Day 36: Plyometrics

That's right.  I did it.  Plyometrics/jump training.  Uff dah!  That's Swedish for "uff dah!" in case you were wondering. 

I have been afraid of plyometrics for quite a while.  My fear goes back to The Shred.  Jillian has two women on the video with her.  One is a delightful woman named Anita who does modified versions of the moves Jillian lays out for her victims.  The other is a tall drink of water named Natalie who does advanced versions.  I followed Anita quite religiously through that whole 30 day time period.  At one point, though, Natalie does some plyometrics in her most graceful and awesome way.  I could never do her moves because they were insane and horrible,  and I have been thoroughly afraid of jump training ever since.   

It was plyometrics that kept me from starting P90X for a long time.  However, once I saw that the Leans program, which Tony recommends for women who don't want to bulk up too much, doesn't have plyo in it at all, I was ready to start.  Cardio X replaces plyo in the Leans program.  The trouble is, I've outgrown Cardio X.  It's too short and not hard enough of a cardio workout.  If I'm going to run a half marathon in November, I need to be keeping my cardio strength up.  That's what brought me to plyometrics today.

All I can say is, well, uff dah!  It was TOUGH.  It was HARD.  It was dangerously close to vomit-inducing.  I loved it.  When I got done, I had an overwhelming sense of awesomeness (still not a word; still don't care).  I not only did a really fabulous workout, but I overcame a really big fear.  When P90X is over, I will always be incorporating this into my regular workout routine.  It's as simple as that.  I have never sweat so hard in my life, and I am so glad that my brother pushed me into trying this.  Thanks, Jake! 

Day 36:  Brought.  SO brought. 

Day 35: Core Synergistics

As usual, I had an excellent time with CS today.  I had a sleepless night last night, which shocked me considering how exhausted I was from the camping adventure.  I'm leading the story time at VBS this week, and the fear of the unknown had me in its grip for a good portion of the night.  I digress.

I really can't say enough good things about this workout.  Tony could sell just this one and still make a fortune.  It's so well balanced and so challenging.  My only complaint is the placement of "Steam Engine."  You lock your fingers together behind your head.  Then you alternate lifting your knees to the opposite elbow.  The best way I can describe it is you're doing bicycle crunches standing up.  Well, this puts your nose in very close contact with your armpit, and considering this move comes at the end of the workout, you can imagine how unpleasant that can be.  I'm sure there's an exact science to the order of the moves, but man, oh, man, I think this one should be more towards the beginning.  I simply can't remember to put on extra deodorant when I'm stumbling around in the wee morning hours. 

Tomorrow I'm going to give Plyometrics the old college try.  Actually, I'm just going to do it.  This could mean another sleepless night.  Regardless, I'ma git 'er done!

Day 35:  Brought. 

Bonus Blog

I told you I'd let you know Sunday whether or not I jogged, and, as shown in the past, I am a woman of my word. 

I did not jog.  Turns out sleeping on a child-sized Therma-rest with a slow leak on top of a tree root on the sloping edge of a tent doesn't do much to make your back feel like jarring itself into shape by jogging.  So, instead, I sat around and ate an inordinate amount of pretzels.  I do love pretzels. 

Catch you tomorrow.  Core Synergistics! 

Camping trip:  Brought. 

Day 34: Kepo X

I have no idea why, but my bum muscles were sore today.  I totally felt it when I was doing my kicks.  It's strange, but I really welcome the muscle pain.  I translate it as my body has been pushed just a little further than it could go before.  Forward progress is always a good thing, except in a backwards foot race.  But who races backwards? 

We're off to the mountains again today.  This time we camp.  I am going to take my running shoes and hopefully try to psych myself into a little jog while I'm there.  I need to assess my running situation anyway.  We'll see.  There's a pool.  I may just sit by that.  Either way, I'll let you know on Sunday. 

Tomorrow's a rest day on the schedule, so I'm really only missing one day of training.  Of course, I'm not really missing.  I'll make it up.  For now, I go off on a Kenpo high.  "Sword, hammer!" 

Day 34:  Brought. 

Day 33: Back and Legs; Ab Ripper X

Well, folks, it's time to invest in a chin up bar.  Chin up bars.  Push up bars.  Now all I need is a swim-up juice bar.  Of course, that's a bit more labor intensive to purchase and install.  It would be fun, though, wouldn't it?  

I still like this workout, but I need it to be harder for the back portion of it.  I have been using bands for the pull up part, but I don't have a great place to anchor them.  I end up doing most of the workout with the band parallel to the ground which results in me pulling back rather than down.  Having a bar to throw the bands around will make a huge difference, I'm sure.  Oh, you thought I was going to actually do pull ups when I got the bar?  That's so cute.  

Worst part of the workout?  Wall squats.  Best part of the workout?  Wall squats.  How is that even possible?  I especially like the one-legged squats.  They're so hard, but I like looking at my quads when I do them.  They look pretty amazing, if I do say so myself, and since this is my own blog, I do say so myself.  

Ab ripper?  I don't want to talk about it.  

Day 33:  Brought

Day 32: Yoga X

I told you I'd be back on Wednesday, and here I am!  I had a fabulous time in Vail, and I am going to ride high on those wedding vibes for quite a while.  That's a different blog for a different day. 

Yoga was the perfect way to ease back into P90X after a break.  I may not have been able to do anything else today but yoga.  I mean, I have 3 days home, and then another short break.  My exhausted body wanted to just skip this week all together.  BUT, I did promise I'd be back today, and I keep my promises usually, except when I don't.  Tony and I had a fabulous time this morning.  I slept in since the kiddos are all at their grandparents' house, so I got to breathe deep without yawning every time for a change.  I liked that. 

I hate to admit, though, but I did completely blow off one portion of the workout today.  It's divided into two parts.  You do 45 minutes of moving stuff and then 45 minutes of more stretching and balancing.  The last 5 minutes of the first half are just outrageous, and I simply gave in to my inner whining.  I usually spend those 5 minutes tumbling and falling all over the place, and I know I won't master it by skipping it.  I promise not to do that again. 

I didn't eat very well this weekend, and I got on the scale this morning to assess the damage.  I lost 2 pounds.  I think it must have been the altitude.  I mean, I spent the weekend at 10,000 feet.  Surely that made a difference.  :-) 

Day 32:  Brought.

Day 31: Chest/Shoulders/Tris; Ab Ripper X

Son of a biscuit!  I feel like I did way, way back on day 1!  This workout was a beast of a beast, and my arms are still wobbly.  Oh, man, this was tough.  I had no idea how many different ways you could work your triceps and how many stinking variations there are on the push up, which, let's face it, is one of the most loathesome moves around.  Well, for me anyway.  

I have entered "Phase 2" of the program, so it was amazing to get this body jolt.  That doesn't mean I won't have to ask anyone and everyone tomorrow to help me get my suitcase on the conveyor belt, my carry on in the overhead bin or, heaven help me, find a stranger to assist me in the bathroom.  Well, maybe not that last one.  I just hope I don't get stuck anywhere, like Boise.  That would be a bummer.

Ab Ripper, thy name is Stinker.  I am almost resigned to this just being the norm.  Yes, yes, I'm doing my best and forgetting the rest.  I just wish the rest wasn't the last 8 reps in each set.  I'll get there, and when I do, I'll do my blog entry entirely in caps.  That does, after all, convey excitement.  

Today was my last workout until next Wednesday.  I'm going to Colorado and am going to have a wonderful time helping one of my best friends in the whole wide world get herself good and hitched to a really awesome man.  Karrie and Rob, I'm coming!  I'll be the one that can't lift her arms.  Catch the rest of ya'll on Wednesday (and you better be back Wednesday)!

Day 31:  Brought.