Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message Bible)

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

Friday, August 29, 2008

I'm no stranger to the pain....

I have had this song "I'm no stranger to the rain--so is it any wonder lightning strikes me?" stuck in my head for the past 3 days. Do ya'll know that one? Well, when I hear it in my head, I hear, "I'm no stranger to the pain". Gee Whiz...I don't exercise for 5 days and then all of a sudden I start back and WHAM! the soreness that I felt in the very, very beginning is BACK! My whole body aches. First it was my upper body from doing Chest & Back on Wednesday...then I did Plyo yesterday and my legs are killing me...now today...Shoulders and Arms and already I can feel my biceps and triceps aching. I guess I can look at the positive--if it's hurting, I must be working hard and doing something right! YOUCH!

R2-Day 3

Well, I've decided to do the P90X Doubles version this round instead of the classic. I've come to the conclusion that I am building more muscle mass than I really want and not burning enough fat. With the "doubles" version, I'll be adding in a lot more cardio and I am going to try to do more reps with a lower weight during the weight training. Previously, I was using 10's, 15's and some 20's for the upper body work...but this time I am going to try to limit myself to mostly 10's for arms and legs and 15's only for the back exercises. If I move a little faster than the people on the video, I should be able to get a few extra reps in on each set. That's my goal anyway.
That being said, I was a little disappointed when I turned to the "doubles" schedule in the back of the guide and saw that the first month of "doubles" is identical to the first month of "classic." Oh well, I'm sure the people at Beach Body know what they're doing. I figure if I have extra energy, I'll just jump on the elliptical machine that I just HAD to have and burn some extra calories that way.
So...today I'm very proud of how I've eaten. I had 1 1/2 c. of raisin bran with skim milk for breakfast.
A few hours later I had 2 tbsp. of organic, 100% natural peanut butter. YUM!
For lunch, just now, I had a cereal bowl size salad with carrots, peppers, tomatos, cucumber, cauliflower, egg and grilled chicken with 2 tbsp. Light Ranch; 5 low-fat Ritz crackers and a small serving of fresh green beans.
I did Shoulders and Arms this morning along with Ab Ripper X and LOVED every minute of it. Love the shoulders, biceps, triceps!
Now I'm all showered and sitting down to do my work (for the dr. office). Tonight we are going to a family fun night at church and I'm looking forward to just chillin with my peeps. The only negative: the food. It's gonna be pizza, chips, cokes and desserts for all! AUGH! I made a HUGE salad to bring with me though (and a pan of low-fat brownies) so at least I'll have something healthy to eat! Now if I can just keep my fingers from wandering....:o)
How are all the rest of you doing? Kandy, Candy, Kate, Tori??? I wanna hear from you every day (if possible) so we can keep encouraging each other!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

R2-Day 2

Well, for the most part, today was a sucessful day. I ate healthy for breakfast and lunch. Then my neice (who is just 5 years younger than me) and I laid out by the pool for an hour or so before I came in and did Plyo X (and burned 317 cal). Apparently in the past month, I've completely lost my tan becuase I got BURNT today! It's all good though...I'd rather be red than white. Eventually it'll turn brown. (I know, that's bad for my skin...:o()
Anyway, I knew I needed to get Plyo in early because we had plans to go out for Mexican for dinner tonight and that's always a tough one. I have no problem ordering something healthy--it's the chips and salsa that "kill" me. I think I did reasonably okay tonight though. I ordered a small bowl of tortilla soup as my entree...but I did probably half of a basket of chips with salsa. Eeek! At least I didn't eat 2 baskets full--which is what I used to do! Also, no dessert for me--just a stick of gum. Now its time for bed.....ahhhh! My favorite time of the day!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Well, there ya have it!

Spoken by my husband on the phone 2 minutes ago...."You just eat too much."
He's right though. I do. I eat good foods...healthy foods...but a LOT of food! I can EASILY eat as much as he does at a meal, sometimes more. I also work out more, which is probably why I weigh less. Anyway, I really do think this is my "golden key". The thing that is going to make me or break me. I have to learn to start eating smaller servings. Just because it's healthy-doesn't mean I can have bottomless portions--even of salad!
--{big sigh}--
This is gonna be tough.....
but at least I'm facing the truth and not playing dumb anymore.
But how are you supposed to know how much is enough? I don't stuff myself when I eat...I just eat till I'm full. Apparently I should eat till I'm almost full and give my stomach an opportunity to shrink or something.
I am so NOT looking forward to this....

**My new SHORT TERM goal is to be at 130 by the time I leave for vacation in 2 weeks. That means 5 pounds in 15 days! YEEK! That's gonna require some VERY strict eating habits and NO cheat days...but I know I can do it! Kandy, Candy and Kate---hold me to it girls!

R2-Day 1

Week 1, Day 1-Round 2.
I wasn't going to post daily this time like I did last time...BUT...I've discovered that doing it REALLY helps keep me on track---so here I am again. I don't blame you if you don't read it though..I know it's mostly boring stuff. Anyway, I realized that 90 days from today is Thanksgiving Day...which means that if I stick with this and really DO do it EVERY single DAY for the next 90 days...that I'll be done ON Thanksgiving day!! I know it is unrealistic to do P90X every single day because I am going on vacation in 2 weeks and the likelihood that I'll do an actual work out is just slim to zero...but I will commit to getting in some kind of exercise EVERY day for the next 90 days. Even if that means that at 11 o'clock at night when I'm dog tired and all I want to do is drop into bed--if I haven't worked out, then I will get up and do SOMEthing. Maybe just 30 push ups and some crunches...maybe 20 minutes on the ellipitical..whatever. I am going to aim for P90X as many days as I can though.
So, I started today off well.
So far, I've had 1 1/2 c. of raisin bran with skim milk for breakfast.
Chicken Salad (from nutrition guide Phase 1) with Kashi crackers for lunch w/ 2 strawberris and a few champagne grapes
and for dinner we are having the Cerveza Grilled Chicken (from the nutrition guide).
I just did Chest & Back and Ab Ripper X and now I'm off to lay out in the sun for a few minutes before it's time to go pick the kiddos up from school.
Ahhhhh....life is good!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Before & After Pictures-P90X-Round One

Okay, so...I figured it up and it ended up taking quite a bit more than 90 days for us to complete this program. We started on April 28, 2008 and ended on August 21, 2008. I ONLY counted the days we actually did the work outs...which is why it took longer.
As for the pictures and our results...I am disappointed. I mean, we definitely made some progress...but nothing like we had anticipated. However, we also did not do the program nearly as strictly as we had planned either.
In all...Matt lost 26 pounds. He started at 200 lbs. and is now at 174. I lost 12 pounds. I started at 147 and am currently at 135.
We can NOT find our "before" measurements...but I am going to take our "after" measurements tonight.
I also do NOT like what we chose to wear for these pics. That bikini is not very flattering and those shorts are way too long and frumpy for Matt. Next time we will wear something a little better. BTW...here's a hint to you girls who have a hard time bathing suit shopping: Even though a larger panel on the bottom covers more...you really should look for something that is in the V shape and not the boy-short look unless you are super dooper tiny and shapely. The V shape gives you a waist and legs...but the flat panel across your butt and tummy just makes you look wide and shapeless. I figured that out AFTER I bought this ridiculously expensive suit...but from now on, the rest will be the kind with skinny strings or ties at the sides (hips).
BTW: In the title of this post I said "Round One" because we are starting the program again today!!! (together!!) HOORAY! I am really ready to do it again and be looking even better by Thanksgiving!! 125...here I come!!! Matt's not wanting to lose any more weight but his hopes are that by the end of the program this time, he'll be a lot more cut and defined in his abs, back and arms.


Oh and one final disclaimer: We both look awful in these pictures! The "before" pictures wer right after we had gotten out of the pool and we were all wet. The "after" pictures were taken after our work out (my 3rd one of the day) and we were all sweaty and gross. ICK! Next time I will definitely fix my hair and do my make up AT LEAST for the "after" pictures! ha ha

Front View

Here we are from the front. I think you can really tell a difference in our faces.







Side View

Here we are from the side.

Back View

Here we are from the back.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Day 90

It Is Finished!
I thought it would never get here...but it has finally arrived! I did my LAST P90X workout (for this round of P90X) this afternoon! I chose to finish off with Core Synergestics. I love that work out!
Tonight, hopefully, I will take my final measurements, do my "after" pictures and get my FINAL weight.
Check back soon for the results and MAYBE, if I'm really super brave (and the changes are noticable), I might post my before and after pics. Eeeek!

BONUS ROUND:
Matt came hom from work and (get this!!) wanted to do a work out!!! Ha ha...that IS just like him. He decided he wanted to start going to the gym on the VERY DAY our gym membership expired and now, on my 90th--LAST--day of P90X, he wants to start doing the work outs again! Hmm.....what's up with that? ha ha
Anyway, no way was I going to let him get a work out in without me...so together we did Chest, Shoulders & Triceps AND Ab Ripper!!
Then we did our after pictures!
I have to say..........I am disappointed. The changes aren't that noticable in the pictures (although I think they are better in real life). I mean--you can tell a little bit...but not NEARLY as much as we were expecting. Anyway, I'll probably post them for you to all see tomorrow--and then you can tell me what you think!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Day 89

Whew! I am blogging early today because I hope to not come back to my computer for the rest of the day! I just finished Legs & Back and Ab Ripper X and an extra little 13 minutes on the elliptical (as a cardio warm up). According to my HRM, I burned 377 cal. on the DVD work outs. As for the elliptical..that thing is crazy. It said I burned 243 calories in that 13 minutes I was on there. Ya Right! I wish! I used to think that was true and accurate...but now that I have the HRM, I pretty much know that is impossible. Yes, I was working hard and doing intervals and using the steepest incline I could handle...but still...at that rate, I would have burned 1000 cal. in an hour. Oh if only it were true! I figure it was more like 100 cal. really.
Anyway, I've done pretty good on my eating so far today. For breakfast, 2 egg whites with FF mozerella cheese, 1 WW toast and 8 oz. skim milk and 2 slices of apple. For mid morning snack/lunch: 1 c. Raisin bran w/ skim milk. So far..that's all I've had today, but I think I will mix up a glass of the P90X recovery drink and call it good for now. I'm ready to get in the shower! Feeling really shakey and dizzy today...could hardly keep my balance during the leg moves.
I think I am going to make my new weight "goal" to weigh what it says on my drivers licence! 125. I am at 136 right now..so 11 pounds isn't too crazy. Who knows when I might get there...but hey, I HAVE to have a goal to aim for or I lose my drive. I guess if I ever do get "skinny" enough, then I'll have to start making goals for muscle definition...but right now, I'd still like to loose all the extra flab.
And just for the record (because it's been bugging me)...yesterday I said my thighs were "solid muscle". I don't really mean that. They still have their fair share of flab...they are just very musclar for the average woman, I think. Don't want anyone to think I think I've "arrived"(at perfection)!!
Oh and YIPPEEE!!!!! TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!! DAY 90! DAY NINETY! I can hardly believe it!! TIME FOR "AFTER" PHOTOS!!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Day 88

So...unintentionally, I skipped a few days. I don't know if I am EVER gonna get this 90 days done! ha ha
I didn't get in any kind of work out on Sunday...but with church that morning and then the ice cream social that night, I just couldn't seem to fit it in. Then on Monday I spent literally ALL day cleaning house, washing laundry, the sheets on all the beds....by the time I was done with dinner dishes, I was just ready to sit down finally.
Today I almost missed my work out again...but I MADE myself do it before I cooked dinner so I could get it out of the way. I did Cardio X. I pushed hard and my HRM was beeping at me that my HR was too high...but still, I only burned 217 calories!! UGH!
Anyway, after dinner (turkey spagetti with whole wheat noodles and light ceasar salad pizza - YUM!) I hopped in the shower and then Mom and I made a quick run into town. We split up and she went to Bed, Bath & Beyond while I went in Old Navy and tried to stock up on some jeans/winter clothes for the kids while they are having their "Stuff and Save" sale (20% off). I ended up getting Brooklyn 2 pairs of jeans, 1 pair of yoga pants and a shirt, Grant 2 long-sleeved polo shirts and Matt 2 t-shirts all for $60. Not too shabby! I was bummed that I didn't get anything for ME...but buying clothes for myself right now is EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING! I am too small for a size 8 (which is what everything I own is) but yet a size 6 doesn't seem to fit right either. I think its my thighs actually. They are big. Solid muscle...but big. Most of the pants I try on fit me fine in the waist and the butt but then they get skin tight on my thighs. Ugh! I don't know what to do about that. Do I work my legs MORE and try to lean up? Or do I work them less and try to de-bulk?
If anyone has a suggestion for me on this, I would GREATLY appreciate it. As it stands right now, I really don't have a single pair of pants that I feel like fit me well. My 8's are all quite baggy in the bum...
(oh what a wonderful problem to have though!!!)

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Day 87

As usual on Saturdays (here lately) I slept in today (until 8:30 am!) and it felt Grrrrreat! Then it was up to cook a big breakfast (as usual for Saturdays). I made egg whites with ham, tomato, pepper and onion mixed in, french toast (whole wheat, of course!) and turkey bacon. It was YUM!!!
After that I did Shoulders & Arms and Ab Ripper. I LOVE that work out!!! It's probably one of my very favorite ones. I doubt its a very big calorie burner (I didn't wear my HRM) but still...it feels SO good to get such a pump going on in my biceps and triceps!
After a shower, me and my mom headed to town to do a little shopping. Actually...she wanted to go to JCP but I just wanted to (Finally) use my $50 gift card to Whole Foods. I can't believe how much I LOVED that store!! I don't care if it is expensive...I have to make a point to go there at least once every couple of months to splurge on some specialty items. I got veggie chips and fruit chips that are AMAZING! Also, the produce is picture perfect! Every single thing I bought was incredible (and I tasted almost every single thing on my way home! HA HA) I even got to "make" my own peanut butter!! You actually put the nuts in a grinder and push the button and out comes your peanut butter! I did "honey roasted peanuts" and I guarantee you--that is the best peanut butter I have EVER tasted!!
Anyway, I did AWFUL on my eating tonight. After sampling everything from the store, then we went to El Chico and I got Chicken Tortilla Soup....got very full. Then after that, I came home and ate a cookie from the WF store! Yikes! I am so stuffed right now and I'm fixing to go to bed. Bad, Bad!!
At least tomorrow is a new day--and an opportunity for me to do better. Although, I should mention that it is going to be quite a challenge because tomorrow night is the Ice Cream Social at our church and Matt and I are signed up to scoop ice cream for about 2 hours!! How am I going to resist? :o)

Friday, August 15, 2008

Day 86

Today was Plyo. Not my fav...but a good workout nonetheless. I got it done early so I could get my shower and get busy doing my "real" work during the afternoon (while both kids are at school). Did really good with my eating until after dinner when I ate 1 1/2 peices of banana nut bread. Eeeek!! I felt so bloated and gross afterwards. Grrr...why do I do that kind of stuff?

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Day 85

Well, I had a GREAT work out today. I started with 20 minutes interval training on the elliptical machine. Then I did Chest & Back and then Ab Ripper. It was a HARD hour and 45 minutes of working out, but in the end, I felt TERRIFIC!
Everything was going great (eating) until tonight! We went to Mazzios for dinner and I had 3 peices of the Lucky 7 pizza (@ 160 cal. each) and a bowl of salad. THEN on top of THAT...we went to Braums afterwards for dessert and I got a Jr. (kids) cone of their low-fat cappichino chunky chocolate frozen yogurt! YUM!
I feel like I wasted all the good I did on exercise by eating all that....but I guess it's better than if I hadn't exercised at all and STILL had eaten it all.
Anyway, today was a $1,000 day in WOWY and I fully expect to find out tomorrow that I won!

Just a thought...

I wonder how much more weight we could lift if someone fooled us? I'd love to get my hands on a set of 25 pound dumbbells that are labeled "15 pounds"!!!
I know that I would probably push myself harder if I thought I was struggling with 15 pounders. One thing is for sure..whatever weight the girls in the videos are using---you better believe I am using AT LEAST that heavy or heavier. No way am I going to let THEM outdo ME! ha ha (gosh, when did I become so competative??)
For hubby, I'd like to order a set of 35 pounders---labeled 25 lbs. I bet he'd do it without any problem at all..even though if you asked him right now..he'd say "that's too much weight."
I think we all underestimate our abilities....
Of course, if you're not wanting to build muscle mass...then this would NOT be a plus for you!
Maybe 10 pounders labeled "15 lbs" would be the better "joke" for those trying to lean out instead of build up.
Anyway...just a thought....

Banana Nut Bread

I can't remember if I posted this before or not...but I don't think so. This is one of my favorite recipes because I am always having bananas turn brown and I almost always have all the other ingredients on hand--so I can make it very quickly and easily. Plus, it is pretty low-cal and low-fat, I think. I just made some last night and had a peice about 15 minutes ago. YUMMY!

Banana Nut Bread
1/2 c. light butter or margarine
1/4. c. brown sugar
1 egg
3 ripe bananas
1/4 c. light sour cream (or plain low-fat yogurt)
1 1/2 c. wheat flour (or you can use white..but I use wheat)
1 tsp. baking soda (must have this!)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. chopped walnuts (or however many you have...whatever kind you have)
1 tbsp. Powdered Fructose--optional. The recipe doesn't actually call for this...but since I happen to have it on hand and I wanted my bread to be a teensy bit sweeter---I add it in.

Directions:
Mix first 5 ingredients in a bowl, then add dry ingredients. Lastly mix in nuts. Spray loaf pan with Pam and put in batter. I like to sprinkle a little cinnamon/sugar mixture on the very top--just lightly--to give it sort of a sweet crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Then remove, cover with foil and bake another 15-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
I also like to keep mine in the fridge...as I think it tastes better cold.
Lastly, you don't have to use "light" products...I just like to do anything I can to take out some of the fat and calories.

Enjoy!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Day 83 and 84

I am so ready to get this "90 days" over with. It feels like it is never going to come to a close.
Anyway, yesterday (Day 83) I put on my work out clothes at 8 pm. I had great intentions, even logged onto WOWY and put the DVD in the player and it was sitting there just waiting for me to push play. However, I got busy on the phone with my SIL planning and booking our vacation for next month and the next thing I knew, it was after 9 pm!! I told her to call me when they needed me but that I was going to work out. I got 11 minutes done before I had to quit for a few minutes. Then another 10 minutes done before the next interruption and then finally another 11 minutes before I finally just said Forget It and turned it off. I decided to just put it up (Kenpo) and just do Ab Ripper instead. Well, I got 9 minutes of that out of the way before I had to stop that one and get back on the computer...so I just put it all away for the night. I ended up burning 202 calories total. (blah!)
Today, (day 84), was a busy day. The kids had gymnastics this morning, then I had to run some errands and then we went to their school to "meet the teachers". After that it was home where the kids swam while I push mowed the back and front yard. Then in for a shower, cooked dinner, washed dishes, got kids ready for their first day of school tomorrow, read them stories, tucked them in and now here I am--in my bed at 9:48! WOW! That is SUPER DOOPER early for me! I am not one bit tired...but I am glad to be finally sitting down and not up on my feet. Bummer that I didn't get a P90X work out in today...but I know I burned a good # of calories while mowing.
Tomorrow with the kids back in school, I think it will be easier to get my work outs in and get into a real routine. Yay! I love my routines!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Day 82

Monday = Cleaning day at the Jones house. And man did it need a good cleaning!! With all this sand and now the damp weather, there is grass and sand and dirt everywhere. Ick! I canNOT stand to walk on my tile floor and have stuff sticking to the bottoms of my feet! Thank God for the Swiffer vaccuum. I use that thing daily out here!
Anyway, after a good cleaning, I changed into my work out clothes and knocked out Back & Legs. Burned 293 calories on that one. All those pull ups and chin ups really got my heart rate up high. My little alarm on my HRM was going off every time.
Anyway, it was a great day and I'm feeling like I am really ready for this to be over so I can start again...Fresh. Back to Phase 1 eating plan (when I lost all my weight!) If I can do it again and lose another 12 pounds, I'll be back to my high school weight! Yay! I know that's a big goal...probably a little unrealistic..but not unattainable. (right Kandy!? Look at you!!)
Ps. Candy, how do you feel that I described the P90X program on my last post? Would you say anything different?

P90X: Gets 2 Thumbs Up!

Hey Deb--and anyone else interested in whether or not I would recommend P90X,
Here are some of my final thoughts on the program.

You WILL get results. There's no "if's" about it. As long as you follow the exercise plan and eat as outlined in the nutritional guide...I would be confident in saying you will absolutely get tremendous results.

Here's the "catch": It takes time. Lots of time. Time to look at the meal plans, time to shop for the foods, time to COOK all the recipes. The work outs are lengthy (most are an hour and 15 min).

I would say if you have small children and a super busy life...you are going to struggle with the food side of this program. Chances are, unless your kids are EASY-eaters...they are going to hate most of the stuff you are eating..which means you'll be #1: either cooking 2 things for every meal or #2: Fighting with your kids at every meal and practically shoving food down their throat.

Also, if you have a spouse who is willing to do it with you...that is a significant advantage. I have done it both ways. For the first about 50 days...Matt was TOTALLY on board and we were a team. If one of us was having a tough day, the other one could help pull them through. At around the day 50 point, Matt worked a bunch of overtime for about 2 weeks and missed all the work outs. For some reason, he pretty much gave up on the work outs from then on and suddenly it became MUCH harder for me to get motivated. I found myself skipping a day or two at a time almost every week.

Also, this is not a program for people who are just easy-going, mediocre people. This is for people who are DRIVEN. Who know what they want and are going to do what it takes to get it. I mean--you have to REALLY want it. It's HARD core. It's relentless. Even on days when you're so sore you can hardly walk...you have to put on your gym clothes and Bring It. It is for people who are already physically fit and are just looking to take their fitness and bodies to the next level. You need to be in good shape before even attempting this program, or you'll likely fail. Just to give you an example, on the Chest, Shoulders and Triceps work out...you pretty much do an entire HOUR of push ups. You'd never guess how many kinds of push ups there are!! When I started out, I could easily drop down and do 20 boy push ups without a break. Now I could probably do 30-40.

Here are some of the AWESOME pluses about this program: You can do it at home and it requires VERY little space!! No fancy or expensive equipment needed! No fancy, choreographed moves to learn--it's all BASIC and a lot of body resistance. You can do it at any time of the day--when it's convenient for you (unlike a class at the gym). There is a wonderful online support system at www.beachbody.com that will give you lots of recipe/cooking ideas and support. You don't have to go out and buy cute gym clothes--since no one will be seeing you! You get unbelievable results in a SHORT amount of time.

In all, I would say P90X is the absolute BEST fitness/nutrition program I have ever encountered. It will be my way of life from now on. There is no guesswork anymore. No--"I wonder if I am getting enough cardio in?" or "I wonder if I am doing enough weights--or the right weights?" No--"I wish I knew what kinds of food to eat and how much of it."
It's all spelled out for you--plain and simple. You just have to make up your mind that you are going to do it. Period. If a recipe calls for something you've never heard of..you just go to the store, ask where it is and buy it. If you can follow instructions, you can make these recipes and you CAN eat the food. Just remind yourself: Food is fuel. Food is not entertainment. Food is not your friend. Food is not the love of your life. Food is just something you give your body so it can function. And with the right food--your body will function better than you can imagine!

90 days is going to come and go before you realize it anyway. Thanksgiving is only a little over 90 days away! Christmas is just around the corner. As we all know, these things creep up and are here before we realize it every year...just think...this year...when Thanksgiving gets here--you could have a totally new body!!

As for my results:
At this point (and I am 9 days from being done)..I have lost 12 pounds. Matt has lost 26. We both are MUCH more toned and lean than we were. His top half (shoulders, chest, back) have grown significantly. When we started out, he could do about 10 chin ups. The other day he hopped up there and did 36!!!
We haven't done our measurements yet or our after pictures...but check back next week to see the final results!
I think we could have had double these results if we had stuck to the plan 100%. I would say I stuck to it about 80% and Matt did it about 60% of the time. He lost more weight because he DRASTICALLY changed his eating habits. If he had continued on with the work outs though, I think his muscles would be significantly more "cut".
We DEFINITELY plan on starting this program again very soon!!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Day 81

Well, despite a major lack of energy, I pushed myself to do Cardio X and Ab Ripper this afternoon. And, as usual, I felt WAY better afterwards...much more energized. Just wish it wasn't so hard to get going sometimes.

Anyhow, eating today wasn't terrific...but for a Saturday, not too bad either. I made a big, yummy breakfast this morning and then we grilled steak & shrimp for lunch/dinner. It was a fun day and I just hope that I will be as dedicated tomorrow! Hope ya'lls Saturday was great!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Gettin' Skippy

okay, okay, I am having a couple more skip days. I SOOOO didn't want to do this...but the reality is--something else was more important. Yesterday it was my pictures...and today it was my family. Since I was having pictures taken yesterday, I did get some exercise in. I worked on what Tony likes to call the "glamour muscles". (biceps, abs, butt, hamstrings) It was all gonna be showin in the pics...so I had to get a little pump going. Plus, my abs look so much better after Ab Ripper--so I did most of that--minus the killer mason twists.
Anyhow, I starved myself yesterday--literally. All I had all day was a bowl of raisin bran at 8 am. Then, finally, after the photoshoot, I went to Applebees with my girlfriends and shared some chips & queso. Amazingly, by that point (8 pm) I wasn't even hungry anymore. Guess I had gotten past the hungry point. Anyway, today, I really don't have a good excuse. I worked (for dr. office) all morning long and then jumped up from my desk and did a marathon Wal-Mart trip. THREE hours at the grocery store!!!! Incredibly, I only spent $166! We were practically out of everything, so I expected a big bill. Sad when you think $166 sounds low! ha ha
Okay, so tomorrow will be back on track again. We rented a movie for tonight called "Never Back Down" and I am really looking forward to watching it. Ciao!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Day 80

Wow, I can't believe I'm typing Day 80!! 10 more days!! Wow~!
Had another great day today! Did Back & Biceps and Ab Ripper this afternoon. Didn't eat super-dooper healthy. Well, actually I did great except for dinner. I had a bowl of cereal for dinner (at 4:30 pm) and then another bowl around 9:45 pm. Not great, I know...but I was CRAVING raisin bran like BADDD!!!
Tomorrow is the big day...my pictures. I am feeling great about everything though. My body is in the best shape it's ever been, I am as tan as I can get (without going to a tanning bed), my toenails look fabulous, my hair is high-lighted, my outfits are picked out and ready...the only thing left to conquer is the facial expression! AUGH! I am NO GOOD at serious faces. I can do 2 faces. Big smile and Big Kiss face. That's about it. My serious faces look like I'm either constipated or depressed! ha ha. I'm going to try to study some Victoria Secret ads during the next 24 hours and get some ideas. Wish me luck!!!.........

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Day 79

Well, it took every ounce of determination I could muster up, but I got my butt in gear and did Plyo tonight. Man, I really dread that work out. All day I've been thinking "ughhh...plyo tonight". Then after dinner and relaxing for a bit, the LAST thing on EARTH I wanted to do was go put on my work out clothes and jump around for a full hour...but I just CAN'T not do it anymore. I AM going to finish and I AM going to finish STRONG!
I ate very well today and I am proud of that. I resisted the urge to splurge on anything unhealthy (other than a couple of Doritos at lunch). For dinner tonight I made the oven-baked crunchy chicken recipe from the nutrition guide with some fresh green beans and carrots and natural-organic applesauce. Then we each had a peice of my banana-nut bread. It is the best stuff. I wish I had a calorie count for this recipe. I know it can't be very bad though. The whole thing only has 1/4 c. of brown sugar in it. It also has 3 ripe bananas, wheat flour, walnuts, light sour cream (or plain non-fat yogurt), 1 egg, baking soda and I think that's all. It's a GREAT way to get rid of your brown bananas and have a special treat too!
I did wear my HRM tonight and calculated my calories for Plyo. I came up with 370. Not too bad. Also earlier today I hand-washed my van outside in the 105 degree heat and then cleaned out the whole insides of it too. I was sweating like a hog...so maybe that burned a few calories too!?!
I have my pictures on Thursday (my *special* ones) and I am hoping to look my best.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Day 78 - The final stretch

Okay, I have 12 more days left in this program and I plan to finish with a bang. That means that on Saturday, August 16, I will be DONE with P90X (the first round anyway).
I got a surprising phone call today--apparently the gym that I work out at 2-3 times a week and have been going to for over 4 years now has decided to remodel (which is very needed) but...that means that they are shutting down for the next 6 months!! To be fair, I guess I shouldn't say they are shutting down because technically they are still open if you want to use the treadmills or elliptical machines ---but as far as I am concerned, they might as well be closed. They have cancelled all group fitness (my classes), shut down the weight room as well as the childcare center. So, basically, I am paying for nothing for the next six months. They are allowing us to use their 3 other sister gyms in the area...but that is out of the question for me seeing as how I already drive 25 minutes to get to this gym and the other 3 are at LEAST an additional 10-20 minutes away.
So what does that mean?
That means that my elliptical machine at home will be getting lots more use---AND---that it will be time to start Round 2 of P90X again sooner than I thought!!
Tonight I did Chest, Shoulders & Triceps and Ab Ripper X. I am going to push myself to not take a single day off for the remaining 12 days--and to also eat as clean as possible.
I am excited about finishing...and excited to see what Round 2 of the X will bring!