Day 33 - Happy Halloween!

Today wasn't good as far as workouts go. I feel so guilty. Since I didn't get to do my yoga yesterday, I thought I would really bring it tonight. Well, I got halfway through my Legs and Back workout, but I just was not in the mood. In previous times I pushed through the bad mood and it's always turned into a good mood.. Tonight was different, and it's hard to describe.

So, tomorrow we're scheduled for Kenpo. Chris recently got P90X+, and he did the Intervals workout today and he loved it. So, since I missed nearly two days, I'm going to do Intervals tomorrow, and instead of Kenpo (since I don't find it works super well) we're going to do another higher intensity workout. I haven't seen any of the workouts yet, so we'll choose tomorrow.

I spent last night with my cousins and sisters, having our yearly catch-up night. We picked up some fruit and veggie trays, and I took a six-pack of Heineken because it's surprisingly low in calories. I had four and went to bed at midnight, while everyone else stayed up until 6:00 am and shared a quart of rum. Glad I missed out on that one! I was absolutely exhausted and I was falling asleep in the hot tub. But I still had a really great time. I love spending time with my family.

Tonight we had a low-key Halloween, handing out candy with Chris's family. I didn't have any, and it wasn't hard to resist it. I'm finding it easier to resist chocolate and candy, whereas before, I'd be drooling and imagining how tasty it would be (but I still wouldn't eat it!). On the P90X Facebook group, there is a discussion about how people resist Halloween candy, or if they give up and eat some. Most people said they'd have one or two, which I think is fine, but some people said they ate whatever they wanted, had no control, went on a binge, etc, etc. This led me to the conclusion that I'm taking this program far more seriously than most people. I get upset with myself when I miss workouts when most would shrug and say "oh well", and I always pass on junk food when most would say "I'll work it off later".

Speaking of which, I have a subscription to Women's Health and this month had a great fact: it takes 35 minutes of brisk walking to burn off a sugary donut. Doesn't seem worth it to me!

Sugar city!

Day 32 - More time constraints

I'm posting early since I won't be home to post tonight. I'm unable to do my Yoga workout (again!), which I hate, but I spent the last hour and a half waiting for an influenza vaccine, so it was time well spent. In less than an hour I'm going out for the night, so I'm aiming to have my Yoga done tomorrow! Plus the other two workouts. We'll see how that goes.. I might just have to miss it. Sigghhh..

Day 31 - Chest, Shoulders and Triceps

Today was my first Chest, Shoulders and Triceps workout. I love the triceps workouts.. I hate the push ups. Why oh why are there so many push ups?! Clearly my shoulders and arms are too weak if I'm still finding push ups hard. So, despite hating push ups, I'm happy that they're included because it only means that I'll get better at them! I really like the triceps kickback workouts. I'm impressed with Tony's creativity - he takes one move and turns it into four or five moves, which keeps in interesting. This is key! There's nothing worse than pushing yourself through a workout that you hate doing. Breaking up a brutal triceps workout into five shorter, different workouts was brilliant.

We had chicken breasts and boiled squash for supper tonight, and if you know me, you know I LOVE squash. Chris cooked it, god love him, and it was very tasty. We're always on the lookout for meal ideas, so if you have any, post a comment for me! I'd love to hear some suggestions.

Otherwise, that's it for me - I have an early early morning tomorrow. Story of my life!

Day 30 - 1/3 complete!

Day 30! DAY 30! I'm so excited that I reached this milestone knowing that I gave 100% in my workouts and my diet. I celebrated by switching Cardio X for Plyometrics - talk about a celebration! I was jumping around and throwing my hands in the air like you wouldn't believe. This was my first time doing Plyo, thanks to a suggestion from Chris. I like the Cardio workout, but it's so short! I feel like I'm just getting going, and then it's over. Plyo is the full hour, which I love, and there is NO rest time between moves. I finish up a set, I'm sweating like hell, I'm breathing heavy and I'm tremendously thirsty, but no! No break! On to the next move! Though Tony's gracious enough to give us 30 seconds between every 8 moves. Enough time to wipe the sweat out of my eyes and have a sip of water, then back at it! I'm telling you, it's brutal at the time. I sound like a primitive animal, grunting, panting and whining. But as soon as he says we're done, this incredible feeling of achievement washed over me and I feel like I could do it all over again! (I never would, but you get the point.)

I'm still adjusting to the diet change. One less protein, one more carb. I had a 6-inch sub from Subway today (280 calories, 1/2 serving of protein, 1 serving of carb, 1/4 serving of fat), and it was really delicious. The back of the Nutrition Guide gives you some guidelines for fast food joints, in case time isn't on your side. There are 12 items from Subway listed, 3 items from McDonald's, 2 form Burger King, 3 from Pizza Hut, 5 from Wendy's, etc. There are also guidelines for buying microwave dinners, which - thankfully - we haven't had to resort to yet. We went out and bought these cute little mini bagels, as well as some real bagels and English muffins (which, ironically, rang up as "Muffins Anglais" on the receipt...). Our cart held more bread than I had seen in the last month.

Can you tell I'm excited about the carb increase? I know, I know, "is she seriously still talking about the damn carb?" Okay. I'll move on.

I have a new appreciation for Lululemon. I have a duffel bag of theirs from a while back, and a couple headbands, but I never got any clothing because of the price. A few weeks ago, I bought my first Lulu sportsbra (love!!). A couple weeks later, I bought a pair of shorts. Then the other day, I bought another pair of shorts. Because they're INCREDIBLE! Seriously! Those shorts are tight enough that they don't budge, but they don't ride up or chafe or anything, even during the most intense workouts. So, I'm officially a Lulu addict. This is not a good thing for the bank account. There will definitely be some Lulu items on my Christmas list..!

 

Love the fit of these ones             These are my favourite

                                              (and they were on sale!)

Day 29 - First day of Phase Two

Phase Two feels a lot like Phase 1, except I'm allowed to eat an extra serving of carbs. Hooray! I did Core Syn again today, and I was feeling less than up to it (let's just say I had a bad experience at the hair salon, and I'm still adjusting). But I still brought it, and I did more walking push-ups than ever! I find that this Core workout works my arms and shoulders more than my core, but hey, what do I know?

I need to get out and get some groceries to account for this extra carb that we're allowed to have now. I'm probably going to have one with breakfast, a half one with lunch and a half one with supper most days. I'll have to feel it out and experiment though, that's how I got into my Phase One groove!

Anyway, it's really late and I need to get to bed. Adios - until tomorrow!

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 27 - Internet FAIL

I'm so sad. This is the first time in 27 days that I missed a day posting. And it's not even my fault - my internet was out all evening last night!! Booo... So, this is yesterday's post, today. Still moping about it. :(

Day 27 was Yoga day, and I must say that I'm seeing huge improvements in my yoga form. My balance is definitely getting better, but there's one move that I still can't master, and it's because we're in a deep lunge for about two minutes and my leg burns too much. I'm really hoping that will get better with time, because it's really disappointing to have to come out of a yoga pose!

Depending on how well I do at the end of the 90 days with the Yoga, I might join a yoga class in the city. I can see how it builds strength and tone, which is what I want, and it helps with flexibility, too. Speaking of flexibility, I can do my standing hamstring stretch now with my palms on the floor (!!!), and I can touch both toes sitting down!! I was something like five or six inches away when I first started P90X, and now I can reach past my toes! I'm SO excited about this!

Also along those lines, today is X Stretch day, which I'm looking forward to. I'll be back later today to post about that!

P.S. Phase Two is almost here...!

I can reach further than he can! :)