Day 97 - The end!

This is it - my final post. I'm not ready to say goodbye!

Today I did Fountain of Youth. I have no idea what I was supposed to do, but I love the yoga so much I wanted to do it! I can't BELIEVE my flexibility. My hamstring stretches are so much better now than they were, even a few weeks ago! Sitting, I can reach around a yoga block at my feet. That's so crazy; I never dreamed I'd be able to do that. The results show it, too: a staggering 11 inch increase in my toe touch. I am so happy with my results I could cry. I posted my before and after photos yesterday, and as promised, I'm posting my final measurements today.

So, I guess this is it! For anyone interested, I'll be keeping a general life blog, which you can find here. To the strangers that have been reading and commenting on this blog, thank you. It's great to know that I am an inspiration for others, and the fact that I do inspires ME. To my friends and family who followed me through these 90 97 days, thank you. Your words and encouragement really did keep me going. I appreciate your support, so much. And to Christopher: my best friend, my motivation, my support and my rock.. THANK YOU. If it weren't for you, honestly, I wouldn't have had the results I have now. I loved your patience, and your gentle but firm reminders to keep pushing through. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

And that's all from me. I'm officially an X grad! Thank you, Tony! Goodbye, P90Xers, and keep bringing it!

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Weight
Day 0: 124 lb
Day 30: 123 lb
Day 60: 123 lb
Day 90: 123 lb

Chest
Day 0: 32"
Day 30: 31"
Day 60: 32"
Day 90: 32"

Waist
Day 0: 27"
Day 30: 27"
Day 60: 26"
Day 90: 27"

Hips
Day 0: 34"
Day 30: 33.5"
Day 60: 34"
Day 90: 33"

Right thigh
Day 0: 19"
Day 30: 19"
Day 60: 19"
Day 90: 20"

Left thigh
Day 0: 18"
Day 30: 19"
Day 60: 19"
Day 90: 20"

Right arm
Day 0: 10.5"
Day 30: 10.5"
Day 60: 10.75"
Day 90: 10.5"

Left arm
Day 0: 11"
Day 30: 10.5"
Day 60: 10.5"
Day 90: 10.5"

Pushups
Day 0: 7
Day 30: 11
Day 60: 20
Day 90: 21

Wide-grip pull-ups
Day 0: 1/2
Day 30: 3/4
Day 60: 3/4
Day 90: 1

Toe touch
Day 0: -5" (5" away from touching toes)
Day 30: +2" (2" past toes)
Day 60: +4" (4" past toes)
Day 90: +6" (6" past toes)

Wall squat
Day 0: 1 minute 3 seconds
Day 90: 1 minute 25 seconds

Chin-ups
Day 0: 1/2
Day 90: 2 1/2

Bicep curls
Day 0: 23 with 10 lbs
Day 90: 20 with 15 lbs

In and outs (the ab test)
Day 0: 21
Day 90: 50

Day 83 - Pouring on the Pounds

Today, I did absolutely nothing. For the first time in months, I didn't leave the house, I had no homework, chores or errands to do, and I didn't even get dressed. And I loved it! It was so great to have a day to do nothing. Mind you, one day is about all I could handle. If I didn't have to leave the house tomorrow, I still would. I'd find something to do. I can't sit around for too long, I get shack whacky.

Chris and I did our Kenpo workout tonight, and we learned why Tony didn't have Kenpo following Back & Biceps. Both of us were grunting and groaning because our biceps were so sore (that may be a slight exaggeration). We did the usual mix, the first half of Kenpo X and the first half (or so) of Kenpo Cardio +. Followed by Ab Ripper. Oh, Ab Ripper. I thought I could master you in 90 days... I thought wrong. I only have one more Ab Ripper workout!!! This means that I either have to a) master it in one go, or b) accept the fact that I won't master it this time around. I'm leaning toward b.

So, my step-mother works for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She (and many others) developed this ad campaign describing the negative effects that soda has on peoples' health. They have a website, a Facebook group, a YouTube video and mass transit posters, and they're causing a stir in New York, in the States and around the world. I highly recommend checking it out (especially the YouTube video!) and passing it along to friends.

Day 68 - 22 more days!

Chris just had this epiphany - 22 more days of P90X!!

I think, when we're finished, I'm going to have some sort of crisis. I won't know what to do with myself! We had planned to start it over in preparation for our trip to the Dominican in March, so that's an option.. Hmm. At least we have 22 days to decide.

And we'll be taking a few days off for Christmas. ;)

So we just finished legs and back, and even though it hurts like hell, it remains one of my top 3 favourite workouts. Then we did Ab Ripper, which I've come to hate. Even though I've been doing it for 68 days now (not consecutively, but still), I still struggle with every single exercise and I can only finish about two of them without stopping for a mini break. That's kind of frustrating. Still, I keep trying, and that's all I can do.

I got a message today from a girl I went to high school with. I closed it before I had a chance to save it (dammit!), but she basically said that she reads my blog and that, because of me, she and her boyfriend started doing Power 90. She said they want to do P90X but thought they'd start with Power 90 and see how things went. Then she congratulated me on my progress and called me an inspiration! I was so happy. I really appreciate messages like that. I'm doing this program for ME, but if I can motivate and inspire people along the way, it makes my experience that much better. So, thank you for that message!

And now, I have to go.. Pork tenderloin is calling :)

Day 62 - I touched the floor!

When I started this program 62 days ago, I couldn't do a sitting toe-touch. Now I can reach 4" past my toes. When I started, I could hardly bend past 90 degrees at the waist. Now, just tonight, I finally did it - I touched the ground while standing with straight knees. I can't believe that I can actually touch the floor. That my hamstrings actually allowed it! I'm not trying to lost weight, nor am I trying to bulk up, but I'm definitely aiming to become more flexible.. And I've come a long way. And I have the photo to prove it!

That's me! Touching the floor!!

Day 58 - "Get a life"

There is a thread on the P90X message boards on Facebook called Spousal Sabotage. In it, different people discuss their experiences with their spouses and families not being supportive during their P90X journey. I encountered this myself today. Someone very close to me is having a hard time accepting the fact that I am doing and enjoying P90X.

I think that most people see intense exercise and strict diet in a negative light, or as a bad thing. Seldom do people see it as a positive, and if they do, they're usually supporting you to be a good friend and not because they believe in the program. I have many friends at school who think I'm crazy for passing up cookies and snacks, but they know now what it is I'm doing, why I'm doing it, and how much it means to me, so I'm not even offered treats and snacks anymore. It's become sort of a joke now for them to pass the snacks right by me. But I love this kind of support, the "we think you're crazy but if you're happy, we're happy" support.

This other person is not supportive. She is neither encouraging nor motivating. And she's certainly not understanding. She can't fathom why I'm doing such a long and brutal exercise program. When I post about it, she gets annoyed, even if I'm proclaiming my progress. She says I should "get a life" and stop being "so obsessed". She even said that no one reads my posts (you guys are a testament to that untruth, so feel free to leave your comments!). I was not overweight when I started P90X. I was not unhealthy, out of shape nor self-conscious. Because of this, it completely boggles this person's mind that I would do P90X. She has that classic attitude of 'if you're thin, why exercise?'. She's called me skinny, which I hate. It seems as though the happier I become, with my health, body and life in general, the more unhappy she becomes. And I do not understand.

So, this post is partly to rant and partly to raise awareness. If you're calling someone a "loser" and then telling them it was "just a joke" and to not take it so hard, you need to wake up. You need to see that you're hurting that person and, if they're not strong enough, you WILL bring them down. If any good came out of this, it's that I'm even more motivated now to kick ass and keep bringing it. She will not slow my progress. She will not bring me down. She will not win.

Day 45 - HALFWAY DONE!

I can't believe it - I'm halfway done P90X! I know how cliche it sounds, but it seems like yesterday that we started. Well, maybe not yesterday. Maybe more like last week. The diet has become effortless, I look forward to my workouts, and I feel incredibly accomplished at the end of every day. It calms me down when I'm cranky and it clears my head when I'm stressed. So many things have become easy, like sit-ups, push-ups, and balance and flexibility poses in Yoga. It's hard to believe that I used to struggle with some of these moves.

I'm so proud of myself.. A few years ago I never could have committed to such a huge fitness and diet program, and part of the reason I can is Christopher. He's motivating and supportive, even when he's not even trying to be, and he's extremely encouraging. I love having him as a workout partner. I never would have done this well without him.

And, of course, part of the reason is me. I am so determined to finish this program, and especially now that I've come this far, I'd be crazy to stop now. I'm feeling great, and the best part: people are starting to notice how toned my arms are! I'm so happy with my results, it's hard to believe I'm only halfway done. I can't wait to see what these next 45 days bring!

Me! Tonight! Just now!

Day 28 - Measurements!

I just finished my X Stretch workout, and Chris and I went through our measurements and a few exercises from the Fit Test. Not much change overall as far as numbers are concerned, but I feel - and look - a hundred times better. The biggest change was in my flexibility. So, without further ado, the numbers:

Weight:
124 lb
123 lb

Chest:
32"
31"

Waist:
27"
27"

Hips:
34"
33.5"

Right thigh:
19"
19"

Left thigh:
18"
19"

Right arm:
10.5"
10.5"

Left arm:
11"
10.5"

Pushups:
7
11

Wide-grip pull-ups:
1/2
3/4 (these did not get easier)

Toe touch:
-5" (5" away from touching toes)
+2" (2" past toes)

The number on top is from 28 days ago, the number below, from today. I had a SEVEN INCH INCREASE in my toe touch! That is major major, because I was never flexible, not even as a child. To see such an increase in my flexibility is so motivating! As far as the other numbers are concerned: not much change, like I said, but the photos should show a change. I'll post those side-by-side in the next few days.

So, that's it. The first measurement day is done, hooray! On to Phase Two - Land of Chest, Shoulders and Triceps and two servings of carbs! :)

Day 25 - A quote from the man himself

Today was rest day, so nothing to report workout-wise.

The conference I was at today had soup and sandwiches for lunch, which was better than I was expecting. I took the top piece of bread off the sandwich, and had a small bowl of soup. Not too shabby! Then for supper Chris made Island Pork Tenderloin and veggies.. We're suckers for that pork tenderloin recipe.

Speaking of recipes, I was asked to post the recipe for the slow cooker beef stew that we had for supper a few nights back. There's not much for a recipe! Chris just threw together some stewing beef, a few cups of veggies and a bit of Club House Slow Cookers Beef Stew seasoning. Instead of adding just water to the seasoning, he added half water, half tomato sauce. Then he cooked it on low for 8-9 hours, and it turned out perfectly! It's hard to get a slow cooker recipe wrong, so just try mixing things, but remember to keep enough sauce in it so the meat can get nice and tender.

Since I don't have much else to write, I want to post a quote from Tony from the Kenpo workout. While it's a little harsh, it's very true: with healthy eating and exercise, you get what you give. Take it away, Tony!

I don't believe in age. I don't believe in aging. Whatever. I got your aging right here! I believe in moving and eating good. [...] Take care of your body, and it will take care of you. Because time keeps ticking, you keep getting older.. You can get better, or you can get all gooey.. Crotchety, old, pathetic, icky, gross.. Not me, not into it.

Can you believe he's 51?!

Day 9 - The Power of Exercise

Today wasn't good. Well, I shouldn't say that. This evening wasn't good. Allow me to elaborate.

I was at school all day. My classes ended at 6:00, and then I had a meeting to go to. After that, I realized I couldn't catch a bus from where I was, so I had to walk a kilometre to the nearest bus stop in the pouring rain and 50km winds. No boots, no raincoat, no umbrella (although that wouldn't have done me much good, since I saw a few people struggling to keep theirs right-side out). I get to the bus stop and I'm mulling over everything on my to-do list, totally stressing myself out. The bus comes, I get home, and Chris is making a stir fry. I'm soaked and tired and hungry, and the last thing I want to do is a stupid workout. Chris is trying to talk me into doing it, saying it won't take long. But all I can think of is my massive to-do list.

Then I sat down and flipped through the book of DVD workouts, landing on Cardio X. There Tony stands, every muscle in his body highlighted in the black and white picture. I'm thinking, "I feel shitty right now. I'm cranky, I'm tired, and I'm stressed." Then I looked at Tony again, and flipped through and looked at the other photos. The Plyometrics sleeve was empty, from Chris's completed workout an hour prior. Then I thought, "There will be days when I feel like garbage. There will be days when I'm so tired I can't function, and days when I'm so sick I can't get out of bed. Those are the days I should take off as rest days. I ate extremely well today, I don't want to waste that. It's only one workout. I can do this. I should do this."

And so, I got changed, got my water, set up my mat, put in Cardio X and pressed play. And pressing play, folks, was the hardest part of my workout.

Within minutes I was less cranky. I even smiled when I did my hamstring stretch and touched the floor. As I warmed up, the stress left me. It literally melted away. I suddenly felt rejuvenated, and with some stretches, strain, and lots of sweat, I finished the workout I had been dreading only 40 minutes prior. And now I have a clear mind to focus, and a clear conscience to boot. And I'm much, much happier. That's the power of exercise.

The inspiration!