Changes

Last night was my off night for workouts because I had a class in the evening. But I think I am starting to notice some differences from just almost 3 weeks of workouts.

My goal is to replace some body fat with muscle and lose at most maybe around 5 lbs. I'll probably need to increase my calorie intake once that happens, although right now  I really am still eating as much as I want but I am making healthy choices in my eating.

So far I am down 2 lbs. Yes, that is a lot for me. I seem to be stuck at the same weight all the time so the fact that the number on the scale even budged is amazing to me. Ben is down much more, probably 10 lbs. But he had more that he wanted to lose.

I'm already starting to notice definition in my abs. I had to ask Ben if those were muscles I was seeing. I wasn't even sure.  Still have a bit of a baby pouch that I would LOVE to go away completely though.

I've gained an increase in flexibility- thanks to the yoga part. I can bend and do crazy things that I never could do before. I reach down and can put my palms to the ground without a question and could even go further if my legs were longer.

I can now do a pull-up on the pull-up bar. I've never been able to do a pull-up before. I can only do 1 or 2 but hey, it is start. 

Tonight- Cardio

Week 3

Week 3 of workouts. I've been sticking to 6 days a week (even though I said I was only committed to doing 5- woo-hoo!!). This is my last week of this schedule and then week 4 is a bit of a break as it is no strength training and just cardio. I almost wish it was that schedule the week we are in Florida, but that will be week 5. Hmm, may need to do some adjusting. Yes, we are planning on bringing the dvd's and continuing with the workouts in Florida and I will be happy even if I get just half the days of workouts in. We will see!!


Dinner: Chicken and Vegetable Stir-fry with brown rice and ginger seasoning.

Treat: Our special treat that we have to trick ourselves into thinking we are getting ice-cream. Take a frozen banana and blend. DONE!! Yes, that is it and it tastes like banana soft serve. (Thanks Tricia for the idea!!). You can add a scoop of Chocolate Peanut butter  for a little something-something. But if you are looking for fewer calories it is yummy without too.

Off to do Core.

See ya!!

14 days

2 weeks from today we leave for Disney! I started laying things out for the kids to make sure they have everything they need. Collin is the only one who really needs just a couple things. Did I mention that we are driving this year (Yes, I am afraid) so I am trying to pack light as well. That will be the biggest challenge...right before the challenge of driving the kids, strapped in a car for a couple days across country. In a way I kinda think that driving with 2 kids and all the kid gear that it may be easier to drive than fly. Who knows, we may be flying next year. We shall see how this goes.

FIRST STOP: NASHVILLE!!

I dug out Tayah's old stroller to see if Collin was big enough to sit in it. This is the one we used for Tayah the last 2 years we have taken her. This year her travel will have to consist of her feet. Sorry, no fancy wheels for Tayah this year. That's what happens when you become a big sister. This stroller is much more compact and easier to travel with than his big stroller that his carseat snaps into so I was hoping this one would work. I think this one should work just fine for him. He seems happy and ready for Disney!!

1 week Complete

So, I have completed 1 full week of P90x. 7 days of workout in a row. Yesterday was supposed to be my "rest" day but I squeezed in a workout anyway because I have something going on this evening so I was afraid I may not get a workout in today. So, today "rest" and back at it tomorrow. What I have completed:

Day 1: Yoga X
Day 2: Core Synergistics
Day 3: Plyonmetrics
Day 4: Kenpo X
Day 5: Legs/Back and Ab Ripper
Day 6: Shoulders and Arms and Ab Ripper
Day 7: Cardio X
Day 8 : Rest

I'll be doing Core Synergistics tomorrow.

Dinner: Spaghetti Squash (in place of noodles...actually VERY GOOD) with marinara, steamed spinach.

Here I am doing Kenpo X.

My workout space.

Ab Ripper and Shoulders and Arms

I promise not to make this a workout blog but I am just going to update until I have completed 1 rotation of the DVD's and then I promise to be done with the daily updates. Writing these daily workout blogs is somewhat for my own personal information so I can look back at how the beginning of this journey went. So, thank you...and then back to cute photos and updates of my kiddos.

Last night was day 4. It was Ab Ripper and Shoulders and Arms. Ab Ripper is only a 15 minute workout, which you think, ahh, piece of cake. Well, not so much. It is hard, fast, intense workout for your abs. You do like 350 moves in 15 minutes. Ben and I both agreed that we would both almost rather do an hour of plyometrics than 15 minutes of abs.


So, then I did arms and shoulders as well last night, which was another 60 minutes. That was a breath of fresh air after a day of plyometrics and following the ab workout. I used light weights working biceps and triceps. I actually really enjoyed this workout and I can definitely feel it today but not terribly bad. My legs are definitely the sorest part of my body from plyo. which was done 2 days ago.


Dinner: We had Wild Rice Soup with Chicken and Mushrooms.


Today I will be doing Kempo. Ben completed his workout this morning and he said it was fun! He said it was like karate class. He thinks I shall like it as well.

Breakfast: Banana Protein Shake

GOAL: Ben and I are hoping to take a mini long weekend getaway to Mexico in June for his 30th birthday and our 7 year anniversary. (Partly our treat for completing P90x as well.) I purchased this swimsuit the other day so I am hoping I have a beach body by the end of this so I can wear this suit AND look good in it.

Rutabagas and Plyo. COMPLETE

Yes...I completed the dreaded Plyometrics portion of P90x. Whenever people heard on facebook and in general that we were doing P90x we had been warned about this workout and how it literally kicks your BUTT. So, I was supposed to do Cardio according to my schedule but decided to try the Plyo. as Ben said it was a great cardio workout for your butt and thighs. So, I was in. The workout is intense and fast but it is all manageable as far as choreographed. Not super complicated as far as the steps go. Ben described it as basketball practice all over again and I would agree. Lots of squats and working down low with your knees bent. I feel like after completing that, that I can do any of the workouts now. I think we may be taking "before" pictures tonight but I will NOT be sharing those quite yet. Maybe in the end.

Dinner: Roasted Root Veggies with Brown Rice, and side salad. This dinner was actually inspired by Tayah. The other night she found some purple cabbage in her salad and asked me it it was rutabaga. I didn't even know she knew what a rutabaga was but apparently she heard them mention it on Wonder Pets. Go figure! So, I bought a rutabaga to show her what it was. So I roasted rutabaga, parsnips, carrots, baby potatoes, red onion with herbs and this is what we got. Surprisingly Tayah LIKED the rutabaga. The girl doesn't like apples but likes rutabaga.

Collin snacking on a sliced apple in his nibbler.My workout routine posted to my bathroom mirror.

Plyometrics: The P90X Plyometrics routine is the real calorie burner of all the P90X workouts. It does not matter what sport or activity you do it will help you. The interesting part of this workout is that it is a high impact workout. Over the past couple of years there has been a move to low impact workouts to prevent injury. What Tony Horton stresses is that if youdo not work on those muscles that are suppose to take a beating than you actually a prone to injury faster. A good example would be people with knee injuries. If you never work on the muscles that surround the knee you have nothing that can support you if you were to get hit or make a weird pivot while running.

Day 2 Complete on to Day 3

Ben and I have completed day 2 of our workout and Ben actually just completed day 3 this morning. I will complete day 3 this evening. Ben is doing the Classic version where as I am doing the Lean version, which just means our workout schedules are just slightly different as our workout goals are different. Wow!! This is intense. It is nice to have a workout partner and I think we are really motivating each other which is super nice. Ben has been taking mornings to workout and I have been taking evenings. Ben gets Tayah and Collin bathed, Collin fed, jammies on while I do my hour workout after dinner. Sorta nice, I have to admit. I am feeling the burn and I know Ben is too and we are hoping for some great results. We slightly changed our diet to add more lean proteins, along with whole grains and veggies, which we sorta were already doing. We added a protein shake in the morning a few days a week as well. Tonight I will be doing Cardio X or maybe Plyometrics, even though Plyo. is not on my schedule I may replace it with the Cardio X routine once in a while as Ben said it too is a great cardio workout for butt and legs (Yes, please!!) but also one of the hardest workouts too.

Tara's Schedule:
Day1: Yoga X
Yoga is a vital part of any fitness regimen, and is an absolute must for an extreme program like P90X. This routine combines strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, and breath work to enhance your physique and calm your mind. Yoga X will leave you feeling energized, invigorated, and maybe even a little enlightened.

Dinner: Fish, brown rice, salad

Day 2: Core Synergistics
Each and every exercise in the Core Synergistics workout recruits multiple muscle groups to build and support the core (lumbar spine and trunk muscles), while at the same time conditioning your body from head to toe. Loaded with a variety of fun, unique, and challenging exercises, this routine will get you moving in all directions to maximize your P90X results.

Dinner: Italian seasoned Chicken Breast, Cottage Cheese, Salad, Garlic bread