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 57 - Photo and measurement day!

Drumroll please.. The biggest increases this time around are in push-ups (20!!) and flexibility. From Day 0 to today, I've gained 9" of flexibility! Unbelievable! 


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No weight loss, but a huge change in body composition!

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 1

Hi everyone, whoever "everyone" is, and welcome to my blog. I plan to write about and describe (in detail) the torture, pain and discipline that is to become my life.

If you don't know about it already, P90X is a workout and nutrition system. A really intense workout and nutrition system. It comes with 12 workout DVD's, in which Tony Horton takes us through the workouts, along with three of his buddies, who change depending on the workout. The nutrition plan is in 3 phases, and is based on caloric intake. This was disappointing because I've always been a huge advocate for NOT counting calories, but instead understanding what it is you're eating and why it's doing you good (or harm). But, I can put this aside for these 90 days and become a calorie counter. Although, it's not so much about calorie counting so much as it's about servings. For example, each day I'm allowed 5 servings of protein, 2 dairy, 1 fruit, 2 vegetables, 1 fat, 1 carb, 1 snack and 1 protein bar.

Today, being the first day, I've discovered that this nutrition plan is more than sufficient. This morning, we had egg whites, chicken bacon and half an English muffin for breakfast at 6:45. (Oh, who's "we"? My boyfriend, Chris, is also doing P90X.. We're P90X partners.) Anyway, this meal lasted with me until about 10:00, which is a big change for me since I usually have cereal and end up starving by 9:00.

My first workout was core synergistics, which, as described in the fitness guide, "focuses on strengthening the lumbar spine and trunk muscles, which are the foundation for all the other muscles in the body". I'm excited about this one because I have a curvature in my spine (scoliosis), and I've heard time and time again that strengthening the core will help with the pain.

The workout was tough. There were parts I couldn't do (like the chaturanga run), but I wasn't discouraged. I just hope I'll be able to do the whole thing at the end of these three months!

SO! Starting stats:
Female
23 years old
5'5"
124lbs
19% body fat

Fit test results:
Pull-ups: 1/2 (yes, that counts)
Vertical leap: 9"
Push-ups: 7
Toe touch: -5" (hoping for major improvement here)
Wall squat: 1:03
Bicep curls: 23 with 10lb weights
In & Outs: 21

Just so we're clear, I am absolutely not doing this program to lose weight. What I want is this: to come out of the program with a stronger, leaner body and habitually good eating habits. Not that they're bad now, but.. I'M A SUCKER FOR PASTRIES!! But no more!

I really hope you'll all follow me through my journey. I'll try to post every day, even if it's just a quick "I'm TOO tired to post!" But I'm a full-time student as well, so finding time may be tricky. I'll do my best.