P90X Chest & Back, Ab Ripper X – This is the second week for this workout and I’d love to report how much ‘easier’ it was this time, but no – not going to happen.  I suppose any P90X workout could be made easier if you slacked, cheated, and didn’t care about achieving maximum results.  My thought is that if I’m going to put the time in to go through the routine, then I should push myself to get the maximum benefits out of it.  And I did.

After the first round of exercises I noticed the strap on my Bodybugg was tight from my bicep muscles being pumped from the workout.  I have also noticed after a really hard leg workout that my pant legs are tight – no, not like the Incredible Hulk tight, but tight enough that I notice it.  I just thought it worth mentioning because today’s workout was on chest, back and abs, not arms.  You can see that even though your primary focus is on other body parts, you are still engaging other muscles passively and getting a full body workout.

I wasn’t as strong today as I would have liked.  I know it’s a combination of things, but it was hard to not beat myself up for not accomplishing as much as I wanted to.  I do acknowlege that getting out of bed at 5:30am to do any physical activity is more (much more) than most people do and congratulate myself on completing yet another full P90X workout.

I wanted to share a recipe  that I love that I changed a little from the P90X Nutritional Plan:

Turkey Sausage Egg and cheese Scramble:

7 Egg Whites (if you are serious about the P90X thing and stick to the nutrional plan, I suggest buying egg whites in bulk over the internet. Sounds strange, but I did some research and found Healthy Egg Whites to be reasonably priced, with great customer service and fast shipping.  My egg whites came within a few days and they were still almost completely frozen when I got them.  Check them out, and if you order, please drop my name so I can save a little on my next order – Thanks!)

2  turkey sausage patties (approx. 80 calories each)

3 oz fat-free cheddar cheese

2 tsp fresh basil, chopped

1. Cook sausage according to package and then cut up in small pieces

2. Coat non-stick skillet with cooking spray and place over medium heat

3. Lightly beat egg whites with a fork and add to pan.  Cook, stirring, until halfway set.  Add the sausage and cheese and cook through.  Add salt and pepper to taste, garnish with basil and serve.  I also like to dap a little hot pepper sauce on top… yum!  This tastes so good – it’s filling and it’s completely healthy!

Tomorrow’s workout is, let me check… Oh geez – P90X Plyometrics!  Gotta get to bed early tonight!

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P90X Stretch X – Flexibility, the Fountain of Youth, according to Tony Horton.  Hey, who is this Tony Horton guy anyway?  I was wondering the same thing, so here is what I found out: Tony Horton is one of the world’s most respected (and motivational) fitness experts.  He is known for getting people in incredible shape fast. He’s most famous for creating such programs as the efficient 10-Minute Trainer®, the effective Power 90®, and the extreme P90X®.  What I know about Tony Horton is that he is in awesome shape and I think he’s funny in a quirky kind of way.  During the workouts he makes corny jokes and has silly little sayings, but they make me laugh.  Other people have told me Tony drives them crazy and they use the DVD option that mutes all of his talking except for the exercise instructions. I like people who are genuine and I see that in Tony. He doesn’t seem preoccupied with being perfect or portraying a certain image. I see him as a real person I would not be afraid of approaching if I saw him out in public.

Anyway, back to P90X Stretch X – I went into this routine late in the day with really sore hamstrings.  I listened to Tony’s Tip of the Day, which was to breathe through all of the movements and by focusing on my breathing and NOT on the uncomfortable (not painful) stretching movements, I was able to take my stretching deeper and find more flexibility.  While focusing on my breathing I was reminded of Eckhart Tolle’s book: A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, in which Eckhart teaches a technique for becoming centered – or in the “present” by focusing fully on your breathing.  If you were to focus 100% of your attention on breathing in and out, you are unable to think about anything else.  Your thoughts focus is on the breathing and everything else is blocked out.  That is a discipline many athletes and yoga enthusiasts have mastered.  I am working on it.   And, by the way, I woke up this morning with zero hamstring pain!

Next update: Week 2/Day 8 – Chest & Back and Ab Ripper X

If you are looking to get healthy, fit and happy and would like your own Beachbody coach or maybe you would like to be a Beachbody Coach yourself – I am here for you and would love to help – let’s talk!  For my contact information, click HERE.

P90X Kenop X is all about the cardio through self-defense moves.  It is an intense workout with kicks, blocks, punches, and squats.  The warm-up alone will get your heart rate up!  I happen to love, Love, LOVE kickboxing workouts, so this came in as my favorite workout of the week!  There is something in the power of the moves and knowing that what I’m doing is not only good for my health, it also gives me higher self-confidence.  I attacked this workout with a vengence and found myself blasting out the moves and yelling at Tony Horton – “Is that all you’ve got?”  I think I thought I was Warrior Princess there for a little bit!

This is the type of workout that will sneak up on you though.  I did Kenpo X yesterday and felt great after and then I woke up this morning…. my hamstrings and glutes were screaming!  Thank goodness we sat in the hot tub last night as I think I’d be hurting a lot worse today.  It probably didn’t help that I did an hour of Turbo Kick last night.   I’ve been up and moving and things are feeling much better – and I can even negotiate sitting gently without having to plop down.  You know, when you are sore and you go to sit down (or stand up) and you reach that certain angle in which your whole backside comes alive and puts the death grip on you?  Yep, that’s the sore I felt this morning.  It’s a good sore though.  I know I’m working my body and the results are going to be worth the discomfort now.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to drink the P90X Results & Rocovery Formula within an hour of your workouts!  You do not have to be doing P90X to enjoy the benefits of it.  Anyone who does a strenuous workout, whether it’s serious aerobic activity or resistance training will enjoy this after-workout refreshing orange flavored drink.  P90X Results & Recovery Formula ensures speedy muscle repair with four parts carbs to one part protein, plus it includes the vitamins and antioxidants your body needs to refuel, re-energize, and reduce muscle soreness.  For a free sample of P90X Results & Recovery Formula and more information about Beachbody fitness and nutritional products, click HERE.

I am glad some of the coaches on my team and customers are going through P90X at the same time.  It helps to compare notes and share this journey with others!  If you are looking to get healthy, fit and happy and would like your own coach or maybe you would like to be a Beachbody Coach yourself – I am here for you and would love to help – let’s talk!  For my contact information, click HERE.

Quick reminder as to why it is important to remember that the scale is not always the most accurate measurement device when you are on an exercises or fitness program.

Musle weighs more than fat.  Fat takes up more space than muscle.

If you are doing a fitness routine that includes resistance training like Beachbody’s ChaLEAN Extreme or P90X, consider ditching the scale in favor of using an old fashioned measuring tape and use the scale only occassionally.  As you build muscle and burn fat, you may actually gain weight, but your body size will be smaller and more toned.  You can see that fat has a rippled and dimply surface that jiggles when you shake it – which shows underneath your skin.  On the other hand, muscle has a smooth, taught surface that does not wiggle and creates a much more appealing look.

I am an example of someone who should avoid the scale.  Overall, I have lost over 19 inches and yet I’ve only lost approximately 10 pounds.  I have gone down from a size 14 to an 8/10.  For the person only relying on the scale, this would be frustrating.  Thankfully, I learned a long time ago to record my body measurements and not focus solely on the scale.

Keep the big picture in mind – focus on how you feel and how how your clothes fit and never, never quit!

More to come on how diets alone (without an exercise program) do not work and how to naturally burn more calories even while you are sleeping!

So, at the end of this workout, while I stood on wobbly legs, I asked myself, “Are these tears of pride or tears of pain?!”  Seriously – there were tears.  I do think it was pride as I pushed hard through this workout and at about 3/4 the way through, my second wind kicked in and I finished STRONG!

The P90X Legs & Back workout is described as the Top-to-Bottom Resistance Calorie Burner.  This is a full leg blasting workout with several pull-ups added in.  The time for the pull-ups is supposed to give your legs a break – and I must admit, I did appreciate the break as my ‘Jello Jiggler’ legs carried me to my bedroom where I have my pull-up bar installed.  The only place the pull-up bar would fit is in the doorway between our master bedroom and bathroom and it turns out to be the best place for it.  I am able to watch myself in the mirror while I strain to pull myself up.  I can see my form and the best part is I can also see the muscles working.  I find it motivating to see the definition in my arms and chest beginning to show when I’m working out.  I can’t wait for the definition to show the other 22 (or so) hours of the day!

The largest muscles in your body are in your legs and any workout focused on the legs is generally going to take a lot more out of you than using smaller muscles groups like your arms.  If you keep up with the pace of this workout, you will sweat and you will feel the burn.  It’s that good burn that tells you your body is working hard.  Focus on your breathing through those “I want to quit” moments and short breaks if you need to.  As Tony says, “Do your best and forget the rest.”

I followed today’s workout with a yummy P90X Results & Rocovery Formula drink, a hot shower, breakfast and a 1.5 hour massage.  Tomorrow is P90X Kenpo X.  I’m looking forward to it!

Did you catch my Shakeology recipe from yesterday?  Check it out – Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup

If you are looking to get healthy, fit and happy and would like your own coach or maybe you would like to be a Beachbody Coach yourself – I am here for you – let’s talk!  For my contact information, click HERE.