Next up on the list of "firsts": the cake. Baking and decorating my son's first birthday cake was certainly something I never thought I'd be able to do... (And it should be noted that, in an attempt to overcome my computer inept-ness, I just posted a text link to my blog for the very first time...all by myself! Ha!) My mantra for the big 3-0 (less than 2 months away now): No Regrets. No longer will I talk myself out of all those things "I could never do"...
So welcome to my exciting new adventure in health and fitness: P90X. According to their website, "In just 90 days, you can get back in shape, or build the body you've always wanted. All you need is a set of dumbbells or resistance bands, a pull-up bar, and about an hour a day. No gym membership required." I longed for the flat stomach and tone muscles I enjoyed many years ago - before I had three kids! I have been back to my pre-pregnancy weight for months, but tone? Not exactly. Abs? Forget it! Both my pregnancies delivered via c-section. It occurred to me recently that I am not exactly positive if my abdominal muscles are even in their proper location. I mean, I had some excellent doctors but they moved a lot of things around to get those babies out! I have heard so many great reviews of the program and I was curious to see if I could do it. So I asked my brother if I could borrow his DVD's. They sat downstairs in their case for 2 weeks, staring at me every time I would watch Biggest Loser while munching on my snack of the night. I had already started running on the treadmill in preparation for Mini Marathon training and I knew I would need some variety to my workout if I was going to train faithfully until May. Finally last Thursday morning, I decided to get them out. No Regrets, remember. Once I did the first workout I was hooked.
Yes, it's hard. No Pain, No Gain. (I'm full of great sports cliches tonight!) Yes, at 50-60 minutes per day, it's time consuming but the workouts go quickly and because there are short water breaks spread throughout the workout, I have no problem keeping up. I completed my first full week of workouts last night with Kenpo X (easily my favorite, though I love the Plyometrics workout as well . Both are cadio-centered - lots of jumping, kicking, and boxing!)
I was sore the first few days, but Day 4 was Yoga X which means I was all stretched out by the end and haven't been sore since. Sidenote: I have never done yoga before, it always seemed too boring for me, so this was my first experience with anything outside of the very basic moves/stretches that are on my Wii Fit. My balance is pretty good and I used to be flexible, so I figured this would be easy. Wrong. My body needed to remind my brain that my cheerleading and gymnastics days are far, far behind me! However, I would love to know who took inventory of all the stretches we learned at cheerleading camp 15 years ago, put them on a video and called it Yoga??
And my reward for sticking with it? Confidently putting on a bathing suit this summer! Because, really, what's hotter than a mom hitting the beach to showcase her tone tummy and her stretchmarks?!
Brandi you inspire me! I turn 30 in July and I'm tired of being tired and not being exactly what I want to be. Also, you get major gold stars for linking to your own posts and for proper use of the P90X graphic!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Abby - I knew you would be proud of my newfound blog skills :) We really should get together (especially when it's warmer) to run or walk together!
ReplyDeleteBrandi...that is awesome! I agree that c-sections are the worst on the abs! I may just have to check out the P90X...right now I'm dying through Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred!
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you! I can't wait for more updates on your progress. Is this program something that could be done in a TINY TINY TINY space? Gym memberships are WAY too expensive here. Anyway, keep up the great work!!
ReplyDeleteBetsy - I did 30 Say Shred off and on for a couple months after my last pregnancy. I really liked it, but once I got into it Level 1 was too easy and L3 was too hard, so doing L2 every day was boring! The Plyo workout on P90 is very similar though.
ReplyDeleteJody - you really don't need a lot of space. Make sure you have enough room to kick/punch in every direction. There are a couple of up and back movements that you could modify to do 2 up/2 back instead of 4 up/back. I estimate my workout space is about 6 x 5 ft. Let me know if you decide to start!
I am really proud of you too, B! It is SO hard to get motivated to do much at all in the winter. The workout sounds like a really good one too. I'd love to get something like this started at home once #2 comes!
ReplyDeleteI joined the closest gym to our house (1 block away) and I still have a hard time convincing myself to go every day. Maybe something like this would get me to work out even on the days I stay home.
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