see how this last phase goes.  I have knee issues and Insanity may not be ideal for me just yet.  But I'm hoping doing doubles will prepare me.  Well P90X-er's I've been still bringing it, and will continue to do so at least through these next 30 days.  Will check back in to let you know my success at a later date and to also let you know my decision as to weather or not I will do the hybrid.  O I'm also thinking of becoming a coach.  I talked to my fiancee about possibly doing a couples type of workout coaching. So let me know what you think?  Have any questions? I'm not an expert but I can give you the perspective of a busy mom that's been trying to lose weight for yrs.   Need encouragement? I can help you out with that as well.  Send anything comments, questions, or if you just need to vent I'm here for you.  So talk to you soon.  As always Remember to brush your teeth in the shower!!!!!

Grab your partner man!!!!!

Working out with a partner is so much better than going at it alone.  So I suggest that you ask around to family and friends and get moving.  In my small town we started a 90 day challenge.  Ppl in the neighborhood along with family and friends have all joined in to get healthier in 90 days.  Everyone has picked their own method but the goal for all is the same.


At home my whole family is involved in this new lifestyle change.  I workout with my fiancee and my children workout together.  It helps so much having a partner.  When I don't want to workout he pushes me and vice versa.  I see the same with my children.  When one don't feel up to it the others will give them that needed push.  Working out with a partner also makes the time fly by.  We talk and laugh during the workout, it helps take your mind of the exercise even if its for a few seconds.  Sometimes its those last seconds that you need distracting from to get to through the burn.  Also I enjoy watching his transformation and I hope he enjoys watching mine.  The other day I commented on how he looks as if a sculptor is molding and reshaping his body.  I see him gaining muscle in so many areas and loosing fat in others. 

After P90X my fiancee grabs a few of his friends and they go for an hr long walk, then hit the weight room (mainly bc his friends aren't doing the p90X  and he just wants to be their encourager) to get a little extra weightlifting in with the guys, then he's off to work (he's a barber) After my workout I go to work.  Lol I have been thinking of incorporating walking hopefully next week to help prepare me for my summer goal of running.  I have dreams of running along side Lake Michigan. 

Go out and grab someone and ask them if they are interested in some support.  It will be good for both of you!!!  There's no better gift to share than the gift of health.  You never know you may inspire someone to get up and make a life changing decision to get fit for life.  Know that healthier eating habits and exercise should be a lifestyle change....after all its good for you right?  So until next time:


REMEMBER TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH IN THE SHOWER!!!!

First clasps hook on my bra!!!!

So, now that I have your attention........ I know the title is funny sounding.  But that is exactly what happened this morning.  I was able to clasp my bra on the first row of hooks.  Some of you may not share my excitement but some of you do understand what that feeling is like!!!!  So, when I got dressed this morning, I was thinking I should try a bra that was at the bottom of my under clothes container, (they were now my too little bras) not really believing it was going to fit.  But wait......not only did it fit it was too loose when I attached the latch to the last row of hooks.  That made me so excited that I skipped the 3 row, 2nd row and went straight for the 1st row of clasps and I still had room after I clasped....sweet victory!!!!! Maybe I can get these DD's down to a nice D or a full C (fingers crossed).  Ok I just wanted to share my  P90X accomplishment today.  Still Bringing it on day 32.  Small victories help you stay on track.  Until next time remember:

Brush your teeth in the shower!!!!

Starting Phase 2: Keep pushing play

Quick Blog:

I am watching the 1st wrkout in Phase 2 and I am a lil scared lol.  I know I haven't blogged in a while but I have been busy wrking overtime and keeping up with the kids and doing p90x (still going strong).  Tired is not the word I would use to describe what I have been feeling.  But my motivation out weighted the tiredness.  I see my body changing.  Yes!!!! OK diet still not what the nutritional guide suggests but for the most part I am eating more leaner, more veggies, and fresh fruits.  At this point I am very very very pleased with my results.  I am stronger, more focused, more energetic (but tired weird huh?), happier.  Wow happier did I just type that.  

I did the lean program for the 1st Phase.  2nd Phase I'm goin to classic.  I am ready to Bring it!  I have decided to post my pics bc I am truly sticking with it.  This is the longest I have stuck with anything that has to do with my health.  P90x is Fun yet challenging.  I look forward to learning new routines, and to see my improvements week after week.  Anyone that has a competitive edge in them will enjoy the challenge that is p90x.  

But back to my scariness, Chest, shoulders, and triceps is scary.  But as my baby just reminded me we was afraid day 1. It really helps having him wrkout with me we encourage each other b4, during, and after.  Well I figured I blog since I had some free time. I'll be back to talk about week 4 recovery week.  And me having a breakdown and almost quitting o and how I felt when I pulled clothes outta my "box" and they actually fit some things were too big in some cases.  So until next time:

Remember to brush your teeth in the shower!! 

day 6- 11 n still goin strong

Monday was day 9, back to coresynergestics, today day 11 was biceps and shoulders .  It was easier today, it could be bc I didn't actually complete the 1st week successfully. I skipped Kempo on day 6 :-( I felt guilty for it though.  BUT I do have a confession I OVER indulged this weekend.  So, my kids were away bc they had a 3 day weekend, u don't even understand I haven't have all my kids gone at the same time in almost 1yr!!! So, needless to say, me and my fiancee' needed some QT.  But he had to work a weekend day --Saturday, so I spent it with my 2 BFF's.  Early afternoon, we ate IHop, shopped (for makeup and other beauty items of course), for lunch I ate chipotle, and for dinner papa johns.   I had a cinnastack (3 pancakes with cinnabonn cinnamon and icing) I also had scrambled eggs and cheese, hash brown  with onions and 2 strips of bacon....yummy yum yum!!!! How much did I actually eat? HALF!!! I was so mad, I wanted to finish all of it.  But as of late my stomach won't allow me to eat alot.  I guess its good though, bc I didn't really plan on eating out allday that day but bc Ididn't have the kids to cook for and I was out the house ALL day, so I did.  At chipotle I had a grilled chicken bowl with everything and once again I ate a little under half this time.  I wasted so much food that day makes me upset thinking about it.  So now we're at dinner and I ordered a chicken spinach alfredo pizza and boneless buffalo wings.  They sent spinach alfredo and bone-in buffalo wings. I was a little pissed that they didn't put the chix on the pizza but it was cool bc of all the other stuff I ate that day.  Of that meal I ate 2 slices of pizza and 2 buffalo wings.  Now comes to Sunday's meal.  LOL.  I offered to take my man out since we both been working so hard (he's doing P90x also).  We went to Applebees.  We ordered an appetizer which consisted of: spinach artichoke dip, buffalo chix (again), potato twist with Queso dip, woton (sp) chicken tacos as a main dish I ordered a fajita chicken wrap and fries he had a hand battered fish sandwich and fries.  We each took a half of the others main dish and split the appetizers.  What I ate? Well we both ate just the appetizers had to take the main dish hm for dinner.  Which was cool bc again that meant I didn't have to cook.
Monday was back to normal I had to cook and all whomp whomp.  O we did incorporate a pre workout supplement into our diet this week called superpump 250.  I will do a post on that after I have taken it for a week or so just so I can honestly tell u my experience with it.  Monday's are typically hard for me just bc its a new work week and u know me not being a morning person and all.  

The start of week 2 has been ok so far.  I am very tired this week.  But it may be bc of that superpump.  Some ppl on youtube says that since it gives u more energy during workouts u tend to push urself harder resulting in more tightness post workout I'm not sure but I do know I am tired.  Day 9 was hard, day 10  was even harder and like I said today seems to be easier.  I had to push through days 9 and 10,  bc it was really hard to motivate myself!!!!. 

All n all I'm still happy I am trying this program my body feels amazing.  O Wow, how can I forget the most exciting part.  Saturday while shopping I picked up a Medium shirt for kicks to try it on and guess what it actually fit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SWEET VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Before p90x I was in a XL shirt (the largest shirt size I have ever worn ever) Goal a loose fitting sized medium shirt tight fitting small sized shirt (ladies u know what I'm talking about). Still trying not to weigh in until day 30.  But I see the difference already. 

So far I am doin more of the dvd, for example, where I wasn't able to do 1 push up I can now do 3-4 without breaking.  Chair dips I started out doing 20 with my legs bent week 2 I can do 25 straight legged.  I graduated from 5lb weights to 10lb weights.  So yea by day 30 I'll be nice and prepared for the 2nd round (which introduces plyometrics so excited yayy).  So for those of u who are also trying P90X keep up the good work feel free to comment and share some of ur experiences with me I would love to hear about it!!!! Until next Post keep pushing play and bring it!!!!!!!!!!   

Remember: Brush your teeth in the shower

still at it p90x day 4

Today is day 4 Yoga X day!!!!! It was much needed as I was sore allllllll ova. LOL! Well so far so good.  I was tempted to weight myself today bc I feel so amazing.  I had to have lost something.  I've notice my breathing is better (I have asthma) and I have energy (YES).  Since this is my first phase I am following the Lean program and since I had gone shopping b4 I read the nutrition guide I am not following the recommended nutrition until my next shopping trip.  Great news.....I have even more motivation.  We r starting a 90 day biggest loser type challenge in my neighborhood, so this should be fun.  I can't wait so far $100.00 is on the line, although we don't start until March 15th. So, until then I will be "Bringing it" on my own.

The 1st 4 days was cool. Since I already eat kinda healthy no major alterations to my diet had to b made.  I have noticed an increase in my appetite. Before p90x I would eat one square meal and snack all day long.  I have switched to 5 smaller meals, bc I am so hungry I guess I need to gas the engine so it can run.  U kno the hardest thing for me, so far, as I predicted has been waking up so early in the am.  I am not a morning person nor a night person, I love my sleep!!!!! So 4:30 wake up calls are a struggle.  Its getting easier though.

Workouts:
So day one was Coresynergentics basically he started off strengthening our core to help support all the other workouts that we would have to endure.  The second day was Cardio X, wow what a great workout.  This is really when I cld say that my breathing got better.  More core strengthening with this one as well.  Day 3 shoulders, arms, abs: Lots of weight lifting and floor exercises (core, core, core).  Tony definitely knows how to drive the fact that its basically our core that we need to strengthen b4 we can expect to be strong else where.  Then like I said Yoga today.  An 1 and 30 min total body workout/stretch.  My body LOVED!!! this workout.  I had to run errands yesterday and I so felt stiff and sore all over after this am's workout I am loose as a goose heehee.

I can't wait to weigh in to see my process although its tempting I am going to hold off until next week. I will post any weight or inches lost and fill u n on anything else.  I may also post my meals a little later in case you are interested in what I've been eating these past few days.  Also I am not taking any of the supplements that is suggested, I've been thinking about it but if I do I'll let u know which ones and what i think of them.  And I am not doing any other programs (hybrids) I am going to stick with p90x and then once this round is over I will reevaluate and see whats next.  Well wish we luck on the rest of my journey.  Seems like I'm sticking to it so far.  The longest I have been successful at anything like this has been 1 month so I will be celebrate every week.  I hope you check back for an update soon.  Thanks for reading and remember to brush ur teeth in the shower!!!!

Day 1 P90X

Ok well today is going to be a totally different post but its still in line with my overall theme.  I am transitioning to a healthier lifestyle. I aspire to be green, eat healthier, exercise regularly and live out some of my dreams.  So keeping in mind my greener lifestyle I have decided to take the P90X challange.
Today is day 1!!!! so excited.
5 am---wake up
5:15 am--measurements, weight, before pictures
5:30 am -6:40am-- worked (out first dvd was coresynergentics)
showered got ready for the day
Went to work keeping in mind to eat every 2-3hrs.
Ok sample menu:
I ate nice breakfast (thanx baby...he made me breakfast): eggs w/cheese, potatoes, 3 strips of bacon.
 I had a full spinach salad with tuna, for snack
leftover meatloaf with mixed veggies for lunch
small piece of baked chicken, rice, broccoli w/cheese for dinner
special k ceral bar (love these, the right amount of sweet yummy) for my last snack
So now for the workout:
Ok well as usual it starts off with stretching.  Which felt so good because I am not a morning person and not to mention the fact that I dove right into it cold turkey (yesterday cake and ice cream today hardcore workout).  Next some push ups in many different forms (ie planks, prison-style, side lifts), then we also had some cardio, a few yoga moves sprinkled in there, weights and other resistance training type exercises.  The best thing  about the workouts, to me, is Tony!  He reassures you that it takes time to do what the demonstrators are doing and that we should only do whats in our limits.  But to still push yourself. I've tried other workout dvds in the past and I have never seen one that encourages you so much to take it at YOUR pace.  Thanks Tony!!!!!! Overall  it was not very intensive in a fast pace sort of way but it was very effective slower more concentrated type movements .  Throughout the day I felt different muscles contract at different times, (letting me know that I worked it in a way I hadn't done in a while) I would have a burst of energy one minute and then feel like I had just gotten done with a workout the next.  (That was probably due more to me not being a morning person and having to get up 2 hrs before normal).
How I felt:
Well my background.  I am over weight, I have a sit down job, requiring me to sit for over 10 hrs at times, 3 children but they are very independent, I'm in a relationship. So I have the basic duties of every mother/girlfriend such as cooking, cleaning, shopping etc.  I'm not a very active person other than daily duties.  I love to cook so i usually cook pretty semi-healthy. Although I am not a big eater I do tend to eat the wrong foods and I skip a lot of meals.  I have a dangerous sweet tooth.  Sometimes its outta control at other times I can control it much better. I hated water until recently.  I decided I needed to drink more to be a good example for my children so I drunk nothing but water for 3 weeks and it worked!!!!  I now crave water. That is a miracle if you knew me you would think so lol.  I have tried various other workout video's and diets/lifestyle changes and some worked some didn't.  Anyhow over the last 7 yrs I have been consistently gaining weight and this year finally decided to take control. Anyway back to how I felt, most of the day I was tense, not so sore that I was scarred to move but enough to remember that I had indeed took the p90x challenge.  I needed a nap, had I had time I would have taken 1.  A hot bath was definitely in order and my hunger was through the roof.
So like I said this is day 1 so we'll see how it goes.  I am hoping to incorporate this in my lifestyle forever.  It seems easy enough and very effective.  If I see a change I would post before and after pictures and whatever dramatic change that I feel would help someone.  So for now thanks for reading about my journey wish me luck.  I hope this helps someone stay encouraged for whatever path of greatness their journey takes them.
Brush your teeth in the shower!!!!!