Day 47 - Legs, Back and Ab Ripper

I skipped my P90X workout yesteday because I played soccer for close to 2 hours. I spent some time debating whether I should do the legs and back workout earlier in the day, but I'm glad I didn't. I think my legs would have been really sore. It was our first time outside this season and the weather was fantastic! It felt so good to be playing soccer outside after being couped up in the gym all winter!

Today I did Legs, Back and Ab Ripper...not in that order. I did ARX first, then the rest after that. There's nothing really exciting to report about the workout. Burned 483 cals.

I've been following the nutrition plan for a few days now and things are going really well. It's not nearly as difficult to follow as I had originally expected, but it is really hard to only have one carb a day. It takes some planning, that's for sure. So far so good though! I'm doing the Fat Shredder plan because I have a fair bit of weight that I'd like to lose (about 20-30lbs). A few years ago I weighed around 127lbs and I'd really like to get back to that weight. But for now, if I can get to 135-140, I would be really happy! I have muscley (is that a word?) legs, so I usually look smaller than I weigh.

Here's what I ate today:

• Breakfast: 2 eggs, 2 slices of turkey bacon, 1c skim milk
• Snack: plain, fat free yogart with blueberries
• Lunch: Spinach salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegrette, 2 veggie dogs with WW buns, ketchup and mustard
• Snack: 12 mini rice cakes, protein bar
• Supper: Chicken breast, spinach salad with goat cheese and raspberry vinegrette, mushrooms and yellow peppers
• Snack: Low fat pudding

Summary:

• Protein: 6/7 (6 out of 7 recommended servings)
• Dairy: 3/3
• Fruits: 1/1
• Veggies: 4/4
• Fats: 1/1
• Carbs: 2/1
• Snacks: 3/3
• Condiments: 3/2
  

Day 42 - Legs, Back and Ab Ripper

Last night I went out for supper with my cousin, so I wasn't able to do my workout right after work when I usually do it. It really makes a difference I find when I can't workout when I get home. Once I eat supper, I need to let it digest for a bit, making it even later before I get around to working out. I was REALLY tempted not to do my workout last night because it was after 8pm before I was able to start, plus, I had a headache. But I sucked it up and did it and I'm glad I did! I also thought that I might just skip Ab Ripper, but I ended up doing that too!

I did Ab Ripper first, as usual. I think if I had left it to the end, I probably would have skipped it. I know I've said this a lot, but I love doing ARX before the rest of the workout. It's such a nice feeling at the end of the longer workout, to know that I've already done it.

I felt a little sluggish during the whole workout last night. Maybe it was because I had a headache (which went away by the way!), or maybe it was because I didn't drink my "Endurance" drink to keep me going. I did the whole thing, but I just didn't feel into it.

As I said, my headache went away from working out. I had it most of the afternoon and evening and had taken meds for it, but that didn't work. Maybe working out got my blood flowing and that why it went away. Anyway, I'm glad it did and it's good to know for next time!

Before I wrap it up, I just wanted to say that I ordered P90X Plus and Chalean Extreme today from the beachbody.com website. Since I'm halfway through P90X, I thought I should plan ahead and be ready for when I'm done. I still haven't decided exactly what I'll do for the summer because I'll be playing soccer 2-3 times a week. I might just decide to go for runs or bike on my off days. I'll probably also do some weight lifting so I don't lose what muscle I've built so far. I don't know if I want to fully commit to a program over the summer because I'd like to be able to do it straight like the schedule suggests. I still have some time to decide I guess!

Meals:

• Breakfast: Corn Bran Squares cereal and skim milk
• Snack: Coffee
• Lunch: Part of a turkey breast and ham sub from Subway, a few chocolates
• Supper: Salmon with roasted red pepper and pecan sauce, roasted potatoes, veggies, and half a piece of chocolate cake.
• Snack: protein shake with skim milk

Day 33 - Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X

I was bad today and had some chocolate bunny for Easter. You know how it is with chocolate, you only intend to have a little and you just keep going back for more!

As I've been in the habit of doing lately, I did Ab Ripper X first. The workout went just as well as last time. During Legs and Back though, I felt a little sluggish (this was before the chocolate).

Meals:

• Breakfast: 3 egg omelet (using only 1 yolk) with cheese and mushroom
• Snack: chocolate bunny
• Lunch: Caesar salad, coleslaw
• Snack: more chocolate bunny
• Supper: small bowl of maple curry chicken (there was a lot leftover!)

I really lacked in proteins today. Must do better tomorrow.

Day 19 - Legs & Back and Ab Ripper X

I was a little late getting my workout done yesterday because we went out for supper with friends. So I didn't end up starting until around 9PM. I mixed it up a little bit last night by doing ARX before Legs and Back instead of after. I think I prefer it this way. It was good to get it out of the way so I didn't have to worry about it later. Plus, I had more energy to work my abs. I'm not saying I performed better at ARX this way, it was just less tiring.

As always, ARX is a killer for me, but at least it's short. I can manage to do 25 reps on the "in and outs" and on the "bicycle", but that's about it. For the rest of the moves, I can get to about 11-12 reps, then take a break and finish the last 5 or so with the group.

Legs and Back went well. I decided to use the stretch band for my pull-up moves. I think I prefer it this way. I feel like I have more control and that I'm getting a better workout that way. Eventually I'll go back to the pull-up bar, once I get stronger, but for now I'll stick with the band.

I think my favourite move on the Legs and Back DVD is the calf raises. Man they hurt, but I like them!

Day 12 - Legs & Back and Ab Ripper

I split up the two workouts today. I did Ab Ripper after I got home from work and before a group of us went out for supper. Then after supper, I did the Legs and Back workout. I should be off to bed now after I shower, but I'm stuck on the computer and feel the need to write about my workout first!

Today was the first day that I was able to do all of the ab ripper exercises without back pain!! Yay! I still can't do all 25 reps, but I can do more than before. I can feel my abs getting stronger and I think that is helping me from putting strain on my back. I love seeing progress! I was also able to get more of a workout doing legs and back and now my legs feel like jelly.

I'm also quite proud to say that since I started P90X on March 1st, I've exercised 15 out of 18 days, between playing soccer and my 12 days of P90X! One of my days off was because I ate too much on the 6th and the other two I took off to rest my back.

Now one last thing before I go to bed, I'm going to decorate my blog! I know...sad!

Day 5 - Legs & Back and Ab Ripper X

Just a quick note on today's workout because I'm off to bed in a minute. The leg and back workout felt good today and I finally got to try out the new chin-up bar. Couldn't do a chin-up without a chair mind you, but in my eyes, they were chin-ups none-the-less! I found the abs a bit harder today because of my back, so I modified and did my own ab moves for a lot of it.
Off to bed now - Kenpo X tomorrow.