P90X, Week 13, Days 1-4

P90X? What's that?! Nah, just kidding. I'm still alive and TRYING to stay on track, but I have gotten a bit distracted this week. I fell in love with a dog at the pound, and I'm in obsessed mode where all I can think about is this dog. She stood out to me because she looks like a blonde version of our Rottweiler Abby, who died in Sept. She was still at the pound as of 2:00 today, but someone else had an application to adopt her (which was approved), so I've been waiting it out to see if they're going to come get her or not. I don't want to get my hopes up too much.

So, I'm in the 13th and final week of P90X. This week is mostly about stretching and doing Yoga. I've been extremely lazy and when I have worked out, I've not stuck to the routine... I did step aerobics, Brazilian Butt Lift, Ab Ripper X, to name a few. I have also been on the eliptical. Anything to burn as many calories as I can in a short period of time. I'm just really over P90X, no offense to the company or to Tony Horton, or to anyone who loves the program, because it absolutely worked for me... but 13 weeks is a long time. I'm ready to move on and try other things. And I'll come back to the P90X videos now and again, working my favorites into my workout routine.  I miss going to the gym and being among my meathead people. i miss taking my headphones and watching movies and television while i burn close to 1000 calories.

That's about all the news. Hope everyone is doing great!

P90X, Week 12, Days 6 & 7

I wrote a really long blog earlier, but to my dismay, the computer cut itself off and I lost my entire entry. It does that sometimes :( Days 6 and 7 of Week 12 did happen, I just have been super busy and unable to blog about it. Day 7 was Rest and Stretch, so I opted for "Rest", but with this being dance recital weekend, I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off... not to mention everything else that has been going on lately, such as having a plumber come out for a major leak, having a new security system put into our house, and cleaning the whole house for my parents to come into town. The recital involved a long dress rehearsal Thurs night and 2 nights of back to back recitals. My daughter was in 5 numbers this year, and I was responsible for her 5 costumes, plus 5 more costumes for my best friend's daughter. My best friend was out of town on a business trip, so I offered to help out, not knowing what I was getting myself into... 2 girls, 10 costumes, five back to back dance numbers.... oh my. I am tired. I lost 3 pounds in 3 days due to all of the running around I had to do.

Week 13 should have started yesterday, but I am going to be getting a late start. I will hopefully get back on track tomorrow. I've lost 37 lbs since January 1, which is really hard for me to wrap my head around. I never knew I could lose that much weight, or that I needed to... I only have 6 more lbs to be at my goal weight. If I reach my goal weight, I'll re-evaluate my situation and see if I need to set a new goal. There are still some areas that I would like to work on.

Happy Mother's Day. Mine was very nice, with the recital and then church today with my mother. Both of my children sang today in church. Then my Mom took me out shopping for a new coffee pot--- mine has been broken for some time--- much to my surprise, she bought me a Keurig, which was pretty expensive. I've been wanting one for some time now, but never expected anyone to buy me one, especially not my mom, and especially not on Mother's Day! She also bought me a new clock for my kitchen and an oregano plant. I gave her a really cool, decorative hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds are her favorite. I also got her some little Yankee candles. It was so nice just to see her and spend time with her on Mother's Day.  I feel very blessed to both have and be a mother. I couldn't ask for a better mom or for better children. I thank God for them every day.

P90X, Week 12, Day 5 (with the before and after pics everyone WANTS to see)

What a day! What a lonnnng day! Had I not laid in bed until 8:10 AM, I probably could've gotten up early and worked out, and then I could've gone to bed at a decent hour. Instead, I rushed to get the kids to school, rushed to get to work (no makeup on-had to apply that in the bathroom once I got there), work a full day there, rush to get back in time to get the kids from school, rush to fix supper, and rush to get the kids to church. My daughter has a speaking part in the upcoming musical, and she had to be there at 5 PM to rehearse for that. Then both of my children go to choir at 5:30 and then AWANA after that. I report to the church nursery at 5:30 and typically work with either the itty bitty babies or the 1 year olds. The 1 year olds are my favorite :) I get my baby fix, and then I get to give em back and go back to my life.

Wow, how'd I get so off track here... ok, so I got home from church around 9 PM, had to help my youngest with his homework, get them both showered and in pajamas, then put them to bed. THEN I finally got to work out. I opted for Plyometrics, which is a lot of jumping around. I gave it my all, except for the air guitar move, because that one has a very LOUD landing, and I didn't want to shake the whole house or make a lot of noise and wake up the kiddos. The workout was 60 minutes long and Tony Horton calls it "The Mother of all P90X workouts". It's actually NOT a part of the Lean Version of P90X, but I tried it a couple of weeks ago and discovered that it targets my butt, thighs, and legs, which is where I neeeed help. I was drenched in sweat afterwards, which is how I gauge a really good workout.

I got another compliment tonight. A friend told me I was looking really good. I love to receive compliments, especially after working so hard. There are days when I get so frustrated and just want to give up... but I have to remind myself of how far I've COME. Here are before and after pictures. No, I don't look perfect right now, but I've definitely made a lot of progress.

WEEK 1: Blue tankini, back view and front view:


Week 12: Hot pink string bikini, back view and front view.
Like I said, NOT perfect... definitely still some problem areas, but I can't let it get me down. I've come a long way :) I still have more work to do, but looking at these pictures does make me feel a little bit better about my little stomach pooch.

P90X, Week 12, Day 4

Okay, so Yoga X didn't happen, because now I have misplaced that disc as well :( grrr. But I did get up and go to my Step Aerobics class this morning and burned around 700 calories. I also lifted weights for about 30 minutes, walked with a client for about 20 minutes, and did Ab Ripper X. All total, I burned over 1000 calories again. I took some new bikini pictures tonight and I'm seeing my butt and thighs starting to get smaller; however, as I said last night, I need to crank up the cardio to get rid of the fat on the top of my belly and on my inner and outer thighs. I will try to post some pictures soon. I shared them with a couple of friends tonight and am getting more confident in doing so. 

P90X, Week 12, Day 3

Another P90X-less night. I tried to do my workout, which was Back & Biceps, but the DVD wouldn't work! It was the first time the program required me to do this workout, so I hadn't tried the disk out prior to tonight. I ended up going to the gym & burning over 1,000 calories doing cardio. I did the eliptical and the stationary bike again. The iPhone app that I use to track my calories says that I'll weigh 112 lbs in 5 weeks. Um, yeah right!!!!!

Skinny Girl :)

I had to take my son to Cub Scouts tonight, and TWO people called me "Skinny Girl". One was my friend Denise and the other was my friend Mike, both of whom go to my church and have sons in the same cub scout pack. And, of course, they are both Facebook friends, so they've seen my daily posts about doing P90X and could have just said it to be nice. My new nickname may not stick beyond, well.... tonight, but just hearing two people refer to ME as "Skinny Girl" has made me SO giddy, I can't begin to explain it! With that being said, it's time to go work out now :)

P90X, Week 12, Day 2

I probably shouldn't use P90X in the title of this entry, since I didn't actually DO P90X today. I was supposed to complete the Cardio X video, but it's lost somewhere... So, I went for a walk, then did the eliptical at the gym, and rode the exercise bike. I think I need to increase my cardio from this point on in order to get the last bit of fat off of my abs and lower body. I only have 20 days before the pool opens... 20 days!!! I've noticed a slight improvement in my lower body since I started using Brazil Butt Lift. I took comparison pics in my new bikini, and my butt is definitely firmer than it was before. So that's a good sign. My plan is to keep moving forward and finish up P90X, while cranking up the cardio, and then once I'm done (1 week 5 days), I will continue to crank up the cardio and get back to the gym 5-6 days/week. I've missed my meatheads.

P90X, Week 12, Day 1

Today is technically Week 12, Day 1, but I got off track there somewhere. I think it's because I skipped Rest and Stretch Day, which would've been yesterday. So, today I'm getting back on the schedule, and I did Ab Ripper X as well as Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps. I haven't done Chest/Shoulders/Triceps in awhile, and my strength and endurance were kind of poor. I did my best to "bring it", but I did feel a little weak. SO MANY PUSHUPS!

My lower body is sore from last night's workout, and I'm also sore in odd places, like my luv handles and my back. I'm not sure why that is, since I did Brazil Butt Lift and Kenpo X last night. Even though I've been working out the past couple of days, I still feel like a slacker for some reason; I guess because I've 'tweaked' the P90X program rather than follow it exactly. I have treid to focus more on lower body since I hadn't lost any inches or cellulite there. I feel kind of bad for straying from the program, and I hope I don't end up with poor results. I still have that little fat pooch that I can't get rid of, too. It's like a layer of fat over my abs that will not go away. I don't mean to complain. I've come a long way. And it probably doesn't help that my dinner tonight was a frosted donut from Dunkin Donuts. I had been doing pretty well with my nutrition, but my husband brought home a dozen donuts-all different and colorful- and I managed to stay away from them all day yesterday, but with it being 'that time', my body craved sweets today, and I HAD to have one!

Tomorrow's workout is Cardio X, and somewhere along the way, I've lost that DVD. I hope to find it tomorrow, but if I can't, I may go to the gym and burn a ton of calories on the eliptical. Or I may do plyometrics if I'm not too sore from yesterday's workouts.

P90X, Week 11, Days 6 & 7

First of all, let me just say... Rest in Peace, MCA from the Beastie Boys! How sad :( I grew up with the Beastie Boys, and was really into them in my high school years especially. I got to see them perform live nearly 4 years ago at a Rock the Vote concert, where they played with Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, among others. It was awesome seeing them live. So, though I've outgrown some of their more outrageous lyrics, the MUSIC itself is still awesome. I always loved their instrumental stuff especially. I've moved on to Christian rock music, which glorifies God (can't really say that about the Beastie Boys), but there is still a part of me that totally digs the Beastie Boys. They were the first white boy rappers, c'mon now. And they were a bit punk rock too. I always had the biggest crush on Ad Rock. MCA was the taller, goofy looking one, but he had the best voice. It was low and cool and even.

With that being said, since I have slacked off the past couple of days, I tried to get a lot of exercise in today, which was supposed to be my "Rest and Stretch" day. I came home and went for a run after work. I was only able to run for about 20 minutes while the kids' dinner was cooking. Then I popped in Kenpo X because I wanted to do some cardio, but I wanted it to be FUN. After that, I did Brazil Butt Lift, the bum bum workout, which I find to be very difficult. I notice that I'm getting better with practice; however, I was drenched in sweat after 30 minutes (when it was over). I burned nearly 1100 calories doing all of that. I feel energized now, like I can do even more exercise, but the fam and I are going to wach "How to Train Your Dragon" in 3-D on our new TV! Whoop, whoop! I lost another pound this morning, and I'm down 17 lbs with P90X, for a total of 33 lbs since December. It is hard for me to believe that I let myself get that big. I would still like to lose around 10 more pounds from the butt/thighs/lower abdominal areas, which is why I'm doing Brazil Butt Lift in place of some of my workouts.

I had a meeting at work this morning and Corey did too. We were a little worried about his meeting, because his company has been sending sort of gloomy emails out about how the company is hurting financially. He had to account for all of his sales or lack thereof, and I admit, I was nervous for him. We've been through a layoff before, and it was stressful, even though he was able to find another job quickly. There's the whole process of getting different insurance, waiting on the first payday, and for him- learning a whole new job and fitting into a whole new company. But I prayed about this meeting last night and again this morning, and it turns out that it went very well. In fact, he said it went "Excellent". As did my own meeting. I was told that I am a LEADER due to my ethics, morals, and values. I was taken back by that a little bit, because I have never considered myself a leader, nor have I ever wanted to be one. Not that I wanted to be a follower, either, but a leader? Me?  I have always been extremely shy and soft spoken, but I find myself growing and changing the older I get. I seem to be becoming more outcoming and more comfortable in social situations. It's a good feeling. My point is that, God came through for us once again. Here I thought he'd lose his job, but his meeting went very well, and he is still employed. And I was praised for a job well done. I'm glad it's Friday and I'm gonna go hop in the shower now and spend quality time with the family :) Good night.

SLACKER!

Ok, so I've really slacked off for the past 2 days as far as exercise. I've been devoting most of my time to work- just the past 2 days, though. I needed to get my hours up. I worked about 14 hours today, between seeing my clients, doing my administrative work, and then doing paperwork at home. Last night, I worked all day, then went straight to my job at my church (working with 1 year olds :), which I love!). But once I got home last night, I literally just CRASHED. I fell asleep for about an hour, woke up, put the kids to bed, went back to sleep for a couple more hours, woke up again, piddled around, and then was out for the rest of the night. I don't want to get into TMI but it is 'that time' for me, and I think my body is just flat out exhausted. So no exercise for me last night, and only a short round of yoga for me tonight. I am wiped out and I have an early training in the morning because I'm taking on even more supervisory tasks at work. Work is still going well; I just hate it that one of my coworkers put in her notice a couple days ago- she is such an asset to the company and we've become good friends. I know that once she leaves, we can keep in touch, but it won't be the same. She is moving on to bigger and better things. Good for her. I'm content where I am for the moment, and the other 2 employers I was considering (in the back of my mind) have since closed their doors, so I'm happy to have a job. I absolutely LOVE my clients. Not many people can say that they love their jobs, but I can. My clients are what really makes it wonderful and worthwhile. The admin stuff- not so much. I was telling a coworker this, and he replied, "You showed them too many of your talents, Beth". I guess this is true... I wrote good notes and reports, they took notice, and put me in a writing role. That ended up earning me more $$$ but losing time for additional clients. Now I'm stuck in the office 3 days a week. Boo. There are so many different personalities I have to work with, too. I try to be nice to everyone and have a good rapport with them, but yesterday my supervisor (that's what I call her, though I've been told not to call her that... but that's really what she is... confusing, huh) told me that I'm too friendly with other counselors when i have to call them for information regarding PAs (which is what I write). This was coming from someone who does not have good rapport with quite a few people. I told her I was sorry she felt that way, but that I have good working relationships with everyone and this is how we communicate. Good grief... I can't stand being micromanaged like that. Too friendly, eh? It gets the job done, doesn't it? People appreciate someone NICE calling them for a change. I give a lot of praise, too, because people love that; it makes them feel good. Everyone loves a little ego stroking. A little bit of praise goes a long way. Whatever, "supervisor". Pfffft. :P

P90X, Week 11, Day 4

Hello! It has been a great day! I started my morning with my 60 minute step aerobic class, which is always a lot of fun. It was especially hard today, maybe because it was so warm outside today, and I got really hot really fast. I burned around 600 calories in the class. Then I came home and took the dog for a walk for about 30 minutes, which burned another 100 calories. Tonight was my night to do Yoga X; however, since it is 90 minutes long and I have a lot of paperwork to get done (plus showering 2 children/putting them to bed), I opted for Ab Ripper X, which is 16 minutes long and burns more calories than Yoga X. I will probably try to do Yoga X tomorrow, because my legs are already extremely sore from last night and today, and Yoga really helps. I'm always the 'sorest' on the second day, which will be tomorrow.

I... uh... went shopping again. I know, I KNOW! I went to Marshall's again, and I bought myself some workout clothes. This was following feeling overheated in Step class, mind you. I decided I needed some shorts and tank tops as opposed to t-shirts and workout pants. Problem is, the selection was so good, it was tough to narrow it down. I ended up getting 2 very cute workout tops and 3 black bottoms- one is a pair of running shorts, one is capri-length workout pants, and the other are knee length. I have buyer's remorse, but I only paid around $70 for all of that. I won't mention yesterday's purchases again :/ But that is IT for awhile- or at least until my next payday. It is just so much fun to buy new clothes once you lose weight.

This is a terrible picture, & yes it is sideways...but here is one of my new workout tops, worn with the knee length black pants I also purchased:  As you can see, I'm gonna need em... I still have quite a booty on me!