Recovery: 30-Day Shred Level I

Well, my "real" recovery lasted about 2 days before I started feeling guilty about not working out (I kept hearing Tony's voice in my head, talking about getting old and eating Krispy Kremes). So, I popped in Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred video today, just to get a quick but thorough workout. I worked out to this video for a while before P90X and I found it pretty intense, though short.

The good news: it's still intense, mostly because Jillian doesn't allow ANY rest between exercises, so you're going all out for 20 mins. The bad news: it's basically glorified cardio, and that is lame. Seriously, chest flys with 3lb dumbbells? Bicep curls with 3lb dumbbells? And all the while Jillian promising that you'll get ripped if you doing this every day? Please. I really feel sorry for all the fat Hausfraus out there who believe that if they just do this video for 20 mins a day, they'll end up looking like Jillian. If there's one thing I've learned from P90X, it's that that level of muscularity and fitness takes heavy weight, HARD work, and a lot of it.

I also firmly believe that it's possible to be extremely fit even when you're not at your ideal weight. While P90X Lean has nothing on the Classic program, I do think you need to be pretty fit to finish it, and I finished it even though I'm a good 20 (or even 30) pounds above what I would consider my ideal weight. The Husband is probably more like 40 or 50 pounds above what he'd prefer and he finished it (sort of) too. I have never thought exercise was a good way to lose weight, and after doing this, I believe that more than ever.

Day 98: Fit Test

HALLELUJAH!!!!!! I finished P90X Lean!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, enough self-congratulating. I do feel a sense of accomplishment, but I'm very disappointed at my lack of weight loss over the last 3 months. I'm still hovering right around the 3 lbs lost mark, which is completely ridiculous, given that on Atkins it's not unusual to lose 3 lbs a week. But I digress. Today is all about my fit test results!

I did some googling but was unable to find out if there's an "expected" level of improvement upon completion of P90X, so I don't really have a benchmark by which to measure my performance. Nevertheless, I'm pretty happy. I still can't do a pullup, but I added 3 inches to my vertical leap, doubled the amount of girly knee pushups I can do (12 at the beginning, 25 now) AND developed the ability to do 3 or 4 real pushups. I added 42 seconds to my wall squat time (112 seconds as opposed to 70 before) and I can now do 38 bicep curls with 10lbs instead of 18. I doubled my In & Outs as well, which was surprising since I really slacked off on Ab Ripper at the end. Cardio-wise, my resting heart rate hasn't changed but my recovery rate was MUCH better - after 4 mins of rest I was down to 84bpm as opposed to 98bpm when I started.

So, some good things. I will have The Husband take some pics and post them soon, although the visual results aren't really what I had hoped. I need to take measurements too. I am at a loss as to how to get the weight loss going, but that's not going to stop me from doing the Classic program - in a few weeks. I want some real recovery time, and I want to do another "pre-90X" week to adjust to Plyo a bit, because I don't want to lose the ability to walk. I wouldn't say I'm looking forward to Classic, but I am looking forward to the results!

Day 96: Core Synergistics

Well, I was right – I was SORE on Wednesday. So sore, in fact, that I not only skipped Stretch X (which I admittedly always skip), but I also skipped Yoga X or whatever I was supposed to do on Thursday. I felt like myself again today though (more or less), so I tackled my final round of Core Synergistics this morning.

Um, okay. I skipped Core entirely last week, but I have otherwise been quite faithful about doing it when scheduled and bringing it as much as possible, so I’m not quite sure why I still hate this workout and suck so badly at it. I admit I have made improvements, but I still can’t get through all of the reps of every exercise. Part of this is probably due to the fact that I’m adding weight where appropriate, so those exercises are becoming more taxing, but still. Annoying. I did do the reach-high-and-under pushups on my feet today like a real man, though, so that’s something. Thank Jeebus this workout doesn’t get done much in Classic, because I hate it. Hate.

Day 93: Cardio X

With my tail between my legs, I returned to the regular recovery week schedule today, although I had to do Cardio X instead of Core due to time constraints. I had a pretty good showing on Cardio X today, but OMFG are my legs sore. Also, I’m one of those people who always suffers worst two days after a rough workout, so I can only imagine how unpleasant tomorrow is going to be.

Day 92: Plyometrics

Ironically, Labor Day marks what would have been the end of P90X Lean if I hadn’t skipped a week, and because I did, marks the beginning of my final “recovery” week. The Husband declared Labor Day a work out free day, but he sort of fell off the wagon after we got back from eloping and hasn’t been sticking to the schedule at all. He promises to renew his commitment when we start Classic, though! Anyway, since I’m generally a contrary person, I decided to work out. However, Yoga X was on the schedule for today and I really wasn’t in the mood for the plinky-plunky music or 90 minutes of Tony, so I decided to give Plyo a try in preparation for starting Classic.

Well, let me just say that my recovery week is definitely going to involve recovery now – from Plyo. I think I did about one-third of this video, and that’s being generous. I was gasping for air by the end of the warm-up and ready to vomit by minute 30. OMFG. Also, big thanks to Tony for adding insult to injury by constantly telling us that if his buddy with one leg can do it, so can we. Um, fuck you, Tony. This video is ridiculous. I think the one-legged guy wants you dead too.

Day 88: Back and Biceps

I seem to be limping to the P90X finish line rather than sprinting as I had hoped. Got sidetracked by a little getaway to the country last weekend, and although I was very active while I was there (tons of swimming), I did end up skipping P90X on Monday of this week and starting Week 12 on Tuesday instead. My upper body is still screaming from Chest, Shoulders and Tris, which made Back and Biceps extra fun today. I had planned to double up and do Cardio X today as well (did Yoga X yesterday), but due to time constraints I couldn’t fit it in. Oh, and let’s not even talk about Ab Ripper X, because I haven’t done that in like three weeks. Argh. I’m starting to get a little bored of the Kenpo/Core/Yoga grind. I need something to motivate me or at least mix it up a bit. And that annoying Katie bitch on the Back and Biceps video didn't do it.

All of that said, today was my last weight workout of the Lean program and I do feel like I have made more gains in strength with P90X than with any other weight program I’ve ever done. I can look back on my spreadsheets and see TONS of progress from where I started. This morning I was able to control myself downward on pullups without assistance from my feet – that is huge (upward is going to take a lot more work, LOL). I can do a REAL pushup (actually, I can do a couple!). Despite skipping Ab Ripper, I’m able to complete Yoga Belly 7 with minimal swearing. I’m going to finish out the rest of the Lean program just so I can say I did it, but I’m looking forward to starting the Classic program in a couple of weeks – I can’t wait to see what Classic will do for me!

Day 82: Yoga X

It had been a while since I did Yoga X, given that I skipped it a couple of times even before my accidental week off, so I was a bit apprehensive this morning about how it might go. I skipped the plough shoulder stance and Yoga Belly 7 due to time constraints, but the rest of the workout was relatively easy (or maybe manageable is a better word). I’m starting to challenge myself by keeping my knees off the floor during upward dog, although the pushups in between asanas are still not happening. Maybe when I get to Classic. Then again, maybe not.

Day 81: Core Synergistics

So, I decided to face the music today and get on the scale. I spent our entire elopement weekend eating carne adovada burritos, chocolate croissants and pizza, so although I avoided Krispy Kreme (Tony’s true nemesis), I did my fair share of carbohydrate-related damage. Or so I thought. Despite having eaten the world last weekend, I am three lbs lighter than I was when I left and six lbs down overall. WTF? I think it proves my theory that if I’m going to lose weight while exercising like a mad woman, I need carbs. Atkins is great if you’re just sitting around on your couch – hell, I lost 60 lbs by being lazy and eating bacon. Wait. Remind me again why I’m exercising?

Anyway, Core was as annoying as ever tonight but I was able to add weight/reps where appropriate, so I guess that week off didn’t hurt me too much. I am seriously dreading Yoga X tomorrow, though.

Day 80: Kenpo X

More confessions – but at least I have a semi-decent excuse this time! The Fiancé became The Husband on Sunday! We took off for a little elopement vacation on Wednesday evening. I had the best of intentions regarding P90X and even took the videos with me, but we just didn’t find the time to workout while we were away. We got back late Monday, and were playing catch-up Tuesday, so since I had missed almost exactly a week of workouts, I decided to do a sort of re-start today (Wednesday) – I’ll be doing the three missed workouts from Thurs-Sat of last week (which was week 11), and then moving onto week 12. So, it’s going to be P97X for me!

Anyway, Kenpo X – it actually wasn’t too bad despite the week long break. My left hamstring wasn’t happy, but otherwise I did about as well as I usually do with this video. Core Synergistics may be more of a struggle tomorrow, we shall see.

Day 71: Shoulders and Arms

Okay, confession time – I fell off the bandwagon a bit last week. I felt like I really wasn’t recovering from my cold and all I wanted to do was sleep, so in addition to subbing a short and easy yoga video for Yoga X, I skipped Kenpo X entirely and waited until Sunday to do Core Synergistics, which gave me two full days off in a row (three if you count the day I half-assed yoga). Bad, bad P90Xer. Whatever. It seems to have worked, since I’m finally feeling halfway healthy again. I brought it to Shoulders and Arms this morning, too. I was bored by the idea of doing my usual 15 reps of everything, so I added a lot of weight, just to see what it was like to be exhausted at eight reps. Um, it’s painful! I’m seriously glad I’m not a dude, because that is not cool! No time for Ab Ripper X today, but I will try to fit it in tomorrow.

Day 67: Yoga (not X)

I woke up with a sinus headache AND screaming sore pecs and shoulders from yesterday’s marathon Chest, Shoulders and Tris workout, and I simply could not summon the mental energy to face Zen-Tony and the Yoga X minions. I wanted to get in some type of workout, though, so I decided to do one of my old favorite yoga videos, one that used to be a nice challenge for me. Heh. I am happy to report that my fitness level must have improved, because this workout was no longer a challenge in any way (except for stretching my sore hamstring). Better than skipping yoga altogether, though, I suppose.

Day 64: Back and Biceps

I was right, Chest, Shoulders and Tris just wasn’t happening today. So, The Fiancé and I went for our first run of Back and Biceps. Wow. There are a LOT of bicep exercises on this video (duh). My left arm in particular felt like Jello by the end. The Fiancé was in heaven and now keeps pulling up his shirt sleeves to show me his bulging arms. Pullups continue to suck but I did appreciate that there were quite a few non-pullup back exercises here, and I worked some back muscles that I hadn’t touched in previous workouts. Ab Ripper X? 283!!!!!!!!!!!! And that’s with a sore throat and head cold!

Day 63: Core Synergistics

Okay, so I’m sick AGAIN, thanks to The Fiancé AGAIN. Summer colds are the worst and this is my 2nd in 3 weeks. Unacceptable. That said, I really struggled with Core today and actually skipped the bonus round for the first time ever. I had to play fast and loose with the schedule this week due to time constraints and such – not sure if that had any impact on how FUCKING HARD Core was today or not. But it sucked. And given that I just did all the Core pushups today there’s no way I’m going to be doing the scheduled Chest, Shoulders and Tris video on Monday. Maybe I’ll flip it with Back and Biceps. Or maybe merciful death will take me before I have to do another Tony Horton workout with a headful of snot.

Day 60: Shoulders and Arms

Ah, Shoulders and Arms – how I’ve missed you! This continues to be my favorite workout in all of P90X. After a six week hiatus from it, I was curious to see how things would have changed, so I carefully consulted my worksheets before deciding on weights for today’s workout. Lo and behold, I was able to add weight on every exercise, and on the few where I didn’t add weight, I added reps. I also scored an all-time high of 272 on Ab Ripper X.

Unfortunately, I’m two months into a program called “Lean” and I still haven’t lost any significant weight – about three lbs, depending on the day. My clothes don’t seem to be any looser either, although they do look better – less lumpy softness underneath. Still, many women report that their biggest changes come in the last 30 days, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Knowing my body the way I do, though, I have a feeling that all this cardio is NOT helping with my weight loss. I am looking forward to starting the Classic program in a month in the hopes that the extra resistance workouts get things moving!

Day 57: Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X

First off, I have a confession to make: I skipped Yoga X on Saturday. And I don’t feel the least bit guilty! The Boyfriend became The Fiancé on Friday night and we had better things to do this weekend to celebrate. So suck it, Tony! I enjoyed the extra day of recovery and I think it might have actually helped my sore left hamstring. Not sure it helped me with Ab Ripper X though - I banged out 264 reps, 3 shy of my all-time high.

So, today was my first go at Chest and Back, and it was certainly a challenge. The under-the-fence pushups, OMFG. Not to mention the diamond pushups, decline pushups and military pushups. I soldiered through, but wasn’t able to do many reps of anything. I do feel that my pullup strength is improving – I did them with just one foot on the stool for most of the workout. Could just be that my squat strength is improving, though. Anyway, as difficult as the exercises themselves are, this video isn’t so bad – it’s only 50 minutes, there are multiple water breaks built in, and Tony and his new minions aren’t terribly annoying. I may hunt him down and punch him in the face if he says “Krispy Kreme” in one more video, though.

Day 52: Kenpo X

A relatively uneventful Kenpo session, although I did decide to get crazy and switch my feet (so I started with my right foot in front for all of the exercises instead of left as Tony instructs). Interestingly enough, it felt like a somewhat different workout and really showed me where some of my weaknesses are. I have always alternated my starting foot with Yoga X, mostly because he is inconsistent on the length of time he holds the different postures from side to side, but I didn’t think it would make much of a difference with Kenpo. It does, though. Try it!

In other news, we skimmed through the Back and Biceps and and Chest and Back videos in preparation for next week. It is truly astounding (not to mention annoying and a bit terrifying) how many different and torturous types of pushups he has managed to include in these videos. I’m glad to see some back exercises other than pullups, though, because I was feeling like I was getting a very incomplete back workout up to this point (due to my inability to do anything resembling a real pullup).

Day 50: Yoga X

Today marks the day that hell froze over: The Boyfriend FINALLY tried Yoga X! He has been gaining flexibility steadily over the past few weeks and is now feeling comfortable with the yoga section at the beginning of Cardio X. So, in an effort to be as awesome a Tony Horton groupie as I am, he figured he should give Yoga X a go.

Now, if you ask him, Yoga X was pure torture, he was terrible at it and he’s never doing it again. However, he actually did a very good job for a first timer – he was able to do more than I expected, and with better form. He didn’t start saying “you have got to be fucking shitting me” until we got to the under-the-thigh move in the right angle pose series, which I thought was pretty impressive. He didn’t even attempt Warrior III or Half-Moon, though – not that I blame him. He also refused to do Yoga Belly 7, the shoulder stance series and a few other balance/stretch postures, but hey – for his first time, it was a solid effort. Whether or not I’ll get him to do it again remains to be seen!

Day 47: Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

AH SWEET VICTORY!!!!!!!!! Today was my final Legs and Back workout of P90X Lean, praise Jeebus and all the saints. While I truly detest this workout, it has definitely gotten easier over time and I don’t think I will dread it quite as much when I start the Classic program, which I’m planning to do shortly after I finish Lean. I had by far my best numbers yet on this workout, and was able to keep pace with Tony and his minions for almost all of the exercises, although toe roll iso lunges and three way kick lunges continue to pain me.

Ab Ripper X, however, was a different story. I set a new personal best on Wednesday, with 261 reps, and then brought it to Yoga Belly 7 yesterday, holding almost all of the exercises for the full time. So, I guess it shouldn’t really have surprised me that my abs were really NOT into Ab Ripper X today. I did 235 reps. Tony, please reconsider the Lean schedule so this three-day-in-a-row shit doesn’t happen. Oh, and suck my ballz.

Day 45: Chest, Shoulders and Tris, Ab Ripper X

I’m halfway there and I think I’m actually getting WORSE at pushups, not better. WTF?

Day 42: Kenpo X

As promised, I skipped my day off and did Kenpo X. This workout is no fun when you have to blow your nose every five seconds.