Working Out

I totally love my workouts. I do. However, I also totally love sleep.  When I can get it.  I have lacked the motivation to get out of bed several times over the past 3 weeks due to a bit of a lack of sleep, and have always, always wound up feeling seriously grouchy at myself for skipping workouts as a result.  I lay there in bed, hitting snooze again, and saying to myself, "I'll do it in the afternoon while the kids play."  Then I let the kids use the wii aaaaand...no tv to use to do my workout.  "Well, I could put it in my laptop DVD player and do it on the other side of the room."  Then I realize it's already 4:30, Mom and Dad will be home in 45 minutes, and I need to do something for dinner.  "I'll do it after dinner, after I put the kids to bed."  Then...I just can't motivate myself to go to the basement and run (because Mom and Dad have the tv occupied, which is totally their right)...because running for the equivalent amount of time it would take to get the workout I get from Insanity...ha.  That's just funny.  So, I wind up without a blue line in my WOWY workout calendar...and the green line screams "SLACKER!!!" at me for the rest of the month.  I have several green lines this month.  I hate them.

Two things accompany this phenomenon which irritate me:

1) My nutrition falls apart. I'm not thinking clearly about the fact that I missed my workout, and continue to pile the 2000 or so calories into my mouth which I require when I'm working hard...because that's what I'm used to.  And my body is not forgiving when it comes to additional carbs if I don't work as hard as I need to work to eat the number of carbs I eat.  I know that's what's going on.  I have not gained any weight, but I don't feel as good...and I have grown very accustomed to feeling good.  Knowing my nutrition sucks sticks with me throughout the day.  It bugs me.  I like not thinking about it.  (Also, if my dad brings home one more package of Wegman's O's, I might have to throttle him.)(Have you ever had a chocolate oreo dredged through a spoonful of peanut butter?)

2) The rest of my schedule gets lazy too.  Our school routine here sucks.  We get up, hang out until 9, I tell the kids to start their chores (which are pitiful here), we get started with school around...10. 10:30. 11. We take a break for lunch when Mom and Dad come home and we start back up with school at...1. 1:30. 2.  We wind up doing school until 4:00, leaving just enough time to prep for dinner and whatever we need to do that evening.  This is not how school works best for us.  I know this.  And yet...I have had no real motivation to change it.  Hehe...only now...I have admitted it to you.

I have a to-do list.  I love my to-do list.  Too often over the past week, especially...I have ignored said to-do list.  The easy things get done...the tough stuff...you know, the stuff I'd rather not do...gets put off.  Ahh, sweet procrastination.  And procrastination, of course, piles on guilt.  And guilt (and the realization that I have sooo much left on my list) makes me not sleep.  Which contributes to the desire to not wake up.  Which throws off my workout schedule.  Which messes with my nutrition.  Which destroys my schedule.

Did you just catch that vicious cycle??

So, here I sit, my tummy too full to work out, my kids in various corners of the house playing, my to-do list staring me in the face...knowing that if I get off my butt and tackle just one hard task on the list and called the kids back to school, I could break the cycle I've got going...

"Blog" is on my to-do list.

Check.

I'm getting up. To fold white laundry. Then we'll have a math lesson.  And a History lesson.  And while the kids read, I'll work out.  Really.  I will.  The cycle ends today.

P90X Day 90

Day 90.  That looks....sooooooo good.

Memorial Day 2010 and we're hanging with my parents in NY.  You know you're committed to a workout and a plan when you bring your DVD's with you on your long weekend, pack an extra set of workout clothes just in case you decide to stay for an extra day, and get up at 6:25 on your day off so it doesn't mess with the family's picnicking adventures.  

Recovery week began last Wednesday with a weigh in and measurements (yay!!)...and a lightened schedule.  Well.  Mostly.  :)  On day 81, I added in some double workouts...running, eliptical, a couple of other crazy things mixed in...it struck me that I may never achieve the stomach I want without a little extra effort (translation: fat burning cardio)...so on non-karate days (when I already get my double), I run or do something else.  The interesting thing about running...in addition to the fact that I hate to run...the first day I jumped on the treadmill in...a very long time...I ran. I mean, only two miles...but rewind a sentence or so: I hate to run.  I got brave this week and added a little distance, and cut two minutes off each mile (he he...don't be too impressed there...I'm now running ten-minute miles). I don't know how consistently I'll run....I still don't love it...but you know your physical condition has changed when you can do something completely outside your typical workout routine, and not want to die (and it's a good reason to have to buy a new pair of sneakers...shin splints suck).  

90 Days.  I feel strong.  I feel fit.  My body has changed.  I see muscle everywhere.  Muscle I didn't realize was hiding under there.  My shoulders, my triceps, my back...my thighs and calves.  I will admit, however, I still struggle looking in the mirror...even when you shrink almost 4 inches around from your neck to your hips...the proportions don't necessarily change...so you see the same body you saw before.  I don't see a waist that's 3.75 inches smaller than it was 3 months ago.  But.  I love how I feel.  My pants won't stay on and even my belts are too big, but...I seriously love how I feel.  Tomorrow, I take after pictures and more importantly, repeat the fit test (after Yoga. :) ).  I can't wait to see how much that has changed.  I may never look like Dreya, and I may never be able to flip that darn yoga block the long way like Shawna does...but I'm going to keep trying. 

And in October...Insanity. :)

Will report final measurement totals tomorrow. 

Round 2...Classic P90X...starts Wednesday.  And today...a walk through the gorge...wonder how many steps you actually climb on that hike?  Looks like we'll find out.

Biting the bullet.

I have five beginnings of blog posts saved in drafts.  They start out being something interesting, and my mind wanders, and I can't make any sense of them past the first two sentences.  It's pathetic, actually.  So.  As a result of my lack of intelligent, even semi-interesting writing ability...let me sum up:

I.  My kids are amazing.  

   A.  The girls took their required fifth grade standardized tests on Tuesday, and they rocked them.  As a homeschooling mom, I question every decision, every curriculum choice, every teaching moment, every battle to get something finished, every single day.  Their test results made me...giddy.  They're not only getting the job done, they're kicking butt.  

  B.  Bryson can borrow.  I know this doesn't seem like a big deal to you...I get that borrowing is something you could do with your eyes closed and your hands tied behind your back.  But the girls couldn't borrow to save their freaking liveswhen I tried to teach them.  We literally spent an entire month working on the concept.  I don't know if Bryson just has a knack for math...it really seems like his brain just works that way...or what it is, but the look on his face when he finishes an assignment...well, it's mirrored in mine.

II.  I am completely insane.

  A.  May 2nd, I helped pull off an all-church celebration event at the Pickelner Arena here in town...my responsibilities included lights, sound, and helping to organize and lead worship for the event.  So many hands were involved in making this happen...and after hours and hours and hours of prep...it all came together.  I can't even tell you how long I spent in front of my computer screen making slide shows and organizing song lyrics.  Hours.  The response from the congregation, the overwhelming presence of God, the feeling at the end of the day...priceless.

  B.  I'm still in the process of moving this blog.  So far, nothing more than moving three months worth of posts and updating with each new one I write here has actually happened...but the process continues.   http://fiveofuscrazy.blogspot.com  <--- that's where you'll find me.  

  C.  I may have inadvertently taken on a wedding cake three hours away from me three weekends from now.  This week.  And it maybe wasn't inadvertently.  I'm not completely sure.  I hope my brother doesn't mind a house guest (or 4) that weekend. 

  D.  I had two wedding cake consults within 14 hours of each other this week.  I can't remember the details of either cake clearly without looking at my notes very carefully.  Hopefully I remember what each of the brides (and grooms) said.  :)

  E.  I have become obsessive about checking my email.  And less capable of producing a decent status update.

  F.  Complete insanity implies that I may not actually share all of the details with you.  It's part of the insanity.  Some of that is frustration with what it includes...some of it is just that...he he...I like secrets. :)  Insanity...it's a part of my life I sort of relish.

III.  Spring may never actually get here.

  A.  We have had snow, rain, sleet, frost, wind advisories, and heat in the past three weeks, with the heat being the most scarce.  Seth brought home a huge pit liner from work yesterday, torturing the children with the thought of an industrial strength slip-and-slide for the back lawn.  The temperature climbed to a whopping 64 degrees today, and Bryson was beside himself over the fact that I would not let him use it today..."Mom, it's HOT out.  Almost!"  Mmm. Yes.  Almost. 

  B.  Tomorrow's forecast calls for a high of 82.  You won't find me holding my breath.

IV.  My girlfriends and I should stop planning get-aways.

  A.  Tomorrow, we planned to leave for the weekend, meet at a tiny little cottage at a conference center someplace in Western PA, and spend the weekend being silly, scrapbooking, and talking until we fell asleep.  This marks the third trip we have cancelled in the past three months.  Sigh.  For the time being, we have given up.

  B.  Eventually, I may just take a trip all by myself.  With a couple of good books, my blog, P90X dvd's, and yummy snacks.  At a sweet little bed and breakfast in the middle of nowhere.  Cell phone optional.

V.  P90X has changed my life.  And my body.

  A.  I have completed 72 of 90 days of my first round of P90X.  I have never, ever felt stronger, more energized, or more happy with how I look.  Ever.

  B.  Getting up at 6:00 in the morning or before has never even crossed my mind as something I would look forward to.  Until now.  Even when I've only gotten 4 hours of sleep. 

  C.  I think there is something wrong with me.  But I like it.  And in 19 days, I'll start round 2.  And after that, I'm pretty sure I'll try Insanity.

  D.  I have hit every single one of the goals (and surpassed some of them) I set at the beginning of this 90 days except for the weight goal...which is a little silly...because I picked a random number out of the air (a number I haven't weighed since middle school).  I'll let you know if I hit that one (I'm not planning to, frankly, but I'll keep working at it).  The goals I have hit include losing 3 inches from my chest, 3.5 inches from my waist, and 3 from my hips (all of which are at least .5 in. more than my goals)...which may not seem like a big deal, but, umm...it sure feels like it. 

  E.  I desperately need new pants. :)

VI.  Life is complicated.

Enough said.

P90X Day 63

So as it turns out, I was two days ahead of myself on Friday--Sunday actually marked day 60...ah, well. It doesn't change how I'm feeling about the program one tiny bit. Or the results. As my back hit the floor in Back Hero today during stretch, and as I stop being so danged jealous of Shawna's ability to move like she's truly made of play doh, as Tony says, I am continually blown away by how much my body is changing. More than just the muscle tone and the weight loss and the fact that my clothes don't fit...I can move. I challenged my gymnast daughter to a split contest the other day...and beat her on every one. Today, it was royal dancer pose in the kitchen...she decided she wants to use that one in her optional beam routine. :)

I will say that at the end of week 9, I'm a little more sore than I have been the past couple of weeks (which makes sense. last week was recovery, so mostly cardio and stretching. this week...chest and back, plyo, etc...it's a big switch). But...I like sore. I know that it means the muscles that keep showing up are getting what they need. I blew my hair dry the other morning and noticed in the mirror that even my forearms have actual definition. Crazy. I don't expect big changes when I weigh and measure tomorrow...but I'm OK with that. I'm really close to my goals, and I'm not complaining. And in the form of an update...the weight gain thing I was battling? Yeah, that's over. But I'll blame that more on stress and a bit of an emotional workout than on P90X. Because, umm, you have to eat with this program. If you don't...it's not good. I won't be throwing away my scale anytime soon, but I will say it's definitely not my focus anymore. And if you know me, you know that weight has kind of always been a focus.

I look forward to Chest, Shoulders, Tris and Ab Ripper tomorrow...

...but 5:45 will come early. G'night.

A word to the wise about Plyo (or P90X, Day 60-ish)

If somebody tells you..."you should definitely do plyo instead of cardio"...watch the dang video before you attempt it the first time.

You'll learn before you go in that eating anything (even a harmless banana) an hour or less prior to beginning the workout is stupid. You will feel the need to...umm...lose said banana within the first 10 minutes of the workout. And approximately five times thereafter.

Also, if you get 15 minutes into the workout (because the beginning is the worst part to get through...and I say "worst" meaning "you will want to die"), and you feel the need to bend over to catch your breath...don't.

You will likely pass out. Or at least, the room will spin and go dark and you'll see stars and you'll have to pause the dvd, even if you've never had to pause any of the other dvd's except to rescue your child who is doing penny drops from the chin-up bar onto a pile of couch cushions (I'm kidding. That didn't happen while I was working out (though it did happen)(yesterday)).

Now, all of that said? It will probably rank up there with my absolute favorite workout in the program. Something about knowing that your body can actually accomplish a full hour of jumping...that just pretty much rocks.

Oh, and chest and back?? All push-ups and pull-ups, all the time?? Yeah. Divebombers? Bring 'em on.

Day 60. Still loving every minute of it (even the ones when I hurt).

P90X, Day 50

Ohhh, I like how that looks. Day 50. More than half-way through Round 1. That makes me happy

OK, now for truth. I love the workouts. Still. Even after not being here to tell you that for days and days and days. When I'm eating like I should, according to the diet guide (minus about 400 calories), I feel good. But. And here's the big "but" for me...I'm not losing weight. I did at first. Then I put it back on. And I gained 2 more. No joke. Now, last week, I decided enough was enough and I dropped down my calories and I lost a pound. But. To technically be up a pound from when I started...that just kills me.

I have made contact with my coach through teambeachbody.com, and he has been incredibly supportive (and encouraged me to throw away the scales entirely and go by how my clothes fit and how my measurements are changing)...that has been a blessing. He basically told me this happens all the time. That I have probably gained muscle along with whatever fat is there, and for a while, I'll have both. Then the muscle will get efficient, burn the fat, and the muscle part of things will replace the fat.

I have a couple of theories. First off, my body fat percentage is low-ish for being in the shape I'm currently in. Which I didn't realize until I bought a set of calipers. About 21% or so--within normal range for a female. Second, I have big muscles. I'm a little irritated by the size of my arms and thighs, frankly. But they're solid. Third, I am just not small. I mean, I'm small, but I'm not tiny like my sister. I have to accept that and move on. Fourth...I'm working through the Lean Program with P90X. I may not see results that I would see if I had chosen to do Classic first. I don't regret that move--I think I'll be happier with myself at the end of this round and have something to look forward to in the beginning of June as a result of doing that. And maybe it will take 120 days for me to look like some of these people look a the end of 90. I think I'm ok with that. Frankly, what difference does it make? This is a change I plan to continue after 90 days, so if it takes longer than that to achieve maximum results...I guess it doesn't really matter much.

I guess over halfway through, there are points of the program with which I'm irritated...the whole concept of eating 2000 calories a day at the beginning seemed wonderful...but when I battled through each day to get that many calories in, then gained weight at the end of the week...it just didn't work for me. I really expected to see monumental changes in my body at the end of 30 and 60 days...and I really haven't. I mean, don't get me wrong, my muscles have changed...my measurements have changed...but...well, I thought it would be seriously noticeable in photos. In 10 days, I'll let you know what I think. At this point...I don't know.

Overall, I love the workouts. I love being conscious of how I'm eating every day. I love the accountability of logging workouts on teambeachbody and calories on sparkpeople.com. I can't believe how much stronger and more flexible and more fit I feel and perform. I'm less than thrilled with the physical, visible results...but that could change and balance out in the next several weeks. This is a recovery week for me--week 8. A welcome change in the routine. And then next week, it changes again, and I look forward to that as well.

We'll see.

P90X, Day 20

Stretch X this morning for the first time (because this is the first week I've actually gotten my Sunday workout in...and this is a very good thing). I didn't think you could actually do 60 minutes of stretching and not repeat a whole bunch of stuff, or get really bored. Amazing. Doubt that by the end of it, I'll be as Gumby-like as dear Shawna on the video...but, it's a nice thought. And I thought I was flexible.

Nope. Not so much.

Weekend Over, and Day 19, P90X

We seem to spend Monday mornings around here in recovery mode. Do you have those Mondays? After spending the entire weekend working outside, the inside looks like a bomb went off in the middle of it all. The resulting disaster includes every room and surface. My desk...why does my desk take the full force of that disaster?? After cleaning all-weekend-neglected bathrooms, sweeping and mopping tile floors (oh my gosh), quickly picking up the family room, and finding the kitchen countertops...I am realizing that I've still barely scratched the surface around here. And add to that...for whatever reason, my head...it's killing me. Like migraine killing me. Trying to pretend I'm not sick to my stomach. Trying to pretend that at 10:42 am, attempting to be still on the couch does not translate to "avoiding school." The kids have occupied themselves with intensive make-believe...I think I'll send them to intensive research and writing...then a half-hour of quiet reading. Today, of course, is a day when much teaching and interactive activity must occur before horse lessons, for which we leave at 3:15 to make it on time...today is a day I wish I could call a substitute. Anybody??

Kenpo X this morning. Noticed last night as I got ready to shower after pulling down crazy vines from around the hot tub and raking piles of leaves and pine needles that...my arms and shoulders...you can see actual muscle. Legs too. Need to concentrate more on my abs (skipped the ab ripper workout three times total, and it's noticeable. lesson learned.) and be more careful about what I eat. I'm getting anxious about 4-week pictures next week, and look forward to seeing the positive changes that I already know are taking place...getting anxious about this Wednesday's weigh-in and measurements. Interestingly, that actually isn't even as exciting as how I feel (when I don't have a miserable headache--this is my first headache since starting this program, which is an accomplishment) throughout each day: Energized. Focused. Motivated. By 11, if I haven't fallen asleep on the couch, I need to climb into bed, which is crazy unusual for me, but I fall right to sleep, sleep through the night, and, generally, get up within 15 minutes of my alarm going off. Again...crazy unusual for me. If you have read my previous posts, you know that sleep and I don't often get along. I thought that getting up at 6:15 (when 7-7:30 is normal) would feel like punishment...it doesn't. I'm not complaining. But I am looking forward to recovery week starting on Wednesday. :) I won't argue with a planned rest.

Off to get things going. Maybe time for some excedrin. Maybe time for some food. Eating this often...I actually have to remind myself!!

Fish Fry, and P90X Day 17

How do those two things go together??

They don't. :) Just the way my brain works after spending 9 hours in a gym timing vault warm-ups for a bunch of incredibly talented gymnasts...who aren't my kid. Then heading out to yet another restaurant in search of a half-way decent fish fry...something we still have not discovered here in joyous Williamsport.

Well, until now, anyway. Funny that we had to go to "the airport" to find it.

:)

And Day 17...Yoga X. Only did the first half of the workout today--because Yoga X is 90 minutes long, and as it was, to do the first 45, the moving postures, I had to get up at 5:15. Yoga...love it. Kicks my butt, but I love it.

Sadly, to balance out my commitment to doing that workout this morning, I also ate more for dinner than I've eaten for any single meal (maybe even two meals) in about three weeks. I don't feel super, super badly about it...he he...but I do feel a little like...well, that may not have been totally worth it.

So, now I sit in front of the television after this beautiful day (which I spent indoors...aak) watching Full House with my kids, and listening to Justin Beiber songs Seth found on youtube for the girls...because we have to see if he's half-way decent too.

Like the fish-fry. You know. Because they have anything to do with each other either.

Hey, I never claimed this blog would actually be worth reading.

P90X, Day 16

Writing every day in weeks like this...obviously hasn't happened. Interestingly, this week has played out very differently than last week--no birthday parties to plan, no running around for supplies, no cakes to bake or houses to turn back into something acceptable after a week of avoidance (for good reasons, but still) before guests arrive. Still, adding at least an hour of exercise into my day, finishing school (and not blowing any of it off and adding it to next week), a full activity schedule for the kids, worship planning and rehearsal, and getting outside to enjoy some of this springtime beauty...somehow I just haven't had the time to update.

With birthday celebrations over the weekend (meaning elaborate cake decorating and activity implementation, of course), my workouts had to take a backseat. Additionally, I still haven't completely beat this cold. No Yoga on Saturday, and no Legs and Back or Ab Ripper X on Sunday (had to be at church at 7). So, Monday, I picked back up with Legs and Back, and Tuesday, Kenpo X. I think after Shoulders and Arms, Kenpo is my favorite workout...but then, that's not really surprising, and I may have mentioned that before. In an attempt to keep close to on-track even with missed days, I skipped the Stretch/Rest day, and moved right back to my regular schedule--Core Synergystics on Wednesday, Cardio X on Thursday, and Shoulders/Arms and Ab Ripper X today. I justify the missed workouts over the weekend a little bit by reminding myself that I also include two nights of karate practice during the week at an hour a workout...I kind of get doubles on those days, and it makes me feel better. I have to say...each day, I wake up ready to go. Waiting after I eat something before I exercise...torture. As Seth got ready for work on Wednesday and I began my workout, he walked through the family room and said, "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" :) Umm, yes.

Now. I completely blew off any semblance of an eating plan last week. I mean completely blew it off. Stepping on the scale and measuring on Wednesday, I had no idea what to expect. What I found was no weight loss...but I did maintain last week's weight...and frankly, that made me happy. Inch-wise...still losing. Which I find interesting. If I had done well with eating (and avoided the buttercream and doritos and three days in a row of pizza a bit more carefully), I can just imagine what last week would have looked like. Hopefully, this week will look more like what that could have looked like. We'll see. I'll keep you posted. Because, I'm sure you care and all. ;)

A few things I'm loving...feeling strong. Less squishiness. Clapping during worship on Sunday morning and feeling my arms getting stronger...not so jiggly (which has been a self-conscious issue for me in the past). Having to tighten things so that they fit. :) Looking forward to getting up in the morning (though I still can't quite just get up when the alarm goes off at 6:15. Sigh. Tomorrow.). I switched from dairy this week, though...thought my lactose supplement would help with the amount of dairy this eating plan requires, and it just doesn't cut it--kept feeling yucky, and it wasn't working for me. Ahh, the joys of lactose intolerance. So, instead of chocolate milk for my recovery drink...this week I switched to chocolate soy milk...yum. And soy milk on my cereal. I have to say...I think it works (as a recovery drink, I mean). Though I have been sore, I haven't been nearly as sore as during the first week. Could just be a matter of getting more fit. Though, every day, these workouts are equally challenging--changing it up every day really does have that benefit. You feel like you're working hard every single day. I can't believe next week it all completely changes again and it's time for a recovery week before completely changing AGAIN. :)

Maybe I'll be back tomorrow...state meet for gymnastics (level 9's and 10's) this weekend, and Dynamats hosts...so, parents are responsible...and I'm a parent, so I'll be timing vault for 3 sessions. Oh, joy. We'll see. :) Happy beautiful March weekend, friends.

Cardio X today. Last week, this workout made me realize that I needed to eat something before my workout to avoid crashing somewhere halfway through. What I forgot was how much incorporation of the other workouts occurs in Cardio X...and that it only lasts about 45 minutes! Today, I needed that. Yesterday, I felt like I had beaten this cold...today it kicked my butt. And wouldn't you know...today we do karate too. To say that I drooped during karate tonight...would not be an exaggeration by any means.

I love getting up in the morning just chomping at the bit to start my workout. Having to eat something and let it settle before I work out?? Absolute torture. Today, I set my alarm for 6, and must have accidentally hit "clear" on my phone instead of "snooze"...and didn't wake up again until 7:34. Hmm. Maybe should have stayed right there in bed, but since our crazy day scheduled itself as a Thursday...well, I got up. I'm glad I did. And "pushed play." Hoping for an easier day tomorrow, amidst planning for Bryson's 8th birthday party, shopping for their friend Taylor's 11th birthday present, roller skating for a couple of hours at the party, heading to the bowling alley for some asteroid bowling for Bryson in the evening, and figuring out when to do school and clean my house in the meantime. :) Happy day-before-the-weekend!!

Results of Week 1

You know...it's amazing what success...even in small amounts...does to your outlook.

Honestly, I didn't start this program aiming for major change. I want to get fit. I want to feel good. Discipline does pretty fabulous things for your body though (and your mind). Interestingly, I know this. If we get real honest with ourselves, we all know this, and have experienced it in different forms throughout our lives. The trickiest part of discipline is maintaining it. If you're like me, you tend to stick with something for a little while...while it's still fun and fresh and you're still enthusiastic...and then, when it gets hard or painful or embarrassing, or you don't make the progress you think you should make, or boredom sets in, or you get uncomfortable, or somebody says something that makes you throw your hands up and wonder why you bothered...all of a sudden, you find yourself not wanting to get up so early in the morning or pushing yourself to achieve or make a difference like you have been. You decide that all this effort really isn't getting you as far as you thought it would...or worst of all, you think to yourself, "One day off isn't going to hurt my progress. I can sleep in this morning/eat that entire cake/skip reading my Bible so I can get something else done/take a little break from whatever it is I'm doing right and pick back up tomorrow."

For me...that mere thought process is death. Whatever I have achieved suddenly doesn't seem so impressive--or I think, "That wasn't really as hard as I thought it was." Maybe the worst part of that process comes when, for several days, maybe even several weeks after I slack off, I can live off the high that I achieved...I can keep the weight I lost off or maintain the healthy eating habits (mostly) or "feel spiritually full" or look at my muscles in the mirror and still see tone. Sadly, I learned in high school that all it takes is two weeks of inactivity for whatever awesome muscles I (or anyone) built to go back to their state of comfortability (and that applies to things other than physical muscles too, I think). And comfortable...that's what I am continually trying to avoid.

Unfortunately, comfortable is easy. And my body really likes comfortable. I have a "thermostat" or a "happy shape" that I don't have to work at very much at all...and people always tell me when I get down on myself at that shape that, "You look fine, Mindy. Give yourself a break." But see...I know that shape, that thermostat...and I know it's too easy. I mean, if I don't mind heart disease or high cholesterol or diabetes (all of which run rampant in my family) some day...sure...I could just stay comfortable and be happy. And I don't pretend that I will always be as gung-ho and dedicated as I am right now. But taking it easy now means being reeeeaaaaal comfortable when I'm 45 and things start changing with my body...or 55 and things really change. My comfortable shape will very quickly turn into something very much other than fine, because I haven't trained myself to do anything other than be comfortable. I have this awesome mentor/example/preview-of-what-I-will-someday-be in my mother...and I watch her fight "comfortable" every day...she makes me so proud. She is my motivator. She is one of the most in-shape almost fifty-something-year-olds I know (I will not divulge her age... :) ). And I remember, when she was 36, joining her on Saturday mornings as she "felt the burn" with Denise or "stepped" with Joanie. She fought comfortable when she was my age...and she has continued that fight to this day. Every single day.

So, what was I talking about when I got all soap-boxy?? Oh, success. I've had some success over the past week. And I'm thrilled with it. I woke up really not wanting to work out...got through the workout...though my soreness from yesterday has continued to today. I did not perform the workout at nearly as high of a quality as I did last week (remembering it was the same as my Day 1 Routine, Core Synergystics, when I hadn't done anything to destroy my muscles the days prior to that workout), and at the end, weighed and measured all the same stuff I measured last week... :) Even small changes make me happy at times like this. And some of 'em weren't so small. I decided not to take pictures today...I think I would see change, but I really want to notice the big changes after 30, 60, and 90 days, I think. And since I don't intend to publish them anywhere (although watching some of the testimonials on youtube and elsewhere has really encouraged me)...eh. Just boggin' down the hard drive... So, tomorrow, and maybe the next day...I have a feeling I may not struggle quite so much to get out of bed as a result of this past week's successes. And I figured out that the recovery drink I've been drinking isn't helping with my sore muscles for a reason...and have switched to chocolate milk (seriously...proper carb to protein ratio (4:1) and recommended by groups of researchers after prolonged exercise...). I'll let you know how that goes after a few days. :)

Is there something you have striven (I typed strived...really...it's wrong) toward and found success or failure at for prolonged periods of time? What were your tricks for continued success, or your triggers for definitive failure?

P90X, Day 6

Wow. I hurt today. I hurt when I got up. I haven't stopped hurting. Of course, the "haven't stopped hurting" part may have more to do with Kenpo X and an hour of karate and sparring...but whatever. I may need to figure out what to do with myself on days when I'm putting in double workouts so as not to die, but then, I thought the one workout might kill me...maybe I'll survive. :)

You know, those of you who read this blog and know the program really could give me a heads-up. When yesterday, I mentioned not having to go crazy with my legs today as part of Kenpo X (in order to recover from Legs and Back (aka lunges and pull-ups) yesterday), you may have mentioned the fact that Kenpo X would rip my legs apart after yesterday's workout (and I realize that the 15 of you who read my blog may have never heard of P90X before I started blogging only about this bandwagon I have jumped on...sorry. I know you're not just sitting there laughing your evil laugh at me, hoping I suffer. I hope.). I fell over repeatedly during just the warm-up. Now, I have to admit, the year of karate I have under my belt certainly came to my rescue in this workout--the form varies just a bit from Shotokan karate (and I went back and forth between doing it their way and doing it "the right way"), but I think I would have had a much more difficult time doing Kenpo without karate...between balance, and form, and strength. For as little credit for overall fitness as I have given my two-hours-a-week karate workout over the past year...obviously, it has not been for naught. So...tonight...upon attempting to get up from the couch after Where the Wild Things Are with the monkeys...my legs, I swear, nearly refused to operate. If I hadn't missed Sunday's workout, and was headed into actual Day 7 tomorrow, tomorrow would be Stretch X or Rest...I would rest tomorrow. Instead, I do Core Synergystics (and weigh and take all my measurements and pics) tomorrow. Oh, how I would love to rest (especially since today was long, and I would like to be in bed...but in the day's longness, I forgot to dry our bed sheets...becausem yes, we only have one set...the new mattress we got last year is extra deep, and I just never think of another set of sheets when I'm anywhere that would sell them. I know. Dumb.)

We celebrated Reasa's 11th birthday today with lunch at King Buffet...her pick. So fun. We normally do dinner, but Seth had a business meeting with his company's owner this evening, and with our normal sports schedule on Tuesdays, dinner would not have happened all together until after 8pm anyway...so we opted for lunch followed by birthday present shopping together (she chose a bedspread (which she found for a rockin' deal at Burlington), mirror and lamp for her room...we definitely left those adorable little girl years today, folks.). Then she wanted to spend her Old Navy gift card from MeMe and Ompy and some of her money from Mima and Papa Everett...we shopped for FOUR HOURS. Boy, did she find some great deals at Old Navy. Kid after my own heart.

Like there was any doubt of that.

P90X, Day 4

Well, if it's a fluke, it's a long-running fluke. I'm down a pound from yesterday. A pound. Now, if I wasn't drinking nearly a gallon of water every day, I would quickly attribute this to a quick loss in water weight (and I know it doesn't work exactly like that, I'm just saying...). But for whatever reason...here I am. And I want to add here that last night, I had homemade fortune cookies with dinner and triple layer brownies for dessert...after eating full meals, and all my snacks and a protein shake throughout the day. Again...I am still shaking my head.

Interestingly, the cold I blame on my son has settled somewhere between my sinuses and my chest, so the knowledge that today's workout was Yoga X made me very, very happy--not bouncing or lifting or killing myself (and thus coughing or sneezing or snuffling much). He he...somebody forgot to remind me that nothing in P90X is easy or low-key (my sweet friend, Kim, told me that she knew last night, but that she didn't want to burst my bubble...)(thanks Kim!). The Yoga consists of an hour and 30 minutes of hard-core, intense yoga. I have played at Yoga before in other workouts...but this...dang. No playing involved here. Several times, I couldn't even attempt the actual pose--absolutely had to do the modification. They did one where you sit in a warrior pose then lean forward into it and reach to the ceiling, then you reach your front arm down under your thigh, and your other arm behind your back and lock fingertips...you look like a complete pretzel...I could touch my fingertips, and eventually grabbed them, but by that point, had been in warrior for so long that my thighs were on fire. I fell out of the pose, and stood there laughing. My second attempt looked a bit more put-together...but only a bit. What I keep finding so encouraging, however, is the fact that with each of the workouts, I still have an end goal...that by the end of the 90 days, I can come really close to doing what the experts on the screen can do. Today, I just hope that by the end, I can do it without falling over!! :) So far, I'm really, really pleased with the program, and with my "progress," four days in. In other workouts I have done, I have been able to pretty easily accomplish the whole thing the first day I did it. That has not been the case with ANY of these dvd's. :) Love it.

I will add, next time I do Yoga, Seth will not be in the same room. I will do it before he wakes up or something (because it falls on Saturdays all this month). There's something about having him question every term and pose name and reminding me that "hey, they keep their foot up high for a lot longer than you just did, you know that, right?" while I'm looking at the floor in downward dog (and not at the screen) and it's the 50th time I've stepped through to runner's pose and my thighs are screaming, and I keep thinking if Tony Horton says, "look at that, perfect form" one more time when he stands next to Shauna, I might throw something at the television...these things just do not lead to focus and calm for me. :) Ah, the things you learn as you go. No more boys in the family room during Yoga. Or dogs, either, for that matter (Maisie likes to crawl under my legs in warrior, I found).

I know this may not be why you're coming to my blog...for that I apologize...but this is where I'm at, and this is the only way I will write anything down. I promise, in the next few days, I'll get back to writing about something more interesting. This portion of my life is my current obsession, I guess. :) Would love to hear your comments on other things going on in your lives!!

P90X Lean, Day 3

K, well it might have been a fluke, but if it was a fluke, we're on day number 2 of flukeyness. :) Now, with this said, I realize that weighing myself every day may not be your idea of healthy...I will say, everyone has different takes on this. If you listen to someone like Denise Austin, she tells you to weigh once a week...doctors may tell you every two weeks or once a month...Flylady recommends daily...I think it depends where you are. I plan to weigh myself every morning because, frankly, this plan is extreme. I want to see what's happening. I have a feeling I will find myself not thrilled with the results like this every single day...but I also guess that at some point, adding muscle will balance losing fat. We'll see. I still can't believe I'm adding about 1000 calories a day, and losing. Another 4/10 of a pound down this morning. .8 total. And today is day three.

This morning, I did Shoulders and Arms...see, now, when it comes right down to it, what I'm finding is that this workout takes me back to gymnastics in high school...weight training, cardio, flexibility, strength, core...all mixed up into different days; keeps you on your toes, keeps you guessing. I love the idea of "muscle confusion," (the basis of this program) but I think I love it because when I was in the best shape of my life, that's what I did, without even realizing it (thanks to my gymnastics coach). My muscles responded...I felt good. Today, I hurt. My inner thighs and backside are killing me...as in, I could barely walk when I got out of bed...and right now, three hours after this morning's workout, my arms and shoulders already feel tight. But, oh my gosh...incredible. I have to say...I don't ever intend to use the amount of weight the girls are using. I love that I completed this one with low weights...and I look forward to building to higher weights, but not anytime soon. And I need to add, here...I didn't sleep well last night--Bryson was up with an awful cough, and I feel like I'm coming down with whatever it is he and Lainie have...hopefully to a lesser degree. I think, grand total, I slept for about 4 hours. Tonight...I will definitely get the recommended 7 (if Bryson doesn't hack all night!). I absolutely can't wait for tomorrow. Yoga X!! :)

As for Ab Ripper X...woo hoo!!! I appreciate that completing the number of reps right now (at the lowest level) totally didn't kill me...but I still have room to grow with the workout--the modifications offered throughout each video make it very adaptable for future fitness. Also appreciate that he encourages you to take breaks. Oh, man, will I hurt tomorrow!!!

P90X...it begins

I actually would like to update about this daily...but considering I'm already a day behind on that goal... :) This really is how life works though, isn't it??

I have absolutely no intentions of posting "before" pictures here...not that you would ask...but don't. Not happening. But...know that what needs to happen is elimination of squishiness. Don't know what squishiness is? Oh, come now...dig deep. Or, don't dig deep. Deep is where my muscles are. Deeeeep under the squishy parts. If you don't have squishy parts, yay!!! I'm thrilled for you! And there are some squishy parts that may never go away completely (I have carried and birthed three children...skin happens). But. But. Some of them are simply a matter of not doing enough exercise to maintain muscle.

That changes right now.

I started P90X yesterday morning. I'm working through the Lean program, aimed more at toning muscle than at building bulk--more of a concentration on cardio than strength (though serious strength is still involved, I'm learning). Yesterday began with Core Synergistics--I was actually amazed at how well I kept up (thank you Master Powell and a year of karate twice a week!!)--and this morning I did Cardio X...difficult, but not impossible. I got through the whole thing--though it was really tough, and there were times I had to stop before the set was over...but not as many as I expected. Overall...I'm so excited. It's hard core.

I love it.

I'm also incorporating the diet, just to see what happens. I'm not necessarily looking to lose more than 5 pounds in this process...if I do, it will simply be because the exercise works. I am still pretty blown away by the fact that the recommended eating plan incorporates more than double the calories I would normally eat in a day...I'll let you know how that goes. Interestingly, this morning, I woke up 4/10 of a pound lighter than I was yesterday...

I'm sure it was a fluke. :)

Wish me luck!!