Back on the Treadmill, baby!

So as per my decision to up my activity, to speed up my progress, I jumped back on the treadmill today. The last time I was on the treadmill, I was 32 pounds heavier. Amazing what that difference makes. I used the Glute program, and at one point it upped the speed to a jog....and....I jogged! I don't know for how long, likely only a minute...but a minute with THIS knee was amazing. It was effortless for me. I could totally go longer. My cardiovascular strength/fitness is so much better, and my legs are stronger. If the program hadn't have gone down on it's own, I would have kept going to see how long I could have done it for. My knee DID do some weird locking-clicking-but loosely...hard to explain. But it didn't hurt. That's the difference. I wore my heart rate monitor too, and was in my zone, never going out. I was on for 30 minutes, and then my hubby startled me but walking in, and his face was one of pain, so instead of pushing pause, I inadvertantly pushed stop. He came home with a migraine. I love how fit I'm becoming. This afternoon, after my chiropractor appt to fix my jaw issue, I still have P90X. Chest, Shoulders and Triceps await me, as well as Ab Ripper X. I'm going to knock December outta the water. Just watch me!

Week 9, Day 7 X Stretch

Week 9 is officially in the books. I'm excited because week 10 rocks! I LOVE working my arms, and work them we do! My sister is here visiting. She sat on the couch and chatted while I did the stretch...she wants to get P90X too. Really, I should get a commission...lol. I advocate it everywhere...and I've adopted the name "P90X-Girl"...which I'm going to get on a shirt someday. Okay, gotta go...be back tomorrow to start week 10.

Week 9, Day 6, P90X Kenpo X

Well I did it. Even though I had sooo much to do, and I'm heading out of town in about half an hour, I did Kenpo X. I LOVE this workout. It's just what I needed today, despite feeling sorta outta sorts. My head hurts in a weird way, thanks to my jaw popping last night...gonna do some muscle relaxants...that might help.
My husband was nearby when I was working out, and he says to me "man, you're really shrinking, your waist is really shrinking" I loved hearing that. Of course I pick out my worst flaw on my body, my stomach and say "yeah, well, I'd love for THIS to be shrinking too." Yesterday, he told me that I don't see myself clearly anymore, meaning I have eyes that only see the 'fat' person I was. I know I have a looooong way to go, so I don't think I have that problem...maybe I'm being realistic, with realistic eyes. Oh well, one day, right?!
K, gotta jet. Must get outta here on time. Pitz here I come!

Week 9, Day 5 P90X Scrapped Legs & Back, did X Stretch instead.

Well I felt like crap today. I was nauseaus and exhausted, and just plain crappy feeling. I now have a lovely ear ache because this evening, my jaw popped, just out of the blue, and only because I took a bite of something. Crazy! Plus, since I didn't workout during the day, due to feeling crappy, I left it for after the kids were in bed. So, here I am, at 9:30, pondering the fact that I feel like crawling in bed, and yet, I still have a work out to do. I knew I didn't have it in me to do Legs & Back today...I barely have anything right now frankly. But, since I have a streak to consider, I couldn't just use up a 'rest' day....I haven't taken a rest day yet on this P90X journey, and I wasn't about to break a streak and take one tonight either. I'm on day 142 of consecutive daily exercise...and feeling crappy isn't about to blow that. So, I opted to do something that my body needs anyway, something that I can handle. And I did X Stretch.

I'm heading away tomorrow to visit my friend Pitbull....I haven't seen her in like 22 years or so, and I can't wait! Before I go, I'm going to do my Kenpo...then that will be out of the way, I can enjoy my visit, and when I get home late it won't feel like a burden placed on me, because it will already be accomplished.

Week 9, Day 4, Yoga X..

Well, it wasn't pretty, but I did it. LOL. And, it helped my knee! That's the most important thing for me today. At first, I still couldn't make my leg go straight...which is difficult in Yoga X to NOT do. Everything requires straight legs. About half way through the first section, I felt a little pop, and voila, my knee gave and I could make it go straight again. I actually enjoyed Yoga today, which shocks me. I did have to stop half way and get a recovery drink though...I hadn't eaten enough before hand. Yoga X, done like dinner! And this P90X-Girl is happy a happy camper.

Week 9, Day 3, P90X Shoulders and Arms...I'm back baby!

WOW, I feel absolutely rejeuvenated. I totally brought it tonight...and I loved every minute of it. I'm sure I'm going to feel THAT tomorrow! Man! I upped all of my weight, and it really felt great to feel my strength. The knee feels okay today, actually. We'll see what happens tomorrow with Yoga X. I'm totally back, baby. I feel like P90X-girl again! :o)

Week 9, Day 2, Plyo or Cardio X or whatever...

So today was slated for Plyometrics...and I warmed up with Plyo. When I heard Tony say something about Cardio X, my brain switched gears, thanks to my knee. Well, I put Cardio X in, and I did some of it...but this knee IS messing with everything. I'm tired of it not being fully functional. The kids are iritating, and supper is cooking....and I just didn't have it today. I did 30 minutes. And I called it. I'm not chalking it up as a failure, I'm going to refocus...and hey, I did 30 minutes...so it's not like I sat around on my butt twidling my fingers. Tomorrow is shoulders and arms....so little that will tweak this freak of a knee. I'm actually looking forward to it.

Week 9, Day 1, Chest & Back...The 9 Week Journey.

So today was day 1 of week 9, Phase 3. It was interesting to see my progress particularily in the push-up department. The weights improved, and could have improved more, but something in my head said 'just stick to higher reps for toning'...but I can still do higher reps at higher weight, so that tells me that I should UP the weight again, which is totally ok, since I LOVE the weight aspect. My knee...it's amazing how much you depend on your knee even doing standard pushups...or not depend on it...how much you actually use it. Think about it...you put your feet a certain way, but what keeps your feet that way? Your knees. And so, I had to opt out of the last 3 kinds of push-ups. My knee had had enough. Freaking knee. Tomorrow is Plyometrics... that should be interesting!

Week 1 /Week 9

Standard Push-ups:
week 1- round 1)1 std, 20 knees /week 9-round 1)10 std, 10 knees
week 1- round 2) 10 knees, /week 9-round 2) std, 6 knees

Military Push-ups:
week 1-round 1) 10 knee/ week 9-round 1) 3.5 std, 7 knee
week 1-round 2) 10 knee /week 9-round 2) 3 std, 4 knee

Wide Fly Push-Ups:
week 1-round 1) 10 knee /week 9-round 1) 9.5 std, 7 knee
week 1-round 2) 15 knee /week 9-round 2) 5 std, 5 knee

Decline Push-Ups: (on chair)
week 1-round 1) 10 on knee on chair,/ week 9-round1) 4 std, on chair...tweaked knee
week 1-round 2) 6 knee on chair /week 9-round 2)skipped

My husband said, "and to think you were afraid to even try a push-up when you first started!" So, I may not be blowing Tony away, or anyone else for that matter, but it doesn't matter. I'm blowing ME away...and I'm sooo stoked about all the progress that I've made.

Weight improvements:

Heavy Pants:
week 1-round 1) 17 reps @ 15 lbs /week 9-round 1) 21 reps@ 15 lbs
week 1-round 2) 11 reps @ 15 lbs /week 9-round 2)15 reps @ 20 lbs

Lawnmowers:
week 1-round 1) 13/15 reps @ 15 lbs /week 9-round 1)20 reps @ 15 lbs
week 1-round 2) 14/15 reps @ 15 lbs /week 9-round 2)17/18 reps @ 20 lbs

Back Flys:
week 1-round 1) 10 reps @ 15 lbs /week 9-round 1)20 reps @ 15 lbs
week 1-round 2)10 reps @ 15 lbs /week 9-round 2) 12 reps @ 20 lbs

For Pull-Ups, I used to use the beginner bar, at the beginner stage. I wasn't really impressed, although I was working hard, I wasn't feeling it like I thought I should be. There's no way I could do a pull-up on it's own. And I'm not even going to try a pull-up with a chair until I lose more weight. BUT, that wasn't going to stop me from getting the benefit of a good back workout. SO, I thought...why not use the bands? They show people working their butts off, working up a great sweat using bands....so that's what I did. I went to Fitness Depot and bought the heaviest, most resistant band they have, and I love it. I sure do feel my back!



I am loving this P90X! The only thing that is putting a damper on things is this freaking knee of mine. But I refuse to allow it to dictate what kind of Xperience I'm having, and I refuse to let it slow me down. I really am jacked UP about this last phase. And I can't wait to see how far I'm going to come this last month.

Plyometrics...you're not the boss of me! Knee...I'm going to show YOU who's boss! Ha!

Week 8, Day 7, P90X, X Stretch and Inversion Table.

I did half of X Stretch, but my knee was aching and locking....which as you know if you do P90X puts a wrench in a lot of moves. SO, I decided, like a bolt of lightening hitting me...that I could do my inversion table...that it might release my knee. So I quit half way, and I went for that. I hung about 4 times, the last one being completely vertical, and I felt my ankle and knee release. So far, it feels ok. I'm going to use that now, every night, and hopefully, I can get this knee to start behaving.

Tomorrow...Week 9, Phase 3! Bring it!

Feeling Good About Myself

This picture was taken this week...just before a P90X workout. I know, right?! I'm getting braver as I get more fit. I love that I'm beginning to have a figure again...and not just looking as wide as a piece of plywood, or a blob of flesh. It's funny...my comfy sweater is big on me...and sometimes I walk by the mirror, and something clicks in my brain...'unzip, take a look' LOL So, I do, and I'm always surprised that I'm shrinking...that I'm getting my body back...and I'm soooo happy about that. I'm even feeling a little hot, these days. It's ALL thanks to P90X, and my dedicated eating.

Week 8, Day 6, Switcheroo

I was slated to do Yoga X today, but I thought I would be better served if I did X Stretch today instead. My knee is really being a bugger lately, and some of the Yoga moves will definitely tweak it. SO, that's what I did...and I have X Stretch tomorrow too. Getting pumped to start week 9!

Week 8, Day 5, P90X, Cardio X

I decided to do Cardio X today instead of a full-on Kenpo X, or the slated Core Synergistics. I didn't think either my knee or my lat muscle would benefit. And I'm glad I switched it up. My knee has been aching and locking, and clicking and kind of...how do you say it...dropping...all day, and yesterday. I put a hot water bottle on it during the day, and it helped it somewhat...but man! I am NOT letting that stop me. I REFUSE to let my knee dictate my P90X-perience. I modified where I needed to, yet I still brought it...working up a good head full of sweat. SO take THAT, KNEE! Ha!

Tomorrow...Yoga X...this should be interesting!

Week 8, Day 4, P90X X Stretch

Well, that went well. X Stretch always does. My knee has been messed up these days, and the X stretch helped a bit. I'm not sure if it will last...but for now, it's ok.

I have Core tomorrow...not sure if I should attempt that with my lat muscle pain...so I think I may substitute and do Kenpo again. Either way, I'll be doing something!

Week 8, Day 3, P90X, Kenpo X..brought it...a couple of times!

Today, I started Kenpo around 2:30 ish. I was half way through, and I got a phone call from Emily, my 12 year old. She missed her bus at school. Poor kid is having serious leg and foot issues, and wasn't fast enough. So, I had to scramble, call Bridgets school, make sure they didn't let her on the bus, change, change Issy and head out. I was covered in sweat...LOL When I came home, I was too cooled down to carry on. Later, while I was making supper, I rationalized that I had made an effort, got 1/2 done...so maybe I would just leave it at that...especially since I'm having tearing pains in my right lat, and my back is SORE from CORE! But, as I was eating, I remembered that you know, I have some serious goals here. If I let a distraction, an interruption come between me and my goal, I haven't come as far on this journey as I thought I did. So right then and there, I decided to do it again. And so I did. I sweated like a major pig and I feel fantastic. My kicks are higher too...and my recovery rate is better. I love how fit I am now....and can't wait until I lose this weight and am even more fit. Bring it on, baby! 90 minutes of Kenpo..POW!

Week 8, Day 2, Core Synergistics...kicked my booty

Wow, it's been awhile since I've done Core. Man, it kicked my booty today! But I did do 10 staggard foot pushups (+ 10 knee) , and 5 prison cell pushups, the side balance pushups...I was pretty impressed if I do say so myself. LOL. But I'm bushwacked!

Bring on Kenpo X tomorrow!

Week 8, Day 1...Yoga X

I did it. I managed to get through Yoga today, and I made some headway. Love when there is progress. I also managed to stumble around like a fool during some of those balance postures. LOL. I'm not sweating it though....the balance will come with time and weight loss. Wouldn't that be something....me, with balance! Ha! I guess there's always a first for some things.

Week 7, Day 7, X Stretch...Saying goodbye to another awesome week.

I really enjoyed X Stretch tonight. It actually helped my knee quite a bit. I felt really comfortable, stretching is awesome. I don't know why I never saw the importance of it before.

Bring on Week 8, which just so happens to begin with YogaX! Wow...I get another shot to undo the mockery I made of it last week. I really hope my knee cooperates!

Week 7, Day 6, Kenpo X...."Here it is!"

I know I sound like a broken record....but....I LOVE KenpoX! We went out of town today, so I didn't get my 4 oclock workout in...had to postpone it until 8:30, which presents the challenge of already being tired to start. But, I thoroughly enjoyed that, and lo and behold, my heart rate didn't go wild on me. My body must be getting more fit than I thought. I feel fantastic. Gotta get a recovery drink in me tho. And my right knee...it felt great to start...until I did that stupid pigeon move. Bad idea! From that moment on, it was sore, and I felt it tweak with the pivot moves. I'll remember NOT to do THAT stretch from now on on that leg. Other than that....an exhausting and exhilarating workout!

Tomorrow ends week 7 with X Stretch :o)

Week 7, Day 5 P90X Legs and Back

Well, I'm really thrilled about my workout today. I decided, sore knee and all, to try the "sneaky lunges" and the "toe roll iso lunges". I figured, what have I got to lose....and I did it. I did them ALL. I was stoked beyond stoked. My right knee is a little sore, but not much more than usual. I think, getting the right form was key...and once I did that...booyah baby! LOL. Maybe I should ice now though.....

Kenpo tomorrow! Yay!

P90X Yoga X...A friend becomes one with the Yoga.

My Yoga Xperience didn't pan out so well today. I was totally frusterated by that fact. But it's only one day, one hitch in the road. I have had Yoga epiphanies, breakthroughs and triumphs before, but today, it wasn't mine to have. My friend, my childhood friend and Weightloss Wars partner is currently working the P90X along with me. Her nickname is affectionately "Pitbull" because of her tenacious spirit. Today, she had a Yoga X moment, and I felt compelled to share it. Thanks Pitz for allowing me to share your post.

**************************************************************************************
"Yoga is Beautiful!
I'm not sure if yoga was different for me this morning because my head is in a different space, or if it's because my strength and balance are improving to the point where I can do the moves and concentrate on the breathing!!! Whatever the reason...I loved yoga today! Funny thing is...I was seriously debating in my head NOT to do it. I was up late last night, and sleep seemed so much more intriguing.

Spitz, if it weren't for you, I would have slept through the hour and a half that changed my views on yoga!!!!! Thanks for being my motivation...seriously...I know I sound like a broken record, but your visit is just what the doctor ordered for me!!

So my breathing was bang on this morning!!! I was flexible, smooth, balanced and truly strong in my moves!!! I did everything!!!!! The only thing I couldn't hold for the entire time was the crane. I think I only lasted for 10 seconds out of the entire minute....but even that was an accomplishment for me. I used the other 50 seconds to do the "child's pose." I can feel my core getting stronger!!

For some reason, I was able to clear my head and focus within! It was so peaceful...it was beautiful...that's the only word I have to describe it! For the first time ever, I wasn't watching the clock!!!!! I found that the 94 minutes went by quickly. I felt totally rejeuvenated and ready to take on the day!

What a great start to my day!!! I just know that I'm going to succeed in everything I do today. I'm THAT focused now!!! My poor client isn't gonna to know what hit her tonight. She's gonna be in awe of my very presence!!!!

Thanks YOGA X!!"

*************************************************************************************
I had a very suckfest-ish Yoga experience today. I feel rather sad about that. But, I'm sooo happy that Jacqui had an awesome one. And who knows, maybe the next time I do YogaX, I'll have an awesomely amazing experience too.

Week 7, Day 4 Yoga X

I just didn't have it today. My right knee was hurting, and it put me in the wrong head space for Yoga X. I did do 30 minutes tho, before I decided to call it. I even went back and tried some more, but when the pain was there, my head said 'no'. So....I'm bummed. I may try and go back to do Ab Ripper X, later....and maybe I won't feel like such a failure today. Sheesh! I hate it when this happens. Grrrr!

UPDATE:

I just got finished Ab Ripper X...and I'm sooo glad I did. Now instead of feeling so disappointed, I feel triumphant! I'm STILL P90X material, baby! And I'ma bringin it tomorrow too!

P90X...IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!

I have this ring I bought in Mexico. My favorite ring. It's an oblong Turquoise stone in silver. Well, that ring no longer fits any fingers OR thumbs! It flung off my thumb twice this morning already. Now I'm either going to have to go back to Mexico and buy another one...(the hardship, right?!) LOL, or I'm going to have to buy a silver chain to wear it around my neck. Ahhh, P90X, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! Oh, the price to pay for getting in shape! hehe.

Week 7, Day 3, Back and Biceps

I always feel PuMpEd Up from back and biceps. Today, I did the bands. I had to go to the hardest (most resistant) band though. I barely felt anything with the other two ones. I may even see if there is a heavier band out there, and buy it. I also need to buy 12's and 18 pound weights. I LOVE feeling strong, and back and biceps definitely does that for me!

Week 7, Day 2, Cardio X

I opted to switch Plyo for Cardio X again since I'm having knee troubles. Man, it never ceases to amaze me how fast this workout goes by, and how freaking sweaty you get in a shorter time. Lovin it!

Week 7, Day 1, Chest, Shoulders, Triceps

My. Arms. Are. Dead! Yep, what a workout. I only did knee pushups today, and you know, I couldn't even do half of a One-Arm Balance Push-Up/side. haha. My arms were so tired, and jelly, that I went down...gotta be careful...almost felt like it could snap like a twig. I don't like that so exhausted feeling that you can't even hold your body up....and I love it all at the same time. Even tho I couldn't do those ones, I did kill the entire workout. I upped my weights, and even upped some reps with the upped weights. Right now, these jelly arms feel weird....P90X...I love you!

Week 6, Day 7, X Stretch

Today I raked for 90 minutes before I did X Stretch. I really needed it today, my knee was outta sorts. It's still a bit tender, but I can move it, and can straighten my leg. So YAY for X Stretch. Week 6 is officially done. Bring on week 7!

Wk 6, Day 6, Kenpo X

I love Kenpo days! I love how sweaty I get by doing something so fun...and the time flies. I'm constantly getting better, doing the moves more fluidly, stronger.
Kenpo RoCkS!

Wk 6, Day 5, Legs & Back

I decided that I'd try the bands because I was feeling more of my arms and less of my back....I'm still not strong enough to lift this body up with pull-ups. I will be one day! But for now, I want to still bring what I can and work the proper muscle groups. I actually liked it way more. I need to buy tighter bands to get a better workout. I still didn't do some of the lunges....my right knee tweaks...and I really don't want to have a serious injury. When I was 17, I jumped into a pool, and the way I landed jammed my knee...it was swelled up for days, and I couldn't bend it. To this day, it cracks, and now, because I'm active, it hurts. I have to be careful not to wreck it with the lunges and put myself out of commission for Kenpo, Yoga, Plyo...etc. I don't just stand there during those ones...I do high leg marching, and ballistics...so I'm still bringing it. Kenpo tomorrow baby! I can't wait!

Wk 6, Day 4, Yoga X....I DID PLOUGH!

I felt really strong for the first part of this workout today. I was pleasantly surprised. Everything was smoother, controlled, strong. I was impressed. I faltered with the last ones of the series, as always, but I tried. Then the balance positions. Well, one day I WILL do these successfully. I'm getting better. I did the shoulder stands, with the varying positions...and then I DID PLOUGH! Before I just wasn't able to get myself up, today, I used a little momentum, and booyah! LOL. I couldn't stay there long because the girls were strangling me....haha. But I was so happy. Weird,...the things that bring us joy. Yoga...you're okay in my book!

The Fire in My Furnace Burns Bright....

Yep. That's how I feel about P90X. It has lit a fire under me, in me, that no other workout, or exercise program ever has. I'm a bit of a competitive person. I never used to be. But life has thrown me some curve balls, and I've had to become tough. Word to the wise...don't ever tell me I can't do something! ;o)
So, when I first saw P90X, I can't remember if it was a commercial on TV, or online, at any rate, I was captivated. I looked at it, I saw the super cut Tony, and I thought..."wow! I want to do that!" This concept "muscle confusion" seemed like it made sense. I saw this commercial last spring...and it wasn't the right time for me... yet....but I filed it under 'one day'. I hadn't made any of my breakthroughs yet, I was dealing with some female health issues, and frankly, I didn't think I could be able to do it. I had female surgery, and ended up inflamed from head to toe. In hind sight, I think that was a blessing, because if I hadn't been sooooo desperate for pain relief, I might not have totally cleaned up my eating. I HAD to do something. SO, I went refined-sugar-free/gluten-free to lessen the inflammation. The summer went by with me learning my new habit, making it a streak, working through the incredible pain of an inflamed tendon in my right foot....and then, my friend on WLW (Pitbull) told me she was starting P90X! Well, I was a bit envious. LOL. And then I mulled it over, and I decided that since I was making huge headway, my body was relatively pain free-(except the foot), my mind was in that place...that place where I could wholeheartedly say "bring it!"...I talked to my husband about it, and we went out and bought it. I started a week behind my friend. It is THE BEST thing I could do for myself. It totally pushes you...and I LOVE to be pushed. It helps that I push myself hard...sometimes too hard. My husband joked that "Jillian (biggest loser) would be bored with you. You push yourself hard, she wouldn't need to push you!" It might sound funny, but that was one of the nicest things I've heard. It totally validated me, even tho I don't need it, it still felt great. The thing is....I think a lot of women THINK they can't do it...that they're not strong enough. I have to just say...YOU'RE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK! Seriously, ladies. Think about it. We give birth to babies. We can push out almost 10 pound babies (my third daughter) and survive. The pain goes away. We are STRONG. We can power through. So, I challenge each of you ladies out there.....BRING IT! Push yourself. Dig down into your power stores and do this for you! If you don't want to do P90X, that's fine. But, you can bring the same principles to your other workouts, your eating, your life. You CAN take the control back. You CAN change your future. You CAN get a healthy, fit body no matter what stage you are in, in life. You just have to want to do it bad enough. P90X WILL help you with that and more. P90X is NOT just for men!! Ladies...YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

I wish all my lady friends much success on their health/fitness journey (okay, you too fellas!). Let's rock this thing. Let's Do this. Whatever workout program/eating regimen you're on....Bring it!

Week 6, Day 3, Back & Biceps...."OOOOOh Mommy, here it comes!"

Haha. I LOVE the things Tony says. It always makes me laugh. He's such a goof. I love that he makes it such fun. "I think I blew out my esophagus!"
Anyway, this is one of my favorite workouts! I love how pumped my arms are....can't stop touching my biceps....hehe...can't wait for when I'm at my ideal weight, and how pumped up they'll be then! Ooooh yeah, bring it, baby, bring it!

I'm Shriiiiinnnnnkkkkkiiiiinnnnnngggg!

I had a shower and got my nightie on....and thought it would be nice to be cozier. SO, I went into my closet and found my terry cloth robe. Well...the last time I put that robe on, likely last winter, I had to keep it closed by the tie...meaning there was NO overlap. I put it on tonight, and not only is there overlap, but there is at least 8 inches of overlap! I was so happy, I went down and showed my hubby. I said "look" and then I opened my robe, and then overlapped it and tied the tie. He smiled and said "I know, you're shrinking! I can totally see it." What an awesome feeling!
I decided that I'm going to start doing nice things for myself. Today, I went and bought some underclothes. Stoked about that. I wondered what I should do for myself....and then it dawned on me. I'm going to pamper myself. So, when I hit 40 pounds lost this year, (I'm at 34 so far) I'm going to get a facial. And every 10 pounds after that, I'm getting another facial. When I hit 50 pounds...I'm getting a pedi and mani. These are things I wouldn't normally do. I'm not a high maintenance girl...but you know what? You don't have to be high maintenance to enjoy some pampering...and after all this hard work I'm doing to reinvent my body...I think I deserve it. And I'm so happy my hubby thinks so too.

Heading to watch DVR'd Biggest Loser, commercial free, baby! :O)

Week 6, Day 2, Cardio X

Today I pulled the old switcheroo. I didn't think I had Plyo in me today, my right knee is sore today. S O, I did Cardio X. Man did the time fly. I LOVE cardio X. I LOVE that it incorporated Kenpo, which if you know me, you know it is MY FAVORITE! Bridget and Issy came in during Kenpo, and Bridget finished the whole routine from there. She's 5! LOL. I feel great. I never expected to sweat as much because it didn't feel like tons of work like Plyo...but it's still working you hard, but just making it fun in the process. I'm glad that I found a new go-to if I don't think I have Plyo in me.

Week 6, Day 1, Chest, Shoulders & Triceps

I really enjoy this workout. I decided that I wasn't going to even attempt standard push-ups today, my abdominal pull hasn't healed fully, don't want to reinjure it. So I did the knees. You can still get a good chest workout from knees. I upped my weights today, and I couldn't even do the One Arm Balance Pushups. I tried, and collapsed. LOL. I just couldn't hold myself up. That tells me that I worked pretty hard. Love the pumped feeling. Good job no one's around because I keep feeling my arms...LOL

Plyo tomorrow. *winces*

SO, I may gain tomorrow...not even going to sneak a peek...well, maybe not. I worked out later, and then immediately, my family ate dinner. I made spaghetti for them. I didn't eat it because I'm gluten free/sugar free, and I forgot to take some of the meat out before the spaghetti sauce was added. I did have my recovery drink, and that held me for a bit. But I did end up eating some toasted rice bread with salmon on it...it's good, healthy food. Hopefully I won't gain....not going to hold my breath though. It is what it is and it shall be what it shall be. Not a biggy. And Yum, it's soooo good!

Month 2, week 5 is OVER. X Stretch...My Body Says "aaaaahhhhhh!"

I love X Stretch days. I wonder about the common tendancy to take a 'rest day' when this day could be the easiest but most rewarding workout day. After working hard all week, this day just makes my body happy, prepares it for the killer workout week ahead, and just feels great. It only takes an hour. An hour to stretch all those muscles that have been working hard all week. Only ONE hour....and it keeps my exercise streak going strong. :O)

On The Search....Finding More Than a Missing Shirt!

I can't find where I put my shirt for the weigh in pictures. I think I was disappointed by what I looked like still, and I may have balled it up and chucked it in the closet. However, I still can't find that shirt. Maybe it's with the missing sox. I think there's a gremlin that goes around stealing clothes. I had a bra once. My favorite bra. It disappeared. Even when we moved and the entire apartment was packed up, I still never found that bra. Mysterious, eh? Well, this shirt IS somewhere. I know it. I just have to keep on looking. The thing with being of the large variety, is that I have TONS of black tops. TONS. I know I'll find it.
On my search for this one top in particular, it had me looking through my drawers. Well, curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself trying on every shirt/top/tank in my dresser. I was so thrilled. I was happy, listening to music, throwing too large shirts on a pile on the floor, folding clothes I hadn't worn in 7 YEARS and putting the now loose shirts back in my drawer, having evolved from 'someday' clothes into the present 'yes!' I am now back down to what I was before I became pregnant with my second daughter, Bridget. I am only 20 pounds away from my lowest that I have been in 5 years! What a cause for joy. Even tho I didn't come in first, second, or third in this months Biggest Loser competition, I feel I've surpassed that, and have come out the Grand Prize winner...renewed determination, affirmation that I WILL lose all my weight, and that it isn't going to take forever....by September next year, I fully expect to be at my ideal weight. And THEN, let the games begin! :O)

Biggest Loser Weigh-In Nov. 1/09

While I know I likely haven't lost enough to win any cash prizes, I'm certainly happy, thrilled, and ecstatic about what I've lost so far.

Competition SW: 259

LW: 251.5

CW: 243.5

Loss of : 8 lbs

Total Loss of 15.5 lbs

Onward and upward on this journey. Can't wait to see what Dec. 1 weigh in will be!