Catchin' up

This weekend I made the Father's Day 500 mile loop from Knoxville to Louisville to Cookeville and back again. I packed for the trip with every intention of keeping on-schedule with my workouts, but also acknowledging the high probability of not doing so. The DVDs are easy enough to transport, but everything else? Well, into my suitcase went 2 workout mats, my resistance bands, a yoga block, three changes of workout clothes, and a large container of recovery drink mix.

In Kentucky, I was able to do the Core Synergistic workout with my dad. He asked, "So, are we going to do your Pilates workout?" And I told him, "P90X starts with a P, but it's definitely not for Pilates. It's intense... you'll see." I don't think that really sunk in until we were both breathing heavily after the warm up, and he asks how long the workout lasts. "Fifteen minutes?" Uh, Dad, try FIFTY minutes. But he was a trooper and stuck with it. He mentioned that he did a lot of these exercises during football conditioning back in the day. While I mixed our recovery drinks, I checked with him, "Definitely not pilates, eh?" Yeah. Definitely not.

He was really impressed that I was so excited about working out and that I knew so much about nutrition and form. "So did a trainer like show you all this?" No, but my brother has gone through it, and he's been encouraging me, but I've also learned a lot on the TeamBeachBody boards. Participating in different threads with others going through the same phase has been so helpful and motivating.

You know, it seemed like a good idea to take a short break during Core near an ice cold A/C unit. BAD IDEA. It actually sped up my breathing and made my vision go all spotted like I was going to pass out. So I ended up sitting out a few Core exercises near the end of the workout. But I kept jumping back in when I could.

After a great DAY ONE workout--and no soreness this time--I travel to Cookeville and back to Knoxville and don't work out for another three days. Uggg. Driving wears me out. It took me most of the day today to motivate and do Cardio X. It didn't help that my A/C is losing its battle against the heat. My apartment temperature crept closer and closer to 80 all afternoon. So I started sweating early (after Yoga, I had a nice sheen) and started losing steam after the Plyo section. By the time Superman/Banana rolled around, I was dripping with sweat and slipping and sliding around my mat. With the temperatures as high as they were, I opted for a cold shower, but I think I was still sweating as I attempted to dry off.

I hope tomorrow's temperature is lower. Otherwise, I might try taking my laptop and mats and gear down to the basement workout room that's usually kept pretty frosty. So the plan for tomorrow: Ab Ripper X in the morning and Shoulders and Arms in the afternoon.

Tentative Schedule for WEEK TWO

Ok, so I took a rest day for the last day of week one, but I may do X Stretch before I head up to KY to see my dad. I'm bringing the Core, Cardio, and Shoulders and Arms DVDs with me. We'll see if I can find the time (and space) to do them while I'm away from home. I might even talk my dad into finding out what P90X is all about.

So, if I can get some workout done on my trip, here's my tentative schedule for WEEK TWO:

Saturday: Core Synergistics
Sunday: Cardio X
Monday: Ab Ripper X / Shoulders and Arms (this might become 2 days)
Tuesday: Yoga X (I may replace this with a local beginners yoga class for phase one.)
Wednesday: Ab Ripper X / Legs and Back. This might become two days, or I might do Ab Ripper with my local yoga class since I'll be missing out on Tony's Yoga Belly session.
Thursday: Kenpo X
Friday: X Stretch

One more day of WEEK ONE

Who knew there were 11 days in a week? Well, there are when you skip workouts. My reasoning is that I don't want to push it too hard during the first week and hurt myself. ;)

Today, I was still sore from the Legs and Back workout, even with an extra rest day. Tuesday night, I didn't actually get to sleep until 1:30 and then I woke up abruptly at 4:30 a.m. Wide awake. Ready to start the day. So I did some work and watched some Netflix, Daily Show, and Reboot online until 7 a.m., when I finally felt I could fall back to sleep. Then I didn't wake up with 1 p.m. I was totally out of it the rest of the day, incredibly sore, and could barely motivate to go to the store and buy food for my hungry cat... let alone attempt Kenpo X.

I was getting pretty frustrated with my energy problem, so I began considering purchasing Shakeology from BeachBody. But I realized I wouldn't be able to start it right away with shipping and all, so I came up with my own frosty experiment: VanillaNut Green Tea. Blend 2 cups ice, 2 cups cold green tea, 2 smallish scoops of vanilla bean ice cream, and a spoonful of peanut butter. Mmmm. I drank it with a protein/energy bar and was pumped for Kenpo about a half-hour later.

So much more to talk about, but I've gotta get some rest tonight.

Do You Feel Wasted?

About 3/4 of the way through the Legs and Arms routine, the P90X dude, Tony, mentions, " If you feel wasted... take a break. We'll be here when you get back." If he meant "wasted" as in ready to puke and pass out at any moment. Then, yes, I was completely wasted. I was wasted about 30 minutes into the routine, and I seriously considered stopping, but I suck with it and did a few reps of each remaining exercise. I did all the pull ups... with a resistance band, a very great modification since I can barely hang on a pull-up bar.

I'm keeping this short because I wiped, post-wasted. BUT I haven't thrown-up yet, just a little indigestion. I have some plans for improving my energy level: go to sleep before midnight and get a good 8 hours and eat/drink more fruit (I had a very rejuvenating mango smoothie today from Remedy). Alright, so it's past midnight, but I'm heading to bed now. Kenpo tomorrow, then X Stretch on Thursday, and I'll finally be done with WEEK ONE.

Yoga X Made Me Wanna Cry

Yesterday, I did Yoga X for the first time, thinking it would be really nice. I was so wrong. This is no beginners' yoga... it is extreme Yoga. Not even half way through I wanted to quit. This was the first workout that caused me to scream because my muscle started hurting so bad. Of course, I pulled out of the pose and didn't push it because I didn't want to pull anything.


Clear your mind... keep your features calm... breath... yeah right. I was soaked with sweat in the first 10 minutes. I breathed, but it was more like huh-ha-huh-ha-huh-ha instead hhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-hhhhhhoooooooooooooooooooooooo. I was fairly flexible, but balance and strength are my weakness. It didn't help that my sweaty hands kept sliding around my mat.

I think I did about only 2/3 (or less) of the exercises. It's like 90 minutes of insane yoga! So I thought that I should look into a live beginners' yoga class. This wouldn't replace Yoga X, but it should give me a good foundation for the advanced Yoga X moves. Also, it would be helpful if a live person could give me feedback on my form because I have NO IDEA if I'm doing it right.

So here are my options:
Tuesday Afternoons: Creative Yoga Class at First Baptist Church. BONUS: It's by donation only.
Mon-Wed-Fri Crack of Dawn: Open Beginners' Yoga at Glowing Body ($15 each)
Any Day of the Week: Yoga at the Downtown YMCA ($49/month)

I think I'll check out the FBC Yoga Class tomorrow. I'm also postponing the Legs and Back workout until tomorrow. I have been feeling SO tired and low energy. Just previewing this DVD is wearing me out. I don't think I'm eating enough calories, which should be a little more than 3000. I'm not used to eating a lot, and I usually don't feel hungry. Plus I'm trying to eat a bit healthier, too. Plus, I walked across the Cherokee Dam today and walked across Walmart, like, five times. More on that story later.

On a lighter note, my kitty, Bootsie, really likes Yoga. She lounges on my yoga mat when I'm not exercising. Unfortunately, I almost crushed her when I fell out of a shoulderstand. Here's a sketch of how Bootsie joined me in child's pose.

Seriously, I wish I had captured it on video. Hmm, videotaping my workout sessions... I'd have to majorly edit them before I post them on the blog though. Even if they're for my eyes only, the videos could help me inspect my form.

WEEK ONE: Workout #3

I don't know why I was procrastinating today's workout (Shoulders and Arms) because it was the first one that I could complete at max reps (minus the bonus round). I did 12-15 reps each, but for most of the exercises I was closer to 15.

I used a green resistance band from Gold's Gym, and I was a little concerned when they mentioned that green was hard than red. But green's the only one I got! However, it wasn't too bad, and for a couple I even looped it. RARR!

And even after the workout, I wasn't exhausted. I actually felt energized, which is how it's supposed to be, right? I think what's really helping is the recovery drink I invested in (GNC vitamins ain't cheap). Yoshi suggested I add a little to my workout water, so I've been doing that. It tasted weird at first, but I've gotten used to it. But the full serving actually tastes great, especially if the water is ICE COLD. I bought both vanilla and chocolate flavors, figuring I could mix it up week after week. This week it's vanilla. Mmm, mmm good.

By the way, if I seem strangely positive about this whole experience, I think it's because the workout dude, Tony Horton's, crazy enthusiasm is contagious. It might also have to do with a post-workout serotonin release.

In addition to this blog, I've signed up for Team BeachBody. I like scheduling my workout in the WOWY SuperGym and keeping track of my measurements. There I also found a super detailed workout sheet for P90X. Not good... now I may spend more time recording my progress than actually working out. It's a good thing my main priority this summer is GETTING IN SHAPE!

Speaking of priorities, I didn't make it to the bank because I slept in. My neck really started hurting from the Ab Ripper X workout. I guess that means I didn't use my abs enough. My aching neck kept me tossing and turning all night. It's still really sensitive to the touch, but I'll keep stretching it out throughout the day.

Well, no bank, no shopping. No problem, it's storming out there now, and I have to get started on my final exam. Right after I enjoy a yummy turkey Subway sandwich. Mmm... PROTEIN.

So I'm gonna do Yoga X tomorrow. No doubling up... not enough time today. I think my arms could take it, but not my neck. This puts me behind, but it's all good. I'll finish up WEEK ONE on Wednesday.

WEEK ONE: Off to a Slow Start

So I'm ready to get into shape. My initial plan was to do some running and ab lounging, but my brother suggested I should try a program he has worked through (with great results): P90X. The X is for EXTREME, and I wasn't too sure that I was ready for that. I'm still a little unsure, but I've done two workouts so far, and I've been able to modify them to work at a safe pace. I figure as I build my stamina, I can step it up more and more each week.

I'm actually thrilled that I survived the first workout! I've been updating my facebook status like crazy 'cause I'm so psyched. So I thought I'd start a blog. Thus far, it's been a good way to procrastinate--I mean reflect on--my progress. I'm kind of bummed that I've already missed one and half days, but maybe I can confess it here and then get back on track.

Here's my WEEK 1 schedule:
Tuesday: Core Synergistics
Wednesday: Cardio X
Thursday: Final Project due for my grad class: no time to exhaust myself physically, only mentally.
Friday: Ab Ripper X - I was supposed to do Shoulders and Arms workout with this, but I split them up and the day got away from me.
Saturday: I'm thinking of doubling up. Yoshi, stop me if this is crazy... Shoulders and Arms in the morning, and Yoga X in the evening.
Sunday: Ab Ripper X in the morning; Legs and Back workout in the evening
Monday: Kenpo X
Tuesday: X Stretch

I'm glad I have extra time this summer because these workouts are LONG, and I'm so exhausted afterward that I"m useless to do anything else. BUT, I do feel a change (even though I'm not seeing it yet). I'm a lot more aware of my body now. I never realized how thoughtlessly I moved before, and that's probably why I'm so clumsy. The morning after the first day was rough. I could barely get out of bed without muscle pain. I was still a little stiff when I started Cardio X, but the next morning was much less painful.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try something I've never done before: do a full workout in the morning. We'll see if I can motivate myself to "bring it" at 8 am... and still get to the bank before it closes at noon. That's my goal. I will then reward myself with a trip to Payless and Old Navy. And then I have to take a final on-line. If I finish my final at a decent time (before 10pm), and I still have some steam left, I'll give Yoga X a try.