P90X Day 26 Core Synergistics and I got 3 Consecutive full push ups

Took some measurements today just because I wanted to see how I was doing and is another few days going to make any difference?? Plus I'm feeling and looking so much better that I just wanted to see it in the tape measure....but overall I was quite disappointed.

Lost a little from my arms (strange considering my biceps are looking good so it has to be fat gone right?), my calves, my thigh and chest but not really anything around the waste which was quite odd. I know water can play its annoying part for us ladies but still I was a little disappointed. Onward and upward though and I will take them again on the proper day and see.


Day 26 Core Synergistic

Well I upped the weights for some of these from 2kg to 4kg and really enjoyed it.

HRM 1 Hr 23 mins 667cal 45% fat Max 172 92% Avg 133 72% 

Went for the prison cell push ups went down, came back up, went for the second and had to drop to me knees hang on a minute did I really just do a full proper push up omg no I must have imagined it, never mind keep going!

Carried on and the iso's were tough again but felt better, did the Reach high and under push ups on the back of the settee again and they felt much stronger.

So I finished up and couldn't stop thinking that maybe I had done a full push up without realising it, I had to try so got down and blow me I did it Wahoo!!!!
I can do a full push up - first time in 2 years after the day I managed 2 consecutive ones the day a stuffed up my wrist.

Can I do anymore, I'm a little tired but I have to try...so I got down and did one..took a breath and did another and although I knew I might struggle I managed a third (butt dropped a tad but I got back up there with a little shake) but OMG I really just did 3 consecutive full push ups for the first time in my life

Who would have thought that just a month before my 35th birthday I managed to get 3 full push ups. Needless to say I'm a little ecstatic about it!!!! (it's only a life long ambition of mine nothing much really!)

Who cares that the tape measure didn't tell me what I thought this morning I can do push ups !!!!!

Here's to 4,5, 10 and 20 and more !!!!


I have to say a huge thanks to Jeremy Strom and Rip60, Tony Horton and P90X, Mark Sisson and his recovery drink! Rip60 and 4 Weeks of P90X to go from Zero to 3 push ups!!

P90X Day 25 X Stretch

Day 25 X Stretch

X stretch done today

Tried to be leaner with carbs today and was good and resisted chocolate today too.

I usually have 1-2 chunks of Bournville most days and I'm trying not to!!

I cant believe it will soon be time to weigh and measure

P90X Day 24 Kenpo X

Day 24 Kenpo X

Kenpo done and still love it

Today my mum joined in, which was very cool All very new to her but its an hour activity she wounld't have done otherwise and she enjoyed it too.

 HRM 1hr 07 mins 596 cal 40% fat Max 173 93% Avg 140 75%

P90X Day 23 Core Synergistics

Day 23 Core Synergistics

Well this was errr different lol.

I found it tough on the push ups as I still cant do them on the floor but I did my best to go down from feet and up from knees trying to build the strength.

Bananaman/superman was really tough for me too.

The lunge kickback curl press was cool I enjoyed that will up weight definitely next time. I only went light today with 2 x 2kg Dumbells for all the moves as I was unsure with all the reps how it would be.

The iso stuff was hard too on tired arms.

Can only get better from here

Had to pause a few times to write down stuff and grab a drink but overall I enjoyed it, a bit of shock to the system but good fun.

HRM 1 Hr 20 mins 567cal 50% fat Max 167 90% Avg 125 67%

P90X Day 21 X Stretch and Day 22 Yoga X

Yesterdau was Day 21 X Stretch

I enjoy stretch day


Today Day 22 Yoga X

I didn't enjoy yoga today as much as normal - not sure why probably cause its only a few days since I did it??
I used push up bars again to help with the runners pose as I tried without them and I cant even get my leg half way on its own grrrr


Looking forward to Core syn. tomorrow but just watching Dvd at the mo' and phew it looks tough!!!
I also need to make a lot of room to roll around the floor, mini workout to rearrange the living room before I even start lol

HRM 1 Hr 35 mins 455 cal 55% fat Max 143 77% Avg 104 56% 

P90X Day 21 X Stretch

Day 21 X Stretch

Nice stretch today, still a little doms in the glutes but all good.

Looking forward to trying the new Core Synergistics after Yoga tomorrow.

P90X Day 20 Kenpo X

Day 20 Kenpo X

Enjoyed Kenpo as usual, knees feel great so even did the switch jumps and jacks today too

I'm sure my down dogs are getting better:P

X Stretch tomorrow then on to a Recovery week that I suspect is going to be harder than I think or expect it to be?

 HRM 1hr 13 mins 517 cal 50% fat Max 162 87% Avg 124 67%

P90X Day 19 Legs and Back + ARX

Day 19 Legs and Back + ARX

Worked hard today and considering the lack of sleep because of the thunderstorm last night, I'm pleased with my progress (more reps and more weights ). I had to pause it a couple of times to bring my heart down and catch my breath but boy did I bring it today.

I did less in ARX at the beginning because I was toast but that actually then helped me push on to do more in the later stages more than I'd done before so that worked really well.


I also noticed this last week that I know I'm pushing harder each session and yet generally speaking my Heart rate is lower and therefore I'm burning less calories but I guess that is an indication of getting fitter right????

 HRM 1hr 36 mins 785 cal 45% fat Max 172 92% Avg 132 72%

P90X Day 18 Yoga X

Day 18 Yoga X

Did yoga today and used my push up bars for all the vynyasas (I ought to check the spelling of that?) with runners pose. I was better, I still couldn't swing my leg though without assistance but it was easier to get it back again. Although the upward dogs then felt a little odd as I was up higher??

But still loved it and bring on Legs and Back tomorrow

HRM 1 Hr 39 mins 480 cal 55% fat Max 145 78% Avg 105 56%

P90X Day 17 Shoulders and Arms + ARX

Well yesterday was my first non p90x day since I started and it felt really weird. I wanted to do Shoulders and Arms but I was shattered ---
Had very little sleep last night, up earlier than normal and up and at it all day, bit of traveling this morning then spent the last 4 hours lugging, moving and carrying 25kg drums/containers of liquid around followed by an hour of moving 10kg, 5kg and 2.5kg containers around.
More hours than I'm used to without food and I'm totally knackered. So although I'd like to push on regardless I think I would be silly.

I've certainly moved some weight today just not in the usual way lol.
So good meal tonight and a good nights sleep and get back to bringing it tomorrow .



Another few hours today carting another 16 x 25kg containers around and finally got the job done phew.




Day 17 Shoulders and Arms + ARX

I really enjoy this workout and weights are going up nicely. Not so much on shoulder ones as I don't think that's necessary but triceps are getting stronger ( only 8 side tri rises week 1 - I managed 16 today )by the day and Biceps too

I tried the Crouching Cohen curls with butt against the wall today because with the heavier weights I notice I started a bit of swing / body movement helping / cheat a little last week, and yes it helps a lot, harder but better. To isolate the bicep is the goal and boy does it lol

Also noticing some improvements in ARX too - still crazy tough but keep getting an extra rep here and there, and the impossible seems a little more possible as the moves begin to feel more correct if you know what I mean (mainly talking Hip rock n raise and pulse up here )

I look forward to my Dvd with Tony every singe day!! Am I normal???

 HRM 1Hr 32 mins 575 cal 55% fat  Max 155 83% Avg 117 63%

P90X Day 16 Plyo

Day 16 Plyo

Very careful to avoid all twisting stuff so for example the squat switch pick up - I didn't switch but still did the jump. Stuck ski poles in and jump on the spot without changing knee angle.

Everywhere I could I still jumped but with no twisting.

So slightly dulled in some bits but I still really enjoyed it 

HRM 1Hr 12 mins 669 cal 40% fat  Max 171 92% Avg 143 77%

P90X Day 15 Chest and Back + ARX

Day 15 Chest and Back + ARX

I worked hard today trying to do more reps and more weight and I pretty much did with most of the moves.

Lawnmowers up to 8 @ 20lb from 8 @ 7.5lb when I started so pleased with that and looking to improve that further.

10's and 12's for push ups at pin 5 so will try down to pin 4 next week. My wrist is holding up great so I really want to get to the floor on those push ups.

1st set of decline push ups I did 4 declines only with feet up ie negatives - before I was doing them from knees and I dont think its helpful as the angles all wrong and my knees dont like it.
2nd set of declines I did full push ups on bars decline only (negative) x 5.
Trying to build up more strength.

Pull down variation started at 20kg, now on 30kg and into the 10-12 ranges so I think try 35kg next session?


ARX is still very very tough to keep up with them and do all the reps but I'm trying.



HRM 1Hr 26 mins 642cal 50% fat Max 167 90% Avg 127 68%

Plyo tomorrow and I'm still aware of knees so I think I will avoid the twisting stuff as much as possible (as hard as it will be because I really enjoy plyo) to see if helps things further to get pain free.
 

P90X Day 14 X Stretch

Thank you guys so much.

Day 14 X Stretch

Did X Stretch today and felt great afterwards, little warm in the heat but still felt good.

Shoulder stand was better but still wary of plough. I did frog today too after not doing it yesterday.

Bring on Week 3

P90X Day 13 Kenpo X

Day 13 Kenpo X

My knees are still complaining a little but I didn't want to do nothing so I still did Kenpo but was careful with my knees and positioning them.

Skipped frog completely as my knees don't like it at all and did another push knees out in squat for the duration of frog.

I tried not to rush through trying to keep up so much (although that's difficult with Tony shouting) but tried to concentrate on form.

Didn't do any jumping jacks either, I just stepped left and right and did the arms as that has aggravated my knees when I was doing Rip60.

I still ended up burning more calories that last time

So I hope an easier day today and just nice X Stretch tomorrow, followed by Chest and Back avoiding all knee push ups should give my knees the rest they need to recover before Plyo:)

Wow that will be Week 3 already I can't quite believe it, its flying by and I'm loving it and I haven't skipped a day - I hope this doesn't sound wrong but I'm really proud of myself as I dont think I ever ever done 13 days worth of exercise ever - usually rest days here and there because I needed them so really chuffed with my performance, my recovery and this great P90X program - it's awesome  

HRM 1hr 10 mins 524 cal 50% fat Max 157 84% Avg 127 68%

Ooh one other thing to share... I've always had tight hamstrings ie struggled to touch my toes for most of my adult life and today during warm up when you put your leg up in the and pull - I actually got it straight with foot flexed = first time ever I've been able to have straight legs up in the air while lying on my back wahoo!!!! 

P90X Day 12 Legs and Back + ARX

Day 12 Legs and Back + ARX

Well I really pushed myself today trying to pull more weight and do more reps on the lower body and by the time I got to ARX I was shattered

So although I'm pleased with doubling some of my reps (I eased in last week) and really bringing it .... ARX suffered. With tired legs from both yoga yesterday and legs and back I didn't manage to match my last session of ARX at all.
But I guess I'm still adjusting to the increase workload and I'm noticing some good changes/results physically already so I'll just keep at it

The heat is making the days harder for everybody I'm sure at the moment and it affects sleep too so wont beat myself up too much hey?

HRM 1hr 35 mins 808 cal 40% fat Max 176 95% Avg 137 74% 

A few thoughts/notes..... I'm really thoroughly loving and enjoying this P90X the variety is very cool, Tony Horton is a great trainer, a little crazy but continually makes me laugh in the DVD's and that's a great motivator.
I'm please I didn't go crazy in the first week
I'm really chuffed how I haven't had crazy doms like I used to suffer badly with and I think that's for two reasons, no three...proper warm up, finally cracked the recovery drink (for me 2 scoops of PhD Battery, 1 scoop of PhD Pharma whey HT+ and small amount of PhD creatine) and doing the rip60 stretches after all my workouts

P90X Yoga X

Day 11 Yoga

Still tough on some of those moves to even get into position but I enjoyed it. My hamstring flexibility is improving. The Ab work is really tough.

I've also tonight worked out what upset my knees - when you go into runners pose I have to use my hand to get my foot into position and so when you go from runners pose back to plank - I really struggle to get my leg back. I noticed tonight I was bending my knees very awkwardly so that I could drag my foot sideways to get it back and I think it's been upsetting my knees as my right knee was actually warm on the front right side after I had finished.

The problem is I have very long legs so the gap between my chest and the floor/hands there isn't enough room to swing the foot into place or to get it back again grrrrr
Am I stuck with this due to long limbs or could it be a flexibility and will it improve??? 

 

HRM 1 Hr 37 mins 554 cal 55% fat Max 155 83% Avg 113 61%

P90X Day 10 Shoulders and Arms + ABR

Day 10 Shoulders and Arms + ABR

Today was very long for some reason as in 1 hr 49mins! I had to pause quite a few times because either I hadn't change weight fast enough, or I hadn't read my sheet quick enough to workout what weight I needed grrrr
I took a few extra breathers on ABR too trying to do a few extra reps than last trying to improve, even if it took a little longer.
But obviously a few seconds here and a minute there soon added up

But overall still loved it, weights and reps are going up so yay me. When most of you shakes trying to get that last Cogdon curl you now you've been bringing it!

HRM 1 Hr 49mins 689 cal 55% fat Max 155 83% Avg 117 63%

P90X Day 9 Plyometerics

Day 9 Plyo

I really enjoy plyo, I tried to cut out some of bits that I think aggravate my knees and really enjoyed it - burnt 736 Calories so I guess I still Brought It!!!

A few hour afterwards my knees were tender - they only hurt when I get down to 90 degrees - ie sit in an armchair.
Next plyo session I'm going to cut out the twisting actions on the knees and see if that makes any difference?
Still not sure if I just work though it like doms but its around the knee cap as appose to muscles if you know what I mean.

But I'm still loving P90X and bring on shoulders and arms.

HRM 1 hr 16 mins 736 cal 35% fat Max 176 95% Avg 146 78%

P90X Chest and Back + ARX

Day 8 Chest and Back + ARX

Great stuff, really enjoyed it - upped most of my reps and/or weights

ARX was good too, I managed 25 reps on some of the moves so really chuffed with that. Great progress I feel in just a week.

My knees are better but not completely pain free so just watching Cardio X in case that's a better alternative to give my knees a bit more rest instead of plyo.
I'm not sure, can anyone advise???
I really enjoyed plyo last week and so I want to do it again and not change the program but I also want to take care of my knees as I think this would be better in the long term??

HRM 1 hr 26 mins 597 cal 55% fat Max 161 87% Avg 122 66%

P90X Day 7 X Stretch

Day 7 X Stretch

Wonderful - really enjoyed this today and my body did too

Don't like the dynamic hamstring stretch that's really pfiffer scissors in disguise isn't it?
Every rep I get real good clunk from my right hip area - not sure what it is, not painful but its one of those sounds that you know really shouldn't be there and that if I carry on will everything be alright????


Because my knees are still a little tweaky but seem to be getting better, and the fact that I've never liked doing push ups on my knees, plus they are not good progressing to full push ups from what I've read I'm going to do my push ups on a bar in my rack tomorrow. It should allow for better progressions in stages towards the floor as I get stronger too

P90X Day 6 Kenpo X

Day 6 Kenpo X

I decided before I started this that I was going to only do 10 of each and ease into it gently.........lol plans of mice and men. I loved it and well didn't stop at 10 at all!!!

I took a few reps to work out the moves even though I watched it earlier but I generally got most of the reps in. Apart from Star blocks that I just couldn't work out until it was nearly done lol.

One of the kick sections I backed off at the burn and tried to be at least sensible at some point .

I didn't do any jacks or x jumps though or even much running come to that trying to rest my knees. They are quite tender and so I took the impact stuff out today - much better than skipping the workout completely.

One of the twists actually hurt my knee, I don't think I was turning my foot nearly enough so live and learn on that one.

Looking forward to x stretch tomorrow, gonna watch the dvd now but I hope it irons out some of the crinkles.

I have to say 6 days of hard work and I'm loving it! Definitely going to Bring It more for week 2 now I have a clue at what I'm doing

Did myRip 60 Cool down stretches afterwards

HRM 1 hr 11mins 479 cal 55% fat MAx 153 82% Avg 121 65%

P90x Day 5 Legs and Back + ARX

Day 5 Legs and Back + ARX

Well I didn't go crazy with this today - most of the legs stuff I only went for 10 reps as I want to be able to walk pain free tomorrow .

Pull ups, I upped the weight (20kg to 25kg on pull downs) and reps for all from Day 1 so was pleased with that.

But by the time I was on to ARX I was shattered. I managed to up from my 15 to 20 reps on the first few moves but then it got worse as my energy levels really bottomed out
I missed a meal today, I had a double shake first thing and it lasted me longer and with a crazy work day, it was time for lunch before I knew it so missed my normal snack. I've also been very low carb the last few days and I think today I knew to it.

I checked my HRM when I was eventually done after a few breathers to be able to finish ARX, and I did a few more extra stretches I had burnt 762 cal so double whammy!


My knees have been a little tender over the last few days too, when I sit down in a chair they moan which I don't like, I'm hoping they are just adjusting so we will see over the next day or two. If not I feel a rest day coming on?

P90X Day 4 Yoga X

Day 4 Yoga X

Wowser tough but I enjoyed it!

Some of the poses are hard and some were, for me, impossible at the moment but hey I'm looking forward to improving them day by day.

The beachbody jump mat I think is great for jumping on for me its no good as a yoga mat as the first few down-dogs, my hands were slipping so I had to pause and change to my trusty old yoga mat - that was much better.

My wrist complained a little today but should be fine.

HRM 1Hr 36mins 569 cal 55% fat Max 152 82% Avg 115 62%

P90X Day 3 Shoulders and Arms + ARX

Day 3 Shoulders and Arms + Ab Rip X

This went pretty well today I thought - my weights were much better, still didn't go crazy but went for 8-10 range.

My bowflex work really well but I used a shorter and lighter dumbell for the tricep switch kickbacks as the length of the bowflex would have made it more difficult.

My doms were tons better than I thought they might be today so I'm pleased with that. I also did some of my own or rather Jeremy/Rip 60 stretches again today so I think I will continue to do that as I really think it helps.

ARX still wowser! I manages 15 of everything up to the v up roll up grrrrr only 10 of them and only 10 of the obliques but managed 30 mason twists today
The scissors although I did 15 I rested my foot each rep!

Loving P90X so bring on the Yoga tomorrow

HRM 1 Hr 29mins 604cal 55% fat Max 154 83% Avg 120 65%

P90X Day 2 Plyometrics

Today Day 2 I did Plyo and loved it. Honestly I might be odd but I really enjoyed it. I kept up with them far better than I expected too although I may regret it tomorrow.
600 calories of fun

I did some more stretching afterwards as Tony doesn't do much at all so I did some of my Rip 60 Stretches which I found really good and worthwhile doing so I hope that helps with the doms.
But saying that my hip flexors are beginning to complain already so I think I jumped over too many tires today

The only move I couldn't get was the pitch and catch - I am so not American!! Will try harder next time


HRM 1hr 8mins, 601 Cal, Max 168 90% Avg 138 74%

P90X Day 1 Chest and Back + Ab Ripper X

Ok so I decided today that to sit around doing nothing for another day wasn't very helpful, I still had minor doms in biceps but getting them to work is probably the best thing for them right??

So I did P90X Day 1 Chest and Back + Ab Ripper X wahoo!

I went fairly light and easy on everything not knowing how it would all play out on the first round and upped the reps and the weight on the second round. Really enjoyed it.

I probably went too light and low on some reps but I want to ease into P90X and not go crazy too soon as I dont want major doms to set me back. Slow and steady wins the race? I really like to be able to take a drink of water with pain

Military push ups I did on a raised surface in full plank, the others I did on the floor on my knees. The decline I had my knees on the raised surface.

The chin ups I did on bar with Pull up Rev. and the pull up varieties I did cable pull downs @ 20kg (too light but its a start).

ARX wow I now know why people say what they say about it phew. I did 10 reps of everything, again trying to be cautious, apart from one near the end which was crazy and I could hardly get my butt off the floor (roll up v ups i think?). With 20 each of the last one.

Awesome 1 down 89 to go

HRM 1min 12secs 426cal 55% fat Max 153 82% Avg 113 61%

Light cardio

Doms from the from the fitness test so rest day yesterday.

Today did elliptical for just under 45 mins and went for low heart rate 110-130 ish for recovery and actually did 5k - I don't think I have ever done 5k before at any speed so really chuffed with that ;)

HRM 55 mins 333cal 60% fat Max 133 72% Avg 114 61%

Another days rest tomorrow and then it time to bring it!!!

P90X Fitness test

So I got my P90X fitness test done today

And I actually surprised myself with what I managed to do.

Mainly the bicep curl - it says minimum 8 lb / 3.6kg for women so I went for 10 lb / 4.5kg and managed 40 reps!!!! think I underestimated myself a little there lol

In and outs are a bitch, they really hurt!

Measurements are taken but I couldn't get anyone to take my pics so I have video'd myself instead. I can take stills from that if necessary but I actually think the vid showing movements/poses is actually even better to compare to.

So I'm expecting to be uncomfortable tomorrow with some doms but I'm hopeful of none and as soon as I'm recovered it's time to press play!!! Bring it!!