So, 1 week ago I started the P90X program.
I quickly learned it was not for the timid or the weak of heart. Usually, I am very shy when it comes to starting a new program, just incase I don't succeed. It is always easier to fail at something that no one else knows about. This time I want everyone to know what I am doing, and I try to talk it up every chance I get.
It is a tough program, and I am proud of myself every morning that I finish another day. I believe that I have a leg-up on some; I have been in a routine for the past year of awaking at 5:00 am and hitting the gym for 1-1.5 hours Every Weekday. Half the battle is getting up to do exercise. The other half, doing it, is easier!
Because I did not start this post until the end of my first week, I will give you a little break down. Stats, I will save for another time... You would not believe me if I posted them, I do not look That Big!
Day1- I am doing the Lean Program .
Day 1 was Core Synergistic. The workout was great. I was able to keep up with the disc, except for one part, the very beginning, "Stacked Foot/Staggered Hands Push-up". I thought, 'Okay, this is a good start, lets just see what I got myself into.' But, I did my best, clumsy and all, forced every last one out, and kept on going.
For those girls and boys reading along that are not familiar with the 'Core Synergistic', it's kinda crossed between yoga, boot camp, kenpo, and jail cell routines. (That last one, I am only guessing. ;-D ) It works on your core muscle groups, basically everywhere.
I had a Very hard time eating enough calories. It was hard to transition from the thought process of low carbs, low calories, high protein to low carbs, high calories, high protein. Plus I had to eat 900 more calories than what I have been use to. 900! Without Snickers!
Day 2- 'Cardio'
Being a Cardio-Nut I loved this day. Not much to say. Oh, I was Almost there with the calories. Did good on the balanced nutrition. Does fries count as one carb and one fat? (hee-hee)
Read the list wrong and thought that I had to do 'Ab Ripper X'. I was in heaven! Two things in one day that I love; cardio and abs. Hip kept popping on the 'Hip Rock & Raise'. Hopefully it will stop as I get stronger.
Day 3- 'Shoulders & Arms'
I was Really begrudging waking up. Not fun for me, shoulders and arms. grrrr! Drudgingly, I geared up. Taking my time to make it all the way into my living room.
It was surprisingly tame. Oh, don't misunderstand the way I am using that word. By no means am I under glorifying the intensity of this workout! It is hard! Feel the burn, hard. But, not to the point that I was unable to keep up doing all 15 reps. Felt it by 15, good form, but 15 none the less.
Still having problems with my calories. So, I joined a group on facebook, "I Voluntarily Get My Ass Kicked by P90X Daily (And I Love it)". There I met other people around the nation participating in the same self-inflicted punishment that I was. It is great! I posted for some nutrition guidance. John, you know who you are, helped me out. He was able to provide some pointers that were simple enough, but had perplexed me. Thanks, John!
Day 4- 'Yoga'
One and one-half hours of Yoga. A half hour longer than any other Yoga or Palates class that I have done. Did not anticipate for the extra time and was a little late at work, but worth every minute. The Balance Postures... balance needed. Really cool! Never in a million did I think that I could do the Crane pose!
It is easier to shrug off some of the hard times at the 'daily grind' after accomplishing a tough workout in the morning. Kinda like, 'Yeah, I should be pissed off at you right now, but I kicked ass this morning, and you can't touch that. So, stick that one where the sun don't shine!'
Day 5- 'Legs & Back' and 'Ab Ripper X'
Foolish me! I thought, 'since my legs are very strong, I should have no problem with this day'. Ha! Again, first move, "Mommy!" Balance Lunge, oh my ***! I challenge anyone to do this move and not shake, cringe, and squeal. And then alternating chin-ups with squats. Fun-fun. I don't have any door molding in our house, so the chin-up bar won't work. I had to do the bands. But very proud of myself. I was able to do 15 reps with, and even bumped up the band to the black band. One final point, 'Wall Squats With Leg Up'. Can I say, "OUCH!"
Day 6- 'Kenpo X'
Another fun day. Love Kenpo. I was in kenpo for a few years as a young'n. 'Shaolin Chaun Fa.' The best exercise! Cardio, build muscle, get limber, endurance training, mind over matter, all rolled up in one. And Sweat everywhere!
I was not disappointed; especially the sweat. Tell you what, doing kenpo after a day of legs & back is murder. I used the same muscles. Felt a little weak at the beginning until I warmed up, then kept up the intensity until the end. But still, two days in a row? Do you think that was planned?
Bought Clif bars today, candy full of goodness. Yummy! Another suggestion from a friend. Thanks, j.
Day 7- 'Stretch' or 'Rest'
I thought long and hard, for two whole minutes, and decided to go with 'Stretch'. WOW, I was sore. Never realized how tight my muscles had become. A full hour of positions and postures that will get easier with time. I use to be able to get in everyone of those, without any problem, all the way down, not too long ago. Really, not that long ago. Last week even! This past week's workouts kicked my bum. Tight, tight. I am thankful for the 7th day. And let there be stretch.
To some it may sound like this is easy for me... maybe, maybe not. I think that the hardest part is just getting up everyday to do it. The exercise is the easiest. (All from a mental point of view.) In karate we were taught that your body, with the proper training, can accomplish just about any feat, if your mind does not get in its way. Stop listening to that inner voice that says "I can't", clear the mind, and stay focused. That voice my be screaming at you now, but the more that you drown it out, the quieter it becomes until one day it will only be a faint whisper.
Take advantage of a support group, family, friends, on-line groups, etc. We are all here to listen, make suggestions, gripe with you, and help push you through the next day. But there is no one else that will motivate you better than you. Do it for your health, do it for your mental well being, but most of all, Just Do IT.
See you tomorrow when Day 1 of Week 2 begins. BRING IT!
I quickly learned it was not for the timid or the weak of heart. Usually, I am very shy when it comes to starting a new program, just incase I don't succeed. It is always easier to fail at something that no one else knows about. This time I want everyone to know what I am doing, and I try to talk it up every chance I get.
It is a tough program, and I am proud of myself every morning that I finish another day. I believe that I have a leg-up on some; I have been in a routine for the past year of awaking at 5:00 am and hitting the gym for 1-1.5 hours Every Weekday. Half the battle is getting up to do exercise. The other half, doing it, is easier!
Because I did not start this post until the end of my first week, I will give you a little break down. Stats, I will save for another time... You would not believe me if I posted them, I do not look That Big!
Day1- I am doing the Lean Program .
Day 1 was Core Synergistic. The workout was great. I was able to keep up with the disc, except for one part, the very beginning, "Stacked Foot/Staggered Hands Push-up". I thought, 'Okay, this is a good start, lets just see what I got myself into.' But, I did my best, clumsy and all, forced every last one out, and kept on going.
For those girls and boys reading along that are not familiar with the 'Core Synergistic', it's kinda crossed between yoga, boot camp, kenpo, and jail cell routines. (That last one, I am only guessing. ;-D ) It works on your core muscle groups, basically everywhere.
I had a Very hard time eating enough calories. It was hard to transition from the thought process of low carbs, low calories, high protein to low carbs, high calories, high protein. Plus I had to eat 900 more calories than what I have been use to. 900! Without Snickers!
Day 2- 'Cardio'
Being a Cardio-Nut I loved this day. Not much to say. Oh, I was Almost there with the calories. Did good on the balanced nutrition. Does fries count as one carb and one fat? (hee-hee)
Read the list wrong and thought that I had to do 'Ab Ripper X'. I was in heaven! Two things in one day that I love; cardio and abs. Hip kept popping on the 'Hip Rock & Raise'. Hopefully it will stop as I get stronger.
Day 3- 'Shoulders & Arms'
I was Really begrudging waking up. Not fun for me, shoulders and arms. grrrr! Drudgingly, I geared up. Taking my time to make it all the way into my living room.
It was surprisingly tame. Oh, don't misunderstand the way I am using that word. By no means am I under glorifying the intensity of this workout! It is hard! Feel the burn, hard. But, not to the point that I was unable to keep up doing all 15 reps. Felt it by 15, good form, but 15 none the less.
Still having problems with my calories. So, I joined a group on facebook, "I Voluntarily Get My Ass Kicked by P90X Daily (And I Love it)". There I met other people around the nation participating in the same self-inflicted punishment that I was. It is great! I posted for some nutrition guidance. John, you know who you are, helped me out. He was able to provide some pointers that were simple enough, but had perplexed me. Thanks, John!
Day 4- 'Yoga'
One and one-half hours of Yoga. A half hour longer than any other Yoga or Palates class that I have done. Did not anticipate for the extra time and was a little late at work, but worth every minute. The Balance Postures... balance needed. Really cool! Never in a million did I think that I could do the Crane pose!
It is easier to shrug off some of the hard times at the 'daily grind' after accomplishing a tough workout in the morning. Kinda like, 'Yeah, I should be pissed off at you right now, but I kicked ass this morning, and you can't touch that. So, stick that one where the sun don't shine!'
Day 5- 'Legs & Back' and 'Ab Ripper X'
Foolish me! I thought, 'since my legs are very strong, I should have no problem with this day'. Ha! Again, first move, "Mommy!" Balance Lunge, oh my ***! I challenge anyone to do this move and not shake, cringe, and squeal. And then alternating chin-ups with squats. Fun-fun. I don't have any door molding in our house, so the chin-up bar won't work. I had to do the bands. But very proud of myself. I was able to do 15 reps with, and even bumped up the band to the black band. One final point, 'Wall Squats With Leg Up'. Can I say, "OUCH!"
Day 6- 'Kenpo X'
Another fun day. Love Kenpo. I was in kenpo for a few years as a young'n. 'Shaolin Chaun Fa.' The best exercise! Cardio, build muscle, get limber, endurance training, mind over matter, all rolled up in one. And Sweat everywhere!
I was not disappointed; especially the sweat. Tell you what, doing kenpo after a day of legs & back is murder. I used the same muscles. Felt a little weak at the beginning until I warmed up, then kept up the intensity until the end. But still, two days in a row? Do you think that was planned?
Bought Clif bars today, candy full of goodness. Yummy! Another suggestion from a friend. Thanks, j.
Day 7- 'Stretch' or 'Rest'
I thought long and hard, for two whole minutes, and decided to go with 'Stretch'. WOW, I was sore. Never realized how tight my muscles had become. A full hour of positions and postures that will get easier with time. I use to be able to get in everyone of those, without any problem, all the way down, not too long ago. Really, not that long ago. Last week even! This past week's workouts kicked my bum. Tight, tight. I am thankful for the 7th day. And let there be stretch.
To some it may sound like this is easy for me... maybe, maybe not. I think that the hardest part is just getting up everyday to do it. The exercise is the easiest. (All from a mental point of view.) In karate we were taught that your body, with the proper training, can accomplish just about any feat, if your mind does not get in its way. Stop listening to that inner voice that says "I can't", clear the mind, and stay focused. That voice my be screaming at you now, but the more that you drown it out, the quieter it becomes until one day it will only be a faint whisper.
Take advantage of a support group, family, friends, on-line groups, etc. We are all here to listen, make suggestions, gripe with you, and help push you through the next day. But there is no one else that will motivate you better than you. Do it for your health, do it for your mental well being, but most of all, Just Do IT.
See you tomorrow when Day 1 of Week 2 begins. BRING IT!
1 comment:
Way to go...keep up the great work.
John
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