My back and neck are finally back to normal, we are home for our 1 week vacation, and I feel sluggish and gross. It's definitely time to get to P90X3. I had planned on picking up where I left off 10 days ago, but I have thought better of that and will start over, brand new, TOMORROW. It's more of a mental thing than a physical thing: I need a clean slate going in to summer. Since tomorrow is the official first day of summer (and my son's 5th birthday!), it's a perfect time to get to it again. I feel very enthused about this next chapter.
How do I feel when I workout?
Accomplished
Motivated
Energetic
Enthused
Like I can do anything
Fit
Balanced
Happy
Steady
Ready to take on the world
How do I feel when I DON'T workout?
Sluggish
Gross
Tired
Annoyed
Irritated
On edge
"Blobby"
Icky
As if I'm not living up to my fullest potential
What better gift to give to my son tomorrow on his birthday than a happy, healthy, energetic mom who is EXCITED about life, about summer, about everything. That is how exercise makes me feel. I will need to remember this at 5AM tomorrow!
I NEED your support as I get back to this endeavor. I feel annoyed that I let my vacation get in the way, but I know I need to let it go. I have about 25 days until I go to Vegas with other Beachbody coaches for our annual summit. I can accomplish a lot in those 25 days, but I NEED your support. Comment below or on my FB page, share this blog link with others who are interested in health and wellness and/or need to start (or to continue) their own journeys. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
P90X3: Traveling, hotels, and pains in the neck and back
I haven't disappeared from the universe. Traveling with the kids has been a lot of fun but rather challenging. In addition to my technology difficulties with P90X3, I tweaked my back and neck somehow (my guess is the really soft bed in the hotel) last Saturday morning. So, even though we got our technology issues back on track, my back was, until yesterday, a total wreck. Thankfully, a dear friend in Asheville recommended a great massage therapist, her boyfriend. He worked my upper body for about 35 minutes and that has done wonders. He is also a personal trainer and recommended that I not workout until this back pain passes. I was glad that I had listened to my gut and stopped working out right when the pain came on. He affirmed my decision. Already today things are a lot better. I can actually turn around, turn my head from left to right without major amounts of pain. I can also get up from a lying down position without incredible pain in my back and neck. I've been stretching and swimming and taking hot showers, all of which has helped a lot. I do think that the massage was the most help of all.
When we get back home, my plan is to start P90X3 again. I had only done 3 days, so it shouldn't be a huge deal to start over again. I have been rather down on myself lately because I was just getting in to a groove and then I fell out of it. I have decided, though, to let it go and put a new plan in place for my return home. Instead of beating myself up about where I am and what has happened, it's time to pick myself up, move on, and get going again on Saturday. I'm REALLY excited about my new plan.
When we get back home, my plan is to start P90X3 again. I had only done 3 days, so it shouldn't be a huge deal to start over again. I have been rather down on myself lately because I was just getting in to a groove and then I fell out of it. I have decided, though, to let it go and put a new plan in place for my return home. Instead of beating myself up about where I am and what has happened, it's time to pick myself up, move on, and get going again on Saturday. I'm REALLY excited about my new plan.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
P90X3 while traveling
We are on a road trip for the next week, and I foolishly forgot my external disk drive for my computer. Our portable DVD player works only when the car is on, and the hotel doesn't have a DVD player for me to borrow. SO, today we will head to a Best Busy to buy a cheap DVD player, and I will have to do TWO P90X3 workouts this evening. NO EXCUSES! Stay tuned for tonight's report. I PROMISE that I will get both workouts done (and I'm sure I'll be sucking serious wind) and report in. Stay tuned!
Thursday, May 15, 2014
P90X3 Day 3, X Yoga
Yet again today I was wooed in to thinking that yoga would be an easy 30 minutes. When will I learn my lesson? That was THE HARDEST yoga workout I have ever done. I used to take yoga at my old gym many years ago. Why was it so hard this time?
1) It's Tony Horton-style yoga. I should know that anytime he has ANYTHING to do with a workout, it will get kicked up a notch no matter how ancient the workout tradition is (yoga is like 5,000 years old or something).
1) It's Tony Horton-style yoga. I should know that anytime he has ANYTHING to do with a workout, it will get kicked up a notch no matter how ancient the workout tradition is (yoga is like 5,000 years old or something).
2) Aging is indeed for idiots, as Tony says. I am glad he says this because....
3) Not only am I NOT flexible anymore, I am not very good at balancing either. I used to be VERY flexible and VERY good at balancing. I was able to flex, stretch, yoga, etc, when I was 25 pounds heavier. Clearly, these things are not necessarily related to weight but to overall health and fitness and AGE. Time to get flexible, fit, and balanced.
4) I now understand why the Fit Test has a toe touching exercise. You try and touch your toes to see if you can get past your toes, and, if so, how far. I can see that yoga will help me stretch more. I'm already excited to see how my flexibility improves over these 90 days.
5) I am very much looking forward to getting more flexible and more balanced with this high intensity yoga program.
I feel REALLY good after this workout. I confess, though, that I had to stop with 5 minutes to go because life was calling me. I will make up for it during next week's yoga workout.
I am so incredibly happy with P90X3. I was terribly nervous to start because I had heard how hard Tony Horton's P90X programs are. I would call them challenging, and it was a challenge that I was looking for. I am continuing on with the 21 day fix eating plan (I will do that for the rest of my life since there is a maintenance plan once I reach my goal weight). I feel good. REALLY good in fact.
My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are doing P90X3 as well, and they are one day ahead of me on the calendar, and based on my BIL's comments about his workout this morning (which will be mine tomorrow), I'm a little nervous. However, I know that I can handle it. I will do my best and forget the rest!
My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are doing P90X3 as well, and they are one day ahead of me on the calendar, and based on my BIL's comments about his workout this morning (which will be mine tomorrow), I'm a little nervous. However, I know that I can handle it. I will do my best and forget the rest!
Happy exercising!
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
P90X3, Day 2, Agility X
So, who thought that Agility X would be easy???? This girl! Who was wronger (I know that's not a real word) than EVER? This girl! Who thought, "Oh, that's so cute. I get to put tape on the floor and mark Xs on it, just like my kids do when they play?" This girl! Who thought that a little jumping and lunging would be a piece of cake? Yes, all together now... "THIS GIRL." Who could not have been more WRONG!? Holy moly! What a workout. I was dripping sweat within about 1 minute (I started sweating during the WARM UP!!).
The highlights from today's workout:
1) I LOVE this workout.
2) I am rather uncoordinated. For someone who managed to play high school sports and be half decent (let's not pretend I was high caliber; I was a bench warmer, but I was good at that), I'm surprisingly uncoordinated. HOWEVER, that did not matter for this workout. Once I got myself going and got in to a rhythm of the moves, I was good to go.
3) Tony Horton consistently reminds his audience about how powerful and FABULOUSLY effective this workout is by saying, "You could have spent the last 30 minutes on the elliptical and burned almost NOTHING." "Who says you can't get in a tough workout in 30 minutes?" As he says these things, I'm thinking, "I wasted all of those years walking on a treadmill and doing the elliptical with NO other form of training. No wonder I never really felt fit." This is also one BIG reason, I have finally come to understand, that I often GAINED weight while training for and running marathons. Against the best practices, I almost never did speed drills or interval training. Not smart, but I was more focused on just getting through the run. Yes, I realize how lame that sounds. If I had actually DONE the speed and interval work, I wouldn't have just 'gotten through' the run, I would have gone faster and better. Ah, well, live and learn.
4) I LOVE TONY HORTON. There are some folks out there, I have heard, who think he is SUPER annoying. I think he is AWESOME. I love his humor, I love his love for fitness and his passion for helping his audience. He REALLY does seem like he cares about ME (just me). I think that this is why he (and others like him like Shaun T and Chalene Johnson) are so incredibly successful. I begin to feel connected to them, as if they are really truly in my basement cheering me on, as if they really truly want me to be fit, healthy, and well. I was always someone who liked group exercise. I never thought I would or could workout alone. Turns out, I AM NOT really ALONE. They are there with me, and I feel their passion. It's an incredible feeling (and as I write this I realize that I sound weird and kind of like a stalker). It keeps me wanting to push play.
Some advice if you decide that P90X3 is for you (and it should be; it's meant for EVERYONE):
1) Don't use your son's wood train tracks as the agility markers. Tony suggests masking tape. Now I know why. Wooden train tracks move and slip, and I slip on them. Not good.
2) BRING IT ALL to this workout. You will not die. Yes, you will feel a bit uncoordinated, but you will survive and feel great.
3) Give every move a try. Even if you have to modify eventually, just try each move. They are actually kind of fun. Running in circles is a lot of fun. Even though I do this all day long with my kids, it's a LOT more fun with Tony Horton cheering me on.
4) No matter what you've heard about how "hard" P90X, P90X2, and P90X3 are, they are hard but they are a lot of fun, and it is fun that makes me get up and get it done.
5) ALWAYS have your water close. There isn't a ton of time to drink it, but you will need it.
Tomorrow is a new day, and I am excited for what's on tap? Are you ready to try P90X3? Come on! You KNOW you want to!
The highlights from today's workout:
1) I LOVE this workout.
2) I am rather uncoordinated. For someone who managed to play high school sports and be half decent (let's not pretend I was high caliber; I was a bench warmer, but I was good at that), I'm surprisingly uncoordinated. HOWEVER, that did not matter for this workout. Once I got myself going and got in to a rhythm of the moves, I was good to go.
3) Tony Horton consistently reminds his audience about how powerful and FABULOUSLY effective this workout is by saying, "You could have spent the last 30 minutes on the elliptical and burned almost NOTHING." "Who says you can't get in a tough workout in 30 minutes?" As he says these things, I'm thinking, "I wasted all of those years walking on a treadmill and doing the elliptical with NO other form of training. No wonder I never really felt fit." This is also one BIG reason, I have finally come to understand, that I often GAINED weight while training for and running marathons. Against the best practices, I almost never did speed drills or interval training. Not smart, but I was more focused on just getting through the run. Yes, I realize how lame that sounds. If I had actually DONE the speed and interval work, I wouldn't have just 'gotten through' the run, I would have gone faster and better. Ah, well, live and learn.
4) I LOVE TONY HORTON. There are some folks out there, I have heard, who think he is SUPER annoying. I think he is AWESOME. I love his humor, I love his love for fitness and his passion for helping his audience. He REALLY does seem like he cares about ME (just me). I think that this is why he (and others like him like Shaun T and Chalene Johnson) are so incredibly successful. I begin to feel connected to them, as if they are really truly in my basement cheering me on, as if they really truly want me to be fit, healthy, and well. I was always someone who liked group exercise. I never thought I would or could workout alone. Turns out, I AM NOT really ALONE. They are there with me, and I feel their passion. It's an incredible feeling (and as I write this I realize that I sound weird and kind of like a stalker). It keeps me wanting to push play.
Some advice if you decide that P90X3 is for you (and it should be; it's meant for EVERYONE):
1) Don't use your son's wood train tracks as the agility markers. Tony suggests masking tape. Now I know why. Wooden train tracks move and slip, and I slip on them. Not good.
2) BRING IT ALL to this workout. You will not die. Yes, you will feel a bit uncoordinated, but you will survive and feel great.
3) Give every move a try. Even if you have to modify eventually, just try each move. They are actually kind of fun. Running in circles is a lot of fun. Even though I do this all day long with my kids, it's a LOT more fun with Tony Horton cheering me on.
4) No matter what you've heard about how "hard" P90X, P90X2, and P90X3 are, they are hard but they are a lot of fun, and it is fun that makes me get up and get it done.
5) ALWAYS have your water close. There isn't a ton of time to drink it, but you will need it.
Tomorrow is a new day, and I am excited for what's on tap? Are you ready to try P90X3? Come on! You KNOW you want to!
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
P90X3, Day 1, Synergistics
I did really well this morning with my VERY FIRST P90X3 workout. I stuck with it for the entire 30 minutes and found myself wanting more (I know, totally crazy stuff).
Where I am challenged when I start a workout program is when I don't 'get' every move like the folks on the TV. I tend to get very discouraged, wondering if I should even keep going. No matter how many mantras I have or how many inspirational quotes I have hanging near the TV, I still get frustrated. This morning, though, was VERY different: When I couldn't quite get a move (think "Boat and Plow,"or whatever it's called), I was okay with it. I think it's because I have heard so much about Tony Horton and know that one of his famous encouraging lines is, "Do your best and forget the rest." So, I did. I actually LISTENED to that mantra, and it made sense to me. It got me through the workout. As I looked at the 90 day calendar, I said to myself, "There is time for improvement." This thought brought me to the question, "So, Kath, what exactly ARE your goals for this program?" I find that it's best to put my goals in print (hence, this blog) or say them out loud to someone. Here goes:
What are my goals for these 90 days (and beyond)?
1) Get up EVERY morning at 5AM to get the daily workout done. Why 5AM, you ask? Because my kids get up around 5:30AM, and this is the ONLY time of day that I have alone. This morning, for example, I was 11 minutes in to my workout, and I heard the pitter patter of little feet above me. I knew that my almost 5 year old was up and ready to start his day. I paused the DVD, plodded (I was already TIRED) up the stairs, opened the door to the basement and there he was smiling. Hard to be mad at his super cute face, but I thought, "Ok, that was 11 minutes to myself." Better than nothing.
2) Build muscle and definition in my body. I have lost a fair bit of weight, but the goal is no longer about that. Plus, I'm REALLY TIRED of focusing on the scale. YES, the scale is a decent marker of what is going on with my body, but now the focus is muscle. Most of us know that muscle weighs more than fat, so it's time to rely on my measurements and my before & after pictures.
3) Make the second half of my life more fit than the first half: I turn 40 on July 15. I want to be the fittest person I can possibly be for the second half of my life. I've spent MANY years focused on my weight. I will let go of that obsession and focus on things that are more important like health, overall wellness, and aging well. I said to a friend yesterday that I want to get fit and healthy for my family and for myself so that when I do get sick, my body is in peak condition to handle any illness. My mom got pneumonia about 2 years ago. She is in really good shape and is very active. The doctor told her that she would not have handled the illness as well if she hadn't have been in such good shape. That was a HUGE wake up call for me. Just 2 months later, I got involved with Beachbody.
4) Take it easy on myself when a workout or a particular move does not go well. I need to ease up on myself in those moments of self-doubt. That doubt will get me nowhere other than a couch wondering if I should eat the ice cream now or later. Nope. Not going to happen. I'm DONE with going backwards. Forward (the state motto of Wisconsin) is what I'm all about now.
5) Get my husband doing P90X3. This goal is WAY out of my control zone, but I'll try and set a good example, show him some results, and take it from there.
I am REALLY excited for this phase of my journey. There will be challenging moments and days, but I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for reading.
Where I am challenged when I start a workout program is when I don't 'get' every move like the folks on the TV. I tend to get very discouraged, wondering if I should even keep going. No matter how many mantras I have or how many inspirational quotes I have hanging near the TV, I still get frustrated. This morning, though, was VERY different: When I couldn't quite get a move (think "Boat and Plow,"or whatever it's called), I was okay with it. I think it's because I have heard so much about Tony Horton and know that one of his famous encouraging lines is, "Do your best and forget the rest." So, I did. I actually LISTENED to that mantra, and it made sense to me. It got me through the workout. As I looked at the 90 day calendar, I said to myself, "There is time for improvement." This thought brought me to the question, "So, Kath, what exactly ARE your goals for this program?" I find that it's best to put my goals in print (hence, this blog) or say them out loud to someone. Here goes:
What are my goals for these 90 days (and beyond)?
1) Get up EVERY morning at 5AM to get the daily workout done. Why 5AM, you ask? Because my kids get up around 5:30AM, and this is the ONLY time of day that I have alone. This morning, for example, I was 11 minutes in to my workout, and I heard the pitter patter of little feet above me. I knew that my almost 5 year old was up and ready to start his day. I paused the DVD, plodded (I was already TIRED) up the stairs, opened the door to the basement and there he was smiling. Hard to be mad at his super cute face, but I thought, "Ok, that was 11 minutes to myself." Better than nothing.
2) Build muscle and definition in my body. I have lost a fair bit of weight, but the goal is no longer about that. Plus, I'm REALLY TIRED of focusing on the scale. YES, the scale is a decent marker of what is going on with my body, but now the focus is muscle. Most of us know that muscle weighs more than fat, so it's time to rely on my measurements and my before & after pictures.
3) Make the second half of my life more fit than the first half: I turn 40 on July 15. I want to be the fittest person I can possibly be for the second half of my life. I've spent MANY years focused on my weight. I will let go of that obsession and focus on things that are more important like health, overall wellness, and aging well. I said to a friend yesterday that I want to get fit and healthy for my family and for myself so that when I do get sick, my body is in peak condition to handle any illness. My mom got pneumonia about 2 years ago. She is in really good shape and is very active. The doctor told her that she would not have handled the illness as well if she hadn't have been in such good shape. That was a HUGE wake up call for me. Just 2 months later, I got involved with Beachbody.
4) Take it easy on myself when a workout or a particular move does not go well. I need to ease up on myself in those moments of self-doubt. That doubt will get me nowhere other than a couch wondering if I should eat the ice cream now or later. Nope. Not going to happen. I'm DONE with going backwards. Forward (the state motto of Wisconsin) is what I'm all about now.
5) Get my husband doing P90X3. This goal is WAY out of my control zone, but I'll try and set a good example, show him some results, and take it from there.
I am REALLY excited for this phase of my journey. There will be challenging moments and days, but I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for reading.
Monday, May 12, 2014
P90X3, Day 1: Fit Test
This morning, I begin my journey with P90X3, the newest fitness program from Tony Horton. I am VERY excited to get going with this program.
Why am I blogging? I'm blogging because I need more accountability than coaching and Facebook. Facebook is great for posting pictures and quick status updates, but I don't generally use my FB page for long posts about WHY I'm doing this or that. I occasionally write posts like that, but I've decided that my blog will be more about my emotions, challenges, and ups and downs as I move through this 90 day journey with X3.
For those of you who don't know me but have found your way to my blog, here's a very short bio: I'm a wife and mother of two lovely kids, ages 4 (almost 5) and 2. I work part time as French professor at local university, AND I am a coach for Beachbody, the company that works with Tony Horton (among other trainers) and distributes P90X3. I love coaching! I used to run marathons until our second child came along. Now, it's a question of time for training: I'm not willing to take away time from my family to train for a marathon, so I have had to find other, shorter ways of keeping fit, losing weight, and getting time for myself.
Fortunately, a very close friend showed me the way to Beachbody. I started in an online fitness group with her as my coach in December 2012 and become a coach just a few months later. Since December 2012, I have done TurboFire, the Ultimate Reset, ChaLEAN Extreme, Focus T25, the 21 Day Fix, and now P90X3.
I am VERY excited to start this next chapter.
Update: I did the Fit Test and thought, "Whoa! This is JUST the Fit Test?!!" Though it was challenging, I know that the Fit Test will be a great way to gauge my progress over the next 90 days. Tonight, Shannon will take my 'before' pictures, which are also a GREAT way (though not always fun) to watch progress.
Tomorrow, I will be at 5AM to get the first workout done. Stay tuned.
Why am I blogging? I'm blogging because I need more accountability than coaching and Facebook. Facebook is great for posting pictures and quick status updates, but I don't generally use my FB page for long posts about WHY I'm doing this or that. I occasionally write posts like that, but I've decided that my blog will be more about my emotions, challenges, and ups and downs as I move through this 90 day journey with X3.
For those of you who don't know me but have found your way to my blog, here's a very short bio: I'm a wife and mother of two lovely kids, ages 4 (almost 5) and 2. I work part time as French professor at local university, AND I am a coach for Beachbody, the company that works with Tony Horton (among other trainers) and distributes P90X3. I love coaching! I used to run marathons until our second child came along. Now, it's a question of time for training: I'm not willing to take away time from my family to train for a marathon, so I have had to find other, shorter ways of keeping fit, losing weight, and getting time for myself.
Fortunately, a very close friend showed me the way to Beachbody. I started in an online fitness group with her as my coach in December 2012 and become a coach just a few months later. Since December 2012, I have done TurboFire, the Ultimate Reset, ChaLEAN Extreme, Focus T25, the 21 Day Fix, and now P90X3.
I am VERY excited to start this next chapter.
Update: I did the Fit Test and thought, "Whoa! This is JUST the Fit Test?!!" Though it was challenging, I know that the Fit Test will be a great way to gauge my progress over the next 90 days. Tonight, Shannon will take my 'before' pictures, which are also a GREAT way (though not always fun) to watch progress.
Tomorrow, I will be at 5AM to get the first workout done. Stay tuned.
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