P90x: Week ONE

I'm one week into the P90x series, but have yet to finish the 11 dvd workouts. I have 2 more to go, which I will do tonight ( if I can walk..more about that later) and tomorrow night.

So far, I love it. In a turbulent relationship kind of love. I find myself swearing at the TV, but then turn to those around me and profess my love for it. There is a figure pro, Monica Brandt who sold t shirts for a while with " No LEG HURT, no short skirt", ain't that the truth. I'm sure she sold a bunch of em. I'm that kind of girl--I need to feel the burn and break a sweat to feel like I really got a workout.

Let's just say that I have been feeling the burn so much, that I can not finish all the workouts yet. I've paused the TV to catch my breath, rallied up a few more exercises and reps, and still somehow manage to be completely worn to the point of exhaustion by not just one workout ( Plyometrics) but two! Believe it or not, the Yoga workout was unfinishable by yours truly, the ex-gymnast who would like to think I still have a little bit of flexibility goin' on. Uhm, yeah, not so much. I like that I can't finish the workouts yet. It gives me motivation to keep pushing and better my efforts next time. I have to admit though, I was quite perplexed that yoga could be so difficult. I have a whole new respect to Yogies out there. And for the record, I am still sore from doing warrior poses 4 days after the fact.

Tonight is Kenpo, which I can't say I am entirely excited about...but I will try it, who knows, I might like it.

I've kept my cardio at 4 days of walking on my BTF ( Best treadmill-friend forever) for about 30 minutes each session. It gives me an excuse to watch Jersey Shore and Teen mom re-runs.

As far as physical changes...hard to say. I am super critical, so I don't see any yet, but I did measurements on Tuesday and continue to take them weekly to see how they change, if at all. I'm not worried about my weight, so no digits to divulge there. All I want it to be fit- and feel good. That's a much better benchmark for success than a stupid little number.

Are there any other P90xer's out there?

Give it your best, and forget the rest

Anyone who has tried the P90x workout DVD's should be familar with the title of this post. It's the catch phrase used by Tony Horton as he leads you through an hour of torture ( did I just say torture, uhm, I meant an hour of muscle burning fun!). Someone at NZ's work offered us the DVD set, and having seen the infomercial umpteen million times during my early a.m. treadmill sessions, I have dreamed about purchasing it more than a time or two..But at $120 for the set, I've had to remind myself that I do have a gym membership, and it does need to get used..So, I put purchasing P90x on hold... Now, if someone is giving it away? For FREE? I'm there! Lucky me.

I've always been active. I grew up watching mom go to jazzercize, run & play tennis..and I myself was a competitive gymnast into my college years ( goooo Ags!). After gymnastics, I got into cardio. Cardio, cardio, cardio and more cardio...and not eating..no bueno..and then I met NZ, he introduced me to the weight rack. It wasn't love at first dumbell-curl, but I did start to see changes in my physique and thought it was pretty dang cool.

From there, my determination to look like a fitness magazine cover got me into training for figure competitions, in which I trained for 12 weeks (weights and tons of cardio) and ate pre-portioned meals every 3-4 hours...Then I glued myself into an itsy bitsy bikini with rhinestones, a pair of lucite heels and got up on stage with a bunch of other women in my height class. While up on stage, the judges critique your physique, looking for symmetry, muscular development and an overall "look". To many, this would be their biggest nightmare. You know, the unforgiving stage lights shining down on your exposed body in a swimsuit smaller than a bandaid... But, to those of us who had put forth 12 weeks of hard work, and commitment to sticking with the meal plan, it was Heaven.

{2007 Contra Costa Show- 1st place A class}

Attaining a goal is an undescribable feeling. Setting out to do something, and making it happen. It is really just the best! I like things that are in my control, and training for fitness shows was something that I had control over, so it was definitely my cup of tea.

{My abs, circa 2006}

Why'd I go off on a tangent about figure competitions?

Because.... I have missed my fitness goals. This whole starting a family thing has really been quite a challenge and has put me on a long winding detour that feels so far removed from my "training-for-a-show" days. In the time that we've been trying to have one, some of my competitors have popped babies out and gotten back on stage the next year. I'm in awe of them. I am not sure when I will step back on stage, but I do know that long term, it is still something I want to do. Just gotta have babies first.

After some thought, I have decided to take a mental break from the stresses I put upon myself and take the next 8 weeks to give myself a chance to fulfill my fitness goal needs. During that time, I plan on giving the P90x challenge my total commitment. I want to see if it really does work! I'll give it my best and forget the rest!

I will try to remember to report weekly or bi-weekly on the workouts, and my experience with them. I have done the first two discs in the past 24 hours and I am s-m-o-k-e-d. Definitely NOT a walk in the park.

Not sure if I will be gutsy enought to post photos, but who knows, crazier things have happened, like getting up on stage in a bikini, right?