P90X workouts are always a push to exhaustion – and the shoulders and arms workout is no different than the rest.  Since you are using smaller muscle groups in this workout, I don’t walk away from this workout completely drained all over.  My arms are definitely weak and shake – or kind-of quiver after the workout, but I do push myself really hard.  I am seeing a BIG improvement in my shoulders and biceps, which is keeping me motivated to continue to do the work to achieve even better results.  On the other hand, my triceps are really frustrating me!  As my daughter says, “You have Grandma’s arms,” as you can bet, that isn’t a good thing.  I have not been able to button the sleeves on the cute little cap sleeved shirts for years.  I either don’t buy that style of shirt or if I do buy it, I leave it unbuttoned.  I am convinced that someday the back of my arms will begin to respond and they will slim down.  I’m not giving up!  More Chair Dips here I come!!

The P90X Ab Ripper X is such a killer workout!  The goal with Ab Ripper X is to complete 25 reps of 11 different exercises.  We’re not talking about your standard crunches here either.  This entire workout engages your core muscles in a slightly different way than most people are used to.  I find myself grunting and puffing to complete each exercise and there are some I cannot fully complete yet, like the Fifer Scissor.  For that exercise you extend one leg skyward, while lifting the other leg off the floor only a few inches.  You hold this move for three seconds (until Tony counts) and then your switch legs – never letting either leg touch the floor.  You are engaging your entire abdominal region including your hip-flexors and lower back.  It is important to remind people to pull their abs in and blow air out while doing moves like this.  You’ve probably seen the people who allowed their stomach to push out during holding moves like the Fifer Scissor, which can create a ‘poochy’ or rounded abdominal region instead of the ideal flat tummy.   My stomach is almost flat now.  I am working on definition and losing the ‘muffin top’ I have sitting right above my hip bones.  That will come off with additional cardio work.

Throughout the years I have gone from SUPER fit to really out of shape, and I know my body and I know what it takes to get it where I want it to be.  That is why I am adding additional cardio workouts to my routine.  The P90X Fitness Guide has a version of this type of workout on page 26, called P90X Doubles.  It suggests waiting until you are finished with Phase 1 before adding the additional cardio.  With the help of my BodyBugg monitoring system and knowing my body well, I have started earlier.  My preferred form of cardio is kickboxing  and/or dance type workouts, so I have been doing Turbo Jam and Turbo Kick workouts at home.  I love it so much that I have decided to become a certified Turbo Kick instructor.  I completed my training and practical and written exam yesterday.  I will be practicing at home and with friends who are going to help me get better at cueing and leading the class.  I’ll be looking for a location to teach sometime in August.  I am really excited and a little nervous as I’ve never taught group exercise before.  Turbo Kick is so much fun though - I can’t wait to share it with others in my area!  I’ll keep you posted on how that goes for me.

In addition to the P90X Results & Recovery Formula (my 2nd favorite product next to Chocolate Shakeology!), I recently started adding a P90X Peak Performance Protein Bar as my mid-morning snack.  I have had the Cafe Mocha flavor and the Wildberry flavor.  These bars are dense, filling and easy to eat.  Have you ever had one of those other popular protein bars that you feel like you are going to rip a tooth out by trying to knaw off a bite?  Or how about the ones that are full of things like rice puffs – how satisfying is a bunch of puffed rice?  The Chocolate Peanut Butter P90X Peak Performance Protein Bar is 260 calories, 20 grams of protein and 31 grams of carbs.  After eating a bar – usually with my 2nd cup of coffee (something about chocolate and coffee just makes me happy), I feel satisfied and energized to kick it into gear for the rest of the day.

Next workout is P90X Yoga X (I skipped Legs & Back because I did an 8 hour Turbo Kick training instead – of which, about 3 hours or more was working out).  I am looking forward to the deep stretches and strength moves.

Let’s make greatness!

I am always looking for more people to help achieve their health and fitness goals.  If you order from me, I will be your personal Team Beachbody Coach.  I can help you choose the right fitness program for you and give you guidance and support on nutrition and lifestyle choices.  I LOVE to help people reach their goals!!  I have a great team of Beachbody Coaches across the United States that can help you as well.  Together Everyone Achieves More – TEAM! Let’s talk!