CL/PH2/WK3/Day3: Back & Biceps; ARX
Good day!
Mmmmm. Great, great workout today. I prefaced P90X with Step,Jump&Pump warm up and step combos. I've always loved that little step workout as a way to get the blood moving, but it isn't strenuous. And it's short. Great for an add-on. I have to say, I'm not feeling any decline in cardio capacity after 6 weeks without Cathe. Of course, I haven't attempted the workouts that used to seriously challenge me (IMAX3, MIC, HCE#3 etc.). On Saturday I will do the KickMax Blast Challenge at the end of KenpoX, and that will tell the tale. I had the enthusiasm to work hard with B&B today. I brung it good. Raised many of my weights, inflated my forearms to twice their size, increased my pull/chin up count. I feel like I got good things accomplished today.
I wish I had the video camera rolling this morning. DD2 was having a *ball* doing her own workout on my step. While I was getting set up, I turned Step Blast on for her to dance to, and she went to town on the step. Arms up, feet stomping, hands clapping, bum wiggling. OMG, beyond adorable. When Cathe did the walk around the step, she stepped down and went around, too. I began my workout quite late because I was having such a fun time watching her. She was very irate when I told her it was my turn. I gave her my high step topped to play on, and she was NOT happy with that. Thank heavens SJP step is so short. When I finished, she stopped all her protesting, and immediately climbed back on the step and started wiggling again. I'll be charging up the video cam batteries tonight. Of course, she'll never do it quite the same way again....
It sounds like many of you are getting some icky weather. Stay warm and safe. Have a cup or two of Ghirardelli's hot chocolate. Say "ooohhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm......."
Jeanette - Please don't try cutting your calories just yet. Wait until after your recovery week. Cathe has said numerous times that the body will retain water when you do heavy strength training. The muscles need it for recovery, I believe is what she says. Give your muscles the recovery week to, well, recover, and see if the puffiness drops. JMO. I really, really doubt that you are gaining fat. You eat too well, and exercise too hard. Treat your body with love, give it what it needs to perform what you ask of it. If, after your recovery week, you're still on the upswing, then yes, maybe you need to drop your portions (seems like cruel and unusual punishment, though
).
Traci - awesome job on IMAX1 yesterday. You got me wanting to do it now! I personally think that's the one with the best plyo stuff in it. No fancy choreography, just down and dirty anaerobic activity - repeated a thousand times. I counted once: IIRC, did you know that in that workout you do 72 plyo-jacks?? I could be off a bit, but the number is close. Ouch. I agree - DH is essential personnel only to his family, and staying home was the smartest thing he could do. I wish people would take that approach around here. But we've got some kind of macho-Canadian thing that happens in bad weather. People refuse to admit that the roads are all "that bad", so out they go. Granted, our city, roads and people are better equiped to deal with snow and ice, but that doesn't make it all easier. Last week we had a huge blizzard from Tuesday evening until Wednesday afternoon. At 4:00 on Weds I had to drive up the street to pick up DD from the bus stop - 'cause they refuse to close the bloomin' schools. I had to drive because even though it's a 5 min walk, the sidewalks were knee-deep with snow, and the temps were too low for me to want to take the baby out. As it happens, my car got stuck in our back alley. So I had to take the baby to the neighbour's (thank heavens she was home), and while the other very kind neighbours dug me out (I was blocking their driveway LOL), I had to trudge up the street and meet DD1. I shook my head the whole time, wondering how important one day of school is?? Thanks for asking about my writing. I'm currently editing a very difficult chapter. But, like last week, I've set some mini-goals to get through it. I'm doing okay so far. I may have to take an entire day this week to complete it, though. It's slow going. I want to change almost every word. Good luck with your workout today!!! You have quite a challenge on your plate!
Monica - ooooooh, you have having a tough week. Your power outage sounds like a dreadful experience. I have to ask as innocently as possible: if your pets could stay at the relatives', how come you and your family couldn't, as well? Do you guys typically get these low temps in the winter, or is this an anamolly? Glad you liked Ch-Sh-Tri! I don't find it all that bad, either. I actually find the moves almost too "fancy" for me to get as much out of them as I do in Chest & Back. But even after doing it for the 3rd time this week I still got DOMS in my triceps, so I guess it's still working.
Tracy - I also start wanting to bake cakes, etc when I'm not taking in enough carbs. It's our bodies' way of telling us what we need, I guess. Was it you who, yesterday, talked about the "Sandra planks"? Or was that Jeanette? Anyway, I lol'd! I never thought I'd have an exercise named after me!
Lea - nice to see you posting again! I wish we had a Trader Joe's around here. They sound like a great place to shop. I made Nancy's molasses,date&flax muffins. It's the only recipe of hers I've ever tried, but I've made them many times. Tasty, healthy, and not overly sweet. Quite nice. Which other ones do you suggest I try?
Stephanie - Oh, I'm so sorry you've been sick, and injured!! I completely understand your frustration and worry. But foremost of all is your health. Be patient, get everything working properly again, then pick up where you left off. You will NOT lose any conditioning with only a few days off. You will probably come back stronger. If your back continues to bother you after a few days' rest, then you probably should see someone about it. And drink a ton of water. If you've been so sick, you're probably dehydrated, and that will leave you feeling weak. Good luck! And we'll still be here when you get better. ((((hugs))))
Have a good afternoon,
Sandra
