Posts Tagged ‘fitness’
Happy Wednesday!
I’ve been a bad blogger (cue the boo-ing), as I didn’t give a proper re-cap to P90X- Week 3.
The structure of the week was identical to Week 1 and Week 2. But while it was the same, it was very, very different. At this point, I’m going to tell you that if you can make it past week 3, you have a real shot at completing this thing.
Why, you ask? Because the hype has worn off at this point. The workouts are no longer new and Tony Horton is beginning to grate on your nerves. You think “Would it really make a difference if I just skipped a day of this?”
The answer is yes, yes it would. Not that I would know anything about that. (In all seriousness, I DID NOT take a day off, just strongly considered it 
)
In my heart of hearts, I believe week 3 was designed to weed out all the people who just aren’t committed, aren’t serious enough. Like the first semester of Law School! Or so I hear…
Week 3 is more of a mental challenge than a physical one. In fact, the workouts are getting easier! And if you are keeping track of your reps and weights, like a good lil P90Xer, you’re probably noticing that you are getting progressively stronger each week. And that, my friends, makes all of this craziness worth it. I promise.
So keep waking up early, keep pressing “play” and keep bringing it. If I can do it, so can you.
Consider this your “pat on the back.” KEEP GOING!
In other fitness news (these are some GREAT reads this week!):
4 Ways To Do More Pull Ups
Working out with your kids
MizFit training: biceps, triceps & shoulders.
How Water Can Affect Body Fat Readings
Top 3 Wii Workout Games
ENJOY!
What is YOUR fitness news? Concentrating on anything new this week? Trying any new workouts?
Did you miss my experience with Week 1? Make sure you catch up!
I’m so glad that so many of you enjoyed and appreciated my honest review! But I realized (actually, the Mister kindly pointed out) that I didn’t really tell you much about the actual workouts/DVDs. Well excuuuuuuuuse me. He’s right, though. There I go again trying to make it all about ME and my opinions
Top 5 things you should know before starting P90X
1.) It’s OK if you can’t keep up. These people on the television screen are experts at this workout! believe it or not, they’ve done it before. It’s OK if you are a little slower or need to take breaks.
2.) You’ll need resistance bands or a pull-up bar and hand weights. This is not optional. Not having these items simply will not give you the same workout (or results!) – in fact, you won’t be able to complete many of the exercises on the resistance exercise days (M/W/F), so invest in one or the other. The Mister and I bought a pull up bar that we hang over the door. It was relatively inexpensive. I hate it. Mainly because I can’t do a pull-up. I swear, I hear it laughing at me. It’s OK though because one day I’m going to dominate it. Until then, I use a chair for assistance. You can use the resistance bands as a substitute for both the pull-up bar (you’ll need a door kit for the bands, or a bar on the ceiling) and the hand weights.
p.s you also need a mat (I suppose the mat is optional if your arms and spine are made of steel – read: NOT OPTIONAL).
3.) Make sure you have some good recipes for an awesome recovery smoothie – you’ll thank me later!
4.) DO NOT try and save time by skip the cool down or stretching on the DVD. Classic rookie mistake. Not that I would know anything about this…
5.) Keep at it! It’s easy to get discouraged, but I promise you’ll start to see progress. Even though you might not SEE progress in your body right away, you’ll notice you are able to lift more wight, do more reps. etc. This brings me to my next point of: WRITE IT DOWN! Make sure you write down your weight/reps so you can see (on paper!) all your progress. Sometimes it’s all you need to keep going.
I can’t believe the Mister and I are already on week 3. This thing will be over before we know it! At least that’s the delusion I’m telling myself
Anything else you guys are curious about? I’ll be sure to include it in my Week 3 recap!
Good morning, friends! Confession: on the workout front, I’ve been slacking. Before you get all judgmental on me, let me explain. I’m taking the GRE this weekend. Yes, yes, I took it for my Master’s program, but those scores expire this year and I need to take it again so I’m ready when I apply for my PhD. But with words like Quiescent, Trenchant, Nascent and Meretricious (to name a FEW!) I’ve been spending almost ALL my spare time studying. And don’t even get me started on all the math skills I’m re-teaching myself! Anyway, something’s gotta give, and unfortunately it’s been my time at the gym.
This makes me both sad
and ANGRY!
I’m know I’m not alone in this predicament. I know several of you have other things going on — i.e. work, kids, school — that infringe on your workout time. I’m here to help!
What should you do if you can’t make it to the gym?
1.) EAT CLEAN — Diet is 80% of the way you you look. If you can’t get your body moving, make sure you decrease your calories a bit and keep things clean with fruits, nuts, veggies and lean protein.
2.) Take the stairs! I’m on the third floor in my office. While others take the elevator for lunch breaks and to get to other meetings, I take the stairs. Every little bit helps!
3.) Save some time with Exercise TV or a workout DVD (like 30 day shred or Physique 57)
4.) Two birds. One stone. Need to study? Incorporate it into your workout! For example: If you are trying to learn definitions (like me!), create a workout challenge. For every word you don’t get correct, you have to do 10 sit-ups while reciting the definition. If you get it wrong AGAIN you have to do 10 push-ups — I guarantee you’ll start remembering!
Need more help? Read:
How to fit in fitness on any schedule
Fitting in Fitness (even at work!)
Get NEAT!
How do you change things up when you can’t make it to the gym? What adjustments do you make? Please share your words of wisdom!
